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B  RAR.Y 

OF   THL 

UNIVERSITY 
OF    ILLINOIS 

977.359 


cop.  a 


a 


CENTRAL  CIRCULATION  BOOKSTACKS 

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US  reWa   or  its  return  to 

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TO  «»IW  CAll  TEUPHONE  CENIEK,  333-840O 


Of   .U.N0.8   UB«A^   AT   ...»^  ^.  .....  ,-„ 


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rre  o  7  200 

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L162 


JL. 


JILBIH 


~\^ 

& 


-OF- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY,  ILL, 


CONTAINING 


Full  Page  Portraits  and  Biographical  Sketches  of  Prominent 
and  Representative  Citizens  of  the  County, 


TOGETHER   WITH 


PORTRAITS    AND    BIOGRAPHIES    OF    ALL   THE    GOVERNORS    OF    ILLINOIS,  AND 
OF    THE    PRESIDENTS   OF   THE    UNITED    STATES. 


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CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN  BEOTHEBS, 

1887. 


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HAVE  completed  our  labors  in  writing  and  compiling  the  PORTRAIT  AND  Bio- 
GRAPHicAL  ALBUM  of  this  county,  and  wish,  in  presenting  it  to  our  patrons,  to  speak 
briefly  of  the  importance  of  local  works  of  this  nature.  It  is  certainly  the  duty 
of  the  present  to  commemorate  the  past,  to  perpetuate  the  names  of  the  pioneers, 
to  furnish  a  record  of  their  early  settlement,  and  to  relate  the  story  of  their  progress. 
The  civilization  of  our  day,  the  enlightenment  of  the  age,  and  this  solemn  duty  which 
men  of  the  present  time  owe  to  their  ancestors,  to  themselves  and  to  their  posterity, 
demand  that  a  record  of  their  lives  and  deeds  should  be  made.  In  local  history  is  found  a  power 
to  instruct  man  by  precedent,  to  enliven  the  mental  faculties,  and  to  waft  down  the  river  of  time  a  safe 
vessel  in  which  the  names  and  actions  of  the  people  who  contributed  to  raise  this  region  from  its 
primitive  state  may  be  preserved.  Surely  and  rapidly  the  noble  men,  who  in  their  vigor  and  prime 
came  early  to  the  county  and  claimed  the  virgin  soil  as  their  heritage,  are  passing  to  their 
graves.  The  number  remaining  who  can  relate  the  history  of  the  first  days  of  settlement  is 
becoming  small  indeed,  so  that  an  actual  necessity  exists  for  the  collection  and  preservation  of  his- 
torical matter  without  delay,  before  the  settlers  of  the  wilderness  are  cut  down  by  time.  Not  only 
is  it  of  the  greatest  importance  to  render  history  of  pioneer  times  full  and  accurate,  but  it  is  also  essen- 
tial that  the  history  of  the  county,  from  its  settlement  to  the  present  day,  should  be  treated  through  its  various 
phases,  so  that  a  record,  complete  and  impartial,  may  be  handed  down  to  the  future.  The  present  the  age 
of  progress,  is  reviewed,  standing  out  in  bold  relief  over  the  quiet,  unostentatious  olden  times;  it  is  a  brilliant 
record,  which  is  destined  to  live  in  the  future;  the  good  works  of  men,  their  magnificent  enterprises,  theii 
lives,  whether  commercial  or  military,  do  not  sink  into  oblivion,  but,  on  the  contrary,  grow  brighter  with  age, 
and  contribute  to  build  up  a  record  which  carries  with  it  precedents  and  principles  that  will  be  advanced  and 
observed  when  the  acts  of  soulless  men  will  be  forgotten  and  their  very  names  hidden  in  obscurity. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  personal  sketches  contained  in  this  volume,  unusual  care  and  pains  were 
taken  to  have  them  accurate,  even  in  the  smallest  detail.  Indeed,  nothing  was  passed  lightly  over  or  treated 
indifferently  ;  and  we  flatter  ourselves  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  accurate  works  of  its  nature  ever  published. 
As  one  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  this  work,  we  present  the  portraits  of  numerous  represent- 
ative citizens.  It  has  been  our  aim  to  have  the  prominent  men  of  to-day,  as  well  as  the  pioneers,  represented 
in  this  department ;  and  we  congratulate  ourselves  on  the  uniformly  high  character  of  the  gentlemen  whose 
Dortraits  we  present.  They  are  in  the  strictest  sense  representative  men,  and  are  selected  from  all  the  call- 
ings and  professions  worthy  to  be  given.  There  are  others,  it  is  true,  who  claim  equal  prominence  with 
those  given ;  but  of  course  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  give  portraits  of  all  the  leading  men  and  pioneers 
of  the  county.  We  are  under  great  obligation  to  many  of  the  noble  and  generous  people  of  this  county 
for  kindly  and  material  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  this  ALBUM. 


CHICAGO,  August,  1887. 


CHAPMAN  BROTHERS. 


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f/RST  PRESIDENT. 


'.'(  '.  'i  '.-'i  '.  V.1, '. ',  •. ',  \  'i  •.  ',"•.  ',  '.  ',  •.  >,  •.,',  -.  'x> ;  v  ; 


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HE  Father  of  our  Country  was 
horn  in  Westmorland  Co.,  Va., 
Feb.  22,  1732.  His  parents 
were  Augustine  and  Mary 
(Ball)  Washington.  The  family 
to  which  he  belonged  has  not 
been  satisfactorily  traced  in 
England.  His  great-grand- 
father, John  Washington,  em- 
igrated to  Virginia  about  1657, 
and  became  a  prosperous 
planter.  He  had  two  sons, 
Lawrence  and  John.  The 
former  married  Mildred  Warner 
and  had  three  children,  Joha. 
Augustine  and  Mildred.  Augus- 
tine, the  father  of  George,  first 
married  Jane  Butler,  who  bore 
him  four  children,  two  of  whom, 
Lawrence  and  Augustine,  reached 
maturity.  Of  six  children  by  his 
second  marriage,  George  was  the 
eldest,  the  others  being  Betty, 
Samuel,  John  Augustine,  Charles 
and  Mildred. 
Augustine  Washington,  the  father  of  George,  died 
in  1743,  leaving  a  large  landed  property.  To  his 
eldest  son,  Lawrence,  he  bequeathed  an  estate  on 
the  Patomac,  afterwards  known  as  Mount  Vernon, 
and  to  George  he  left  the  parental  residence.  George 
received  only  such  education  as  the  neighborhood 
schools  afforded,  save  for  a  short  time  after  he  left 
school,  when  he  received  private  instruction  in 
mathematics.  His  spelling  was  rather  defective. 


Remarkable  stories  are  told  of  his  great  physical 
strength  and  development  at  an  early  age.  He  was 
an  acknowledged  leo.der  among  his  companions,  and 
was  early  noted  for  that  nobleness  of  character,  fair- 
ness and  veracity  which  characterized  his  whole  life. 

When  George  was  14  years  old  he  had  a  desire  to  go  to 
sea,  and  a  midshipman's  warrant  was  secured  for  him, 
but  through  the  opposition  of  his  mother  the  idea  was 
abandoned.  Two  years  later  he  was  appointed 
surveyor  to  the  immense  estate  of  Lord  Fairfax.  In 
this  business  he  spent  three  years  in  a  rough  frontier 
life,  gaining  experience  which  afterwards  proved  very 
essential  to  him.  In  175  r,  though  only  19  years  of 
age,  he  was  appointed  adjutant  with  the  rank  of 
major  in  the  Virginia  militia,  then  being  trained  for 
active  service  against  the  French  and  Indians.  Soon 
after  this  he  sailed  to  the  West  Indies  with  his  brother 
Lawrence,  who  went  there  to  restore  his  health  They 
soon  returned,  and  in  the  summer  of  1752  Lawrence 
died,  leaving  a  large  fortune  to  an  infant  daughter 
who  did  not  long  survive  him.  On  her  demise  the 
estate  of  Mount  Vernon  was  given  to  George. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  Robert  Dinwiddie,  as  Lietiten- 
ant-Governor  of  Virginia,  in  1752,  the  militia  was 
reorganized,  and  the  province  divided  into  four  mili- 
tary districts,  of  which  the  northern  was  assigned  to 
Washington  as  adjutant  general.  Shortly  after  this 
a  very  perilous  mission  was  assigned  him  and  ac- 
cepted, which  others  had  refused.  This  was  to  pro- 
ceed to  the  French  post  near  Lake  Erie  in  North- 
western Pennsylvania.  The  distance  to  be  traversed 
was  between  500  and  600  miles.  Winter  was  at  hand, 
and  the  journey  was  to  be  made  without  military 
escort,  through  a  territory  occupied  by  Indians.  The 


\,  i  »0 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


trip  was  a  perilous  one,  and  several  limes  he  came  near 
losing  his  life,  yet  he  returned  in  safety  and  furnished 
a  full  and  useful  report  of  his  expedition.  A  regiment 
of  300  men  was  raised  in  Virginia  and  put  in  com- 
mand of  Col.  Joshua  Fry,  and  Major  Washington  was 
commissioned  lieutenant-colonel.  Active  war  was 
then  begun  against  the  French  and  Indians,  in  which 
Washington  took  a  most  important  part.  In  the 
memorable  event  of  July  9,  1755,  known  as  Brad- 
dock's  defeat,  Washington  was  almost  the  only  officer 
of  distinction  who  escaped  from  the  calamities  of  the 
day  with  life  and  honor.  The  other  aids  of  Braddock 
were  disabled  early  in  the  action,  and  Washington 
alone  was  left  in  that  capacity  on  the  field.  In  a  letter 
to  his  brother  lie  says :  "  I  had  four  bullets  through 
my  coat,  and  two  horses  shot  under  me,  yet  I  escaped 
unhurt,  though  death  was  leveling  my  companions 
on  every  side."  An  Indian  sharpshooter  said  he  was 
not  born  to  be  killed  by  a  bullet,  for  he  had  taken 
direct  aim  at  him  seventeen  times,  and  failed  to  hit 
him. 

After  having  been  five  years  in  the  military  service, 
and  vainly  sought  promotion  in  the  royal  army,  he 
took  advantage  of  the  fall  of  Fort  Duquesne  and  the 
expulsion  of  the  French  from  the  valley  of  the  Ohio, 
to  resign  his  commission.  Soon  after  he  entered  the 
Legislature,  where,  although  not  a  leader,  he  took  an 
active  and  important  part.  January  17,  1759,  he 
married  Mrs.  Martha  (Dandridge)  Custis,  the  wealthy 
widow  of  John  Parke  Custis. 

When  the  British  Parliament  had  closed  the  port 
of  Boston,  the  cry  went  up  throughout  the  provinces 
that  "The  cause  of  Boston  is  the  cause  of  us  all." 
It  was  then,  at  the  suggestion  of  Virginia,  that  a  Con- 
gress of  all  the  colonies  was  called  to  meet  at  Phila- 
delphia.Sept.  5,  1774,  to  secure  their  common  liberties, 
peaceably  if  possible.  To  this  Congress  Col.  Wash- 
ington was  sent  as  a  delegate.  On  May  10,  1775,  the 
Congress  re-assembled,  when  the  hostile  intentions  of 
England  were  plainly  apparent.  The  battles  of  Con- 
cord and  Lexington  had  been  fought.  Among  the 
first  acts  of  this  Congress  was  the  election  of  a  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  colonial  forces.  This  high  and 
responsible  office  was  conferred  upon  Washington, 
who  was  still  a  member  of  the  Congress.  He  accepted 
it  on  June  19,  but  upon  the  express  condition  that  he 
receive  no  salary.  He  would  keep  an  exact  account 
of  expenses  and  expect  Congress  to  pay  them  and 
nothing  more.  It  is  not  the  object  of  this  sketch  to 
trace  the  military  acts  of  Washington,  to  whom  the 
fortunes  and  liberties  of  the  people  of  this  country 
were  so  long  confided.  The  war  was  conducted  by 
him  under  ever)'  possible  disadvantage,  and  while  his 
forces  often  met  with  reverses,  yet  he  overcame  every 
obstacle,  and  after  seven  years  of  heroic  devotion 
and  matchless  skill  he  gained  liberty  for  the  greatest 
nation  of  earth.  On  Dec.  23,  1783,  Washington,  in 
a  parting  address  of  surpassing  beauty,  resigned  his 


commission  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  10 
to  the  Continental  Congress  sitting  at  Annapolis.  He 
retired  immediately  to  Mount  Vernon  and  resumed 
his  occupation  as  a  farmer  and  planter,  shunning  all 
connection  with  public  life. 

In  February,  1789,  Washington  was  unanimously 
elected  President.  In  his  presidential  career  he  was 
subject  to  the  peculiar  trials  incidental  to  a  new 
government ;  trials  from  lack  of  confidence  on  the  pan 
of  other  governments;  trials  from  want  of  harmony 
between  the  different  sections  of  our  own  country; 
trials  from  the  impoverished  condition  of  the  country, 
owing  to  the  war  and  want  of  credit;  trials  from  the 
beginnings  of  party  strife.  He  was  no  partisan.  His 
clear  judgment  could  discern  the  golden  mean  ;  and 
while  perhaps  this  alone  kept  our  government  from 
sinking  at  the  very  outset,  it  left  him  exposed  to 
attacks  from  both  sides,  which  were  often  bitter  and 
very  annoying. 

At  the  expiration  of  his  first  term  he  was  unani- 
mously re-elected.  At  the  end  of  this  term  many 
were  anxious  that  he  be  re-elected,  but  he  absolutely 
refused  a  third  nomination.  On  the  fourth  of  March, 
1797,  at  the  expiraton  of  his  second  term  as  Presi- 
dent, he  returned  to  his  home,  hoping  to  pass  there 
his  few  remaining  years  free  from  the  annoyances  of 
public  life.  Later  in  the  year,  however,  his  re|X)se 
seemed  likely  to  be  interrupted  by  war  with  France. 
At  the  prospect  of  such  a  war  he  was  again  urged  to 
take  command  of  the  armies.  He  chose  his  sub- 
ordinate officers  and  left  to  them  the  charge  of  mat- 
ters in  the  field,  which  he  superintended  from  his 
home.  In  accepting  the  command  he  made  the 
reservation  that  he  was  not  to  be  in  the  field  until 
it  was  necessary.  In  the  midst  of  these  preparations 
his  life  was  suddenly  cut  off.  December  1 2,  he  took 
a  severe  cold  from  a  ride  in  the  rain,  which,  settling 
in  his  throat,  produced  inflammation,  and  terminated 
fatally  on  the  night  of  the  fourteenth.  On  the  eigh- 
teenth his  body  was  borne  wi'h  military  honors  to  its 
final  resting  place,  and  interred  in  the  family  vault  at 
Mount  Vernon. 

Of  the  character  of  Washington  it  is  impossible  to 
speak  but  in  terms  of  the  highest  respect  and  ad- 
miration. The  more  we  see  of  the  operations  of 
our  government,  and  the  more  deeply  we  feel  the 
difficulty  of  uniting  all  opinions  in  a  common  interest, 
the  more  highly  we  must  estimate  the  force  of  his  tal- 
ent and  character,  which  have  been  able  to  challenpe 
the  reverence  of  all  parties,  and  principles,  and  na- 
tions, and  to  win  a  fame  as  extended  as  the  limits 
of  the  globe,  and  which  we  cannot  but  believe  will 
be  as  lasting  as  the  existence  of  man. 

The  person  of  Washington  was  unusally  tan,  erect 
and  well  proportioned.  His  muscular  strength  was 
great.  His  features  were  of  a  beautiful  symmetry. 
He  commanded  respect  without  any  appearance  of 
haughtiness,  and  ever  serious  without  being  dull. 


SECOND  PRESIDENT. 


OHN  ADAMS,  the  second 
' /lll/^l  R  y/'  §,,  President  and  the  first  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  in  Braintree  ( now 
Quincy),Mass.,  and  about  ten 
•  miles  from  Boston,  Oct.  19, 
1735.  His  great-grandfather,  Henry 
Adams,  emigrated  from  England 
about  1 640,  with  a  family  of  eight 
sons,  and  settled  at  Braintree.  The 
parents  of  John  were  John  and 
Susannah  (Boylston)  Adams.  His 
father  was  a  farmer  of  limited 
means,  to  which  he  added  the  bus- 
iness of  shoemaking.  He  gave  his 
eldest  son,  John,  a  classical  educa- 
tion at  Harvard  College.  John 
graduated  in  1755,  and  at  once  took  charge  of  the 
school  in  Worcester,  Mass.  This  he  found  but  a 
"school  of  affliction,"  from  which  he  endeavored  to 
gain  relief  by  devoting  himself,  in  addition,  to  the 
study  of  law.  For  this  purpose  he  placed  himself 
under  the  tuition  of  the  only  lawyer  in  the  town.  He 
had  thought  seriously  of  the  clerical  profession 
but  seems  to  have  been  turned  from  this  by  what  he 
termed  "  the  frightful  engines  of  ecclesiastical  coun- 
cils, of  diabolical  malice,  and  Calvanistic  good  nature,"' 
of  the  operations  of  which  he  had  been  a  witness  in 
his  native  town.  He  was  well  fitted  for  the  legal 
profession,  possessing  a  clear,  sonorous  voice,  being 
ready  and  fluent  of  speech,  and  having  quick  percep- 
tive powers.  He  gradually  gained  practice,  and  in 
1764  married  Abigail  Smith,  a  daughter  of  a  minister, 
and  a  lady  of  superior  intelligence.  Shortly  after  his 
marriage,  (1765),  the  attempt  of  Parliamentary  taxa- 
tion turned  him  from  law  to  politics.  He  took  initial 
steps  toward  holding  a  town  meeting,  and  the  resolu- 


tions he  offered  on  the  subject  became  very  popular 
throughout  the  Province,  and  were  adopted  word  for 
word  by  over  forty  different  towns.  He  moved  to  Bos- 
ton in  1768,  and  became  one  of  the  most  courageous 
and  prominent  advocates  of  the  popular  cause,  and 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  General  Court  (the  Leg- 
lislature)  in  1770. 

Mr.  Adams  was  chosen  one  of  the  first  delegates 
from  Massachusetts  to  the  first  Continental  Congress, 
which  met  in  1774.  Here  he  distinguished  himself 
by  his  capacity  for  business  and  for  debate,  and  ad- 
vocated the  movement  for  independence  against  the 
majority  of  the  members.  In  May,  1776,  he  moved 
and  carried  a  resolution  in  Congress  that  the  Colonies 
should  assume  the  duties  of  self-government.  He 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  committee  of  five 
appointed  June  n,  to  prepare  a  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence. This  article  was  drawn  by  Jefferson,  but 
on  Adams  devolved  the  task  of  battling  it  through 
Congress  in  a  three  days  debate. 

On  the  day  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  passed,  while  his  soul  was  yet  warm  with  the 
glow  of  excited  feeling,  he  wrote  a  letter  to  his  wife, 
which,  as  we  read  it  now,  seems  to  have  been  dictated 
by  the  spirit  of  prophecy.  "Yesterday,"  he  says,  "the 
greatest  question  was  decided  that  ever  was  debated 
in  America;  and  greater,  perhaps,  never  was  or  will 
be  decided  among  men.  A  resolution  was  passed 
without  one  dissenting  colony,  '  that  these  United 
States  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  inde- 
pendent states.'  The  day  is  passed.  The  fourth  of 
July,  1776,  will  be  a  memorable  epoch  in  the  history 
of  America.  I  am  apt  to  believe  it  will  be  celebrated 
by  succeeding  generations,  as  the  great  anniversary 
festival.  It  ought  to  be  commemorated  as  the  day  of 
deliverance  by  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  Almighty 
God.  It  ought  to  be  solemnized  with  pomp,  shows, 


JOHN  ADAMS. 


games,  sports,  guns,  bells,  bonfires,  and  illuminations 
from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the  other,  from  this 
time  forward  for  ever.  You  will  think  me  transported 
with  enthusiasm,  but  I  am  not.  I  am  well  aware  of 
the  toil,  and  blood  and  treasure,  that  it  will  cost  to 
maintain  this  declaration,  and  support  and  defend 
these  States;  yet,  through  all  the  gloom,  I  can  see  the 
rays  of  light  and  glory.  I  can  see  that  the  end  is 
worth  more  than  all  the  means;  and  that  posterity 
will  triumph,  although  you  and  I  may  rue,  which  I 
hope  we  shall  not." 

In  November,  1777,  Mr.  Adams  was  appointed  a 
delegate  to  France  and  to  co-operate  with  Bemjamin 
Franklin  and  Arthur  Lee,  who  were  then  in  Paris,  in 
the  endeavor  to  obtain  assistance  in  arms  and  money 
from  the  French  Government.  This  was  a  severe  trial 
to  his  patriotism,  as  it  separated  him  from  his  home, 
compelled  him  to  cross  the  ocean  in  winter,  and  ex- 
posed him  to  great  peril  of  capture  by  the  British  cruis- 
ers, who  were  seeking  him.  He  left  France  June  17, 
1779.  In  September  of  the- same  year  he  was  again 
chosen  to  go  to  Paris,  and  there  hold  himself  in  readi- 
ness to  negotiate  a  treaty  of  peace  and  of  commerce 
with  Great  Britian,  as  soon  as  the  British  Cabinet 
might  be  found  willing  to  listen  to  such  pioposels.  He 
sailed  for  France  in  November,  from  there  he  went  to 
Holland,  where  he  negotiated  important  loans  and 
formed  important  commercial  treaties 

Finally  a  treaty  of  peace  with  England  was  signed 
Jan.  21,  1783.  The  re-action  from  the  excitement, 
toil  and  anxiety  through  which  Mr.  Adams  had  passed 
threw  him  into  a  fever.  After  suffering  from  a  con- 
tinued fever  and  becoming  feeble  and  emaciated  he 
was  advised  to  goto  England  to  drink  the  waters  of 
Bath.  While  in  England,  still  drooping  and  despond- 
ing, he  received  dispatches  from  his  own  government 
urging  the  necessity  of  his  going  to  Amsterdam  to 
negotiate  another  loan.  It  was  winter,  his  health  was 
delicate,  yet  he  immediately  set  out,  and  through 
storm,  on  sea,  on  horseback  and  foot,hemade  the  trip. 

February  24,  1785.  Congress  appointed  Mr.  Adams 
envoy  to  the  Court  of  St.  James.  Here  he  met  face 
to  face  the  King  of  England,  who  had  so  long  re- 
garded him  as  a  traitor.  As  England  did  not 
condescend  to  appoint  a  minister  to  the  United 
States,  and  as  Mr.  Adams  felt  that  he  was  accom- 
plishing but  little,  he  sought  permission  to  return  to 
his  own  country,  where  he  arrived  in  June,  T788. 

When  Washington  was  first  chosen  President,  John 
Adams,  rendered  illustiious  by  his  signal  services  at 
home  and  abroad,  was  chosen  Vice  President.  Again 
at  the  second  election  of  Washington  as  President, 
Adams  was  chosen  Vice  President.  In  1796,  Wash- 
ington retired  from  public  life,  and  Mr.  Adams  was 
elected  President.though  not  without  much  opposition. 
Serving  in  this  office  four  years, he  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Jefferson,  his  opponent  in  politics. 

While   Mr.  Adams  was  Vice  President  the  great 


French  Revolution  shook  the  continent  of  Europe, 
and  it  was  upon  this  point  which  he  was  at  issue  with 
the  majority  of  his  countrymen  led  by  Mr.  Jefferson. 
Mr.  Adams  felt  no  sympathy  with  the  French  people 
in  their  struggle,  for  he  had  no  confidence  in  their 
power  of  self-government,  and  he  utterly  abhored  the 
class  of  atheist  philosophers  who  he  claimed  caused  it. 
On  the  other  hand  Jefferson's  sympathies  were  strongly 
enlisted  in  behalf  of  the  French  people.  Hence  or 
iginated  the  alienation  between  these  distinguished 
men,  and  two  powerful  parties  were  thus  soon  org;u.- 
ized,  Adams  at  the  head  of  the  one  whose  sympathies 
were  with  England  and  Jefferson  led  the  other  in 
sympathy  with  France. 

The  world  has  seldom  seen  a  spectacle  of  more 
moral  beauty  and  grandeur,  than  was  presented  by  the 
old  age  of  Mr.  Adams.  The  violence  of  paity  feelii.g 
had  died  away,  and  he  had  begun  to  receive  that  jtiMt 
appreciation  which,  to  most  men,  is  not  accorded  till 
after  death.  No  one  could  look  u|x>n  his  veneraLle 
form,  and  think  of  what  he  had  done  and  suffered, 
and  how  he  had  given  up  all  the  prime  and  strength 
of  his  life  to  the  public  good,  without  the  deepest 
emotion  of  gratitude  and  respect.  It  was  his  peculiar 
good  fortune  to  witness  the  complete  success  of  the 
institution  which  he  had  been  so  active  in  creating  and 
supporting.  In  1824,  his  cup  of  happiness  was  filled 
to  the  brim,  by  seeing  his  son  elevated  to  the  highest 
station  in  the  gift  of  the  people. 

The  fourth  of  July,  1826,  which  completed  the  half 
century  since  the  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, arrived,  and  there  were  but  three  of  the 
signers  of  that  immortal  instrument  left  upon  the 
earth  to  hail  its  morning  light.  And,  as  it  is 
well  known,  on  that  day  two  of  these  finished  their 
earthly  pilgrimage,  a  coincidence  so  remarkable  as 
to  seem  miraculous.  For  a  few  days  before  Mr. 
Adams  had  been  rapidly  failing,  and  on  the  morning 
of  the  fourth  he  found  himself  too  weak  to  rise  from 
his  lied.  On  being  requested  to  name  a  toast  for  the 
customary  celebration  of  the  day,  he  exclaimed  "  IN- 
DEPENDENCE FOREVER."  When  the  day  was  ushered 
in,  by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  cannons, 
he  was  asked  by  one  of  his  attendants  if  he  knew 
what  day  it  was?  He  replied,  "O  yes;  it  is  the  glor- 
ious fourth  of  July — God  bless  it — God  bless  you  all." 
In  the  course  of  the  day  he  said,  "It  is  a  great  and 
glorious  day."  The  last  words  he  uttered  were, 
"Jefferson  survives."  But  he  had,  at  ore  o'clock,  re- 
signed his  spirit  into  the  hands  of  his  God. 

The  personal  appearance  and  manners  of  Mr. 
Adams  were  not  particularly  pre]x>ssessim-.  His  fa<e, 
as  his  ]x>rtrait  manifests,was  intellectual  ard  expres- 
sive, but  his  figure  was  low  and  ungraceful,  and  his 
manners  were  frequently  abrupt  and  uncourteous. 
He  had  neither  the  lofty  dignity  of  Washington,  ncr 
the  engaging  elegance  and  gracefulness  which  marked 
the  manners  and  address  of  Jefferson. 


THIRD  PRESIDENT. 


27    tt 


2 


'A*    AAA  AAXAA*AAAJtJOs_»,^o>     -''?     VV|  W*  VVP    >    *'      *^>  WVfX? 

BB 


HOMAS  JEFFERSON  was 
born  April  2,  1743,  at  Shad- 
well,  Albermarle  cpunty,  Va. 
His  [>arents  were  Peter  and 
Jane  (  Randolph)  Jefferson, 
the  former  a  native  of  Wales, 
and  the  latter  born  in  Lon- 
don. To  them  were  born  six 
daughters  and  two  sons,  of 
whom  Thomas  was  the  elder. 
When  14  years  of  age  his 
father  died.  He  received  a 
most  liberal  education,  hav- 
ing been  kept  diligently  at  school 
from  the  time  he  was  five  years  of 
age.  In  1760  he  entered  William 
and  Mary  College.  Williamsburg  was  then  the  seat 
of  the  Colonial  Court,  and  it  was  the  obode  of  fashion 
and  splendor.  Young  Jefferson,  who  was  then  17 
years  old,  lived  somewhat  expensively,  keeping  fine 
horses,  and  much  caressed  by  gay  society,  yet  he 
was  earnestly  devoted  to  his  studies,  and  irreproacha- 
able  in  his  morals.  It  is  strange,  however,  under 
such  influences.that  he  was  not  ruined.  In  the  sec- 
ond year  of  his  college  course,  moved  by  some  un- 
explained inward  impulse,  he  discarded  his  horses, 
society,  and  even  his  favorite  violin,  to  which  he  had 
previously  given  much  time.  He  often  devoted  fifteen 
hours  a  day  to  hard  study,  allowing  himself  for  ex- 
ercise only  a  run  in  the  evening  twilight  of  a  mile  out 
of  the  city  and  back  again.  He  thus  attained  very 
high  intellectual  culture,  alike  excellence  in  philoso- 
phy and  the  languages.  The  most  difficult  Latin  and 
Greek  authors  he  read  with  facility.  A  more  finished 
scholar  has  seldom  gone  forth  from  college  halls ;  and 


there  was  not  to  be  found,  perhaps,  in  all  Virginia,  a 
more  pureminded,  upright,  gentlemanly  young  man. 

Immediately  upon  leaving  college  he  began  the 
study  of  law.  For  the  short  time  he  continued  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession  he  rose  rapidly  and  distin- 
guished himself  by  his  energy  and  accuteness  as  a 
lawyer.  But  the  times  called  for  greater  action. 
The  policy  of  England  had  awakened  the  spirit  of 
resistance  of  the  American  Colonies,  and  the  enlarged 
views  which  Jefferson  had  ever  entertained,  soon  led 
him  into  active  political  life.  In  1769  he  was  chosen 
a  member  of  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses.  In 
1772  he  married  Mrs.  Martha  Skelton,  a  very  beauti- 
ful, wealthy  and  highly  accomplished  young  widow. 

Upon  Mr.  Jefferson's  large  estate  at  Shadwell,  there 
was  a  majestic  swell  of  land,  ca'led  Monticello,  which 
commanded  a  prospect  of  wonderful  extent  and 
beauty.  This  spot  Mr.  Jefferson  selected  lor  his  new 
home;  and  here  he  reared  a  mansion  of  modest  yet 
elegant  architecture,  which,  next  to  Mount  Vernon, 
became  the  most  distinguished  resort  in  our  land. 

In  1775  he  was  sent  to  the  Cclonial  Congress, 
where,  though  a  silent  member,  his  abilities  as  a 
writer  and  a  reasoner  soon  become  known,  and  he 
was  placed  upon  a  number  of  important  committees, 
and  was  chairman  of  the  one  appointed  for  the  draw- 
ing up  of  a  declaration  of  independence.  This  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  John  Adams, 
Benjamin  Franklin,  Roger  Sherman  and  Robert  R. 
Livingston.  Jefferson,  as  chairman,  was  appointed 
to  draw  up  the  paper.  Franklin  and  Adams  suggested 
a  few  verbal  changes  before  it  was  submitted  to  Con- 
gress. On  June  28,  a  few  slight  changes *vere  made 
in  it  by  Congress,  and  it  was  passed  and  signed  July 
4,  1776.  What  must  have  been  the  feelings  of  that 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON. 


man — what  the  emotions  that  swelled  his  breast — 
who  was  charged  with  the  preparation  of  that  Dec- 
laration, which,  while  it  made  known  the  wrongs  of 
America,  was  also  to  publish  her  to  the  world,  free, 
soverign  and  independent.  It  is  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable papers  ever  written  ;  and  did  no  other  effort 
of  the  mind  of  its  author  exist,  that  alone  would  be 
sufficient  to  stamp  his  name  with  immortality. 

In  1779  Mr.  Jefferson  was  elected  successor  to 
Patrick  Henry,  as  Governor  of  Virginia.  At  one  time 
the  British  officer,  Tarleton,  sent  a  secret  expedition  to 
Monticello,  to  capture  the  Governor.  Scarcely  five 
minutes  elapsed  after  the  hurried  escape  of  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson and  his  family,  ere  his  mansion  was  in  posses- 
sion of  the  British  troops.  His  wife's  health,  never 
very  good,  was  much  injured  by  this  excitement,  and 
in  the  summer  of  1782  she  died. 

Mr.  Jefferson  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1783. 
Two  years  later  he  was  appointed  Minister  Plenipo- 
tentiary to  France.  Returning  to  the  United  States 
in  September,  1789,  he  became  Secretary  of  State 
in  Washington's  cabinet.  This  position  he  resigned 
Jan.  r,  1794.  In  1797,  he  was  chosen  Vice  Presi- 
dent, and  four  years  later  was  elected  President  over 
Mr.  Adams,  with  Aaron  Burr  as  Vice  President.  In 
1804  he  was  re-elected  with  wonderful  unanimity, 
and  George  Clinton,  Vice  President. 

The  early  part  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  second  adminstra- 
tion  was  disturbed  by  an  event  which  threatened  the 
tranquilily  and  peace  of  the  Union;  this  was  the  con- 
spiracy of  Aaron  Burr.  Defeated  in  the  late  election 
to  the  Vice  Presidency,  and  led  on  by  an  unprincipled 
ambition,  this  extraordinary  man  formed  the  plan  of  a 
military  expedition  into  the  Spanish  territories  on  our 
southwestern  frontier,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  there 
a  new  republic.  This  has  been  generally  supposed 
was  a  mere  pretext ;  and  although  it  has  not  been 
generally  known  what  his  real  plans  were,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  they  were  of  a  far  more  dangerous 
character. 

In  1809,  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  term  for 
which  Mr.  Jefferson  had  been  elected,  he  determined 
to  retire  from  political  life.  For  a  period  of  nearly 
forty  years,  he  had  been  continually  before  the  pub- 
lic, and  all  that  time  had  been  employed  in  offices  of 
the  greatest  trust  and  responsibility.  Having  thus  de- 
voted the  best  part  of  his  life  to  the  service  of  his 
country,  he  now  felt  desirous  of  that  rest  which  his 
declining  years  required,  and  upon  the  organization  of 
the  new  administration,  in  March,  1809,  he  bid  fare- 
well forever  to  public  life,  and  retired  to  Monticello. 

Mr.  Jefferson  was  profuse  in  his  hospitality.  Whole 
families  came  in  their  coaches  with  their  horses, — 
fathers  and  mothers,  boys  and  girls,  babies  and 
nurses, — and  remained  three  and  even  six  months. 
Life  at  Monticello,  for  years,  resembled  that  at  a 
fashionable  watering-place. 

The  fourth  of  July,  1826,  being  the  fiftieth  anniver- 


I  1^- 


sary  of  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence, 
great  preparations  were  made  in  every  part  of  the 
Union  for  its  celebration,  as  the  nation's  jubilee,  ami 
the  citizens  of  Washington,  to  add  to  the  solemnity 
of  the  occasion,  invited  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  the  framer, 
and  one  of  the  few  surviving  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion, to  participate  in  their  festivities.  But  an  ill- 
ness, which  had  been  of  several  weeks  duration,  and 
had  been  continually  increasing,  compelled  him  to 
decline  the  invitation. 

On  the  second  of  July,  the  disease  under  whic'i 
he  was  laboring  left  him,  but  in  such  a  reduced 
state  that  his  medical  attendants,  entertained  no 
hope  of  his  recovery.  From  this  time  he  was  perfectly 
sensible  that  his  last  hour  was  at  hand.  On  the  next 
day,  which  was  Monday,  he  asked  of  those  around 
him,  the  day  of  the  month,  and  on  being  told  it  was 
the  third  of  July,  he  expresjed  the  earnest  wish  that 
he  might  be  permitted  to  breathe  the  airof  the  fiftieth 
anniversary.  His  prayer  was  heard — that  day,  whose 
dawn  was  hailed  with  such  rapture  through  our  land, 
burst  upon  his  eyes,  and  then  they  were  closed  for- 
ever. And  what  a  noble  consummation  of  a  noble 
life !  To  die  on  that  day, — the  birthday  of  a  nation,-  - 
the  day  which  his  own  name  and  his  own  act  had 
rendered  glorious;  to  die  amidst  the  rejoicings  and 
festivities  of  a  whole  nation,  who  looked  up  to  him, 
as  the  author,  under  God,  of  their  greatest  blessings, 
was  all  that  was  wanting  to  fill  up  the  record  his  life. 

Almost  at  the  same  hour  of  his  death,  the  kin- 
dred spirit  of  the  venerable  Adams,  as  if  to  bear 
him  company,  left  the  scene  of  his  earthly  honors. 
Hand  in  hand  they  had  stood  forth,  the  champions  of 
freedom  ;  hand  in  hand,  during  the  dark  and  desper- 
ate struggle  of  the  Revolution,  they  had  cheered  and 
animated  their  desponding  countrymen;  for  half  a 
century  they  had  labored  together  for  tne  good  of 
the  country;  and  now  hand  in  hand  they  depart. 
In  their  lives  they  had  been  united  in  the  same  great 
cause  of  liberty,  and  in  their  deaths  they  were  not 
divided. 

In  person  Mr.  Jefferson  was  tall  and  thin,  rather 
above  six  feet  in  height,  but  well  formed;  his  eyes 
were  light,  his  hair  originally  red,  in  after  life  became 
white  and  silvery;  his  complexion  was  fair,  his  fore- 
head broad,  and  his  whole  countenance  intelligent  and 
thoughtful.  He  possessed  great  fortitude  of  mind  ;;s 
well  as  personal  courage ;  and  his  command  of  tem- 
per was  such  that  his  oldest  and  most  intimate  friends 
never  recollected  to  have  seen  him  in  a  passion. 
His  manners,  though  dignified,  were  simple  and  un- 
affected, and  his  hospitality  was  so  unbounded  that 
all  found  at  his  house  a  ready  welcome.  In  conver- 
sation he  was  fluent,  eloquent  and  enthusiastic  ;  and 
his  language  was  remarkably  pure  and  correct.  He 
was  a  finished  classical  scholar,  and  in  his  writings  is 
discernable  the  care  with  which  he  formed  his  style 
upon  the  best  models  of  antiquity. 


4- 

3'    - 


FOURTH  PRESIDENT. 


AMES    MADISON,    "Father 
of  the  Constitution,"  and  fourth 
President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  March  16,  1757,  and 
died  at  his   home  in  Virginia, 
June  28,  1836.     The  name  of 
James  Madison  is  inseparably  con- 
nected with  most  of  the  important 
events  in  that  heroic  period  of  our 
country  during  which  the  founda- 
tions of  this  great   republic  were 
laid.  He  was  the  last  of  the  founders 
of  the   Constitution   of  the    United 
States  to   be   called   to   his   eternal 
reward. 

The  Madison  family  were  among 
the  early  emigrants  to  the  New  World, 
landing  upon  the  shores  of  the  Chesa- 
peake but  15  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  Jamestown.  The  father  of 
James  Madison  was  an  opulent 
planter,  residing  upon  a  very  fine  es- 
tate called  "Montpelier,"  Orange  Co., 
Va.  The  mansion  was  situated  in 
the  midst  of  scenery  highly  pictur- 
esque and  romantic,  on  the  west  side 
of  South-west  Mountain,  at  the  foot  of 
Blue  Ridge.  It  was  but  25  miles  from  the  home  of 
Jefferson  at  Monticello.  The  closest  personal  and 
political  attachment  existed  between  these  illustrious 
men,  from  their  early  youth  until  death. 

The  early  education  of  Mr.  Madison  was  conducted 
mostly  at  home  under  a  private  tutor.  At  the  age  of 
1 8  he  was  sent  to  Princeton  College,  in  New  Jersey. 
Here  he  applied  himself  to  study  with  the  most  im- 


prudent  zeal;  allowing  himself,  for  months,  but  three 
hours'  sleep  out  of  the  24.  His  health 'thus  became  so 
seriously  impaired  that  he  never  recovered  any  vigor 
of  constitution.  He  graduated  in  1771,  with  a  feeble 
body,  with  a  character  of  utmost  purity,  and  with  a 
mind  highly  disciplined  and  richly  stored  with  learning 
which  embellished  and  gave  proficiency  to  his  subsf  ' 
quent  career. 

Returning  to  Virginia,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
law  and  a  course  of  extensive  and  systematic  reading. 
This  educational  course,  the  spirit  of  the  times  in 
which  he  lived,  and  the  society  with  which  he  asso- 
ciated, all  combined  to  inspire  him  with  a  strong 
love  of  liberty,  and  to  train  him  for  his  life-work  of 
a  statesman.  Being  naturally  of  a  religious  turn  of 
mind,  and  his  frail  health  leading  him  to  think  that 
his  life  was  not  to  be  long,  he  directed  especial  atten- 
tion to  theological  studies.  Endowed  with  a  mind 
singularly  free  from  passion  and  prejudice,  and  with 
almost  unequalled  powers  of  reasoning,  he  weighed 
all  the  arguments  for  and  against  revealed  religion, 
until  his  faith  became  so  established  as  never  to 
be  shaken. 

In  the  spring  of  1776,  when  26  years  of  age,  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Convention,  to 
frame  the  constitution  of  the  State.  The  next  year 
(1777),  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  General  Assembly. 
He  refused  to  treat  the  whisky-lovir.g  voters,  and 
consequently  lost  his  election ;  but  those  who  had 
witnessed  the  talent,  energy  and  public  spirit  of  the 
modest  young  man,  enlisted  themselves  in  his  behalf, 
and  he  was  appointed  to  the  Executive  Council. 

Both  Patrick  Henry  and  Thomas  Jefferson  were 
Governors  of  Virginia  while  Mr.  Madison  remained 
member  of  the  Council ;  and  their  appreciation  of  his 


*-* 


JAMES  MADISON. 


intellectual,  social  and  moral  worth,  contributed  not 
a  little  to  his  subsequent  eminence.  In  the  year 
.  1 7 80,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress.  Here  he  met  the  most  illustrious  men  in 
our  land,  and  he  was  immediately  assigned  to  one  of 
the  most  conspicuous  [ositiu'is  among  them. 

For  three  years  Mr.  Madison  continued  in  Con- 
gress, one  of  its  most  active  and  influential  members. 
In  tne  year  1784,  his  term  having  expired,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature. 

No  man  felt  more  deeply  than  Mr.  Madison  the 
utter  inefficiency  of  the  old  confederacy,  with  no  na- 
tional government,  with  no  power  to  form  treaties 
which  would  be  binding,  or  to  enforce  law.  There 
was  not  any  State  more  prominent  than  Virginia  in 
the  declaration,  that  an  efficient  national  government 
must  be  formed.  In  January,  1786,  Mr.  Madison 
carried  a  resolution  through  the  General  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  inviting  the  other  States  to  ap|>oint  commis- 
sioners to  meet  in  convention  at  Annapolis  to  discuss 
this  subject.  Five  States  only  were  represented.  The 
convention,  however,  issued  another  call,  drawn  up 
by  Mr.  Madison,  urging  all  the  States  to  send  their 
delegates  to  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787,  to  draft 
a  Constitution  for  the  United  States,  to  take  the  place 
of  that  Confederate  League.  The  delegates  met  at 
the  time  appointed.  Every  State  but  Rhode  Island 
was  represented.  George  Washington  was  chosen 
president  of  the  convention;  and  the  present  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States  was  then  and  there  formed. 
There  was,  perhaps,  no  mind  and  no  pen  more  ac- 
tive in  framing  this  immortal  document  than  the  mind 
and  the  pen  of  James  Madison. 

The  Constitution,  adopted  by  a  vote  81  to  79,  was 
to  be  presented  to  the  several  States  for  acceptance. 
But  grave  solicitude  was  felt.  Should  it  be  rejected 
we  should  be  left  but  a  conglomeration  of  independent 
States,  with  but  litile  power  at  home  and  little  respect 
abroad.  Mr.  Madifon  was  selected  by  tne  conven- 
tion to  draw  up  an  address  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  ex|xnmding  tl.e  principles  of  the  Constitution, 
and  urging  its  adoption.  There  was  great  opposition 
to  it  at  first,  but  it  at  length  triumphed  over  all,  and 
went  into  effect  in  1789. 

Mr.  Madison  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives in  the  first  Congress,  and  soon  became  the 
avoned  leader  ot  the  Republican  party.  While  in 
New  York  attending  Congress,  he  met'  Mrs  Todd,  a 
young  widow  of  remarkable  power  of  fascination, 
whom  he  married.  She  was  in  person  and  character 
queenly,  and  probably  no  lady  has  thus  far  occupied 
so  prominent  a  position  in  the  very  peculiar  society 
which  has  constituted  our  republican  court  as  Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr.  Madison  served  as  Secretary  of  State  under 
Jefferson,  and  at  the  close  of  his  administration 
was  chosen  President.  At  this  time  the  encroach- 
ments of  England  had  brought  us  to  the  verge  of  war. 


British  orders  in  council  destroyed  our  commerce,  and 
our  flag  was  ex[>osed  to  co.istant  insult.  Mr.  Madison 
was  a  man  ol  peace.  Scholarly  in  his  taste,  reuniig 
in  his  dupOSUKMI,  war  had  no  charms  for  him.  But  the 
meekest  spirit  can  be  routed.  It  makes  one's  blood 
boil,  even  now,  to  think  of  an  American  ship  brought 
to,  iqwn  the  ocean,  by  the  gui-s  of  an  English  cruiser. 
A  young  lieutenant  steps  on  board  and  orders  the 
crew  to  be  paraded  before  him.  With  great  nonchal- 
ance he  selects  any  number  whom  he  may  please  to 
designate  as  British  subjects;  orders  them  down  the 
ships  side  into  his  boat;  and  places  them  on  the  gun- 
deck  of  his  man-of-war,  to  fight,  by  compulsion,  the 
battles  of  England.  This  right  of  search  and  im- 
pressment, no  efforts  of  our  Government  could  induce 
the  British  cabii.et  to  relinquish. 

On  the  t8th  of  June,  1812,  President  Madison  gave 
his  approval  to  an  act  of  Co.igress  declaring  war 
against  Great  Britain.  Notwithstanding  the  bitter 
hostility  of  the  F'ederal  parly  to  the  war,  the  country 
in  general  approved;  and  Mr.  Madison,  on  the  4th 
of  March,  1813,  was  re-elected  by  a  large  majority, 
and  entered  u|on  his  second  term  of  offi  e.  This  is 
not  the  place  to  describe  the  various  adventures  of 
this  war  on  the  land  and  on  the  water.  Our  infant 
navy  then  laid  the  foundations  of  its  renown  in  grap- 
pling with  the  most  formidable  power  which  ever 
swept  the  seas.  The  contest  commenced  in  earnest 
by  the  appearance  of  a  British  fleet,  early  in  Februaiy, 
1813,  in  Chesapeake  Bay,  declaring  nearly  the  whole 
coast  ot  the  United  States  under  blockade. 

The  Emperor  of  Russia  offered  his  services  as  me 
dilator.  America  accepted;  England  refused.  A  Brit- 
ish force  of  five  thousand  men  landed  on  the  banks 
of  the  Patuxet  River,  near  its  entrance  into  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  and  marched  rapidly,  by  way  of  Bladens- 
buig,  ii|>on  Washington. 

The  struggling  little  city  of  Washington  was  thrown 
into  consternation.  The  cannon  of  the  brief  conflict 
at  Bladensburg  echoed  through  the  strtets  of  the 
metropolis.  The  whole  |x>pukiticn  fled  from  the  city. 
The  President,  leaving  Mrs.  Madison  in  the  White 
House,  with  her  carriage  drawn  up  at  the  door  to 
await  his  speedy  return,  hurried  to  meet  the  officers 
in  a  council  of  war  He  met  our  troops  utterly  routed, 
and  he  could  not  go  back  without  danger  of  being 
captured.  But  few  hours  elapsed  ere  the  Presidential 
Mansion,  the  Capitol,  and  all  the  public  buildings  in 
Washington  were  in  flames. 

The  war  closed  after  two  years  of  fighting,  and  on 
Feb.  13,  1815,  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  at  Ghent. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1817,  his  second  term  of 
office  expired,  and  he  resigned  the  Presidential  chair 
to  his  friend,  James  Monroe.  He  retired  to  his  l-eau- 
tiful  home  at  Montpelier,  and  there  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  On  June  28,  1836,  then  at  the 
age  of  85  years,  he  fell  asleep  in  death.  Mrs.  Madi- 
son died  July  12,  1849. 


• 

t 


FIFTH  PRESIDENT. 


AMES  MONROE,  the  fifth 
Presidentof  The  United  States, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  Co., 
Va.,  April  28,  1758.  His  early 
life  was  passed  at  the  place  of 
nativity.  His  ancestors  had  for 
many  years  resided  in  the  prov- 
ince in  which  he  was  born.  When, 
at  17  years  of  age,  in  the  process 
of  completing  his  education  at 
William  and  Mary  College,  the  Co- 
lonial Congress  assembled  at  Phila- 
delphia to  deliberate  upon  the  un- 
just and  manifold  oppressions  of 
Great  Britian,  declared  the  separa- 
tion of  the  Colonies,  and  promul- 
gated the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence. Had  he  been  born  ten  years  before  it  is  highly 
probable  that  he  would  have  been  one  of  the  signers 
of  that  celebrated  instrument.  At  this  time  he  left 
school  and  enlisted  among  the  patriots. 

H  _•  joined  the  army  when  everything  looked  hope- 
less and  gloomy.  The  number  of  deserters  increased 
(mm  day  to  day.  The  invading  armies  came  pouring 
in  ;  and  the  lories  not  only  favored  the  cause  of  the 
mother  country,  but  disheartened  the  new  recruits, 
who  were  sufficiently  terrified  at  the  prospect  of  con- 
tending with  an  enemy  whcm  they  had  been  taught 
to  deem  invincible.  To  such  brave  spirits  as  James 
Monroe,  who  went  right  onward,  undismayed  through 
difficulty  and  danger,  the  United  States  owe  their 
political  emancipation.  The  young  cadet  joined  the 
ranks,  and  espoused  the  cause  of  his  injured  country, 
with  a.  firm  determination  to  live  or  die  with  her  strife 


for  liberty.  Firmly  yet  sadly  he  shared  in  the, mel- 
ancholy retreat  from  Harleam  Heights  and  White 
Plains,  and  accompanied  the  dispirited  army  as  it  fled 
before  its  foes  through  New  Jersey.  In  four  months 
after  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  patriots 
had  been  beaten  in  seven  battles.  At  the  battle  of 
Trenton  he  led  the  vanguard,  and,  in  the  act  of  charg- 
ing upon  the  enemy  he  received  a  wound  in  the  left 
shoulder. 

As  a  reward  for  his  bravery,  Mr.  Monroe  was  pro- 
moted a  captain  of  infantry;  and,  having  recovered 
from  his  wound,  he  rejoined  the  army.  He,  however, 
receded  from  the  line  of  promotion,  by  becoming  an 
officer  in  the  staff  of  Lord  Sterling.  During  the  cam- 
paigns of  1777  and  1778,  in  the  actions  of  Brandy- 
wine,  Germantown  and  Monmouth,  he  continued 
aid-de-camp;  but  becoming  desirous  to  regain  his 
position  in  the  army,  he  exerted  himself  to  collect  a 
regiment  for  the  Virginia  line.  This  scheme  failed 
owing  to  the,  exhausted  condition  of  the  State.  Upon 
this  failure  he  entered  the  office  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  at 
that  period  Governor,  and  pursued,  with  considerable 
ardor,  the  study  of  common  law.  He  did  not,  however, 
entirely  lay  aside  the  knapsack  for  the  green  bag; 
but  on  the  invasions  of  the  enemy,  served  as  a  volun- 
teer, during  the  two  years  of  his  legal  pursuits. 

In  1782,  he  was  elected  from  King  George  county, 
a  member  of  the  Leglislature  of  Virginia,  and  by  that 
body  he  was  elevated  to  a  seat  in  the  Executive 
Council.  He  was  thus  honored  with  the  confidence 
of  his  fellow  citizens  at  23  years  of  age  ;  and  having 
at  this  early  period  displayed  some  of  that  ability 
and  aptitude  for  legislation,  which  were  afterwards 
employed  with  unremitting  energy  for  the  public  good, 


f 


t. 


,  36 


JAMES  MOwROE. 


he  was  in  the  succeeding  year  chosen    a  member  of 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

Ueeplyas  Mr.  Momoefjlt  the  imperfections  of  the  old 
txmfederacy,  he  was  opposed  to  the  new  Constitution, 
thinking,  with  many  others  of  the  Republican  party, 
that  it  gave  too  much  power  to  the  Central  Government, 
and  not  enough  to  the  individual  States.  Still  he  re- 
tained the  esteem  of  his  friends  who  were  its  warm 
supporters,  and  who,  notwithstanding  his  opposition 
secured  its  adoption.  In  1789,  he  became  a  member 
of  the  United  States  Senate;  which  office  he  held  for 
four  years.  Every  month  the  line  of  distinction  be- 
tween the  two  great  parties  which  divided  the  nation, 
the  Federal  and  the  Republican,  was  growing  more 
distinct.  The  two  prominent  ideas  which  now  sep- 
arated them  were,  that  the  Republican  party  was  in 
sympathy  with  France,  and  also  in  favor  of  such  a 
strict  construction  of  the  Constitution  as  to  give  the 
Central  Government  as  little  power,  and  the  State 
Governments  as  much  power,  as  the  Constitution  would 
warrant.  The  Federalists  sympathized  with  England, 
and  were  in  favor  of  a  liberal  construction  of  the  Con- 
stitution, which  would  give  as  much  power  to  the 
Central  Government  as  that  document  could  possibly 
authorize. 

The  leading  Federalists  and  Republicans  were 
alike  noble  men,  consecrating  all  their  energies  to  the 
good  of  the  nation.  Two  more  honest  men  or  more 
pure  patriots  than  John  Adams  the  Federalist,  and 
James  Monroe  the  Republican,  never  breathed.  In 
building  up  this  majestic  nation,  which  is  destined 
to  eclipse  all  Grecian  and  Assyrian  greatness,  the  com- 
bination of  their  antagonism  was  needed  to  create  the 
light  equilibrium.  And  yet  each  in  his  day  was  de- 
nounced as  almost  a  demon. 

Washington  was  then  President.  England  had  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  Bourbons  against  the  princi- 
ples of  the  French  Revolution.  All  Europe  was  drawn 
into  the  conflict.  We  were  feeble  and  far  away. 
Washington  issued  a  proclamation  of  neutrality  be- 
tween these  contending  powers.  France  had  helped 
us  in  the  struggle  for  our  liberties.  All  thedespotisms 
of  Europe  were  now  combined  to  prevent  the  French 
from  escaping  from  a  tyranny  a  thousand-fold  worse 
than  that  which  we  had  endured.  Col.  Monroe,  more 
magnanimous  than  prudent,  was  anxious  that,  at 
whatever  hazard,  we  should  help  our  old  allies  in 
their  extremity.  It  was  the  impulse  of  a  generous 
and  noble  nature.  He  violently  opposed  the  Pres- 
ident's proclamation  as  ungrateful  and  wanting  in 
magnanimity. 

Washington,  who  could  appreciate  such  a  character, 
developed  his  calm,  serene,  almost  divine  greatness, 
by  appointing  that  very  James  Monroe,  who  was  de- 
nouncing the  policy  of  the  Government,  as  the  minister 
of  that  Government  to  the  Republic  of  France.  Mr. 
Monroe  was  welcomed  by  the  National  Convention 
in  France  with  the  most  enthusiastic  demonstrations. 


Shortly  after  his  return  to  this  country,  Mr.  Mon- 
roe was  elected  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  held  the 
office  for  three  yeais.  He  was  again  sent  to  trance  to 
co-operate  with  Chancellor  Livingston  in  obtaii.iiig 
the  vast  territory  then  known  as  the  Province  of 
Louisiana,  which  France  had  but  shortly  before  ob- 
tained from  Spain.  Their  united  efforts  were  sue 
cessful.  For  the  comparatively  small  sum  of  fifteen 
millions  of  dollars,  the  entire  territory  of  Oilcans  and 
district  of  Louisiana  were  added  to  the  United  States. 
This  was  probably  the  largest  transfer  of  real  estate 
which  was  ever  made  in  all  the  history  of  the  world. 

From  France  Mr.  Monroe  went  to  England  to  ob- 
tain from  that  country  some  recognition  of  our 
rights  as  neutrals,  and  to  remonstrate  against  those 
odious  impressments  of  our  seamen.  but  Eng- 
land was  unrelenting.  He  again  returned  to  Eng- 
land on  the  same  mission,  but  could  receive  no 
redress.  He  returned  to  his  home  and  was  ;ig;iin 
chosen  Governor  of  Virginia.  This  he  soon  resigned 
to  accept  the  position  of  Secretary  of  State  under 
Madison.  While  in  this  office  war  with  England  was 
declared,  the  Secretary  of  War  resigned,  and  during 
these  trying  times,  the  duties  of  the  War  Department 
were  also  put  upon  him.  He  was  truly  the  armor- 
bearer  of  President  Madison,  and  the  most  efficient 
business  man  in  his  cabinet.  Upon  the  return  ol 
peace  he  resigne'd  the  Department  of  War,  but  con- 
tinued in  the  office  of  Secretary  of  Stale  until  the  ex- 
piration of  Mr.  Madison's  adminstration.  At  the  elec- 
tion held  the  previous  autumn  Mr  Monroe  himself  had 
been  chosen  President  with  but  liale  opposition,  and 
upon  March  4,  1817,  was  inaugurated.  Four  years 
later  he  was  elected  for  a  second  term. 

Among  the  important  measures  of  his  Presidency 
were  the  cession  of  Florida  to  the  United  States;  the 
Missouri  Compromise,  and  the  "  Monroe  doctrine.'1 

This  famous  doctrine,  since  known  as  the  "  Monroe 
doctrine,"  was  enunciated  by  him  in  1823.  At  that 
time  the  United  States  had  recognized  the  independ- 
ence of  the  South  American  stntes,  and  did  not  wish 
to  have  European  powers  longer  attempting  to  sub- 
due portions  of  the  American  Continent.  The  doctrine 
is  as  follows:  "That  we  should  consider  any  attempt 
on  the  part  of  European  powers  to  extend  their  sys- 
tem to  any  portion  of  this  hemisphere  as  dangerous 
to  our  peace  and  safety,"  and  "that  we  could  not 
view  any  interposition  for  the  purpose  of  oppressing 
or  controlling  American  governments  or  provinces  in 
any  other  light  than  as  a  manifestation  by  European 
]X)wers  of  an  unfriendly  disposition  toward  the  United 
States."  This  doctrine  immediately  .nffectcd  the  course 
of  foreign  governments,  and  has  become  the  approved 
sentiment  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  end  of  his  second  term  Mr  Monroe  retired 
to  his  home  in  Virginia,  where  he  lived  until  1830, 
when  he  went  to  New  York  to  live  with  his  son-in- 
law.  In  that  city  he  died, on  the  4th  of  July,  1831. 


T 


- 


t. 


I 


SIXTH  PRESIDENT. 


39 


3fe+3i*+itlfc+&£+%^^ 


SMHHftHHMMHIIIHHNlHNIiHNIIte+AH 


OHN  QUINCY  ADAMS,  the 
sixth  President  of  the  United 
States,  was   born  in   the   rural 
home  of  his    honored   father, 
John  Adams,  in  Quincy,  Mass., 
on  the  i  ith  of  July,  1767.   His 
mother,  a  woman  of  exalted 
worth,  watched  over  his  childhood 
during   the  almost   constant   ab- 
sence of  his  father.      When    but 
eight  years  of  age,  he  stood  with 
his  mother  on  an  eminence,  listen- 
ing to  the  booming  of  the  great  bat- 
tle on  Bunker's  Hill,  and  gazing  on 
upon  the  smoke  and  flames  billow- 
ing up  from    the   conflagration   of 
Charlestown. 

When  but  eleven  years  old  he 
took  a  tearful  adieu  of  his  mother, 
to  sail  with  his  fatner  for  Europe, 
through  a  fleet  of  hostile  British  cruisers.  The  bright, 
animated  boy  spent  a  year  and  a  half  in  Paris,  where 
his  father  was  associated  with  Franklin  and  Lee  as 
minister  plenipotentiary.  His  intelligence  attracted 
the  notice  of  these  distinguished  men,  and  he  received 
from  them  flattering  marks  of  attention. 

Mr.  John  Ad.ims  had  scarcely  returned  to  this 
ro  intry,  in  1779,  ere  he  was  again  sent  abroad.  Again 
John  Ouincy  accompanied  his  father.  At  Paris  he 
applied  himself  with  great  diligence,  for  six  months, 
to  study;  then  accompanied  his  father  to  Holland, 
where  he  entered,  first  a  school  in  Amsterdam,  then 
the  University  at  Leyden.  About  a  year  from  this 
time,  in  1781,  when  the  manly.  l:ey  was  but  fourteen 
years  of  age,  he  was  selected  by  Mr.  Dana,  our  min- 
ister to  the  Russian  court,  as  his  private  secretary. 

Tn  this  school  of  incessant  labor  and  of  enobling 
culture  he  spent  fourteen  months,  and  then  returned 
1o  Holland  ihiough  Sweden,  Denmark,  Hamburg  and 
Bremen.  This  long  journey  he  took  alone,  in  the 
winter,  when  in  his  sixteenth  year.  Again  he  resumed 
his  studies,  under  a  private  tutor,  at  Hague.  Thence, 


in  the  spring  of  1782,  he  accompanied  his  father  to 
Paris,  traveling  leisurely,  and  forming  acquaintance 
with  the  most  distinguished  men  on  the  Continent; 
examining  architectural  remains,  galleries  of  paintings, 
and  all  renowned  works  of  art.  At  Paris  he  again 
became  associated  with  the  most  illustrious  men  of 
all  lands  in  the  contemplations  of  the  loftiest  temporal 
themes  which  can  engross  the  human  mind.  After 
a  short  visit  to  England  he  returned  to  Paris,  and 
consecrated  all  his  energies  to  study  until  May,  1785, 
when  he  returned  to  America.  To  a  brilliant  young 
man  of  eighteen,  who  had  seen  much  of  the  world, 
and  who  was  familiar  with  the  etiquette  of  courts,  a 
residence  with  his  father  in  London,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, must  have  been  extremely  attractive; 
but  with  judgment  very  rare  in  one  of  his  age,  he  pre- 
ferred to  return  to  America  to  complete  his  education 
in  an  American  college.  He  wished  then  to  study 
law,  that  with  an  honorable  profession,  he  might  be 
able  to  obtain  an  independent  support. 

Upon  leaving  Harvard  College,  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
he  studied  law  for  three  years.  In  June,  1794,  be- 
ing then  but  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Washington,  resident  minister  at  the 
Netherlands.  Sailing  from  Boston  in  July,  he  reached 
London  in  October,  where  he  was  immediately  admit- 
ted to  the  deliberations  of  Messrs.  Jay  and  Pinckney, 
assisting  them  in  negotiating  a  commercial  treaty  with 
Great  Brilian.  After  thus  spending  a  fortnight  in 
London,  he  proceeded  to  the  Hague. 

In  July,  T797,  he  left  the  Hague  to  go  to  Portugal  as 
minister  plenipotentiary.  On  his  way  to  Portugal, 
upon  arriving  in  London,  he  met  with  despatches 
directing  him  to  the  court  of  Berlin,  but  requesting 
him  to  remain  in  London  until  he  should  receive  his 
instructions.  While  waiting  he  was  mairied  to  an 
American  lady  to  whom  he  had  been  previously  en- 
gaged,— Miss  Louisa  Catherine  Johnson,  daughter 
of  Mr.  Joshua  Johnson,  American  consul  in  London; 
a  lady  endownd  with  that  beauty  and  those  accom- 
plishment which  eminently  fitted  her  to  move  in  the 
elevated  sphere  for  which  she  was  destined. 


, ,   40 


JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 


He  reached  Berlin  with  his  wife  in  November,  1797  ; 
where  he  remained  until  July,  1799,  when,  having  ful- 
filled all  the  purposes  of  his  mission,  he  solicited  his 
recall. 

Soon  after  his  return,  in  1802,  he  was  chosen  to 
the  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  from  Boston,  and  then 
was  elected  Senator  of  the  United  States  lor  six  years, 
from  the  4th  of  March,  1804.  His  reputation,  his 
ability  and  his  experience,  placed  him  immediately 
among  the  most  prominent  and  influential  members 
of  that  body.  Especially  did  he  sustain  the  Govern- 
ment in  its  measures  of  resistance  to  the  encroach- 
ments of  England,  destroying  our  commerce  and  in- 
sulting our  flag.  There  was  no  man  in  America  more 
familiar  with  the  arrogance  of  the  British  court  upon 
these  points,  and  no  one  more  resolved  to  present 
a  firm  resistance. 

In  1809,  Madison  succeeded  Jefferson  in  the  Pres- 
idential chair,  and  he  immediately  nominated  John 
Quincy  Adams  minister  to  St.  Petersburg.  Resign- 
ing his  professorship  in  Harvard  College,  he  embarked 
at  Boston,  in  August,  1809. 

While  in  Russia,  Mr.  Adams  was  an  intense  stu- 
dent. He  devoted  his  attention  to  the  language  and 
history  of  Russia;  to  the  Chinese  trade;  to  the 
European  system  of  weights,  measures,  and  coins  ;  to 
the  climate  and  astronomical  observations;  while  he 
kept  up  a  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  Greek  and 
Latin  classics.  In  all  the  universities  of  Europe,  a 
more  accomplished  scholar  could  scarcely  be  found. 
All  through  life  the  Bible  constituted  an  important 
part  of  his  studies.  It  was  his  rule  to  read  five 
chapters  every  day. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1817,  Mr.  Monroe  took  the 
Presidential  chair,  and  immediately  ap[>ointed  Mr. 
Adams  Secretary  of  State.  Taking  leave  of  his  num- 
erous friends  in  public  and  private  life  in  Europe,  he 
sailed  in  June,  1819,  for  the  United  States.  On  the 
i8th  of  August,  he  again  crossed  the  threshold  of  his 
home  in  Quincy.  During  the  eight  yearsof  Mr.  Mon- 
roe's administration,  Mr.  Adams  continued  Secretary 
of  State. 

Some  time  before  the  close  of  Mr.  Monroe's  second 
term  of  office,  new  candidates  began  to  be  presented 
for  the  Presidency.  The  friends  of  Mr.  Adams  brought 
forward  his  name.  It  was  an  exciting  campaign. 
Party  spirit  was  never  more  bitter.  Two  hundred  and 
sixty  electoral  votes  were  cast.  Andrew  Jackson  re- 
ceived ninety  nine;  John  Quincy  Adams,  eighty-four; 
William  H.  Crawford,  forty -one;  Henry  Clay,  thirty  - 
seven.  As  there  was  no  choice  by  the  people,  the 
question  wert  to  the  House  of  Representatives.  Mr. 
Clay  gave  the  vote  of  Kentucky  to  Mr.  Adams,  and 
he  was  elected. 

The  friends  of  all  the  disappointed  candidates  now 
combined  in  a  venomous  and  persistent  assault  upon 
Mr.  Adams.  There  is  nothing  more  disgraceful  in 
the  past  history  of  our  country  than  the  abuse  which 


was  poured  in  one  uninterrupted  stream,  upon  this 
high-minded,  upright,  patriotic  man.  There  never  was 
an  administration  more  pure  in  principles,  more  con- 
scientiously devoted  to  the  best  interests  ot  the  coun- 
try, than  that  of  John  Quincy  Adams;  and  never, per- 
haps, was  there  an  administration  more  unscrupu- 
lously and  outrageously  assailed. 

Mr.  Adams  was,  to  a  very  reaiarkable  degree,  ab- 
stemious and  temperate  in  his  habits-;  alwa\s  rising 
early,  and  taking  nitu  h  exercise.  V\  hen  at  his  l.omei.i 
Quincy,  he  has  been  known  to  walk,  before  breakfast, 
seven  miles  to  Boston.  In  Washington,  it  was  said 
that  he  was  the  first  man  up  in  the  city,  lighting  his 
own  fire  and  applying  himself  to  work  in  his  library 
often  long  before  dawn. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1829,  Mr.  Adams  retired 
from  the  Presidency,  and  was  succeeded  by  Andre .v 
Jackson.  John  C.  Calaoun  was  elected  Vice  Presi- 
dent. The  slavery  question  now  began  to  assume 
portentous  magnitude.  Mr.  Ad,  ins  returned  to 
Quincy  and  to  his  studies,  \\hich  he  pursued  with  un- 
abated zeal.  But  he  ^as  not  long  permitted  to  re- 
main in  retirement.  In  November,  1830,  he  was 
elected  representative  to  Congress.  For  seventeen 
years,  until  his  death,  he  occupieu  the  post  as  repre- 
sentative, towering  above  all  his  peers,  ever  .eady  to 
do  brave  battle'  for  freedom,  and  winning  the  title  of 
"  the  old  man  eloquent."  UIXMI  taking  his  sent  ia 
the  House,  he  announced  that  he  f  hould  hold  him- 
self bound  to  no  party.  Probably  there  never  was  a 
member  more  devoted  to  his  duties.  He  w;.s  usually 
the  first  in  his  place  in  the  morning,  and  the  last  to 
leave  his  seat  in  the  evening.  Not  a  measure  could 
be  brought  forward  and  escape  his  scrutiny.  'I  he 
battle  which  Mt.  Adams  fougl.t,  almost  singly,  against 
the  prosluvery  party  in  the  Government,  was  sublime 
in  its  moral  dating  and  heroism.  For  persisting  iiv 
presenting  petitions  for  the  abolition  of  slavery,  he 
was  threatened  with  indictment  by  the  grand  jury, 
with  expulsion  from  the  House,  with  assassination 
but  no  threats  could  intimidate  him,  and  his  final 
triumph  was  complete. 

It  has  been  said  of  President,  Attains,  that  when  his 
Ixidy  was  bent  and  his  hair  silvered  by  the  lapse  of 
fourscore  years,  yielding  to  the  simple  faith  of  a  little 
child,  he  was  accustomed  to  repeat  every  night,  before 
he  slept,  the  pr.-vjer  which  his  mother  taught  him  in 
his  infant  years. 

On  the  2istof  February,  1848,  he  rose  on  the  floor 
of  Congress,  with  a  p'nper  in  his  hand,  to  address  the 
speaker.  Suddenly  he  fell,  again  stricken  by  paraly- 
sis, and  was  caught  in  the  arms  of  those  aiound  him. 
For  a  time  he  was  senseless,  as  he  was  conveyed  to 
the  sofa  in  the  rotunda.  With  reviving  conscious- 
ness, he  opened  his  eyes,  looked  calmly  around  and 
said  "  This  is  the  end  of  earth  /"then  after  a  moment's 
pause  he  added,  "/am  content"  These  were  the 
last  words  of  the  grand  "  Old  Man  Eloquent." 


i 


SEVENTH  PRESIDENT. 


NDREW  JACKSON,  the 
seventh  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  in 
Waxhaw  settlement,  N.  C., 
March  15,  1767,  a  few  days 
after  his  father's  death.  His 
parents  were  poor  emigrants 
from  Ireland,  and  took  up 
their  abode  in  Waxhaw  set- 
tlement, where  they  lived  in 
deepest  poverty. 
Andrew,  or  Andy,  as  he  was 
universally  called,  grew  up  a  very 
rough,  mde,  turbulent  boy.  His 
features  were  coarse,  his  form  un- 
gainly; and  there  was  but  very 
little  in  his  character,  made  visible,  which  was  at- 
tiaclive. 

When  only  thirteen  years  old  he  joined  the  volun- 
teers of  Carolina  against  the  British  invasion.  In 
1781,  he  and  his  brother  Robert  were  captured  and 
imprisoned  for  a  time  at  Camden.  A  British  officer 
ordered  him  to  brush  his  mud-spattered  boots.  "  I  am 
a  prisoner  of  war,  not  your  servant,"  was  the  reply  of 
the  dauntless  boy. 

Tiie  brute  drew  his  sword,  and  aimed  a  desperate 
blow  at  the  head  of  the  helpless  young  prisoner. 
Andrew  raised  his  hand,  and  thus  received  two  fear- 
ful gashes, — one  on  the  hand  and  the  other  upon  the 
head.  The  officer  then  turned  to  his  brother  Robert 
with  the  same  demand.  He  also  refused,  and  re- 
ceived a  blow  from  the  keen-edged  sabre,  which  quite 
disabled  him,  and  which  probably  soon  after  caused 
his  death.  They  suffered  much  other  ill-treatment,  and 
were  finally  stricken  with  the  small-pox.  Their 
mother  was  successful  in  obtaining  their  exchange, 


and  took  her  sick  boys  home.  After  a  long  illness 
Andrew  recovered,  and  the  death  of  his  mother  soon 
left  him  entirely  friendless. 

Andrew  supported  himself  in  various  ways,  such  as 
working  at  the  saddler's  trade,  teaching  school  and 
clerking  in  a  general  store,  until  1784,  when  he 
entered  a  law  office  at  Salisbury,  N.  C.  He,  however, 
gave  more  attention  to  the  wild  amusements  of  the 
times  than  to  his  studies.  In  1788,  he  was  appointed 
solicitor  for  the  western  district  of  North  Carolina,  of 
which  Tennessee  was  then  a  part.  This  involved 
many  long  and  tedious  journeys  amid  dartgers  of 
every  kind,  but  Andrew  Jackson  never  knew  fear, 
and  the  Indians  had  no  desire  to  repeat  a  skirmish 
witn  the  Sharp  Knife. 

In  1791,  Mr.  Jackson  was  married  to  a  woman  who 
supposed  herself  divorced  from  her  former  husband. 
Great  was  the  surprise  of  both  parties,  two  years  later, 
to  find  that  the  conditions  of  the  divorce  had  just  been 
definitely  settled  by  the  first  husband.  The  marriage 
ceremony  was  performed  a  second  time,  but  the  occur- 
rence was  often  used  by  his  enemies  to  bring  Mr. 
Jackson  into  disfavor. 

During  these  years  he  worked  hard  at  his  profes- 
sion, and  frequently  had  one  or  more  duels  on  hand, 
one  of  which,  when  he  killed  Dickenson,  was  espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In  January,  1796,  the  Territory  of  Tennessee  then 
containing  nearly  eighty  thousand  inhabitants,  the 
people  met  in  convention  at  Knoxville  to  frame  a  con- 
stitution. Five  were  sent  from  each  of  the  eleven 
counties.  Andrew  Jackson  was  one  of  the  delegates. 
The  new  State  was  entitled  to  but  one  meml  or  in 
the  National  House  of  Representatives.  Andrew  Jnck- 
son  was  chosen  that  member.  Mounting  his  horse  he 
rode  to  Philadelphia,  where  Congress  then  held  its 


: 


f. 


44 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


sessions, — a  distance  of  about  eight  hundred    miles. 

Jackson  was  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  Jefferson  was  his  idol.  He  admired 
Bonaparte,  loved  France  and  hated  Kngland.  As  Mr. 
Jackson  took  his  seat,  Gjn.  Washington,  whose 
second  term  of  office  was  then  expiring,  delivered  his 
last  speech  to  Congress.  A  committee  drew  up  a 
complimentary  address  in  reply.  Andrew  Jackson 
did  not  approve  of  the  address,  and  was  one  of  the 
twelve  who  voted  against  it.  He  was  not  willing  to 
say  that  Gen.  Washington's  adminstration  had  been 
"  wise,  firm  and  patriotic." 

Mr.  Jackson  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate  in  1797,  but  soon  resigned  and  returned  home. 
Soon  after  he  was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  his  State,  which  position  he  held  for  six  years. 

When  the  war  of  1812  with  Great  Britian  com- 
menced, Madison  occupied  the  Presidential  chair. 
Aaron  Burr  sent  word  to  the  President  that  there  was 
an  unknown  man  in  the  West,  Andrew  Jackson,  who 
would  do  credit  to  a  commission  if  one  were  coh- 
ferred  upon  him.  Just  at  that  time  Gen.  Jackson 
offered  his  services  and  those  of  twenty-five  hundred 
volunteers.  His  offer  was  accepted,  and  the  troops 
were  assembled  at  Nashville. 

As  the  British  were  hourly  expected  to  make  an  at- 
tack r.pon  New  Orleans,  where  Gen,  Wilkinson  was 
in  command,  he  was  ordered  to  descend  the  river 
with  fifteen  hundred  troops  to  aid  Wilkinson.  The 
expedition  reached  Natchez;  and  after  a  delay  of  sev- 
eral weeks  there,  without  accomplishing  anything, 
the  men  were  ordered  back  to  their  homes.  But  the 
energy  Gen.  Jackson  had  displayed,  and  his  entire 
devotion  to  the  comrfort  of  his  soldiers,  won  him 
golden  opinions;  and  he  became  the  most  popular 
man  in  the  State.  It  was  in  this  expedition  that  his 
toughness  gave  him  the  nickname  of  "  Old  Hickory." 

Soon  after  this,  while  attempting  to  horsewhip  Col. 
Thomas  H.  Benton,  for  a  remark  that  gentleman 
made  about  his  taking  a  part  as  second  in  a  duel,  in 
which  a  younger  brother  of  Benton 's  was  engaged, 
he  received  two  severe  pistol  wounds.  While  he  was 
"lingering  \i\mn  a  bed  of  suffering  hews  came  that  the 
Indians,  who  had  combined  under  Tecumseh  from 
Florida  to  the  Lakes,  to  exterminate  the  white  set- 
tlers, were  committing  the  most  awful  ravages.  De- 
cisive action  became  necessary.  Gen.  Jackson,  with 
his  fractured  bone  just  beginning  to  heal,  his  arm  in 
a  sling,  and  unable  to  mount  his  horse  without  assis- 
tance, gave  his  amazing  energies  to  the  raising  of  an 
army  to  rendezvous  at  Fayettesville,  Alabama. 

The  Creek  Indians  had  established  a  strong  fort  on 
one  of  the  bendsof  the  Tallapoosa  River,  near  the  cen- 
ter of  Alabama,  about  fifty  miles  below  Fort  Strother. 
With  an  army  of  two  thousand  men,  Gen.  Jackson 
traversed  the  pathless  wilderness  in  a  march  of  eleven 
days.  He  reached  their  fort,  called  Tohopeka  or 
Horse-shoe,  on  the  271)1  of  March.  1814.  The  bend 


of  the  river  enclosed  nearly  one  hundred  acres  of 
tangled  forest  and  wild  ravine.  Across  the  narrow 
neck  the  Indians  had  constructed  a  formidable  breast- 
work of  logs  and  brush.  Here  nine  hundred  warriors, 
with  an  ample  suply  of  arms  were  assembled. 

The  fort  was  stormed.  The  fight  was  utterly  des- 
perate. Not  an  Indian  would  accept  of  quarter.  When 
bleeding  and  dying,  they  would  fight  those  who  en- 
deavored to  spare  their  lives.  From  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing until  dark,  the  battle  raged.  The  carnage  was 
awful  and  revolting.  Some  threw  themselves  into  the 
river;  but  the  unerring  bullet  struck  their  heads  as 
they  swam.  Nearly  everyone  of  the  nine  hundred  war- 
rios  were  killed  A  few  probably,  in  the  night,  swam 
the  river  and  escaped.  This  ended  the  war.  The 
jwwer  of  the  Creeks  was  broken  forever.  This  bold 
plunge  into  the  wilderness,  with  itsterriffic  slaughter, 
so  appalled  the  savages,  that  the  haggard  remnants 
of  the  bands  came  to  the  camp,  begging  for  peace. 

This  closing  of  the  Creek  war  enabled  us  to  con- 
centrate all  our  militia  upon  the  British,  who  were  the 
allies  of  the  Indians  No  man  of  less  resolute  will 
than  Gen.  Jackson  could  have  conducted  this  Indian 
campaign  to  so  successful  an  issue  Immediately  he 
was  appointed  major-general. 

Late  in  August,  with  an  army  of  two  thousand 
men,  on  a  rushing  march.  Gen.  Jackson  came  to 
Mobile.  A  British. fleet  came  from  Pensacola, landed 
a  force  upon  the  beach,  anchored  near  the  little  fort, 
and  from  both  ship  and  shore  commenced  a  furious 
assault  The  battle  was  long  and  doubtful.  At  length 
one  of  the  ships  was  blown  up  and  the  rest  retired. 

Garrisoning  Mobile,  where  he  had  taken  his  little 
army,  he  moved  his  troops  to  New  Orleans, 
And  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  which  soon  ensued, 
was  in  reality  a  very  arduous  campaign.  This  won 
for  Gen.  Jackson  an  imperishable  name.  Here  his 
troops,  which  numbered  about  four  thousand  men, 
won  a  signal  victory  over  the  British  army  of  about 
nine  thousand.  His  loss  was  but  thirteen,  while  the 
loss  of  the  British  was  two  thousand  six  hundred. 

The  name  of  Gen.  Jackson  soon  began  to  be  men- 
tioned in  connection  with  the  Piesidency,but,in  1824, 
he  was  defeated  by  Mr.  Adams.  He  was,  however, 
successful  in  the  election  of  1828,  and  was  re-elected 
for  a  second  term  in  5832.  In  1829,  just  before  he 
assumed  the  reins  of  the  government,  he  met  with 
the  most  terrible  affliction  of  his  life  in  the  death  cf 
his  wife,  whom  he  had  loved  with  a  devotion  which  has 
perhaps  never  been  surpassed.  From  the  shock  of 
her  death  he  never  recovered. 

His  administration  was  one  of  the  most  memorable 
in  the  annals  of  our  country;  applauded  by  one  party, 
condemned  by  the  other.  No  man  had  more  bitter 
enemies  or  warmer  friends.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
two  terms  of  office  he  retired  to  the  Hermitage,  where 
he  died  June  8,  1845.  The  last  years  of  Mr.  Jack- 
son's life  were  that  of  a  devoted  Christian  man. 


EIGHTH  PRESIDENT. 


ARTIN  VAN  BUREN,  the 
eighth      President     of     the 
United  States,  was  born  at 
Kinderhook,  N.  Y.,  Dec.   5, 
1782.     He  died  at  the  same 
place,  July    24,    1862.      His 
body  rests  in   the  cemetery 
at  Kinderhook.     Above  it  is 
a  plain  granite   shaft  fifteen  feet 
high,  bearing  a  simple  inscription 
about  half  way  up   on   one    face. 
The  lot  is  unfenced,  unbordered 
or  unbounded  by  shrub  or  flower. 

There  is  but  little  in  the  life  of  Martin  Van  Buren 
of  romantic  interest.  He  fought  no  battles,  engaged 
in  no  wild  adventures.  Though  his  life  was  stormy  in 
political  and  intellectual  conflicts,  and  he  gained  many 
signal  victories,  his  days  passed  uneventful  in  those 
incidents  which  give  zest  to  biography.  His  an- 
cestors, as  his  name  indicates,  were  of  Dutch  origin, 
and  were  among  the  earliest  emigrants  from  Holland 
to  the  banks  of  the  Hudson.  His  father  was  a  farmer, 
residing  in  the  old  town  of  Kinderhook.  His  mother, 
also  of  Dutch  lineage,  was  a  woman  of  superior  intel- 
ligence and  exemplary  piety. 

Ho  was  decidedly  a  precocious  boy,  developing  un- 
usual activity,  vigor  and  strength  of  mind.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen,  he  had  finished  his  academic  studies 
in  his  native  village,  and  commenced  the  study  of 
law.  As  lie  had  not  a  collegiate  education,  seven 
years  of  study  in  a  law-office  were  required  of  him 
before  he  could  be  admitted  to  the  bar.  Inspired  with 
a  lofty  ambition,  and  conscious  of  his  powers,  he  pur- 
sued his  studies  with  indefatigable  rndustry.  After 
spending  six  years  in  an  office  in  his  native  village, 


he  went  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  prosecuted  his 
studies  for  the  seventh  year. 

In  1803,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  then  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  vil- 
lage. The  great  conflict  between  the  Federal  and 
Republican  party  was  then  at  its  height.  Mr.  Van 
Buren  was  from  the  beginning  a  politician.  He  had, 
perhaps,  imbibed  that  spirit  while  listening  to  the 
many  discussions  which  had  been  carried  on  in  his 
father's  hotel.  He  was  in  cordial  sympathy  with 
Jefferson,  and  earnestly  and  eloquently  espoused  the 
cause  of  State  Rights;  though  at  that  time  the  Fed- 
eral party  held  the  supremacy  both  in  his  town 
and  State. 

His  success  and  increasing  ruputation  led  him, 
after  six  years  of  practice,  to  remove  to  Hudson,  the 
county  seat  of  his  county.  Here  he  spent  seven  years, 
constantly  gaining  strength  by  contending  in  the 
courts  with  some  of  the  ablest  men  who  have  adorned 
the  bar  of  his  State. 

Just  before  leaving  Kinderhook  for  Hudson,  Mr. 
Van  Buren  married  a  lady  alike  distinguished  for 
beauty  and  accomplishments.  After  twelve  short 
years  she  sank  into  the  grave,  the  victim  of  consump- 
tion, leaving  her  husband  and  four  sons  to  weep  over 
her  loss.  For  twenty-five  years,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was 
an  earnest,  successful,  assiduous  lawyer.  The  record 
of  those  years  is  barren  in  items  of  public  interest. 
In  1812,  when  thirty  years  of  age,  he  was  chosen  to 
the  State  Senate,  and  gave  his  strenuous  support  to 
Mr.  Madison's  adminstration.  In  1815,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Attorney-General,  and  the  next  year  moved 
to  Albany,  the  capital  of  the  State. 

While  he  was  acknowledged  as  one  of  the  most 
prominent  leaders  of  the  Democratic  party,  he  had 


f 


.    48 


MARTIN  VAN  BV&EK. 


T 


the  moral  courage  to  avow  that  true  democracy  did 
not  require  tint  "  universal  suffrage"  which  admits 
the  vile,  the  degraded,  the  ignorant,  to  the  right  of 
governing  the  State.  In  true  consistency  with  his 
democratic  principles,  he  contended  that,  while  the 
path  loading  to  the  privilege  of  voting  should  be  open 
to  every  man  without  distinction,  no  one  should  be 
invested  with  that  sacred  prerogative,  unless  he  were 
in  some  degree  qualified  for  it  by  intelligence,  virtue 
and  some  property  interests  in  the  welfare  of  the 
State. 

In  1821  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  United 
States  Senate;  and  in  the  same  year,  he  took  a  seat 
in  the  convention  to  revise  the  constitution  of  his 
native  State.  His  course  in  this  convention  secured 
the  approval  of  men  of  all  parties.  No  one  could 
doubt  the  singleness  of  his  endeavors  to  promote  the 
interests  of  all  classes  in  the  community.  In  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States,  he  rose  at  once  to  a 
conspicuous  position  as  an  active  and  useful  legislator. 

In  1827,  John  Quincy  Adams  being  then  in  the 
Presidential  chair,  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  re-elected  to 
the  Senate.  He  had  been  from  the  beginning  a  de- 
termined opposer  of  the  Administration,  adopting  the 
"State  Rights"  view  in  opposition  to  what  was 
deemed  the  Federal  proclivities  of  Mr.  Adams. 

Soon  after  this,  in  1828,  he  was  chosen  Governorof 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  accordingly  resigned  his 
seat  in  the  Senate.  Probably  no  one  in  the  United 
States  contributed  so  much  towards  ejecting  John  Q. 
Adams  from  the  Presidential  chair,  and  placing  in  it 
Andrew  Jackson,  as  did  Martin  Van  Buren.  Whether 
entitled  to  the  reputation  or  not,  he  certainly  was  re- 
garded throughout  the  United  States  as  one  of  the 
most  skillful,  sagacious  and  cunning  of  politicians. 
It  was  supposed  that  no  one  knew  so  well  as  he  how 
to  touch  the  secret  springs  of  action;  how  to  pull  all 
the  wires  to  put  his  machinery  in  motion;  and  how  to 
organize  a  political  army  which  would,  secretly  and 
stealthily  accomplish  the  most  gigantic  results.  By 
these  i>owers  it  is  said  that  he  outwitted  Mr.  Adams, 
Mr.  Clay,  Mr.  Webster,  and  secured  results  which 
few  thought  then  could  be  accomplished. 

Wiu.i  Andrew  Jackson  was  elected  President  he 
appointed  Mr.  Van  Buren  Secretary  of  State.  This 
position  he  resigned  in  1831,  and  was  immediately 
appointed  Minister  to  England,  where  he  went  the 
same  autumn.  The  Senate,  however,  when  it  met, 
refused  to  ratify  the  nomination,  and  he  returned 


home,  apparently  untroubled ;  was  nominated  Vice 
President  in  the  place  of  Calhoun,  at  the  re-election 
of  President  Jackson  ;  and  with  smiles  for  all  and 
frowns  for  none,  he  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  that 
Senate  which  had  refused  to  confirm  his  nomination 
as  ambassador. 

His  rejection  by  the  Senate  roused  all  the  zeal  of 
President  Jackson  in  behalf  of  his  repudiated  favor- 
ite; and  this,  probably  more  than  any  other  cause, 
secured  his  elevation  to  the  chair  of  the  Chief  Execu- 
tive. On  the  2oth  of  May,  1836,  Mr.  Van  Buren  re- 
ceived the  Democratic  nomination  to  succeed  Gen. 
Jackson  as  President  of  the  United  States  He  was 
elected  by  a  handsome  majority,  to  the  delight  of  the 
retiring  President.  "  Leaving  New  York  out  of  the 
canvass,"  says  Mr.  Parton,  '  the  election  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren  to  the  Presidency  was  as  much  the  act  of  Gen. 
Jackson  as  though  the  Constitution  had  conferred 
upon  him  the  power  to  appoint  a  successor." 

His  administration  was  filled  with  exciting  events. 
The  insurrection  in  Canada,  which  threatened  to  in- 
volve this  country  in  war  with  England,  the  agitation 
of  the  slavery  question,  and  finally  the  great  commer- 
cial panic  which  spread  over  the  country,  all  were 
trials  to  his  wisdom.  The  financial  distress  was  at- 
tributed to  the  management  of  the  Democratic  party, 
and  brought  the  President  into  such  disfavor  that  he 
failed  of  re  election. 

With  the  exception  of  being  nominated  for  the 
Presidency  by  the  "Free  Soil"  Democrats,  in  1848, 
Mr.  Van  Buren  lived  quietly  upon  his  estate  until 
his  death. 

He  had  ever  been  a  prudent  man,  of  frugal  habits, 
and  living  within  his  income,  had  now  fortunately  a 
competence  for  his  declining  years.  His  unblemished 
character,  his  commanding  abilities,  his  unquestioned 
patriotism,  and  the  distinguished  |>ositions  which  he 
had  occupied  in  the  government  of  our  country,  se- 
cured to  him  not  only  the  homage  of  his  party,  but 
the  respect  ot  the  whole  community.  It  was  on  the 
4th  of  March,  1841,  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  retired  from 
the  presidency.  From  his  fine  estate  at  Lindfiiwald, 
he  still  exerted  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  politics 
of  the  country.  From  this  time  until  his  death,  on 
the  24th  of  July,  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  he 
resided  at  Lindenwald,  a  gentleman  of  leisure,  of 
culture  and  of  wealth;  enjoyirg  in  a  healthy  old 
age,  probably  far  more  happiness  than  he  had  before 
experienced  amid  the  stormy  scenes  of  his  active  life, 


i 

•< 


NINTH  PRESIDENT. 


tna 
* 


ILLIAM  HENRY  HARRI- 
SON, the  ninth   President  of 
the   United  States,  was  born 
at  Berkeley,  Va.,  Feb.  9, 1773. 
His  father,   Benjamin   Harri- 
son, was  in  comparatively  op- 
ulent circumstances,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  his  day.      He  was  an 
intimate    friend    of     George 
Washington,  \v  as  early  elected 
a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress,    and  was    conspicuous 
among  the  patriots  of  Virginia  in 
resisting  the  encroachments  of  the 
British  crown.     In  the  celebrated 
Congress  of  1775,  Benjamin  Har- 
rison   and    John    Hancock   were 
both  candidates  for  the  office  of 
speaker. 

Mr  Harrison  was  subsequently 
chosen  Governor  of  Virginia,  and 
was  twice  re-elected.  His  son, 
William  Henry,  of  course  enjoyed 
in  childhood  all  the  advantages  which  wealth  and 
intellectual  and  cultivated  society  could  give.  Hav- 
ing received  a  thorough  common-school  education,  he 
entered  Hampden  Sidney  College,  where  he  graduated 
with  honor  soon  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
then  repaired  to  Philadelphia  to  study  medicine  under 
the  instructions  of  Dr.  Rush  and  the  guardianship  of 
Robert  Morris,  both  of  whom  were,  with  his  father, 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Indian  troubles,  and  not- 
withstanding the  remonstrances  of  his  friends,  he 
abandoned  his  medical  studies  and  entered  the  army, 
having  obtained  a  commission  of  Ensign  from  Presi- 


dent Washington.  He  was  then  but  19  years  old. 
From  that  time  he  passed  gradually  upward  in  rank 
until  he  became  aid  to  General  Wayne,  after  whose 
death  he  resigned  his  commission.  He  was  then  ap- 
pointed Secretary  of  the  North-western  Territory.  This 
Territory  was  then  entitled  to  but  one  member  in 
Congress  and  Capt.  Harrison  was  chosen  to  fill  that 
position. 

In  the  spring  of  1800  the  North-western  Territory 
was  divided  by  Congress  into  two  portions.  The 
eastern  portion,  comprising  the  region  now  embraced 
in  the  State  of  Ohio,  was  called  ''  The  Territory 
north-west  of  the  Ohio."  The  western  portion,  which 
included  what  is  now  called  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Wisconsin,  was  called  the  "Indiana  Territory."  Wil- 
liam Henry  Harrison,  then  27  years  of  age,  was  ap- 
pointed by  John  Adams,  Governor  of  the  Indiana 
Territory,  and  immediately  after,  also  Governor  of 
Upper  Louisiana.  He  was  thus  ruler  over  almost  as 
extensive  a  realm  as  any  sovereign  upon  the  globe.  He 
was  Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  and  was  in- 
vested with  powers  nearly  dictatorial  over  the  now 
rapidly  increasing  white  population.  The  ability  and 
fidelity  with  which  he  discharged  these  responsible 
duties  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  was  four 
times  appointed  to  this  office- — first  by  John  Adams, 
twice  by  Thomas  Jefferson  and  afterwards  by  Presi- 
dent Madison. 

When  he  began  his  adminstration  there  were  but 
three  white  settlements  in  that  almost  boundless  region, 
now  crowded  with  cities  and  resounding  with  all  the 
tumult  of  wealth  and  traffic.  One  of  these  settlements 
was  on  the  Ohio,  nearly  opposite  Louisville;  one  at 
Vincennes,  on  the  Wabash,  and  the  third  a  French 
settlement. 

The  vast  wilderness  over  which  Gov.  Harrison, 
reigned  was  filled  with  many  tribes  of  Indians.  About 


4 


WILLIAM  HENRY  HARRISON. 


the  year  1 806,  two  extraordinary  men,  twin  brothers, 
of  the  Shawnese  tribe,  rose  among  them.  One  of 
these  was  called  Tecumseh,  or  "  The  Crouching 
Panther;"  the  other,  Olliwacheca,  or  "  The  Prophet." 
Tecumseh  was  not  only  an  Indian  warrior,  but  a  man 
of  great  sagacity,  far-reaching  foresight  and  indomit- 
able perseverance  in  any  enterprise  in  which  he  might 
engage.  He  was  inspired  with  the  highest  enthusiasm, 
and  had  long  regarded  with  dread  and  with  hatred 
the  encroachment  of  the  whites  upon  the  hunting- 
grounds  of  his  fathers.  His  brother,  the  Prophet,  was 
anorator,  who  could  sway  the  feelings  of  the  untutored 
Indian  as  the  gale  tossed  the  tree-tops  beneath  which 
they  dwelt. 

But  the  Prophet  was  not  merely  an  orator:  he  was, 
in  the  superstitious  minds  of  the  Indians,  invested 
with  the  superhuman  dignity  of  a  medicine-man  or  a 
magician.  With  an  enthusiasm  unsurpassed  by  Peter 
the  Hermit  rousing  Europe  to  the  crusades,  he  went 
from  tribe  to  tribe,  assuming  that  he  was  specially  sent 
by  the  Great  Spirit. 

Gov.  Harrison  made  many  attempts  to  conciliate 
the  Indians,  but  at  last  the  war  came,  and  at  Tippe- 
canoe  the  Indians  were  routed  with  great  slaughter. 
October  28,  1812,  his  army  began  its  inarch.  When 
near  the  Prophet's  town  three  Indians  of  rank  made 
their  appearance  and  inquired  why  Gov.  Harrison  was 
approaching  them  in  so  hostile  an  attitude.  After  a 
short  conference,  arrangements  were  made  for  a  meet- 
ing the  next  day,  to  agree  upon  terms  of  peace. 

But  Gov.  Harrison  was  too  well  acquainted  with 
the  Indian  character  to  be  deceived  by  such  protes- 
tations. Selecting  a  favorable  spot  for  his  night's  en- 
campment, he  took  every  precaution  against  surprise. 
His  troops  were  posted  in  a  hollow  square,  and  slept 
upon  their  arms. 

The  troops  threw  themselves  upon  the  ground  for 
rest;  but  every  man  had  his  accourtrements  on,  his 
loaded  musket  by  his  side,and  his  bayonet  fixed.  The 
wakeful  Governor,  between  three  and  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  had  risen,  and  was  sitting  in  conversa- 
tion with  his  aids  by  the  embers  of  a  waning  fire.  It 
was  a  chill,  cloudy  morning  with  a  drizzling  rain.  In 
the  darkness,  the  Indians  had  crept  as  near  as  possi- 
ble, and  just  then,  with  a  savage  yell,  rushed,  with  all 
the  desperation  which  superstition  and  passion  most 
highly  inflamed  could  give,  upon  the  left  flank  of  the 
little  army.  The  savages  had  been  amply  provided 
with  guns  and  ammunition  by  the  English.  Their 
war-whoop  was  accompained  by  a  shower  of  bullets. 

The  camp-fires  were  instantly  extinguished,  as  the 
light  aided  the  Indians  in  their  aim.  With  hide- 
ous yells,  the  Indian  bands  rushed  on,  not  doubting  a 
speedy  and  an  entire  victory.  But  Gen.  Harrison's 
troops  stood  as  immovable  as  the  rocks  around  them 
until  day  dawned :  they  then  made  a  simultaneous 
charge  with  the  bayonet,  and  swept  every  thing  be- 
fore them,  and  completely  routing  the  foe. 


Gov.  Harrison  now  had  all  his  energies  tasked 
to  the  utmost.  The  British  descending  from  the  Can  - 
adas,  were  of  themselves  a  very  formidable  force  ;  but 
with  their  savage  allies,  rushing  like  wolves  from  the 
forest,  searching  out  every  remote  farm-house,  burn- 
ing, plundering,  scalping,  torturing,  the  wide  frontier 
was  plunged  into  a  state  of  consternation  which  even 
the  most  vivid  imagination  can  but  faintly  conceive. 
The  war-whoop  was  resounding  everywhere  in  the 
forest.  The  horizon  was  illuminated  with  the  conflagra- 
tion of  the  cabins  of  the  settlers.  Gen  Hull  had  made 
the  ignominious  surrender  of  his  forces  at  Detroit. 
Under  these  despairing  circumstances,  Gov.  Harrison 
was  appointed  by  President  Madison  commander-in- 
chiefof  the  North-western  army,  with  orders  to  retake 
Detroit,  and  to  protect  the  frontiers. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  place  a  man  in  a  situation 
demanding  more  energy,  sagacity  and  courage;  but 
General  Harrison  was  found  equal  to  the  position, 
and  nobly  and  triumphantly  did  he  meet  all  the  re- 
sponsibilities. 

He  won  the  love  of  his  soldiers  by  alvvays  sharing 
with  them  their  fatigue.  His  whole  baggage,  while 
pursuing  the  foe  up  the  Thames,  was  carried  in  a 
valise;  and  his  bedding  consisted  of  a  single  blanket 
lashed  over  his  saddle.  Thirty-five  British  officers, 
his  prisoners  of  war,  supped  with  him  after  the  battle. 
The  only  fare  lie  could  give  them  was  beef  roasted 
before  the  fire,  without  bread  or  salt. 

In  1816,  Gen.  Harrison  was  chosen  a  member  of 
the  National  House  of  Representatives,  to  represent 
the  District  of  Ohio.  In  Congress  he  proved  an 
active  member;  and  whenever  he  spoke,  it  was  with 
force  of  reason  and  power  of  eloquence,  which  arrested 
the  attention  of  all  the  members. 

In  1819,  Harrison  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of 
Ohio;  and  in  1824,  as  one  of  the  presidential  electors 
of  that  State,  he  gave  his  vote  for  Henry  Clay.  The 
same  year  he  was  chosen  to  the  United  States  Senate. 

In  1836,  the  friends  of  Gen.  Harrison  brought  him 
forward  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  against 
Van  Buren,  but  he  was  defeated.  At  the  close  of 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  term,  he  was  re -nominated  by  his 
party,  and  Mr.  Harrison  was  unanimously  nominated 
by  the  Whigs,  with  John  Tyler  forthe  Vice  Presidem  \ . 
The  contest  was  very  animated.  Gen.  Jackson  gave 
all  his  influence  to  prevent  Harrison's  election  ;  but 
his  triumph  was  signal. 

The  cabinet  which  he  formed,  with  Daniel  Webster 
at  its  head  as  Secretary  of  State,  was  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  with  which  any  President  had  ever  been 
surrounded.  Never  were  the  prospects  of  an  admin- 
istration more  flattering,  or  the  hopes  of  the  country 
more  sanguine.  In  the  midst  of  these  bright  and 
joyous  prospects,  Gen.  Harrison  was  seized  by  a 
pleurisy-fever  and  after  a  few  days  of  violent  sick- 
ness, died  on  the  4th  of  April;  just  one  month  after 
his  inauguration  as  President  of  the  United  States. 


r 


TENTH  PRESIDENT. 


SS 


, 


OHN    TYLER,     the    tenth 
Presidentof  the  United  States. 
He  was  born  in  Charles-city 
Co.,  Va.,  March  29, 1790.  He 
was  the  favored  child   of  af- 
fluence and  high    social    po- 
sition.    At  the   early  age   of 
twelve,  John  entered  William 
and   Mary  College  and  grad- 
uated with  much  honor  when 
but  seventeen  years  old.  After 
graduating,  he  devoted  him- 
self with    great   assiduity  to   the 
study    of    law,    partly   with    his 
father   and   partly  with   Edmund 
Randolph,  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished lawyers  of  Virginia. 

At  nineteen  years  of  age,  lie 
commenced  the  practice  of  law. 
His  success  was  rapid  and  aston- 
ishing. It  is  said  that  three 
months  had  not  elapsed  ere  there 
was  scarcely  a  case  on  the  dock- 
et of  the  court  in  which  he  was 
not  retained.  When  but  twenty-one  years  of, age,  he 
was  almost  unanimously  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  State 
Legislature.  He  connected  himself  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  warmly  advocated  the  measures  of 
Jefferson  and  Madison.  For  five  successive  years  he 
was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  receiving  nearly  the 
unanimous  vote  or  his  county. 

When  but  twenty-six  years  of  age,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress.  Here  he  acted  earnestly  and 
ably  with  the  Democratic  party,  opposing  a  national 
bank,  internal  improvements  by  the  General  Govern- 


ment, a  protective  tariff,  and  advocating  a  strict  con- 
struction of  the  Constitution,  and  the  most  careful 
vigilance  over  State  rights.  His  labors  in  Congress 
were  so  arduous  that  before  the  close  of  his  second 
term  he  found  it  necessary  to  resign  and  retire  to  his 
estate  in  Charles-city  Co.,  to  recruit  his  health.  He, 
however,  soon  after  consented  to  take  his  seat  in  the 
State  Legislature,  where  his  influence  was  powerful 
in  promoting  public  works  of  great  utility.  With  a 
reputation  thus  canstantly  increasing,  he  was  chosen 
by  a  very  large  majority  of  votes,  Governor  of  his 
native  State.  His  administration  was  signally  a  suc- 
cessful one.  His  popularity  secured  his  re-election. 

John  Randolph,  a  brilliant,  erratic,  half-crazed 
man,  then  represented  Virginia  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  A  portion  of  the  Democratic  party 
was  displeased  with  Mr.  Randolph's  wayward  course, 
and  brought  forward  John  Tyler  as  his  opponent, 
considering  him  the  only  man  in  Virginia  of  sufficient 
popularity  to  succeed  against  the  renowned  orator  of 
Roanoke.  Mr.  Tyler  was  the  victor. 

In  accordance  with  his  professions,  upon  taking  his 
seat  in  the  Senate,  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  opposi- 
tion. He  opposed  the  tariff;  he  spoke  against  and 
voted  against  the  bank  as  unconstitutional ;  he  stren- 
uously opposed  all  restrictions  upon  slavery,  resist- 
ing all  projects  of  internal  improvements  by  the  Gen- 
eral Government,  and  avowed  his  sympathy  with  Mr. 
Calhoun's  view  of  nullification  ;  he  declared  that  Gen. 
Jackson,  by  his  opposition  to  the  nullifiers,  had 
abandoned  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 
Such  was  Mr.  Tyler's  record  in  Congress, — a  record 
in  perfect  accordance  with  the  principles  which  he 
had  always  avowed. 

Returning  to  Virginia,  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  There  was  a  split  in  the  Democratic 


t 


f 


JOHN  TYLER. 


f 


party.  His  friends  still  regarded  him  as  a  true  Jef- 
fersonian,  gave  him  a  dinner,  and  showered  compli- 
ments upon  him.  He  had  now  attained  the  age  of 
forty-six.  His  career  had  been  very  brilliant.  In  con- 
sequence of  his  devotion  to  public  business,  his  pri- 
vate affairs  had  fallen  into  some  disorder;  and  it  was 
not  without  satisfaction  that  he  resumed  the  practice 
of  law,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  culture  of  his  plan- 
tation. Soon  after  this  he  removed  to  Williamsburg, 
for  the  better  education  of  his  children  ;  and  he  again 
took  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  of  Virginia. 

By  the  Southern  Whigs,  he  was  sent  to  the  national 
convention  at  Harrisburg  to  nominate  a  President  in 
1839.  The  majority  of  votes  were  given  to  Gen.  Har- 
rison, a  genuine  Whig,  much  to  the  disappointment  of 
the  South,  who  wished  for  Henry  Clay.  To  concili- 
ate the  Southern  Whigs  and  to  secure  their  vote,  the 
convention  then  nominated  John  Tyler  for  Vice  Pres- 
ident. It  was  well  known  that  he  was  not  in  sympa- 
thy with  the  Whig  party  in  the  North :  but  the  Vice 
President  has  but  very  little  power  in  the  Govern- 
ment, his  main  and  almost  only  duty  being  to  pre- 
side over  the  meetings  of  the  Senate.  Thus  it  hap- 
pened that  a  Whig  President,  and,  in  reality,  a 
Democratic  Vice  President  were  chosen. 

In  1841,  Mr.  Tyler  was  inaugurated  Vice  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  In  one  short  month  from 
that  time,  President  Harrison  died,  and  Mr.  Tyler 
thus  found  himself,  to  his  own  surprise  and  that  of 
the  whole  Nation,  an  occupant  of  the  Presidential 
chair.  This  was  a  new  test  of  the  stability  of  our 
institutions,  as  it  was  the  first  time-in  the  history  of  our 
country  that  such  an  event  had  occured.  Mr.  Tyler 
was  at  home  in  Williamsburg  when  he  received  the 
unexpected  tidings  of  the  death  of  President  Harri- 
son. He  hastened  to  Washington,  and  on  the  6th  of 
April  was  inaugurated  to  the  high  and  responsible 
office.  He  was  placed  in  a  position  of  exceeding 
delicacy  and  difficulty.  All  his  long  life  he  had  been 
opposed  to  the  main  principles  of  the  party  which  had 
brought  him  into  power.  He  had  ever  been  a  con- 
sistent, honest  man,  with  an  unblemished  record. 
Gen.  Harrison  had  selected  a  Whig  cabinet.  Should 
he  retain  them,  and  thus  surround  himself  with  coun- 
sellors whose  views  were  antagonistic  to  his  own  ?  or, 
on  the  other  hand,  should  he  turn  against  the  party 
which  had  elected  him  and  select  a  cabinet  in  har- 
mony with  himself,  and  which  would  opi>ose  all  those 
views  which  the  Whigs  deemed  essential  to  the  pub- 
lic welfare?  This  was  his  fearful  dilemma.  He  in- 
vited the  cabinet  which  President  Harrison  had 
selected  to  retain  their  seats.  He  reccommended  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  that  God  would  guide  and 
bless  us. 

The  Whigs  carried  through  Congress  a  bill  for  the 
incorporation  of  a  fiscal  bank  of  the  United  States. 
The  President,  after  ten  days'  delay,  returned  it  with 
his  veto.  He  suggested,  however,  that  he  would 


approve  of  a  bill  drawn  up  upon  such  a  plan  as  he 
proposed.  Such  a  bill  was  accordingly  prepared,  and 
privately  submitted  to  him.  He  gave  it  his  approval. 
It  was  passed  without  alteration,  and  he  sent  it  back 
with  his  veto.  Here  commenced  the  open  rupture. 
It  is  said  that  Mr.  Tyler  was  provoked  to  this  meas- 
ure by  a  published  letter  from  the  Hon.  John  M. 
Botts,  a  distinguished  Virginia  Whig,  who  severely 
touched  the  pride  of  the  President. 

The  opposition  now  exultingly  received  the  Presi- 
dent into  their  arms.  The  party  which  elected  him 
denounced  him  bitterly.  All  the  members  of  his 
cabinet,  excepting  Mr.  Webster,  resigned.  The  Whigs 
of  Congress,  both  the  Senate  and  the  House,  held  a 
meeting  and  issued  an  address  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  proclaiming  that  all  political  alliance 
between  the  Whigs  and  President  Tyler  were  at 
an  end. 

Still  the  President  attempted  to  conciliate.  .  He 
appointed  a  new  cabinet  of  distinguished  Whigs  and 
Conservatives,  carefully  leaving  out  all  strong  party 
men.  Mr.  Webster  soon  found  it  necessary  to  resign, 
forced  out  by  the  pressure  of  his  Whig  friends.  Thus 
the  four  years  of  Mr.  Tyler's  unfortunate  administra- 
tion passed  sadly  away.  No  one  was  satisfied.  The 
land  was  filled  with  murmurs  and  vituperation.  Whigs 
and  Democrats  alike  assailed  him.  More  and  more, 
however,  he  brought -himself  into  sympathy  with  his 
old  friends,  the  Democrats,  until  at  the  close  of  his  term, 
he  gave  his  whole  influence  to  the  support  of  Mr. 
Polk,  the  Democratic  candidate  for  his  successor. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1845,  he  retired  from  the 
harassments  of  office,  to  the  regret  of  neither  party,  and 
probably  to  his  own  unspeakable  lelief.  His  first  wife, 
Miss  Letitia  Christian,  died  in  Washington,  in  1842; 
and  in  June,  1844,  President  Tyler  was  again  married, 
at  New  York,  to  Miss  Julia  Gardiner,  a  young  lady  of 
many  personal  and  intellectual  accomplishments. 

The  remainder  of  his  days  Mr.  Tyler  passed  mainly 
in  retirement  at  his  beautiful  home, — Sherwood  For- 
est, Charles-city  Co.,  Va.  A  polished  gentleman  in 
his  manners,  richly  furnished  with  information  from 
books  and  experience  in  the  world,  and  possessing 
brilliant  powers  of  conversation,  his  family  circle  was 
the  scene  of  unusual  attractions.  With  sufficient 
means  for  the  exercise  of  a  generous  hospitality,  he 
might  have  enjoyed  a  serene  old  age  with  the  few 
friends  who  gathered  around  him,  were  it  not  for  the 
storms  of  civil  war  which  his  own  principles  and 
policy  had  helped  to  introduce. 

When  the  great  Rebellion  rose,  which  the  State- 
rights  and  nullifying  doctrines  of  Mr.  John  C.  Cal- 
houn  had  inaugurated,  President  Tyler  renounced  his 
allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and  joined  the  Confed- 
erates. He  was  chosen  a  member  of  their  Congress; 
and  while  engaged  in  active  measures  to  destroy,  by 
force  of  arms,  the  Government  over  which  he  had 
once  presided,  he  was  taken  sick  and  soon  died. 


t 


r 


ELEVENTH  PRESIDENT. 


59 


AMES  K.  POLK,  the  eleventh 
President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  in  Mecklenburg  Co., 
N.  C.,  Nov.  2,  1795.     His  par- 
ents were   Samuel   and    Jane 
(Knox)  Polk,  the  former  a  son 
of  Col.  Thomas  Polk,  who  located 
at  the  above  place,  as  one  of  the 
first  pioneers,  in  1735. 

In  the  year  1006,  with  his  wife 
and  children,  and  soon  after  fol- 
lowed by  most  of  the  members  of 
the  Polk  farnly,  Samuel  Polk  emi- 
grated some  two  or  three  hundred 
miles  farther  west,  to  the  rich  valley 
of  the  Duck  River.  Here  in  the 
midst  of  the  wilderness,  in  a  region 
which  was  subsequently  called  Mau- 
ry  Co.,  they  reared  their  log  huts, 
and  established  their  homes.  In  the 
hard  toil  of  a  new  farm  in  the  wil- 
derness, James  K.  Polk  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  childhood  and 
youth.  His  father,  adding  the  pur- 
suit of  a  surveyor  to  that  of  a  farmer, 
gradually  increased  in  wealth  until 
he  became  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  region.  His 
mother  was  a  superior  woman,  of  strong  common 
sense  and  earnest  piety. 

Very  early  in  life,  James  developed  a  taste  for 
reading  and  expressed  the  strongest  desire  to  obtain 
a  liberal  education.  His  mother's  training  had  made 
him  methodical  in  his  habits,  had  taught  him  punct- 
uality and  industry,  and  had  inspired  him  with  lofty 
principles  of  morality.  His  health  was  frail ;  and  his 
father,  fearing  that  he  might  not  be  able  to  endure  a 


sedentary  life,  got  a  situation  for  him  behind  the 
counter,  hoping  to  fit  him  for  commercial  pursuits. 

This  was  to  James  a  bitter  disappointment.  He 
had  no  taste  for  these  duties,  and  his  daily  tasks 
were  irksome  in  the  extreme.  He  remained  in  this 
uncongenial  occupation  but  a  few  weeks,  when  at  his 
earnest  solicitation  his  father  removed  him,  and  made 
arrangements  for  him  to  prosecute  his  studies.  Soon 
after  he  sent  him  to  Murfreesboro  Academy.  With 
ardor  which  could  scarcely  be  surpassed,  he  pressed 
forward  in  his  studies,  and  in  less  than  two  and  a  half 
year's,  in  the  autumn  of  1815,  entered  the  sophomore 
class  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  at  Chapel 
Hill.  Here  he  was  one  of  the  most  exemplary  of 
scholars,  punctual  in  every  exercise,  never  allowing 
himself  to  be  absent  from  a  recitation  or  a  religious 
service. 

He  graduated  in  1818,  with  the  highest  honors,  be- 
ing deemed  the  best  scholar  of  his  class,  both  in 
mathematics  and  the  classics.  He  was  then  twenty- 
three  years  of  age.  Mr.  Folk's  health  was  at  this 
time  much  impaired  by  the  assiduity  with  which  he 
had  prosecuted  his  studies.  After  a  short  season  of 
relaxation  he  -went  to  Nashville,  and  entered  the 
office  of  Felix  Grundy,  to  study  law.  Here  Mr.  Polk 
renewed  his  acquaintance  with  Andrew  Jackson,  who 
resided  on  his  plantation,  the  Hermitage,  but  a  few 
miles  from  Nashville.  They  had  probably  been 
slightly  acquainted  before. 

Mr.  Polk's  father  was  a  Jeffersonian  Republican, 
and  James  K.  Polk  ever  adhered  to  the  same  politi- 
cal faith.  He  was  a  popular  public  speaker,  and  was 
constantly  called  upon  to  address  the  meetings  of  his 
party  friends.  His  skill  as  a  speaker  was  such  that 
he  was  popularly  called  the  Napoleon  of  the  stump. 
He  was  a  man  of  unblemished  morals,  genial  and 


;1 


Go 


JAMES  K.  POLK. 


courteous  in  his  bearing,  and  with  that  sympathetic 
nature  in  the  joys  and  griefs  of  others  which  ever  gave 
him  troops  of  friends.  In  1823,  Mr.  Polk  was  elected 
to  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee.  Here  he  gave  his 
strong  influence  towards  the  election  of  his  friend, 
Mr.  Jackson,  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

In  January,  1824,  Mr.  Polk  married  Miss  Sarah 
Childress,  of  Rutherford  Co.,  Tenn.  His  bride  was 
altogether  worthy  of  him, — a  lady  of  beauty  and  cul- 
ture. In  the  fall  of  1825,  Mr.  Polk  was  chosen  a 
member  of  Congress.  The  satisfaction  which  he  gave 
to  his  constituents  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that 
for  fourteen  successive  years,  until  1839,  he  was  con- 
tinued in  that  office.  He  then  voluntarily  withdrew, 
only  that  he  might  accept  the  Gubernatorial  chair 
of  Tennessee.  In  Congress  he  was  a  laborious 
member,  a  frequent  and  a  popular  speaker.  He  was 
always  in  his  seat,  always  courteous ;  and  whenever 
he  spoke  it  was  always  to  the  point,  and  without  any 
ambitious  rhetorical  display. 

During  five  sessions  of  Congress,  Mr.  Polk  was 
Speaker  of  the  House  Strong  passions  were  roused, 
and  stormy  scenes  were  witnessed  ;  but  Mr.  Polk  per- 
formed his  arduous  duties  to  a  very  general  satisfac- 
tion, and  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks  to  him  was 
passed  by  the  House  as  he  withdrew  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1839. 

-  In  accordance  with  Southern  usage,  Mr.  Polk,  as  a 
candidate  for  Governor,  canvassed  the  State.  He  was 
elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  on  the  1 4th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1839,  took  the  oath  of  office  at  Nashville.  In  1841, 
his  term  of  office  expired,  and  he  was  again  the  can- 
didate of  the  Democratic  party,  but  was  defeated. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1845,  Mr.  Polk  was  inaugur- 
ated President  of  the  United  States.  The  verdict  of 
the  countryin  favor  of  the  annexation  of  Texas,  exerted 
its  influence  upon  Congress  ;  and  the  last  act  of  the 
administration  of  President  Tyler  was  to  affix  his  sig- 
nature to  a  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  passed  on  the 
3d  of  March,  approving  of  the  annexation  of  Texas  to 
the  American  Union.  As  Mexico  still  claimed  Texas 
as  one  of  her  provinces,  the  Mexican  minister, 
Almonte,  immediately  demanded  his  passports  and 
left  the  country,  declaring  the  act  of  the  annexation 
to  be  an  act  hostile  to  Mexico. 

In  his  first  message,  President  Polk  urged  that 
Texas  should  immediately,  by  act  of  Congress,  be  re- 
ceived into  the  Union  on  the  same  footing  with  the 
other  States.  In  the  meantime,  Gen.  Taylor  was  sent 


with  an  army  into  Texas  to  hold  the  country.  He  was 
sent  first  to  Nueces,  which  the  Mexicans  said  was  the 
western  boundary  of  Texas.  Then  he  was  sent  nearly 
two  hundred  miles  further  west,  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
where  he  erected  batteries  which  commanded  the 
Mexican  city  of  Matamoras,  which  was  situated  on 
the  western  banks. 

The  anticipated  collision  soon  took  place,  and  war 
was  declared  against  Mexico  by  President  Polk.  The 
war  was  pushed  forward  by  Mr.  Polk's  administration 
with  great  vigor.  Gen.  Taylor,  whose  army  was  first 
called  one  of  "observation,"  then  of  "occupation," 
then  of  "  invasion, "was  sent  forward  to  Monterey.  The 
feeble  Mexicans,  in  every  encounter,  were  hopelessly 
and  awfully  slaughtered.  The  day  of  judgement 
alone  can  reveal  the  misery  which  this  war  caused. 
It  was  by  the  ingenuity  of  Mr.  Polk's  administration 
that  the  war  was  brought  on. 

'To  the  victors  belong  the  spoils."  Mexico  was 
prostrate  before  us.  Her  capital  was  in  our  hands. 
We  now  consented  to  peace  upon  the  condition  that 
Mexico  should  surrender  to  us,  in  addition  to  Texas, 
all  of  New  Mexico,  and  all  of  Upper  and  Lower  Cal- 
ifornia. This  new  demand  embraced,  exclusive  of 
Texas,  eight  hundred  thousand  square  miles.  This 
was  an  extent  of  territory  equal  to  nine  States  of  the 
size  of  New  York.  Thus  slavery  was  securing  eighteen 
majestic  States  to  be  added  to  the  Union.  There  were 
some  Americans  who  thought  it  all  right :  there  were 
others  who  thought  it  all  wrong.  In  the  prosecution 
of  this  war,  we  expended  twenty  thousand  lives  and 
more  than  a  hundred  million  of  dollars.  Of  this 
money  fifteen  millions  were  paid  to  Mexico. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1849,  Mr.  Polk  retired  from 
office,  having  served  one  term.  The  next  day  was 
Sunday.  On  the  5th,  Gen.  Taylor  was  inaugurated 
as  his  successor.  Mr.  Polk  rode  to  the  Capitol  in  the 
same  carriage  with  Gen.  Taylor;  and  the  same  even- 
ing, with  Mrs.  Polk,  he  commenced  his  return  to 
Tennessee.  He  was  then  but  fifty-four  years  of  age. 
He  had  ever  been  strictly  temperate  in  all  his  habits, 
and  his  health  was  good.  With  an  ample  fortune, 
a  choice  library,  a  cultivated  mind,  and  domestic  ties 
of  the  dearest  nature,  it  seemed  as  though  long  years 
of  tranquility  and  happiness  were  before  him.  But  the 
cholera — that  fearful  scourge— was  then  sweeping  up 
the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi.  This  he  contracted, 
and  died  on  the  151)1  of  June,  1849,  in  the  fifty-fourth 
year  of  his  age,  greatly  mourned  by  his  countrymen. 


4 


'4 


TWELFTH  PRESIDENT. 


^^VV^t^-K^ 

^«J '  LMV-v'^-oy     '.!>""""       ?3^r 


ACHARY  TAYLOR,  twelfth 
President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  on  the  241)1  of  Nov., 
1784,  in  Orange  Co.,  Va.  His 
father,  Colonel  Taylor,  was 
a  Virginian  of  note,  and  a  dis- 
tinguished patriot  and  soldier  of 
the  Revolution.  When  Zachary 
was  an  infant,  his  father  with  his 
wife  and  two  children,  emigrated 
to  Kentucky,  where  he  settled  in 
the  pathless  wilderness,  a  few 
miles  from  Louisville.  In  this  front- 
ier home,  away  from  civilization  and 
all  its  refinements,  young  Zachary 
could  enjoy  but  few  social  and  educational  advan- 
tages. When  six  years  of  age  he-attended  a  common 
school,  and  was  then  regarded  as  a  bright,  active  boy, 
rather  remarkable  for  bluntness  and  decision  of  char- 
acter He  was  strong,  feailess  and  self-reliant,  and 
manifested  a  strong  desire  to  enter  the  army  to  fight 
the  Indians  who  were  ravaging  the  frontiers.  There 
is  little  to  be  recorded  of  the  uneventful  years  of  his 
childhood  on  his  father's  large  but  lonely  plantation. 
In  1808,  his  father  succeeded  in  obtaining  for  him 
the  commission  of  lieutenant  in  the  United  States 
army  ;  and  he  joined  the  troops  which  were  stationed 
at  New  Orleans  under  Gen.  Wilkinson.  Soon  after 
this  he  married  Miss  Margaret  Smith,  a  young  lady 
from  one  of  the  first  families  of  Maryland. 

Immediately  after  the  declaration  of  war  with  Eng- 
land, in  1812,  Capt.  Taylor  (for  he  had  then  been 
promoted  to  that  rank)  was  put  in  command  of  Fort 
Harrison,  on  the  Wabash,  about  fifty  miles  above 
Vincennus.  This  fort  had  been  built  in  the  wilder- 
ness by  Gen.  Harrison,on  his  march  to  Tippecanoe. 
It  was  one  of  the  first  points  of  attack  by  the  Indians, 
led  by  Tecumseh.  Its  garrison  consisted  of  a  broken 
<• 


company  of  infantry  numbering   fifty  men,   many  of 
whom  were  sick. 

Early  in  the  autumn  of  1812,  the  Indians,  stealthily, 
and  in  large  numbers,  moved  upon  the  fort.  Their 
approach  was  first  indicated  by  the  murder  of  two 
soldiers  just  outside  of  the  stockade.  Capt.  Taylor 
made  every  possible  preparation  to  meet  the  antici- 
pated assault.  On  the  4th  of  September,  a  band  of 
forty  painted  and  plumed  savages  came  to  the  fort, 
waving  a  white  flag,  and  informed  Capt.  Taylor  that 
in  the  morning  their  chief  would  come  to  have  a  talk 
with  him.  It  was  evident  that  their  object  was  merely 
to  ascertain  the  state  of  things  at  the  fort,  and  Capt. 
Taylor,  well  versed  in  the  wiles  of  the  savages,  kept 
them  at  a  distance. 

The  sun  went  down ;  the  savages  disappeared,  the 
garrison  slept  upon  their  arms.  One  hour  before 
midnight  the  war  whoop  burst  from  a  thousand  lips 
in  the  forest  around,  followed  by  the  discharge  of 
musketry,  and  the  rush  of  the  foe.  Every  man,  sick 
and  well,  sprang  to  his  post.  Every  man  knew  that 
defeat  was  not  merely  death,  but  in  the  case  of  cap- 
ture, death  by  the  most  agonizing  and  prolonged  tor- 
ture. No  pen  can  describe,  no  immagination  can 
conceive  the  scenes  which  ensued.  The  savages  suc- 
ceeded in  setting  fire  to  one  of  the  block-houses- 
Until  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  this  awful  conflict 
continued.  The  savages  then,  baffled  at  every  point, 
and  gnashing  their  teeth  with  rage,  retired.  Capt. 
Taylor,  for  this  gallant  defence,  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major  by  brevet. 

Until  the  close  of  the  war,  Major  Taylor  was  placed 
in  such  situations  that  he  saw  but  little  more  of  active 
service.  He  was  sent  far  away  into  the  depths  of  the 
wilderness,  to  Fort  Crawford,  on  Fox  River,  which 
empties  into  Green  Bay.  Here  there  was  but  little 
to  be  done  but  to  wear  away  the  tedious  hours  as  one 
best  could.  There  were  no  books,  no  society,  no  in- 


ZACHARY  TAYLOR. 


tellectual  stimulus.  Thus  with  him  the  uneventful 
years  rolled  on  Gradually  he  rose  to  the  rank  of 
colonel.  In  the  Black-Hawk  war,  which  resulted  in 
the  capture  of  that  renowned  chieftain,  Col  Taylor 
took  a  subordinate  but  a  brave  and  efficient  part. 

For  twenty-four  years  Col.  Taylor  was  engaged  in 
the  defence  of  the  frontiers,  in  scenes  so  remote,  and  in 
employments  so  obscure,  that  his  name  was  unknown 
beyond  the  limits  of  his  own  immediate  acquaintance. 
In  the  year  1836,  he  was  sent  to  Florida  to  compel 
the  Seminole  Indians  to  vacate  that  region  and  re- 
tire beyond  the  Mississippi,  as  their  chiefs  by  treaty, 
had  promised  they  should  do.  The  services  rendered 
here  secured  for  Col.  Taylor  the  high  appreciation  of 
the  Government;  and  as  a  reward,  he  was  elevated 
to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  by  brevet ;  and  soon 
after,  in  May,  1838,  was  appointed  to  the  chief  com- 
mand of  the  United  States  troops  in  Florida. 

After  two  years  of  such  wearisome  employment 
amidst  the  everglades  of  the  peninsula,  Gen.  Taylor 
obtained,  at  his  own  request,  a  change  of  command, 
and  was  stationed  over  the  Department  of  the,  South- 
west. This  field  embraced  Louisiana,  Mississippi, 
Alabama  and  Georgia.  Establishing  his  headquarters 
at  Fort  Jessup,  in  Louisiana,  he  removed  his  family 
to  a  plantation  which  he  purchased,  near  Baton  Rogue. 
Here  he  remained  for  five  years,  buried,  as  it  were, 
from  the  world,  but  faithfully  discharging  every  duty 
imposed  upon  him. 

In  1846,  Gen.  Taylor  was  sent  to  guard  the  land 
between  the  Nueces  and  Rio  Grande,  the  latter  river 
being  the  boundary  of  Texas,  which  was  then  claimed 
by  the  United  States.  Soon  the  war  with  Mexico 
was  brought  on,  and  at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la 
Palma,  Gen.  Taylor  won  brilliant  victories  over  the 
Mexicans.  The  rank  of  major-general  by  brevet 
was  then  conferred  upon  Gen.  Taylor,  and  his  name 
was  received  with  enthusiasm  almost  everywhere  in 
the  Nation.  Then  came  the  battles  of  Monterey  and 
Buena  Vista  in  which  he  won  signal  victories  over 
forces  much  larger  than  he  commanded. 

His  careless  habits  of  dress  and  his  unaffected 
simplicity,  secured  for  Gen.  Taylor  among  his  troops, 
the  sobriquet  of  "Old  Rough  and  Ready.' 

The  tidings  of  the  brilliant  victory  of  Buena  Vista 
spread  the  wildest  enthusiasm  over  the  country.  The 
name  of  Gen.  Taylor  was  on  every  one's  lips.  The 
Whig  party  decided  to  take  advantage  of  this  wonder- 
ful popularity  in  bringing  forward  the  unpolished,  un- 
lettered, honest  soldier  as  their  candidate  for  the 
Presidency.  Gen.  Taylor  was  astonished  at  the  an- 
nouncement, and  for  a  time  would  not  listen  toil;  de- 
claring that  he  was  not  at  all  qualified  for  such  an 
office.  So  little  interest  had  he  taken  in  politics  that, 
for  forty  years,  he  had  not  cast  a  vote.  It  was  not 
without  chagrin  that  several  distinguished  statesmen 
who  had  been  long  years  in  the  public  service  found 
their  claims  set  aside  in  behalf  of  one  whose  name 


had  never  been  heard  of,  save  in  connection  with  Palo 
Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey  and  Buena 
Vista.  It  is  said  that  Daniel  Webster,  in  his  haste  re- 
marked, "  It  is  a  nomination  not  fit  to  be  made." 

Gen.  Taylor  was  not  an  eloquent  speaker  nor  a  fine 
writer  His  friends  took  possession  of  him,  and  pre- 
pared such  few  communications  as  it  was  needful 
should  be  presented  to  the  public.  The  popularity  of 
the  successful  warrior  swept  the  land.  He  was  tri- 
umphantly elected  over  two  opposing  candidates, — 
Gen.  Cass  and  Ex-President  Martin  Van  Buren. 
Though  he  selected  an  excellent  cabinet,  the  good 
old  man  found  himself  in  a  very  uncongenial  position, 
and  was,  at  times,  sorely  perplexed  and  harassed. 
His  mental  sufferings  were  very  severe,  and  probably 
tended  to  hasten  his  death.  The  pro-slavery  party 
was  pushing  its  claims  with  tireless  energy,  expedi- 
tions were  fitting  out  to  capture  Cuba;  California  was 
pleading  for  admission  to  the  Union,  while  slavery 
stood  at  the  door  to  bar  her  out.  Gen.  Taylor  found 
the  political  conflicts  in  Washington  to  be  far  more 
trying  to  the  nerves  than  battles  with  Mexicans  or 
Indians. 

In  the  midst  of  all  these  troubles,  Gen.  Taylor, 
after  he  had  occupied  the  Presidential  chair  but  little 
over  a  year,  took  cold,  and  after  a  brief  sickness  of 
but  little  over  five  days,  died  on  the  gth  of  July,  1850. 
His  last  words  were,  "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die.  I  am 
ready.  I  have  endeavored  to  do  my  duty."  He  died 
universally  respected  and  beloved.  An  honest,  un- 
pretending man,  he  had  been  steadily  growing  in  the 
affections  of  the  people ;  and  the  Nation  bitterly  la- 
mented his  death. 

Gen.  Scott,  who  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
Gen.  Taylor,  gave  the  following  graphic  and  truthful 
description  of  his  character: — "  With  a  good  store  of 
common  sense,  Gen.  Taylor's  mind  had  not  been  en- 
larged and  refreshed  by  reading,  or  much  converse 
with  the  world.  Rigidity  of  ideas  was  the  conse- 
quence. The  frontiers  and  small  military  posts  had 
been  his  home.  Hence  he  was  quite  ignorant  for  his 
rank,  and  quite  bigoted  in  his  ignorance.  His  sim- 
plicity was  child-like,  and  with  innumerable  preju- 
dices, amusing  and  incorrigible,  well  suited  to  the 
tender  age.  Thus,  if  a  man,  however  respectable, 
chanced  to  wear  a  coat  of  an  unusual  color,  or  his  hat 
a  little  on  one  side  of  his  head ;  or  an  officer  to  leave 
a  corner  of  his  handkerchief  dangling  from  an  out- 
side pocket, — in  any  such  case,  this  critic  held  the 
offender  to  be  a  coxcomb  (perhaps  something  worse), 
whom  he  would  not,  to  use  his  oft  repeated^  phrase, 
'  touch  with  a  pair  of  tongs.' 

"Any  allusion  to  literature  beyond  good  old  Dil- 
worth's  spelling-book,  on  the  part  of  one  wearing  a 
sword,  was  evidence,  with  the  same  judge,  of  utter 
unfitness  for  heavy  marchings  and  combats.  In  short, 
few  men  have  ever  had  a  more  comfortable,  labor- 
saving  contempt  for  learning  of  every  kind." 


T 


t 

K 


TJIIRTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


67 


FILLMIIRE^ 


ILLARD  FILLMORE,  thir- 
teenth President  of  the  United 
States,    was  born  at  Summer 
Hill,  Cayuga  Co.,   N.  Y  .,  on 
the  7th  of  January,  1800.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  ow- 
ing to  misfortune,  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances.    Of  his  mother,  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  Abiathar  Millard, 
of  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  it   has  been 
said  that  she  possessed  an  intellect 
of  very  high  order,  united  with  much 
personal  loveliness,  sweetness  of  dis- 
position, graceful  manners  and   ex- 
quisite sensibilities.      She   died   in 
1831 ;  having  lived  to  see  her  son  a 
young  man  of  distinguished    prom- 
ise, though  she  was  not  permitted  to  witness  the  high 
dignity  which  he  finally  attained. 

In  consequence  of  the  secluded  home  and  limited 
means  of  his  father,  Millard  enjoyed  but  slender  ad- 
vantages for  education  in  his  early  years.  The  com- 
mon schools,  which  he  occasionally  attended  were 
very  imperfect  institutions;  and  books  were  scarce 
and  expensive.  There  was  nothing  then  in  his  char- 
acter to  indicate  the  brilliant  career^  upon  which  he 
was  about  to  enter.  He  was  a  plain  farmer's  boy ; 
intelligent,  good-looking,  kind-hearted.  The  sacred 
influences  of  home  had  taught  him  to  revere  the  Bible, 
and  had  laid  the  foundations  of  an  upright  character. 
When  fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  sent  him 
some  hundred  miles  from  home,  to  the  then  wilds  of 
Livingston  County,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  clothier. 
Near  the  mill  there  was  a  small  villiage,  where  some 


enterprising  man  had  commenced  the  collection  of  a 
village  library.  This  proved  an  inestimable  blessing 
to  young  Fillmore.  His  evenings  were  spent  in  read- 
. ing.  Soon  every  leisure  moment  was  occupied  with 
books.  His  thirst  for  knowledge  became  insatiate ; 
and  the  selections  which  he  made  were  continually 
more  elevating  and  instructive.  He  read  history, 
biography,  oratory,  and  thus  gradually  there  was  en- 
kindled in  his  heart  a  desire  to  be  something  more 
than  a  mere  worker  with  his  hands;  and  he  was  be- 
coming, almost  unknown  to  himself,  a  well-informed, 
educated  man. 

The  young  clothier  had  now  attained  the  age  of 
nineteen  years,  and  was  of  fine  personal  appearance 
and  of  gentlemanly  demeanor.  It  so  happened  that 
there  was  a  gentleman  in  the  neighborhood  of  ample 
pecuniary  means  and  of  benevolence, — Judge  Walter 
Wood, — who  was  struck  with  the  prepossessing  ap- 
pearance of  young  Fillmore.  He  made  his  acquaint- 
ance, and  was  so  much  impressed  with  his  ability  and 
attainments  that  he  advised  him  to  abandon  his 
trade  and  devote  himself  to  the  study  of  the  law.  The 
young  man  replied,  that  he  had  no  means  of  his  own, 
no  friends  to  help  him  and  that  his  previous  educa- 
tion had  been  very  imperfect.  But  judge  Wood  had 
so  much  confidence  in  him  that  he  kindly  offered  to 
take  him  into  his  own  office,  and  to  loan  him  such 
money  as  he  needed.  Most  gratefully  the  generous 
offer  was  accepted. 

There  is  in  many  minds  a  strange  delusion  about 
a  collegiate  education.  A  young  man  is  supposed  to 
be  liberally  educated  if  he  has  graduated  at  some  col- 
lege. But  many  a  boy  loiters  through  university  halls 
and  then  enters  a  law  office,  who  is  by  no  means  as 


t. 


68 


MILLARD  FILLMORR. 


well  prepared  to  prosecute  his  legal  studies  as  was 
Millard  Fillmore  when  he  graduated  at  the  clothing- 
mill  at  the  end  of  four  years  of  manual  labor,  during 
which  every  leisure  moment  had  been  devoted  to  in- 
tense mental  culture. 

In  1823,  when  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He  then 
went  to  the  village  of  Aurora,  and  commenced  the 
practice  of  law.  In  this  secluded,  peaceful  region, 
his  practice  of  course  was  limited,  and  there  was  no 
opportunity  for  a  sudden  rise  in  fortune  or  in  fame. 
Here,  in  the  year  1826,  he  married  a  lady  of  great 
moral  worth,  and  one  capable  of  adorning  any  station 
she  might  be  called  to  fill, — Miss  Abigail  Powers. 

His  elevation  of  character,  his  untiring  industry, 
his  legal  acquirements,  and  his  skill  as  an  advocate, 
gradually  attracted  attention  ;  and  he  was  invited  to 
enter  into  partnership  under  highly  advantageous 
circumstances,  with  an  elder  member  of  the  bar  in 
Buffalo.  Just  before  removing  to  Buffalo,  in  1829, 
he  took  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Assembly,  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  as  a  representative  from  Erie 
County.  Though  he  had  never  taken  a  very  active 
part  in  politics,  his  vote  and  his  sympathies  were  with 
the  Whig  party.  The  State  was  then  Democratic, 
and  he  found  himself  in  a  helpless  minority  in  the 
Legislature ,  still  the  testimony  comes  from  all  parties, 
that  his  courtesy,  ability  and  integrity,  won,  to  a  very 
unusual  degree  the  respect  of  his  associates. 

In  the  autumn  of  1832,  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in 
the  United  States  Congress.  He  entered  that  troubled 
arena  in  some  of  the  most  tumultuous  hours  of  our 
national  history.  The  great  conflict  respecting  the 
national  bank  and  the  removal  of  the  deposits,  was 
then  raging. 

His  term  of  two  years  closed ;  and  he  returned  to 
his  profession,  which  he  pursued  with  increasing  rep- 
utation and  success.  After  a  lapse  of  two  years 
he  again  became  a  candidate  for  Congress ;  was  re- 
elected,  and  took  his  seat  in  1837.  His  past  expe- 
rience as  a  representative  gave  him  strength  and 
confidence.  The  first  term  of  service  in  Congress  to 
any  man  can  be  but  little  more  than  an  introduction. 
He  was  now  prepared  for  active  duty.  All  his  ener- 
gies were  brought  to  bear  upon  the  public  good.  Every 
measure  received  his  impress. 

IMr.  Fillmore  was  now  a  man  of  wide  repute,  and 
lis  popularity  filled  the  State,  and  in  the  year  1847, 
iie  was  elected  Comptroller  of  the  State. 


Mr.  Fillmore  had  attained  the  age  of  forty-seven 
years.  His  labors  at  the  bar,  in  the  Legislature,  in 
Congress  and  as  Comptroller,  had  given  him  very  con- 
siderable fame.  The  Whigs  were  casting  about  to 
find  suitable  candidates  for  President  and  Vice-Presi- 
dent at  the  approaching  election.  Far  away,  on  the 
waters  of  the  Rio  Grande,  there  was  a  rough  old 
soldier,  who  had  fought  one  or  two  successful  battles 
with  the  Mexicans,  which  had  caused  his  name  to  be 
proclaimed  in  trumpet-tones  all  over  the  land.  But 
it  was  necessary  to  associate  with  him  on  the  same 
ticket  some  man  of  reputation  as  a  statesman. 

Under  the  influence  of  these  considerations,  the 
namesofZachary  Taylor  and  Millard  Fillmore  became 
the  rallying-cry  of  the  Whigs,  as  their  candidates  for 
President  and  Vice-Peesident.  The  Whig  ticket  was 
signally  triumphant.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1849, 
Gen.  Taylor  was  inaugurated  President,  and  Millard 
Fillmore  Vice-President,  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  gth  of  July,  1850,  President  Taylor,  but 
about  one  year  and  four  months  after  his  inaugura- 
tion, was  suddenly  taken  sick  and  died.  By  the  Con- 
stitution, Vice-President  Fillmore  thus  became  Presi- 
dent. He  appointed  a  very  able  cabinet,  of  which 
the  illustrious  Daniel  Webster  was  Secretary  of  State. 

Mr.  Fillmore  had  very  serious  difficulties  to  contend 
with,  since  the  opposition  had  a  majority  in  both 
Houses.  He  did  everything  in  his  power  to  conciliate 
the  South ;  but  the  pro-slavery  party  in  the  South  felt 
the  inadequacy  of  all  measuresof  transient  conciliation. 
The  population  of  the  free  States  was  so  rapidly  in- 
creasing over  that  of  the  slave  States  that  it  was  in- 
evitable that  the  power  of  the  Government  should 
soon  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  free  States.  The 
famous  compromise  measures  were  adopted  under  Mr. 
Fillmcre's  adminstration,  and  the  Japan  Expedition 
was  sent  out.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1853,  Mr.  Fill- 
more,  having  served  one  term,  retired. 

In  1856,  Mr.  Fillmore  was  nominated  for  the  Pres- 
idency by  the  "  Know  Nothing  "  party,  but  was  beaten 
by  Mr.  Buchanan.  After  that  Mr.  Fillmore  lived  in 
retirement.  During  the  terrible  conflict  of  civil  war, 
he  was  mostly  silent.  It  was  generally  supposed  that 
his  sympathies  were  rather  with  those  who  were  en- 
deavoring to  overthrow  our  institutions.  President 
Fillmore  kept  aloof  from  the  conflict,  without  any 
cordial  words  of  cheer  to  the  one  party  or  the  other. 
He  was  thus  forgotten  by  both.  He  lived  to  a  ripe 
old  age,  and  died  in  Buffalo.  N.  Y.,  March  8,  1874. 


FQURTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


PIERCED     ~&m 

•^SBB 


I; 


RANKLIN     PIERCE,   the 
fourteenth    President  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  in 
Hillsborough,    N.    H.,    Nov. 
23,  1804.     His  father  was  a 
Revolutionary  soldier,   who, 
with   his   own    strong    arm, 
hewed   out  a    home   in   the 
wilderness.     He  was  a  man 
of    inflexible    integrity;     of 
strong,  though   uncultivated 
mind,  and  an  uncompromis- 
ing Democrat.      The   mother  of 
Franklin  Pierce  was  all  that  a  son 
could  desire, — an  intelligent,  pru- 
dent, affectionate,  Christian  wom- 
an.    Franklin  was  the  sixth  of  eight  children. 

Franklin  was  a  very  bright  and  handsome  boy,  gen- 
erous, warm-hearted  and  brave.  He  won  alike  the 
love  of  old  and  young.  The  boys  on  the  play  ground 
loved  him.  His  teachers  loved  him.  The  neighbors 
looked  upon  him  with  pride  and  affection.  He  was 
by  instinct  a  gentleman;  always  speaking  kind  words, 
doing  kind  deeds,  with  a  peculiar  unstudied  tact 
which  taught  him  what  was  agreeable.  Without  de- 
veloping any  precocity  of  genius,  or  any  unnatural 
devotion  to  books,  he  was  a  good  scholar;  in  body, 
in  mind,  in  affections,  a  finely-developed  boy. 

When  sixteen  years  of  age,  in  the  year  1820,  he 
entered  Bowdoin  College,  at  Brunswick,  Me  He  was 
one  of  the  most  popular  young  men  in  the  college. 
The  purity  of  his  moral  character,  the  unvarying 
courtesy  of  his  demeanor,  his  rank  as  a  scholar,  and 


genial  nature,  rendered  him  a  universal  favorite. 
There  was  something  very  peculiarly  winning  in  his 
address,  and  it  was  evidently  not  in  the  slightest  de- 
gree studied :  it  was  the  simple  outgushing  of  his 
own  magnanimous  and  loving  nature. 

Upon  graduating,  in  the  year  1824,  Franklin  Pierce 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Judge 
Woodbury,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers  of 
the  State,  and  a  man  of  great  private  worth.  The 
eminent  social  qualities  of  the  young  lawyer,  his 
father's  prominence  as  a  public  man,  and  the  brilliant 
political  career  into  which  Judge  Woodbury  was  en- 
tering, all  tended  to  entice  Mr.  Pierce  into  the  faci- 
nating  yet  perilous  path  of  political  life.  With  all 
the  ardor  of  his  nature  he  espoused  the  cause  of  Gen. 
Jackson  for  the  Presidency.  He  commenced  the 
practice  of  law  in  Hillsborough,  and  was  soon  elected 
to  represent  the  town  in  the  State  Legislature.  Here 
he  served  for  four  yeais.  The  last  two  years  he  was 
chosen  speaker  of  the  house  by  a  very  large  vote. 

In  1833,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress.  Without  taking  an  active 
part  in  debates,  he  was  faithful  and  laborious  in  duty, 
and  ever  rising  in  the  estimation  of  those  with  whom 
he  was  associatad. 

In  1837,  being  then  but  thirty-three  years  of  age, 
he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States; 
taking  his  seat  just  as  Mr.  Van  Buren  commenced 
his  administration.  He  was  the  youngest  member  in 
the  Senate.  In  the  year  1834,  he  married  Miss  Jane 
Means  Appleton,  a  lady  of  rare  beauty  and  accom- 
plishments, and  one  admirably  fitted  to  adorn  every 
station  with  which  her  husband  was  honoied.  Of  the 


t. 


,  ,    72 


FRANKLIN  PIERCE. 


three  sons  who  were  born  to  them,  all  now  sleep  with 
their  parents  in  the  grave. 

In  the  year  1838,  Mr.  Pierce,  with  growing  fame 
and  increasing  business  as  a  lawyer,  took  up  his 
residence  in  Concord,  the  capital  of  New  Hampshire. 
President  Polk,  upon  his  accession  to  office,  appointed 
Mr.  Pierce  attorney-general  of  the  United  States ;  but 
the  offer  was  declined,  in  consequence  of  numerous 
professional  engagements  at  home,  and  the  precariuos 
state  of  Mrs.  Pierce's  health.  He  also,  about  the 
same  time  declined  the  nomination  for  governor  by  the 
Democratic  party.  The  war  with  Mexico  called  Mr. 
Pierce  in  the  army.  Receiving  the  appointment  of 
brigadier-general,  he  embarked,  with  a  portion  of  'his 
troops,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1847. 
He  took  an  important  part  in  this  war,  proving  him- 
self a  brave  and  true  soldier. 

When  Gen.  Pierce  reached  his  home  in  his  native 
State,  he  was  received  enthusiastically  by  the  advo- 
cates of  the  Mexican  war,  and  coldly  by  his  oppo- 
nents. He  resumed-  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
very  frequently  taking  an  active  part  in  political  ques- 
tions, giving  his  cordial  support  to  the  pro-slavery 
wing  of  the  Democratic  party.  The  compromise 
measures  met  cordially  with  his  approval ;  and  he 
strenuously  advocated  the  enforcement  of  the  infa- 
mous fugitive-slave  law,  which  so  shocked  the  religious 
sensibilities  of  the  North.  He  thus  became  distin- 
guished as  a  "  Northern  man  with  Southern1  principles.'' 
The  strong  partisans  of  slavery  in  the  South  conse- 
quently regarded  him  as  a  man  whom  they  could 
safely  trust  in  office  to  carry  out  their  plans. 

On  the  i2th  of  June,  1852,  the  Democratic  conven- 
tion met  in  Baltimore  to  nominate  a  candidate  for  the 
Presidency.  For  four  days  they  continued  in  session, 
and  in  thirty-five  ballotings  no  one  had  obtained  a 
two-thirds  vote.  Not  a  vote  thus  far  had  been  thrown 
for  Gen.  Pierce.  Then  the  Virginia  delegation 
brought  forward  his  name.  There  were  fourteen 
more  ballotings,  during  which  Gen.  Pierce  constantly 
gained  strength,  until,  at  the  forty-ninth  ballot,  he 
received  two  hundred  and  eighty-two  votes,  and  all 
other  candidates  eleven.  Gen.  Winfield  Scott  was 
the  Whig  candidate.  Gen.  Pierce  was  chosen  with 
great  unanimity.  Only  four  States — Vermont,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky  and  Tennessee  —  cast  their 
electoral  votes  against  him  Gen.  Franklin  Pierce 
was  therefore  inaugurated  President  of  the  United 
States  on  the  4th  of  March,  1853. 


His  administration  proved  one  of  the  most  stormy  our 
country  had  ever  experienced.  The  controversy  be- 
tween slavery  and  freedom  was  then  approaching  iis 
culminating  point.  It  became  evident  that  there  was 
an  "  irrepressible  conflict  "  between  them,  and  that 
this  Nation  could  not  long  exist  "  half  slave  and  half 
free."  President  Pierce,  during  the  whole  of  his  ad- 
ministration, did  every  thing  he  could  to  conciliate 
the  South  ;  but  it  was  all  in  vain.  The  conflict  every 
year  grew  more  violent,  and  threats  of  the  dissolution 
of  the  Union  were  borne  to  the  North  on  every  South- 
ern breeze. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  affairs  when  President 
Pierce  approached  the  close  of  his  four-years'  term 
of  office.  The  North  had  become  thoroughly  alien- 
ated from  him.  The  anti-slavery  sentiment,  goaded 
by  great  outrages,  had  been  rapidly  increasing;  all 
the  intellectual  ability  and  social  worth  of  President 
Pierce  were  forgotten  in  deep  reprehension  of  his  ad- 
ministrative acts.  The  slaveholders  of  the  South,  also, 
unmindful  of  the  fidelity  with  which  he  had  advo- 
cated those  measures  of  Government  which  they  ap- 
proved, and  perhaps,  also,  feelirg  that  he  had 
rendered  himself  so  unpopular  as  no  longer  to  be 
able  acceptably  to  serve  them,  ungratefully  dropped 
him,  and  nominated  James  Buchanan  to  succeed  him. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1857,  President  Pierce  re- 
tired to  his  home  in  Concord.  Of  three  children,  two 
had  died,  and  his  only  surviving  child  had  been 
killed  before  his  eyes  by  a  railroad  accident ,  and  his 
wife,  one  of  the  most  estimable  and  accomplished  of 
ladies,  was  rapidly  sinking  in  consumption.  The 
hour  of  dreadful  gloom  soon  came,  and  he  was  left 
alone  in  the  world,  without  wife  or  child. 

When  the  terrible  Rebellion  burst  forth,  which  di- 
vided our  country  into  two  parties,  and  two  only,  Mr. 
Pierce  remained  steadfast  in  the  principles  which  he 
had  always  cherished,  and  gave  his  sympathies  to 
that  pro-slavery  party  with  which  he  had  ever  b°en 
allied.  He  declined  to  do  anything,  either  by  voice 
or  pen,  to  strengthen  the  hand  of  the  National  Gov- 
ernment. He  continued  to  reside  in  Concord  until 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  October, 
1869.  He  was  one  of  the  most  genial  and  social  of 
men,  an  honored  communicant  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  one  of  the  kindest  of  neighbors.  Gen- 
erous to  a  fault,  he  contributed  liberally  for  the  al- 
leviation of  suffering  and  want,  and  many  of  his  towns- 
people were  often  gladened  by  his  material  bounty. 


•     ' 

f 


FIFTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


>' .'  i'  -.••!'..•  i1 ;  i< ;  i1 ;  i1 ; .'  ;vvv.v.y.vvvv.;-i>..''jXr''..ir'..'r'..v''..v'.,'i  :>i\\  :\\.<i :',:  v..v..'i-..  > 

•xrc          ~~  (rsiisir©  ^__,,^ 


AMES  BUCHANAN,  the  fif- 
teenth President  of  the  United 
States,  was  born  in  a  small 
frontier  town,  at  the  foot  of  the 
eastern  ridge  of  the  Allegha- 
i'j  nies,  in  Franklin  Co.,  Penn.,  on 
yjs  the  23d  of  April,  1791.  The  place 
where  the  humble  cabin  of  his 
father  stood  was  called  Stony 
Batter.  It  was  a  wild  and  ro- 
mantic spot  in  a  gorge  of  the  moun- 
tains, with  towering  summits  rising 
grandly  all  around.  His  father 
was  a  native  of  the  north  of  Ireland ; 
a  poor  man,  who  had  emigrated  in 
1783,  with  little  property  save  his 
Five  years  afterwards  he  married 
Elizabeth  Spear,  the  daughter  of  a  respectable  farmer, 
and,  with  his  young  bride,  plunged  into  the  wilder- 
ness, staked  his  claim,  reared  his  log-hut,  opened  a 
clearing  with  his  axe,  and  settled  down  there  to  per- 
form his  obscure  part  in  the  drama  of  life.  In  this  se- 
cluded home,  where  James  was  born,  he  remained 
for-eight  years,  enjoying  but  few  social  or  intellectual 
ad  vantages.  When  James  was  eight  years  of  age,  his 
father  removed  to  the  village  of  Mercersl\urg,  where 
his  son  was  placed  at  school,  and  commenced  a 
course  of  study  in  English,  Latin  and  Greek.  His 
progress  was  rapid,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  he 
entered  Dickinson  College,  at  Carlisle.  Here  he  de- 
veloped remarkable  talent,  and  took  his  stand  among 
the  first  scholars  in  the  institution.  His  application 
to  study  was  intense,  and  yet  his  native  powers  en- 


own  strong  arms. 


abled  him  to  master  the  most  abstruse  subjects  with 
facility. 

In  the  year  1809,  he  graduated  with  the  highest 
honors  of  his  class.  He  was  then  eighteen  years  of 
age;  tall  and  graceful,  vigorous  in  health,  fond  of 
athletic  sport,  an  unerring  shot,  and  enlivened  with 
an  exuberant  flow  of  animal  spirits.  He  immediately 
commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  city  of  Lancaster, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1812,  when  he  was 
but  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Very  rapidly  he  rose 
in  his  profession,  and  at  once  took  undisputed  stand 
with  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  State.  When  but 
twenty-six  years  of  age,  unaided  by  counsel,  he  suc- 
cessfully defended  before  the  State  Senate  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  State,  who  was  tried  upon  articles  of 
impeachment.  At  the  age  of  thirty  it  was  generally 
admitted  that  he  stood  at  the  head  .of  the  bar;  and 
there  was  no  lawyer  in  the  State  who  had  a  more  lu- 
crative practice. 

In  1820,  he  reluctantly  consented  to  run  as  a 
candidate  for  Congress.  He  was  elected,  and  for 
ten  years  he  remained  a  member  of  the  Lower  House. 
During  the  vacations  of  Congress,  he  occasionally 
tried  some  important  case.  In  1831,  he  retired 
altogether  from  the  toils  of  his  profession,  having  a<> 
quired  an  ample  fortune. 

Gen.  Jackson,  upon  his  elevation  to  the  Presidency, 
appointed  Mr.  Buchanan  minister  to  Russia.  The 
duties  of  his  mission  he  performed  with  ability,  which 
gave  satisfaction  to  all  parties.  Upon  his  return,  in 
1833,  he  was  elected  to  a  seat  in  the  United  States 
Senate.  He  there  met,  as  his  associates,  Webster, 
Clay,  Wright  and  Calhoun.  He  advocated  the  meas- 
ures proposed  by  President  Jackson,  of  making  repri- 


f 


JAMES  BUCHANAN. 


sals  against  France,  to  enforce  the  payment  of  our 
claims  against  that  country;  and  defended  the  course 
of  the  President  in  his  unprecedented  and  wholesale 
removal  from  office  of  those  who  were  not  the  sup- 
porters of  his  administration.  Upon  this  question  he 
was  brought  into  direct  collision  with  Henry  Clay. 
He  also,  with  voice  and  vote,  advocated  expunging 
from  the  journal  of  the  Senate  the  vote  of  censure 
against  Gen.  Jackson  for  removing  the  deposits. 
Earnestly  he  opposed  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  urged  the  prohibition  of  the 
circulation  of  anti-slavery  documents  by  the  United 
States  mails. 

As  to  petitions  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  he  advo- 
cated that  they  should  be  respectfully  received;  and 
that  the  reply  should  be  returned,  that  Congress  had 
no  power  to  legislate  upon  the  subject.  "  Congress," 
said  he,  "  might  as  well  undertake  to  interfere  with 
slavery  under  a  foreign  government  as  in  any  of  the 
States  where  it  now  exists." 

Upon  Mr.  Folk's  accession  to  the  Presidency,  Mr. 
Buchanan  became  Secretary  of  State,  and  as  such, 
took  his  share  of  the  responsibility  in  the  conduct  of 
the  Mexican  War.  Mr.  Polk  assumed  that  crossing 
the  Nueces  by  the  American  troops  into  the  disputed 
territory  was  not  wrong,  but  for  the  Mexicans  to  cross 
the  Rio  Grande  into  that  territory  was  a  declaration 
of  war.  No  candid  man  can  read  with  pleasure  the 
account  of  the  course  our  Government  pursued  in  that 
movement. 

Mr.  Buchanan  identified  himself  thoroughly  with 
the  party  devoted  to  the  perpetuation  and  extension 
of  slavery,  and  brought  all  the  energies  of  his  mind 
to  bear  against  the  Wilmot  Proviso.  He  gave  his 
cordial  approval  to  the  compromise  measures  of  1050, 
which  included  the  fugitive-slave  law.  Mr.  Pierce, 
upon  his  election  to  the  Presidency,  honored  Mr. 
Buchanan  with  the  mission  to  England. 

In  the  year  1856,  a  national  Democratic  conven- 
tion nominated  Mr.  Buchanan  for  the  Presidency.  The 
political  conflict'was  one  of  the  most  severe  in  which 
our  country  has  ever  engaged.  All  the  friends  of 
slavery  were  on  one  side;  all  the  advocates  of  its  re- 
striction and  final  alxslition,  on  the  other.  Mr.  Fre- 
mont, the  candidate  of  the  enemies  of  slavery,  re- 
ceived 1 14  electoral  votes.  Mr.  Buchanan  received 
174,  and  was  elected.  The  popular  vote  stood 
1,340,618,  for  Fremont,  1,224,750  for  Buchanan.  On 
March  4th,  1857,  Mr.  Buchanan  was  inaugurated. 

Mr.  Buchanan  was  far  advanced  in  life.  Only  four 
years  were  wanting  to  fill  up  his  threescore  years  and 
ten.  His  own  friends,  those  with  whom  he  had  been 
allied  in  political  principles  and  action  for  years,  were 
seeking  the  destruction  of  the  Government,  that  they 
might  rear  upon  the  ruins  of  our  free  institutions  a 
nation  whose  corner-stone  should  be  human  slavery. 
In  this  emergency,  Mr.  Buchanan  was  hopelessly  be- 
wildered He  could  not,  with  his  long-avowed  prin- 


ciples, consistently  oppose  the  State-rights  party  in 
their  assumptions.  As  President  of  the  United  States, 
bound  by  his  oath  faithfully  to  administer  the  laws, 
he  could  not,  without  perjury  of  the  grossest  kind, 
unite  with  those  endeavoring  to  overthrow  the  repub- 
lic. He  therefore  did  nothing. 

The  opponents  of  Mr.  Buchanan's  administration 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  as  their  standard  bearer 
in  the  next  Presidential  canvass.  The  pro-slavery 
party  declared,  that  if  he  were  elected,  and  the  con- 
trol of  the  Government  were  thus  taken  from  their 
hands,  they  would  secede  from  the  Union,  taking 
with  them,  as  they  retired,  the  National  Capitol  at 
Washington,  and  the  lion's  share  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States. 

Mr.  Buchanan's  sympathy  with  the  pro-slavery 
party  was  such,  that  he  had  been  willing  to  offerthem 
far  more  than  they  had  ventured  to  claim.  All  the 
South  had  professed  to  ask  of  the  North  was  non- 
intervention upon  the  subject  of  slavery.  Mr.  Bu- 
chanan had  been  ready  to  offer  them  the  active  co- 
operation of  the  Government  to  defend  and  extend 
the  institution. 

As  the  storm  increased  in  violence,  the  slaveholders 
claiming  the  right  to  secede,  and  Mr.  Buchanan  avow- 
ing that  Congress  had  no  power  to  prevent  it,  one  of 
the  most  pitiable  exhibitions  of  governmental  im- 
becility was  exhibited  the  world  has  ever  seen.  He 
declared  that  Congress  had  no  power  to  enforce  its 
laws  in  any  State  which  had  withdrawn,  or  which 
was  Attempting  to  withdraw  from  the  Union.  This 
was  not  the  doctrine  of  Andrew  Jackson,  when,  with 
his  hand  upon  his  sword  hilt,  he  exclaimed.  "The 
Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved!" 

South  Carolina  seceded  in  December,  1860;  nearly 
three  months  before  the  inauguration  of  President 
Lincoln.  Mr.  Buchanan  looked  on  in  listless  despair. 
The  rebel  flag  was  raised  in  Charleston:  Fort  Sumpter 
was  besieged;  our  forts,  navy-yards  and  arsenals 
were  seized;  our  depots  of  military  stores  were  plun- 
dered ;  and  our  custom-houses  and  post-offices  were 
appropriated  by  the  rebels. 

The  energy  of  the  rebels,  and  the  imbecility  of  our 
Executive,  were  alike  marvelous.  The  Nation  looked 
on  in  agony,  waiting  for  the  slow  weeks  to  glide  away, 
and  close  the  administration,  so  terrible  in  its  weak- 
ness At  length  the  long-looked-for  hour  of  deli"er- 
ance  came,  when  Abraham  Lincoln  was  to  receive  the 
scepter. 

The  administration  of  President  Buchanan  was 
certainly  the  most  calamitous  our  country  has  ex- 
perienced. His  best  friends  cannot  recall  it  with 
pleasure.  And  still  more  deplorable  it  is  for  his  fame, 
that  in  that  dreadful  conflict,  which  rolled  its  billows 
of  flame  and  blood  over  our  whole  land,  no  word  came 
from  his  lips  to  indicate  his  wish  that  our  country's 
banner  should  triumph  over  the  flag  of  the  rebellion. 
He  died  at  his  Wheatland  retreat,  June  i,  1868. 


SIXTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


ABRAHAM  > 


] 


t 


BRAHAM  LINCOLN,  the 
sixteenth  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  horn  in 
Hardin  Co.,  Ky.,  Feb.  12, 
1 809.  About  the  year  1 7 80,  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  left  Virginia  with  his 
family  and  moved  into  the  then 
wilds  of  Kentucky.  Only  two  years 
after  this  emigration,  still  a  young 
man,  while  working  one  day  in  a 
field,  was  stealthily  approached  by 
an  Indian  and  shot  dead.  His  widow 
was  left  in  extreme  poverty  with  five 
little  children,  three  boys  and  two 
girls.  Thomas,  the  youngest  of  the 
boys,  was  four  years  of  age  at  his 
father's  death.  This  Thomas  was 
the  father  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  the 
President  of  the  United  States 
whoso  name  must  henceforth  forever  be  enrolled 
with  the  most  prominent  iii  the  annals  of  our  world. 
Of  course  no  record  has  been  kept  of  the  life 
of  one  so  lowly  as  Thomas  Lincoln.  He  was  among 
the  i>oorest  of  the  poor.  His  home  was  a  wretched 
log -cabin ;  his  food  the  coarsest  and  the  meanest. 
Education  he  had  none ;  he  could  never  either  read 
or  write.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  do  anything  for 
himself,  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  cabin  of  his 
starving  mother,  and  push  out  into  the  world,  a  friend- 
less, wandering  boy,  seeking  work.  He  hired  him- 
self out,  and  thus  spent  the  whole  of  his  youth  as  a 
laborer  in  the  fields  of  others. 

When  twenty-eight  years  of  age  he  built  a  log- 
cabin  of  his  own,  and  married  Nancy  Hanks,  the 
daughter  of  another  family  of  poor  Kentucky  emi- 
grants, who  had  also  come  from  Virginia. »  Their 
second  child  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  The  mother  of  Abraham  was  a  noble 
woman,  gentle,  loving,  pensive,  created  to  adorn 
a  palace,  doomed  to  toil  and  pine,  and  die  in  a  hovel. 
"  All  I  hat  I  am,  or  hope  to  be,"  exclaims  the  grate- 
ful son  "  I  owe  to  my  angel-mother.  " 

When  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  his  father  sold  his 


cabin  and  small  farm,  and  moved  to  Indiana.  Where 
two  years  later  his  mother  died. 

Abraham  soon  became  the  scribe  of  the  uneducated 
community  around  him.  He  could  not  have  had  a 
better  school  than  this  to  teach  him  to  put  thoughts 
into  words.  He  also  became  an  eager  reader.  The 
books  he  could  obtain  were  few ;  but  these  he  read 
and  re-read  until  they  were  almost  committed  to 
memory. 

As  the  years  rolled  on,  the  lot  of  this  lowly  family 
was  the  usual  lot  of  humanity.  There  were  joys  and 
griefs,  weddings  and  funerals.  Abraham's  sister 
•Sarah,  to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached,  was  mar- 
ried when  a  child  of  but  fourteen  years  of  age,  and 
soon  died.  The  family  was  gradually  scattered.  Mr. 
Thomas  Lincoln  sold  out  his  squatter's  claim  in  1830, 
and  emigrated  to  Macon  Co.,  111. 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  then  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
With  vigorous  hands  he  aided  his  father  in  rearing 
another  log-cabin.  Abraham  worked  diligently  at  this 
until  he  saw  the  family  comfortably  settled,  and  their 
small  lot  of  enclosed  prairie  planted  with  corn,  when 
he  announced  to  his  father  his  intention  to  leave 
home,  and  to  go  out  into  the  world  and  seek  his  for- 
tune. Little  did  he  or  his  friends  imagine  how  bril- 
liant that  fortune  was  to  be.'  He  saw  the  value  of 
education,  and  was  intensely  earnest  to  improve  his 
mind  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  He  saw  the  ruin 
which  ardent  spirits  were  causing,  and  became 
strictly  temperate;  refusing  to  allow  a  drop  of  intoxi- 
cating liquor  to  pass  his  lips.  And  he  had  read  in 
God's  word,  "  Thou  shall  not  take  the  name  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  in  vain ;"  and  a  profane  expression  he 
was  never  heard  to  utter.  Religion  he  revered.  His 
morals  were  pure,  and  he  was  uncontaminated  by  a 
single  vice. 

Young  Abraham  worked  for  a  time  as  a  hired  laborer 
among  the  farmers.  Then  he  went  to  Springfield, 
where  he  was  employed  in  building  a  large  flat-boat. 
In  this  he  took  a  herd  of  swine,  floated  them  down 
the  Sangamon  to  the  Illinois,  and  thence  by  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  New  Orleans.  Whatever  Abraham  Lin- 
coln undertook,  he  performed  so  faithfully  as  to  give 
great  satisfaction  to  his  employers.  In  this  adven- 


f 


-  .  80 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


f 

"I 


ture  his  employers  were  so  well  pleased,  that  upon 
his  return  they  placed  a  store  and  mill  under  his  care. 

In  1832,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  he 
enlisted  and  was  chosen  captain  of  a  company.  He 
returned  to  Sangamon  County,  and  although  only  23 
years  of  age,  was  a  candidate  for  the  Legislature,  but 
was  defeated.  He  soon  after  received  from  Andrew 
Jackson  the  appointment  of  Postmaster  of  New  Salem, 
His  only  post-office  was  his  hat.  All  the  letters  he 
received  he  carried  there  ready  to  deliver  to  those 
he  chanced  to  meet.  He  studied  surveying,  and  soon 
made  this  his  business.  In  r834  he  again  became  a 
candidate  for  the  Legislature,  and  was  elected.  Mr. 
Stuart,  of  Springfield,  advised  him  to  study  law.  He 
walked  from  New  Salem  to  Springfield,  borrowed  of 
Mr.  Stuart  a  load  of  books,  carried  them  back  and 
began  his  legal  studies.  When  the  Legislature  as- 
sembled he  trudged  on  foot  with  his  pack  on  his  back 
one  hundred  miles  to  Vandalia,  then  the  capital.  In 
1836  he  was  re-elected  to  the  Legislature.  Here  it 
was  he  first  met  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  In  1839  he  re- 
moved to  Springfield  and  began  the  practice  of  law. 
His  success  with  the  jury  was  so  great  that  he  was 
soon  engaged  in  almost  every  noted  case  in  the  circuit. 

In  1854  the  great  discussion  began  between  Mr. 
Lincoln  and  Mr.  Douglas,  on  the  slavery  question. 
In  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois, 
in  1856,  he  took  an  active  part,  and  at  once  became 
one  of  the  leaders  in  that  party.  Mr.  Lincoln's 
speeches  in  opposition  to  Senator  Douglas  in  the  con- 
test in  1858  for  a  seat  in  the  Senate,  form  a  most 
notable  part  of  his  history.  The  issue  was  on  the 
ilavery  question,  and  he  took  the  broad  ground  of 
;he.  Declaration  of  Independence,  that  all  men  are 
created  equal.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  defeated  in  this  con- 
test, but  won  a  far  higher  prize. 

The  great  Republican  Convention  met  at  Chicago 
on  the  1 6th  of  June,  1860.  The  delegates  and 
strangers  who  crowded  the  city  amounted  to  twenty- 
five  thousand.  An  immense  building  called  "The 
Wigwam,"  was  reared  to  accommodate  the  Conven- 
tion. There  were  eleven  candidates  for  whom  votes 
were  thrown.  William  H.  Seward,  a  man  whose  fame 
as  a  statesman  had  long  filled  the  land,  was  the  most 
prominent.  It  was  generally  supposed  he  would  be 
the  nominee.  Abraham  Lincoln,  however,  received 
the  nomination  on  the  third  ballot.  Little  did  he  then 
dream  of  the  weary  years  of  toil  and  care,  and  the 
bloody  death,  to  which  that  nomination  doomed  him: 
and  as  little  did  he  dream  that  he  was  to  render  services 
to  his  country,  which  would  fix  upon  him  the  eyes  of 
the  whole  civilized  world,  and  which  would  give  him 
a  place  in  the  affections  of  his  countrymen,  second 
only,  if  second,  to  that  of  Washington. 

Election  day  came  and  Mr.  Lincoln  received  180 
electoral  votes  out  of  203  cast,  and  was,  therefore, 
constitutionally  elected  President  of  the  United  States. 
The  tirade  of  abuse  that  was  poured  upon  this  good 


and  merciful  man,  especially  by  the  slaveholders,  was 
greater  than  upon  any  other  man  ever  elected  to  this 
high  position.  In  February,  1861,  Mr.  Lincoln  started 
for  Washington,  stopping  in  all  the  large  cities  on  his 
way  making  speeches.  The  whole  journey  was  fraught 
with  much  danger.  Many  of  the  Southern  States  had 
already  seceded,  and  several  attempts  at  assassination 
were  afterwards  brought  to  light.  A  gang  in  Balti- 
more had  arranged,  upon  his  arrival  to"  get  up  a  row," 
and  in  the  confusion  to  make  sure  of  his  death  with 
revolvers  and  hand-grenades.  A  detective  unravelled 
the  plot.  A  secret  and  special  train  was  provided  to 
take  him  from  HarrisL-urg,  through  Baltimore,  at  an 
unexpected  hour  of  the  night.  The  train  started  at 
half-past  ten  ;  and  to  prevent  any  possible  communi- 
cation on  the  part  ot  the  Secessionists  with  their  Con- 
federate gang  in  Baltimore,  as  soon  as  the  train  had 
started  the  telegraph-wires  were  cut.  Mr.  Lincoln 
reached  Washington  in  safety  and  was  inaugurated, 
although  great  anxiety  was  felt  by  all  loyal  people. 
In  the  selection  of  his  cabinet  Mr.  Lincoln  gave 
to  Mr.  Seward  the  Department  of  State,  and  to  other 
prominent  opponents  before  the  convention  he  gave 
important  positions. 

During  no  other  administration  have  the  duties 
devolving  upon  the  President  been  so  manifold,  and 
the  responsibilities  so  great,  as  those  which  fell  to 
the  lot  of  President  Lincoln.  Knowing  this,  and 
feeling  his  own  weakness  and  inability  to  meet,  and  in 
his  own  strength  to  cope  with,  the  difficulties,  he 
learned  early  to  seek  Divine  wisdom  and  guidance  in 
determining  his  plans,  and  Divine  comfort  in  all  his 
trials,  bo'h  personal  and  national.  Contrary  to  his 
own  estimate  of  himself,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  one  of  the 
most  courageous  of  men.  He  went  directly  into  the 
rebel  capital  just  as  the  retreating  foe  was  leaving, 
witli  no  guard  but  a  few  sailors.  From  the  time  he 
had  left  Springfield,  in  1861,  however,  plans  had  been 
made  for  his  assassination, and  he  at  last  fell  a  victim 
to  one  of  them.  April  14,  1865,  he,  with  Gen.  Grant, 
was  urgently  invited  to  attend  Fords'  Theater.  It 
was  announced  that  they  would  Le  present.  Gen. 
Grant,  however,  left  the  city.  President  Lincoln,  feel- 
ing, witn  his  characteristic  kindliness  of  heart,  that 
it  would  be  a  disappointment  if  he  should  fail  them, 
very  reluctantly  consented  to  go.  While  listening  to 
the  play  an  actor  by  the  name  of  John  Wilkes  Booth 
entered  the  lx)x  where  the  President  and  family  were 
seated,  and  fired  a  bullet  into  his  brains.  He  died  the 
next  morning  at  seven  o'clock. 

Never  before,  in  the  history  of  the  world  was  a  nation 
plunged  into  such  deep  grief  by  the  death  of  its  ruler. 
Strong  men  met  in  the  streets  and  wept  in  speechless 
anguish.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  a  nation  was 
in  tears.  His  was  a  life  which  will  filly  become  a 
model.  His  name  as  the  savior  of  his  country  will 
live  with  that  of  Washington's,  its  father;  his  country- 
men being  unable  to  decide  which  is  the  greater. 
.» 


• 


.S A  VENTEENTlf  PRESIDENT. 


NDREW  JOHNSON,  seven- 
teenth President  of  the  United 
Slates.  The  early  life  of 
Andrew  Johnson  contains  but 
the  record  of  poverty,  destitu- 
tion and  friendlessness.  He 
was  bom  December  29,  1808, 
in  Raleigh,  N.  C.  His  parents, 
belonging  to  the  class  of  the 
"poor  whites  "  of  the  South,  were 
in  such  circumstances,  that  they 
could  not  confer  even  tne  slight- 
est advantages  of  education  upon 
their  child.  When  Ar.drew  was  five 
years  of  age,  his  father  accidentally 
lost  his  life  while  rhetorically  endeavoring  to  save  a 
friend  from  drowning.  Until  ten  years  of  age,  Andrew 
was  a  ragged  boy  about  the  streets,  supported  by  the 
labor  of  his  mother,  who  obtained  her  living  with 
her  own  hands. 

He  then,  having  never  attended  a  school  one  day, 
and  being  unable  either  to  read  or  write,  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a  tailor  in  his  native  town.  A  gentleman 
was  in  the  habit  of  going  to  the  tailor's  shop  occasion- 
ally, and  reading  to  the  boys  at  work  there.  He  often 
read  from  the  speeches  of  distinguished  British  states- 
men. Andrew,  who  was  endowed  with  a  mind  of  more 
than  ordinary  native  ability,  became  much  interested 
in  these  speeches ;  his  ambition  was  roused,  and  he 
was  inspired  with  a  strong  desire  to  learn  to  read. 

He  accordingly  applied  himself  to  the  alphabet,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  some  of  his  fellow-workmen, 
learned  his  letters.  He  then  called  upon  the  gentle- 
man to  borrow  the  book  of  speeches.  The  owner, 


pleased  with  his  zeal,  not  only  gave  him  the  book, 
but  assisted  him  in  learning  to  combine  the  letters 
into  words.  Under  such  difficulties  he  pressed  on- 
ward laboriously,  spending  usually  ten  or  twelve  hours 
at  work  in  the  shop,  and  then  robbing  himself  of  rest 
and  recreation  to  devote  such  time  as  he  could  to 
reading. 

He  went  to  Tennessee  in  1826,  and  located  at 
Greenville,  where  he  married  a  young  lady  who  pos- 
sessed some  education.  Under  her  instructions  he 
learned  to  write  and  cipher.  He  became  prominent 
in  the  village  debating  society,  and  a  favorite  with 
the  students  of  Greenville  College.  In  1828,  he  or- 
ganized a  working  man's  party,  which  elected  him 
alderman,  and  in  1830  elected  him  mayor,  which 
position  he  held  three  years. 

He  now  began  to  take  a  lively  interest  in  political 
affairs ;  identifying  himself  with  the  working-classes, 
to  which  he  belonged.  In  1835,  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Tennes- 
see. He  was  then  just  twenty-seven  years  of  age. 
He  became  a  very  active  member  of  the  legislature, 
gave  his  adhesion  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  in 
1840  "stumped  the  State,"  advocating  Martin  Van 
Buren's  claims  to  the  Presidency,  in  opposition  to  those 
of  Gen.  Harrison.  In  this  campaign  he  acquired  much 
readiness  as  a  speaker,  and  extended  and  increased 
his  reputation. 

In  1841,  he  was  elected  State  Senator;  in  1843,116 
was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  by  successive 
elections,  held  that  important  post  for  ten  years.  In 
1853,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee,  and 
was  re-elected  in  1855.  In  all  these  res)>onsible  posi- 
tions, he  discharged  his  duties  with  distinguished  abiU 


H 


•i 


t 


1*4 


ANDREW  JOHNSON. 


ity,  and  proved  himself  the  warm  friend  of  the  work- 
ing classes.  In  1857,  Mr.  Johnson  was  elected 
United  States  Senator. 

Years  before,  in  1845,  he  had  warmly  advocated 
the  annexation  of  Texas,  stating  however,  as  his 
reason,  that  he  thought  this  annexation  would  prob- 
ably prove  "  to  be  the  gateway  out  of  which  the  sable 
sons  of  Africa  are  to  pass  from  bondage  to  freedom, 
and  become  merged  in  a  population  congenial  to 
themselves."  In  1850,  he  also  supported  the  com- 
promise measures,  the  two  essential  features  of  which 
were,  that  the  white  people  of  the  Territories  should 
be  permitted  to  decide  for  themselves  whether  they 
would  enslave  the  colored  people  or  not,  and  that 
the  free  States  of  the  North  should  return  to  the 
South  persons  who  attempted  to  escape  from  slavery. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  never  ashamed  of  his  lowly  origin: 
on  the  contrary,  he  often  took  pride  in  avowing  that 
he  owed  his  distinction  to  his  own  exertions.  "Sir," 
said  he  on  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  "  I  do  not  forget 
that  I  am  a  mechanic ;  neither  do  I  forget  that  Adam 
was  a  tailor  and  sewed  fig-leaves,  and  that  our  Sav- 
ior was  the  son  of  a  carpenter." 

In  the  Charleston- Baltimore  convention  of  1860,  he 
was  the  choice  of  the  Tennessee  Democrats  for  the 
Presidency.  In  1861,  when  the  purpose  of  the  South- 
ern Democracy  became  apparent,  he  took  a  decided 
stand  in  favor  of  the  Union,  and  held  that  "  slavery 
must  be  held  subordinate  to  the  Union  at  whatever 
cost."  He  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  repeatedly 
imperiled  his  own  life  to  protect  the  Unionists  of 
Tennesee.  Tennessee  having  seceded  from  the 
Union,  President  Lincoln,  on  March  4th,  1862,  ap- 
pointed him  Military  Governor  of  the  State,  and  he 
established  the  most  stringent  military  rule.  His 
numerous  proclamations  attracted  wide  attention.  In 

1864,  he  was  elected  Vice-President  of  the    United 
States,  and  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  April  '15, 

1865,  became  President.     In  a  speech  two  days  later 
he  said,  "  The  American  people  must  be   taught,  if 
they  do  not  already  feel,  that  treason  is  a  crime  and 
must  be  punished ;  that   the     Government  will   not 
always  bear  with  its  enemies ;  that  it  is   strong   not 
only  to  protect,  but   to    punish.     *     *     The  people 
must  understand  that  it  (treason)  is  the  blackest  of 
crimes,  and  will  surely  be  punished."    Yet  his' whole 
administration,  the  history  of  which  is  so  well  known, 
was  \n  utter  inconsistency  with,  and  the  most  violent 


opposition  to,  the  principles  laid  down  in  that  speech. 

In  his  loose  policy  of  reconstruction  and  general 
amnesty,  he  was  opposed  by  Congress ;  and  he  char- 
acterized Congress  as  a  new  rebellion,  and  lawlessly 
defied  it,  in  everything  possible,  to  the  utmost.  In 
the  beginning  of  1868,  on  account  of  "high  crimes 
and  misdemeanors,"  the  principal  of  which  was  the 
removal  of  Secretary  Stanton,  in  violation  of  the  Ten- 
ure of  Office  Act,  articles  of  impeachment  were  pre- 
ferred against  him,  and  the  trial  began  March  23. 

It  was  very  tedious,  continuing  for  nearly  three 
months.  A  test  article  of  the  impeachment  was  at 
length  submitted  to  the  court  for  its  action.  It  was 
certain  that  as  the  court  voted  upon  that  article  so 
would  it  vote  upon  all.  Thirty-four  voices  pronounced 
the  President  guilty.  As  a  two-thirds  vote  was  neces- 
sary to  his.  condemnation,  he  was  pronounced  ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding  the  great  majority  against 
him.  The  change  of  one  vote  from  the  not  guilty 
side  would  have  sustained  the  impeachment. 

The  President,  for  the  remainder  of  his  term,  was 
but  little  regarded.  He  continued,  though  im potently, 
his  conflict  with  Congress.  His  own  party  did  not 
think  it  expedient  to  renominate  him  for  the  Presi- 
dency. The  Nation  rallied,  with  enthusiasm  unpar- 
alleled since  the  days  of  Washington,  around  the  name 
of  Gen.  Grant.  Andrew  Johnson  was  forgotten. 
The  bullet  of  the  assassin  introduced  him  to  the 
President's  chair.  Notwithstanding  this,  never  was 
there  presented  to  a  man  a  better  opportunity  to  im- 
mortalize his  name,  and  to  win  the  gratitude  of  a 
nation.  He  failed  utterly.  He  retired  to  his  home 
in  Greenville,  Tenn.,  taking  no  very  active  part  in 
politics  until  1875.  On  Jan.  26,  after  an  exciting 
struggle,  he  was  chosen  by  the  Legislature  of  Ten- 
nessee, United  States  Senator  in  the  forty-fourth  Con- 
gress, and  took  his  seat  in  that  body,  at  the  special 
session  convened  by  President  Grant,  on  the  sth  of 
March.  On  the  27th  of  July,  1875,  the  ex-President 
made  a  visit  to  his  daughter's  home,  near  Carter 
Station,  Tenn.  When  he  started  on  his  journey,  he  was 
apparently  in  his  usual  vigorous  health,  but  on  reach- 
ing the  residence  of  his  child  the  following  day,  was 
stricken  with  paralysis,  rendering  him  unconscious. 
He  rallied  occasionally,  but  finally  passed  away  at 
2  A.M.,  July  31,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  His  fun- 
eral was  attended  at  Geenville,  on  the  3d  of  August, 
with  every  demonstration  of  respect. 


EIGHTEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


87 


LYSSES  S.  GRANT,  the 
eighteenth  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  on 
the  29th  of  April,  1822,  of 
o  Christian  parents,  in  a  humble 
home,  at  Point  Pleasant,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio.  Shortly  after 
his  father  moved  to  George- 
town, Brown  Co.,  O.  In'  this  re- 
mote frontier  hamlet,  Ulysses 
received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, in  the  year  1839,  he  entered 
the  Military  Academy  at  West 
Point.  Here  he  was  regarded  as  a 
solid,  sensible  young  man  of  fair  abilities,  and  of 
sturdy,  honest  character.  He  took  respectable  rank 
as  a  scholar.  In  June,  1843,  he  graduated,  about  the 
middle  in  his  class,  and  was  sent  as  lieutenant  of  in- 
fantry to  one  of  the  distant  military  posts  in  the  Mis- 
souri Territory.  Two  years  he  past  in  these  dreary 
solitudes,  watching  the  vagabond  and  exasperating 
Indians. 

The  war  with  Mexico  came.  Lieut.  Grant  was 
sent  with  his  regiment  to  Corpus  Christi.  His  first 
battle  was  at  Palo  Alto.  There  was  no  chance  here 
for  the  exhibition  of  either  skill  or  heroism,  nor  at 
Resaca  de  la  Pal  ma,  his  second  battle.  At  the  battle 
of  Monterey,  his  third  engagement,  it  is  said  that 
he  performed  a  signal  service  of  daring  and  skillful 
horsemanship.  His  brigade  had  exhausted  its  am- 
munition. A  messenger  must  be  sent  for  more,  along 
a  route  exposed  to  the  bullets  of  the  foe.  Lieut. 
Grant,  adopting  an  expedient  learned  of  the  Indians, 
grasped  the  mane  of  his  horse,  and  hanging  upon  one 
side  of  the  anirwil,  ran  the  gauntlet  in  entire  safety. 


From  Monterey  he  was  sent,  with  the  fourth  infantry, 
to  aid  Gen.  Scott,  at  the  siege  of  Vera  Cruz.  In 
preparation  for  the  march  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  he 
was  appointed  quartermaster  of  his  regiment.  At  the 
battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  he  was  promoted  to  a 
first  lieutenancy,  and  was  brevetted  captain  at  Cha- 
pultepec. 

At  the  close  of  the  Mexican  War,  Capt.  Grant  re- 
turned with  his  regiment  to  New  York,  and  was  again 
sent  to  one  of  the  military  posts  on  the  frontier.  The 
discovery  of  gold  in  California  causing  an  immense 
tide  of  emigration  to  flow  to  the  Pacific  shores,  Capt. 
Grant  was  sent  with  a  battalion  to  Fort  Dallas,  in 
Oregon,  for  the  protection  of  the  interests  of  th'e  im- 
migrants. Life  was  wearisome  in  those  wilds.  Capt. 
Grant  resigned  his  commission  and  returned  to  the 
States ;  and  having  married,  entered  upon  the  cultiva- 
tion of  a  small  farm  near  St.  Louis,  Mo.  He  had  but 
little  skill  as  a  farmer.  Finding  his  toil  not  re- 
munerative, he  turned  to  mercantile  life,  entering  into 
the  leather  business,  with  a  younger  brother,  at  Ga- 
lena, 111.  This  was  in  the  year  1860.  As  the  tidings 
of  the  rebels  firing  on  Fort  Sumpter  reached  the  ears 
of  Capt.  Grant  in  his  counting-room,  he  said, — 
"  Uncle  Sam  has  educated  me  for  the  army ;  though 
I  have  served  him  through  one  war,  I  do  not  feel  that 
I  have  yet  repaid  the  debt.  I  am  still  ready  to  discharge 
my  obligations.  I  shall  therefore  buckle  on  my  sword 
and  see  Uncle  Sam  through  this  war  too." 

He  went  into  the  streets,  raised  a  company  of  vol- 
unteers, and  led  them  as  their  captain  to  Springfield, 
the  capital  of  the  State,  where  their  services  were 
offered  to  Gov.  Yates.  The  Governor,  impressed  by 
the  zeal  and  straightforward  executive  ability  of  Capt. 
Grant,  gave  him  a  desk  in  his  office,  to  assist  in  the 
volunteer  organization  that  was  being  formed  in  the 
State  in  behalf  of  the  Government.  On  the  i5th  of 


t 


88 


ULYSSES  S.  GRANT. 


June,  1 86 1,  Capt.  Grant  received  a  commission  as 
Colonel  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  of  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers. His  merits  as  a  West  Point  graduate,  who 
had  served  for  15  years  in  the  regular  army,  were  such 
that  he  was  soon  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier- 
General  and  was  placed  in  command  at  Cairo.  The 
rebels  raised  their  banner  at  Paducah,  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Tennessee  River.  Scarcely  had  its  folds  ap- 
peared in  the  breeze  ere  Gen.  Grant  was  there.  The 
rebels  fled.  Their  banner  fell,  and  the  star  and 
stripes  were  unfurled  in  its  stead. 

He  entered  the  service  with  great  determination 
and  immediately  began  active  duty.  This  was  the  be- 
ginning, and  until  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Richmond 
he  was  ever  pushing  the  enemy  with  great  vigor  and 
effectiveness.  At  Belmont,  a  few  days  later,  he  sur- 
prised and  routed  the  rebels,  then  at  Fort  Henry 
won  another  victory.  Then  came  the  brilliant  fight 
at  Fort  Donelson.  The  nation  was  electrified  by  the 
victory,  and  the  brave  leader  of  the  boys  in  blue  was 
immediately  made  a  Mnjor-General,  and  the  military 
District  of  Tennessee  was  assigned  to  him. 

Like  all  great  captains,  Gen.  Grant  knew  well  how 
to  secure  the  results  of  victory.  He  immediately 
pushed  on  to  the  enemies'  lines.  Then  came  the 
terrible  battles  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  Corinth,  and  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  where  Gen.  Pemberton  made  an 
unconditional  surrender  of  the  city  with  over  thirty 
thousand  men  and  one-hundred  and  seventy-two  can- 
non. The  fall  of  Vicksburg  was  by  far  the  most 
severe  blow  which  the  rebels  had  thus  far  encountered, 
and  opened  up  the  Mississippi  from  Cairo  to  the  Gulf. 

Gen.  Grant  was  next  ordered  to  co-operate  with 
Gen.  Banks  in  a  movement  upon  Texas,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  thrown  from 
his  horse,  and  received  severe  injuries,  from  which  he 
was  laid  up  for  months.  He  then  rushed  to  the  ajd 
of  Gens.  Rosecrans  and  Thomas  at  Chattanooga,  and 
by  a  wonderful  series  of  strategic  and  technical  meas- 
ures put  the  Union  Army  in  fighting  condition.  Then 
followed  the  bloody  battles  at  Chattanooga,  Lookout 
Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge,  in  which  the  rebels 
were  routed  with  great  loss.  This  won  for  him  un- 
bounded praise  in  the  North.  On  the  4th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1864,  Congress  revived  the  grade  of  lieutenant- 
general,  and  the  rank  was  conferred  on  Gin.  Grant. 
He  repaired  to  Washington  to  receive  his  credentials 
and  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  new  office. 


Gen.  Grant  decided  as  soon  as  he  took  charge  of 
the  army  to  concentrate  the  widely-dispersed  National 
troops  for  an  attack  upon  Richmond,  the  nominal 
capital  of  the  Rebellion,  and  endeavor  there  to  de- 
stroy the  rebel  armies  which  would  be  promptly  as- 
sembled from  all  quarters  for  its  defence.  The  whole 
continent  seemed  to  tremble  under  the  tramp  of  these 
majestic  armies,  rushing  to  the  decisive  battle  field. 
Steamers  were  crowded  with  troops.  Railway  trains 
were  burdened  with  closely  packed  thousands.  His 
plans  were  comprehensive  and  involved  a  series  cf 
campaigns,  which  were  executed  with  remarkable  en- 
ergy and  ability,  and  were  consummated  at  the  sur- 
render of  Lee,  April  9,  1865. 

The  war  was  ended.  The  Union  was  saved.  The 
almost  unanimous  voice  of  the  Nation  declared  Gen. 
Grant  to  be  the  most  prominent  instrument  in  its  sal- 
vation. The  eminent  services  he  had  thus  rendered 
the  country  brought  him  conspicuously  forward  as  the 
Republican  candidate  for  the  Presidential  chair. 

At  the  Republican  Convention  held  at  Chicago, 
May  21,  1868,  he  was  unanimously  nominated  for  the 
Presidency,  and  at  the  autumn  election  received  a 
majority  of  the  popular  vote,  and  214  out  of  294 
electoral  votes. 

The  National  Convention  of  the  Republican  party 
which  met  at  Philadelphia  on  the  5th  of  June,  1872, 
placed  Gen.  Grant  in  nomination  for  "a  second  term 
by  a  unanimous  vote.  The  selection  was  emphati- 
cally indorsed  by  the  people  five  months  later,  292 
electoral  votes  being  cast  for  him. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  his  second  term,  Gen.  Grant 
started  upon  his  famous  trip  around  the  world.  He 
visited  almost  every  country  of  the  civilized  world, 
and  was  everywhere  received  with  such  ovations 
and  demonstrations  of  respect  and  honor,  private 
as  well  as  public  and  official,  as  were  never  before 
bestowed  upon  any  citizen  of  the  United  States. 

He  was  the  most  prominent  candidate  before  the 
Republican  National  Convention  in  1880  for  a  re- 
nomination  for  President.  He  went  to  New  York  and 
embarked  in  the  brokerage  business  under  the  firm 
nameof  Grant  &  Ward.  The  latter  proved  a  villain, 
wrecked  Grant's  fortune,  and  for  larceny  was  sent  to 
the  penitentiary.  The  General  was  attacked  with 
cancer  in  the  throat,  but  suffered  in  his  stoic-like 
manner,  never  complaining.  He  was  re-instated  as 
General  of  the  Army  and  retired  by  Congress.  The 
cancer  soon  finished  its  deadly  work,  and  July  23, 
1885,  the  nation  went  in  mourning  over  the  death  of  ,  , 
the  illustrious  General. 

'» 


NINETEENTH  PRESIDENT. 


9« 


I 


UTHERFORD  B.  HAYES, 
the  nineteenth  President  of 
the  United  States,  was  born  in 
Delaware,  O.,  Oct.  4,  1822,  al- 
most three  months  after  the 
death  of  his  father,  Rutherford 
Hayes.  His  ancestry  on  both 
the  paternal  and  maternal  sides, 
was  of  the  most  honorable  char- 
L,  acter.  It  can  be  traced,  it  is  said, 
as  far  back  as  1280,  when  Hayes  and 
Rutherford  were  two  Scottish  chief- 
tains, fighting  side  by  side  with 
Baliol,  William  Wallace  and  Robert 
Bruce.  Both  families  belonged  to  the 
nobility,  owned  extensive  estates, 
and  had  a  large  following.  Misfor- 
tune overtaking  the  family,  George  Hayes  left  Scot- 
land in  1680,  and  settled  in  Windsor,  Conn.  His  son 
George  was  born  in  Windsor,  and  remained  there 
daring  his  life..  Daniel  Hayes,  son  of  the  latter,  mar- 
ried Sarah  Lee,  and  lived  from  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage until  his  death  in  Simsbury,  Conn.  Ezekiel, 
son  of  Daniel,  was  born  in  1724,  and  was  a  manufac- 
turer of  scythes  at  Bradford,  Conn.  Rutherford  Hayes, 
son  of  Ezekiel  and  grandfather  of  President  Hayes,  was 
born  in  New  Haven,  in  August,  1756.  He  was  a  farmer, 
blacksmith  and  tavern-keeper.  He  emigrated  to 
Vermont  at  an  unknown  date,  settling  in  Brattleboro, 
where  he  established  a  hotel.  Here  his  son  Ruth- 
erford Hayes  the  father  of  President  Hayes,  was 


born.  He  was  married,  in  September,  1813,  to  Sophia 
Birchard,  of  Wilmington,  Vt.,  whose  ancestors  emi- 
grated thither  from  Connecticut,  they  having  been 
among  the  wealthiest  and  best  famlies  of  Norwich. 
Her  ancestry  on  the  male  side  are  traced  back  to 
1635,  to  John  Birchard,  one  of  the  principal  founders 
of  Norwich.  Both  of  her  grandfathers  were  soldiers 
in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  father  of  President  Hayes  was  an  industrious, 
frugal  and  opened-hearted  man.  He  was  of  a  me- 
chanical turn,  and  could  mend  a  plow,  knit  a  stock- 
ing, or  do  almost  anything  else  that  he  choose  to 
undertake.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Church,  active 
in  all  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  town,  and  con- 
ducted his  business  on  Christian  principles.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  of  1812,  for  reasons  inexplicable 
to  his  neighbors,  he  resolved  to  emigrate  to  Ohio. 

The  journey  from  Vermont  to  Ohio  in  that  day, 
when  there  were  no  canals,  steamers,  nor  railways, 
was  a  very  serious  affair.  A  tour  of  inspection  was 
first  made,  occupying  four  months.  Mr.  Hayes  deter- 
mined to  move  to  Delaware,  where  the  family  arrived 
in  1817.  He  died  July  22,  1822,  a  victim  of  malarial 
fever,  less  than  three  months  before  the  birth  of  the 
son, of  whom  we  now  write.  Mrs.  Hayes,  in  her  sore  be- 
reavement, found  the  support  she  so  much  needed  in 
her  brother  Sardis,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the 
household  from  the  day  of  its  departure  from  Ver- 
mont, and  in  an  orphan  girl  whom  she  had  adopted 
some  time  before  as  an  act  of  charity. 

Mrs.  Hayes  at  this  period  was  very  weak,  and  the 


i 


9- 


RUTIIERFORD  B.  HAYES. 


subject  of  this  sketch  was  so  feeble  at  birth  that  he 
was  not  expected  to  live  beyond  a  month  or  two  at 
nost.  As  the  months  went  by  he  grew  weaker  and 
weaker,  so  that  the  neighbors  were  in  the  habit  of  m- 
luiring  from  time  to  time  "  if  Mrs.  Hayes  baby  died 
ast  night."  On  one  occasion  a  neighbor,  who  was  on 
familiar  ter.ns  with  the  family,  after  alluding  to  the 
joy's  big  head,  and  the  mother's  assiduous  care  of 
him,  said  in  a  bantering  way,  >;  That's  right!  Stick  to 
him.  You  have  got  him  along  so  far,  and  I  shouldn  t 
wonder  if  he  would  really  come  to  something  yet." 

"  You  need  not  laugh,"  said  Mrs.  Hayes.  "  You 
wait  and  see.  You  can't  tell  but  I  shall  make  him 
President  of  the  United  States  yet."  The  boy  lived, 
in  spite  of  the  universal  predictions  of  his  speedy 
death;  and  when,  in  1825,  his  older  brother  was 
drowned,  he  became,  if  possible,  still  dearer  to  his 

mother. 

The  boy  was  seven  years  old  before  he  ,went  to 
school.  His  education,  however,  was  not  neglected. 
He  probably  learned  as  much  from  his  mother  and 
sister  as  he  would  have  done  'at  school.  His  sports 
were  almost  wholly  within  doors,  his  playmates  being 
his  sister  and  her  associates.  These  circumstances 
tended,  no  doubt,  to  foster  that  gentleness  of  dispo- 
sition, and  that  delicate  consideration  for  the  feelings 
of  others,  which  are  marked  traits  of  his  character. 
His  uncle  Sardis  Birchard  took  the  deepest  interest 
in  his  education;  and  as  the  boy's  health  had  im- 
proved, and  he  was  making  good  progress  in  his 
studies,  he  proposed  to  send  him  to  college.  His  pre- 
oaration  commenced  with  a  tutor  at  home;  lr.it  he 
was  afterwards  sent  for  one  year  to  a  professor  in  the 
Wesleyan  University,  in  Middletown,  Conn.  He  en- 
tered Kenyon  College  in  1838,  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
and  was  graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  in  1842. 
Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  began  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Thomas  Sparrow,  Esq., 
in  Columbus.  Finding  his  opportunities  for  study  in 
Columbus  somewhat  limited,  he  determined  to  enter 
the  Law  School  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years. 

In  1845,  after  graduating  at  the  Law  School,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  and  shortly 
afterward  went  into  practice  as  an  attorney-at-law 
with  Ralph  P.  Buckland,  of  Fremont.  Here  he  re- 
mained three  years,  acquiring  but  a  limited  practice, 
and  apparently  unambitious  of  distinction  in  his  pro- 
fession. 

In  1849  he  moved  to  Cincinnati,  where  his  ambi- 
tion found  a  new  stimulus.  For  several  years,  how- 
ever, his  progress  was  slow.  Two  events,  occurring  at 
this  period,  had  a  powerful  influence  upon  his  subse- 
quent life.  One  of  these  was  his  marrage  with  Miss 
Lucy  Ware  Webb,  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Webb,  of 
Chilicothe ;  the  other  was  his  introduction  to  the  Cin- 
cinnati Literary  Club,  a  body  embracing  among  its 
members  such  men  as^hief  Justice  Salmon  P.  Chase, 


Gen.  John  Pope,  Gov.  Edward  F.  Noyes,  and  many 
others  hardly  less  distinguished  in  after  life.  The 
marriage  was  a  fortunate  one  in  every  respect,  as 
everybody  knows.  Not  one  of  all  the  wives  of  our 
Presidents  was  more  universally  admired,  reverenced 
and  beloved  than  was  Mrs.  Hayes,  and  no  one  did 
more  than  she  to  reflect  honor  upon  American  woman- 
hood. The  Literary  Cluu  brought  Mr.  Hayes  into 
constant  association  with  young  men  of  high  char- 
acter and  noble  aims,  and  lured  him  to  display  the 
qualities  so  long  hidden  by  his  bashfulness  and 
modesty. 

In  1856  he  was  nominated  to  the  office  of  Judge  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas ;  but  he  declined  to  ac- 
cept the  nomination.  Two  years  latar,  the  office  of 
city  solicitor  becoming  vacant,  the  City  Council 
elected  him  for  the  unexpired  term. 

In  1861,  when  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  he  was  at 
the  zenith  of  his  professional  life.  His  rank  at  the 
bar  was  among  the  the  first.  But  the  news  of  the 
attack  on  Fort  Sumpter  found  him  eager  to  take  up 
arms  for  the  defense  of  his  country. 

His  military  record  was  bright  ar.d  illustrious.  In 
October,  1861,  he  was  made  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 
in  August,  1862,  promoted  Colonel  of  the  79th  Ohio 
regiment,  but  he  refused  to  leave  his  old  comrades 
and  go  among  strangers.  Subsequently,  however,  he 
was  made  Colonel  of  his  old  regiment.  At  the  battle 
of  South  Mountain  he  received  a  wound,  and  while 
faint  and  bleeding  displayed  courage  and  fortitude 
that  won  admiration  from  all. 

Col.  Hayes  was  detached  from  his  regiment,  after 
his  recovery,  to  act  as  Brigadier-General,  and  placed 
in  command  of  the  celebrated  Kanawha  division, 
and  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  the  battles 
of  Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek,  he  was 
promoted  Brigadier-General.  He  was  also  brevetled 
Major-General, "forgallant  and  distirguished  services 
during  the  campaigns  of  1864,  in  West  Virginia."  In 
the  course  of  his  arduous  services,  four  horses  were 
shot  from  under  him,  and  he  was  wounded  four  times. 
In  1864,  Gen.  Hayes  was  elected  to  Congress,  from 
the  Second  Ohio  District,  which  had  long  been  Dem- 
ocratic. He  was  not  present  during  the  campaign, 
and  after  his  election  was  importuned  to  resign  his 
commission  in  the  army  ;  but  he  finally  declared,  "  I 
shall  never  cotne  to  Washington  until  I  can  come  by 
the  way  of  Richmond."  He  was  re-elected  in  1866. 

In  1867,  Gen  Hayes  was  elected  Governor  of  Ohio, 
over  Hon.  Allen  G.  Thurman,  a  popular  Democrat. 
In  1869  was  re-elected  over  George  H.  Pendleton. 
He  was  elected  Governor  for  the  third  term  in  1875. 
In  1876  he  was  the  standard  bearer  of  the  Repub- 
lican Party  in  the  Presidential  contest,  and  after  a 
hard  long  contest  was  chosen  President,  and  was  in 
au^urated  Monday,  March  5,  1875.  He  served  his 
full  term,  not,  htwever,  with  satisfaction  to  h'.s  party, 
but  his  administration  was  an  average  op.r 


' 


TWENTIETH  PRESIDENT. 


95 


AMES  A.  GARFIELD,  twen- 
tieth President  of  the  United 
States,    was    born   Nov.    19, 
1831,  in  the  woods  of  Orange, 
Cuyahoga  Co.,  O      His   par- 
ents were  Abram  and    Eliza 
(Ballou)   Garfield,   both  of  New 
England  ancestry  and  from  fami- 
lies well  known  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  that  section  of  our  coun- 
try, but  had  moved  to  the  Western 
Reserve,  in  Ohio,  early  in  its  settle- 
ment. 

The  house  in  which  James  A.  was 
born  was  not  unlike  the  houses  of 
poor  Ohio  farmers  of  that  day.  It 
was  about  20x30  feet,  built  of  logs,  with  the  spaces  be- 
tween the  logs  filled  with  clay.  His  father  was  a 
hard  working  farmer,  and  he  soon  had  his  fields 
cleared,  an  orchard  planted,  and  a  log  barn  built. 
The  household  comprised  the  father  and  mother  and 
their  four  children — Mehetabel,  Thomas,  Mary  and 
James.  In  May,  1823,  the  father,  from  a  cold  con- 
tracted in  helping  to  put  out  a  forest  fire,  died.  At 
this  time  James  was  about  eighteen  months  old,  and 
Thomas  about  ten  years  old.  No  one,  perhaps,  can 
tell  how  much  James  was  indebted  to  his  biother's 
toil  and  self-sacrifice  during  the  twenty  years  suc- 
ceeding his  father's  death,  but  undoubtedly  very 
much.  He  now  lives  in  Michigan,  and  the  two  sis- 
ters live  in  Solon,  O.,  near  their  birthplace. 

The  early  educational  advantages  young  Garfield 
enjoyed  were  very  limited,  yet  he  made  the  most  of 
them.  He  labored  at  farm  work  for  others,  did  car- 
penter work,  chopped  wood,  or  did  anything  that 
would  bring  in  a  few  dollars  to  aid  his  widowed 
mother  in  he'  druggies  to  keep  the  little  family  to- 


gether. Nor  was  Gen.  Garfield  ever  ashamed  of  his 
origin,  and  he  never  forgot  the  friends  of  his  strug- 
gling childhood,  youth  and  manhood,  neither  did  they 
ever  forget  him.  When  in  the  highest  seats  of  honor, 
the  humblest  friend  of  his  boyhood  was  as  kindly 
greeted  as  ever.  The  poorest  laborer  was  sure  of  the 
sympathy  of  one  who  had  known  all  the  bitterness 
of  want  and  the  sweetness  of  bread  earned  by  the 
sweat  of  the  brow.  He  was  ever  the  simple,  plain, 
modest  gentleman. 

The  highest  ambition  of  young  Garfield  until  he 
was  about  sixteen  years  old  was  to  be  a  captain  of 
a  vessel  on  Lake  Erie.  He  was  anxious  to  go  aboard 
a  vessel,  which  his  mother  strongly  opposed.  She 
finally  consented  to  his  going  to  Cleveland,  with  the 
understanding,  however,  that  he  should  try  to  obtain 
some  other  kind  of  employment.  He  walked  all  the 
way  to  Cleveland.  This  was  his  first  visit  to  the  city. 
Afier  making  many  applications  for  work,  and  trying 
to  get  aboard  a  lake  vessel,  and  not  meeting  with 
success,  he  engaged  as  a  driver  for  his  cousin,  Amos 
Letcher,  on  the  Ohio  &  Pennsylvania  Canal.  Here- 
mained  at  this  work  but  a  short  time  when  he  went 
home,  and  attended  the  seminary  at  Chester  for 
about  three  years,  when  he  entered  Hiram  and  the 
Eclectic  Institute,  teaching  a  few  terms  of  school  in 
the  meantime,  and  doing  other  work.  This  school 
was  started  by  the  Disciples  of  Christ  in  1850,  of 
which  church  he  was  then  a  member.  He  became 
janitor  and  bell-ringer  in  order  to  help  pay  his  way. 
He  then  became  both  teacher  and  pupil.  He  soon 
"  exhausted  Hiram  "  and  needed  more  ;  hence,  in  the 
fall  of  1854,  he  entered  Williams  College,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1856,  taking  one  of  the  highest  hon- 
ors of  his  class.  He  afterwards  returned  to  Hiram 
College  as  its  President.  As  above  stated,  he  early 
united  with  the  Christian  or  Diciples  Church  at 
Hiram,  and  was  ever  after  a  devoted,  zealous  mem- 
ber, often  preaching  in  its  pulpit  and  places  where 
he  happened  to  be.  Dr.  Noah  Porter,  President  of 
Yale  College,  says  of  him  in  reference  to  his  religion : 


; 

T 


I 


96 


JAMES  A.  GARFIELD. 


"  President  Garfield  was  more  than  a  man  of 
strong  moral  and  religious  convictions.  His  whole 
history,  from  boyhood  to  the  last,  shows  that  duty  to 
man  and  to  God,  and  devotion  to  Christ  and  life  and 
faith  and  spiritual  commission  were  controlling  springs 
of  his  being,  and  to  a  more  than  usual  degree.  In 
my  judgment  there  is  no  more  interesting  feature  of 
his  character  than  his  loyal  allegiance  to  the  body  of 
Christians  in  which  he  was  trained,  and  the  fervent 
sympathy  which  he  ever  showed  in  their  Christian 
communion.  Not  many  of  the  few  'wise  and  mighty 
and  noble  who  are  called'  show  a  similar  loyalty  to 
the  less  stately  and  cultured  Christian  communions 
in  which  they  have  been  reared.  Too  often  it  is  true 
that  as  they  step  upward  in  social  and  political  sig- 
nificance they  step  upward  from  one  degree  to 
another  in  some  of  the  many  types  of  fashionable 
Christianity.  President  Garfield  adhered  to  the 
church  of  his  mother,  the  church  in  which  he  was 
trained,  and  in  which  he  served  as  a  pillar  and  an 
evangelist,  and  yet  with  the  largest  and  most  unsec- 
tarian  charity  for  all  '  who  loveour  Lord  in  sincerity.'" 

Mr.  Garfield  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lucretia  Rudolph,  Nov.  1 1,  1858,  who  proved  herself 
worthy  as  the  wifeof  one  whom  all  the  world  loved  and 
mourned.  To  them  were  born  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  four  boys  and  one  girl. 

Mr.  Garfield  made  his  first  political  speeches  in  1856, 
in  Hiram  and  the  neighboring  villages,  and  three 
years  later  he  began  to  speak  at  county  mass-meet- 
ings, and  became  the  favorite  speaker  wherever  he 
was.  During  this  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Ohio 
Senate.  He  also  began  to  study  law  at  Cleveland, 
and  in  1861  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  The  great 
Rebellion  broke  out  in  the  early  part  of  this  year, 
and  Mr.  Garfield  at  once  resolved  to  fight  as  he  had 
talked,  and  enlisted  to  defend  the  old  flag.  He  re- 
ceived his  commission  as  Lieut-Colonel  of  the  Forty- 
second  Regiment  of  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  Aug. 
14,1861.  He  was  immediately  put  into  active  ser- 
vice, and  before  he  had  ever  seen  a  gun  fired  in  action, 
was  placed  in  command  of  four  regiments  of  infantry 
and  eight  companies  of  cavalry,  charged  with  the 
work  of  driving  out  of  his  native  State  the  officer 
(Humphrey  Marshall)  reputed  to  be  the  ablest  of 
those,  not  educated  to  war  whom  Kentucky  had  given 
to  the  Rebellion.  This  work  was  bravely  and  speed- 
ily accomplished,  although  against  great  odds.  Pres- 
ident Lincoln,  0:1  his  success  commissioned  him 
Brigadier-General,  Jan.  10,  1862;  and  as  "he  had 
been  the  youngest  man  in  the  Ohio  Senate  two  years 
before,  so  now  he  was  the  youngest  General  in  'the 
army."  He  was  with  Gen.  Buell's  army  at  Shiloh, 
in  its  operations  around  Corinth  and  its  march  through 
Alabama.  He  was  then  detailed  as  a  member  of  the 
General  Court-Martial  for  the  trial  of  Gen.  Fitz-John 
Porter.  He  was  then  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Rose- 
crans,  and  was  assigned  to  the  "Chief  of  Staff"." 

The  military  history  of  Gen.  Garfield  closed  with 
<• 


his  brilliant  services  at  Chickamauga,  where  he  won 
the  stars  of  the  Major-General. 

Without  an  effort  on  his  part  Gen.  Garfield  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  the  fall  of  1862  fiom  the 
Nineteenth  District  of  Ohio.  This  section  of  Ohio 
had  been  represented  in  Congress  for  sixty  years 
mainly  by  two  men — Elisha  Whittlesey  and  Joshua 
R.  Giddings.  It  was  not  without  a  struggle  that  he 
resigned  his  place  in  the  army.  At  the  time  heen- 
tered  Congress  he  was  the  youngest  member  in  that 
body.  There  he  remained  by  successive  re- 
elections  until  he  was  elected  President  in  1880. 
Of  his  labors  in  Congress  Senator  Hoar  says  :  "  Since 
the  year  1864  you  cannot  think  of  a  question  which 
has  been  debated  in  Congress,  or  discussed  before  a 
tribunel  of  the  American  people,  in  regard  to  which 
you  will  not  find,  if  you  wish  instruction,  the  argu- 
ment on  one  side  stated,  in  almost  every  instance 
better  than  by  anybody  else,  in  some  speech  made  in 
the  House  of  Representatives  or  on  the  hustings  by 
Mr.  Garfield." 

Upon  Jan.  14,  1880,  Gen.  Garfield  was  elected  to 
the  U.  S.  Senate,  and  on  the  eighth  of  June,  of  the 
same  year,  was  nominated  as  the  candidate  of  his 
party  for  President  at  the  great  Chicago  Convention. 
He  was  elected  in  the  following  November,  and  on 
March  4,  i88r,  was  inaugurated.  Probably  no  ad- 
ministration ever  opened  its  existence  under  brighter 
auspices  than  that  of  President  Garfield,  and  every 
day  it  grew  in  favo;  with  the  people,  and  by  the  first 
of  July  he  had  completed  all  the  initiatory  and  pre- 
liminary work  of  his  administration  and  was  prepar- 
ing to  leave  the  city  to  meet  his  friends  at  Williams 
College.  While  on  his  way  and  at  the  depot,  in  com- 
pany with  Secretary  Elaine,  a  man  stepped  behind 
him,  drew  a  revolver,  and  fired  directly  at  his  back. 
The  President  tottered  and  fell,  and  as  he  did  so  the 
assassin  fired  a  second  shot,  the  bullet  cutting  the 
left  coat  sleeve  of  his  victim,  but  inflicting  no  further 
injury.  It  has  been  very  truthfully  said  that  this  was 
"  the  shot  that  was  heard  round  the  world  "  Never 
before  in  the  history  of  the  Nation  had  anything  oc- 
curred which  so  nearly  froze  the  blood  of  the  people 
for  the  moment,  as  this  awful  deed.  He  was  smit- 
ten on  the  brightest,  gladdest  day  of  all  his  life,  and 
was  at  the  summit  of  his  power  and  hope.  For  eighty 
days,  all  during  the  hot  months  of  July  and  August, 
he  lingered  and  suffered.  He,  however,  remained 
master  of  himself  till  the  last,  and  by  his  magnificent 
bearing  was  teaching  the  country  and  the  world  the 
noblest  of  human  lessons — how  to  live  grandly  in  the 
very  clutch  of  death.  Great  in  life,  he  was  surpass- 
ingly great  in  death.  He  passed  serenely  away  Sept. 
19,  1883,  at  Elberon,  N.  J  ,  on  the  very  bank  of  the 
ocean,  where  he  had  been  taken  shortly  previous.  The 
world  wept  at  his  death,  as  it  never  had  done  on  the 
death  of  any  other  man  who  had  ever  lived  upon  it. 
The  murderer  was  duly  tried,  found  guilty  and  exe-  , 
cuted,  in  one  year  after  he  committed  the  foul  deed. 


I 


t 


TWENTY-FIRST  PRESIDENT. 


99    <  • 


HESTER      A.      ARTHUR, 
twenty-first    Pres!/:._iii   of  the 
United   States    was    born    in 
Franklin  Courty,  Vermont,  on 
thefifthofOcf  ober,  1830,  and  is 
the  oldest   of  a   family    of  two 
sons  and    five   daughters.     His 
father  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  William   I 
Arthur,  a  Baptist  c'',rgyman,wht, 
emigrated  to  tb'.s  country  fro'n 
the  county  Antrim,   Ireland,   in 
his  1 8th  year,  and  died  in  1875,  in 
Newtonville,   neai    Albany,   after  a 
long  and  successful  ministry. 

Young  Arthur  was  educated  at 
Union  College,  S<  henectady,  where 
he  excelled  in  all  his  studies.  Af- 
ter his  graduation  he  taught  school 
in  Vermont  for  two  years,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  that  time  came  to 
New  York,  with  $500  in  his  pocket, 
and  entered  the  ofifice  of  ex-Judge 
E.  D.  Culver  as  student.  After 
being  admitted  to  the  bar  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  his  intimate  friend  and  room-mate, 
Henry  D.  Gardiner,  with  the  intention  of  practicing 
in  the  West,  and  for  three  months  they  roamed  about 
in  the  Western  States  in  search  of  an  eligible  site, 
but  in  the  end  returned  to  New  York,  where  they 
hung  out  their  shingle,  and  entered  upon  a  success- 
ful career  almost  from  the  start.  General  Arthur 
soon  afterward  rvrr'<=d  the  daughter  of  Lieutenant 


Herndon,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  who  was  lost  a'; 
sea.  Congress  voted  a  gold  medal  to  his  widow  in 
recognition  of  the  bravery  he  displayed  on  that  occa- 
sion. Mrs.  Arthur  died  shortly  before  Mr.  Arthur's 
nomination  to  the  Vice  Presidency,  leaving  two 
children. 

Gen.  Arthur  obtained  considerable  legal  celebrity 
in  his  first  great  case,  the  famous  Lemmon  suit, 
brought  to  recover  possession  of  eight  slaves  who  had 
been  declared  free  by  Judge  Paine,  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  New  York  City.  It  was  in  1852  that  Jon< 
athan  Lemmon,  of  Virginia,  went  to  New  York  with 
his  slaves,  intending  to  ship  them  to  Texas,  when 
they  were  discovered  and  freed.  The  Judge  decided 
that  they  could  not  be  held  by  the  owner  under  the 
Fugitive  Slave  Law.  A  howl  of  rage  went  up  from 
the  South,  and  the  Virginia  Legislature  authorized  the 
Attorney  General  of  that  State  to  assist  in  an  appeal. 
Wm.  M.  Evarts  and  Chester  A.  Arthur  were  employed 
to  represent  the  People,  and  they  won  their  case, 
which  then  went  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States.  Charles  O'Conor  here  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  slave-holders,  but  he  too  was  beaten  by  Messrs. 
Evarts  and  Arthur,  and  a  long  step  was  taken  toward 
the  emancipation  of  the  black  race. 

Another  great  service  was  rendered  by  General 
Arthur  in  the  same  cause  in  1856.  Lizzie  Jennings, 
a  respectable  colored  woman,  was  put  off  a  Fourth 
Avenue  car  with  violence  after  she  had  paid  her  fare. 
General  Arthur  sued  on  her  behalf,  and  secured  a 
verdict  of  $500  damages.  The  next  day  the  compa- 
ny issued  an  order  to  admit  colored  persons  to  ride 
on  their  cars,  and  the  other  car  companies  quickly 


f 

' 


'   .       100 


CHESTER  A.  ARTHUR. 


followed  their  example.  Before  that  the  Sixth  Ave- 
nue Company  ran  a  few  special  cars  for  colored  per- 
sons and  the  other  lines  refused  to  let  them  ride  at  all. 

General  Arthur  was  a  delegate  to  the  Convention 
at  Saratoga  that  founded  the  Republican"  party. 
Previous  to  the  war  he  was  Judge-Advocate  of  the 
Second  Brigade  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  Gov- 
ernor Morgan,  of  that  State,  appointed  him  Engineer- 
in-Chief  of  his  staff.  In  1861,  he  was  made  Inspec- 
tor General,  and  soon  afterward  became  Quartermas- 
ter-General. In  each  of  these  offices  he  rendered 
great  service  to  the  Government  during  the  war.  At 
the  end  of  Governor  Morgan's  term  he  resumed  the 
practice  of  the  law,  forming  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Ransom,  and  then  Mr.  Phelps,  the  District  Attorney 
of  New  Yoik,  was  added  to  the  firm.  The  legal  prac- 
tice of  this  well-known  firm  was  very  large  and  lucra- 
tive, each  of  the  gentlemen  composing  it  were  able 
lawyers,  and  possessed  a  splendid  local  reputation,  if 
not  indeed  one  of  national  extent. 

He  always  took  a  leading  part  in  State  and  city 
politics.  He  was  appointed  Collector  of  the  Port  of 
New  York  by  President  Grant,  Nov.  21  1872,  to  suc- 
ceed Thomas  Murphy,  and  held  the  office  until  July, 
20,  1 87  8, 'when  he  was  succeeded  by  Collector  Merritt. 

Mr.  Arthur  was  nominated  on  the  Presidential 
ticket,  with  Gen.  James  A.  Garfield,  at  the  famous 
National  Republican  Convention  held  at  Chicago  in 
June,  1880.  This  was  perhaps  the  greatest  political 
convention  that  ever  assembled  on  the  continent.  It 
was  composed  of  the  leading  politicians  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  all  able  men,  and  each  stood  firm  and 
fought  vigorously  and  with  signal  tenacity  for  their 
respective  candidates  that  were  before  the  conven- 
tion for  the  nomination.  Finally  Gen.  Garfield  re- 
ceived the  nomination  for  President  and  Gen.  Arthur 
for  Vice-President.  The  campaign  which  followed 
was  one  of  the  most  animated  known  in  the  history  of 
our  country.  Gen.  Hancock,  the  standard-bearer  of 
the  Democratic  party,  was  a  popular  man,  and  his 
party  made  a  valiant  fight  for  his  election. 

Finally  the  election  came  and  the  country's  choice 
was  Garfield  and  Arthur.  They  were  inaugurated 
March  4,  1881,  as  President  and  Vice-President. 
A  few  months  only  had  passed  ere  the  newly  chosen 
President  was  the  victim  of  the  assassin's  bullet.  Then 
came  terrible  weeks  of  suffering, — those  moment*  of 
anxious  suspense,  wherv  the  hearts  of  all  civilized  na- 


tions were  throbbing  in  unison,  longing  for  the  re- 
covery of  the  noble,  the  good  President.  The  remark- 
able patience  that  he  manifested  during  those  hours 
and  weeks,  and  even  months,  of  the  most  terrible  suf- 
fering man  has  often  been  called  upon  to  endure,  was 
seemingly  more  than  human.  It  was  certainly  God- 
like. During  all  this  period  of  deepest  anxiety  Mr. 
Arthur's  every  move  was  watched,  and  be  it  said  to  his 
credit  that  his  every  action  displayed  only  an  earnest 
desire  that  the  suffering  Garfield  might  recover,  to 
serve  the  remainder  of  the  term  he  had  so  auspi- 
ciously begun.  Not  a  selfish  feeling  was  manifested 
in  deed  or  look  of  this  man,  even  though  the  most 
honored  position  in  the  world  was  at  any  moment 
likely  to  fall  to  him. 

At  last  God  in  his  mercy  relieved  President  Gar- 
field  from  further  suffering,  and  the  world,  as  never 
before  in  its  history  over  the  death  of  any  other 
man,  wept  at  his  bier.  Then  it  became  the  duty  of 
the  Vice  President  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of 
the  high  office,  and  he  took  the  oath  in  New  York, 
Sept.  20,  1881.  The  position  was  an  embarrassing 
one  to  him,  made  doubly  so  from  the  facts  that  all 
eyes  were  on  him,  anxious  to  know  what  he  would  do, 
what  policy  he  would  pursue,  and  who  he  would  se- 
lect as  advisers.  The  duties  of  the  office  had  been 
greatly  neglected  during  the  President's  long  illness, 
and  many  important  measures  were  to  be  immediately 
decided  by  him ;  and  still  farther  to  embarrass  him  he 
did  not  fail  to  realize  under  what  circumstances  he 
became  President,  and  knew  the  feelings  of  many  on 
this  point.  Under  these  trying  circumstances  President 
Arthur  took  the  reins  of  the  Government  in  his  own 
hands;  and,  as  embarrassing  as  were  the  condition  of 
affairs,  he  happily  surprised  the  nation,  acting  so 
wisely  that  but  few  criticised  his  administration. 
He  served  the  nation  well  and  faithfully,  until  the 
close  of  his  administration,  March  4,  1885,  and  was 
a  popular  candidate  before  his  party  for  a  second 
term.  His  name  was  ably  presented  before  the  con- 
vention at  Chicago,  and  was  received  with  great 
favor,  and  doubtless  but  for  the  personal  popularity 
of  one  of  the  opposing  candidates,  he  would  have 
been  selected  as  the  standard-bearer  of  his  party 
for  another  campaign.  He  retired  to  private  life  car- 
rying with  him  the  best  wishes  of  the  American  peo- 
ple, whom  he  had  served  in  a  manner  satisfactory 
to  them  and  with  credit  to  himself. 


T 


f 


TWENTY -SECOND  PRESIDENT. 


N^ 


,    OOP 


TEPHEN  GROVER  CLEVE- 
LAND,the twenty- second  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States,  was 
born  in  1837,  in  the  obscure 
town  of  Caldwell,  Essex  Co., 
N.  J.,  and  in  a  little  two-and-a- 
half-story  white  house  which  is  still 
standing,  characteristically  to  mark 
the  hu:nble  birth-place  of  one  of 
America's  great  men  in  striking  con 
trast  with  the  Old  World,  where  all 
men  high  in  office  must  be  high  in 
origin  and  born  in  the  cradle  of 
wealth.  When  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  three  years  of  age,  his 
father,  who  was  a  Presbyterian  min- 
ister, with  a  large  family  and  a  small  salary,  moved, 
by  way  of  the  Ha  Ison  River  and  Erie  Canal,  to 
Fayetteville,  in  search  of  an  increased  income  and  a 
larger  field  of  work.  Fayetteville  was  then  the  most 
straggling  of  country^  villages,  about  five  miles  from 
I'ompey  Hill,  where  Governor  Seymour  was  born 

At  the  last  mentioned  place  young  Grover  com- 
menced goiag  to  school  in  the  "good,  old-fashioned 
way,"  a.iJ  presumably  distinguished  himself  after  the 
manner  of  all  village  boys,  in  doing  the  things  he 
ought  not  to  do.  Such  is  the  distinguishing  trait  of 
all  geniuses  and  independent  thinkers.  When  he 
arrived  at  the  age  of  14  years,  he  had  outgrown  the 
capacity  of  the  village  school  and  expressed  a  most 


emphatic  desire  to  be  sent  to  an  academy.  To  this 
his  father  decidedly  objected.  Academies  in  those 
days  cost  money;  besides,  his  father  wanted  him  to 
become  self-supporting  by  the  quickest  possible 
means,  and  this  at  that  time  in  Fayetteville  seemed 
to  be  a  position  in  a  country  store,  where  his  father 
and  the  large  family  on  his  hands  had  considerable 
influence.  Grover  was  to  be  paid  $50  for  his  services 
the  first  year,  and  if  he  proved  trustworthy  he  was  to 
receive  $100  the  second  year.  Here  the  lad  com- 
menced his  career  as  salesman,  and  in  two  years  he 
had  earned  so  good  a  reputation  for  trustworthiness 
that  his  employers  desired  to  retain  him  for  an  in- 
definite length  of  time.  Otherwise  he  did  not  ex- 
hibit as  yet  any  particular  "  flashes  of  genius  "  or 
eccentricities  of  talent.  He  was  simply  a  good  boy. 
But  instead  of  remaining  with  this  firm  in  Fayette- 
ville, he  went  with  the  family  in  their  removal  to 
Clinton,  where  he  had  an  opportunity  of  attending  a 
high  school.  Here  he  industriously  pursued  his 
studies  until  the  family  removed  with  him  to  a  point 
on  Black  River  known  as  the  "  Holland  Patent,"  a 
village  of  500  or  600  people,  15  miles  north  of  Utica, 
N.  Y.  At  this  place  his  father  died,  after  preaching 
but  three  Sundays.  This  event  broke  up  the  family, 
and  Grover  set  out  for  New  York  City  to  accept,  at  a 
small  salary,  the  position  of  "  under-teacher  "  in  an 
asylum  for  the  blind.  He  taught  faithfully  for  two 
years,  and  although  he  obtained  a  good  reputation  in 
this  capacity,  he  concluded  that  teaching  was  not  his 


• 


t 


104 


S.  GROVER  CLEVELAND. 


calling  for  life,  and,  reversing  the  traditional  order, 
he  left  the  city  to  seek  his  fortune,  instead  of  going 
to  a  city.  He  first  thought  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  as 
there  was  some  charm  in  that  name  for  him;  but 
before  proceeding  to  that  place  he  went  to  Buffalo  to 
ask  the  advice  of  his  uncle,  Lewis  F.  Allan,  a  noted 
stock-breeder  of  that  place.  The  latter  did  not 
speak  enthusiastically.  "  What  is  it  you  want  to  do, 
my  boy  ?  "  he  asked.  "  Well,  sir,  I  want  to  study 
law,"  was  the  reply.  "  Good  gracious !  "  remarked 
the  old  gentleman ;  "  do  you,  indeed  ?  What  ever  put 
that  into  your  head?  How  much  money  have  you 
got?"  "Well,  sir,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  haven't  got 
any." 

After  a  long  consultation,  his  uncle  offered  him  a 
place  temporarily  as  assistant  herd-keeper,  at  $50  a 
year,  while  he  could  "look  around."  One  day  soon 
afterward  he  boldly  walked  into  the  office  of  Rogers, 
Bowen  &  Rogers,  of  Buffalo,  and  told  them  what  he 
wanted.  A  number  of  young  men  were  already  en- 
gaged in  the  office,  but  Grover's  persistency  won,  and 
he  was  finally  permitted  to  come  as  an  office  boy  and 
have  the  use  of  the  law  library,  for  the  nominal  sum 
of  $3  or  $4  a  week.  Out  of  this  he  had  to  pay  for 
his  board  and  washing.  The  walk  to  and  from  his 
uncle's  was  a  long  and  rugged  one;  and,  although 
the  first  winter  was  a  memorably  severe  one,  his 
shoes  were  out  of  repair  and  his  overcoat — he  had 
none — yet  he  was  nevertheless  prompt  and  regular. 
On  the  first  day  of  his  service  here,  his  senior  em- 
ployer threw  down  a  copy  of  Blackstone  before  him 
with  a  bang  that  made  the  dust  fly,  saying  "That's 
where  they  all  begin."  A  titter  ran  around  the  little 
circle  of  clerks  and  students,  as  they  thought  that 
was  enough  to  scare  young  Grover  out  of  his  plans ; 
but  indue  time  he  mastered  that  cumbersome  volume. 
Then,  as  ever  afterward,  however,  Mr.  Cleveland 
exhibited  a  talent  for  executiveness  rather  than  for 
chasing  principles  through  all  their  metaphysical 
possibilities.  "  Let  us  quit  talking  and  go  and  do 
it,"  was  practically  his  motto. 

The  first  public  office  to  which  Mr.  Cleveland  was 
elected  was  that  of  Sheriff  of  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in 
which  Buffalo  is  situated;  and  in  such  capacity  it  fell 
to  his  duty  to  inflict  capital  punishment  upon  two 
criminals.  In  1881  he  was  Delected  Mayor  of  the 
City  of  Buffalo,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  with  es- 
pecial reference  to  the  bringing  about  certain  reforms 


in  the  administration  of  the  municipal  affairs  of  that 
city.  In  this  office,  as  well  as  that  of  Sheriff;  his 
performance  of  duty  has  generally  been  considered 
fair,  with  possibly  a  few  exceptions  which  were  fer- 
reted out  and  magnified  during  the  last  Presidential 
campaign.  As  a  specimen  of  his  plain  language  in 
a  veto  message,  we  quote  from  one  vetoing  an  iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning  contract:  "This  is  a  time  for 
plain  speech,  and  my  objection  to  your  action  shall 
be  plainly  stated.  I  regard  it  as  the  culmination  of 
a  mos'  bare-faced,  impudent  and  shameless  scheme 
to  betray  the  interests  of  the  people  and  to  worse 
than  squander  the  people's  money."  The  New  York 
Sun  afterward  very  highly  commended  Mr.  Cleve- 
land's administration  as  Mayor  of  Buffalo,  and  there- 
upon recommended  him  for  Governor  of  the  Empire 
State.  To  the  latter  office  he  was  elected  in  1882, 
and  his  administration  of  the  affairs  of  State  was 
generally  satisfactory.  The  mistakes  he  made,  if 
any,  were  made  very  public  throughout  the  nation 
after  he  was  nominated  for  President  of  the  United 
States.  For  this  high  office  he  was  nominated  July 
n,  1884,  by  the  National  Democratic  Convention  at 
Chicago,  when  other  competitors  were  Thomas  F. 
Bayard,  Roswell  P.  Flower,  Thomas  A.  Hendricks, 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Allen  G.  Thurman,  etc.:  and  he 
was  elected  by  the  people,  by  a  majority  of  about  a 
thousand,  over  the  brilliant  and  long-tried  Repub- 
lican statesman,  James  G.  Elaine.  President  Cleve- 
land resigned  his  office  as  Governor  of  New  York  in 
January,  1885,  in  order  to  prepare  for  his  duties  as 
the  Chief  Executive  of  the  United  States,  in  which 
capacity  his  term  commenced  at  noon  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1885.  For  his  Cabinet  officers  he  selected 
the  following  gentlemen:  For  Secretary  of  State, 
Thomas  F.  Bayard,  of  Delaware ;  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  Daniel  Manning,  of  New  York  ;  Secretary 
of  War,  William  C.  Endicott,  of  Massachusetts ; 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  William  C.  Whitney,  of  New 
York ;  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar,  of 
Mississippi;  Postmaster-General,  William  F.  Vilas, 
of  Wisconsin ;  Attorney-General,  A.  H.  Garland,  of 
Arkansas. 

The  silver  question  precipitated  a  controversy  be- 
tween those  who  were  in  favor  of  the  continuance  of 
silver  coinage  and  those  who  were  opposed,  Mr. 
Cleveland  answering  for  the  latter,  even  before  his 
inauguration. 


r 


T 


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•^-•^ 


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f 


i    ,     -A-- 


2> 


T 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


HADRACH    BOND,   the   first 
Governor  of  Illinois  after  its 
organization  as  a  State,  serving 
from  1818  to  1822,  was  born  in 
Frederick  County,    Maryland, 
in    the   year    1773,   and    was 
raised  a  farmer  on  his  father's 
plantation,    receiving    only   a   plain 
English    education.      He   emigrated 
to  this  State  in  1794,  when  it  was  a 
part  of  the   "Northwest  Territory," 
continuing  in  the  vocation  in  which 
he  had  been  brought  up  in  his  native 
State,  in   the   "  New  Design,"  near 
Eagle  Creek,  in  what  is  now  Monroe 
County.     He  served  several  terms  as 
a  member  of  the  General  Assembly 
of  Indiana  Territory,  after  it  was  organized  as  such, 
and  in   1812-14  he  was  a  Delegate  to  the  Twelfth 
and  Thirteenth  Congresses,  taking  his  seat  Dec.  3, 
1812,  and  serving  until  Oct.  3,    1814.    These  were 
the  times,  the  reader  will  recollect,  when  this  Gov- 
ernment  had   its   last  struggle  with   Great  Britain. 
The  year  1812  is  also  noted  in  the   history  of  this 
State  as  that  in  which  the  first  Territorial  Legislature 
was  held.     It  convened  at  Kaskaskia,  Nov.  25,  and 
adjourned  Dec.  26,  following. 

While  serving  as  Delegate  to  Congress,  Mr.  Bond 
was  instrumental  in  procuring  the  right  of  pre-emp- 
tion on  the  public  domain.  On  the  expiration  of  his 
term  at  Washington  he  was  appointed  Receiver  of 
Public  Moneys  at  Kaskaskia,  then  the  capital  of  the 
Territory.  In  company  with  John  G.  Comyges, 


Thomas  H.  Harris,  Charles  Slade,  Michael  Jones, 
Warren  Brown,  Edward  Humphries  and  Charles  W. 
Hunter,  he  became  a  proprietor  of  the  site  of  the 
initial  city  of  Cairo,  which  they  hoped,  from  its  favor- 
able location  at  the  junction  of  the  two  great 
rivers  near  the  center  of  the  Great  West,  would 
rapidly  develop  into  a  metropolis.  To  aid  the  enter- 
prise, they  obtained  a  special  charter  from  the  Legis- 
lature, incorporating  both  the  City  and  the  Bank  of 
Cairo. 

In  1818  Mr.  Bond  was  elected  the  first  Governor 
of  the  State  of  Illinois,  being  inaugurated  Oct.  6,' 
that  year,  which  was  several  weeks  before  Illinois 
was  actually  admitted.  The  facts  are  these:  In 
January,  1818,  the  Territorial  Legislature  sent  a  peti- 
tion to  Congress  for  the  admission  of  Illinois  as  a 
State,  Nathaniel  Pope  being  then  Delegate.  The 
petition  was  granted,  fixing  the  northern  line  of  the 
State  on  the  latitude  of  the  southern  extremity  of 
Lake  Michigan;  but  the  bill  was  afterward  so.amend- 
ed  as  to  extend  this  line  to  its  present  latitude.  In 
July  a  convention  was  called  at  Kaskaskia  to  draft  a 
constitution,  which,  however,  was  not  submitted  to 
the  people.  By  its  provisions,  supreme  judges,  pros- 
ecuting attorneys,  county  and  circuit  judges,  record- 
ers and  justices  of  the  peace  were  all  to  be  appointed 
by  the  Governor  or  elected  by  the  Legislature.  This 
constitution  was  accepted  by  Congress  Dec.  30.  At 
that  time  Illinois  comprised  but  eleven  counties, 
namely,  Randolph,  Madison,  Gallatin,  Johnson, 
Pope,  Jackson,  Crawford,  Bond,  Union,  Washington 
and  Franklin,  the  northern  portion  of  the  State  be- 
ing mainly  in  Madison  County.  Thus  it  appears 
that  Mr.  Bond  was  honored  by  the  naming  of  a 


4 


112 


SHADRACH  BOND. 


county  before  he  was  elected  Governor.  The  present 
county  of  Bond  is  of  small  limitations,  about  60  to  80 
miles  south  of  Springfield.  For  Lieutenant  Governor 
the  people  chose  Pierre  Menard,  a  prominent  and 
worthy  Frenchman,  after  whom  a  county  in  this  State 
is  named.  In  this  election  there  were  no  opposition 
candidates,  as  the  popularity  of  these  men  had  made 
their  promotion  to  the  chief  offices  of  the  Slate,  even 
before  the  constitution  was  drafted,  a  foregone  con- 
clusion. 

The  principal  points  that  excited  the  people  in 
reference  to  political  issues  at  this  period  were  local 
or  "internal  improvements,"  as  they  were  called, 
State  banks,  location  of  the  capital,  slavery  and  the 
personal  characteristics  of  the  proposed  candidates. 
Mr.  Bond  represented  the  "  Convention  party,"  for 
introducing  slavery  into  the  State,  supported  by  Elias 
Kent  Kane,  his  Secretary  of  State,  and  John  Mc- 
Lean, while  Nathaniel  Pope  and  John  P.  Cook  led 
the  anti-slavery  element.  The  people,  however,  did 
not  become  very  much  excited  over  this  issue  until 
1820,  when  the  farrous  Missouri  Compromise  was 
adopted  by  Congress,  limiting  slavery  to  the  south 
of  the  parallel  of  36°  30'  except  in  Missouri.  While 
this  measure  settled  the  great  slavery  controversy, 
so  far  as  the  average  public  sentiment  was  tempor- 
arily concerned,  until  1854,  when  it  was  repealed 
under  the  leidership  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  the  issue 
as  considered  locally  in  this  State  was  not  decided 
until  1824,  after  a  most  furious  campaign.  (See 
sketch  of  Gov.  Coles.)  The  ticket,  of  1818  was  a 
compromise  one,  Bond  representing  (moderately)  the 
pro-slavery  sentiment  and  Menard  the  anti-slavery. 

An  awkward  element  in  the  State  government 
under  Gov.  Bond's  administration,  was  the  imperfec- 
tion of  the  State  constitution.  The  Convention 
wished  to  have  Elijah  C.  Berry  for  the  first  Auditor 
of  Public  Accounts,  but,  as  it  was  believed  that  the 
new  Governor  would  not  appoint  him  to  the  office, 
the  Convention  declared  in  a  schedule  that  "  an 
auditor  of  public  accounts,  an  attorney  general  and 
such  other  officers  of  the  State  as  may  be  necessary, 
may  be  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly."  The 
Constitution,  as  it  stood,  vested  a  very  large  appoint- 
ing power  in  the  Governor ;  but  for  the  purpose  of 
getting  one  man  into  qffice,  a  total  change  was  made, 
and  the  power  vested  in  the  Legislature.  Of  this 
provision  the  Legislature  took  advantage,  and  de- 


clared that  State's  attorneys,  canal  commissioners, 
bank  directors,  etc.,  were  all  "  officers  of  the  State  " 
and  must  therefore  be  appointed  by  itself  independ- 
ently of  the  Governor. 

During  Gov.  Bond's  administration  a  general  law 
was  passed  for  the  incorporation  of  academies  and 
towns,  and  one  authorizing  lotteries.  The  session  of 
1822  authorized  the  Governor  to  appoint  commis- 
sioners, to  act  in  conjunction  with  like  commissioners 
appointed  by  the  State  of  Indiana,  to  report  on  the 
practicability  and  expediency  of  improving  the  navi- 
gation of  the  VVabash  River;  also  inland  navigation 
generally.  Many  improvements  were  recommended, 
some  of  which  have  been  feebly  worked  at  even  till 
the  present  day,  those  along  the  Wabash  being  of  no 
value.  Also,  during  Gov.  Bond's  term  of  office,  the 
capital  of  the  State  was  removed  from  Kaskaskia  to 
Vandalia.  In  1820  a  law  was  passed  by  Congress 
authorizing  this  State  to  open  a  canal  through  the 
public  lands.  The  State  appointed  commissioners 
lo  explore  the  route  and  prepare  the  necessary  sur- 
veys and  estimates,  preparatory  to  its  execution; 
but,  being  unable  out  of  its  own  resources  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  undertaking,  it  was  abandoned 
until  some  time  after  Congress  made  the  grant  of 
land  for  the  purpose  of  its  construction. 

On  the  whole,  Gov.  Bond's  administration  was 
fairly  good,  not  being  open  to  severe  criticism  from 
any  party.  In  1824,  two  years  after  the  expiration 
of  bis  term  of  office,  he  was  brought  out  as  a  candi- 
date for  Congress  against  the  formidable  John  P. 
Cook,  but  received  only  4,374  votes  to  7,460  for  thj 
latter.  Gov.  Bond  was  no  orator,  but  had  made 
many  fast  friends  by  a  judicious  bestowment  of  his 
gubernatorial  patronage,  and  these  worked  zealously 
for  him  in  the  campaign. 

In  1827  ex-Gov.  Bond  was  appointed  by  the  Leg- 
islature, with  Wm.  P.  McKee  and  Dr.  Gershom 
Jayne,  as  Commissioners  to  locate  a  site  for  a  peni- 
tentiary on  the  Mississippi  at  or  near  Alton. 

Mr.  Bond  was  of  a  benevolent  and  convivial  dis- 
position, a  man  of  shrewd  observation  and  clear  ap- 
preciation of  events.  His  person  was  erect,  stand- 
ing six  feet  in  height,  and  after  middle  life  became 
portly,  weighing  200  pounds.  His  features  were 
strongly  masculine,  complexion  dark,  hair  jet  and 
eyes  hazel ;  was  a  favorite  with  the  ladies.  He  died 
April  1 1,  1830,  in  peace  and  contentment. 


•V 


t 


*-• 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Ebwarfc  Coles, 


DWARD  COLES,  second 
Governor  of  Illinois,  1823- 
6,  was  born  Dec.  15,  1786, 
in  Albemarle  Co.,  Va.,  on 
the  old  family  estate  called 
"Enniscorthy,"  on  the 
Green  Mountain.  His  fath- 
er, John  Coles,  was  a  Colonel  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  Having  been  fit- 
ted for  college  by  private  tutors,  he 
was  sent  to  Hampden  Sidney,  where 
he  remained  until  the  autumn  of  1805, 
when  he  was  removed  to  William  and 
Mary  College,  at  Williamsburg,  Va. 
This  college  he  left  in  the  summer  of 
1807,  a  short  time  before  the  final  and  graduating 
examination.  Among  his  classmates  were  Lieut. 
Gen.  Scott,  President  John  Tyler,  Wm.  S.  Archer, 
United  States  Senator  from  Virginia,  and  Justice 
Baldwin,  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court.  The 
President  of  the  latter  college,  Bishop  Madison,  was 
a  cousin  of  President  James  Madison,  and  that  cir- 
cumstance was  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Coles  becoming 
personally  acquainted  with  the  President  and  re- 
ceiving a  position  as  his  private  secretary,  1809-15. 
The  family  of  Coles  was  a  prominent  one  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  their  mansion  was  the  seat  of  the  old- 
fashioned  Virginian  hospitality.  It  was  visited  by 
such  notables  as  Patrick  Henry,  Jefferson,  Madison, 
Monroe,  the  Randolphs,  Tazewell,  Wirt,  etc.  At  the 
age  of  23,  young  Coles  found  himself  heir  to  a  plant- 
ation and  a  considerable  number  of  slaves.  Ever 
since  his  earlier  college  days  his  attention  had  been 
drawn  to  the  question  of  slavery.  He  read  every- 


thing  on  the  subject  that  came  in  his  way,  and 
listened  to  lectures  on  the  rights  of  man.  The  more 
he  reflected  upon  the  subject,  the  more  impossible 
was  it  for  him  to  reconcile  the  immortal  declaration 
"that  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal"  with  the 
practice  of  slave-holding.  He  resolved,  therefore,  to 
free  his  slaves  the  first  opportunity,  and  even  remove 
his  residence  to  a  free  State.  One  reason  which  de- 
termined him  to  accept  the  appointment  as  private 
secretary  to  Mr.  Madison  was  because  he  believed 
that  through  the  acquaintances  he  could  make  at 
Washington  he  could  better  determine  in  what  part 
of  the  non-slaveholding  portion  of  the  Union  he  would 
prefer  to  settle. 

The  relations  between  Mr.  Coles  and  President 
Madison,  as  well  as  Jefferson  and  other  distinguished 
men,  were  of  a  very  friendly  character,  arising  from 
the  similarity  of  their  views  on  the  question  of  slavery 
and  their  sympathy  for  each  other  in  holding  doc- 
trines so  much  at  variance  with  the  prevailing  senti- 
ment in  their  own  State. 

In  1857,  he  resigned  his  secretaryship  and  spent  a 
portion  of  the  following  autumn  in  exploring  the 
Northwest  Territory,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  a  lo- 
cation and  purchasing  lands  on  which  to  settle  his 
negroes.  He  traveled  with  a  horse  and  buggy,  with 
an  extra  man  and  horse  for  emergencies,  through 
many  parts  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Missouri, 
determining  finally  to  settle  in  Illinois.  At  this  time, 
however,  a  misunderstanding  arose  between  our 
Government  and  Russia,  and  Mr.  Coles  was  selected 
to  repair  to  St.  Petersburg  on  a  special  mission,  bear- 
ing important  papers  concerning  the  matter  at  issue. 
The  result  was  a  conviction  of  the  Emperor  (Alex- 


,  1 16 


EDWARD  COLES. 


ander)  of  the  error  committed  by  his  minister  at 
Washington,  and  the  consequent  withdrawal  of  the 
the  latter  from  the  post.  On  his  return,  Mr.  Coles 
visited  other  parts  of  Europe,  especially  Paris,  where 
he  was  introduced  to  Gen.  Lafayette. 

In  the  spring  of  1819,  he  removed  with  all  his 
negroes  from  Virginia  to  Edwardsville,  111.,  with  the 
intention  of  giving  them  their  liberty.  He  did  not 
make  known  to  them  his  intention  until  one  beautiful 
morning  in  April,  as  they  were  descending  the  Ohio 
River.  He  lashed  all  the  boats  together  and  called 
all  the  negroes  on  deck  and  made  them  a  short  ad- 
dress, concluding  his  remarks  by  so  expressing  him- 
self that  by  a  turn  of  a  sentence  he  proclaimed  in 
the  shortest  and  fullest  manner  that  they  were  no 
longer  slaves,  but  free  as  he  was  and  were  at  liberty 
to  proceed  with  him  or  go  ashore  at  their  pleas- 
ure. A  description  of  the  effect  upon  the  negroes  is 
best  desciibed  in  his  own  language  : 

"  The  effect  upon  them  was  electrical.  They  stared 
at  me  and  then  at  each  other,  as  if  doubting  the  ac- 
curacy or  reality  of  what  they  heard.  In  breathless 
silence  they  stood  before  me,  unable  to  utter  a  word, 
but  with  countenances  beaming  with  expression  which 
no  words  could  convey,  and  which  no  language 
can  describe.  As  they  began  to  see  the  truth  of 
what  they  had  heard,  and  realize  their  situation,  there 
came  on  a  kind  of  hysterical,  giggling  laugh.  After 
a  pause  of  intense  and  unutterable  emotion,  bathed 
in  tears,  and  with  tremulous  voices,  they  gave  vent  to 
their  gratitude  and  implored  the  blessing  of  God 
on  me." 

Before  landing  he  gave  them  a  general  certificate 
of  freedom,  and  afterward  conformed  more  particu- 
larly with  the  law  of  this  State  requiring  that  each 
individual  should  have  a  certificate.  This  act  of 
Mr.  Coles,  all  the  more  noble  and  heroic  considering 
the  overwhelming  pro-slavery  influences  surrounding 
him,  has  challenged  the  admiration  of  every  philan- 
thropist of  modern  times. 

March  5,  1819,  President  Monroe  appointed  Mr. 
Coles  Registrar  of  the  Land  Office  at'  Edwardsvihe, 
at  that  time  one  of  the  principal  land  offices  in  the 
State.  While  acting  in  this  capacity  and  gaining 
many  friends  by  his  politeness  and  general  intelli- 
gence, the  greatest  struggle  that  ever  occurred  in 
Illinois  on  the  slavery  question  culminated  in  the 
furious  contest  characterizing  the  campaigns  and 
elections  of  1822-4.  I'1  tne  summer  of  1823,  when  a 
new  Governor  was  to  be  elected  to  succeed  Mr. 
Bond,  the  pro-slavery  element  divided  into  factions, 
putting  forward  for  the  executive  office  Joseph 
Phillips,  Chief  Justice  of  the  State,  Thomas  C. 
Hrowne  and  Gen.  James  B.  Moore,  of  the  State  Mil- 
itia. The  anti-slavery  Clement  united  upon  Mr. 
Coles,  and,  after  one  of  the  most  bitter  campaigns, 
succeeded  in  electing  him  as  Governor.  His  plural- 
ity over  Judge  Phillips  was  only  59  in  a  total  vote  of 


over  8,000.  The  Lieutenant  Governor  was  elected 
by  the  slavery  men.  Mr.  Coles' inauguration  speech 
was  marked  by  calmness,  deliberation  and  such  a 
wise  expression  of  appropriate  suggestions  as  to 
elicit  the  sanction  of  all  judicious  politicians.  But 
he  compromised  not  with  evil.  In  his  message  to 
the  Legislature,  the  seat  of  Government  being  then 
at  Vandalia,  he  strongly  urged  the  abrogation  of  the 
modified  form  of  slavery  which  then  existed  in  this 
State,  contrary  to  the  Ordinance  of  1787.  His  posi- 
tion on  this  subject  seems  the  more  remarkable,  when 
it  is  considered  that  he  was  a  minority  Governor,  the 
population  of  Illinois  being  at  that  time  almost  ex- 
clusively from  slave-holding  States  and  by  a  large 
majority  in  favor  of  the  perpetuation  of  that  old  relic 
of  barbarism.  The  Legislature  itself  was,  of  course, 
a  reflex  of  the  popular  sentiment,  and  a  majority  ot 
them  were  led  on  by  fiery  men  in  denunciations  of 
the  conscientious  Governor,  and  in  curses  loud  and 
deep  upon  him  and  all  his  friends.  Some  of  the 
public  men,  indeed,  went  so  far  as  to  head  a  sort  of 
mob,  or  "  shiveree  "  party,  who  visited  the  residence 
of  the  Governor  and  others  at  Vandalia  and  yelled 
and  groaned  and  spat  fire. 

The  Constitution,  not  establishing  or  permitting 
slavery  in  this  State,  was  thought  therefore  to  be 
defective  by  the  slavery  politicians,  and  they  desired 
a  State  Convention  to  be  elected,  to  devise  and  sub- 
mit a  new  Constitution ;  and  the  dominant  politics 
of  the  day  was  "Convention"  and  "anti-Conven- 
tion." Both  parties  issued  addresses  to  the  people, 
Gov.  Coles  himself  being  the  author  of  the  address 
published  by  the  latter  party.  This  address  revealed 
the  schemes  of  the  conspirators  in  a  masterly  man- 
ner. It  is  difficult  for  us  at  this  distant  day  to  esti- 
mate the  critical  and  extremely  delicate  situation  in 
which  the  Governor  was  placed  at  that  time. 

Our  hero  maintained  himself  honorably  nnd  with 
supreme  dignity  throughout  his  administration,  and, 
in  his  honor  a  county  in  this  State  is  named.  He 
was  truly  a  great  man,  and  those  who  lived  in 
this  State  during  his  sojourn  here,  like  those  who 
live  at  the  base  of  the  mountain,  were  too  near  to  see 
and  recognize  the  greatness  that  overshadowed  them. 

Mr.  Coles  was  married  Nov.  28,  1833,  by  Bishop 
De  Lancey,  to  Miss  Sally  Logan  Roberts,  a  daughter 
of  Hugh  Roberts,  a  descendant  of  Welsh  ancestry, 
who  canii  to  this  country  with  Win.  Penn  in  1682. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  Gov. 
Coles  continued  his  residence  in  Edwardsville,  sup- 
erintending his  farm  in  the  vicinity.  He  was  fond 
of  agriculture,  and  was  the  founder  of  the  first  agri- 
cultural society  in  the  State.  On  account  of  ill 
health,  however,  and  having  no  family  to  tie  him 
down,  he  spent  much  of  his  time  in  Eastern  cities. 
About  1832  he  changed  his  residence  to  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  died  July  7,  1868,  and  is  buried  at 
Woodland,  near  that  city. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


\ 


INIAN  EDWARDS,  Governor 
from  1827  to  1830,  was  a  son 
of  Benjamin  Edwards,  and 
was  born  in  Montgomery 
^County,  Maryland,  in  March, 
1775.  His  domestic  train- 
ing was  well  fitted  to  give 
his  mind  strength,  firmness  and 
honorable  principles,  and  a  good 
foundation  was  laid  for  the  elevated 
character  to  which  he  afterwards 
attained.  His  parents  were  Bap- 
tists, and  very  strict  in  their  moral 
principles.  His  education  in  early 
youth  was  in  company  with  and 
partly  under  the  tuition  of  Hon.  Wm. 
Wirt,  whom  his  father  patronized, 
and  who  was  more  than  two  years 
older.  An  intimacy  was  thus 
formed  between  them  which  was  lasting  for  life.  He 
was  further  educated  at  Dickinson  College,  at  Car- 
lisle, Pa.  He  next  commenced  the  study  of  law,  but 
before  completing  his  course  he  moved  to  Nelson 
County,  Ky.,  to  open  a  farm  for  his  father  and  to 
purchase  homes  and  locate  lands  for  his  brothers  and 
sisters.  Here  he  fell  in  the  company  of  dissolute 
companions,  and  for  several  years  led  the  life  of  a 
spendthrift.  He  was,  however,  elected  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  Kentucky  as  the  Representative  of  Nelson 
bounty  before  he  was  21  years  of  age,  and  was  re- 
elected  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote. 


In  1798  he  was  licensed  to  practice  law,  and  the 
following  year  was  admitted  to  the  Courts  of  Tennes- 
see. About  this  time  he  left  Nelson  County  for 
Russellville,  in  Logan  County,  broke  away  from  his 
dissolute  companions,  commenced  a  reformation  and 
devoted  himself  to  severe  and  laborious  study.  He 
then  began  to  rise  rapidly  in  his  profession,  and  soon 
became  an  eminent  lawyer,  and  inside  of  four  years 
he  filled  in  succession  the  offices  of  Presiding  Judge 
of  the  General  Court,  Circuit  Judge,  fourth  Judge  of 
the  Court  of  Appeals  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  State, 
— all  before  he  was  32  years  of  age!  In  addition,  in 
1802,  he  received  a  commission  as  Major  of  a  battal- 
ion of  Kentucky  militia,  and  in  1804  was  chosen  a 
Presidential  Elector,  on  the  Jefferson  and  Clinton 
ticket.  In  1806  he  was  a  candidate  for  Congress, 
but  withdrew  on  being  promoted  to  the  Court  of 
Appeals. 

Illinois  was  organized  as  a  separate  Territory  in 
the  spring  of  1809,  when  Mr.  Edwards,  then  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  Kentucky,  received 
from  President  Madison  the  appointment  .as  Gover- 
nor of  the  new  Territory,  his  commission  bearing  date 
April  24,  1809.  Edwards  arrived  at  Kaskaskia  in 
June,  and  on  the  t  ith  of  that  month  took  the  oath  of 
office.  At  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  Superin- 
tendent of  the  United  States  Saline,  this  Government 
interest  then  developing  into  considerable  proportions 
in  Southern  Illinois.  Although  during  the  first  three 
years  of  his  administration  he  had  the  power  to  make 
new  counties  and  appoint  all  the  officers,  yet  he  always 
allowed  the  people  of  each  county,  by  an  informal 

1 «S>- 


L 


t 


120 


NINIAN  ED  WARDS. 


vote,  to  select  their  own  officers,  both  civil  and  mili- 
tary. The  noted  John  J.  Crittenden,  afterward 
United  States  Senator  from  Kentucky,  was  appointed 
by  Gev.  Edwards  to  the  office  of  Attorney  General  of 
the  Territory,  which  office  was  accepted  for  a  short 
time  only. 

The  Indians  in  1810  committing  sundry  depreda- 
tions in  the  Territory,  crossing  the  Mississippi  from 
the  Territory  of  Louisiana,  a  long  correspondence  fol- 
lowed between  the  respective  Governors  concerning 
the  remedies,  which  ended  in  a  council  with  the  sav- 
ages at  Peoria  in  1812,  and  a  fresh  interpretation  of 
the  treaties.  Peoria  was  depopulated  by  these  de- 
predations, and  was  not  re-settled  for  many  .years 
afterward. 

As  Gov.  Edwards'  term  of  office  expired  by  law  in 
1812,  he  was  re-appointed  for  another  term  of  three 
years,  and  again  in  1815  for  a  third  term,  serving 
until  the  organization  of  the  State  in  the  fall  of  1818 
and  the  inauguration  of  Gov.  Bond.  At  this  time 
ex-Gov.  Edwards  was  sent  to  the  United  States 
Senate,  his  colleague  being  Jesse  B.  Thomas.  As 
Senator,  Mr.  Edwards  took  a  conspicuous  part,  and 
acquitted  himself  honorably  in  all  the  measures  that 
came  up  in  that  body,  being  well  posted,  an  able  de- 
bater and  a  conscientious  statesman.  He  thought 
seriously  of  resigning  this  situation  in  1821,  but  was 
persuaded  by  his  old  friend,  Wm.  Wirt,  and  others  to 
continue  in  office,  which  he  did  to  the  end  of  the 
term. 

He  was  then  appointed  Minister  to  Mexico  by 
President  Monroe.  About  this  time,  it  appears  that 
Mr.  Edwards  saw  suspicious  signs  in  the  conduct  of 
Wm.  H.  Crawford,  Secretary  of  the  United  States 
Treasury,  and  an  ambitious  candidate  for  the  Presi- 
dency, and  being  implicated  by  the  latter  in  some  of 
his  statements,  he  resigned  his  Mexican  mission  in 
order  fully  to  investigate  the  charges.  The  result 
was  the  exculpation  of  Mr.  Edwards. 

Pro-slavery  regulations,  often  termed  "Black  Laws," 
disgraced  the  statute  books  of  both  the  Territory  and 
the  State  of  Illinois  during  the  whole  of  his  career  in 
this  commonwealth,  and  Mr.  Edwards  always  main- 
tained the  doctrines  of  freedom,  and  was  an  important 
actor  in  the  great  struggle  which  ended  in  a  victory 
for  his  party  in  1824. 

In  1826-7  the  Winnebago  and  other  Indians  com- 
mitted some  depredations  in  the  northern  part  of  the 


State,  and  the  white  settlers,  who  desired  the  lands 
and  wished  to  exasperate  the  savages  into  an  evacu- 
ation of  the  country,  magnified  the  misdemeanors  of 
the  aborigines  and  thereby  produced  a  hostility  be- 
tween the  races  so  great  as  to  precipitate  a  little  war, 
known  in  history  as  the  "Winnebago  War."  A  few 
chases  and  skirmishes  were  had,  when  Gen.  Atkinson 
succeeded  in  capturing  Red  Bird,  the  Indian  chief, 
and  putting  him  to  death,  thus  ending  the  contest,  at 
least  until  the  troubles  commenced  which  ended  in 
the  "  Black  Hawk  War  "  of  1832.  In  the  interpre- 
tation of  treaties  and  execution  of  their  provisions 
Gov.  Edwards  had  much  vexatious  work  to  do.  The 
Indians  kept  themselves  generally  within  the  juris- 
diction of  Michigan  Territory,  and  its  Governor, 
Lewis  Cass,  was  at  a  point  so  remote  that  ready  cor- 
respondence with  him  was  difficult  or  impossible. 
Gov.  Edwards'  administration,  however,  in  regard  to 
the  protection  of  the  Illinois  frontier,  seems  to  have 
been  very  efficient  and  satisfactory. 

For  a  considerable  portion  of  his  time  after  his  re- 
moval to  Illinois,  Gov.  Edwards  resided  upon  his 
farm  near  Kaskaskia,  which  he  had  well  stocked  with 
horses,  cattle  and  sheep  from  Kentucky,  also  with 
fruit-trees,  grape-vines  and  shrubbery.  He  estab- 
lished saw  and  grist-mills,  and  engaged  extensively 
in  mercantile  business,  having  no  less  than  eight  or  ten 
stores  in  this  State  and  Missouri.  Notwithstanding 
the  arduous  duties  of  his  office,  he  nearly  always  pur- 
chased the  goods  himself  with  which  to  supply  the 
stores.  Although  not  a  regular  practitioner  of  medi- 
cine, he  studied  the  healing  art  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent, and  took  great  pleasure  in  prescribing  for,  and 
taking  care  of,  the  sick,  generally  without  charge. 
He  was  also  liberal  to  the  poor,  several  widows  and 
ministers  of  the  gospel  becoming  indebted  to  him 
even  for  their  homes. 

He  married  Miss  Elvira  Lane,  of  Maryland,  in 
1803,  and  they  became  the  affectionate  parents  of 
several  children,  one  of  whom,  especially,  is  well 
known  to  the  people  of  the  "  Prairie  State,"  namely, 
Ninian  Wirt  Edwards,  once  the  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction  and  still  a  resident  of  Springfield. 
Gov.  Edwards  resided  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Kas- 
kaskia from  180910  1818;  in  Edwardsville  (named 
after  him)  from  that  time  to  1824;  and  from  the  lat- 
ter date  at  Belleville,  St.  Clair  County,  until  his 
death,  July  20,  1833,  of  Asiatic  cholera.  Edwards 
County  is  also  named  in  his  honor. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


123 


rt* 


IOHN  REYNOLDS,  Governor  1831- 
4>  was  born  in  Montgomery  Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania,  Feb.  26,  1788. 
His  father,  Robert  Reynolds  and 
his  mother,  nee  Margaret  Moore, 
were  both  natives  of  Ireland,  from 
which  country  they  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1785,  land- 
ing at  Philadelphia.     The  senior 
Reynolds  entertained  an  undying 
hostility  to   the   British   Govern- 
ment.    When  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  about  six  months  old, 
his  parents  emigrated  with  him  to 
Tennessee,  where  many  of  their 
relatives  had    already  located,  at   the   base  of  the 
Copper  Ridge  Mountain,  about  14  miles  northeast  of 
the  present  city  of  Knoxville.     There  they  were  ex- 
posed to  Indian  depredations,  and  were  much  molest- 
ed by  them.     In  1794  they  moved  into  the  interior 
of  the  State.     They  were  poor,  and  brought  up  their 
children  to  habits  of  manual  industry. 

In  1800  the  family  removed  to  Kaskaskia,  111.,  with 
eight  horses  and  two  wagons,  encountering  many 
hardships  on  the  way.  Here  young  Reynolds  passed 
the  most  of  his  childhood,  while  his  character  began 
to  develop,  the  most  prominent  traits  of  which  were 
ambition  and  energy.  He  also  adopted  the  principle 
and  practice  of  total  abstinence  from  intoxicating 
liquors.  In  1807  the  family  made  another  removal, 


this  time  to  the  "  Goshen  Settlement,"  at  the  foot  of 
the  Mississippi  bluffs  three  or  four  miles  southwest 
of  Edvvardsville. 

On  arriving  at  his  2oth  year,  Mr.  Reynolds,  seeing 
that  he  must  look  about  for  his  own  livelihood  and 
not  yet  having  determined  what  calling  to  pursue, 
concluded  first  to  attend  college,  and  he  accordingly 
went  to  such  an  institution  of  learning,  near  Knox- 
ville, Tenn.,  where  he  had  relatives.  Imagine  his 
diffidence,  when,  after  passing  the  first  20  years  of 
his  life  without  ever  having  seen  a  carpet,  a  papered 
wall  or  a  Windsor  chair,  and  never  having  lived  in  a 
shingle-roofed  house,  he  suddenly  ushered  himself 
into  the  society  of  the  wealthy  in  the  vicinity  of 
Knoxville!  He  attended  college  nearly  two  years, 
going  through  the  principal  Latin  authors;  but  it 
seems  that  he,  like  the  rest  of  the  world  in  modern 
times,  had  but  very  little  use  for  his  Latin  in  after 
life.  He  always  failed,  indeed,  to  exhibit  any  good 
degree  of  literary  discipline.  He  commenced  the 
study  of  law  in  Knoxville,  but  a  pulmonary  trouble 
came  on  and  compelled  him  to  change  his  mode 
of  life.  Accordingly  he  returned  home  and  re- 
cuperated, and  in  1812  resumed  his  college  and 
law  studies  at  Knoxville.  In  the  fall  of  1812  he  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  at  Kaskaskia.  About  this  time 
he  also  learned  the  French  language,  which  he 
practiced  with  pleasure  in  conversation  with  his 
family  for  many  years.  He  regarded  this  language 
as  being  superior  to  all  others  for  social  intercourse. 


t. 


t 


124 


JOHN  REYNOLDS. 


From  his  services  in  the  West,  in  the  war  of  1812, 
he  obtained  the  sobriquet  of  the  "  Old  Ranger."  He 
was  Orderly  Sergeant,  then  Judge  Advocate. 

Mr.  Reynolds  opened  his  first  law  office  in  the 
winter  and  spring  of  1814,  in  the  French  village  of 
Cahokia,  then  the  capital  of  St.  Clair  County. 

In  the  fall  of  1818  he  was  elected  an  Associate 
Justice  upon  the  Supreme  Bench  by  the  General 
Assembly.  In  1825  he  entered  more  earnestly  than 
ever  into  the  practice  of  law,  and  the  very  next  year 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  where  he 
acted  independently  of  all  cliques  and  private  inter- 
ests. In  1828  the  Whigs  and  Democrats  were  for 
the  first  time  distinctively  organized  as  such  in  Illi- 
nois, and  the  usual  party  bitterness  grew  up  and 
raged  on  all  sides,  while  Mr.  Reynolds  preserved  a 
judicial  calmness  and  moderation.  The  real  animus 
of  the  campaign  was  "  Jackson  "  and  "  anti-Jackson," 
the  former  party  carrying  the  State. 

In  August,  1830,  Mr.  Reynolds  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor, amid  great  excitement.  Installed  in  office,  he 
did  all  within  his  power  to  advance  the  cause  of  edu- 
cation, internal  improvements,  the  Illinois  &  Mich- 
igan Canal,  the  harbor  at  Chicago,  settling  the  coun- 
try, etc.;  also  recc  mmended  the  winding  up  of  the 
State  Bank,  as  its  affairs  had  become  dangerously 
complicated.  In  his  national  politics,  he  was  a 
moderate  supporter  of  General  Jackson.  But  the 
most  celebrated  event  of  his  gubernatorial  admin- 
istration was  the  Black'  Hawk  War,  which  occurred 
in  1832.  He  called  out  the  militia  and  prosecuted 
the  contest  with  commendable  diligence,  appearing 
in  person  on  the  battle-grounds  during  the  most 
critical  periods.  He  was  recognized  by  the  President 
as  Major-General,  and  authorized  by  him  to  make 
treaties  with  the  Indians.  By  the  assistance  of  the 
general  Government  the  war  was  terminated  without 
much  bloodshed,  but  after  many  serious  fights.  This 
war,  as  well  as  everything  else,  was  materially  re- 
tarded by  the  occurrence  of  Asiatic  cholera  in  the 
West.  This  was  its  first  appearance  here,  and  was 
the  next  event  in  prominence  during  Gov.  Reynolds' 
term. 

South  Carolina  nullification  coming  up  at  this  time, 
it  was  heartily  condemned  by  both  President  Jackson 
and  Gov.  Reynolds,  who  took  precisely  the  same 
grounds  as  the  Unionists  in  the  last  war. 

On  the  termination  of  his  gubernatorial  term  in 
1834,  Gov.  Reynolds  was  elected  a  Member  of  Con- 
gress, still  considering  himself  a  backwoodsman,  as 
he  had  scarcely  been  outside  of  the  State  since  he 
became  of  age,  and  had  spent  nearly  all  his  youthful 
days  in  the  wildest  region  of  the  frontier.  His  first 
move  in  Congress  was  to  adopt  a  resolution  that  in 
all  elections  made  by^he  House  for  officers  the  votes 
should  be  given  viva  voce,  each  member  in  his  place 
naming  aloud  the  person  for  whom  he  votes.  This 
created  considerable  heated  discussion,  but  was  es- 


sentially adopted,  and  remained  the  controlling  prin- 
ciple for  many  years.  The  ex-Governor  was  scarcely 
absent  from  his  seat  a  single  day,  during  eight  ses- 
sions of  Congress,  covering  a  period  of  seven  years, 
and  he  never  vacillated  in  a  party  vote;  but  he  failed 
to  get  the  Democratic  party  to  foster  his  "  National 
Road  "  scheme.  He  says,  in  "  My  Own  Times  "  (a 
large  autobiography  he  published),  that  it  was  only 
by  rigid  economy  that  he  avoided  insolvency  while  in 
Washington.  During  his  sojourn  in  that  city  he  was 
married,  to  a  lady  of  the  place. 

In  1837,  while  out  of  Congress,  and  in  company 
with  a  few  others,  he  built  the  first  railroad  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  namely,  one  about  six  miles  long, 
leading  from  his  coal  mine  in  the  Mississippi  bluff  to 
the  bank  of  the  river  opposite  St.  Louis.  Having  not 
the  means  to  purchase  a  locomotive,  they  operated  it 
by  horse-power.  The  next  spring,  however,  the  com- 
pany sold  out,  at  great  sacrifice. 

In  1839  the  ex-Governor  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Canal  Commissioners,  and  authorized  to  borrow 
money  to  prosecute  the  enterprise.  Accord'ngly,  he 
repaired  to  Philadelphia  and  succeeding  in  obtaining 
a  million  dollars,  which,  however,  was  only  a  fourth 
of  what  was  wanted.  The  same  year  he  and  his 
wife  made  at  our  of  Europe.  This  year,  also,  Mr. 
Reynolds  had  the  rather  awkward  little  responsibility 
of  introducing  to  President  Van  Buren  the  noted 
Mormon  Prophet,  Joseph  Smith,  as  a  "  Latter-Day 
Saint!" 

In  1846  Gov.  Reynolds  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Legislature  from  St.  Clair  County,  more  particu- 
larly for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  feasible  charter 
for  a  macadamized  road  from  Belleville  to  St.  Louis, 
a  distance1  of  nearly  14  miles.  This  was  immediately 
built,  and  was  the  first  road  of  the  kind  in  the  State. 
He  was  again  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1852,  when 
he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House.  In  1860,  aged 
and  infirm,  he  attended  the  National  Democratic 
Convention  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  as  an  anti-Douglas 
Delegate,  where  he  received  more  attention  from  the 
Southern  Delegates  than  any  other  member.  He 
supported  Breckenridge  for  the  Presidency.  After 
the  October  elections  foreshadowed  the  success  of 
Lincoln,  he  published  an  address  urging  the  Demo- 
crats to  rally  to  the  support  of  Douglas.  Immedi- 
ately preceding  and  during  the  late  war,  his  corre- 
spondence evinced  a  clear  sympathy  for  the  Southern 
secession,  and  about  the  first  of  March,  1861,  he 
urged  upon  the  Buchanan  officials  the  seizure  of  the 
treasure  and  arms  in  the  custom-house  and  arsenal 
at  St.  Louis.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  a  rather  talkative 
man,  and  apt  in  all  the  Western  phrases  and  catch- 
words that  ever  gained  currency,  besides  many  cun- 
ning and  odd  ones  of  his  own  manufacture. 

He  was  married  twice,  but  had  no  children.  He 
died  in  Belleville,  in  May,  1865,  just  after  the  close 
of  the  war. 


- 


+^m^+ 


t 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


127 


ILLIAM  LEE  D.  EWING, 
Governor  of  Illinois  Nov.  3 
to  17,  1834,  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  probably 
of  Scotch  ancestry.  He  had 
a  fine  education,  was  a  gentle- 
man of  polished  manners  and 
refined  sentiment.  In  1830  John  Rey- 
nolds was  elected  Governor  of  the  State, 
and  Zadok  Casey  Lieutenant  Governor, 
and  for  the  principal  events  that  followed, 
and  the  characteristics  of  the  times,  see 
sketch  of  Gov.  Reynolds.  The  first  we 
see  in  history  concerning  Mr.  Ewing,  in- 
forms us  that  he  was  a  Receiver  of  Public 
Moneys  at  Vandalia  soon  after  the  organization  of 
this  State,  and  that  the  public  moneys  in  his  hands 
were  deposited  in  various  banks,  as  they  are  usually 
at  the  present  day.  In  1823  the  State  Bank  was 
robbed,  by  which  disaster  Mr.  Ewing  lost  a  thousand- 
dollar  deposit. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  had  a  commission  as 
Colonel  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and  in  emergencies 
he  acted  also  as  Major.  In  the  summer  of  1832, 
when  it  was  rumored  among  the  whites  that  Black 
Hawk  and  his  men  had  encamped  somewhere  on 
Rock  River,  Gen.  Henry  was  sent  on  a  tour  of 
reconnoisance,  and  with  orders  to  drive  the  Indians 
from  the  State.  After  some  opposition  from  his 
subordinate  officers,  Henry  resolved  to  proceed  up 
Rock  River  in  search  of  the  enemy.  On  the  igth  of 
July,  early  in  the  morning,  five  baggage  wagons, 


camp  equipage  and  all  heavy  and  cumbersome  arti- 
cles were  piled  up  and  left,  so  that  the  army  might 
make  speedy  and  forced  marches.  For  some  miles 
the  travel  was  exceedingly  bad,  crossing  swamps 
and  the  worst  thickets ;  but  the  large,  fresh  trail 
gave  life  and  animation  to  the  Americans.  Gen. 
Dodge  and  Col.  Ewing  were  both  acting  as  Majors, 
and  composed  the  "  spy  corps  "  or  vanguard  of  the 
army.  It  is  supposed  the  army  marched  nearly  50 
miles  this  day,  and  the  Indian  trail  they  followed 
became  fresher,  and  was  strewed  with  much  property 
and  trinkets  of  the  red-skins  that  they  had  lost  or 
thrown  away  to  hasten  their  march.  During  the 
following  night  there  was  a  terrific  thunder-storm,  and 
the  soldiery,  with  all  their  appurtenances,  were  thor- 
oughly drenched. 

On  approaching  nearer  the  Indians  the  next  day. 
Gen.  Dodge  and  Major  Ewing,  each  commanding  a 
battalion  of  men,  were  placed  in  front  to  bring  on  the 
battle,  but  the  savages  were  not  overtaken  this  day 
Forced  marches  were  continued  until  they  reached. 
Wisconsin  River,  where  a  veritable  battle  ensued, 
resulting  in  the  death  of  about  68  of  Black  Hawk's 
men.  The  next  day  they  continued  the  chase,  and 
as  soon  as  he  discovered  the  trail  of  the  Indians 
leading  toward  the  Mississippi,  Maj.  Ewing  formed 
his  battalion  in  order  of  battle  and  awaited  the  order 
of  Gen.  Henry.  The  latter  soon  appeared  on  the 
ground  and  ordered  a  charge,  which  directly  resulted 
in  chasing  the  red  warriors  across  the  great  river. 
Maj.  Ewing  and  his  command  proved  particularly 
efficient  in  war,  as  it  seems  they  were  the  chief  actors 
in  driving  the  main  body  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  in- 


* 


r 


T 


WILLIAM  L.  D.  EWING. 


eluding  Black  Hawk  himself,  across  the  Mississippi, 
while  Gen.  Atkinson,  commander-in-chief  of  the  ex- 
pedition, with  a  body  of  the  army,  was  hunting  for 
them  in  another  direction. 

In  the  above  affair  Maj.  Ewing  is  often  referred  to 
as  a  "  General,"  which  title  he  had  derived  from  his 
connection  with  the  militia. 

It  was  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year  (1832) 
that  Lieutenant  Governor  Casey  was  elected  to  Con- 
gress and  Gen.  Ewing,  who  had  been  elected  to  the 
Senate,  was  chosen  to  preside  over  that  body.  At 
the  August  election  of  1834,  Gov.  Reynolds  was  also 
elected  to  Congress,  more  than  a  year  ahead  of  the 
time  at  which  he  could  actually  take  his  seat,  as  was 
then  the  law.  His  predecessor,  Charles  Slade,  had 
just  died  of  Asiatic  cholera,  soon  after  the  elec- 
tion, and  Gov.  Reynolds  was  chosen  to  serve  out  his 
unexpired  term.  Accordingly  he  set  out  for  Wash- 
ington in  November  of  that  year  to  take  his  seat  in 
Congress,  and  Gen.  Ewing,  by  virtue  of  his  office  as 
President  of  the  Senate,  became  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  his  term  covering  only  a  period  of 
15  days,  namely,  from  the  3d  to  the  i;th  days,  in- 
clusive, of  November.  On  the  ryth  the  Legislature 
met,  and  Gov.  Ewing  transmitted  to  that  body  his 
message,  giving  a  statement  of  the  condition  of  the 
affairs  of  the  State  at  that  time,  and  urging  a  contin- 
uance of  the  policy  adopted  by  his  predecessor ;  and 
on  the  same  day  Governor  elect  Joseph  Duncan 
was  sworn  into  office,  thus  relieving  Mr.  Ewing  from 


the  responsible  situation.  This  is  the  only  time  that 
such  a  juncture  has  happened  in  the  history  of  Illi- 
nois. 

On  the  2pth  of  December,  1835,  Gen.  Ewing  was 
elected  a  United  States  Senator  to  serve  out  the 
unexpired  term  of  Elias  Kent  Kane,  deceased.  The 
latter  gentleman  was  a  very  prominent  figure  in  the 
early  politics  of  Illinois,  and  a  county  in  this  State  is 
named  in  his  honor.  The  election  of  Gen.  Ewing  to 
the  Senate  was  a  protracted  struggle.  His  competi- 
tors were  James  Semple,  who  afterwards  held  several 
important  offices  in  this  State,  and  Richard  M. 
Young,  afterward  a  United  States  Senator  and  a 
Supreme  Judge  and  a  man  of  vast  influence.  On 
the  first  ballot  Mr.  Semple  had  25  votes,  Young  19 
and  Ewing  18.  On  the  eighth  ballot  Young  was 
dropped ;  the  ninth  and  tenth  stood  a  tie ;  but  on 
the  1 2th  Ewing  received  40,  to  Semple  37,  and  was 
accordingly  declared  elected.  In  1837  Mr.  Ewing 
received  some  votes  for  a  continuance  of  his  term  in 
Congress,  when  Mr.  Young,  just  referred  to,  was 
elected.  In  1842  Mr.  Ewing  was  elected  State 
Auditor  on  the  ticket  with  Gov.  Ford. 

Gen.  Ewing  was  a  gentleman  of  culture,  a  lawyer 
by  profession,  and  was  much  in  public  life.  In  person 
he  was  above  medium  height  and  of  heavy  build, 
with  auburn  hair,  blue  eyes,  large-sized  head  and 
short  face.  He  was  genial,  social,  friendly  and 
affable,  with  fair  talent,  though  of  no  high  degree  of 
originality.  He  died  March  25,  1846. 


M 


: 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


he 


OSEPH  DUNCAN,  Governor 
1834-8,  was   born   at   Paris, 
Ky.,  Feb.  23,  1794.     At  the 
tender  age  of  19  years  he  en- 
listed in  the  war  against  Great 
Britain,   and  as  a  soldier  he 
acquitted  himself  with  credit.  He 
was  an  Ensign  under  the  daunt- 
less Croghan  at  Lower  Sandusky, 
or  Fort  Stephenson.     In  Illinois 
first  appeared  in  a  public  capa- 
as  Major-General  of  the  Militia, 


city 

a  position  which  his  military  fame 
had  procured  him.  Subsequently 
he  became  a  State  Senator  from 
Jackson  County,  and  is  honorably 
mentioned  for  introducing  the  first  bill  providing  for 
a  free-school  system.  In  1826,  when  the  redoubt- 
able John  P.  Cook,  who  had  previously  beaten  such 
men  as  John  McLean,  Elias  Kent  Kane  and  ex- 
Gov.  Bond,  came  up  for  the  fourth  time  for  Congress, 
Mr.  Duncan  was  brought  forward  against  him  by  his 
friends,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  all  the  politicians. 
As  yet  he  was  but  little  known  in  the  State.  He  was 
an  original  Jackson  man  at  that  time,  being  attached 
to  his  political  fortune  in  admiration  of  the  glory  of 
his  militaiy,  achievements.  His  chances  of  success 
against  Cook  were  generally  regarded  as  hopeless, 
but  he  entered  upon  the  campaign  undaunted.  His 
speeches,  though  short  and  devoid  of  ornament,  were 
full  of  good  sense.  He  made  a  diligent  canvass  of 
the  State,  Mr.  Cook  being  hindered  by  the  condition  of 
his  health.  The  most  that  was  expected  of  Mr. 
'  Duncan,  under  the  circumstances,  was  that  he  would 


LJj  ~ 
I 


obtain  a  respectable  vote,  but  without  defeating  Mr. 
Cook.  The  result  of  the  campaign,  however,  was  a 
source  of  surprise  and  amazement  to  both  friends 
and  foes,  as  Mr.  Duncan  came  out  641  votes  ahead! 
He  received  6,321  votes,  and  Mr.  Cook  5,680.  Un- 
til this  denouement,  the  violence  of  party  feeling 
smoldering  in  the  breasts  of  the  people  on  account 
of  the  defeat  of  Jackson,  was  not  duly  appreciated. 
Aside  from  the  great  convention  struggle  of  1824,  no 
other  than  mere  local  and  penonal  considerations 
had  ever  before  controlled  an  election  in  Illinois. 

From  the  above  date  Mr,  Duncan  retained  his 
seat  in  Congress  until  his  election  as  Governor  in 
August,  1834.  The  first  and  bloodless  year  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Rey- 
nolds to  the  position  of  Brigadier-General  of  the 
volunteers,  and  he  conducted  his  brigade  to  Rock 
Island.  But  he  was  absent  from  the  State,  in  Wash- 
ington, during  the  gubernatorial  campaign,  and  did 
not  personally  participate  in  it,  but  addressed  circu- 
lars to  his  constituents.  His  election  was,  indeed, 
attributed  to  the  circumstance  of  his  absence,  be- 
cause his  estrangement  from  Jackson,  formerly  his 
political  idol,  and  also  from  the  Democracy,  largely 
in  ascendency  in  the  State,  was  complete;  but  while 
his  defection  was  well  known  to  his  Whig  friends, 
and  even  to  the  leading  Jackson  men  of  this  State, 
the  latter  were  unable  to  carry  conviction  of  that  fact 
to  the  masses,  as  mail  and  newspaper  facilities  at 
that  day  were  far  inferior  to  those  of  the  present 
time.  Of  course  the  Governor  was  much  abused 
afterward  by  the  fossilized  Jackson  men  who  re- 
garded party  ties  and  affiliations  as  above  all 
other  issues  that  could  arise ;  but  he  was  doubtless 


f 


132 


JOSEPH  DUNCAN. 


sincere  in  his  opposition  to  the  old  hero,  as  the  latter 
had  vetoed  several  important  western  measures 
which  were  dear  to  Mr.  Duncan.  In  his  inaugural 
message  he  threw  off  the  mask  and  took  a  bold  stand 
against  the  course  of  the  President.  The  measures 
he  recommended  in  his  message,  however,  were  so 
desirable  that  the  Legislature,  although  by  a  large 
majority  consisting  of  Jackson  men,  could  not  refrain 
from  endorsing  them.  These  measures  related 
mainly  to  banks  and  internal  improvements. 

It  was  while  Mr.  Duncan  was  Governor  that  the 
people  of  Illinois  went  whirling  on  with  bank  and  in- 
ternal improvement  schemes  that  well  nigh  bank- 
rupted the  State.  The  hard  times  of  1837  came  on, 
and  the  disasters  that  attended  the  inauguration  of 
these  plans  and  the  operation  of  the  banks  were  mu- 
tually charged  upon  the  two  political  parties.  Had 
any  one  man  autocratic  power  to  introduce  and 
carry  on  any  one  of  these  measures,  he  would  proba- 
bly have  succeeded  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  public ; 
but  as  many  jealous  men  had  hold  of  the  same  plow 
handle,  no  success  followed  and  each  blamed  the  other 
for  the  failure.  In  this  great  vortex  Gov.  Duncan 
was  carried  along,  suffering  the  like  derogation  of 
character  with  his  fellow  citizens. 

At  the  height  of  the  excitement  the  Legislature 
"provided  for"  railroads  from  Galena  to  Cairo,  Alton 
to  Shawneetown,  Alton  to  Mount  Carmel,  Alton  to  the 
eastern  boundary  of  the  State  in  the  direction  of 
Terre  Haute,  Quincy  via  Springfield  to  the  Wabash, 
Bloomington  to  Pekin,  and  Peoria  to  Warsaw, — in  all 
about  1,300  miles  of  road.  It  also  provided  for  the 
improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Kaskaskia, 
Illinois,  Great  and  Little  Wabash  and  Rock  Rivers  ; 
also  as  a  placebo,  $200,000  in  money  were  to  be  dis- 
tributed to  the  various  counties  wherein  no  improve- 
ments were  ordered  to  be  made  as  above.  The 
estimate  for  the  expenses  for  all  these  projects  was 
placed  at  a  little  over  $10,000,000,  which  was  not 
more  than  half  enough !  That  would  now  be  equal  to 
saddling  upon  the  State  a  debt  of  $225,000,000!  It 
was  sufficient  to  bankrupt  the  State  several  times 
over,  even  counting  all  the  possible  benefits. 

One  of  the  most  exciting  events  that  ever  occurred 
in  this  fair  State  was  the  murder  of  Elijah  P.  Love- 
joy  in  the  falLjof  1837,  at  Alton,  during  Mr.  Duncan's 
term  as  Governor.  Lovejoy  was  an  "  Abolitionist," 
editing  the  Observer  at  that  place,  and  the  pro- 
slavery  slums  there  formed  themselves  into  a  mob, 


and  after  destroying  successively  three  presses  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Lovejoy,  surrounded  the  warehouse 
where  the  fourth  press  was  stored  away,  endeavoring 
to  destroy  it,  and  where  Lovejoy  and  his  friends 
were  entrenching  themselves,  and  shot  and  killed  the 
brave  reformer ! 

About  this  time,  also,  the  question  of  removing  the 
State  capital  again  came  up,  as  the  20  years'  limit  for 
its  existence  at  Vandalia  was  drawing  to  a  close. 
There  was,  of  course,  considerable  excitement  over 
the  matter,  the  two  main  points  competing  for  it  be- 
ing Springfield  and  Peoria.  The  jealousy  of  the  lat- 
ter place  is  not  even  yet,  45  years  afterward,  fully 
allayed. 

Gov.  Duncan's  term  expired  in  1838.  In  1842 
he  was  again  proposed  as  a  candidate  for  the  Execu- 
tive chair,  this  time  by  the  Whig  party,  against  Adam 
W.  Snyder,  of  St.  Clair  County,  the  nominee  of  the 
Democrats.  Charles  W.  Hunter  was  a  third  candi- 
date for  the  same  position.  Mr.  Snyder,  however,  died 
before  the  campaign  had  advanced  very  far,  and  his 
party  substituted  Thomas  Ford,  who  was  elected, 
receiving  46,9or  votes,  to  38,584  for  Duncan,  and 
909  for  Hunter.  The  cause  of  Democratic  success 
at  this  time  is  mainly  attributed  to  the  temporary 
support  of  the  Mormons  which  they  enjoyed,  and  the 
want  of  any  knowledge,  on  the  part  of  the  masses, 
that  Mr.  Ford  was  opposed  to  any  given  policy  en- 
tertained in  the  respective  localities. 

Gov.  Duncan  was  a  man  of  rather  limited  educa- 
tion, but  with  naturally  fine  abilities  he  profited 
greatly  by  his  various  public  services,  and  gathered 
a  store  of  knowledge  regarding  public  affairs  which 
served  him  a  ready  purpose.  He  possessed  a  clear 
judgment,  decision,  confidence  in  himself  and  moral 
courage  to  carry  out  his  convictions  of  right.  In  his 
deportment  he  was  well  adapted  to  gain  the  admira- 
tion of  the  people.  His  intercourse  with  them  was 
both  affable  and  dignified.  His  portrait  at  the  Gov- 
ernor's mansion,  from  which  the  accompanying  was 
made,  represents  him  as  having  a  swarthy  complex- 
ion, high  cheek  bones,  broad  forehead,  piercing  black 
eyes  and  straight  black  hair. 

He  was  a  liberal  patron  of  the  Illinois  College  at 
Jacksonville,  a  member  of  its  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
died,  after  a  short  illness,  Jan.  15,  1844,  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  leaving  a  wife 
but  no  children.  Two  children,  born  to  them,  had 
died  in  infancy. 

_^   1 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


'35 


IOMAS  CARLIN,  the  sixth 
Governor  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  serving  from  1838 
to  1842,  was  also  a  Ken- 
tuckian,  being  born  near 
Frankfort,  that  State,  July 
18,  1789,  of  Irish  paternity. 
The  opportunities  for  an  education 
being  very  meager  in  his  native 
place,  he,  on  approaching  years  of 
judgment  and  maturity,  applied 
himself  to  those  branches  of  learn- 
ing that  seemed  most  important, 
and  thus  became  a  self-made  man  ; 
and  his  taste  for  reading  and 
study  remained  with  him  through 
life.  In  1803  his  father  removed 
to  Missouri,  then  a  part  of  "  New  Spain,"  where  he 
died  in  1810. 

In  1812  young  Carlin  came  to  Illinois  and  partici- 
pated in  all  the  "ranging"  service  incident  to  the 
war  of  that  period,  proving  himself  a  soldier  of  un- 
daunted bravery.  In  1814  he  married  Rebecca 
Hiritt,  and  lived  for  four  years  on  the  bank  of  the 
Mississippi  River,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Mis- 
scdri,  where  he  followed  farming,  and  then  removed 
to  Greene  County.  He  located  the  town  site  of  Car- 
ro£ton,in  that  county,  and  in  1825  made  a  liberal 
donation  of  land  for  county  building  purposes.  He 
was  the  first  Sheriff  of  that  county  after  its  separate 
organization,  and  afterward  was  twice  elected,  as  a 
Jackson  Democrat,  to  the  Illinois  Senate.  In  the 
Black  Hawk  War  he  commanded  a  spy  battalion,  a 
post  of  considerable  danger.  In  1834  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Jackson  to  the  position  of 
Receiver  of  Public  Moneys,  and  to  fulfill  the  office 


more  conveniently  he  removed  to  the  city  of  Quincy. 

While,  in  1838,  the  unwieldy  internal  improvement 
system  of  the  State  was  in  full  operation,  with  all  its 
expensive  machinery,  amidst  bank  suspensions 
throughout  the  United  States,  a  great  stringency  in 
the  money  market  everywhere,  and  Illinois  bonds 
forced  to  sale  at  a  heavy  discount,  and  the  "  hardest 
times  "  existing  that  the  people  of  the  Prairie  State 
ever  saw,  the  general  election  of  State  officers  was 
approaching.  Discreet  men  who  had  cherished  the 
hope  of  a  speedy  subsidence  of  the  public  infatua- 
tion, met  with  disappointment.  A  Governor  and 
Legislature  were  to  be  elected,  and  these  were  now 
looked  forward  to  for  a  repeal  of  the  ruinous  State 
policy.  But  the  grand  scheme  had  not  yet  lost  its 
dazzling  influence  upon  the  minds  of  the  people. 
Time  and  experience  had  not  yet  fully  demonstrated 
its  utter  absurdity.  Hence  the  question  of  arresting 
its  career  of  profligate  expenditures  did  not  become 
a  leading  one  with  the  dominant  party  during  the 
campaign,  and  most  of  the  old  members  of  the  Leg- 
islature were  returned  at  this  election. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  Democrats,  in  State 
Convention  assembled,  nominated  Mr.  Carlin  for  the 
office  of  Governor,  and  S.  H.  Anderson  for  Lieuten- 
ant Governor,  while  the  Whigs  nominated  Cyrus  Ed- 
wards, brother  of  Ninian  Edwards,  formerly  Governor, 
and  W.  H.  Davidson.  Edwards  came  out  strongly 
for  a  continuance  of  the  State  policy,  while  Carlin 
remained  non-committal.  This  was  the  first  time 
that  the  two  main  political  parties  in  this  State  were 
unembarrassed  by  any  third  party  in  the  field.  The 
result  of  the  election  was:  Carlin,  35,573 ;  Ander- 
son, 30,335  ;  Edwards,  29,629  ;  and  Davidson,  28,- 

7t5- 

Upon  the  meeting  of  the  subsequent  Legislature 
(1839),  the  retiring  Governor  (Duncan*)  in  his  mes- 


t 


136 


THOMAS  CARLTN. 


sage  spoke  in  emphatic  terms  of  the  impolicy  of  the 
internal  improvement  system,  presaging  the  evils 
threatened,  and  uiged  that  body  to  do  their  utmost 
to  correct  the  great  error ;  yet,  on  the  contrary,  the 
Legislature  not  only  decided  to  continue  the  policy 
but  also  added  to  its  burden  by  voting  more  appro- 
priations and  ordering  more  improvements.  Although 
the  money  market  was  still  stringent,  a  further  loan 
of  $4,000,000  was  ordered  for  the  Illinois  &  Mich- 
igan Canal  alone.  Cti'cago  at  that  time  began  to 
loom  up  a:id  promise  to  be  an  important  city,  even 
the  great  emporium  of  the  West,  as  it  has  since  in- 
deed came  to  be.  Ex-Gov.  Reynolds,  an  incompe- 
tent financier,  was  commissioned  to  effect  the  loan, 
and  accordingly  hastened  to  the  East  on  this  respons- 
ible errand,  and  negotiated  the  loans,  at  considera- 
ble sacrifice  to  the  State.  Besides  this  embarrassment 
to  Carlin's  administration,  the  Legislature  also  de- 
clared that  he  had  no  authority  to  appoint  a  Secretary 
of  State  until  a  vacancy  existed,  and  A.  P.  Field,  a 
Whig,  who  had  already  held  the  post  by  appointment 
through  three  administrations,  was  determined  to 
keep  the  place  a  while  longer,  in  spite  of  Gov.  Car- 
lin's preferences.  The  course  of  the  Legislature  in 
this  regard,  however,  was  finally  sustained  by  the 
Supreme  Court,  in  a  quo  warranto  case  brought  up 
before  it  by  John  A.  McClernand,  whom  the  Gov- 
ernor had  nominated  for  the  office.  Thereupon  that 
dignified  body  was  denounced  as  a  "Whig  Court!" 
endeavoring  to  establish  the  principle  of  life-tenure 
of  office. 

A  new  law  was  adopted  re-organizing  the  Judici- 
ary, and  under  it  five  additional  Supreme  Judges 
were  elected  by  the  Legislature,  namely,  Thomas 
Ford  (afterward  Governor),  Sidney  Breese,  Walter  B. 
Scales,  Samuel  H.  Treat  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas — 
all  Democrats. 

It  was  during  Cov.  Carlin's  administration  that  the 
noisy  campaign  of  " Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too"  oc- 
curred, resulting  in  a  Whig  victory.  This,  however, 
did  not  affect  Illinois  politics  very  seriously. 

Another  prominent  event  in  the  West  during  Gov. 
Carlin's  term  of  office  was  the  excitement  caused  by 
the  Mormons  and  their  removal  from  Independence, 
Mo.,  to  Nauvos,  111.,  in  1840.  At  the  same  time 
they  began  to  figure  somewhat  in  State  politics.  On 
account  of  their  believing — as  they  thought,  accord- 
ing to  the  New  Testament — that  they  should  have 


"  all  things  common,"  and  that  consequently  "  all 
the  earth  "  and  all  that  is  upon  it  were  the"  Lord's  " 
and  therefore  the  property  of  his  "  saints,"  they 
were  suspected,  and  correctly,  too,  of  committing 
many  of  the  deeds  of  larceny,  robbery,  etc.,  that 
were  so  rife  throughout  this  country  in  those  days. 
Hence  a  feeling  of  violence  grew  up  between  the 
Mormons  and  "anti-Mormons."  In  the  State  of 
Missouri  the  Mormons  always  supported  the  Dem- 
ocracy until  they  were  driven  out  by  the  Democratic 
government,  when  they  turned  their  support  to  the 
Whigs.  They  were  becoming  numerous,  and  in  the 
Legislature  of  1840-1,  therefore,  it  became  a  matter 
of  great  interest  with  both  parties  to  conciliate  these 
people.  Through  the  agency  of  one  John  C.  Ben- 
nett, a  scamp,  the  Mormons  succeeded  in  rushing 
through  the  Legislature  (both  parties  not  daring  to 
oppose)  a  charter  for  the  city  of  Nauvoo  which  vir- 
tually erected  a  hierarchy  co-ordinate  with  the  Fed- 
eral Government  itself.  In  the  fall  of  1841  the 
Governor  of  Missouri  made  a  demand  upon  Gov. 
Carlin  for  the  body  of  Joe  Smith,  the  Mormon  leader, 
as  a  fugitive  from  justice.  Gov.  Carlin  issued  the 
writ,  but  for  some  reason  it  was  returned  unserved. 
It  was  again  issued  in  1842,  and  Smith  was  arrested, 
but  was  either  rescued  by  his  followers  or  discharged 
by  the  municipal  court  on  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus. 

In  December,  1841,  the  Democratic  Convention 
nominated  Adam  W.  Snyder,  of  Belleville,  for  Gov- 
ernor. As  he  had  been,  as  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, rather  friendly  to  the  Mormons,  the  latter 
naturally  turned  their  support  to  the  Democratic 
party.  The  next  spring  the  Whigs  nominated  Ex- 
Gov.  Duncan  for  the  same  office.  In  the  meantime 
the  Mormons  began  to  grow  more  odious  to  the 
masses  of  the  people,  and  the  comparative  prospects 
of  the  respective  parties  for  success  became  very 
problematical.  Mr.  Snyder  died  in  May,  and 
Thomas  Ford,  a  Supreme  Judge,  was  substituted  as 
a  candidate,  and  was  elected. 

At  the  close  of  his  gubernatorial  term,  Mr.  Carlin 
removed  back  to  his  old  home  at  Carroll  ton,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  as  before  his  ele- 
vation to  office,  in  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1849 
he  served  out  the  unexpired  term  of  J.  D.  Fry  in  the 
Illinois  House  of  Representatives,  and  died  Feb.  4, 
1852,  at  his  residence  at  Carrollton,  leaving  a  wife 
and  seven  children. 


I 


t 


GJ  VERWOXS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


139 


*^ 


SSL 

im^ 

M.&.t.gfe&.fetA^ 


JHOMAS  FORD,  Governor 
from  1842  to  1846,  and  au- 
thor of  a  very  interesting 
history  of  Illinois,  was  born 
at  Uniontown,  Pa.,  in  the 
year  1 800.  His  mother,  after 
the  death  of  her  first  hus- 
band (Mr.  Forquer),  married  Rob- 
ert Ford,  who  was  killed  in  1802, 
by  the  Indians  in  the  mountains 
of  Pennsylvania.  She  was  conse- 
quently left  in  indigent  circum- 
stances, with  a  large  family,  mostly 
girls.  With  a  view  to  better  her 
condition,  she,  in  1804,  removed  to 
Missouri,  where  it  had  been  cus- 
tomary by  the  Spanish  Govern- 
ment to  give  land  to  actual  settlers;  but  upon  her 
arrival  at  St.  Louis  she  found  the  country  ceded  to 
the  United  States,  and  the  liberal  policy  toward  set- 
tlers changed  by  the  new  ownership.  After  some 
sickness  to  herself  and  family,  she  finally  removed  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  some  three  miles  south  of  Water- 
loo, but  the  following  year  moved  nearer  the  Missis- 
sippi bluffs.  Here  young  Ford  received  his  first 


schooling,  under  the  instructions  of  a  Mr.  Humphrey, 
for  which  he  had  to  walk  three  miles.  His  mother, 
though  lacking  a  thorough  education,  was  a  woman 
of  superior  mental  endowments,  joined  to  energy 
and  determination  of  character.  She  inculcated  in 
her  children  those  high-toned  principles  which  dis- 
tinguished her  sons  in  public  life.  She  exercised  a 
rigid  economy  to  provide  her  children  an  education ; 
but  George  Forquer,  her  oldest  son  (six  years  older 
than  Thomas  Ford),  at  an  early  age  had  to  quit 
school  to  aid  by  his  labor  in  the  support  of  the  family. 
He  afterward  became  an  eminent  man  in  Illinois 
affairs,  and  but  for  his  early  death  would  probably 
have  been  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate. 

Young  Ford,  with  somewhat  better  opportunities, 
received  a  better  education,  though  limited  to  the 
curriculum  of  the  common  school  of  those  pioneer 
times.  His  mind  gave  early  promise  of  superior  en- 
dowments, with  an  inclination  for  mathematics.  His 
proficiency  attracted  the  attention  of  Hon.  Daniel  P.' 
Cook,  who  became  his  efficient  patron  and  friend. 
The  latter  gentleman  was  an  eminent  Illinois  states- 
man who,  as  a  Member  of  Congress,  obtained  a  grant 
of  300,000  acres  of  land  to  aid  in  completing  the 
Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal,  and  after  whom  the 
county  of  Cook  was  named.  Through  the  advice  of 


I 


t. 


140 


THOMAS  FORD. 


this  gentleman,  Mr.  Ford  turned  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  law;  but  Forquer,  then  merchandising,  re- 
garding his  education  defective,  sent  him  to  Transyl- 
vania University,  where,  however,  he  remained  but 
one  term,  owing  to  Forquer's  failure  in  business.  On 
his  return  he  alternated  his  law  reading  with  teach- 
ing school  for  support. 

In  1829  Gov.  Edwards  appointed  him  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  and  in  1831  he  was  re-appointed  by  Gov. 
Reynolds,  and  after  that  he  was  four  times  elected  a 
Judge  by  the  Legislature,  without  opposition,  twice  a 
Circuit  Judge,  once  a  Judge  of  Chicago,  and  as  As- 
sociate Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  when,  in  1841, 
the  latter  tribunal  was  re-organized  by  the  addition 
of  five  Judges,  all  Democrats.  Ford  was  assigned  to 
the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  while  in  this  capacity 
he  was  holding  Court  in  Ogle  County  he  received  a 
notice  of  his  nomination  by  the  Democratic  Conven- 
tion for  the  office  of  Governor.  He  immediately  re- 
signed his  place  and  entered  upon  the  canvass.  In 
August,  1842,  he  was  elected,  and  on  the  8th  of  De- 
cember following  he  was  inaugurated. 

AH  the  offices  which  he  had  held  were  unsolicited 
by  him.  He  received  them  upon  the  true  Jefferson- 
ian  principle, — Never  to  ask  and  never  to  refuse 
office.  Both  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a  Judge  he  stood 
deservedly  high,  but  his  cast  of  intellect  fitted  him 
rather  for  a  writer  upon  law  than  a  practicing  advo- 
cate in  the  courts.  In  the  latter  capacity  he  was  void 
of  the  moving  power  of  eloquence,  so  necessary  to 
success  with  juries.  As  a  Judge  his  opinions  were 
^ound,  lucid  and  able  expositions  of  the  law.  In 
practice,  lie  was  a  stranger  to  the  tact,  skill  and  in- 
sinuating address  of  the  politician,  but  he  saw  through 
the  arts  of  demagogues  as  well  as  any  man.  He  was 
plain  in  his  demeanor,  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  at 
one  time  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office, 
during  a  session  of  the  Legislature,  he  was  taken  by 
a  stranger  to  be  a  seeker  for  the  position  of  door- 
keeper, and  was  waited  upon  at  his  hotel  near  mid- 
night I)/  a  knot  of  small  office-seekers  with  the  view 
of  effecting  a  "  combination  !  " 

Mr.  Ford  had  not  the  "brass"  of  the  ordinary 
iwlilician,  nor  that  impetuosity  which  characterizes  a 
political  leader.  He  cared  little  for  money,  and 
hardly  enough  for  a  decent  support.  In  person  he 
was  of  small  stature,  slender,  of  dark  complexion, 
with  black  hair,  sharp  features,  deep-set  eyes,  a 
pointed,  aquiline  nose  having  a  decided  twist  to  one 
side,  and  a  small  mouth. 

'  The  three  most  important  events  in  Gov.  Ford's 
administration  were  the  establishment  of  the  high 
financial  credit  of  the  State,  the  "  Mormon  War  "and 
the  Mexican  War. 

In  the  first  of  these  the  Governor  proved  himself 
to  be  eminently  wise.  On  coming  into  office  he  found 
the  State  badly  paralyzed  by  the  ruinous  effects  of 
the  notorious  "internal  improvement"  schemes  of 


the  preceding  decade,  with  scarcely  anything  to 
show  by  way  of  "improvement."  The  enterprise 
that  seemed  to  be  getting  ahead  more  than  all  the 
rest  was  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal.  As  this 
promised  to  be  the  most  important  thoroughfare, 
feasible  to  the  people,  it  was  well  under  headway  in 
its  construction.  Therefore  the  State  policy  was 
almost  concentrated  upon  it,  in  order  to  rush  it  on  tc 
completion.  The  bonded  indebtedness  of  the  State 
was  growing  so  large  as  to  frighten  the  people,  and 
they  were  about  ready  to  entertain  a  proposition  for 
repudiation.  But  the  Governor  had  the  foresight  to 
recommend  such  measures  as  would  maintain  the 
public  credit,  for  which  every  citizen  to-day  feels 
thankful. 

But  perhaps  the  Governor  is  remembered  more  for 
his  connection  with  the  Mormon  troubles  than  for 
anything  else;  for  it  was  during  his  term  of  office 
that  the  "Latter-Day  Saints"  became  so  strong  at 
Nauvoo,  built  their  temple  there,  increased  their  num- 
bers throughout  the  country,  committed  misdemean- 
ors, taught  dangerous  doctrines,  suffered  the  loss  of 
their  leader,  Jo  Smith,  by  a  violent  death,  were  driven 
out  of  Nauvoo  to  the  far  West,  etc.  Having  been  a 
Judge  for  so  many  years  previously,  Mr.  Ford  of 
course  was  non-committal  concerning  Mormon  affairs, 
and  was  therefore  claimed  by  both  parties  and  also 
accused  by  each  of  sympathizing  too  greatly  with  the 
other  side.  Mormonism  claiming  to  be  a  system  of 
religion,  the  Governor  no  doubt  was  "  between  two 
fires,"  and  felt  compelled  to  touch  the  matter  rather 
"  gingerly,"  and  doubtless  felt  greatly  relieved  when 
that  pestilential  people  left  the  State.  Such  compli- 
cated matters,  especially  when  religion  is  mixed  up 
with  them,  expose  every  person  participating  in 
them  to  criticism  from  all  parties. 

The  Mexican  War  was  begun  in  the  spring  of 
1845,  and  was  continued  into  the  gubernatorial  term 
of  Mr.  Ford's  successor.  The  Governor's  connection 
with  this  war,  however,  was  not  conspicuous,  as  it 
was  only  administrative,  commissioning  officers,  etc. 

Ford's  "  History  of  Illinois  "  is  a  very  readable  and 
entertaining  work,  of  450  small  octavo  pages,  and  is 
destined  to  increase  in  value  with  the  lapse  of  time. 
It  exhibits  a  natural  flow  of  compact  and  forcible 
thought,  never  failing  to  convey  the  nicest  sense.  In 
(racing  with  his  trenchant  pen  the  devious  operations 
of  the  professional  politician,  in  which  he  is  inimit- 
able, his  account  is  open,  perhaps,  to  the  objection 
that  all  his  contemporaries  are  treated  as  mere  place- 
seekers,  while  many  of  them  have  since  been  judged 
by  the  people  to  be  worthy  statesmen.  His  writings 
seem  slightly  open  to  the  criticism  that  they  exhibit 
a  little  splenetic  partiality  against  those  of  his  con- 
temporaries who  were  prominent  during  his  term  of 
office  as  Governor. 

The  death  of  Gov.  Ford  took  place  at  Peoria,  111., 
Nov.  2,  1850. 


I 


- 


r- 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


143 


Augustus  a  French. 


:; 


UGUSTUS  C.  FRENCH, 
Governor  of  Illinois  from 
1846  to  1852,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Hill,  in  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire, 
Aug.  2,  1808.  He  was  a 
descendant  in  the  fourth 
generation  of  Nathaniel 
French,  who  emigrated  from  England 
in  1687  and  settled  in  Saybury,  Mass. 
In  early  life  young  French  lost  his 
father,  but  continued  to  receive  in- 
struction from  an  exemplary  and 
Christian  mother  until  he  was  19  years 
old,  when  she  also  died,  confiding  to 
his  care  and  trust  four  younger  broth- 
ers and  one  sister.  He  discharged  his  trust  with 
parental  devotion.  His  education  in  early  life  was 
such  mainly  as  a  common  school  afforded.  For  a 
brief  period  he  attended  Dartmouth  College,  but 
from  pecuniary  causes  and  the  care  of  his  brothers 
and  sister,  he  did  not  graduate.  He  subsequently 
read  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1831,  and 
shortly  afterward  removed  to  Illinois,  settling  first  at 
Albion,  Edwards  County,  where  he  established  him- 
self in  the  practice  of  law.  The  following  year  he 
removed  to  Paris,  Edgar  County.  Here  he  attained 
eminence  in  his  profession,  and  entered  public  life 
by  representing  that  county  in  the  Legislature.  A 
strong  attachment  sprang  up  between  him  and  Ste- 
phen A.  Douglas. 

In  1839,  Mr.  French  was  appointed  Receiver  of 
the  United  States  Land  Office  at  Palestine,  Craw- 
ford County,  at  which  place  he  was  a  resident  when 


elevated  to  the  gubernatoiial  chair.  In  1844  he  was 
a  Presidential  Elector,  and  as  such  he  voted  for 
James  K.  Polk. 

The  Democratic  State  Convention  of  1846,  meet- 
ing at  Springfield  Feb.  10,  nominated  Mr.  French 
for  Governor.  Other  Democratic  candidates  were 
Lyman  Trumbull,  John  Calhoun  (subsequently  of 
Lecompton  Constitution  notoriety),  Walter  B.  Scales, 
Richard  M.  Young  and  A.  W.  Cavarly, — an  array  of 
very  able  and  prominent  names.  Trumbull  was  per- 
haps defeated  in  the  Convention  by  the  rumor  that 
he  was  opposed  to  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal, 
as  he  had  been  a  year  previously.  For  Lieutenant 
Governor  J.  B.  Wells  was  chosen,  while  other  candi- 
dates were  Lewis  Ross,  Wm.  McMurUy,  Newton 
Cloud,  J.  B.  Hamilton  and  W.  W.  Thompson.  The 
resolutions  declared  strongly  against  the  resuscita- 
tion of  the  old  State  Banks. 

The  Whigs,  who  were  in  a  hopeless  minority,  held 
their  convention  June  8,  at  Peoria,  and  selected 
Thomas  M.  Kilpatrick,  of  Scott  County,  for  Governor, 
and  Gen.  Nathaniel  G.  Wilcox,  of  Schuyler,  for 
Lieutenant  Governor. 

In  the  campaign  the  latter  exposed  Mr.  French's 
record  and  connection  with  the  passage  of  the  in- 
ternal improvement  system,  urging  it  against  his 
election ;  but  in  the  meantime  the  war  with  Mexico 
broke  out,  regarding  which  the  Whig  record  was  un- 
popular in  this  State.  The  war  was  the  absorbing 
and  dominating  question  of  the  period,  sweeping 
every  other  political  issue  in  its  course.  The  elec- 
tion in  August  gave  Mr.  French  58,700  votes,  and 
Kilpatrick  only  36,775.  Richard  Eells,  Abolitionist 
candidate  for  the  same  office,  received  5,152  votes, 


f 


^ 


'1  M4 


AUGUSTUS  C.  FRENCH. 


By  the  new  Constitution  of  1848,  a  new  election  for 
State  officers  was  ordered  in  November  of  that  year, 
before  Gov.  French's  term  was  half  out,  and  he  was 
re-elected  for  the  term  of  four  years.  He  was  there- 
fore the  incumbent  for  six  consecutive  years,  the 
only  Governor  of  this  State  who  has  ever  served  in 
that  capacity  so  long  at  one  time.  As  there  was  no 
organized  opposition  to  his  election,  he  received  67,- 
453  votes,  to  5,639  for  Pierre  Menard  (son  of  the 
first  Lieutenant  Governor),  4,748  for  Charles  V. 
Dyer,  3,834  for  W.  L.  D.  Morrison,  and  1,361  for 
James  L.  D.  Morrison.  But  Wm.  McMurtry,  of 
Knox  County,  was  elected  Lieutenant  Governor,  in 
place  of  Joseph  B.  Wells,  who  was  before  elected 
and  did  not  run  again. 

Governor  French  was  inaugurated  into  office  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  Mexican  War,  which  closed 
during  the  summer  of  1847,  although  the  treaty  of 
Guadalupe  Hidalgo  was  not  made  until  Feb.  2, 
1848.  The  policy  of  Gov.  French's  party  was  com- 
mitted to  that  war,  but  in  connection  with  that  affair 
he  was,  of  course,  only  an  administrative  officer. 
During  his  term  of  office,  Feb.  19,  1847,  the  Legisla- 
ture, by  special  permission  of  Congress,  declared  that 
all  Government  lands  sold  to  settlers  should  be  im- 
mediately subject  to  State  taxation ;  before  this  they 
were  exempt  for  five  years  after  sale.  By  this  ar- 
rangement the  revenue  was  materially  increased. 
About  the  same  time,  the  distribution  of  Government 
land  warrants  among  the  Mexican  soldiers  as  bounty 
threw  upon  the  market  a  great  quantity  of  good 
lands,  and  this  enhanced  the  settlement  of  the  State. 
The  same  Legislature  authorized,  with  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Governor,  the  sale  of  the  Northern 
Cross  Railroad  (from  Springfield  to  Meredosia,  the 
first  in  the  State  and  now  a  section  of  the  Wabash, 
St.  Louis  &  Pacific)  It  sold  for  $100,000  in  bonds, 
although  it  had  cost  the  State  not  less  than  a  million. 
The  salt  wells  and  canal  lands  in  the  Saline  reserve 
in  Gallatin  County,  granted  by  the  general  Govern- 
ment to  the  State,  were  also  authorized  by  the 
Governor  to  be  sold,  to  apply  on  the  State  debt.  In 
1850,  for  the  first  time  since  1839,  the  accruing  State 
revenue,  exclusive  of  specific  appropriations,  was 
sufficient  to  meet  the  current  demands  upon  the 
treasury.  The  aggregate  taxable  property  of  the 
State  at  this  time  was  over  $100,000,000,  and  the 
population  851,470. 
-*• 


In  1849  the  Legislature  adopted  the  township  or- 
ganization law,  which,  however,  proved  defective, 
and  was  properly  amended  in  1851.  At  its  session 
in  the  latter  year,  the  General  Assembly  also  passed 
a  law  to  exempt  homesteads  from  sale  on  executions. 
This  beneficent  measure  had  been  repeatedly  urged 
upon  that  body  by  Gov.  French. 

In  1850  some  business  men  in  St.  Louis  com- 
menced to  build  a  dike  opposite  the  lower  part  of 
their  city  on  the  Illinois  side,  to  keep  the  Mississippi 
in  its  channel  near  St.  Louis,  instead  of  breaking 
away  from  them  as  it  sometimes  threatened  to  do. 
This  they  undertook  without  permission  from  the 
Legislature  or  Executive  authority  of  this  State  ;  and 
as  many  of  the  inhabitants  there  complained  that 
the  scheme  would  inundate  and  ruin  much  valuable 
land,  there  was  a  slight  conflict  of  jurisdictions,  re- 
sulting in  favor  of  the  St.  Louis  project ;  and  since 
then  a  good  site  has  existed  there  for  a  city  (East  St. 
Louis),  and  now  a  score  of  railroads  center  there. 

It  was  in  September,  1850,  that  Congress  granted 
to  this  State  nearly  3,000,000  acres  of  land  in  aid  of 
the  completion  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad, 
which  cpnstituted  the  most  important  epoch  in  the 
railroad — we  might  say  internal  improvement — his- 
tory of  the  State.  The  road  was  rushed  on  to  com- 
pletion, which  accelerated  the  settlement  of  the  in- 
terior of  the  State  by  a  good  class  of  industrious  citi- 
zens, and  by  the  charter  a  good  income  to  the  State 
Treasury  is  paid  in  from  the  earnings  of  the  road. 

In  1851  the  Legislature  passed  a  law  authorizing 
free  stock  banks,  which  was  the  source  of  much  leg- 
islative discussion  for  a  number  of  years. 

But  we  have  not  space  further  to  particularize 
concerning  legislation.  Gov.  French's  administra- 
tion was  not  marked  by  any  feature  to  be  criticised, 
while  the  country  was  settling  up  as  never  before. 

In  stature,  Gov.  French  was  of  medium  height, 
squarely  built,  light  complexioned,  with  ruddy  face 
and  pleasant  countenance.  In  manners  he  was 
plain  and  agreeable.  By  nature  he  was  somewhat 
diffident,  but  he  was  often  very  outspoken  in  his  con- 
victions of  duty.  In  public  speech  lie  was  not  an 
orator,  but  was  chaste,  earnest  and  persuasive.  In 
business  he  was  accurate  and  methodical,  and  in  his 
administration  he  kept  up  the  credit  of  the  State. 

He  died  in  1865,  at  his  home  in  Lebanon,  St 
Clair  Co.,  111. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


147 


:OEL  A.  MATTESON,  Governor 
1853-6,  was  born  Aug.  8,  1808, 
in  Jefferson  County,  New  York, 
to  which  place  his  father  had  re- 
moved from  Vermont  three  years 
before.  His  father  was  a  farmer 
in  fair  circumstances,  but  a  com- 
mon English  education  was  all 
that  his  only  son  received.  Young 
Joel  first  tempted  fortune  as  a 
small  tradesman  in  Prescott, 
Canada,  before  he  was  of  age. 
He  returned  from  that  place  to 
his  home,  entered  an  academy, 
taught  school,  visited  the  prin- 
cipal Eastern  cities,  improved  a  farm  his  father  had 
given  him,  made  a  tour  in  the  South,  worked  there 
in  building  railroads,  experienced  a  storm  on  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  visited  the  gold  diggings  of  Northern 
Georgia,  and  returned  via  Nashville  to  St.  Louis  and 
through  Illinois  to  his  father's  home,  when  he  mar- 
ried. In  1833,  having  sold  his  farm,  he  removed, 
with  his  wife  and  one  child,  to  Illinois,  and  entered 
a  claim  on  Government  land  near  the  head  of  Au 
Sable  River,  in  what  is  now  Kendall  County.  At 
that  time  there  were  not  more  than  two  neighbors 
within  a  range  of  ten  miles  of  his  place,  and  only 
three  or  four  houses  between  him  and  Chicago.  He 
opened  a  large  farm.  His  family  vras  boaro^  '* 


miles  away  while  he  erected  a  house  on  his  claim, 
sleeping,  during  this  time,  under  a  rude  pole  shed. 
Here  his  life  was  once  placed  in  imminent  peril  by 
a  huge  prairie  rattlesnake  sharing  his  bed. 

In  1835  he  bought  largely  at  the  Government  land 
sales.  During  the  speculative  real-estate  mania  which 
broke  out  in  Chicago  in  1 836  and  spread  over  the  State, 
he  sold  his  lands  under  the  inflation  of  that  period 
and  removed  to  Joliet.  In  1838  he  became  a  heavy 
contractor  on  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal.  Upon 
the  completion  of  his  job  in  1841,  when  hard  times 
prevailed,  business  at  a  stand,  contracts  paid  in  State 
scrip;  when  all  the  public  works  except  the  canal 
were  abandoned,  the  State  offered  for  sale  700  tons 
of  railroad  iron,  which  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Mat- 
teson  at  a  bargain.  This  he  accepted,  shipped  and 
sold  at  Detroit,  realizing  a  very  handsome  profit, 
enough  to  pay  off  all  his  canal  debts  and  leave  him  a 
surplus  of  several  thousand  dollars.  His  enterprise 
next  prompted  him  to  start  a  woolen  mill  at  Joliet, 
in  which  he  prospered,  and  which,  after  successive 
enlargements,  became  an  enormous  establishment. 

In  1842  he  was  first  elected  a  State  Senator,  but, 
by  a  bungling  ap;x>rtionment,  John  Pearson,  a  Senator 
holding  over,  was  found  to  be  in  the  same  district, 
and  decided  to  be  entitled  to  represent  it.  Mat- 
teson's  seat  was  declared  vacant.  Pearson,  however, 
with  a  nobleness  difficult  to  appreciate  in  this  day  of 


f 


148 


JOEL  A.  MATTE  SON. 


greed  for  office,  unwilling  to  represent  his  district 
under  the  circumstances,  immediately  resigned  his 
unexpired  term  of  two  years.  A  bill  was  passed  in  a 
few  hours  ordering  a  new  election,  and  in  ten  days' 
time  Mr.  Matteson  was  returned  re-elected  and  took 
his  seat  as  Senator.  From  his  well-known  capacity 
as  a  business  man,  he  was  made  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Finance,  a  position  he  held  during 
this  half  and  two  full  succeeding  Senatorial  terms, 
discharging  its  important  duties  with  ability  and  faith- 
fulness. Besides  his  extensive  woolen-mill  interest, 
when  work  was  resumed  on  the  canal  under  the  new 
loan  of  $r, 600,000  he  again  became  a  heavy  con- 
tractor, and  also  subsequently  operated  largely  in 
building  railroads.  Thus  he  showed  himself  a  most 
energetic  and  thorough  business  man. 

He  was  nominated  for  Governor  by  the  Denfo- 
cratic  State  Convention  which  met  at  Springfield 
April  20,  1852.  Other  candidates  before  the  Con- 
vention were  D.  L.  Gregg  and  F.  C.  Sherman,  of 
Cook ;  John  Dement,  of  Lee  ;  Thomas  L.  Harris,  of 
Menard;  Lewis  W.  Ross, of  Fulton;  and  D.  P.  Bush, 
of  Pike.  Gustavus  Koerner,  of  St.  Clair,  was  nom- 
inated for  Lieutenant  Governor.  For  the  same  offices 
the  Whigs  nominated  Edwin  B.  Webb  and  Dexter  A. 
Knowlton.  Mr.  Matteson  received  80,645  votes  at 
the  election,  while  Mr.  Webb  received  64,408.  Mat- 
teson's forte  was  not  on  the  stump;  he  had  not  cul- 
tivated the  art  of  oily  flattery,  or  the  faculty  of  being 
all  things  to  all  men.  His  intellectual  qualities  took 
rather  the  direction  of  efficient  executive  ability.  His 
turn  consisted  not  so  much  in  the  adroit  manage- 
ment of  party,  or  the  powerful  advocacy  of  great  gov- 
ernmental principles,  as  in  those  more  solid  and 
enduring  operations  which  cause  the  physical  devel- 
opment and  advancement  of  a  State, — of  commerce 
and  business  enterprise,  into  which  he  labored  with 
success  to  lead  the  people.  As  a  politician  he  was 
just  and  liberal  in  his  views,  and  both  in  official  and 
private  life  he  then  stood  untainted  and  free  from 
blemish.  Ast  a  man,  in  active  benevolence,  social 
irirtues  and  all  the  amiable  qualities  of  neighbor  or 
citizen,  he  had  few  superiors.  His  messages  present 
a  perspicuous  array  of  facts  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
State,  and  are  often  couched  in  forcible  and  elegant 
diction. 

The  greatest  excitement  during  his  term  of  office 
was  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise,  by  Con- 


gress,  under  the  leadership  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in 
1854,  when  the  bill  was  passed  organizing  the  Terri- 
tory of  Kansas  and  Nebraska.  A  large  portion  of 
the  Whig  party  of  the  North,  through  their  bitter  op- 
position to  the  Democratic  party,  naturally  drifted 
into  the  doctrine  of  anti-slavery,  and  thus  led  to  what 
was  temporarily  called  the  "Anti-Nebraska"  party, 
while  the  followers  of  Douglas  were  known  as  "  Ne- 
braska or  Douglas  Democrats."  It  was  during  this 
embryo  stage  of  the  Republican  party  that  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  brought  forward  as  the  "Anti-Nebraska" 
candidate  for  the  United  States  Senatorship,  while 
Gen.  James  Shields,  the  incumbent,  was  re-nom- 
inated by  the  Democrats.  But  after  a  fewballotings 
in  the  Legislature  (1855),  these  men  were  dropped, 
and  Lyman  Trumbull,  an  Anti-Nebraska  Democrat, 
was  brought  up  by  the  former,  and  Mr.  Matteson, 
then  Governor,  by  the  latter.  On  the  nth  ballot 
Mr.  Trumbull  obtained  one  majority,  and  was  ac- 
cordingly declared  elected.  Before  Gov.  Matteson's 
term  expired,  the  Republicans  were  fully  organized 
as  a  national  party,  and  in  1856  put  into  the  field  a 
full  national  and  State  ticket,  carrying  the  State,  but 
not  the  nation. 

The  Legislature  of  1855  passed  two  very  import- 
ant measures, — the  present  free-school  system  and  a 
submission  of  the  Maine  liquor  law  to  a  vote  of  the 
people.  The  latter  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority 
of  the  popular  vote. 

During  the  four  years  of  Gov.  Matteson's  admin- 
istration the  taxable  wealth  of  the  State  was  about 
trebled,  from  $137,8^.079  to  $349,951,272;  the  pub- 
lic debt  was  reduced  from  $17,398,985  to  $12,843,- 
T44;  taxation  was  at  the  same  time  reduced,  and  the 
State  resumed  paying  interest  on  its  debt  in  New 
York  as  fast  as  it  fell  due;  railroads  were  increased 
in  their  mileage  from  something  less  than  400  to 
about  3,000 ;  and  the  population  of  Chicago  was 
nearly  doubled,  and  its  commerce  more  than  quad- 
rupled. 

Before  closing  this  account,  we  regret  that  we  have 
to  say  that  Mr.  Matteson,  in  all  other  respects  an 
upright  man  and  a  good  Governor,  was  implicated 
in  a  false  re-issue  of  redeemed  canal  scrip,  amount- 
ing to  $224,182.66.  By  a  suit  in  the  Sangamon  Cir- 
cuit Court  the  State  recovered  the  principal  and  all 
the  interest  excepting  $27,500. 

He  died  in   the  winter  of  1872-3,  at  Chicago. 


i 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


ILLIAM  H.  BISSELL,  Gov- 
ernor 1857-60,  was  born 
April  25,  1811,  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  near 
Painted  Post,  Yates  County. 
His  parents  were  obscure, 
honest,  God-fearing  people, 
»  lio  reared  their  children  under  the  daily 
example  of  industry  and  frugality,  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  of  that  class  of  Eastern 
society.  Mr.  Bissell  received  a  respecta- 
>le  but  not  thorough  academical  education. 
By  assiduous  application  he  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  medicine,  and  in  his  early 
manhood  came  West  and  located  in  Mon- 
roe County,  this  State,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  that  profession.  But  he  was  not  enam- 
ored of  his  calling:  he  was  swayed  by  a  broader 
ambition,  to  such  an  extent  that  the  mysteries  of  the 
healing  art  and  its  arduous  duties  failed  to  yield  him 
further  any  charms.  In  a  few  years  he  discovered 
his  choice  of  a  profession  to  be  a  mistake,  and  when 
he  approached  the  age  of  30  he  sought  to  begin 
anew.  Dr.  Bissell,  no  doubt  unexpectedly  to  him- 
self, discovered  a  'singular  facility  and  charm  of 
speech,  the  exercise  of  which  acquired  for  him  a 
ready  local  notoriety.  It  soon  came  to  be  under- 


stood that  he  desired  to  abandon  his  profession  and 
take  up  that  of  the  law.  During  terms  of  Court  he 
.  would  spend  his  time  at  the  county  seat  among  the 
members  of  the  Bar,  who  extended  to  him  a  ready 
welcome. 

It  was  not  strange,  therefore,  that  he  should  drift 
into  public  life.  In  1840  he  was  elected  as  a  Dem- 
ocrat to  the  Legislature  from  Monroe  County,  and 
was  an  efficient  member  of  that  body.  On  his  re- 
turn home  he  qualified  himself  for  admission  to  the 
Bar  and  speedily  rose  to  the  front  rank  as  an  advo- 
cate. His  powers  of  oratory  were  captivating.  With  a 
pure  diction,  charming  and  inimitable  gestures, 
clearness  of  statement,  and  a  remarkable  vein  of  sly 
humor,  his  efforts  before  a  jury  told  with  irresistible 
effect.  He  was  chosen  by  the  Legislature  Prosecut- 
ing Attorney  for  the  Circuit  in  which  he  lived,  and 
in  that  position  he  fully  discharged  his  duty  to  the 
State,  gained  the  esteem  of  the  Bar,  and  seldom 
failed  to  convict  the  offender  of  the  law. 

In  stature  he  was  somewhat  tall  and  slender,  and 
with  a  straight,  military  bearing,  he  presented  a  dis- 
tinguished appearance.  His  complexion  was  dark, 
his  head  well  poised,  though  not  large,  his  address 
pleasant  and  manner  winning.  He  was  exemplary 
in  his  habits,  a  devoted  husband  and  kind  parent. 
He  was  twice  married,  the  first  time  to  Miss  James, 


WILLIAM  H.  BISSELl. 


of  Monroe  County,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
both  daughters.  She  died  soon  after  the  year  1840, 
and  Mr.  B.  married  for  his  second  wife  a  daughter 
of  Elias  K.  Kane,  previously  a  United  States  Senator 
from  this  State.  She  survived  him  but  a  short  time, 
and  died  without  issue. 

When  the  war  with  Mexico  was  declared  in  1,846, 
Mr.  Bissell  enlisted  and  was  elected  Colonel  of  his 
regiment,  over  Hon.  Don  Morrison,  by  an  almost 
unanimous  vote, — 807  to  6.  Considering  the  limited 
opportunities  he  had  had,  he  evinced  a  high  order  of 
military  talent.  On  the  bloody  field  of  Buena  Vista 
he  acquitted  himself  with  intrepid  and  distinguished 
ability,  contributing  with  his  regiment,  the  Second 
Illinois,  in  no  small  degree  toward  saving  the  waver- 
ing fortunes  of  our  arms  during  that  long  and  fiercely 
contested  battle. 

After  his  return  home,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  he 
was  elected  to  Congress,  his  opponents  being  the 
Hons.  P.  B.  Fouke  and  Joseph  Gillespie.  He  served 
two  terms  in  Congress.  He  was  an  ardent  politician. 
During  the  great  contest  of  1850  he  voted  in  favor 
of  the  adjustment  measures;  but  in  1854  he  opposed 
the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  act  and 
therefore  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill  of  Douglas,  and 
thus  became  identified  with  the  nascent  Republican 
party. 

During  his  first  Congressional  term,  while  the 
Southern  members  were  following  their  old  practice 
of  intimidating  the  North  by  bullying  language, 
and  claiming  most  of  the  credit  for  victories  in  the 
Mexican  War,  and  Jefferson  Davis  claiming  for  the 
Mississippi  troops  all  the  credit  for  success  at  Buena 
Vista,  Mr.  Bissell  bravely  defended  the  Northern 
troops ;  whereupon  Davis  challenged  Bissell  to  a  duel, 
which  was  accepted.  This  matter  was  brought  up 
against  Bissell  when  he  was  candidate  for  Governor 
and  during  his  term  of  office,  as  the  Constitution  of 
this  State  forbade  any  duelist  from  holding  a  State 
office. 

In  1856,  when  the  Republican  party  first  put  forth 
a  candidate,  John  C.  Fremont,  for  President  of  the 
United  States,  the  same  party  nominated  Mr.  Bissell 
for  Governor  of  Illinois,  and  John  Wood,  of  Quincy, 
for  Lieutenant  Governor,  while  the  Democrats  nomi- 
nated Hon.  \V.  A.  Richardson,  of  Adams  County, 
for  Governor,  and  Col.  R.  J.  Hamilton,  of  Cook 
County,  for  Lieutenant  Governor.  The  result  of  the 


election  was  a  plurality  of  4,729  votes  over  Richard- 
son. The  American,  or  Know-Nothing,  party  had  a 
ticket  in  the  field.  The  Legislature  was  nearly  bal- 
anced, but  was  politically  opposed  to  the  Governor. 
His  message  to  the  Legislature  was  short  and  rather 
ordinary,  and  was  criticised  for  expressing  the  sup- 
posed obligations  of  the  people  to  the  incorporators 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  and  for  re- 
opening the  slavery  question  by  allusions  to  the 
Kansas  troubles.  Late  in  the  session  an  apportion- 
ment bill,  based  upon  the  State  census  of  1855,  was 
passed,  amid  much  partisan  strife.  The  Governor 
at  first  signed  the  bill  and  then  vetoed  it.  A  furious 
debate  followed,  and  the  question  whether  the  Gov- 
ernor had  the  authority  to  recall  a  signature  was 
referred  to  the  Courts,  that  of  last  resort  deciding  in 
favor  of  the  Governor.  Two  years  afterward  another 
outrageous  attempt  was  made  for  a  re-apportionment 
and  to  gerrymander  the  State,  but  the  Legislature 
failed  to  pass  the  bill  over  the  veto  of  the  Governor. 

It  was  during  Gov.  Bissell's  administration  that 
the  notorious  canal  scrip  fraud  was  brought  to  light, 
implicating  ex-Gov.  Matteson  and  other  prominent 
State  officials.  The  principal  and  interest,  aggregat- 
ing $255,500,  was  all  recovered  by  the  State  except- 
ing $27,500.  (See  sketch  of  Gov.  Matteson.) 

In  1859  an  attempt  was  dispovered  to  fraudu- 
lently refund  the  Macalister  and  Stebbins  bonds  and 
thus  rob  the  State  Treasury  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
million  dollars.  The  State  Government  was  impli- 
cated in  this  affair,  and  to  this  day  remains  unex- 
plained or  unatoned  for.  For  the  above,  and  other 
matters  previously  mentioned,  Gov.  Bissell  has  been 
severely  criticised,  and  he  has  also  been  most  shame- 
fully libelled  and  slandered. 

On  account  of  exposure  in  the  army,  the  remote 
cause  of  a  nervous  form  of  disease  gained  entrance 
into  his  system  and  eventually  developed  paraplegia, 
affecting  his  lower  extremities,  which,  while  it  left 
his  body  in  comparative  health,  deprived  him  of  loco- 
motion except  by  the  aid  of  crutches.  While  he  was 
generally  hopeful  of  ultimate  recovery,  this  myste- 
rious disease  pursued  him,  without  once  relaxing  its 
stealthy  hold,  to  the  close  of  his  life,  March  18, 
1860,  over  nine  months  before  the  expiration  of  his 
gubernatorial  term,  at  the  early  age  of  48  years.  He 
died  in  the  faith  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of 
which  he  hart  been  a  member  since  1854. 


r 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


I 

:OHN  WOOD,  Governor  1860-1,  and 
the  first  settler  of  Quincy,   111., 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Sempro- 
nius  (now  Moravia),  Cayuga  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  20,  1798.     He  was 
the  second  child  and  only  son  of 
Dr.  Daniel  Wood.     His  mother, 
nee  Catherine    Crause,    was    of 
German     parentage,    and    died 
while    he   was   an    infant.       Dr. 
Wood  was  a  learned  and  skillful 
physician,    of    classical    attain- 
ments and  proficient  in    several 
modern    languages,    who,    after 
serving  throughout  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  as  a  Surgeon,  settled  on  the  land  granted 
him  by   the  Government,  and  resided  there  a  re- 
spected and  leading  influence  in  his  section  until  his 
death,  at  the  ripe  age  of  92  years. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  impelled  by  the  spirit 
of  Western  adventure  then  pervading  everywhere, 
left  his  home,  Nov.  2,  1818,  and  passed  the  succeed- 
ing winter  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  The  following  sum- 
mer he  pushed  on  to  Illinois,  landing  at  Shawneetown. 
and  spent  the  fall  and  following  winter  in  Calhoun 
County.  In  1820,  in  company  with  Willard  Keyes, 
he  settled  in  Pike  County,  about  30  miles  southeast 
of  Quincy,  where  for  the  next  two  years  he  pursued 
farming.  In  1821  he  visited  "the  Bluffs"  (as  the 
present  site  of  Quincy  was  called,  then  uninhabited) 
and,  pleased  with  its  prospects,  soon  after  purchased 
a  quarter-section  of  land  near  by,  and  in  the  follow- 
'  '  ing  fall  (1822)  erected  near  the  river  a  small  cabin, 


18  x  20  feet,  the  first  building  in  Quincy,  of  which 
he  then  became  the  first  and  for  some  months  the 
only  occupant. 

About  this  time  he  visited  his  old  friends  in  Pike 
County,  chief  of  whom  was  William  Ross,  the  lead- 
ing man  in  building  up  the  village  of  Atlas,  of  that 
county,  which  was  thought  then  to  be  the  possible 
commencement  of  a  city.  One  day  they  and  others 
were^  traveling  together  over  the  country  between  the 
two  points  named,  making  observations  on  the  com- 
parative merits  of  the  respective  localities.  On  ap- 
proaching the  Mississippi  near  Mr.  Wood's  place, 
the  latter  told  his  companions  to  follow  him  and  he 
would  show  them  where  he  was  going  to  build  a  city. 
They  went  about  a  mile  off  the  main  trail,  to  a  high 
point,  from  which  the  view  in  every  direction  was 
most  magnificent,  as  it  had  been  for  ages  and  as  yet 
untouched  by  the  hand  of  man.  Before  them  swept 
by  the  majestic  Father  of  Waters,  yet  unburdened  by 
navigation.  After  Mr.  Wood  had  expatiated  at 
length  on  the  advantages  of  the  situation,  Mr.  Ross 
replied,  "  But  it's  too  near  Atlas  ever  to  amount  to 
anything!" 

Atlas  is  still  a  cultivated  farm,  and  Quincy  is  a 
city  of  over  30,000  population. 

In  1824  Mr.  Wood  gave  a  newspaper  notice, 
as  the  law  then  prescribed,  of  his  intention  to  apply 
to  the  General  Assembly  for  the  formation  of  a  new 
county.  This  was  done  the  following  winter,  result- 
ing in  the  establishment  of  the  present  Adams 
County.  During  the  next  summer  Quincy  was  se- 
lected as  the  county  seat,  it  and  the  vicinity  then 
containing  but  four  adult  male  residents  and  half 


TOHN  WOOD. 


4 


that  number  of  females.  Sinoe  that  period  Mr. 
Wood  resided  at  the  place  of  his  early  adoption  un- 
til his  death,  and  far  more  than  any  other  man  was 
he  identified  with  every  measure  of  its  progress  and 
history,  and  almost  continuously  kept  in  public  posi- 
tions. 

He  was  one  of  the  early  town  Trustees,  and  after 
the  place  became  a  city  he  was  often  a  member  of 
the  City  Council,  many  times  elected  Mayor,  in  the 
face  of  a  constant  large  opposition  political  majority. 
In  1850  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  In  1856, 
on  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  he  was 
chosen  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  State,  on  the 
ticket  with  Wm.  H.  Bissell  for  Governor,  and  on  the 
death  of  the  latter,  March  18,  1860,  he  succeeded  to 
the  Chief  Executive  chair,  which  he  occupied  until 
Gov.  Yates  was  inaugurated  nearly  ten  months  after- 
ward. 

Nothing  very  marked  characterized  the  adminis- 
tration of  Gov.  Wood.  The  great  anti-slavery  cam- 
paign of  1860,  resulting  in  the  election  of  the  honest 
Illinoisan,  Abraham  Lincoln,  to  the  Presidency  of  the 
United  States,  occurred  during  the  short  period 
while  Mr.  Wood  was  Governor,  and  the  excitement 
and  issues  of  that  struggle  dominated  over  every 
other  consideration, — indeed,  supplanted  them  in  a 
great  measure.  The  people  of  Illinois,  during  all 
that  time,  were  passing  the  comparatively  petty  strifes 
under  Bissell's  administration  to  the  overwhelming 
issue  of  preserving  the  whole  nation  from  destruction. 

In  1861  ex-Gov.  Wood  was  one  of  the  five  Dele- 
gates from  Illinois  lo  the  "  Peace  Convention  "  at 
Washington,  and  in  April  of  the  same  year,  on  the 
breaking  out  of  -the  Rebsllion,  he  was  appointed 


Quartermaster-General  of  the  State,  which  position 
he  held  throughout  the  war.  In  1864  he  took  com- 
mand as  Colonel  of  the  I3yth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with 
whom  he  served  until  the  period  of  enlistment  ex- 
pired. 

Politically,  Gov.  Wood  was  always  actively  identi- 
fied with  the  Whig  and  Republican  parties.  Few 
men  have  in  personal  experience  comprehended  so 
many  surprising  and  advancing  local  changes  as 
vested  in  the  more  than  half  century  recollections  of 
Gov.  Wood.  Sixty-four  years  ago  a  solitary  settler 
on  the  "Bluffs,"  with  no  family,  and  no  neighbor 
within  a  score  of  miles,  the  world  of  civilization  away 
behind  him,  and  the  strolling  red-man  almost  his 
only  visitant,  he  lived  to  see  growing  around  him, 
and  under  his  auspices  and  aid,  overspreading  the 
wild  hills  and  scraggy  forest  a  teaming  city,  second 
only  in  size  in  the  State,  and  surpassed  nowhere  in 
beauty,  prosperity  and  promise ;  whose  people  recog- 
nize as  with  a  single  voice  the  proverbial  honor  and 
liberality  that  attach  to  the  name  and  lengthened 
life  of  their  pioneer  settler,  "the  old  Governor." 

Gov.  Wood  was  twice  married, — first  in  January, 
1826,  to  Ann  M.  Streeter,  daughter  of  Joshua  Streeter, 
formerly  of  Salem,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.  They  had 
eight  children.  Mrs.  W.  died  Oct.  8,  1863,  and  in 
June,  1865,  Gov.  Wood  married  Mrs.  Mary  A.,  widow 
of  Rev.  Joseph  T.  Holmes.  Gov.  Wood  died  June  4, 
1880,  at  his  residence  in  Quincy.  Four  of  his  eight 
children  are  now  living,  namely:  Ann  E.,  wife  of 
Gen.  John  Tillson;  Daniel  C.,  who  married  Mary  J. 
Abernethy;  John,  Jr.,  who  married  Josephine  Skinner, 
and  Joshua  S.,  who  married  Annie  Bradley.  The 
last  mentioned  now  resides  at  Atchison,  Kansas,  and 
all  the  rest  are  still  at  Quincy. 


i 


*  i» 


»•  •  «• 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Yat'f  $. 


HCHARD  YATES,  the  "War 
Governor,"  1861-4,  was  born 
Jan.  1 8,  1818,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio  River,  at  Warsaw, 
Gallatin  Co.,  Ky.  His  father 
moved  in  1831  to  Illinois,  and( 
after  stopping  for  a  time  in 
Springfield,  settled  at  Island 
Grove,  Sangamon  County.  Here, 
after  attending  school,  Richard  joined 
the  family.  Subsequently  he  entered 
Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville, 
where,  in  1837,  he  graduated  with 
first  honors.  He  chose  for  his  pro- 
fession the  law,  the  Hon.  J.  J.  Har- 
din  being  his  instructor.  After  ad- 
mission to  the  Bar  he  soon  rose  to  distinction  as  an 
advocate. 

Gifted  with  a  fluent  and  ready  oratory,  he  soon 
appeared  in  the  political  hustings,  and,  being  a 
passionate  admirer  of  the  great  Whig  leader  of  the 
West,  Henry  Clay,  he  joined  his  political  fortunes  to 
the  party  of  his  idol.  In  1840  he  engaged  with  great 
ardor  in  the  exciting  "  hard  cider "  campaign  for 
Harrison.  Two  years  later  he  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature  from  Morgan  County,  a  Democratic 
stronghold.  He  served  three  or  four  terms  in  the 
Legislature,  and  such  was  the  fascination  of  his  ora- 
tory that  by  1850  his  large  Congressional  District, 
extending  from  Morgan  and  Sangamon  Counties 
north  to  include  LaSalle,  unanimously  tendered  him 
the  Whig  nomination  for  Congress.  His  Democratic 
opponent  was  Maj.  Thomas  L.  Harris,  a  very  pop- 
ular man  who  had  won  distinction  at  the  battle  of 
Cerro  Gordo,  in  the  Mexican  War,  and  who  had 
beaten  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Logan  for  the  same  position, 


two  years  before,  by  a  large  majority.  Yates  was 
elected.  Two  years  later  he  was  re-elected,  over 
John  Calhoun. 

It  was  during  Yates'  second  term  in  Congress  that 
the  great  question  of  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Com- 
promise was  agitated,  and  the  bars  laid  down  for  re- 
opening the  dreaded  anti-slavery  question.  He  took 
strong  grounds  against  the  repeal,  and  thus  became 
identified  with  the  rising  Republican  party.  Conse- 
quently he  fell  into  the  minority  in  his  district,  which 
was  pro-slavery.  Even  then,  in  a  third  contest,  he 
fell  behind  Major  Harris  only  zoo  votes,  after  the 
district  had  two  years  before  given  Pierce  2,000 
majority  for  President. 

The  Republican  State  Convention  of  1860  met  at 
Decatur  May  9,  and  nominated  for  the  office  of  Gov- 
ernor Mr.  Yates,  in  preference  to  Hon.  Norman  B. 
Judd,  of  Chicago,  and  Leonard  Swett,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  two  of  the  ablest  men  of  the  State,  who  were 
also  candidates  before  the  Convention.  Francis  A. 
Hoffman,  of  DuPage  County,  was  nominated  for 
Lieutenant  Governor.  This  was  the  year  when  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  a  candidate  for  President,  a  period  re- 
membered as  characterized  by  the  great  whirlpool 
which  precipitated  the  bloody  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
The  Douglas  Democrats  nominated  J.  C.  Allen  of 
Crawford  County,  for  Governor,  and  Lewis  W.  Ross, 
of  Fulton  County,  for  Lieutenant  Governor.  The 
Breckenridge  Democrats  and  the  Bell-Everett  party 
had  also  full  tickets  in  the  field.  After  a  most  fear- 
ful campaign,  the  result  of  the  election  gave  Mr. 
Yates  172,196  votes,  and  Mr.  Allen  159,253.  Mr. 
Yates  received  over  a  thousand  more  votes  than  did 
Mr.  Lincoln  himself. 

Gov.  Yates  occupied  the  chair  of  State  during  the 


f. 


1 60 


RICHARD    YATES. 


i ' 


most  critical  period  of  cnir  country's  history.  In  the 
fate  of  the  nation  was  involved  that  of  each  State. 
The  life  struggle  of  the  former  derived  its  sustenance 
from  the  loyalty  of  the  latter;  and  Gov.  Yates 
seemed  to  realize  the  situation,  and  proved  himself 
both  loyal  and  wise  in  upholding  the  Government. 
He  had  a  deep  hold  upon  the  affections  of  the 
people,  won  by  his  moving  eloquence  and  genial 
manners.  Erect  and  symmetrical  in  person,  of  pre- 
possessing appearance,  with  a  winning  address  and  a 
magnetic  power,  few  men  possessed  more  of  the  ele- 
ments of  popularity.  His  oratory  was  scholarly  and 
captivating,  his  hearers  hardly  knowing  why  they 
were  transported.  He  was  social  and  convivial.  In 
the  latter  respect  he  was  ultimately  carried  too  far. 

The  very  creditable  military  efforts  of  this  State 
during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  in  putting  into  the 
field  the  enormous  number  of  about  200,000  soldiers, 
were  ever  promptly  and  ably  seconded  by  his  excel- 
lency ;  and  the  was  ambitious  to  deserve  the  title  of 
"the  soldier's  friend."  Immediately  after  the  battle  of 
Shiloh  he  repaired  to  the  field  of  carnage  to  look 
after  the  wounded,  and  his  appeals  for  aid  were 
promptly  responded  to  by  the  people.  His  procla- 
mations calling  for  volunteers  were  impassionate 
appeals,  urging  upon  the  people  the  duties  and  re- 
quirements of  patriotism ;  and  his  special  message 
in  1863  to  the  Democratic  Legislature  of  this  State 
pleading  for  material  aid  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers  of  Illinois  regiments,  breathes  a  deep  fervor 
of  noble  sentiment  and  feeling  rarely  equaled  in 
beauty  or  felicity  of  expression.  Generally  his  mes- 
sages on  political  and  civil  affairs  were  able  and  com- 
prehensive. During  his  administration,  however, 
there  were  no  civil  events  of  an  engrossing  character, 
although  two  years  of  his  time  were  replete  with 
partisan  quarrels  of  great  bitterness.  Military  ar- 
rests, Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle,  riot  in  Fulton 
County,  attempted  suppression  of  the  Chicago  Times 
and  the  usurping  State  Constitutional  Convention  of 
1862,  were  the  chief  local  topics  that  were  exciting 
during  the  Governor's  term.  This  Convention  assem- 
bled Jan.  7,  and  at  once  took  the  high  position  that 
the  law  calling  it  was  no  longer  binding,  and  that  it 
had  supreme  power;  that  it  represented  a  virtual 
assemblage  of  the  whole  people  of  the  State,  and  was 
sovereign  in  the  exercise  of  all  power  necessary  to 
effect  a  peaceable  revolution  of  the  State  Government 


and  to  the  re-establishment  of  one  for  the  "  happiness, 
prosperity  and  freedom  of  the  citizens,"  limited  only 
by  the  Federal  Constitution.  Notwithstanding  the 
law  calling  the  Convention  required  its  members  to 
take  an  oath  to  support  the  Constitution  of  the  State 
as  well  as  that  of  the  general  Government,  they 
utterly  refused  to  take  such  oath.  They  also  as- 
sumed legislative  powers  and  passed  several  import- 
ant "laws!"  Interfering  with  the  (then)  present 
executive  duties,  Gov.  Yates  was  provoked  to  tell 
them  plainly  that  "  he  did  not  acknowledge  the  right 
of  the  Convention  to  instruct  him  in  the  performance 
of  his  duty." 

In  1863  the  Governor  astonished  the  Democrats 
by  "  proroguing  "  their  Legislature.  This  body,  after 
a  recess,  met  June  2,  that  year,  and  soon  began  to 
waste  time  upon  various  partisan  resolutions ;  and, 
while  the  two  houses  were  disagreeing  upon  the 
question  of  adjourning  sine  die,  the  Governor,  having 
the  authority  in  such  cases,  surprised  them  all  by 
adjourning  them  "  to  the  Saturday  next  preceding  the 
first  Monday  in  January,  1865  !  "  This  led  to  great 
excitement  and  confusion,  and  to  a  reference  of  the 
Governor's  act  to  the  Supreme  Court,  who  decided  in 
his  favor.  Then  it  was  the  Court's  turn  to  receive 
abuse  for  weeks  and  months  afterward. 

During  the  autumn  of  1864  a  conspiracy  was  de- 
tected at  Chicago  which  had  for  its  object  the  liber- 
ation of  the  prisoners  of  war  at  Camp  Douglas,  the 
burning  of  the  city  and  the  inauguration  of  rebellion 
in  the  North.  Gen.  Sweet,  who  had  charge  of  the 
camp  at  the  time,  first  had  his  suspicions  of  danger 
aroused  by  a  number  of  enigmatically  worded  letters 
which  passed  through  the  Camp  postoffice.  A  de- 
tective afterward  discovered  that  the  rebel  Gen. 
Marmaduke  was  in  the  city,  under  an  assumed 
name,  and  he,  with  other  rebel  officers — Grenfell, 
Morgan,  Cantrell,  Buckner  Morris,  and  Charles 
Walsh — was  arrested,  most  of  whom  were  convicted 
by  a  court-martial  at  Cincinnati  and  sentenced  to 
imprisonment, — Grenfell  to  be  hung.  The  sentence 
of  the  latter  was  afterward  commuted  to  imprison- 
ment for  life,  and  all  the  others,  after  nine  months' 
imprisonment,  were  pardoned. 

In  March,  1873,  Gov.  Yates  was  appointed  a  Gov- 
ernment Director  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  in 
which  office  he  continued  until  his  decease,  at  St. 
Ixsuis,  Mo.,  on  the  27th  of  November  following. 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS, 


163 


Richard  J,  Ogles 


UCHARD  J.  OGLESBY,  Gov- 
ernor 1865-8,  and  re-elected 
in  1872  and  1884,  was  born 
July  25,  1824,  in  Oldham  Co., 
Ky., — the  State  which  might 
be  considered  the  "  mother  of 
Illinois  Governors."  Bereft  of 
his  parents  at  the  tender  age 
of  eight  years,  his  early  education 
was  neglected.  When  12  years  of 
age,  and  after  he  had  worked  a  year 
and  a  half  at  the  carpenter's  trade, 
he  removed  with  an  uncle,  Willis 
Oglesby,  into  whose  care  he  had 
been  committed,  to  Decatur,  this 
State,  where  he  continued  his  ap- 
prenticeship as  a  mechanic,  working  six  months  for 
Hon.  E.  O.  Smith. 

In  1844  he  commenced  studying  law  at  Spring- 
field, with  Judge  Silas  Robbins,  and  read  with  him 
one  year.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1845,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  at 
Sullivan,  the  county  seat  of  Moultrie  County. 

The  next  year  the  war  with  Mexico  was  com- 
menced, and  in  June,  1846,  Mr.  Oglesby  volunteered, 
was  elected  First  Lieutenant  of  Co.  C,  Fourth  Illinois 
Regiment  of  Volunteers,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Vera  Cm/,  and  Cerro  Gordo. 

On  his  return  he  sought  to  perfect  his  law  studies 
by  attending  a  course  of  lectures  at  Louisville,  but 
on  the  breaking  out  of  the  California  "gold  fever  "  in 
1849,  be  crossed  the  plains  and  mountains  to  the 
new  Eldorado,  driving  a  six-mule  team,  with  a  com- 


pany  of  eight  men,  Henry  Prather  being  the  leader. 

In  1852  he  returned  home  to  Macon  County,  and 
was  placed  that  year  by  the  Whig  party  on  the  ticket 
of  Presidential  Electors.  In  1856  he  visited  Europe, 
Asia  and  Africa,  being  absent  20  months.  On  his 
return  home  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  as  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Gallagher,  Wait  &  Oglesby. 
In  1858  he  was  the  Republican  nominee  for  the 
Lower  House  of  Congress,  but  was  defeated  by  the 
Hon.  James  C.  Robinson,  Democrat.  In  1860  he 
was  elected  to  the  Illinois  State  Senate ;  and  on  the 
evening  the  returns  of  this  election  were  coming  in, 
Mr.  Oglesby  had  a  fisticuff  encounter  with  "  Cerro 
Gordo  Williams,"  in  which  he  came  out  victorious, 
and  which  was  regarded  as  "  the  first  fight  of  the 
Rebellion."  The  following  spring,  when  the  war 
had  commenced  in  earnest,  his  ardent  nature 
quickly  responded  to  the  demands  of  patriotism  and 
he  enlisted.  The  extra  session  of  the  Legislature 
elected  him  Colonel  of  the  Eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
the  second  one  in  the  State  raised  to  suppress  the 
great  Rebellion. 

He  was  shortly  entrusted  with  important  com- 
mands. For  a  time  he  was  stationed  at  Bird's  Point 
and  Cairo;  in  April  he  was  promoted  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral; at  Fort  Donelson  his  brigade  was  in  the  van, 
being  stationed  on  the  right  of  General  Grant's  army 
and  the  first  brigade  to  be  attacked.  He  lost  500 
men  before  re-inforcements  arrived.  Many  of  these 
men  were  from  Macon  County.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Corinth,  and,  in  a  brave  charge  at  this 
place,  was  shot  in  the  left  lung  with  an  ounce  ball, 
and  was  carried  from  the  field  in  expectation  of  im- 


JZi 


f. 


1 ,   164 


RICHARD  J.   OGLESBY. 


mediate  death.  Thai  rebel  ball  he  carries  to  this 
day.  On  his  partial  recovery  he  was  promoted  as 
Major  General,  for  gallantry,  his  commission  to  rank 
from  November,  1862.  In  the  spring  of  1863  he 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  i6th  Army 
Corps,  but,  owing  to  inability  from  the  effects  of  his 
wound,  he  relinquished  this  command  in  July,  that 
year.  Gen.  Grant,  however,  refused  to  accept  his 
resignation,  and  he  was  detailed,  in  December  follow- 
ing, to  court-martial  and  try  the  Surgeon  General  of 
the  Army  at  Washington,  where  he  remained  until 
May,  1864,  when  he  returned  home. 
The  Republican,  or  Union,  State  Convention  of 

1864  was  held  at  Springfield,   May  25,   when  Mr. 
Oglesby  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  Governor, 
while  other  candidates  before  the  Convention  were 
Allen  C.  Fuller,  of  Boone,  Jesse  K.  Dubois,  of  Sanga- 
mon,   and   John   M.    Palmer,  of  Macoupin.     Wm. 
Bross,  of  Chicago,   was   nominated  for  Lieutenant 
Governor.      On  the  Democratic   State  ticket  were 
James  C.  Robinson,  of  Clark,  for  Governor,  and  S. 
Corning  Judd,  of  Fulton,  for  Lieutenant  Governor. 
The  general  election  gave  Gen.  Oglesby  a  majority 
of  about  31,000  votes.     The  Republicans 'had  also  a 
majority  in  both  the  Legislature  and  in  the  repre- 
sentation in  Congress. 

Gov.  Oglesby  was  duly  inaugurated  Jan.  17,  1865. 
The  day  before  the  first  time  set  for  his  installation 
death  visited  his  home  at  Decatar,  and  took  from  it 
his  only  son,  an  intelligent  and  sprightly  lad  of  six 
years,  a  great  favorite  of  the  bereaved  parents.  This 
caused  the  inauguration  to  be  postponed  a  week. 

The  political  events  of  the  Legislative  session  of 

1865  were  the   election  of  ex-Gov.    Yates   to  the 
United  States  Senate,  and  the  ratification  of  the  13111 
amend.nent  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
abolishing  slavery.      This   session    also    signalized 
itself  by  repealing  the  notorious  "  black  laws,"  part 
of  which,  although  a  dead  letter,  had  held  their  place 
upon  the  statute  books  since  1819.     Also,  laws  re- 
quiring the  registration  of  voters,  and  establishing  a 
State  Board  of  Equalization,  were  passed  by  this  Leg- 
islature.    But  the  same  body  evinced  that  it  was  cor- 
ruptly influenced  by  a  mercenary  lobby,  as  it  adopted 
some  bad  legislation,  over  the  Governor's  veto,  nota- 
bly an  amendment  to  a  charter  for  a  Chicago  horse 
railway,   granted    in     1859  for  25   years,   and   now 
sought  to  be  extended  99  years.     As   this  measure 
was  promptly  passed  over  his  veto  by  both  branches 
of  the  Legislature,  he  deemed  it  useless  further  to 
attempt   to  check  their  headlong  career.     At   this 
session  no  law  of  a  general  useful  character  or  public 
interest  was  perfected,  unless   we  count  such  the 
turning  over  of  the  canal  to  Chicago  to  be  deepened. 
The  session  of  1867   was  still  more   productive  of 
private  and  special  acts.     Many  omnibus  bills  were 
proposed,  and  some  passed.     The  contests  over  the 
location  of  the   Industrial  College,  the  Capital,  the 


Southern    Penitentiary,  and  the  canal   enlargement 
and   Illinois   River  improvement,  dominated  every 
thing  else. 

During  the  year  1872,  it  became  evident  that  if 
the  Republicans  could  re-elect  Mr.  Oglesby  to  the 
office  of  Governor,  they  could  also  elect  him  to  ihe 
United  States  Senate,  which  they  desired  to  do. 
Accordingly  they  re-nominated  him  for  the  Execu- 
tive chair,  and  placed  upon  the  ticket  with  him  for 
Lieutenant  Governor,  John  L.  Beveridge,  of  Cook 
County.  On  the  other  side  the  Democrats  put  into 
the  field  Gustavus  Koerner  for  Governor  and  John 
C.  Black  for  Lieutenant  Governor.  The  election 
gave  the  Republican  ticket  majorities  ranging  from 
35)334  to  56,174, — the  Democratic  defection  being 
caused  mainly  by  their  having  an  old-time  Whig  and 
Abolitionist,  Horace  Greeley,  on  the  national  ticket 
for  President.  According  to  the  general  understand- 
ing had  beforehand,  as  soon  as  the  Legislature  met 
it  elected  Gov.  Oglesby  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
whereupon  Mr.  Beveridge  became  Governor.  Sena- 
tor Oglesby 's  term  expired  March  4,  1879,  having 
served  his  party  faithfully  and  exhibited  an  order  of 
statesmanship  beyond  criticism. 

During  the  campaign  of  1884  Mr.  Oglesby  was 
nominated  for  a  "third  term"  as  Executive  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  against  Carter  H.  Harrison,  Mayor 
of  Chicago,  nominated  by  the  Democrats.  Both 
gentlemen  "  stumped  "  the  State,  and  while  the  peo- 
ple elected  a  Legislature  which  was  a  tie  on  a  joint 
ballot,  as  between  the  two  parties,  they  gave  the 
jovial  "  Dick"  Oglesby  a  majority  of  15,018  for  Gov- 
ernor, and  he  was  inaugurated  Jan.  30,  1885.  The 
Legislature  did  not  fully  organize  until  this  date,  on 
account  of  its  equal  division  between  the  two  main 
parties  and  the  consequent  desperate  tactics  of  each 
party  to  checkmate  the  latter  in  the  organization  of 
the  House. 

Gov.  Oglesby  is  a  fine-appearing,  affable  man,  with 
regular,  well  defined  features  and  rotund  face.  In 
stature  he  is  a  little  above  medium  height,  of  a  large 
frame  and  somewhat  fleshy.  His  physical  appear- 
ance is  striking  and  prepossessing,  while  his  straight- 
out,  not  to  say  bluff,  manner  and  speech  are  well 
calculated  favorably  to  impress  the  average  masses. 
Ardent  in  feeling  and  strongly  committed  to  the  pol- 
icies of  his  party,  he  intensifies  Republicanism 
among  Republicans,  while  at  the  same  time  his  iovial 
and  liberal  manner  prevents  those  of  the  opposite 
party  from  hating  him. 

He  is  quite  an  effective  stump  orator.  With  vehe- 
ment, passionate  and  scornful  tone  and  gestures, 
tremendous  physical  power,  which  in  speaking  he 
exercises  to  the  utmost;  with  frequent  descents  to 
the  grotesque;  and  with  abundant  homely  compari- 
sons or  frontier  figures,  expressed  in  the  broadest 
vernacular  and  enforced  with  stentorian  emphasis, 
he  delights  a  promiscuous  audience  beyond  measure. 


I 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


167 


J  O  HN  M.  PA  L  MEM 


.•.' ;  i. •.. '..'.  '..'i'-;.'.  •. '.  '. '.  '. '. '.  '.". '. '.  '. '.  v. •'•••.'•( '.  v. 


|OHN  Me  AULEY  PALMER,  Gov- 
ernor 1869-72,  was  born  on 
Eagle  Creek,  Scott  Co.,  Ky , 
Sept.  13,  1817.  During  his  in- 
fancy, his  father,  who  had  been 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  re- 
moved to  Christian  Co.,  Ky., 
where  lands  were  cheap.  Here 
the  future  Governor  of  the  great 
Prairie  State  spent  his  childhood 
and  received  such  meager  school- 
ing as  the  new  and  sparsely  set- 
tled country  afforded.  To  this 
he  added  materially  by  diligent 
reading,  for  which  he  evinced  an 
eaily  aptitude.  His  father,  an  ardent  Jackson  man, 
was  also  noted  for  his  anti-slavery  sentiments,  which 
he  thoroughly  impressed  upon  his  children.  In  1831 
he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Madison  County. 
Here  the  labor  of  improving  a  farm  was  pursued  for 
about  two  years,  when  the  death  of  Mr.  Palmer's 
mother  broke  up  the  family.  About  this  time  Alton 
College  was  opened,  on  the  "manual  labor  "  system, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1834  young  Palmer,  with  his 
elder  brother,  Elihu,  entered  this  school  and  remained 
1 8  months.  Next,  for  over  three  years,  he  tried 
variously  coopering,  peddling  and  school-teaching. 

During    the   summer  of   1838  he  formed  the  ac- 
quaintance of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  then  making  his 


first  canvass  for  Congress.  Young,  eloquent  and  in 
political  accord  with  Mr.  Palmer,  he  won  his  confi- 
dence, Sred  his  ambition  and  fixed  his  purpose.  The 
following  winter,  while  teaching  near  Canton,  he  be- 
gan to  devote  his  spare  time  to  a  desultory  reading 
of  law,  and  in  the  spring  entered  a  law  office  at  Car- 
linville,  making  his  home  with  his  elder  brother, 
Elihu.  (The  latter  was  a  learned  clergyman,  of  con- 
siderable orginality  of  thought  and  doctrine.)  On 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Supreme  Court  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar,  Douglas  being  one  of  his  examiners. 
He  was  not  immediately  successful  in  his  profession, 
and  would  have  located  elsewhere  than  Carlinville 
had  he  the  requisite  means.  Thus  his  early  poverty 
was  a  blessing  in  disguise,  for  to  it  he  now  attributes 
the  success  of  his  life. 

From  1839  on,  while  he  diligently  pursued  his 
profession,  he  participated  more  or  less  in  local 
politics.  In  1843  he  became  Probate  Judge.  In 
1847  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Constitutional  Con- 
vention, where  he  took  a  leading  part.  In  1852  he 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  at  the  special 
session  of  February,  1854,  true  to  the  anti-slavery 
sentiments  bred  in  him,  he  took  a  firm  stand  in  op- 
position  to  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise; 
and  when  the  Nebraska  question  became  a  party 
issue  he  refused  to  receive  a  re-nomination  for  the 
Senatorship  at  the  hands  of  the  Democracy,  issuing 
a  circular  to  that  effect.  A  few  weeks  afterward, 


t 


i68 


JOHN  AfC  AULEY  PALMER. 


however,  hesitating  to  break  with  his  party,  he  par- 
ticipated in  a  Congressional  Convention  which  nomi- 
T.  L.  Harris  against  Richard  Yates,  and  which 
unqualifiedly  approved  the  principles  of  the  Kansas- 
Nebraska  act.  But  later  in  the  campaign  he  made 
the  plunge,  ran  for  the  Senate  as  an  Anti-Nebraska 
Democrat,  and  was  elected.  The  following  winter 
he  put  in  nomination  for  the  United  States  Senate 
Mr.  Trumbull,  and  was  one  of  the  five  steadfast  men 
who  voted  for  him  until  all  the  Whigs  came  to  their 
support  and  elected  their  man. 

In  1856  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Republican  State 
Convention  at  Bloomington.  He  ran  for  Congress  in 
1859,  but  was  defeated.  In  1860  he  was  Republican 
Presidential  Elector  for  the  State  at  large.  In  1861 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  five  Delegates  (all  Re- 
publicans) sent  by  Illinois  to  the  peace  congress  at 
Washington. 

When  the  civil  conflict  broke  out,  he  offered  his 
services  to  his  country,  and  was  elected  Colonel  of  the 
i4th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  participated  in  the  engagements 
at  Island  No.  ro;  at  Farmington,  where  he  skillfully 
extricated  his  command  from  a  dangerous  position  ; 
at  Stone  River,  where  his  division  for  several  hours, 
Dec.  31,  1862,  held  the  advance  and  stood  like  a 
rock,  and  for  his  gallantry  there  he  was  made  Major 
General;  at  Chickamauga,  where  his  and  Van  Cleve's 
divisions  for  two  hours  maintained  their  position 
when  they  were  cut  off  by  overpowering  numbers. 
Under  Gen.  Sherman,  he  was  assigned  to  the  14111 
Army  Corps  and  participated  in  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
At  Peach-Tree  Creek  his  prudence  did  much  to  avert 
disaster.  In  February,  1865,  Gen.  Palmer  was  as- 
signed to  the  military  administration  of  Kentucky, 
which  was  a  delicate  post.  That  State  was  about 
half  rebel  and  half  Union,  and  those  of  the  latter 
element  were  daily  fretted  by  the  loss  of  their  slaves. 
He,  who  had  been  bred  to  the  rules  of  common  law, 
trembled  at  the  contemplation  of  his  extraordinary 
power  over  the  persons  and  property  of  his  fellow 
men,  with  which  he  was  vested  in  his  capacity  as 
military  Governor ;  and  he  exhibited  great  caution  in 
the  execution  of  the  duties  of  his  post. 

Gen.  Palmer  was  nominated  for  Governor  of  Illi- 
nois by  the  Republican  State  Convention  which  met 
at  Peoria  May  6,  1868,  and  his  nomination  would 
probably  have  been  made  by  acclamation  had  he  not 
persistently  declared  that  he  could  not  accept  a  can- 


didature for  the  office.  The  result  of  the  ensuing 
election  gave  Mr.  Palmer  a  majority  of  44,707  over 
John  R.  Eden,  the  Democratic  nominee. 

On  the  meeting  of  the  Legislature  in  January, 
1869,  the  first  thing  to  arrest  public  attention  was 
that  portion  of  the  Governor's  message  which  took 
broad  Slate's  rights  ground.  This  and  some  minor 
points,  which  were  more  in  keeping  with  the  Dema- 
cratic  sentiment,  constituted  the  entering  wed.;e  fir 
the  criticisms  and  reproofs  he  afterward  received 
from  the  Republican  party,  and  ultim  uely  resulted 
in  his  entire  aleniation  from  the  latter  element.  The 
Legislature  just  referred  to  was  noted  for  the  intro- 
duction of  numerous  bills  in  the  interest  of  private 
parties,  which  were  embarrassing  to  the  Governor. 
Among  the  public  acts  passed  was  that  which  limited 
railroad  charges  for  passenger  travel  to  a  maximum 
of  three  cents  per  mile ;  and  it  was  passed  over  the 
Governor's  veto.  Also,  they  passed,  over  his  veto, 
the  "tax-grabbing  law"  to  pay  railroad  subscriptions, 
the  Chicago  Lake  Front  bill,  etc.  The  new  State 
Constitution  of  1870,  far  superior  to  the  old,  was  a 
peaceful  "  revolution  "  which  took  place  during  Gov. 
Palmer's  term  of  office.  The  suffering  caused  by  the 
great  Chicago  Fire  of  October,  1871,  was  greatly 
alleviated  by  the  prompt  responses  of  his  excellency. 

Since  the  expiration  of  Gov.  Palmers's  term,  he  has 
been  somewhat  prominent  in  Illinois  politics,  and 
has  been  talked  of  by  many,  especially  in  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  as  the  best  man  in  the  State  for  a 
United  States  Senator.  His  business  during  life  has 
been  that  of  the  law.  Few  excel  him  in  an  accurate 
appreciation  of  the  depth  and  scope  of  its  principles- 
The  great  number  of  his  able  veto  messages  abun- 
dantly testify  not  only  this  but  also  a  rare  capacity  to 
point  them  out.  He  is  a  logical  and  cogent  reasoner 
and  an  interesting,  forcible  and  convincing  speaker, 
though  not  fluent  or  ornate.  Without  brilliancy,  his 
dealings  are  rather  with  facts  and  ideas  than  with 
appeals  to  passion.s  and  prejudices.  He  is  a  patriot 
and  a  statesman  of  very  high  order.  Physically  he  is 
above  the  medium  height,  of  robust  frame,  ruddy 
complexion  and  sanguine-nervous  temperament  He 
has  a  large  cranial  development,  is  vivacious,  social 
in  disposition,  easy  of  approach,  unostentatious  in  his 
habits  of  life,  democratic  in  his  habits  and  manners 
and  is  a  true  American  in  his  fundamental  principles 
of  statesmanship. 


V  /"  '     "      -'; 


t 


GV  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


171 


"•  ''A''  "•'•''•  v'iV>'i  '.t'i  '.  '. 


OHN  LOWRiE  BEVER- 
IDGE,  Governor  1873-6,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Green- 
wich, Washington  Co.,  N.  Y., 
July  6,  1824.  His  parents 
were  George  and  Ann  Bever- 
idge.  His  father's  parents,  An- 
drew and  Isabel  Bcveridge,  be- 
fore their  marriage  emigrated 
from  Scotland  just  before  the 
Revolutionary  War,  settling  in 
Washington  County.  His  father 
was  the  eldest  of  eight  brothers,  the 
youngest  of  whom  was  60  years  of 
age  when  the  first  one  of  the  num- 
ber died.  His  mother's  parents, 
James  and  Agnes  Hoy,  emigrated 
from  Scotland  at  the  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  War,  settling  also  in 
Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  with  their 
first-born,  whose  "  native  land  "was 
the  wild  ocean.  His  parents  and 
grandparents  lived  beyond  the  time 
allotted  to  man,  their  average  age 
being  over  80  years.  They  belonged  to  the  "  Asso- 
ciate Church,"  a  seceding  Presbyterian  body  of 


America  from  the  old  Scotch  school ;  and  so  rigid 
was  the  training  of  young  Beveridge  that  he  never 
heard  a  sermon  from  any  other  minister  except  that 
of  his  own  denomination  until  he  was  in  his  191)1 
year.  Later  in  life  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which  relation  he  still 
holds. 

Mr.  Beveridge  received  a  good  common-school  ed- 
ucation, but  his  parents,  who  could  obtain  a  livelihood 
only  by  rigid  economy  and  industry,  could  not  send 
him  away  to  college.  He  was  raised  upon  a  farm, 
and  was  in  his  i8th  year  when  the  family  removed 
to  De  Kalb  County,  this  State,  when  that  section  was 
very  sparsely  settled.  Chicago  had  less  than  7,000 
inhabitants.  In  this  wild  West  he  continued  as  a 
farm  laborer,  teaching  school  during  the  winter 
months  .to  supply  the  means  of  an  education.  In  the 
fall  of  1842  he  attended  one  term  at  the  academy  at 
Granville,  Putnam  Co.,  111.,  and  subsequently  several 
terms  at  the  Rock  River  Seminary  at  Mount  Morris, 
Ogle  Co.,  111.,  completing  the  academic  course.  At 
this  time,  the  fall  of  1845,  his  parents  and  brothers 
were  anxious  to  have  him  go  to  college,  even  though 
he  had  not  money  sufficient;  but,  njt  willing  to  bur- 
den the  family,  he  packed  his  trunk  and  with  only 
$40  in  money  started  South  to  seek  his  fortune. 


172 


JOHN  L.  BEVERIDGE. 


Poor,  alone,  without  friends  and  influence,  he  thus 
entered  upon  the  battle  of  life. 

First,  he  taught  school  in  Wilson,  Overton  and 
Jackson  Cos.,  Tenn.,  in  which  experience  he  under- 
went considerable  mental  drill,  both  in  book  studies 
and  in  the  ways  of  the  world.  He  read  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar,  in  the  South,  but  did  not  learn 
to  love  the  institution  of  slavery,  although  he  ad- 
mired many  features  of  Southern  character.  In  De- 
cember, 1847,  he  returned  North,  and  Jan.  20,  1848, 
he  married  Miss  Helen  M.  Judson,  in  the  old  Clark- 
Street  M.  E.  church  in  Chicago,  her  father  at  that 
time  being  Pastor  of  the  society  there.  In  the  spring 
of  1848  he  returned  with  his  wife  to  Tennessee, 
where  his  two  children,  Alia  May  and  Philo  Judson, 
were  born. 

In  the  fall  of  1849,  through  the  mismanagement 
of  an  associate,  he  lost  what  little  he  had  accumu- 
lated and  was  left  in  debt.  He  soon  managed  to 
earn  means  to  pay  his  debts,  returned  to  De  Kalb 
Co.,  111.,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Sycamore,  the  county  seat.  On  arrival 
from  the  South  he  had  but  one-quarter  of  a  dollar  in 
money,  and  scanty  clothing  and  bedding  for  himself 
and  family.  He  borrowed  a  little  money,  practiced 
law,  worked  in  public  offices,  kept  books  for  some  of 
the  business  men  of  the  town,  and  some  railroad  en- 
gineering, till  the  spring  of  1854,  when  he  removed 
to  Evanston,  1 2  miles  north  of  Chicago,  a  place  then 
but  recently  laid  out,  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Northwestern  University,  a  Methodist  institution. 
Of  the  latter  his  father-in-law  was  then  financial 
agent  and  business  manager.  Here  Mr.  Beveridge 
prospered,  and  the  next  year  (1855)  opened  a  law 
office  in  Chicago,  where  he  found  the  battle  some- 
what hard;  but  he  persevered  with  encouragement 
and  increasing  success. 

Aug.  12,  1861,  his  law  partner,  Gen.  John  F. 
Farnsworth,  secured  authority  to  raise  a  regiment  of 
cavalry,  and  authorized  Mr.  Beveridge  to  raise  a 
company  for  it.  He  succeeded  in  a  few  days  in  rais- 
ing the  company,  of  course  enlisting  himself  along 
with  it.  The  regiment  rendezvoused  at  St.  Charles, 
111.,  was  mustered  in  Sept.  18,  and  on  its  organiza- 
tion Mr.  B.  was  elected  Second  Major.  It  was  at- 
tached, Oct.  u,  to  the  Eighth  Cavalry  and  to  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  served  with  the  regiment 
until  November,  1863,  participating  in  some  40  bat- 


ties  and  skirmishes :  was  at  Fair  Oaks,  the  seven  days' 
fight  around  Richmond,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellors- 
ville  and  Gettysburg.  He  commanded  the  regiment 
the  greater  part  of  the  summer  of  1 863,  a  nd  it  was  while 
lying  in  camp  this  year  that  he  originated  the  policy 
of  encouraging  recruits  as  well  as  the  fighting  capac- 
ity of  the  soldiery,  by  the  wholesale  furlough  system. 
It  worked  so  well  that  many  other  officers  adopted 
it.  In  the  fall  of  this  year  he  recruited  another  com- 
pany, against  heavy  odds,  in  January,  1864,  w.is 
commissioned  Colonel  of  the  17th  111.  Cav.,  and 
skirmished  around  in  Missouri,  concluding  with  the 
reception  of  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Kirby  Smiths 
army  in  Arkansas.  In  1865  he  commanded  various 
sub-districts  in  the  Southwest.  He  was  mustered 
out  Feb.  6,  1866,  safe  from  the  casualties  of  war  and 
a  stouter  man  than  when  he  first  enlisted.  His  men 
idolized  him. 

He  then  returned  to  Chicago,  to  practice  law,  with 
no  library  and  no  clientage,  and  no  political  experi- 
ence except  to  help  others  into  office.  In  the  fall  of 
1866  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Cook  County,  serving 
one  term;  next,  until  November,  1870,  he  practiced 
law  and  closed  up  the  unfinished  business  of  his 
office.  He  was  then  elected  State  Senator;  in  No- 
vember, 1871,  he  was  elected  Congressman  at  large; 
in  November,  1872,  he  was  elected  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor on  the  ticket  with  Gov.  Oglesby;  the  latter  be- 
ing elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  Mr.  Beveridge  became 
Governor,  Jan.  21,  1873  Thus,  inside  of  a  few 
weeks,  he  was  Congressman  at  large,  Lieutenant 
Governor  and  Governor.  The  principal  events  oc- 
curring during  Gov.  Beveridge's  administration  were: 
The  completion  of  the  revision  of  the  statutes,  begun 
in  1869;  the  partial  success  of  the  "farmers'  move- 
ment;" "  Haines'  Legislature  "  and  Illinois'  exhibit  at 
the  Centennial. 

Since  the  close  of  his  gubernatorial  term  ex-Gov. 
Beveridge  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bever- 
idge &  Dewey,  bankers  and  dealers  in  commercial 
paper  at  7 1  Dearborn  Street  (McCormick  Block), 
Chicago,  and  since  November,  1881,  he  has  also  been 
Assistant  United  States  Treasurer :  office  in  the 
Government  Building.  His  residence  is  still  at  Ev- 
anston. 

He  has  a  brother  and  two  sisters  yet  residing  in 
De  Kalb  County — James  H.  Beveridge,  Mrs.  Jennet 
Henry  and  Mrs.  Isabel  French. 


GO  VERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


HELBY  M.  CULLOM,  Gover- 

nor 1877-83,13  the  sixth  child 
of  the  late  Richard  N.  Cullom, 
and  was  born  Nov.  22,  1829,111 
Wayne  Co.,  Ky.,  where  his  fa- 
ther then  resided,  and  whence 
both  the  Illinois  and  Tennessee 
branches  of  the  family  originated.  In 
the  following  year  the  family  emi- 
grated to  the  vicinity  of  Washington, 
Tazewell  Co.,  111.,  when  that  section 
was  very  sparsely  settled.  They  lo- 
cated on  Deer  Creek,  in  a  grove  at 
the  time  occupied  by  a  party  of  In- 
dians, attracted  there  by  the  superior 
hunting  and  fishing  afforded  in  that 
vicinity.  The  following  winter  was 
known  as  the  "  hard  winter,"  the  snow  ^being  very 
deep  and  lasting  and  the  weather  severely  cold;  and 
tlie  family  had  to  subsist  mainly  on  boiled  corn  or 
hominy,  and  some  wild  game,  for  several  weeks.  In 
the  course  of  time  Mr.  R.  N.  Cullom  became  a  prom- 
inent citizen  and  was  several  times  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  both  before  and  after  the  removal  of  the 
capital  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield.  He  died  about 


' 


Until  about  19  years  of  age  young  Cullom  grew  up 
to  agricultural  pursuits,  attending  school  as  he  had 
opportunity  during  the  winter.  Within  this  time, 
however,  he  spent  several  months  teaching  «ohool, 


and  in  the  following  summer  he  "  broke  prairie  "  with 
an  ox  team  for  the  neighbors.  With  the  money  ob- 
tained by  these  various  ventures,  he  undertook  a 
course  of  study  at  the  Rock  River  Seminary,  a 
Methodist  institution  at  Mt.  Morris,  Ogle  County; 
but  the  sudden  change  to  the  in-door  life  of  a  stu- 
dent told  severely  upon  his  health,  and  he  was  taken 
home,  being  considered  in  a  hopeless  condition.  While 
at  Mt.  Morris  he  heard  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne  make 
his  first  speech. 

On  recovering  health,  Mr.  Cullom  concluded  to 
study  law,  under  the  instruction  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
at  Springfield,  who  had  by  this  time  attained  some 
notoriety  as  an  able  lawyer ;  but  the  latter,  being  ab- 
sent from  his  office  most  of  the  time,  advised  Mr. 
Cullom  to  enter  the  office  of  Stuart  &  Edwards. 
After  about  a  year  of  study  there,  however,  his  health 
failed  again,  and  he  was  obliged  to  return  once  more 
to  out-door  life.  Accordingly  he  bought  hogs  foi 
packing,  for  A.  G.  Tyng,  in  Peoria,  and  while  he  re- 
gained his  health  he  gained  in  purse,  netting  $400  in 
a  few  weeks.  Having  been  admitted  to  the  Bar,  he 
went  to  Springfield,  where  he  was  soon  elected  City 
Attorney,  on  the  Anti-Nebraska  ticket. 

In  1856  he  ran  on  the  Fillmore  ticket  as  a  Presi- 
dential Elector,  and,  although  failing  to  be  elected  as 
such,  he  was  at  the  same  time  elected  a  Representa- 
tive in  the  Legislature  from  Sangamon  County,  by  a 
local  coalition  of  the  American  and  Republican  par- 
ties. On  the  organization  of  the  House,  he  received 
the  vote  of  the  Fillmore  men  for  Speaker.  Practicing 


f 


SHELB  Y  M.    CULLOM. 


law  until  1860,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, as  a  Republican,  while  the  county  went  Demo- 
cratic on  the  Presidential  ticket.  In  January  follow- 
ing he  was  elected  Speaker,  probably  the  youngest 
man  who  had  ever  presided  over  an  Illinois  Legis- 
lature. After  the  session  of  1861,  he  was  a  candidate 
for  the  State  Constitutional  Convention  called  for 
that  year,  but  was  defeated,  and  thus  escaped  the 
disgrace  of  being  connected  with  that  abortive  party 
scheme  to  revolutionize  the  State  Government.  In 
1862  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  State  Senate,  but 
was  defeated.  The  same  year,  however,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  President  Lincoln  on  a  Government 
Commission,  in  company  with  Gov.  Boutwell  of 
Massachusetts  and  Cnarles  A.  Dana,  since  of  the 
New  York  Sun,  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the 
Quartermaster's  and  Commissary  Departments  at 
Cairo.  He  devoted  several  months  to  this  duty. 

In  1864  he  entered  upon  a  larger  political  field, 
being  nominated  as  the  Republican  candidate  for 
Congress  from  the  Eighth  (Springfield)  District,  in 
opposition  to  the  incumbent,  JohnT.  Stuart,  who  had 
been  elected  in  1862  by  about  1,500  majority  over 
Leonard  Swett,  then  of  Bloomington,  now  of  Chicago. 
The  result  was  the  election  of  Mr.  Cullom  in  Novem- 
ber following  by  a  majority  of  1,785.  In  1866  he 
was  re-elected  to  Congress,  over  Dr.  E.  S.  Fowler,  by 
the  magnificent  majority  of  4,103!  In  1868  he  was 
again  a  candidate,  defeating  the  Hon.  B.  S.  Edwards, 
another  of  his  old  preceptors,  by  2,884  votes. 

During  his  first  term  in  Congress  he  served  on  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs  and  Expenditures  in 
the  Treasury  Department ;  in  his  second  term,  on 
the  Committees  on  Foreign  Affairs  and  on  Territories ; 
and  in  his  third  term  he  succeeded  Mr.  Ashley,  of 
Ohio,  to  the  Chairmanship  of  the  latter.  He  intro- 
duced a  bill  in  the  House,  to  aid  in  the  execution  of 
law  in  Utah,  which  caused  more  consternation  among 
the  Mormons  than  any  measure  had  previously,  but 
which,  though  it  passed  the  House,  failed  to  pass  the 
Senate. 

The  Republican  Convention  which  met  May  25, 
1876,  nominated  Mr.  Cullom  for  Governor,  while  the 
other  contestant  was  Gov.  Beveridge.  For  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor  they  nominated  Andrew  Shuman,  editor 
of  the  Chicago  Journal.  For  the  same  offices  the 
Democrats,  combining  with  the  Anti-Monopolists, 
olaced  in  nomination  Lewis  Steward,  a  wealthy 


farmer  and  manufacturer,  and  A.  A.  Glenn.  The 
result  of  the  election  was  rather  close,  Mr.  Cullom 
obtaining  only  6,800  majority.  He  was  inaugurated 
Jan.  8,  1877. 

Great  depression  prevailed  in  financial  circles  at 
this  time,  as  a  consequence  of  the  heavy  failures  of 
1873  and  afterward,  the  effect  of  which  had  seemed 
to  gather  force  from  that  time  to  the  end  of  Gov. 
Cullom's  first  administration.  This  unspeculative 
period  was  not  calculated  to  call  forth  any  new 
issues,  but  the  Governor's  energies  were  at  one  time 
put  to  task  to  quell  a  spirit  of  insubordination  that 
had  been  begun  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  among  the  laboring 
classes,  and  transferred  to  Illinois  at  Chicago,  East 
St.  Louis  and  Braidwood,  at  which  places  laboring 
men  for  a  short  time  refused  to  work  or  allow  others 
to  work.  These  disturbances  were  soon  quelled  and 
the  wheels  of  industry  again  set  in  motion. 

In  May,  1880,  Gov.  Cullom  was  re-nominated  by 
the  Republicans,  against  Lyman  Tmmbull,  by  the 
Democrats;  and  although  the  former  party  was  some- 
what handicapped  in  the  campaign  by  a  zealous 
faction  opposed  to  Grant  for  President  and  to  Grant 
men  for  office  generally,  Mr.  Cullom  was  re-elected 
by  about  314,565,  to  277,532  forthe  Democratic  State 
ticket.  The  Greenback  vote  at  the  same  time  was 
about  27,000.  Both  Houses  of  the  Legislature  again 
became  Republican,  and  no  representative  of  the 
Greenback  or  Socialist  parties  were  elected.  Gov. 
Cullom  was  inaugurated  Jan.  10,  1881.  In  his  mes- 
sage he  announced  that  the  last  dollar  of  the  State 
debt  had  been  provided  for. 

March  4,  1883,  the  term  of  David  Davis  as  United 
States  Senator  from  Illinois  expired,  and  Gov.  Cul- 
lom was  chosen  to  succeed  him.  This  promoted 
Lieutenant-Governor  John  M.  Hamilton  to  the  Gov- 
ernorship. Senator  Cullom's  term  in  the  United 
States  Senate  will  expire  March  4,  1889. 

As  a  practitioner  of  law  Mr.  C.  has  been  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Cullom,  Scholes  &  Mather,  al  Spring- 
field ;  and  he  has  also  been  President  of  the  State 
National  Bank. 

He  has  been  married  twice, — the  first  time  Dec. 
12,  1855,  to  Miss  Hannah  Fisher,  by  whom  he  had 
two  daughters ;  and  the  second  time  May  5,  1863, 
to  Julia  Fisher.  Mrs.  C  is  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  with  which  religious  body  Mr. 
C.  is  also  in  sympathy. 


t 


GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS. 


'79 


*^7/-\\>;^ 


OHN  MARSHALL  HAMIL- 
TON, Governor  1883-5,  was 
born  May  28,  1847,  in  a  log 
house  upon  a  farm  about  two 
miles  from  Richwood,  Union 
County,  Ohio.  His  father  was 
Samuel  Hamilton,  the  eldest  son 
of  Rev.  Wm.  Hamilton,  who,  to- 
gether with  his  brother,  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Hamilton,  was  among  the 
early  pioneer  Methodist  preachers  in 
Ohio.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was,  before  her  marriage, 
Mrs.  Nancy  McMorris,  who  was 
born  and  raised  in  Fauquier  or  Lou- 
doun  County,  Va.,  and  related  to  the 
two  large  families  of  Youngs  and  Marshalls,  well 
known  in  that  commonwealth ;  and  from  the  latter 
family  name  was  derived  the  middle  name  of  Gov. 
Hamilton. 

In  March,  1854,  Mr.  Hamilton's  father  sold  out 
his  little  pioneer  forest  home  in  Union  County,  O., 
and,  loading  his  few  household  effects  and  family 
(of  six  children)  into  two  emigrant  covered  wagons, 
moved  to  Roberts  Township,  Marshall  Co.,  111.,  being 
2 1  days  on  the  route.  Swamps,  unbridged  streams 
and  innumerable  hardships  and  privations  met  them 
on  their  way.  Their  new  home  had  been  previously 
selected  by  the  father.  Here,  after  many  long  years 
of  toil,  they  succeeded  in  payiiig  for  the  land  and 
making  a  comfortable  home.  John  was,  of  course, 


brought  up  to  hard  manual  labor,  with  no  schooling 
except  three  or  four  months  in  the  year  at  a  common 
country  school.  However,  he  evinced  a  capacity 
and  taste  for  a  high  order  of  self-education,  by 
studying  or  reading  what  books  lie  could  borrow,  as 
the  family  had  but  very  few  in  the  house.  Much  of 
his  study  he  prosecuted  by  the  light  of  a  log  fire  in 
the  old-fashioned  chimney  place.  The  financial 
panic  of  1857  caused  the  family  to  come  near  losing 
their  home,  to  pay  debts ;  but  the  father  and  two 
sons,  William  and  John,  "buckled  to"  and  perse- 
vered  in  hard  labor  and  economy  until  they  redeemed 
their  place  from  the  mortgage. 

When  the  tremendous  excitement  of  the  political 
campaign  of  1860  reached  the  neighborhood  of  Rob- 
erts Township,  young  Hamilton,  who  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  doctrine  of  anti-slavery,  took  a  zeal- 
ous part  in  favor  of  Lincoln's  election.  Making  special 
efforts  to  procure  a  little  money  to  buy  a  uniform,  he 
joined  a  company  of  Lincoln  Wide-Awakes  at  Mag- 
nolia, a  village  not  far  away.  Directly  after  the 
ensuing  election  it  became  evident  that  trouble 
would  ensue  with  the  South,  and  this  Wide-Awake 
company,  like  many  others  throughout  the  country, 
kept  up  its  organization  and  transformed  itself  into  a 
military  company.  During  the  ensuing  summer  they 
met  often  for  drill  and  became  proficient ;  but  when 
they  offered  themselves  for  the  v/ar,  young  Hamilton 
was  rejected  on  account  of  his  youth,  he  being  then 
but  14  years  of  age.  During  the  winter  of  1863-4  he 
attended  an  academy  at  Henry,  Marshall  County. 


t 


t 


r8o 


JOHN  MARSHALL  HAMILTON. 


and  in  the  following. May  he  again  enlisted,  for  the 
fourth  time,  when  he  was  placed  in  the  141x1  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  a  regiment  then  being  raised  at  Elgin,  111., 
for  the  loo-day  service.  He  took  with  him  13  other 
lads  from  his  neighborhood,  for  enlistment  in  the 
service.  This  regiment  operated  in  Southwestern 
Kentucky,  for  about  five  months,  under  Gen.  Paine. 

The  following  winter,  1864-5,  Mr.  Hamilton  taught 
school,  and  during  the  two  college  years  1865-7,  ne 
went  through  three  years  of  the  curriculum  of  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  Ohio.  The 
third  year  he  graduated,  the  fourth  in  a  class  of  46, 
in  the  classical  department.  In  due  time  he  received 
the  degree  of  M.  A.  For  a  few  months  he  was  the 
Principal  of  Marshall  "  College  "  at  Henry,  an  acad- 
emy under  the  auspices  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  By 
this  lime  he  had  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and 
after  earning  some  money  as  a  temporary  Professor 
of  Latin  at  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University  at 
Bloomington,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Weldon, 
Tipton  &  Benjamin,  of  that  city.  Each  member  of 
this  firm  has  since  been  distinguished  as  a  Judge. 
Admitted  to  the  Bar  in  May,  1870,  Mr.  Hamilton 
was  given  an  interest  in  the  same  firm,  Tipton  hav- 
ing been  elected  Judge.  In  October  following  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  J.  H.  Rowell,  at  that  time 
Prosecuting  Attorney.  Their  business  was  then 
small,  but  they  increased  it  to  very  large  proportions, 
practicing  in  all  grades  of  courts,  including  even  the 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court,  and  this  partnership  continued 
unbroken  until  Feb.  6,  1883,  when  Mr.  Hamilton 
was  sworn  in  as  Executive  of  Illinois.  On  the  4th 
of  March  following  Mr.  Rowell  took  his  seat  in  Con- 
gress. 

In  July,  1871,  Mr.  Hamilton  married  Miss  Helen 
M.  Williams,  the  daughter  of  Prof.  Win.  G,  Williams, 
Professor  of  Greek  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  two  daughters  and  one  son. 

In  1876  Mr.  Hamilton  was  nominated  by  the  Re- 
publicans for  the  State  Senate,  over  other  and  older 
competitors.  He  took  an  active  pait <;  on  the  stump  " 
in  the  campaign,  for  the  success  of  his  party,  and  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  1,640  over  his  Democratic- 
Greenback  opponent.  In  the  Senate  he  served  on 
the  Committees  on  Judiciary,  Revenue,  State  Insti- 
tutions, Appropriations,  Education,  and  on  Miscel- 
lany ;  and  during  the  contest  for  the  election  of  a 
U.  S.  Senator,  the  Republicans  endeavoring  to  re- 


elect  John  A.  Logan,  he  voted  for  the  war  chief  on 
every  ballot,  even  alone  when  all  the  other  Republi- 
cans had  gone  over  to  the  Hon.  E.  B.  Lawrence  and 
the  Democrats  and  Independents  elected  Judge 
David  Davis.  At  this  session,  also,  was  passed  the 
first  Board  of  Health  and  Medic  al  Practice  act,  of 
which  Mr.  Hamilton  was  a  champion,  aga'1"' 
much  opposition  that  the  bill  was  several  times 
"  laid  on  the  table."  Also,  this  session  authorized 
the  location  and  establishment  of  a  southern  peri- 
tentiary,  which  was  fixed  at  Chester.  In  the  session 
of  1879  Mr.  Hamilton  was  elected  President  pro  tern. 
of  the  Senate,  and  was  a  zealous  supporter  of  John 
A.  Logan  for  the  U.  S.  Senate,  who  was  this  time 
elected  without  any  trouble. 

In  May,  1880,  Mr.  Hamilton  was  nominated  on 
the  Republican  ticket  for  Lieutenant  Governor,  his 
principal  competitors  before  the  Convention  being 
Hon.  Wm.  A.  James,  ex-Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  Judge  Robert  Bell,  of  Wabash 
County,  Hon.  T.  T.  Fountain,  of  Perry  County,  and 
Hon.  M.  M.  Saddler,  of  Marion  County.  He  engaged 
actively  in  the  campaign,  and  his  ticket  was  elected 
by  a  majority  of  41,200.  As  Lieutenant  Governor, 
he  presided  almost  continuously  over  the  Senate  in 
the  32d  General  Assembly  and  during  the  early  days 
of  the  33d,  until  he  succeeded  to  the  Governorship. 
When  the  Legislature  of  1883  elected  Gov.  Cullom 
to  the  United  States  Senate,  Lieut.  Gov.  Hamilton 
succeeded  him,  under  the  Constitution,  taking  the 
oath  of  office  Feb.  6,  1883.  He  bravely  met  all  the 
annoyances  and  embarrassments  incidental  upon 
taking  up  another's  ;idministration.  The  principal 
events  with  which  Gov.  Hamilton  was  connected  as 
the  Chief  Executive  of  the  State  were,  the  mine  dis- 
aster at  Braidwood,  the  riots  in  St.  Clair  and  Madison 
Counties  in  May,  1883,  the  appropriations  for  the 
State  militia,  the  adoption  of  the  Harper  high-license 
liquor  law,  the  veto  of  a  dangerous  railroad  bill,  etc. 

The  Governor  was  a  Delegate  at  large  to  the 
National  Republican  Convention  at  Chicago  in  June, 
1884,  where  his  first  choice  for  President  was  John 
A.  Logan,  and  second  choice  Chester  A.  Arthur;  but 
he  afterward  zealously  worked  for  the  election  of  Mr. 
Elaine,  true  to  his  party. 

Mr.  Hamilton's  term  a?  Governor  expired  Jan.  30,  ' 
1885^,  when  the  great  favorite  "Dick  "  Oglesby  was 
inaugurated. 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


•3- 


I  INTRODUCTORY 


}HE  accumulation  of  valua- 
ble material  for  this  work 
has  already  been  so  large 
that  only  a  brief  historical 
mention  of  the  county  can 
be  given,  or  can  be  expected. 
McLean  'County  is  situated 
very  near  the  geographical  center 
of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  in  area 
is  the  largest  county  in  the  State, 
comprising  1,154  square  miles.  It 
ranks  third  in  population,  having 
about  65,000  inhabitants,  and  is 
only  excelled  by  Cook  and  La 
Salle  Counties.  In  material  de- 
velopment and  production  of  soil, 
it  unquestionably  stands  first.  Its 
American  settlers  are  principally  from  Ohio,  New 
York,  Pennsylvania,  Indiana  and  Kentuckj',  the 
Ohioans  outnumbering  those  from  any  one  of  the 
other  States.  The  bulk  of  the  foreign  population, 
which  is  not  large,  is  made  up  about  equally  of 
Germans  and  Irish,  while  there  are  some  from  En- 
gland, Scotland  and  France. 

If  space  would  permit  we  should  like  to  go  back 
and  dwell  at  length  on  the  Aboriginal  occupation, 
the  French  possession,  the  British  conquest  in  1703, 
and  to  the  time  when  Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark, 
representing  and  under  the  authority  of  the  then 
great  commonwealth  of  Virginia,  came  out  and 
captured  this  entire  region  from  the  British.  It 
would  be  pleasant  to  trace  the  history  of  this  coun- 
try through  the  various  changes,  as  it  was  known 
after  the  last  conquest  under  the  name  of  the  Illi- 
nois County,  and  later  on  when  it  was  called  the 
Northwestern  Territory,  and  afterward  as.  the  Tcr- 


ritory  of  Indiana,  and  follow  it  along  from  1809, 
when  it  became  the  Territory  of  Illinois,  and  in 
1818,  when  it  became  one  of  the  bright  stars  in 
the  American  Republic.  During  all  these  varied 
changes,  and  under  all  these  governmental  authori- 
ties, the  territory  now  embraced  by  McLean 
County  took  its  part,  and  was  an  important  factor. 
It  was  not,  however,  until  1822,  that  this  particular 
portion  of  the  State  of  Illinois  was  actually  settled 
by  the  white  man.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
this  was  the  first  visitation  of  the  white  man,  for 
undoubtedly  events  occurred  here  in  which  the 
white  man  took  part' long  before  this  period.  It  is 
believed  that  the  French  and  Indians  had  many 
camp-fires  together,  in  the  beautiful  groves  that 
abound  in  this  county,  when  on  their  way  from 
Lake  Michigan  to  Cahokia  and  Kaskaskia;  and  the 
early  Indian  traders  and  hunters  had  their  stations 
about  here,  for  the  early  settlers  frequently  found 
clearings  in  the  woods.  It  was  in  this  region  also, 
that  Gen.  Hopkins'  army  became  involved  in  its 
expedition  against  the  Indians  of  the  Illinois  and 
Wabash  Rivers,  many  of  whom  had  participated 
in  the  Chicago  massacre. 

John  Hendrix  and  family  were  the  first  settlers 
in  the  territory  now  embraced  by  the  county,  they 
locating  at  what  is  known  as  Blooming  Grove 
in  the  spring  of  1822.  Hendrix  was  soon  joined 
by  John  W.  Dawson  and  family.  Blooming  Grove 
seemed  to  be  an  attractive  spot  to  the  earliest 
settlers,  for  they  all  located  about  it.  The  spring 
of  1823  found  the  Orendorff  families,  William  and 
Thomas,  John  Benson  and  W.  H.  Hodge  in  neigh- 
borly proximity  to  the  settlers  of  1822.  This  year 
Gardner  Randolph  settled  at  what  was  subsequently 
known  as  Randolph's  Grove.  In  the  spring  of 


I 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1824,  Absalom  and  Isaac  Funk  and  William  Brock 
made  a  settlement  at  what  is  now  called  Funk's 
Grove.  They  were  soon  joined  by  others,  among 
whom  were  the  Stubblefield  family.  So  rich  and 
fair  a  region  of  country  lying  in  the  wake  of  emi- 
gration, when  once  known  and  opened  to  settle- 
ment could  not  otherwise  than  be  rapidly  populated. 

The  territory  now  known  as  McLean  has  been 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  different  counties.  The 
year  previous  to  the  State's  admission  into  the  Un- 
ion, it  was  under  the  control  of  Crawford  County. 
In  1819,  after  the  admission,  Clark  County  had 
jurisdiction.  The  first  settlers,  however,  owed 
their  allegiance  to  Fayette  County,  which  was  or- 
ganized in  1821,  and  extended  northward  as  far  as 
the  Illinois  River.  It  was  subsequently  attached 
to  Tazewell  County,  and  was  under  its  jurisdiction 
when  the  county  of  McLean  was  organized  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  Dec.  22,  1830.  It 
was  named  in  honor  of  John  McLean,  twice  elected 
United  States  Senator  from  Illinois. 

When  the  settlers  first  came  in  the  Indians  were 
quite  numerous,  mostly  belonging  to  the  Kickapoos, 
Delawares  and  Pottawatomies,  the  Kickapoos  hav- 
ing the  largest  number.  Most  of  these  left  before 
the  end  of  the  year  1829,  though  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  in  1 832,  there  was  a 
sufficient  number  of  Indians  in  this  section  to  cause 
considerable  uneasiness  among  the  people. 

The  early  settlers  of  McLean  County  found 
plenty  of  wild  game  here,  such  as  deer,  turkeys, 
wolves,  and  the  smaller  birds.  They  were  gener- 
ally good  hunters,  and  their  guns  supplied  for  their 
families  what  the  markets  of  the  present  day  fur- 
nish. The  pelts  of  the  wild  animals  were  to  the 
pioneers  an  important  article  of  commerce,  as  they 
furnished  the  means,  in  absence  of  ready  cash,  of 
supplying  the  wants  of  domestic  life.  Beeswax 
and  honey  were  also  a  valuable  commodity  in  those 
early  days. 

They  did  not  have  to  contend  in  this  section  of 
the  country,  as  they  did  elsewhere,  with  hostile  In- 
dians, but  they  had  foes  almost  as  dreaded  in  ma- 
larial diseases,  and  prairie  fires.  One  carried  off 
hundreds  of  persons,  while  the  other  destroyed 
crops  and  homes.  But  as  improvements  multiplied 
and  the  laud  became  cultivated  and  drained,  these 
enemies  to  the  people  disappeared.  It  was  not 
many  years  before  the  pioneers  found  themselves 
in  the  midst  of  a  populous  and  cultivated  com- 
munity. Schools  and  churches  had  been  estab- 
lished, cities  founded,  railroads  constructed,  and 
civilization  and  culture,  with  all  their  attractive 
features,  possessed  the  land. 

In  many  respects  McLean  is  one  of  the  finest 
and  foremost,counties  in  the  State.  It  is  free  from 


the  severities  of  winter  which  afflict  the  more 
northern  counties,  and  free  from  the  oppressive 
heat  that  is  experienced  in  the  southern  ones. 
About  one-ninth  of  the  surface  is  covered  with 
groves,  which  afford  shade  and  add  beauty  to  the 
landscape.  Like  all '  portions  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  the  surface  inclination  is  toward  the  south- 
west. It  is  moderately  rolling,  free  from  extreme 
flatness  as  well  as  from  abrupt  changes,  which 
makes  it  exceedingly  easy  of  tillage.  Its  summit 
elevation  is  about  220  feet  above  Lake  Michigan, 
and  about  795  feet  above  the  ocean.  The  country 
is  well  supplied  with  running  water  by  the  incip- 
ient streams  that  contribute  to  the  formation  of 
the  Sangamon,  Vermilion,  Mackinaw  and  Kicka- 
poo  Rivers  and  Sugar  Creek.  Good  water  is 
found  in  all  parts  of  the  county  at  reasonable 
depths,  and  in  the  northern  part  are  many  fine 
springs.  Extensive  coal  beds  underlie  the  surface 
formation,  from  which  a  good  article  of  market- 
able coal  is  obtained.  The  soil  is  unsurpassed  in 
its  fertility,  and  is  adapted  to  the  raising  of  all 
kinds  of  cereals,  yet  more  attention  is  given  to 
stock-raising,  the  value  of  which  exceeds  that  of 
any  county  west  of  the  Alleghanies. 

The  educational  facilities  of  McLean  are  unex- 
celled by  any  county  in  the  State.  In  addition  to 
her  public  schools,  which  are  superior,  she  has  two 
distinguished  institutions  of  learning,  the  reputa- 
tion of  which  has  extended  far  and  wide.  These 
are  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University  located  at 
Bloomington,  and  the  State  Normal  University. 
Another  institution  located  at  Normal  is  the  Sol- 
diers' Orphans'  Home.  The  buildings  of  these  in- 
stitutions are  ornamental  in  their  architecture,  and 
are  commodious  and  substantial. 

The  Indians  and  the  wilderness  have  passed 
away,  living  now  only  in  history,  or  in  the  mem- 
ories of  the  pioneers  who  yet  remain.  In  their 
stead  are  well  cultivated  farms  and  fine  cities, 
peopled  with  an  intelligent  population,  and  sur- 
rounded by  the  arts  and  refinements  of  an  advanced 
civilization.  Those  by  whose  wisdom  and  indus- 
try this  change  has  been  produced,  can  contem- 
plate with  commendable  pride,  the  grand  trans- 
formation. Taking  a  retrospective  view  of  the 
past,  and  contemplating  the  present,  the  contrast  of 
the  two  periods  comes  vividly  upon  the  mind. 
Before  them  to-day,  resting  in  quiet  grandeur,  is 
a  fair  civilization,  with  happy  homes  basking  be- 
neath the  sunlight  of  culture  and  domestic  peace ; 
before  them  to-day  is  a  complete  social  and  politi- 
cal society,  standing  out  in  bold  relief,  radiant 
with  the  bright  light  of  Christianity,  fostered  by 
American  institutions  and  shining  resplendent  with 
American  freedom. 


I 


.> 


DAVID      DAVIS. 


; 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


187 


of 


HE  HON.  DAVID  DAVIS, 
the   eminent   Judge,  Jurist 
and  Statesman,  was  born  in 
Cecil   County,  Md.,  March 
9,  1815,  and    departed  this 
life  June  26,  1886,  at  Bloom- 
ington.    He  had  lived  out  more 
than  the  usual  period  allotted 
to  man,  but  the  immediate  cause 
of    his   demise    was   diabetes, 
superinduced  by  a  complication 
carbuncle   and    erysipelas.     In 


the  early  morning,  when  the  intel- 
ligence of  his  dissolution  spread 
'  through  the  city,  on  every  face  was 
depicted  an  expression  of  sorrow.  Flags  were  dis- 
played at  half-mast,  and  the  bells  of  the  city  echoed 
the  sad  news.  Later  in  the  day  houses  were  draped, 
and  Bloomington  assumed  an  air  of  deep  mourning. 
Cecil  County  lies  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Mary- 
land, but  a  few  miles  from  our  National  Capital, 
and  here  young  David  spent  his  youthful  days  be- 
neath the  parental  roof.  During  this  period  he  had 
made  several  visits  to  Washington,  the  impressions  of 
which  remained  with  him  through  life,  and  which  he 
often  related  to  friends  in  his  later  years.  It  was 
during  these  visits  that  the  ambition  to  become 
President  of  the  United  States  was  planted  in  his 
mind.  This  very  laudable  desire  remained  with 
him  even  after  he  had  ceased  to  be  in  public  life, 
and  he  waited  at  his  beautiful  home  in  Blooming- 
ton  for  its  realization,  like  Cincinnati^  from  his 


plow.  He  was  modest  and  diffident  about  this  am- 
bition, however,  as  though  it  were  a  mere  childish 
whim,  and  was  sensitive  at  any  allusion  by  stran- 
gers to  the  subject,  although  he  was  wont  to  con- 
verse freely  of  the  matter  with  his  friends. 

After  completing  his  preliminary  studies  young 
Davis  was  placed  in  Kenyon  College,  Ohio,  where 
he  graduated  Sept.  4,  1832.  In  October  following 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Lenox,  Mass., 
in  the  office  of  Judge  Henry  W.  Bishop,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  From  there  he  went  into  the 
New  Haven  Law  School,  continuing  his  studies  un- 
til the  fall  of  1835.  After  receiving  his  license  to 
practice  he  settled  in  Pekin,  Tazewell  County,  111., 
and  opened  a  law  office,  but  one  year  later  removed 
to  Bloomington  and  took  up  his  abode,  where  he 
lived  until  his  earthly  labors  ended.  Upon  coming 
here  he  took  possession  of  the  office  of  Jesse  W. 
Fell,  whom  he  succeeded  as  an  attorney  and  coun- 
selor, the  latter  having  given  up  his  practice  to  en- 
gage in  the  real-estate  business.  Though  not  an 
orator,  or  what  might  be  called  a  very  fluent 
speaker,  he  was  successful  in  his  practice,  and  soon 
obtained  an  enviable  position  in  the  profession. 

Before  leaving  the  East  Mr.  Davis  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  Sarah,  the  accomplished  daughter 
of  Judge  Walker,  of  Lenox,  Mass.,  with  whom  he 
was  united  in  marriage  Oct.  30,  1838.  Of  this  un- 
ion there  are  two  children  living — George  P.  and  a 
daughter,  Mrs.  Sarah  D.  Swayne,  both  residents  of 
Bloomington.  The  mother  died  in  1879.  By  his 
second  marriage,  which  was  consummated  soon  after 


t. 


L ,  188 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


his  retirement  from  the  United  States  Senate,  there 
was  no  issue. 

From  the  time  he  became  a  citizen  of  Illinois 
Mr.  Davis  took  an  active  part  in  politics.  In  1840 
he  was  a  candidate  on  the  Whig  ticket  for  State 
Senator.  In  1844  he  was  elected  to  the  Legisla- 
ture. In  1847  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention,  and  the  year  following 
was  chosen  Judge  of  the  Eighth  Judicial  District. 
He  was  re-elected  twice,  and  served  continuously  as 
Judge  of  this  circuit  until  1862,  when  he  was  called 
by  his  old  friend,  President  Lincoln,  to  fill  one  of 
the  highest  positions  within  the  gift  of  this  Gov- 
ernment, as  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States.  He  occupied  this  exalted  position 
for  fifteen  years,  or  until  1877,  when  he  left  the 
Supreme  Bench  for  the  National  Legislature,  suc- 
ceeding Gen.  John  A.  Logan  as  Senator  from  this 
State. 

There  have  been  greater  law  students  than  David 
Davis,  but  no  greater  Judges.  It  was  said  by  one 
of  his  eminent  colleagues  that  he  knew  just  enough 
of  law  to  be  a  great  Judge  and  not  enough  to  spoil 
him.  His  talents  were  in  the  direction  of  common 
sense,  and  rose  into  the  region  of  genius.  He 
never  lost  sight  of  the  practical  ends  of  litigation. 
To  him  the  facts  of  the  case  were  the  integral  part 
of  it.  He  was  fair  and  impartial,  and  rose  above 
prejudice  without  for  a  moment  forgetting  the  object 
in  view,  which  was  not  to  spin  fine  legal  theories, 
but  to  promote  the  ends  of  justice.  No  jurist 
seeking  a  model  could  do  better  than  to  study  the 
record  made  by  Judge  Davis  while  on  the  Supreme 
Bench  of  the  United  States.  There  is  no  other  tri- 
bunal in  this  world  that  can  compare  with  this. 
Since  the  organization  of  this  Government  there 
have  been  forty-nine  Supreme  Court  Justices,  some 
of  whom  have  been  Chief  Justices,  but  each  practi- 
cally having  the  same  authority.  Any  law  passed 
by  Congress  can  be  brought  before  this  Court  for 
its  crucical  analysis,  and  from  its  judgment  there  is 
no  appeal.  More  than  one  narrow  escape  the  coun- 
try has  had  from  the  abuse  of  this  authority,  one 
of  the  most  notable  of  which  was  the  legal-tender 
act,  which  was  put  upon  its  Constitutional  trial, 
and  made  to  show  cause  why  it  should  not  be  re- 
pudiated and  thrown  out  of  the  window  of  the  Su- 


preine  Court.  Chief  Justice  Chase,  its  putative 
father,  was  fast  yielding  to  this  when  Judge  Davis 
made  a  bold  and  successful  stand,  and  thus  pre- 
vented the  act  from  being  strangled  to  death. 
Thus  the  best  monetary  system  the  world  ever  saw 
was  saved  to  bless  mankind. 

The  last  judicial  act  of  Judge  Davis,  though  it 
may  seem  a  paradox,  was  a  refusal  to  preside  in  a 
judicial  capacity.  He  had  been  elected  by  the 
Legislature  of  Illinois  to  the  Senate.  About  this 
time  he  was  placed  on  the  Electoral  Commission  as 
one  of  the  referees  to  determine  which  one  of  the 
Presidential  candidates  voted  for  in  1876  was  le- 
gally elected.  He  refused  to  act,  upon  the  ground 
that,  being  a  State  Senator,  at  least  in  embryo,  he 
could  not  with  propriety  serve. 

The  ever  memorable  year  of  1860,  memorable 
not  only  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  but  to  the  whole 
country,  may  be  considered  the  year  in  which  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  entered  upon  a  career  which 
carried  him  beyond  the  confines  of  his  State,  and 
gave  him  a  national  reputation.  This  was  the  year 
that  witnessed  the  nomination  of  Illinois'  greatest 
son  for  the  highest  position  within  the  gift  of  the 
American  people.  To  David  Davis  the  credit  is 
due  more  than  to  any  other  man  for  bringing  for- 
ward and  finally  securing  the  nomination  at  the 
Chicago  Convention,  of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  the 
Republican  candidate  for  President  of  the  United 
States.  In  this  he  was  assisted  greatly  by  his  old 
friend  and  fellow-townsman,  Jesse  W.  Fell.  Before 
this  Judge  Davis  had  never  taken  any  part  in  Na- 
tional politics,  but  this  year  he  sought  and  secured 
the  election  as  one  of  the  Senatorial  Delegates  at 
the  Decatur  State  Convention,  and  some  days  prior 
to  the  Chicago  Convention  he,  with  others,  opened 
the  Lincoln  headquarters  at  the  Tremont  House, 
lie  appointed  himself  Master  of  Ceremonies,  called 
aides  about  him,  set  them  to  work,  and  took  the  en- 
tire management  of  Lincoln's  candidacy  into  his 
own  hands.  Oglesby  was  sent  into  the  pit  of  the 
"  wigwam  "  to  work  enthusiasm  there  and  appoint 
committees  to  all  the  State  delegations  to  popular- 
ize Lincoln.  No  one  questioned  the  right  of  Judge 
Davis  to  do  this,  or  doubted  his  judgment.  He 
was  a  natural  born  leader,  never  gave  up,  never 
faltered  or  made  any  mistakes.  The  result  of  this 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


189 


was  that  his  old  friend,  who  had  for  so  many  years 
tried  cases  before  his  court,  who  had  ridden  with  him 
on  the  circuit,  swam  rivers  with  him,  who  had  sat 
with  him  around  the  fire place. of  the  country  hos- 
telry late  o'  nights  telling  quaint  and  funny  stories 
— Abraham  Lincoln — was  nominated  as  the  Re- 
publican candidate  for  President  of  the  United 
States. 

In  1872  Judge  Davis  himself  came  prominently 
before  the  people  as  a  third-party  man  for  the 
Presidential  nomination.  His  name  was  endorsed 
for  this  by  the  labor  reformers  at  the  Columbus 
Convention,  and  this  through  jealousy  defeated  his 
nomination  by  the  Liberal  Republican  Convention 
at  Cincinnati.  It  has  been  thought  by  many  promi- 
nent politicians  that  had  Mr.  Davis  instead  of  Mr. 
Greeley  been  nominated  at  the  Cincinnati  Conven- 
tion, he  would,  as  did  Greeley,  have  received  the  en- 
dorsement by  the  Democratic  Convention  at  Balti- 
more, which  would  have  secured  his  election. 

Judge  Davis  took  his  seat  in  the  United  States 
Senate  on  the  4th  of  March,  1877.  From  his  first 
entrance  into  this  body  he  was  an  influential  and 
distinguished  member,  and  so  remained  until  his  re- 
tirement in  1883.  Although  possessing  but  little 
legislative  experience  he  ranked  with  the  great  men 
of  the  Senate,  serving  on  the  Judiciary  Committee 
with  Conkling,  Edmonds,  Carpenter,  Thurman, 
Garland,  and  other  eminent  lawyers  of  that  body. 
Though  the  ambition  of  his  life  was  not  yet  real- 
ized, he  came  within  one  degree  of  it  as  a  Presi- 
dential possibility.  Only  one  life  stood  between 
him  and  this  exalted  position,  that  of  President  Ar- 
thur. From  October,  1881,  to  March,  1883,  he  was 
the  acting  Vice  President  of  the  United  States  and 
presiding  officer  of  the  Senate. 

Judge  Davis  was  a  very  kind-hearted  man,  and 
disliked  much  to  see  men  at  variance  with  each 
other,  and  he  could  not  understand  why  any  man 
should  think  ill  of  him.  His  heart  was  as  tender  as 
a  woman's,  and  he  was  as  susceptible  to  flattery  as  a 
school-girl.  A  kind  word  was  always  remembered 
and  an  unkind  one  speedily  forgotten.  Senator 
Conkling  was  one  day  making  a  great  speech  in  the 
Senate,  on  a  subject  in  which  there  were  fine  legal 
points,  and  often  he  would  turn  to  Senator  Davis 
as  though  addressing  him.  The  latter  was  a  little 


annoyed  at  being  singled  out  as  a  target  for  the 
great  Senator's  eloquence,  and  once  interrupted 
him,  asking  why  his  remarks  seemed  directed  at 
him.  Mr.  Conkling  drew  himself  up  to  his  full 
height  and  quietly,  but  with  great  dignity,  an- 
swered, "When  the  Musselman  prays  he  turns  his 
face  toward  Mecca.  When  I  speak  of  law,  I  can- 
not resist  the  temptation  to  address  myself  to  the 
most  eminent  and  and  learned  jurist  in  the  Senate, 
a  man  who  left  the  highest  tribunal  in  the  world  to 
give  this  body  the  honor  of  his  presence  and  the 
benefit  of  his  wisdom."  These  two  great  men  were 
always  the  warmest  of  friends,  and  during  his  Sena- 
torial term  Judge  Davis  was  constantly  seeking  to 
reconcile  Conkling  with  the  men  whom  he  disliked, 
and  they  were  not  few.  Among  these  was  Elaine. 
One  day  the  two  met  accidentally  in  Mr.  Davis' 
committee  room.  It  was  an  occasion  he  had  long 
sought,  and  joy  filled  his  big  heart.  "Now  look 
here,"  he  said  in  his  familiar  way  to  the  two  Sena- 
tors, who  were  standing  like  icebergs  beside  him, 
"  You  two  fellows  have  been  enemies  long  enough, 
and  it  is  time  you  made  up.  You  are  both  good 
friends  of  mine,  and  I  want  you  to  be  good  friends 
of  each  other.  I  want  you  to  shake  hands  and  I'll 
bless  you."  Touched  by  the  sincerity  of  the  good 
old  man,  these  two  men  gave  way  for  the  moment, 
and  the  hands  of  Conkling  and  Elaine  came  together 
the  first  time  for  twenty  years.  But  it  was  not  a 
reconciliation  or  a  surrender  of  either  side ;  it  was 
only  a  momentary  truce  offered  out  of  reverence 
for  the  kind  heart  that  had  so  much  desired  to 
make  peace  between  them.  They  have  never  spo- 
ken to  each  other  since. 

While  Judge  Davis  was  active  and  influential  in 
his  congressional  life,  yet  he  will  be  known  in  his- 
tory and  to  fame  as  a  jurist.  As  a  legislator  he 
left  no  particular  impress  upon  the  country,  com- 
mencing too  late  in  life  to  do  this.  By  nature,  edu- 
cation and  training  he  was  pre-eminently  qualified 
for  a  Judge,  and  this  part  of  his  life  the  student 
will  find  a  prolific  field  for  study  and  instruction. 
Though  possessed  of  great  wealth  yet  his  habits  of 
life  were  frugal;  he  lived  in  the  simplest  manner. 
He  had  rooms  on  the  first  floor,  fronting  on  Sixth 
street,  of  the  National  Hotel,  which  he  occupied 
during  his  entire  life  at  the  Capital  as  Associate 
.fr- 


I 


t. 

i 


t 


190 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Justice  and  as  Senator.  His  rooms  were  commo- 
dious but  plainly  furnished.  His  lunch  while  at  the 
Capitol  building,  either  as  Justice  or  Senator,  con- 
sisted of  two  apples,  a  ginger  cookie  and  a  glass  of 
milk.  This  was  taken  at  precisely  the  same  hour 
every  day,  standing  at  a  lunch-counter  in  the  Sen- 
ate corrider.  The  counter  was  presided  over  by 
an  old  woman  who  is  known  to  history  as  "  Dys- 
pepsia Mary." 

Judge  Davis  in  stature  was  nearly  six  feet  in 
height,  of  heavy  weight,  large  forehead,  clear  blue 
eyes,  prominent  nose  and  altogether  of  command- 
ing figure.  In  disposition  he  was  genial,  compan- 
ionable, benevolent,  charitable  and  kind.  Though 
not  a  member  of  any  church  yet  he  believed  in  all 
religions  and  contributed  liberally  to  all  denomina- 
tions. He  was  broad  and  Catholic  in  his  views  and 
in  his  conduct.  Many  a  school-house  and  many  a 
church  building  in  Central  Illinois  rest  to-day  on 
a  lot  given  by  him.  He  had  a  numerous  tenantry 
on  his  extensive  estates,  and  when  from  drouth  or 
other  causes  there  was  a  failure  in  crops,  he  would 
remit  to  his  tenants  his  entire  claims  for  rent. 
About  his  home  when  he  died  there  were  many  old 
persons  who  were  living  on  his  bounty.  In  land 
investments  and  land  speculations  he  was  shrewd 
and  possessed  an  insight  into  future  valuation  of 
property  that  was  truly  remarkable.  It  was  through 
his  land  operations  that  he  accumulated  an  estate 
which  at  his  death  was  estimated  at  about  $600,000 ; 
and  it  may  be  said  of  Judge  Davis  that  this  vast 
estate  was  acquired  by  him  without  ever  having 
wronged  or  oppressed|his  fellow-men.  In  private 
life  he  was  absolutely  above  reproach.  Honest, 
robust,  tender  and  considerate,  he  passed  triumph- 
antly through  life  a  model  in  character  and  a  model 
of  success,  finishing  up  at  life's  close,  a  completely 
rounded,  personal  individuality.  He  was  never 
the  circumference  of  an  occasion,  but  always  near 
the  center,  molding  with  his  great  mind  and  noble 
character  the  forces  about  him.  Nature  and  edu- 
cation had  stamped  upon  him  every  lineament  of 
gentility.  No  occasion  ever  found  him  inferior  to 
its  demands  and  whether  among  the  humblest  or 
the  richest  and  most  powerful  of  the  land,  he  was 
the  same  inborn  gentleman.  He  was,  to  quote  from 
his  favorite  author : 

A  combination  and  a  form  indeed. 
When  every  god  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man. 


AVID  VANCE,  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Vance  it  Sons,  who  are  extensively  en- 
gaged in  importing  and  breeding  draft 
horses  at  Chenoa,  has  had  a  long  experi- 
ence in  this  business  and  has  been  remarkably  suc- 
cessful. He  began  dealing  in  horses  in  Adams 
County,  Ohio,  nearly  forty  years  ago  and  has  be- 
come thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  habits,  needs 
and  proper  care  of  the  noblest  of  animals.  In  a 
State  which  has  become  quite  noted  for  its  fine 
horses,  Mr.  Vance  has  for  many  years  occupied  a 
prominent  position.  See  view  in  this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  is  a  native  of 
Adams  Co.,  Ohio,  and  was  born  April  22,  1824. 
His  father,  John  Vance,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
that  county,  reared  his  son  to  agricultural  pursuits 
and  carefully  trained  him  in  all  the  duties  pertain- 
ing to  that  department  of  business.  Our  subject 
received  a  good  common-school  education  and  re- 
mained under  the  home  roof  until  he  attained  to 
years  of  manhood.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded twelve  children,  of  whom  David  was  the 
youngest.  His  mother  before  her  marriage  was 
Miss  Mary  McGovney,  of  Ohio.  Young  Vance 
lived  on  a  farm  in  Ohio  until  1852,  then  came  to 
this  State  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Lawndale  Town- 
ship, near  the  banks  of  Mackinaw  Creek  in  this 
county,  where  he  carried  on  blacksmithing  and 
farming  for  thirteen  years.  The  land  which  he 
there  took  possession  of  was  but  little  removed 
from  its  original  condition,  but  he  cultivated  and 
improved  it,  together  with  four  other  farms,  all  of 
which  combined  to  form  the  basis  of  his  start  in 
life  and  laid  the  foundation  for  his  future  pros- 
perity. In  due  time  he  disposed  of  his  landed 
possessions  in  that  locality  and  is  now  the  owner 
of  a  fine  estate  in  Yates  Township,  which  he  has 
mostly  devoted  to  the  breeding  of  stock.  He  re- 
sided upon  this  until  1881,  when  he  removed  to 
the  village  of  Chenoa,  where  he  erected  a  fine  barn, 
especially  adapted  to  breeding  purposes.  It  is 
32x110  feet  in  area,  two  stories  in  height  and 
fitted  up  with  convenient  stalls  for  fine  horses. 
Among  these  are  the  Belgium,  Clydesdale,  Perch- 
eron  and  Norman  breeds,  besides  a  few  handsome 
specimens  of  Kentucky  trotting  stock.  In  connec- 
tion with  this,  he  also  has  a  finely  appointed  liver}' 


t 

t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


191 


stable,  with  the  best  of  horses  and  the  handsomest 
of  vehicles.  The  sons  have  inherited  in  a  marked 
degree  the  talents  of  their  father  in  this  direction 
and  bid  fair  to  follow  jn  his  footsteps  as  successful 
breeders  and  dealers. 

Mr.  Vance  was  married,  Sept.  2,  1845,  to  Miss 
Emma  Wikoff,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
(McCue)  Wikoff,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
eight  children :  Henry  B.,  who  married  Miss  Rena 
Heflin;  Joseph  T.,  who  married  Miss  Jennie  Mc- 
Cartney and  is  in  partnership  with  his  father  in  the 
stock  business;  William,  who  grew  to  manhood 
and  was  married  to  Miss  Mattie  St.  John,  joined 
the  regular  army,  and  was  Clerk  in  the  Quarter- 
master's department  in  Wyoming  Territory,  where 
he  died  in  1880;  Leona  married  William  Holder- 
ness,  and  lives  near  San  Diego,  Cal. ;  Edgar  married 
Miss  Nancy  Gailbreath,  and  they  live  in  Republic 
County,  Kan. ;  Ella  and  Frank  died  when  young, 
and  Mary  is  the  wife  of  William  Arnold,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Chenoa.  Mrs. 
Vance  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church 
since  she  was  a  girl.  In  politics  Mr.  Vance,  his 
sons  and  sons-in-law  are  all  stanch  Republicans. 


'vwjAMES  A.  STEPHENS,  a  highly  respected 
|  farmer  of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  is  engaged 
successfully  in  agricultural  operations  on 
section  10,  where  he  owns  and  occupies  a 
comfortable,  homestead.  His  father  was  a  pioneer 
of  Illinois,  and  made  his  location  in  Logan  County 
in  the  early  settlement  of  the  State. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  native  of  Logan 
County,  111.,  and  was  born  in  Atlanta  Township, 
Dec.  11,  1836.  His  father,  Adam  Stephens,  of 
Virginia,  was  born  in  July,  1801,  and  his  grand- 
father, Peter  Stephens,  an  early  farmer  of  the  Old 
Dominion,  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  in 
about  1809.  He  located  in  what  is  now  Clinton 
County,  and  was  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of 
that  region.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land, 
cleared  a  farm  from  the  forest,  established  a  com- 
fortable home  and  remained  there  until  the  close 
of  his  life.  His  son,  Adam,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, there  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  united  in 


marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Iloblit,  a  native  of  Ohio. 
They  located  in  Clinton  County  after  their  mar- 
riage, remaining  there  until  1829,  and  then,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  four  children,  Adam  Ste- 
phens started  for  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  journey 
was  made  overland  with  horses  and  wagons.  They , 
carried  their  household  goods  with  them  and 
camped  and  cooked  by  the  way.  Before  removing 
his  family  here,  Mr.  Stephens  had  previously  vis- 
ited the  State,  and  purchased  a  claim  in  what  was 
then  township  21  north,  range  1  west,  and  included 
in  Tazewell  County.  Upon  it  stood  a  log  cabin 
into  which  the  family  moved  and  set  up  house- 
keeping in  the  best  manner  possible.  The  town  of 
Springfield,  forty  miles  distant,  included  the  near- 
est post-olflce,  and  Pekin,  at  the  same  distance  in 
another  direction,  was  the  depot  for  supplies,  and 
the  only  market  for  grain  and  pork  for  several 
years.  The .  second  winter  during  which  Mr.  Ste- 
phens was  a  resident  of  Illinois,  was  remarkable  for 
its  deep  snows,  a  season  which  will  be  long  remem- 
bered by  the  old  settlers  and  their  children. 
Travel  was  almost  entirely  suspended,  and  the  pio- 
neers suffered  great  privation  during  a  long  season 
when  there  was  no  communication  with  the  outer 
world. 

After  the  land  in  that  vicinity  was  surveyed  and 
came  into  market,  Mr.  Stephens  entered  280  acres 
at  $1.25  per  acre,  the  greater  part  of  which  con- 
sisted of  timber.  He  cultivated  what  there  was  of 
prairie,  cleared  the  timber  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
established  a  homestead,  and  lived  to  see  the  coun- 
try around  him  opened  up  to  civilization.  His 
death  occurred  in  August,  1882,  the  wife  and 
mother  having  departed  from  the  scenes  of  earth 
three  3Tears  before.  They  had  become  the  parents 
of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  years  of 
maturity,  and  whom  they  carefully  trained  to  hab- 
its of  industry  and  to  principles  of  honor. 

James  A.  Stephens  was  the  eighth  child  of  his 
parents'  family,  and  he  has  a  vivid  remembrance 
of  the  scenes  and  incidents  of  pioneer  life.  The 
first  school  he  attended  was  conducted  on  the  sub- 
scription plan  in  the  old  log  cabin  which  had  been 
the  home  of  his  parents  when  they  first  came  to 
the  county.  The  name  of  his  first  teacher  was 
James  Mackiu,  a  brawny  man,  the  quality  esteemed 


t 

ft 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  most  highly  in  a  teacher  of  those  days.  The 
popular  belief  then  was  that  the  wisest  plan  to  gov- 
ern a  school  was  by  the  rod,  and  woe  to  the  boy 
especially,  who  disputed  the  teacher's  authority  or 
judgment.  The  method  of  instruction  too  in  those 
days,  was  widely  different  from  that  of  the  pres- 
ent, and  a  text  book  was  never  laid  aside  until  it 
had  become  so  worn  that  it  was  unfit  for  further 
use,  a  wide  contrast  to  the  present  school  system 
which  is  undergoing  perpetual  change,  and  not  in- 
variably for  the  better.  The  benches  and  writing- 
desks  were  made  of  slabs,  and  the  floor  was  made 
of  puncheons.  Here  young  Stephens  attended 
school  during  the  winter  season,  and  worked  upon 
his  father's  farm  the  remainder  of  the  year.  He 
was  but  a  boy  when  he  commenced  marketing  the 
farm  produce,  and  the  trip  to  and  from  Pekin  for 
this  purpose  usually  occupied  three  days.  His 
wheat  sold  at  thirty  and  thirty-five  cents  per 
bushel,  and  some  qualities  only  ten  cents,  and 
dressed  pork  brought  $1.25  per  hundred.  His  fa- 
ther raised  flax  and  kept  sheep,  and  his  mother  and 
sisters  spun  the  wool  and  the  product  of  the  flax 
plant,  weaving  the  same  into  garments  for  the  sev- 
eral members  of  the  family,  and  for  other  purposes 
demanded  in  the  household.  "  Calico "  was  then 
considered  a  luxury,  and  usually  formed  the  "  best 
dress"  of  the  female  members. 

James  Stephens  remained  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  was  soon 
afterward  married  and  settled  upon  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  10,  in  what  is  now  Mt.  Hope 
Township.  He  put  up  the  first  buildings  on  the 
place,  having  broken  some  of  the  land  the  year 
previous.  This  he  occupied  for  two  years,  and 
then  removed  upon  the  farm  which  constitutes  his 
present  homestead.  This  latter  consists  of  159 
acres,  all  inclosed  and  under  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation. He  has  a  fine  brick  residence  which  was 
erected  in  1877,  good  frame  barns,  and  other 
necessary  farm  buildings,  a  view  of  which  is  given 
in  this  volume. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Stephens  with  Miss  Martha 
E.  Hatch,  occurred  Dec.  24,  1857.  Mrs.  Stephens 
was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Stephen  B.  Hatch,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
'  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  to  Illinois 


in  1854,  and  located  in  Atlanta,  Logan  County, 
where  he  still  lives.  In  early  manhood  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Phcube  Levally. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  have  become  the  parents 
of  two  children — Edward,  who  was  born  in  Mt. 
Hope  Township,  and  married  Lillie  Atchison,  and 
Carrie  B.  Mr.  Stephens  is  Republican  in  politics, 
straightforward  in  his  business  methods,  and  an 
honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 


ARRISON  IIORINE,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of 
West  Township,  is  comfortably  located  on 
section  3,  where  he  settled  in  1884,  and 
where  he  has  a  finely  cultivated  farm,  pro- 
vided with  all  modern  improvements.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  born  Aug.  30, 
1 832,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Horine,  a  native  of 
the  same  county  and  State.  His  grandfather,  Henry 
Horine,  a  native  of  Maryland,  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky at  an  early  period  in  the  settlement  of  the 
Blue  Grass  regions.  When  he  landed  in  Jessamine 
County  he  had  $2.50  in  cash  and  an  ax  on  his 
shoulder.  He  took  up  a  tract  of  wild  land  from 
which  he  cleared  the  timber  and  opened  up  a  fine 
farm.  He  was  a  man  of  great  resolution  and  good 
judgment  and  amassed  a  fine  property,  at  his  death 
leaving  a  farm  estate  consisting  of  320  acres  witli 
good  buildings,  and  money  at  interest.  Although 
born  and  reared  in  the  South  he  was  always 
opposed  to  slavery.  The  great-grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Tobias  Horine,  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolution- 
ary War.  He  located  in  Maryland,  where  he  carried 
on  agriculture  successfully  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  days. 

John  Horine,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county,  and  after 
arriving  at  years  of  manhood,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Margaret  Bash.  She  also  was  a  na- 
tive of  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  being  the  daughter 
of  Henry  Bash  of  Virginia,  who  removed  from  the 
Old  Dominion  to  Kentucky  early  in  life.  He  also 
went  into  that  State  poor  in  pocket  and  died  pos- 
sessed of  a  good  property.  About  the  time  of  his 
marriage  John  Horine  purchased  a  tract  of  land 


r 


f 

f 


•4* 


f 

t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


193 


two  and  one-half  miles  from  Nicholasville,  the 
county  seat  of  Jessamine  County,  where  he  lived 
until  1864.  In  the  meantime  he  improved  a  good 
farm  and  supplied  it  with  a  comfortable  residence 
and  all  the  necessary  out-buildings.  Desirous  how- 
ever of  changing  his  location  and  seeing  the  great 
West,  he  came  into  Illinois  and  located  in  this 
county,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life 
with  his  son,  our  subject.  His  death  occurred  in 
1876.  The  mother  survived  two  years,  departing 
this  life  in  1878. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  included  nine 
children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years; 
Harrison  was  the  fourth  child.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  county,  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  subscription  schools,  and  made  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He 
then  went  to  Athens,  Fayette  County,  purchased 
two  four-horse  teams,  and  engaged  in  general 
teaming.  He  also  opened  a  wagon-shop  and  super- 
intended this  while  he  employed  men  to  do  the 
teaming.  After  a  residence  in  Athens  of  seven 
years  he  returned  to  his  native  county,  where  he 
carried  on  farming  until  1864.  He  then  accom- 
panied his  father  to  this  State  and  county,  first  rent- 
ing a  farm  in  Old  Town  Township.  Thence  he 
removed  to  Arrowsmith  and  operated  upon  rented 
land  until  the  purchase  of  his  present  farm.  Upon 
this  he  has  already  made  good  improvements,  and 
may  be  properly  classed  among  the  representative 
citizens  of  this  locality. 

Mr.  Horiue  was  married  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  Sept. 
9,  1856,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Level,  a  native  of  his 
own  county,  and  the  daughter  of  Littleton  and 
Mary  (Goss)  Level,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 
whence  they  removed  and  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Jessamine  County,  Ky.  Of  this  marriage 
there  have  been  born  ten  children,  as  follows: 
Francis  M.  lives  in  West  Township;  Anna  E.,  Mrs. 
Bedell,  lives  in  Benjaminville,  this  county;  Andrew 
J.,  in  Arrowsmith  Township;  Charles  W.,  Walter 
C.,  Frederick  L.,  Robert  Clinton,  Laura  B.  and 
John  L.  are  at  home.  Margaret,  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter and  second  child,  was  born  Sept.  29,  1858,  and 
died  Sept.  25,  1885. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  in  which  our  subject  has  been  an  Elder  for 


f 

T 


many  years.  He  is  Republican  in  politics  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860,  which 
was  the  only  vote  cast  for  him  in  the  county,  out- 
side of  Lexington,  his  life  being  threatened  on 
account  of  this  action.  He  has  lived  to  see  his 
Union  and  anti-slavery  principles  triumph,  and 
views  with  much  satisfaction  the  outcome  of  the 
war. 


UGH  VAUGIIAN.  This  gentleman  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  farming  com- 
munity of:  Chenoa  Township,  where  he  is 

gj))  successfully  engaged  in  stock-raising,  and 
where  he  has  been  located  since  the  spring  of  1859. 
He  is  of  Welsh  parentage  and  ancestry,  and  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Montgomeryshire,  Wales,  Jan. 
17,  1834.  Hugh  Vaughan  is  the  son  of  Edward 
and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Vaughan,  and  his  father  was 
a  farmer  of  modest  means.  Hugh  lived  in  his  na- 
tive Wales  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age; 
then  boarded  a  vessel  bound  for  New  York  City, 
and  after  arriving  there  resumed  his  chosen  calling 
until  the  fall  of  1859.  He  then  came  to  Illinois, 
and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  1, 
Lexington  Township,  this  county. 

Mr.  Vaughan,  of  this  notice,  was  married  in 
1860,  to  Miss  Ellen  Jones,  a  native  of  his  own 
country  and  shire,  and  the  daughter  of  Hugh  and 
Jane  (Evans)  Jones.  After  marriage  Mr.  Vaughan 
and  wife  located  on  his  farm,  whence  they  removed 
to  the  present  homestead  in  1865.  The  total 
amount  of  his  home  farm  now  comprises  240  acres. 

During  the  war  our  subject  began  feeding  hogs 
and  cattle,  and  shipping  and  selling,  and  from  the 
proceeds  realized  a  handsome  income.  He  added 
to  his  first  purchase  as  time  progressed  and  his 
means  accumulated  until  he  has  become  the  owner 
of  a  handsome  estate  and  has  all  his  land  under 
good  cultivation.  He  ships  a  carload  of  fat  hogs 
every  year,  and  often  a  carload  of  cattle.  The 
farm  is  handsomely  laid  out,  and  the  fields  divided 
by  hedge  fences  of  which  he  has  five  miles.  The 
land  is  tile  drained. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vaughan  there 
were  born  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four 


J  ^. 


f 


194 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


(1,  -i  u  ^liters,  as  follows:  Edward  R.,  Viola  J.,  Hugh 
(deceased),  E.  Mary,  Grace  J.,  Robert,  Maggie  I. 
and  John  G.  Mr.  V.  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
is  in  all  respects  fulfilling  his  obligations  as  a  good 
citizen  and  worthy  member  of  the  community.  He 
came  to  America  without  a  dollar  in  his  pocket, 
and  his  present  possessions  are  the  result  of  his 
own  industry  and  perseverance.  He  is  a  striking 
illustration  of  the  self-made  man  who  has  arisen  by 
his  own  efforts  to  an  enviable  position  among  the 
best  class  of  citizens,  and  who  have  assisted  in 
making  this  State  what  it  is  among  the  common- 
wealths of  the  West.  Mrs.  Vaughan  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  A  fine  lithographic 
view  of  the  handsome  residence  and  homo  of  Mr. 
Vaughan  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


'  SA  H.  MOORE,  proprietor  of  the  Bloom- 
iugton  and  Normal  Horse  Railway,  is  a 
highly  respected  and  well-known  citizen 
who  has  contributed  a  generous  share  to- 
ward the  business  interests  of  the  city.  This  rail- 
way which  he  is  now  conducting  in  a  business-like 
and  systematic  manner,  is  a  source  of  great  com- 
fort and  convenience  to  those  who  would  otherwise 
be  obliged  to  go  on  foot  to  their  places  of  business 
or  employ  a  more  expensive  method  of  convey- 
ance. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  on  a  farm  among  the  New 
England  hills,  in  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1820,  being  the  son  of  Asa  and  Sabra  (Lov- 
ell)  Moore,  natives  of  the  Bay  State.  His  father 
\\:is  a  man  of  modest  means,  and  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  farming  pursuits.  Our  subject 
was  reared  to  habits  of  industry,  received  a  careful 
parental  training,  and  obtained  a  fair  education  in 
the  public  schools.  In  early  life  he  evinced  that 
active  and  energetic  disposition  which  has  since 
served  him  so  well  and  placed  him  in  an  enviable 
position  among  his  fellow-men.  While  still  young 
he  began  to  lay  plans  for  the  future,  and  was  am- 
bitious to  do  something  and  be  somebody  in  the 
great  world.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  was  em- 
ployed as  conductor  on  the  Western  Railroad,  run- 


ning from  Boston  to  Springfield,  Mass.  Later  he 
assisted  in  running  trains  which  conveyed  the  first 
passengers  from  Worcester  to  Springfield,  one  of 
whom  was  the  famous  Maj.  George  W.  Whister, 
who  was  then  chief  engineer  of  the  road,  and  who 
afterward  attained  a  wide  reputation  as  builder  of 
the  railroad  from  St.  Petersburg  to  Moscow,  in 
Russia,  being  peculiarly  adapted  to  railroading  and 
having  more  than  ordinary  knowledge  of  what  was 
required  to  build  and  conduct  a  system  successfully 
and  profitably. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  made  rapid  progress 
in  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  superior  offi- 
cers, and  was  soon  placed  in  charge  of  a  train  as 
conductor,  running  out  of  Boston  on  the  Western 
Railroad,  and  becoming  widely  and  favorably 
known  for  his  skill  and  reliability.  He  continued 
on  that  run  for  a  period  of  eleven  years,  then  came 
West  to  La  Porte,  Ind.,  where  he  was  employed  as 
engineer  on  the  Michigan  Southern,  from  which 
position  he  soon  rose  to  be  Assistant  Superintend- 
ent with  headquarters  at  La  Porte,  lud.,  at  which 
place  he  remained  until  1854.  He  was  then  in- 
duced by  George  Bliss  to  come  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Superintendent 
of  what  was  then  the  Chicago  and  Mississippi,  but 
now  the  C.  &  A.  II.  R.,  Richard  Morgan,  now  of 
Illinois,  being  Superintendent.  Mr.  Moore  con- 
tinued in  this  office  until  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Morgan,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  general  super- 
intendency  of  the  road,  a  position  which  he  filled 
in  an  able  and  creditable  manner  for  three  years. 
In  1869  he  purchased  the  Horse  Railroad  of  Bloom- 
ington, of  which  he  took  possession  Jan.  1,  1870, 
and  which  under  his  management,  as  we  have  said, 
became  one  of  the  great  enterprises  of  the  city.  It 
is  suitably  equipped  in  every  particular,  and  ex- 
tends in  every  direction,  so  as  to  meet  as  far  as 
possible  the  requirements  of  the  local  traveling 
public.  It  is  conceded  by  all  to  be  one  of  the  best 
railway  systems  of  its  kind  outside  of  Chicago,  and 
Mr.  Moore  has  spared  neither  time  nor  money  to 
perfect  it  and  keep  it  in  repair. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  in  the 
spring  of  1848,  in  Plymouth,  Mass.,  the  maiden  of 
his  choice  being  Miss  Nancy  B.  Washburn,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  two  children — Thomas  i 


t 


I: 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


195 


\V.  and  Mary  C.,  the  latter  the  wife  of  E.  E.  Max- 
well, of  the  firm  of  S.  A.  Maxwell  &  Co.,  of  Chi- 
cago. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  Moore  is  pleasantly  located 
on  North  Main  street,  where  with  his  excellent  wife 
he  enjoys  the  companionship  of  the  cultured  peo- 
ple of  the  city.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  personal 
appearance,  and  his  genial,  courteous  disposition 
has  secured  for  him  hosts  of  friends  wherever  he 
is  known. 


F.  FUNK,  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of 
Funk's  Grove,  this  county,  and  was  born 
in  1838.  He  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Cas- 
sandra (Sharp)  Funk,  natives  respectively 
of  Kentucky  and  Maryland,  whose  names  are  widely 
and  favorably  known  throughout  this  section.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  completed  his  edu- 
cation in  Wesleyan  College,  and  received  from  the 
estate  2,100  acres  of  land.  To  this  he  has  since 
added  140  acres,  and  with  others  of  that  name  so 
familiarly  known  throughout  this  county,  has  been 
prosperous  in  his  undertaking,  and  ranks  as  one  of 
the  most  valued  citizens  of  McLean  County. 

Our  subject  remained  on  the  home  farm  until 
the  beginning  of  the  late  war,  and  then  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  Co.  G,  68th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  but 
served  only  six  months,  near  Alexandria,  Va.  Re- 
turning home  he  continued  under  the  parental  roof 
until  1865,  and  two  years  later  became  a  resident 
of  Bloomington,  where  he  has  a  beautiful  home  at 
No.  1008  North  Main  street,  the  residence  having 
been  erected  at  a  cost  of  $12,000.  He  retains  the 
supervision  of  his  farm,  which  is  operated  by  ten- 
ants who  take  care  of  the  stock,  of  which  there  are 
about  500  head  of  cattle  and  twenty-five  horses  of 
the  Clydesdale  and  Norman  stock. 

Mr.  F.  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the 
cit}'  since  becoming  a  resident  here.  He  was 
elected  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Wes- 
leyan University  in  1877,  which  position  he  has 
since  held,  and  occupies  the  same  office  among  the 
Trustees  of  the  Blind  Asylum  of  Jacksonville,  111., 
being  appointed  by  Gov.  Oglesby  in  1885.  He 
was  elected  Mayor  of  Bloomington  in  1871,  and 
each  succeeding  year  until  1875,  and  then  again  in 


1884-85.  He  was  Supervisor  of  Normal  Township 
for  1870-71.  He  is  a  member  and  Director  of  the 
Bloomington  Loan  and  Building  Association,  a 
stockholder  in  the  Walton  Plow  Company,  and 
there  are  few  worthy  projects  which  have  been  set 
on  foot  since  he  became  a  resident  here  that  have  not 
received  his  assistance. 

In  1886  Mr.  Funk  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  dele- 
gates from  Illinois  to  attend  the  G.  A.  R.  encamp- 
ment which  met  at  San  Francisco,  which  he  attend- 
ed, and  was  also  chosen  by  the  local  post  as  dele- 
gate to  the  State  Encampment  at  Decatur,  Peo- 
ria,  Springfield  and  Rock  Island.  He  was  an  al- 
ternate delegate  to  the  National  Republican  Conven- 
tion which  met  at  Cincinnati  and  nominated  Hayes 
for  President,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  State  Con- 
vention for  many  years. 

Mr.  Funk  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah 
Hamilton  in  the  spring  of  1865.  Mrs.  F.  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Pritchard)  Hamil- 
ton, natives  of  Ohio,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1  845, 
and  settled  near  Le  Roy,  where  Mr.  H.  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  Of  this  union  there  has 
been  one  child,  a  son,  Frank,  who  is  now  attending 
college  at  Lawrenceville,  N.  J.  Mr.  Funk  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  socially,  belongs  to  the 
Royal  Arcanum. 


AMUEL  FITCHHORN,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  Downs  Township,  is  the  owner 
of  280  acres  on  sections  9  and  10,  on  the 
former  of  which  he  has  a  handsome  and 
substantial  residence  and  upon  which  he  located  in 
1  866.  When  he  first  took  possession  of  this  prop- 
erty it  was  comparatively  unimproved.  It  is  now 
thoroughly  drained  and  in  a  fine  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. The  barn  and  out-buildings  are  kept  in  good 
repair,  and  everything  about  the  premises  donates 
the  oversight  of  a  thorough  and  systematic  busi- 
ness man. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  March  3,  1821,  and  was  taken  to  Indiana  by 
his  parents  when  a  child  four  years  of  age.  They 
located  in  Wayne  County,  near  Centerville,  where 
his  father  pursued  his  occupation  of  a  hatter,  and 


f. 


•  ^    196 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Samuel  was  employed  by  neighboring  farmers  most 
of  the  time  until  he  attained  his  majority.  His 
father  in  the  meantime  had  also  taken  up  farming 
and  finally  went  into  Mexico,  Miami  County,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  mother, 
who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Mon- 
roe, died  in  middle  life  in  Wayne  County.  She 
was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  there 
married  to  Samuel  Fitchhorn,  Sr. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  youngest  of 
his  parents'  family  of  six  daughters  and  two  sons. 
He  was  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  McKeman,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  and 
came  with  her  parents  to  Indiana  when  a  young 
woman,  where  her  education  was  completed.  She 
died  in  Downs  Township  in  1870,  when  forty -five 
years  of  age.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  eight 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  two  dy- 
ing of  measles  ten  days  after  the  death  of  the 
mother.  Those  living  are  John  F.,  James,  Samuel 
D.,  William  A.,  Daniel  W.  The  deceased  were, 
Elizabeth  J.,  Stephen  and  Idora. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Fitchhorn  took  place 
in  Peru,  Ind.,  Feb.  15, 1872,  when  he  was  united  with 
Mrs.  Mary  (Finster)  Myers.  This  lady  was  a  na- 
tive of  Prussia,  born  Sept.  28,  1844,  being  the 
daughter  of  Simeon  and  Elizabeth  (Daufel)  Fin- 
ster, who  emigrated  from  Germany  to  the  United 
States  when  Mrs.  F.  of  this  notice  was  ten  years  of 
age.  Their  family  consisted  of  four  daughters  and 
one  son,  of  whom  Mrs.  F.  was  the  eldest.  They 
first  located  on  a  farm  in  West  Virginia,  where 
they  remained  during  the  Rebellion.  The  father 
participated^  this  war  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union, 
and  was  seriously  crippled  at  the  battle  of  Win- 
chester, on  account  of  which  he  now  draws  a 
pension.  He  lives  near  Peru,  Ind.,  being  sixty-five 
years  of  age;  the  mother  is  sixty-four.  Their 
daughter,  Mary,  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  her  first  marriage,  to  Frederick  Myers,  which 
took  place  Dec.  29,  1865,  near  Bunker  Hill,  Miami 
Co.,  Ind.  Mr.  Myers  was  a  native  of  Germany,  a 
fanner  by  occupation,  and  died  in  Miami  County 
in  1870.  They  had  become  the  parents  of  four 
children :  Simeon,  Lewis  and  Maggie  are  living 
with  their  mother;  Mollie,  the  third  child,  is  mar- 
ried and  a  resident  of  Peru,  Ind. 


Samuel  and  Mary  F.  Fitchhorn  have  become 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  one  of  whom,  Stella,  is 
deceased.  Those  living  are,  Henry,  Minnie,  Lulu, 
Marshall,  Anna,  Charles,  Hattie,  Marion  and  Alba. 
Mr.  Fitchhorn  came  to  McLean  County  in  1866, 
and  is  essentially  a  self-made  man.  His  present 
possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and 
perseverance,  and  he  has  been  fairly  successful  in 
his  struggle  to  maintain  his  family  and  provide 
them  with  the  comforts  of  life.  In  the  business 
community  he  is  regarded  as  substantial  and  relia- 
ble, prompt  to  meet  his  obligations,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  rated  as  a  valued  member  of  society. 


t 


L.  HUTCHIN,  editor  and  proprie- 
tor  of  the  Sunday  Eye,  of  Bloomington,  is  a 
native  of  the  Prairie  State  and  born  in  De 
Witt  County  Sept.  25,  1854.  He  is  the  son  of 
John  D.  and  Elizabeth  Hutchin,  natives  of  Ohio, 
where  the  father  was  engaged  extensively  in  farm- 
ing and  the  raising  of  fine  stock.  John  Hutchin 
came  to.  Illinois  about  1840,  and  settled  in  De  Witt 
County.  While  on  a  visit  to  Bloomington  he  was 
offered  the  central  portion  of  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent city  for  $300,  being  an  area  of  about  640  acres, 
but  he  preferred  to  take  his  chances  in  De  Witt 
County,  and  there  purchased  2,500  acres.  He  was 
the  first  man  to  introduce  fine  Berkshire  hogs  into 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  also  what  is  known  as 
the  Hutchin  corn.  In  1849  he  took  a  trip  to  Cali- 
fornia for  the  purpose  of  speculating,  being  absent 
about  eighteen  months,  and  then,  satisfied  with  his 
experience  in  that  direction,  he  returned  to  De 
Witt  County,  where  he  resumed  his  farming  op- 
erations and  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He 
departed  this  life  in  1861.  Mrs.  Hutchin  was  sub- 
sequently married  to  Mr.  G.  Gandy,  and  is  still 
living  in  De  Witt  County.  Their  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  living. 

George  L.  Hutchin  was  the  fourth  child  of  his 
parents'  family,  and  after  receiving  his  primary 
education  in  the  public  schools  entered  Wesleyan 
College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1876.  In  all 
he  spent  six  years  in  high  schools  and  colleges  and 
received  a  thorough  education,  by  which  lie  be- 


T 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


197   i 


came  well  fitted  for  the  duties  which  he  has  as- 
sumed in  his  later  life.  After  completing  his  stud- 
ies Mr.  Hutchin  first  took  a  position  as  city  editor 
of  the  Bloomington  Leader,  having  already  had 
considerable  experience  as  a  reporter.  After  a 
year  with  the  Leader  he  became  traveling  agent 
for  the  Pantograph,  which  occupied  him  another 
year,  and  he  then  purchased  the  Sunday  Eye, 
which,  after  conducting  one  year  he  sold,  and  was 
one  of  the  original  projectors  of  the  Bulletin.  This 
occupied  his  attention  for  a  year,  and  he  then  sold 
his  interest  in  it  and  purchased  a  half  interest  in 
the  Sunday  Eye,  with  which  he  has  been  connected 
as  publisher  since  1882.  This  journal  was  estab- 
lished in  January,  1877.  Mr.  Hutchin  possesses 
genuine  literary  talent,  and  has  been  a  contributor 
to  the  publications  of  Harper  Bros.,  the  Century 
and  other  standard  periodicals.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  American  Press  Association,  and  President 
of  the  Press  Club  of  Bloomington.  In  politics  our 
subject  is  independent,  and  socially  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Phythias. 

The  Sunday  Eye  was  first  established  by  H.  R. 
Persinger  as  a  society  paper.  It  was  a  five-column 
folio,  and  was  issued  every  Sunday.  It  was  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  Persinger  for  about  one  year,  when 
M.  I.  Leland,  who  was  a  silent  partner,  assumed 
control  of  the  paper  and  put  it  in  charge  of  George 
L.  Hutchin.  This  arrangement  lasted  about  one 
year,  when  a  stock  company  was  formed  which  had 
financial  control  of  the  paper.  Then  Mr.  Hutchin 
secured  a  half  interest.  Subsequently  the  plant 
was  taken  to  Chicago,  where  it  was  issued  for  that 
city  and  Bloomington.  This  did  not  prove  a  finan- 
cial success  and  in  about  two  years  a  move  was 
made  back  to  Bloomington,  when  Mr.  Hutchin  be- 
came sole  proprietor.  By  able  management  the 
patronage  has  been  increased  until  the  Eye  now 
has  a  circulation  of  upward  of  6,000. 

Mr.  Hutchin  is  a  forcible  and  facetious  writer, 
and  his  short  and  humorous  articles  make  people 
nervous  as  well  as  merry.  Connected  with  him  as 
associate  editor  is  Cornelius  M.  Leek,  a  facile,  pun- 
gent and  polished  writer,  and  an  experienced  ed- 
itor. The  two  make  a  strong  editorial  team,  which 
has  made  the  Eye  very  popular  and  given  it  a  wide 
reputation.  The  Eye  is  chiefly  a  literary  journal, 


and  independent  in  politics.  It  is  a  seven-column 
quarto,  extensively  and  well  illustrated.  It  is  ele- 
gantly got  up  in  all  its  parts,  and  is  one  of  the  best 
literary  and  family  papers  in  the  country. 

It  is  ever  ready  and  bold  in  exposing  fraud, 
injustice,  hypocrisy  and  immorality,  and  to  com- 
mend justice,  honesty,  worth  and  virtue.  The  of- 
fice of  the  Sunday  Eye  is  located  in  the  Opera 
House  Block. 

The  marriage  of  George  L.  Hutchin  and  Miss 
Cora  Leland  took  place  in  Bloomingtou  in  1877. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Moses  F.  Leland, 
formerly  editor  of  the  Leader;  and  who  died 
in  March,  1886.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  two  children — Elberon  and  Louise.  Mr. 
Hutchin  and  his  family  occupy  a  pleasant  home! 
at  No.  305  Northeast  street,  and  are  highly  esteemed 
for  their  social  qualities  and  cultivated  tastes. 


M.  LEWIS,  who  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Illinois  for  "nearly  thirty  years,  is 
one  of  the  highly  respected  residents  of 
West  Township,  Town  21,  where  he  owns  a  com- 
fortable farm  homestead  on  section  5.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  born  in  Green' 
Township,  May  1, 1836.  His  father,  Joseph  Lewis, 
who  descended  from  Scotch  ancestr}',  was  a  native 
of  Berks  County,  Pa.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
He  was  there  married  to  Miss  Mary  Benner,  also  a 
native  of  the  Keystone  State,  but  descended  from 
the  German.  After  marriage  they  went  into  Har- 
rison County,  Ohio,  being  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  that  region.  Joseph  Lewis  purchased  a 
tract  of  heavy  timberland,  only  a  small  portion  of 
which  was  cleared.  This  in  due  time,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  his  sons,  he  converted  into  a  valuable 
farm  homestead,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  dying  in  1883.  The  wife  and  mother  had 
passed  to  the  better  land  in  1850.  Their  eight 
children  included  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
six  of  whom  grew  to  become  men  and  women,  and 
five  are  now  living.  Jacob  B.  was  for  many  years 
a  banker  in  Farmer  City,  111.;  Joseph  L.  is  a  resi- 


f. 


198 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


dent  of  West  Township,  this  county ;  Hannah  mar- 
ried William  Kent,  and  lives  in  Harrison  County, 
Ohio;  Thomas  M.,  our  subject,  was  the  fourth 
child ;  Rebecca  became  the  wife  of  James  Maholn, 
and  died  in  Marion  County,  Kan.,  in  1882. 

Thomas  M.  Lewis  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his 
native  county,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
public  schools.  He  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he 
came  to  this  State  and  located  in  West  Township. 
He  was  then  unmarried  and  employed  himself  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do,  working  out 
for  two  years  by  the  month.  He  then  purchased  a 
team,  and  in  company  with  his  brother  Jacob, 
commenced  farming  on  rented  land.  In  the  fall  of 
1860  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  and  worked 
with  his  father  until  the  fall  of  1865.  He  then 
came  back  to  Illinois  and  West  Township,  of  which 
he  has  been  a  resident  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  married  in  November,  1860,  to 
Miss  Nancy  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Wyandotte 
County,  Ohio,  April  7,  1839.  Her  father.  Benja- 
min Smith,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  whence  he 
removed  after  his  marriage  to  Ohio,  and  settled  in 
Wyandotte  County.  In  1856  he  started  further 
Westward,  and  coming  to  this  State  and  county 
located  in  Empire  Township,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  He  married  early  in  life 
Miss  Esther  Eft,  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  She 
survived  her  husband  a  number  of  years,  and  died 
at  the  home  of  her  daughter.  Mrs. '  Coons,  in  Ar- 
rowsmith  Township,  this  county. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  there  were 
born  seven  children:  Ida  M.',  Mrs.  Nichols,  lives 
in  Belleflower  Township ;  Mary  Esther,  Mrs.  Stan- 
ley, is  a  resident  of  Farmer  City;  Hartwell  E.  lives 
in  West  Township;  Walter  V.,  Callie  M.,  Lela  Ma- 
bel and  Jacob  S.  are  with  their  parents  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  are  members  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  L.  has  been  Trustee  and  Steward  and  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Sunday-school  for  a  number  of 
years.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  was 
Collector  of  West  Township  for  a  number  of  years, 
has  served  as  Assessor,  and  has  always  taken  a 
lively  interest  in  the  establishment  and  mainten- 
ance of  schools. 


i  EORGE  J.  FOSTER,  who  is  Su(>erintendent 
of  the  Bloomington  (Phoenix)  Nurseries 
in  Bloomington  Township,  occupies  a  re- 
sponsible position  for  which  he  has  proved  himself 
amply  fitted  by  his  large  experience  and  natural 
adaptation  to  the  business.  The  Bloomington 
(Phoenix)  Nurseries  embrace  600  acres  of  land  and 
are  probably  the  most  extensive  of  any  in  the 
State,  and  by  far  the  largest  of  any  in  the  county. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  Rhode 
Island,  born  near  Providence  on  the  2d  of  January, 
1846.  His  parents  were  natives  of  the  same  State, 
and  traced  the  Foster  ancestry  back  six  generations 
of  a  line  made  worthy  and  honorable  by  lives  of 
high  moral  principles  and  an  upright  course.  The 
parental  family  of  our  subject  included  seven  chil- 
dren, of  whom  George  J.  was  the  eldest  born.  His 
father  owned  a  farm  in  his  native  State  and  fol- 
lowed that  calling. 

George  J.  Foster  'remained  with  his  parents  and 
attended  school  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  went  to  Flushing,  L.  L,  where  he  engaged  with 
the  well-known  nursery  firm  of  Parsons  &  Co.  Of 
this  his  uncle,  John  B.  Foster,  was  foreman,  and  un- 
der him  our  subject  remained  until  1868,  obtain- 
ing a  good  knowledge  of  the  different  departments 
of  the  business.  He  then  came  West  and  engaged 
with  F.  K.  Phoenix  until  1877,  a  period  of  nine 
years.  Then,  for  one  season,  he  was  employed  by 
Augustine  &  Co.,  after  which  he  returned  to  the 
Phoenix  Nurseries  which  had  changed  hands,  and  in 
the  fall  of  that  same  year  became  foreman  of  the 
business.  Since  then  the  nursery  has  again  changed 
hands,  Mr.  Foster  becoming  a  member  of  the  firm. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Lydia  B. 
Browning  occurred  in  1870.  She  is  a  native  of  Chat- 
ham, Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  by  her  union  with 
our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  five  children, 
of  whom  the  eldest  died  in  infancy.  Those  living 
are  Alma,  George  K.,  Bernice  L.  and  Esther  B.  They 
are  pleasantly  located  in  a  handsome  and  attractive 
residence  and  are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
of  life.  In  politics,  Mr.  Foster  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, is  a  gentleman  highly  respected  in  his  com- 
munity, a  member  of  Grace  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Bloomington,  and  has  held  some  of  the 
minor  offices  of  his  township. 


r 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


201 


i 


II.  KERRICK  was  born  in  Franklin  Couii- 
ty,  Ind.,  in  1846.  He  is  the  son  of  Rev. 
Niiiirod  and  Mary  (Masters)  Kerrick,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  and 
Lancaster  County,  Pa.  To  them  were  born  four 
other  children — Eleanor  J.,  Pliebe  A.,  William  M. 
and  Thomas  C.  William  M.  was  killed  in  battle  at 
Vieksburg,  May  22,  1863,  at  the  age  of  nineteen. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  removed  with  his  par- 
ents to  Woodford  County,  111.,  in  1860,  and  grad- 
uated from  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  in 
1866.  He  taught  a  short  time  in  the  same  institu- 
tion; studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  Bloomington  in  1868.  Mr.  Kerrick  was  married 
to  Sallie  E.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Isaac  and  Cassandra 
Funk,  in  October,  1868.  Of  their  four  children, 
but  one,  Birdie,  the  youngest,  is  now  living.  Mr. 
Kerrick  was  elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the 
State  Legislature  in  1871 ;  he  is  at  present  engaged 
in  farming.  In  politics  Mr.  Kerrick  is  Republican ; 
himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  First  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  Bloomington.  Their  resi- 
dence is  at  No.  809  North  McLean  street. 


R.  CYRENIUS  WAKEFIELD.  The  late 
Dr.  Wakefield  of  Bloomington,  who  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  20th  of  February, 
1884,  was  widely  and  favorably  .known 
throughout  the  nation.  As  a  gentleman  he  was 
honored  and  respected  by  all  who  ever  met  him. 
Possessing  as  he  did  flue  natural  abilities  and  those 
qualities  which  constitute  the  true  man  and  valu- 
able citizen,  it  was  not  difficult  for  him  to  win  the 
esteem  and  admiration  of  those  about  him.  The 
life  history  of  Dr.  Wakefield,  necessarily  briefly 
given  here,  is  in  its  chief  points  as  follows:  He  was 
born  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  and  was  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Susan  (Sawyer)  Wakefield,  both  natives 
of  Vermont.  His  great-grandfather,  Andrew  Wake- 
field,  was  born  May  5,  1765,  was  of  English 
descent,  and  belonged  to  the  old  Quaker  stock  who 
were  extensive  landholders  in  the  Kingdom.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  settling  first  in  Nelson  County,  Ky.,  whence 
he  removed  to  Franklin  County,  Pa.  There  lie  was 


married  in  1794,  to  Miss  Margaret  Campbell,  the 
ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper. 
After  settling  in  Nelson  County,  Ky.,  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  two  brothers,  John  and  Daniel,  who  mar- 
ried and  settled  there,  reared  families,  and  it  is 
supposed  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The 
children  born  to  them  were  all  daughters  and  but 
little  is  known  of  their  history.  Andrew  Wakefield 
died  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  June  23,  1828, 
and  his  wife,  surviving  him  a  period  of  twenty- 
seven  years,  passed  to  her  final  rest  in  the  spring 
of  1855.  Mrs.  Margaret  Wakefield  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Pa.,  Dec.  16,  1772,  and  was  con- 
sequenthr  eighty-three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
her  decease.  The  maiden  name  of  Andrew  Wake- 
field's  mother  was  Margaret  McCoy.  She  was  of 
Scottish  ancestry  and  a  lad}'  of  great  intelligence 
and  personal  attraction. 

Dr.  Cyrenius  Wakefield  was  the  fifth  of  a  family 
of  six  children,  who  lived  to  become  men  and 
women.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  in  the  meantime  having  received  a 
good  education  and  becoming  a  teacher  in  1837. 
He  then  removed  westward  to  Bloomington,  III., 
and  became  teacher  of  a  large  school  three  miles 
south  of  the  city,  where  he  was  engaged  for  fifteen 
months.  He  then  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  De 
Witt  County,  lying  west  of  Farmer  City,  and  while 
engaged  in  the  improvement  of  the  same,  pursued 
his  former  calling  during  the  winter  months  for  four 
seasons  following  marriage.  In  1847,  in  company 
with  his  brother,  Dr.  Zera  Wakefield,  he  purchased  a 
stock  of  goods  and  they  engaged  in  trade  near 
Marion,  De  Witt  Co.,  111.,  our  subject  taking- 
charge  of  the  store  and  his  brother  continuing 
practice  which,  extending  for  miles  around,  neces- 
sitated long  drives  and  the  care  of  horses.  In  ad- 
dition to  this  the  latter  commenced  preparing 
medicine  and  leaving  it  at  the  store  for  sale,  the 
demand  finally  becoming  so  extensive  that  what 
was  originally  a  country  store  became  quite  a 
laboratory  for  drugs.  In  June,  1848,  after  con- 
tinuous practice  of  two  years,  Dr.  Zera  Wakefield 
contracted  violent  congestion  of  the  lungs  and  died 
within  thirty-six  hours  after  the  attack. 

After  the  death  of  his  brother,  Dr.  Cyrenius 
Wakelield  purchased  the  interest  of  the  first  named 


t 


.202 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


in  the  business,  and  continued  as  before.  In  1850 
he  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Bloomington,  that 
he  might  have  better  facilities  to  extend  his  busi- 
ness. He  also  applied  himself  diligently  to  the 
study  of  medicine  and  pharmacy  and  here  gained 
the  title  of  doctor.  During  the  first  few  years  after 
his  removal  to  Bloomington  he  operated  exten- 
sively in  drugs  in  company  with  Robert  Thomp- 
son, who  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Mrs.  Wakefield, 
having  his  laboratory  in  the  rear  of  his  drug-store. 
In  1856  he  put  up  a  brick  laboratory  near  his 
dwelling  and  two  years  later  retired  from  the  drug 
trade,  giving  his  ..whole  attention  to  the  compound- 
ing of  medicine.  His  business  steadily  increased, 
and  in  1879  he  had  local  agencies  established  over 
all  the  Western  States  and  had  accumulated  a  large 
capital. 

Dr.  Wakefleld  was  a  man  of  firm  and  decided 
principles,  a  member  of  the  Free  Congregational 
Church  and  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  was  generous,  hospitable  and  charitable, 
always  ready  to  extend  a  helping  hand  to  those 
in  need.  The  four  children  of  his  family  were 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Mr.  A.  S.  Eddy,  Cashier  of  the 
People's  Bank,  and  the  mother  of  five  children, 
namely,  Gussie,  Florence,  Adelbert  S.,  Louis  and 
Maxwell.  Oscar,  the  eldest  son,  married  Miss  Ag- 
nes Benchly  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead ; 
Hattie  is  the  wife  of  A.  B.  Brady  of  Davenport, 
Iowa;  Mr.  B.  is  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Northwestern  Neivs.  The  youngest  of  the  family 
is  a  son,  Homer. 

Dr.  Wakefleld,  on  the  1 7th  of  August,  1 843,  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Harriett  Richardson, 
at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Watertown, 
N.  Y.  Mrs.  Wakefield  was  the  daughter  of  Josiah 
and  Cynthia  (Tolman)  Richardson,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire. 
Her  parents  were  married  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  in 
about  1815,  and  settling  there  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits,  the  father  giving  much  attention  to  the 
breeding  of  fine  horses  and  cattle.  The  parental 
household  included  eight  children,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  years  of  maturity  and  are  recorded  as  fol- 
lows: Charles  and  Juliet  (Mrs.  Dodge)  are  in 
Watertown,  N.  Y. ;  Mrs.  Wakefield  was  the  third 
chjld  ;  Cynthia,  Mrs.  Thompson  ;  Josiah ;  Mary,  now 


Mrs.  Waters,  and  Martha,  Mrs.  Jones,  are  all  in 
Bloomington.  Josiah  Richardson  was  a  man  of 
strong  character  and  much  ability  and  a  stanch 
member  of  the  old  Whig  party.  He  took  a  deep 
interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  his  county, 
State  and  nation,  and  remained  a  resident  of 
Watertown  until  his  death,  loved  and  respected  by 
all.  His  children  were  given  a  practical  education 
and  carefully  reared  to  those  principles  of  honor 
and  honesty  which  have  distinguished  most  of  the 
members  of  that  family.  Both  parents  belonged  to 
the  Universalist  Church. 

The  portrait  of  Dr.  Wakefield  is  fittingly  pre- 
sented in  a  work  containing  the  portraits  and 
sketches  of  so  many  of  the  best  people  of  McLean 
County.  With  a  mind  so  richly  stored  as  his  was 
and  with  the  genial  disposition  and  temperament 
which  it  was  his  fortune  to  possess,  a  successful 
life,  in  the  full  sense  of  the  word,  is  what  we  might 
look  for,  nor  were  his  friends  disappointed. 


J.  HIGGINS,  is  of  the  firm  of  Higgins  &  Co., 
marble  and  granite  manufacturers,  Bloom- 
ington, who  are  transacting  an  extensive  and 
profitable  business.  Their  main  office  is 
located  on  East  Front  street  and  occupies  Nos.  227 
and  229.  The  subject  of  this  biography  was  born 
in  Georgetown,  Ohio,  in  1840.  His  parents  were 
Hon.  John  J.  and  Martha  C.  (Hetterick)  Higgins, 
the  father  of  Maryland  and  the  mother  of  Virginia. 
John  J.  Higgins  was  an  attorney  at  law  and  suc- 
cessfully practiced  in  the  various  courts  of  Ohio. 
He  was  prominently  identified  with  the  politics  of 
that  State,  being  elected  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture and  holding  the  offices  of  County  Judge  and 
Sheriff  of  Brown  County. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Col.  Robert 
Higgins,  was  one  of  the  stanch  old  veterans  of  1876, 
and  contributed  his  full  share  toward  the  emanci- 
pation of  the  colonies.  After  this  was  effected  he 
purchased  over  1,000  acres  of  land  in  Southern 
Ohio.  He  had  previously  been  a  slave-holder,  but 
becoming  disgusted  with  the  peculiar  institution, 

•» 


f 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-•*- 

203 


gave  to  his  slaves  their  liberty.  He  was  a  man  of 
prominence  and  closely  identified  with  political 
affairs  in  the  early  history  of  the  Buckeye  State. 
He  practiced  law  and  served  as  District  Judge,  and 
spent  the  main  part  of  his  life  at  Higginsport, 
which  was  named  after  him. 

John  J.  Higgins,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
the  3roungest  son  of  his  parents  and  died  in  Ohio  in 
1857.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1873.  Of  their 
family  of  eleven  children,  seven  are  now  living, 
viz.,  Robert,  Mary,  Annie,  Lydia,  Mattie,  Hamer 
J.  and  Sallio.  All  are  residents  of  Ohio  except 
our  subject. 

Hamer  J.  Higgins  remained  at  home  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  and  until  after  graduating  from 
the  High  School.  About  that  time  the  war  came  on 
and  at  the  first  call  for  troops  he  enlisted  in  the 
three  years'  service  in  the  59th  Ohio  Infantry,  and 
afterward  re-enlisted  in  the  192d  Ohio  Infantry, 
remaining  in  the  army  until  the  surrender  of  Lee. 
During  this  time  he  was  in  twenty-nine  pitched 
battles.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  and  was  mustered 
out  as  First  Lieutenant.  He  was  at  Shiloh,  Stone 
River,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge  and  through 
the  entire  Atlanta  campaign,  fighting  120  succes- 
sive days  before  the  fall  of  Atlanta. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  career  young  Big- 
gins returned  to  Ohio  and  was  appointed  Deputy 
Clerk  of  the  Common  Pleas  Court,  which  position 
he  filled  for  two  years,  and  then  in  1868  came  to 
Illinois.  He  commenced  here  with  a  capital  of 
$10  in  cash,  and  after  an  experience  of  eight  years, 
part  of  which  time  was  spent  in  traveling,  he  estab- 
lished his  present  business  in  1876.  The  beautiful 
marble  front  building,  a  part  of  which  is  occupied 
as  his  business  office,  was  erected  in  1886.  He 
keeps  two  men  on  the  road  and  the  whole  force  of 
employes  ranges  from  eighteen  to  twenty-five  men. 
His  present  status  in  the  business  community  as 
will  be  seen  is  due  to  his  own  persevering  energy. 
He  commenced  at  the  foot  of  the  latter  anJ  his 
present  position  is  his  just  reward. 

Mr.  Higgins  was  married  in  Bloomington  in 
1870,  to  Miss  Alice  De  Vore,  a  native  of  his  own 
State  and  daughter  of  Jackson  and  Hannah  De  Vore. 
Of  their  union  there  have  been  born  eight  children — 
Mattie,  Frank,  Elmo,  Maude,  Charles,  Ina,  Robert 


and  Lilian.  Mr.  Higgins  is  Republican  in  politics, 
and  socially  is  identified  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the 
(I.  A.  R.  and  A.  O.  U.  W. 


eW.  ATKINSON,  ex-County  Clerk  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1853,  coming  here  when  a 
young  man  eighteen  years  old.  His  native  place  was 
Lake  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  In  1835, 
and  his  parents  were  William  and  Marian  (Fergu- 
son) Atkinson,  natives  respectively  of  New  Bruns- 
wick and  New  York.  They  were  married  in  Ohio 
in  1833,  locating  upon  a  farm  of  160  acres,  where 
William  Atkinson  industriously  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising  until  1853.  He  then  started  for 
the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  purchased  a  farm  in 
Cheney's  Grove  Township,  this  county,  which  he 
cultivated  for  a  number  of  years,  and  which  still 
remains  his  home,  although  he  is  now  retired  from 
active  life.  William  Atkinson  was  born  in  1807, 
and  is  consequently  now  eighty  years  of  age.  He 
was  always  of  a  religious  turn  of  mind,  studied  for 
the  ministry  while  a  young  man  and  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  1848,  since 
which  time  he  has  served  as  a  local  preacher.  The 
parental  household  consisted  of  ten  children,  six 
now  living. 

The  subject  of  this  history  spent  his  boyhood 
and  youth  in  attendance  at  school  during  the  win- 
ter seasons  and  assisting  on  the  farm  the  balance 
of  the  year.  At  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  entered 
Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington,  where  he  pur- 
sued a  two  years'  course,  and  engaged  in  teaching 
for  two  years  following,  in  McLean  and  Champaign 
Counties.  During  the  first  year  of  the  war  he 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  Co.  I,  23d  Ohio  Vol.  Inf., 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  conflict.  For 
brave  and  faithful  services  he  was  commissioned 
Captain,  having  taken  part  in  the  battles  of  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  and  all  the  engagements  of 
the  Shenandoah  Valley  of  1864.  He  escaped  serious 
injury  and  received  an  honorable  discharge  on  the 
2Cth  of  August,  1865. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  services  Mr.  Atkin- 
son returned  to  Illinois,  and  locating  at  Saybrook, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  1868.  He  then 
sold  out,  and  going  to  Bloomington,  was  appointed 
Deputy  Circuit  Clerk,  which  position  he  held  four 
years  and  then  was  the  incumbent  of  the  same  po- 
sition in  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk  until  1877, 
when  he  was  elected  County  Clerk  and  held  the 
office  until  December,  1886. 

Mr.  Atkinson  was  married  in  1866,  to  Miss  Kate 
Guthrie,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  R.  E.  and  Lucy 
(Kelsall)  Guthrie.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  five  children :  William  E. ;  Wilber,  a  graduate 
of  the  city  High  School,  both  of  whom  are  clerks 
in  the  office  of  their  father;  those  at  home  are — 
Marion,  Roy  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Atkinson  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  socially  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  G.  A.  R.  and  K.  of 
P.  In  addition  to  his  pleasant  residence  in  Bloom- 
ington, he  has  a  farm  near  Cheney's  Grove,  consist- 
ing of  1 40  acres  of  valuable  land,  finely  improved 
and  mostly  devoted  to  stock-raising.  Mr.  Atkin- 
son is  a  thorough  business  man  and  in  all  respects 
a  representative  citizen. 


IRA  C.  PRATT,  the  tile  manufacturer  of  Crop- 
sey,  is  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State, 
where  he  first  opened  his  eyes  to  light,  Jan.  12, 
1832.  His  parents,  Ira  Allen  and  Asenath  (Wait) 
Pratt,  were  also  natives  of  Vermont,  where  they 
resided  on  a  farm  and  passed  their  entire  lives  in 
their  native  State.  The  father  was  accidentally 
drowned  when  about  fifty  years  of  age.  The 
mother  survived  her  husband  many  years,  attain- 
ing to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one.  The  eight 
children  included  in  the  parental  household  all 
lived  to  mature  years,  and  their  record  is  as  fol- 
lows :  Curtis,  the  eldest,  is  a  resident  of  Milton, 
Vt. ;  Sophia  married  B.  B.  Woods,  and  died  in 
Vermont  in  the  fall  of  1886;  Ira  C.,  is  our  subject; 
Charles  J.  resides  in  Gilman,  111. ;  Lucina  became 
the  wife  of  C.  S.  Tolman,  of  Fitchburg,  Mass.; 
Frank  is  a  resident  of  Livingston  County,  this 
State;  Mary,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Hyde,  lives  in  Iroquois 
County,  and  George  R.  in  Cropsey. 

The  subject   of   this  sketch    was  reared    on  his 


father's  farm  and  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. When  seventeen  years  old  he  commenced 
work  at  wagon-making,  serving  an  apprenticeship 
to  this  and  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and  being  em- 
ployed eight  years  with  one  man.  In  1855  he 
came  West,  locating  first  in  Tazewell  County,  this 
State,  and  following  his  trade  in  the  town  of  Mor- 
ton until  1 867.  He  then  settled  upon  a  farm  in 
Livingston  County,  on  section  13,  in  Belle  Prairie 
Township,  where  he  first  purchased  160  acres.  To 
this  he  subsequently  added  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  240  acres,  all  under  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation. Mrs.  Pratt  is  the  owner,  in  her  own  right, 
of  332  acres. 

Mr.  Pratt,  in  the  fall  of  1882,  began  to  drain  his 
land,  and  for  some  time  hauled  tile  from  Fairbury, 
a  distance  of  nine  miles.  He  saw  that  it  would  be 
necessary  to  use  a  large  amount,  and  concluded  it 
would  be  the  best  economy  to  manufacture  his  own 
tile.  Accordingly,  in  connection  with  George  S. 
Cook  and  Frank  Pratt,  the  former  also  an  extensive 
farmer,  he  soon  put  up  a  steam  factory  and  com- 
menced operations.  He  has  now  laid  tile  on  all 
their  land,  the  three  farms  being  well  drained  by 
this  means.  Mr.  Cook  has  since  died,  but  his 
widow  still  continues  an  interest  in  the  factory 
which  our  subject  operates.  They  have  three  kilns 
constantly  in  operation,  and  besides  that  for  their 
own  use  manufacture  a  large  supply  for  other 
parties. 

In  the  spring  of  1883,  Mr.  Pratt  left  his  son  in 
charge  of  the  farm  and  erected  a  handsome  and 
commodious  residence  in  Cropsey,  which  he  now 
occupies,  and  a  view  of  which  may  be  seen  on  an- 
other page.  This  structure  is  considered  one  of 
the  finest  in  this  section  of  the  country,  and  in  its 
finishing  and  furnishing  indicates  cultivated  tastes 
and  ample  means.  Our  subject  and  his  family  are 
held  in  the  highest  respect  in  this  section,  and  en- 
joy the  acquaintance  and  society  of  hosts  of  friends. 

The  marriage  of  Ira  C.  Pratt  and  Miss  Ellen  H. 
Hatljaway  was  celebrated  in  1854.  This  lady  was 
a  native  of  the  same  town  as  her  husband,  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  Livingston  County,  this  State, 
in  May,  1879,  leaving  three  children — George  W., 
Ida  A.,  who  died  in  1880,  and  Henry.  The  second 
marriage  of  Mr.  Pratt  occurred  in  1880.  The 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


205 


f 


present  wife  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Miss  Mary 
A.  Landes.  She  was  born  in  Tazewell  County, 
being  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Mitchell) 
Landes,  of  Groveland,  Tazewell  Co.,  111. 

lu  earlier  years  Mr.  Pratt  affiliated  with  the 
Whig  party,  later  with  the  Republican,  and  is  now 
identified  with  the  Prohibitionists.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  has  held  the  offices  of  Road  Commissioner  and 
Assessor,  and  was  eight  years  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  Livingston,  where  he  formerly  lived,  and  has 
been  President  of  the  Belle  Prairie  agricultural  fair 
for  ten  years. 


•jj^TCHOLAS  DIEDRICH,  JK.,  of  Blooming- 
jil  ton,  is  an  extensive  manufacturer  of   cast 

•'iy.Z^,  and  wrought  iron,  shaftings,  pulleys,  mill- 
work  and  general  machinery,  also  makes  and  re- 
pairs engines  and  boilers,  and-  executes  all  orders 
with  promptness  and  dispatch.  His  shops  occupy 
Nos.  407  and  409  South  Center  street  and  Nos. 
404  and  406  Madison  street. 

Mr.  Diedrich  is  a  native  of  Bloomington,  and 
was  born  in  September,  1860.  He  is  the  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Catharine  (Clemen)  Diedrich,  who 
were  of  German  birth  and  parentage.  The  father 
of  our  subject  emigrated  to  America  in  1852,  and 
Miss  Catharine  Clemen  came  two  years  later.  He 
first  stopped  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained 
two  years,  and  then  came  to  Chicago,  arriving  at 
Bloomington  in  1856.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
been  married  to  Miss  Clemen,  in  1855,  and  to  them 
were  given  three  children:  Louisa,  at  home; 
Bertha,  now  Mrs.  Cloppenburg,  of  Springfield,  111., 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

After  coming  to  Bloomington,  Nicholas  Died- 
rich, Sr.,  was  employed  by  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  Co. 
and  remained  for  two  years.  He  then  had  charge 
of  the  Flagg  Foundry.  In  the  winter  of  1860-61, 
he  with  two  others  started  the  Bloomington  Foun- 
dry, but  afterward  sold  their  interest  in  it  to 
Mr.  Ollis,  and  in  1869  started  the  Union  Foun- 
dry. His  first  shop  was  a  frame  building  which 
was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1874.  In  1876  he  put  up 
a  brick  building,  the  machine  shop  being  50x60 


feet,  and  a  pattern-room  in  the  second  story,  also 
two  stores,  a  foundry  40x80,  and  a  boiler-room  20 
x40  feet,  all  of  brick,  besides  other  necessary  build- 
ings. Mr.  Diedrich  operated  here  until  1882,  and 
then  leased  his  building  to  his  son,  who  has  con- 
tinued the  business  since  that  time,  and  employs 
on  an  average  twenty  men. 

Our  subject  is  a  graduate  of  the  High  School  and 
Business  College  of  Bloomington.  He  was  em- 
ployed with  his  father  in  the  foundry  business  when 
a  young  man,  and  is  in  every  respect  a  practical 
machinist.  He  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Diedrich 
&  Hayes,  practical  heating  engineers  and  manufact- 
urers of  the  Rattan  tubular  masonry-furnaces,  ven- 
tilators, room-heaters,  registers,  etc.,  the  office  be- 
ing located  at  Nos.  59  and  61  Lake  street,  Chicago. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1883,  to  Miss  Lizzie 
Lowentrout,  also  a  native  of  Bloomington,  and  the 
daughter  of  F.  W.  Lowentrout.  Of  this  union 
there  have  been  born  three  children — Irene,  Ethel, 
who  died  in  infancy,  and  Lawrence.  The  family 
is  pleasantly  located  at  No.  609  West  Market  street. 
Mr.  Diedrich  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  useful 
factor  in  the  business  community. 


-* 


A.  ELLSWORTH,  a  general  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Downs  Township,  is  com- 
fortably located  on  section  30,  where  he 
lowns  eighty  acres  of  improved  land  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  He  came  to  McLean 
County  in  1859,  and  with  the  exception  of  four 
years  spent  in  Heyworth,  has  made  Downs  Town- 
ship his  home  since  that  time.  Mr.  Ellsworth  was 
born  in  St.  Clair  County,  this  State,  Aug.  12, 1849. 
For  parental  history  see  sketch  of  William  Ells- 
worth in  another  part  of  this  ALBUM. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  spent  under  the 
home  roof,  and  his  parents  removed  from  St.  Clair 
County  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  coming  into 
this  county  and  locating  in  Downs  Township. 
Young  Ellsworth  was  married  in  this  township, 
when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  Sept.  7. 1871,  to  Miss 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  George  and  Susanna  Jane 
Bishop.  She  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
July  11,  1850,  aud  remained  with  her  parents  until 


4 


•^ 


206 


McLEAN    COUNTY.  * 


her  marriage.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
seven  children,  two,  Eura  X.  and  Nathan,  being  de- 
ceased. Those  living  and  at  home  are  Clyde, 
Lyda  B.,  George  W.,  Bertie  A.  and  Ellis  C. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ellsworth  lo- 
cated upon  the  farm  which  they  now  occupy, 
where  they  have  lived  as  peaceful  and  praiseworthy 
citizens,  and  enjoy  the  respect  and  friendship  of 
a  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  They  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Ellsworth  is  strongly  Republican. 


R.  WILLIAM  E.  GUTTIRIE,  a  rising 
young  physician  of  Bloomington,  is  junior 
member  of  the  firm  of  White  &  Guthrie, 
and  is  fast  winning  for  himself  a  prominent 
and  honorable  name  in  the  medical  profession  of 
McLean  County.  Dr.  Guthrie  was  born  in  Abing- 
don,  Knox  Co.,  111.,  in  1857,  and  is  the  son  of 
Peter  and  Caroline  E.  (Corsan)  Guthrie,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Bloomington,  111.,  and  Warren  Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

Both  Peter  Guthrie  and  his  wife  were  born  in 
1829;  the  former  worked  with  his  father  at  his 
trade  of  a  plasterer  and  brick-mason,  afterward  en- 
gaging as  a  contractor  and  builder.  He  is  now  a 
resident  of  Normal,  being  Constable  of  that  village, 
and  in  1886  was  candidate  for  Sheriff.  The  par- 
ental family  consisted  of  two  children,  of  whom 
only  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  living. 

Our  subject's  grandfather,  Robert  Guthrie,  was  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1826.  settling 
in  Bloomiugton,  where  he  cultivated  a  small  farm 
and  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  as  opportunity 
afforded.  His  family  included  seven  children — 
John,  Robert,  Margaret,  Adam,  Peter,  Kate  and 
Lee — all  of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women,  and 
were  educated  in  Bloomington. 

The  younger  days  of  our  subject  were  spent  in 
school,  where  he  improved  his  opportunities,  and 
commenced  teaching  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 
He  was  thus  occupied  for  three  years,  in  the  mean- 
time pursuing  his  studies  in  a  higher  school,  after 
his  own  winter  term  had  closed.  He  attended  Wes- 
leyan  aud  Normal  Universities.  In  the  fall  of 


1876  there  were  thirty-three  competitive  candidates 
for  entrance  to  the  Military  School  at  West  Point, 
of  which  young  Guthrie  was  successful,  and  was 
accordingly  sent  there,  but  remained,  however, 
only  a  short  time.  He  then  returned  home  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  commenced  to  read  medicine  with 
Drs.  White  and  Worrell,  of  Bloomington.  After  a 
time  he  entered  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1881,  and  was  proffered 
a  partnership  with  Dr.  White,  which  he  gladly  ac- 
cepted. He  has  made  rapid  strides  in  his  profes- 
sion since  that  time,  and  been  intrusted  with  impor- 
tant business  in  connection  with  his  practice.  For 
two  years  he  was  Surgeon  of  the  4th  Regiment, 
State  Militia;  has  been  County  Physician  four 
years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  McLean  County,  the 
Central  Illinois  and  the  State  Medical  Societies,  and 
in  June,  1887,  was  appointed  District  Surgeon  of 
the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad.  His  office  at 
present  is  located  in  the  Post  Office  Block. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Guthrie  and  Miss  Letta 
Smith  was  celebrated  in  1  882,  at  the  residence  of  the 
bride's  parents.  Mrs.  G.  is  the  daughter  of  Oliver 
and  Elizabeth  (Warren)  Smith,  of  Wichita,  Kan., 
and  by  her  marriage  with  our  subject  has  become 
the  mother  of  two  daughters  —  Lelia,  born  Jan.  1  , 
1883,  and  Bernardine,  Oct.  25,  1886.  The  family 
are  located  in  a  pleasant  home  at  No.  503  East 
Washington  street,  where  they  have  gathered 
around  them  a  circle  of  warm  friends,-  and  are 
happy  in  the  prospects  of  a  bright  and  prosperous 
future. 

Dr.  Guthrie  is  a  member  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  was  the  first  Commander  of  the  Sons  of  Veter- 
ans, with  which  order  he  is  still  connected. 


AMUEL  OGDEN  has  retired  from  active 
labor  and  is  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in 
peace  and  quiet  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
well-earned  competency,  making  his  resi- 
dence at  Lexington.  His  father,  Albert  Ogden, 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  the  mother  of  our 
subject,  Margaret  (Riddle)  Ogden,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania.  Their  first  settlement  after  marriage 
was  in  Kentucky,  whence  they  emigrated  to  Madi- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


207 


son  County,  Ohio,  and  in  1831  came  to  McLean 
County  and  settled  in  Money  Creek  Township, 
where  they  lived  for  several  years.  They  then 
moved  to  Livingston  County,  and  taking  up  their 
residence  in  the  neighborhood  of  Pontiac,  made 
that  their  home  for  two  or  three  years,  then  com- 
ing back  to  this  count}-,  again  located  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  where  they  spent  the  latter  years 
of  their  life.  He  died  Aug.  15,  1845,  and  her  de- 
mise occurred  in  1850.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  them,  five  sons  and  three  daughters — Abner, 
Mary,  Jonathan,  Benjamin,  Deborah,  John,  Susan 
and  Samuel  (twins). 

Samuel  Ogden  is  the  youngest  of  his  parents' 
children  and  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio, 
Aug.  24,  1809.  Continuing  to  reside  in  his  native 
State  until  1833,  he  then  came  to  McLean  County, 
and  has  made  this  his  home  until  the  present  time, 
engaged  exclusively  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
is  the  owner  of  785  acres  of  improved  land,  be- 
sides valuable  property  at  Lexington. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  to  Nancy  Vandolah.  She  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Ohio,  in  May,  1810,  and  by  her  union 
with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  ten 
children.  The  record  is  as  follows:  Obediah  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Hannah  Wiley,  and 
they  are  living  at  Lexington;  Croghan  died  when 
seven  years  old;  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  James 
Coon,  and  departed  this  life  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Mary  A.  died  in  Money  Creek  Township  when 
fourteen  years  old ;  Albert  is  a  resident  of  Money 
Creek  Township,  nnd  has  a  biographical  sketch  in 
this  work ;  John  W.  departed  this  life  when  in  his 
third  year;  Angelia  is  the  wife  of  James  Pirtle, 
and  they  are  living  in  Jasper  County.  Mo.;  Alex 
was  first  married  to  Miss  Alice  Miller,  and  after  her 
demise  married  Kate  Lyons,  and  they  are  living  in 
Ford  County,  Kan. ;  George  W.  and  Louisa  Flesher 
were  united  in  marriage  and  are  living  in  Gridley 
Township,  and  Francis  M.  died  when  fourteen  years 
old. 

The  faithful  and  loving  companion  of  our  sub- 
ject departed  this  life  in  Lexington,  July  8,  1884. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  an 
earnest  laborer  in  the  cause  of  the  Master,  and  be- 
loved by  all  who  knew  her.  She  is  waiting  for  her 


loved  one  on  the  other  shore,  and  soon  the  time 
will  come  when  his  sorrows  here  on  earth  will  be 
over,  and  he  will  meet  her  in  the  home  beyond, 
never  again  to  be  separated  through  the  endless 
days  of  eternity.  In  politics  Mr.  Ogden  is  a  stanch 
Jacksonian  Democrat,  and  one  of  the  foremost,  as 
well  as  respected  and  honored  citizens  of  McLean 
County. 


J~~  AMES   McMAHON,     one  of  the  self-made 
men  of  Downs  Township,  who  by   his  own 
exertions  has  acquired  a  comfortable  home 
with    something   laid    up   for   a  rainy  day, 
came  to  this  county  in   1863,   and    purchased    his 
present   farm,  which  is  located  on  section  9.     It 
consists  of  1 20  acres  of  good  land,  the  greater  part 
of  which  is  under  cultivation  and  upon  which  he 
has  a  good   farm  dwelling,  a  substantial  barn  and 
all  necessary  outhouses. 

Mr.  McMahon  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  Jwrn  in 
1833,  and  was  left  an  orphan  while  still  an  infant. 
He  was  at  once  taken  into  the  family  of  his  uncle, 
John  Kyan,  and  when  nine  years  of  age  emigrated 
with  him  to  the  United  States.  They  located  in 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  our  subject  lived  until  he 
was  fifteen  years  old  and  then  set  out  to  "paddle 
his  own  canoe."  He  first  proceeded  northeastward 
into  Canada,  going  first  to  Quebec  and  thence  to 
Toronto,  in  the  Province  of  Ontario.  He  did  not, 
however,  remain  very  long  in  the  Dominion,  but 
started  Westward  again,  proceeding  first  to  Fond  du 
Lac  County.  Wis.,  where  he  worked  as  he  had  in 
Canada,  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm.  From  Wisconsin  he 
came  this  State,  locating  first  in  Lincoln,  Logan 
County,  where  he  remained  six  years.  He  then 
came  to  McLean  County,  was  soon  afterward  mar- 
ried, and  engaged  as  a  molder  of  car  wheels  in  the 
city  of  Bloomington,  which  trade  at  that  time  was 
very  profitable.  After  some  years  of  hard  work, 
during  which  he  managed  to  lay  up  a  little  sum  of 
money,  he  purchased  the  land  which  constitutes  his 
present  farm,  and  since  that  time  has  been  success- 
fully engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Mr.  McMahon  was  married,  in  Bloomington,  in 
1863,  to  Miss  Salinda  Allen,  a  native  of  Lafayette, 
Ind.,  who  was  born  in  1836,  and  is  the  daughter  of 


4- 


t. 


•208 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Thomas  Allen,  now  deceased.  The  latter  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  Mrs.  McM.  lived  under  the 
parental  roof  until  her  marriage,  having  come  to  Illi- 
nois in  1863.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there 
were  born  six  children,  one  of  whom,  Aaron,  is  de- 
ceased. The  others,  all  at  home,  are  Mary,  John, 
Rosa  E.,  James  and  Thomas.  The  parents  and 
children  are  regular  attendants  and  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  our  subject,  politically,  is  an 
uncompromising  Democrat.  Mr.  McMahon  has 
full}7  proved  the  maxim  that  "Perseverance  wilj 
ensure  success."  He  commenced  life  a  poor  boy? 
without  friends  or  influence,  but  is  now  in  posses- 
sion of  a  good  home,  and  by  his  honesty  and  indus- 
try has  gained  the  esteem  of  the  worthiest  class  of 
citizens. 


J~~  OSEPH  TOWNSEND,  general  foreman  of 
the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  shops  at  Bloomington,  is 
a  native  of  England,  and  was  born  Nov.  14, 
I  1825.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Fell)  Townsend,  of  English  ancestry  and  parent- 
age. The  father,  while  in  England,  was  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  other  road  vehicles, 
in  which  he  carried  on  an  extensive  business.  He 
was  a  man  of  large  liberality,  and  was  ruined  finan- 
cially by  signing  notes  for  friends,  which  he,  as 
usual,  was  obliged  to  pay,  and  on  account  of  which 
he  was  compelled  to  throw  up  his  business.  He 
then  came  to  America  in  1829,  settling  at  Utica, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  as  a  carpenter,  and  died 
five  years  later,  in  1834.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject survived  her  husband  over  forty  years  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  1875.  Of  the  parental  family  of 
twelve  children  only  f<fur  are  now  living:  Ann, 
Mrs.  Jones,  of  Attica,  N.  Y.;  Joseph,  our  subject; 
Eli,  of  Hamilton,  Mo.,  and  Mary,  Mrs.  Shipman, 
of  Chicago.  The  parents  were  members  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

Joseph  Towusend  at  the  early  age  of  ten  years 
commenced  to  paddle  his  own  canoe.  After  leav- 
ing home  he  engaged  to  work  upon  a  farm,  and  re- 
mained in  that  vicinity  for  seven  years,  attending 
school  in  winter  and  working  the  balance  of  the 
year.  In  1842  he  returned  to  Utica  and  com- 


menced  learning  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he 
served  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Oneida  Vil- 
lage and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Syracuse  <fe 
Utica  Railroad  Co.  as  car  repairer,  where  he  re- 
mained five  years,  after  which  he  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  foreman  on  the  Lake  Shore  &  Southern 
Railroad,  at  Adrian,  Mich.  In  1854  he  visited 
Chicago,  whence  after  a  short  time  he  went  to  Ra- 
cine, Wis.,  where  he  was  given  a  position  as  fore- 
man of  the  Racine  &  Mississippi  Railroad,  which 
occupied  eight  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Kan- 
sas to  take  a  similar  position  in  the  car  department 
of  the  Union  Pacific.  After  five  and  one-half  years 
in  that  position  he  became  master  car-builder  of 
the  Missouri,  Kansas  &  Texas  Railroad,  with  head- 
quarters at  Sedalia,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  six 
years.  Mr.  Townseud  then  engaged  with  the  Han- 
nibal &  St.  Joe  as  car-builder,  and  was  with  that 
company  four  years.  From  there  he  went  to  the 
Union  Pacific  Central  Branch  at  Atchison,  Kan.,  and 
the  next  year,  1880,  accepted  his  present  position, 
which  he  has  since  occupied.  It  is  scarcely  neces- 
sary to  say,  considering  the  positions  which  he  has 
filled,  that  Mr.  Townsend  possesses  more  than  or- 
dinary skill  and  ability  as  a  mechanic,  and  is  well 
qualified  for  his  present  responsible  duties.  He  is 
well  posted  in  railroad  matters,  and  has  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property,  much  of  it  consisting  of  Kansas 
lands.  He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  as  a  eitizen 
is  highly  respected  for  his  excellent  character  and 
moral  worth. 

Mr.  Townsend  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Amy  Wralten,  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  in  1848.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Ann  (Randall)  Wralten, 
natives  of  England,  and  who  emigrated  to  America 
in  1829.  Mr.  Wralten  was  a  contractor  and  builder, 
and  after  coming  to  this  country  with  his  family, 
located  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  where  the  parents  remained 
until  their  death,  the  mother  departing  this  life  in 
1832,  and  the  father  in  1879.  Their  family  in- 
cluded nine  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  T.  was  the 
youngest  but  one.  By  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject she  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  four 
living,  namely,  James  A.;  Elizabeth  J.,  Mrs  Bar- 
nard; Frankie  F.,  Mrs  Dr.  Harris;  and  Julia  M., 
Mrs.  McGrew,  all  living  in  Kansas.  Nellie  de- 
parted this  life  in  18C4. 


TB^ 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


211    t  . 


I 

4" 


\|/OIIN  C.  GREGORY,  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent and  prosperous  young  farmers  of 
Gridley  Township,  is  proprietor  of  520 
acres  of  valuable  land  upon  which  is  erected 
a  fine  farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  other 
buildings  appertaining  to  a  first-class  modern  home- 
stead. The  fields  are  finely  laid  off  for  the  grow- 
ing of  grain  and  for  pasturage,  the  fences  are  sub- 
stantially built  and  kept  in  good  repair,  while  the 
farm  implements  are  of  the  latest  improved  pattern 
and  adapted  in  all  respects  for  the  most  expeditious 
work  in  the  best  manner.  The  larger  portion  of  the 
land  is  devoted  to  grain  and  stock-raising,  in  the 
latter  of  which  Mr.  Gregory  takes  great  pride  and 
pleasure,  and  usually  keeps  on  the  farm  about  130 
head  of  fine  cattle  and  twenty-five  head  of  horses, 
some  of  which  are  thoroughbred  and  all  of  choice 
grades.  He  also  fattens  about  seventy-five  head 
of  hogs  annually  which  bring  the  best  price  the 
market  affords.  On  all  sides  in  connection  with  the 
homestead  there  is  an  air  of  ample  comfort,  sug- 
gestive of  cultivated  tastes  and  abundant  means, 
and  no  roof  is  more  hospitable  than  that  of  our  sub- 
ject, who  is  the  center  of  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances.  As  a  business  man  his  course 
has  been  one  worthy  of  imitation.  He  is  prompt 
to  meet  his  obligations,  generous  in  his  contribu- 
tions to  the  enterprises  which  will  advance  the  pros- 
perity of  his  community,  and  always  the  friend  of 
education  and  morality,  encouraging  thrift  and  in- 
dustry by  the  most  potent  means  at  his  hands, 
namely,  his  own  example. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  and  reared 
among  the  people  of  Gridley  Township,  first  open- 
ing his  eyes  to  the  light  on  the  8th  of  June,  1859. 
He  is  the  offspring  of  an  excellent  family,  being  the 
sou  of  John  and  Mary  Gregory,  of  Normal,  a  sketch 
of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  His 
studies,  begun  in  the  common  school  of  Normal, 
were  completed  in  the  Evergreen  Business  College, 
at  Bloomington,  where  he  graduated  in  1880.  He 
was  bright  and  studious,  made  the  most  of  his  op- 
portunities, and  thus  became  well  fitted  for  the  du- 
ties of  life,  in  which  he  has  met  with  such  uniform 
success.  His  home  training  naturally  tended  to 
make  him  self-reliant,  and  when  twenty  years  of  age 
he  commenced  tilling  upon  his  own  account  a  part 


of  the  land  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  After 
perfecting  his  plans  for  the  establishment  of  a  com- 
fortable home  and  having  already  become  greatly 
attracted  by  the  womanly  and  lovable  qualities  of 
Miss  Arnettie,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Ab- 
bott) Ogden,  of  Money  Creek  Township,  he  led 
this  lady  to  the  altar  on  the  3d  of  May,  1882.  Soon 
after  marriage  the  young  people  commenced  house- 
keeping, and  on  the  18th  of  November,  1883,  there 
was  added  to  the  family  a  little  daughter,  who  they 
named  Pearl,  and  who  is  now  (1887)  an  interesting 
child  of  about  three  and  one-half  years  old. 

John  Ogden,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Gregory,  was 
born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  and  his  wife,  in 
Newark,  same  State.  After  their  removal  to  Illi- 
nois they  located  in  Money  Creek  Township,  where 
the  death  of  the  father  took  place  quite  suddenly 
on  the  8th  of  March,  1 879.  On  that  day  he  came 
to  Gridley  on  business  and  fell  dead  on  the  street. 
The  mother  is  still  living,  and  now  a  resident  of 
Towanda.  They  had  only  two  children,  both 
daughters,  Arnettie,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  and 
Hattie  E.  The  latter  died  when  six  years  of  age. 
The  birth  of  Mrs.  Gregory  took  place  in  Money 
Creek  Township  July  21,  1862.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  politically  Mr.  G.  affiliates 
with  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  served  as 
School  Director  in  the  township  and  starts  out  in 
his  community  as  one  of  its  most  promising  mem- 
bers, taking  an  interest  in  its  moral  and  financial 
welfare,  and  is  in  all  respects  an  important  factor 
in  its  business  and  agricultural  interests.  Each 
year  witnesses  some  new  addition  to  his  premises, 
enhancing  their  beauty  and  value,  and  the  view 
given  on  an  adjacent  page,  presents  a  picture  which 
is  viewed  with  admiration  by  the  passing  traveler 
and  which  forms  one  of  the  finest  features  in  the 
landscape  of  this  section. 


RS.  NANCY  CLARK,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  West  Township,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Aug. 
21,  1831.     Her  father,  Thomas  Hammond, 
was   born  in   Pennsylvania,  and   her  grandfather, 


John    Hammond,  an 


Englishman 


by    birth,  emi- 


I  / 

I 


i 


212 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


grated  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man,  lo- 
cating in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  there  married  to 
Miss  Rebecca  Reynolds,  a  native  of  the  Keystone 
State,  and  soon  afterward  they  removed  to  Ohio, 
and  located  in  Perry  County  at  an  early  period  in 
the  history  of  that  section.  There  John  Hammond 
purchased  a  tract  of  prairie  land,  and  for  a  tene- 
ment set  up  four  forked  sticks  and  split  clap-boards 
to  cover  them,  and  by  this  means  constructed  a 
dwelling  in  which  he  lived  with  his  family  until  he 
could  erect  a  log  house.  He  cleared  a  farm  from 
the  wilderness  and  lived  to  see  that  and  the  laud 
around  him  settled  up  and  finely  improved.  He 
departed  this  life  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years, 
having  made  a  good  record  as  an  industrious  and 
intelligent  citiy.cn,  and  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  development  of  Perry  County. 

Thomas  Hammond,  father  of  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  was  but  an  infant  when  his  parents  moved 
to  Ohio  and  located  in  the  wilderness.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  Perry  Count}7  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Olive  Spencer.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
Jan.  14,  1800,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Margaret  (Armstrong)  Spencer.  After  mar- 
riage the  young  couple  settled  upon  a  tract  of 
timber  land,  where  Thomas  Hammond,  like  his 
father  before  him,  constructed  a  rude  dwelling,  in 
which  he  and  his  wife  commenced  housekeeping. 
He ,  then  commenced  clearing  his  land  and  culti- 
vating the  soil,  remaining  a  resident  of  that  locality 
until  1866.  He  then  sold  his  farm  and  starting  for 
the  farther  West,  came  to  this  State  and  county,  set- 
tling first  in  West  Township.  He  purchased  260  acres 
of  land  on  sections  30  and  31,  where  he  carried  on 
farming  until  1877,  and  in  February  of  that  year 
removed  to  Bloomington,  where  he  died  in  June 
following.  His  widow  still  survives  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Clark. 

Mrs.  Nancy  (Hammond)  Clark  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  her  marriage  with  Sampson 
Clark,  which  occurred  on  the  1st  of  September,  1 853. 
Mr.  Clark  was  born  in  Somersetshire,  England, 
Jan.  27,  1831,  and  was  the  son  of  Sampson  and 
Susan  (Irish)  Clark.  After  marriage  the  young 
people  located  upon  the  present  homestead  of  Mrs. 
C.,  and  became  the  parents  of  two  children,  daugh- 
ters— Olive,  who  married  William  Hoit,  and  Marga- 


ret J.,  the  wife  of  Ilartewell  E.  Lewis,  who  resides 
in  West  Township.  Mr.  Clark  met  his  death  by 
accident  in  1869,  being  run  over  by  the  cars  of  the 
I.  B.  <fe  W.  R.  R.  He  was  a  very  successful  busi- 
ness man  and  farmer  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
owned  about  800  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  kind 
husband  and  father,  a  good  citizen,  and  universally 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  giving  of  his  means 
for  the  advancement  of  worthy  enterprises  and  tak- 
ing a  genuine  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  town- 
ship and  county. 


t 


p^RANK  L.  HOLLINGSWORTH,  an  ener- 
r^gj)  getic  and  successful  young  farmer  of  Downs 
_|5)  Township,  is  the  owner  of  170  acres  of 
valuable  land  on  section  5,  which  includes  fifty 
acres  of  timber.  He  took  possession  of  this  farm 
in  March,  1886,  and  already  has  made  some  excel- 
lent improvements,  having  in  contemplation  more 
and  greater  ones  as  time  progresses.  He  possesses 
that  spirit  of  industry,  enterprise  and  resolution 
which  is  not  satisfied  with  ordinary  achievements 
but  is  ambitious  to  excel,  and  bids  fair  to  become 
one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  this  prosperous 
and  progressive  county. 

Mr.  Hollingsworth  is  a  native  of  Champaign 
County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  June  7,  1862.  His 
father,  Samuel  W.  Hollingsworth,  a  native  of  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  in  early  life  removed  to  Champaign 
County,  where  he  met  and  married  Miss  E.  Helen 
Lyou,  who  was  born  in  Champaign  County,  where 
she  was  reared  and  educated.  Her  parents  are  of 
American  birth  and  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  After 
his  marriage,  Samuel  W.  Ilollingsworth  located 
near  Lewisburg,  Ohio,  and  was  there  engaged  in 
farming  until  1872,  when  became  to  Illinois,  taking 
up  his  abode  at  Monmouth,  Warren  County.  Two 
years  later  he  went  to  Missouri  and  located  near 
Hopkins,  whence  he  removed  later  to  Taj' lor  Coun- 
ty, Iowa.  From  there  he  went  to  Lincoln,  Neb., 
where  he  engaged  in  merchandising.  In  1882  he 
recrossed  the  Father  of  Waters,  locating  in  Bloom- 
ington,  this  county,  and  is  now  retired  from  active 
labor.  Our  subject  was  the  eldest  of  his  father's 
family  and  received  his  early  education  at  Lincoln, 


r 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


•213 


" 


Neb.  He  commenced  doing  for  himself  at  the 
early  age  of  fourteen  years,  his  first  experience  in 
the  business  world  being  as  a  stock-raiser  in  Ne- 
braska. He  came  to  Bloomington  with  his  father  in 
1882,  and  was  connected  with  him  for  a  time  in  the 
wholesale  notion  trade.  Later  he  became  interested 
in  farming. 

The  marriage  of  Frank  L.  Hollingsworth  and  Miss 
Lizzie  Welch  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Downs  Township,  Dec.  17,  1884. 
Mrs.  H.  was  born  in  Downs  Township,  June  6, 
1 805,  and  completed  her  education  at  Wesleyan 
University,  Bloomington.  Of  her  marriage  there 
has  been  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Helen  May. 
Mrs.  II.  is  a  lady  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence 
and  fine  social  qualities.  Our  subject  is  a  sold  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  gives  his  earnest  support 
to  the  principles  of  his  party. 


1  DGAR  M.  HEAFER  is  one  of  the  firm  of 
N.  B.  Ileafer  &  Co..  manufacturers  of  brick 
and  drain  tile,  which  is  carrying  on  an  ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  business.  This  was  estab- 
lished in  July,  1 874,  by  our  subject,  on  a  small  scale, 
and  at  first  was  limited  to  the  manufacture  of  tile 
only.  The  brick  kiln  was  established  in  1861,  by 
Napoleon  B.  Heafer  and  James  H.  McGregor,  and 
was  continued  for  about  twenty-three  years,  and 
until  its  dissolution  by  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Gregor. This  yard,  the  first  one  established  in 
Bloomington,  became  the  most  extensive,  and  Mr. 
IJeafer,  after  dissolving  with  his  partner,  operated 
it  alone  for  about  one  year  and  then  sold  it  to  his 
son-in-law,  Joseph  B.  Holme's,  and  his  two  sons, 
Arthur  and  Edgar  M.  In  1884-85,  the  brickyard 
was  removed  to  its  present  location.  The  clay  of 
which  this  brick  is  manufactured  lies  about  four 
feet  beneath  the  surface  in  a  strata  about  eleven 
feet  thick,  and  after  being  manufactured  resembles 
in  appearance  the  famous  brick  of  Milwaukee,  the 
grain  being  fine  and  the  quality  strong  and  durable. 
The  tile  yards  and  factory  occupy  about  seven  acres 


of  ground,  the  main  building  being  150x252  feet  in 
dimensions,  two  stories  in  height,  and  furnished 
with  the  most  modern  machinery  and  appliances. 
This  is  under  the  management  of  N.  B.  Heafer  and 
his  son,  Edgar  M.,  and  affords  them  a  fine  income. 
In  1883  they  turned  out  4,000,000  feet  of  tile. 
They  manufacture  it  in  all  sizes,  from  three  to 
twelve  inches. 

Napoleon  B.  Heafer,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Charleston,  W.  Va.,  in  1 823,  and  at  the 
early  age  of  ten  years  began  his  battle  with  the 
world  to  obtain  the  necessaries  and,  if  possible,  the 
comforts  and  luxuries  of  life.  He  possessed  but  a 
limited  education,  having  been  only  six  months  in 
school,  and  employed  himself  at  whatever  lie  could 
find  to  do.  His  wanderings  led  him  northward  and 
he  drifted  into  Kentucky,  where  he  lived  for  several 
years  and  was  prospered  in  his  efforts  to  obtain  a 
livelihood.  After  arriving  at  a  suitable  age  he  was 
married,  in  Jamestown,  Ky.,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  C. 
Clark,  a  native  of  the  same  place.  He  remained 
there  with  his  family  until  his  removal  to  Bloom- 
ington and  soon  afterward  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  brick.  He  was  possessed  of  much  nat- 
ural genius  and  very  soon  became  a  master  mechanic, 
with  a  good  knowledge  of  his  business.  He  is  the  in- 
ventor of  the  brick  pavement  being  used  in  this  city, 
Jacksonville,  Champaign  and  Decatur.  After  a  few 
years  thus  occupied,  he  was  obliged  to  retire  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health  and  is  now  in  California. 

Edgar  M.  Ileafer,  who  is  now  the  manager  of  the 
tile  business,  was  born  in  Jamestown,  Ky.,  March 
20,  1851,  and  was  about  two  years  old  when  he 
came  to  Bloomington  with  his  parents.  He  received 
his  primary  education  in  the  schools  of  this  city 
and  subsequently  took  a  course  of  study  in  Wes- 
leyan University,  being  in  the  Junior  Class  at  the 
time  of  leaving.  In  February.  187G,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Ida  M.,  daughter  of  William  S.  Depew, 
of  Bloomington,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  Prairie  State.  Of  this  marriage  there 
have  been  born  three  children — Stella  P.,  Edgar  N. 
and  Roscoe  Lionel.  Mr.  Ileafer,  although  still  a 
young  man,  is  serving  a  term  as  Alderman  of  the 
city,  and  takes  an  active  and  intelligent  interest  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  county 
and  city.  He  is  a  wide-awake  and  enterprising  busi- 


t 


214 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


ness  man  .and  has  a  tile  factory  of  his  own  a  half 
mile  southeast  of  that  which  we  have  mentioned, 
which  he  operates  independently. 


^BEDIAH  OG  DEN,  of  Lexington,  is  the  eldest 
son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Vandolah)  Og- 
den,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio, 
near  a  small  village  called  Yankeetown,  on  the 
28th  of  March,  1830.  When  three  years  old  his 
parents  removed  to  Illinois,  settling  in  McLean 
County,  on  Mackinaw  Creek  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  in  the  fall  of  1833.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Albert  Ogden,  had  removed  to 
Money  Creek  Township  in  1831.  He  was  born  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  was  of  English  descent. 
His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Margaret  Riddle,  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  Welsh  descent.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  grew  to 
mature  years,  married  and  had  families  of  their 
own.  Albert  Ogden  departed  this  life  on  the  15th 
of  August,  1845,  at  an  advanced  age,  and  his  wife 
in  1850,  when  eighty -six  years  old. 

Samuel  Ogden,  whose  sketch  appears  in  this 
work,  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and 
stock-raising.  He  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
Ohio,  Aug.  24,  1809,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty 
years  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy,  daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  Vaudolah.  When  he  first  took  pos- 
session of  his  land  in  Money  Creek  Township,  it 
was  new  and  unimproved,  and  upon  it  was  a  small 
cabin,  where  he  and  his  wife  established  themselves 
as  comfortably  as  possible  and  lived  several  years. 
The  journey  from  Ohio  was  made  overland  with  an 
'  ox-team,  and  he  brought  with  him  two  thoroughbred 
greyhounds  and  three  other  hunting  dogs,  by  the 
assistance  of  which  he  caught  twenty-one  wolves 
and  a  large  number  of  deer.  The  household  circle 
was  completed  by  the  birth  of  eleven  children,  and 
our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until  thirty- 
six  years  old,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mi.->  Hannah,  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  II. 
Wiley,  of  Money  Creek  Township. 

After    their  marriage    Mr.    and    Mrs.    Obediah 
Ogden  located  on  a  farm   in   Money  Creek  Town- 


ship, where  they  lived  continuously  until  1882. 
They  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  four 
sons  and  seven  daughters,  eight  of  whom  are  yet 
living:  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  John  Kemp; 
Nancy  A.,  Samuel  A.,  Francis  M.,  Rhoda  M.,  Mary 
J.,  Ella  O.  and  Lizzie  M.  are  at  home. 

In  1882  Mr.  Ogden  with  his  family  left  the  farm 
and  removed  to  Lexington.  The  old  homestead 
consists  of  585  acres,  finely  cultivated  and  with 
good  improvements.  He  still  retains  possession  of 
it  but  it  is  operated  by  a  tenant.  He  is  still  largely 
interested  in  stock-dealing,  raises  from  twenty  to 
thirty  high-grade  calves  each  year  and  superintends 
the  feeding  of  large  numbers  of-  cattle  and  hogs  in 
the  winter,  which  he  ships  by  rail  to  the  Chicago 
markets.  He  also  has  fine  Norman  horses  on  his 
farm,  both  draft  and  roadsters.  His  industry  and 
energy  have  greatly  assisted  in  developing  the 
agricultural  resources  of  this  section  and  he  has 
in  all  respects  been  a  valued  addition  to  the  farm- 
ing community  as  well  as  to  society  in  general. 
Mr.  Ogden  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
Mrs.  O.  is  connected  with  the  United  Brethren. 
Our  subject,  politically,  has  been  a  Jeffersonian 
Democrat  since  old  enough  to  exercise  the  right 
of  suffrage  and  still  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the 
principles  of  his  party. 


v  ANIEL  W.  MASON.  This  gentleman  may 
be  numbered  among  the  intelligent  and 
successful  farmers  of  Downs  Township, 
where  he  has  a  fine  estate  of  1 20  acres,  lo- 
cated on  section  27.  The  land  is  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation  and  supplied  with  a  modern 
residence  with  handsome  grounds  and  good  out- 
buildings. The  dwelling  stands  on  a  rise  of  ground 
which  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding 
country.  The  farm  is  conducted  with  system  and 
good  order  and  everything  is  kept  up  in  the  best 
style.  The  machinery  is  after  the  most  improved 
pattern  and  the  live-stock  includes  the  best  grades 
of  domestic  animals.  Mr.  Mason  took  possession 
of  his  present  home  in  March,  1868,  having  pur- 
chased it  the  previous  year.  He  came  to  this 


*-•-* 


i 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


215  -  , 


county  in  October,  1839,  and  has  been  a  resident 
here  most  of  the  time  since. 

Daniel  W.  Mason  was  born  in  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  April  15,  1833,  being  the  son  of  Solomon 
Mason,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but  is  now 
living  with  his  son,  S.'  B.  Mason,  in  Downs  Town- 
ship. The  grandfather  of  our  subject  is  supposed 
to  have  died  in  Kentucky.  Solomon  Mason  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  to  Ohio  in  1805, 
several  years  before  it  was  admitted  into  the  Union 
as  a  State.  He  settled  in  what  •  is  now  Darke 
County,  thence  he  removed  to  Preble  County, 
and  from  there  to  McLean  County. 

Our  subject  was  the  eighth  of  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  six  sons  and  five  daughters;  three  of  each 
are  still  living  and  all  have  been  married.  The 
early  life  of  our  subject  was  spent  at  home  with  his 
parents  until  1852,  when  he  went  to  Ohio  and 
attended  the  Audubon  University  to  complete  his 
education.  The  school  was  carried  on  under  the 
auspices  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which 
his  parents  were  members.  After  returning  home 
he  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  time  and  then  took 
up  the  carpenters'  trade.  His  first  purchase  of 
land  was  in  Story  County,  Iowa,  and  consisted  of 
285  acres,  unimproved.  This  he  sold  later  and 
purchased  sixty-nine  acres  iu  Downs  Township, 
tnis  county,  where  he  went  to  live  and  which  re- 
mained his  home  until  his  removal  to  his  present 
farm. 

The  marriage  of  Daniel  W.  Mason  and  Miss  Su- 
san F.  Richardson  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of 
the  bride's  parents  in  Downs  Township,  Aug.  14, 
1860.  Mrs.  M.  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  T.  and 
Mary  (Welch)  Richardson.  See  sketch  of  Jeremiah 
Welch  for  parental  history  of  Mary  Welch.  The 
parents  of  Mrs.  M.  were  natives  respectively  of  New 
York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  their  marriage  took 
place  near  Ft.  Harrison,  Ind.  They  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County  in  1838  and  located  in  Downs  Town- 
ship, where  the  mother  died  in  1870.  aged  fifty- 
seven  years  and  six  months.  The  father  is  now 
living  in  Bloomington,  being  seventy-eight  years 
of  age.  Their  children  were  seven  in  number,  of 
whom  Mrs.  M.  was  the  fourth.  One  daughter  is 
deceased. 

Mrs.  Mason  was  born  in  Downs  Township,  this 


county,  July  28,  1839.  She  commenced  her  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  and  completed  it  in 
Bloomington.  Mr.  and  Mrs. -Mason  have  become 
the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Orville  H., 
who  assists  his  father  on  the  homestead ;  Cornelia, 
who  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools, 
and  is  now  at  home  with  her  parents;  Mary  E.,  at 
home ;  Celia  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  months, 
and  Stanley  L.,  at  home.  Mrs.  Mason  and  two 
daughters  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Mason  is  Republican  and 
has  held  the  office  of  Commissioner  of  Highways, 
and  also  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion. His  first  vote  for  President  was  for  Fillmore, 
find  the  first  vote  he  ever  cast  was  for  David  Davis 
for  Circuit  Judge. 


GEORGE  W.  DOWNS.  The  subject  of  this 
,  history  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  this  county  and  Downs  Township,  his  par- 
ents being  Lawson  and  Sarah  Downs.  He  was  born 
Aug.  22,  1839,  and  was  the  second  of  a  family  of 
nine  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows: 
William  M.  is  a  resident  of  Hey  worth ;  Francis  M., 
born  Jan.  16,  1844,  died  when  eleven  years  of  age; 
Peter  J.,  born  Aug.  1,  1845,  died  when  three  years 
of  age;  of  John  D  a  sketch  will  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  ALBUM;  Henry  L.,  born  Aug.  11, 1849, 
died  when  a  little  more  than  one  year  old  ;  Solomon 
F.  was  born  June  28,  1851,  and  is  clerking  in  a 
hardware  store  at  Saybrook;  Albert  P.,  born  Nov. 
18,  1852,  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  R.  Lemon, 
who  died  March  9,  1887 ;  he  is  a  resident  of  Downs 
Township;  Alfred  E.,  born  Aug.  7,  1855,  married 
Miss  Ellen  Miller,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Downs  Township. 

The  present  homestead  of  our  subject,  which 
lies  on  section  7,  is  the  farm  on  which  he  was  born. 
It  now  includes  175  acres  of  valuable  land,  finely 
improved.  Mr.  Downs  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  township,  remaining  under  the 
home  roof  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war. 
He  then  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  F,  94th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  for  a  period  of  three  years  per- 
formed military  duty  in  a  brave  and  faithful  man- 


f 


.  ,  216 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ner.  His  regiment  participated  in  only  a  few 
active  engagements,  but  among  these  was  the  battle 
at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  and  the  sieges  at  Vicksburg 
and  Mobile.  Young  Downs  escaped  serious  illness 
and  wounds  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Springfield  on  the  18th  of  August,  1865.  Soon 
after  his  return  home  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Theodosia  A.  Myers,  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Randolph  Township,  on  the  16th 
of  March,  1870. 

Mrs.  Downs  is  the  daughter  of  H.  A.  and  Lavina 
(Schecter)  Myers,  now  of  Randolph  Township.  She 
was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  20,  1851, 
and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  in  her  girl- 
hood. They  located  first  in  Bloom  ington  Town- 
ship, this  county,  whence  they  removed  later  to 
Old  Town  Township,  and  finally  to  Randolph 
Township,  their  present  home.  The  education  of 
Mrs.  Downs,  begun  in  the  district  school,  was  com- 
pleted at  Marshall  College  in  this  State.  Of  her 
union  with  our  subject  there  were  born  nine  chil- 
dren— Sarah,  Henry  L.,  Belle,  Lavina,  Elmer  E., 
Cloa,  George  Stanley,  Walter  J.  and  Mary.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  D.  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  and  our  subject,  politically, 
is  a  firm  supporter  of  the  Republican  party.  He  has 
served  his  township  as  Collector,  Highway  Com- 
missioner and  in  other  important  positions,  and  was 
elected  Supervisor,  April  15,  1887.  Their  home- 
stead is  pleasantly  located  and  its  inmates  enjoy 
all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life, 
and  are  held  in  high  esteem  in  their  community  as 
good  neighbors  and  citizens. 


J~  UDGE  O.  T.  REEVES,  who  presides   over 
the  Circuit  Court  of  McLean,  Ford,  Iroquois 
and   Kankakee    Counties,  is   a   resident   of 
Bloomington  and  one  of    her  most  valued 
citizens.     He  is  a   native  of    Ross  County,  Ohio, 
born  in   1829,  and  the  son  of  William  and  Mary 
(McLain)  Reeves,  both  natives  of  Virginia.     The 
grandfather   of   our  subject,  Josiah   Reeves,  emi- 
grated from  Culpeper  Court   House,  Va.,  to  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  in  about  1804,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits.    He  went  to  Ross  County  in  1804, 
when    the    territory    was  but   a  wilderness,  being 


among  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  region.  He  en- 
tered a  claim  and  cleared  200  acres  of  land,  where 
he  established  a  permanent  home  and  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  All  of  his  thirteen  children  lived 
to  become  men  and  women  and  were  all  married. 
One  of  his  sons,  Owen  T.,  was  the  County  Judge 
of  Ross  County  for  a  number  of  years.  William, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature.  Josiah  Reeves  departed  this  life 
in  1841,  aged  eighty-one  years.  His  wife,  the 
grandmother  of  our  subject,  died  the  following 
year,  aged  eighty.  Both  were  devoted  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  early 
days  meetings  were  held  in  his  log  house  and  were 
presided  over  by  such  men  as  Rev.  Henry  B.  Bas- 
com,  of  Kentucky,  and  Bishop  McKendree.  The 
children  all  received  a  good  education.  Grand- 
father Reeves  belonged  to  the  Whig  party  and 
took  an  active  part  in  promoting  the  interests  of 
his  State  and  county. 

William  Reeves  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and 
when  twenty-one  years  of  age  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  and  engaged  extensively  in  grain  and  stock- 
raising.  Like  his  father  before  him  he  became 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  that  locality  and  was 
elected  to  the  Ohio  Legislature  ill  1852.  He  also 
held  the  various  township  offices  and  was  an  ac- 
knowledged leader  of  rare  intelligence  and  sound 
sense.  He  was  married  in  Ohio,  in  1818,  to  Miss 
McLain,  of  that  State,  and  the  daughter  of  John 
McLain,  a  prominent  resident  of  the  Buckeye 
State.  Of  the  ten  children  born  of  this  marriage, 
five  only  are  living:  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Hitch,  of 
Bloomington;  James  M.,  a  grain  and  stock  farmer 
of  Ross  County,  Ohio;  Owen  T.,  our  subject; 
William  M.,  Deputy  Recorder  of  McLean  County, 
and  Emma,  Mrs.  Landon,  of  Kokomo,  Ind.  Will- 
iam Reeves  moved  to  Illinois  in  1855,  settling  in 
McLean  County.  He  had  disposed  of  all  his  prop- 
erty in  Ohio,  and  after  coming  here  purchased  a 
farm  in  Bloomington  Township,  which  he  occupied 
for  a  number  of  years  and  then  selling  out,  moved 
into  Old  Town  Township.  The  wife  and  mother 
departed  this  life  in  1860,  and  in  1862  Mr.  Reeves 
was  married  the  second  time,  to  Mrs.  Mary  M. 
Reeves,  of  Pennsylvania.  He  departed  this  life  in 
1876,  and  the  second  wife  died  in  1882. 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


21? 


Owen  T.  Reeves  remained  on  his  father's  farm, 
attending  the  common  schools,  until  seventeen 
years  old.  He  then  took  a  two  years'  course  at 
Salem  Academy  and  afterward  attended  the  Uni- 
versity of  Delaware,  Ohio,  where  he  studied  another 
two  years  and  graduated  in  1850.  He  then  be- 
came tutor  of  languages  in  the  University,  and  the 
following  year  was  Principal  of  Berea  Seminary, 
which  was  located  near  Cleveland,  Chio.  Then,  on 
account  of  failing  health,  he  retired  from  active 
labor  for  one  year.  In  1853  he  became  Principal 
of  the  Chillicothe  High  School  and  the  year  follow- 
ing completed  his  law  studies  which  he  had  been 
pursuing  while  teaching  at  Chillicothe,  under  the 
instruction  of  W.  T.  McClintock.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  'the  bar  in  1854,  and  immediately  re- 
moved to  Bloomington  and  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  His  talents  and  ability  re- 
ceived ready  recognition  and  he  very  soon  attained 
to  a  leading  position  among  the  professional  men 
of  this  State.  In  1862  he  raised  and  commanded 
the  75th  Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry.  After  filling 
various  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  con- 
nected with  legal  matters  he  was  elected  Circuit 
Judge  in  March,  1877,  which  position  he  has  held 
since  that  time.  He  is  Republican  in  politics  and 
lias  conscientiously  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  duties  of  his  position.  In  addition  to  other 
interests,  he  purchased  in  1877,  the  woolen  factory 
which  is  located  on  University  avenue,  and  which 
gives  employment  to  twelve  operatives,  yielding 
to  its  proprietor  large  profits  annually. 

Judge  Reeves  was  married  in  1851,  to  Miss 
Lucy  A.,  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Abbie  King,  of 
Delaware,  Ohio,  and  of  this  union  there  were  born 
four  children,  of  whom  only  one  is  now  living, 
Edward  C.  This  son  married  Miss  Nettie  Jones, 
of  Normal,  and  they  have  two  children,  Ella  B. 
and  Owen  F.  Mrs.  Reeves  departed  this  life  in 
February,  1861.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject, 
to  whom  he  was  married  in  1862,  was  Miss  Mary 
E.  Hawks,  a  native  of  Bloomington,  and  daughter 
of  M.  H.  and  Elizabeth  A.  Hawks,  of  Bloomington. 
The  family  of  our  subject  includes  eight  children : 
Lucy,  a  graduate  of  Wellesley  College,  Massachu- 
setts; Lincoln,  a  farmer  of  Normal;  William  H.,  a 
graduate  of  Champaign  University;  Owen  T.,  stu- 


dent at  Dean  Academy,  Franklin,  Mass.,  and  Lewis 
M.;  James  M.,  Mabel  and  Huston  M.,  students  in 
Bloomington.  Besides  his  city  property  the  Judge 
owns  440  acres  of  choice  land,  and  in  his  profession 
has  accumulated  a  competency.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Reeves  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  greatly  respected 
by  all  who  know  them. 

J'l  EFFERSON  BiRDSELL,  who  is  successfully 
I  engaged  as  a  gardener  and  a  grower  of 
small  fruits,  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 
'  21,  in  Randolph  Township.  He  came  to 
McLean  County  in  1852,  and  since  that  time  has 
been  engaged  at  his  present  business.  Mr.  Birdsell 
was  born  in  Harrison,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  on 
Christmas  Day,  1825.  His  father,  John  Birdsell,  a 
cooper  by  trade,  was  an  old  resident  of  Harrison, 
and  died  there  some  years  ago.  The  mother  who, 
before  her  marriage,  was  Miss  Allen,  departed  this 
life  when  our  subject  was  but  a  week  old,  and  lie 
never  afterward  saw  his  father. 

Our  subject,  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  was 
taken  into  the  family  of  John  Richards,  a  German 
by  birth  and  parentage,  and  they  came  to  Dearborn 
County,  Ind.,  young  Birdsell  remaining  with  them 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.  He  then  went  to 
live  with  his  brother-in-law,  Joseph  Lawson,  the 
husband  of  his  eldest  sister,  Sarah  A.  Mr.  Lawson 
served  through  the  late  war,  and  afterward  joined 
the  standing  army.  He  was  with  Caster's  Division 
in  Wyoming  Territory  at  the  time  the  hero  of  the 
frontier  was  killed.  He  was  Captain  of  a  company 
and  on  his  way  to  reinforce  Custer,  but  arrived 
only  in  time  to  witness  the  slaughter  of  the  United 
States  troops  and  the  flight  of  the  redskins.  Capt. 
Lawson  died  in  Wyoming  Territory  in  1883. 

When  twenty-four  years  old  Mr.  Birdsell  left 
the  home  of  his  brother-in-law  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  coming  to  Illinois,  located  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, this  county.  He  was  married  to  his  sister-in- 
law,  Mrs.  Lavina  (Passwater)  Birdsell,  who  diedon 
the  22d  of  September,  1883.  By  her  first  husband, 
William  W.  Birdsell,  she  had  become  the  mother 
of  five  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows : 
Jesse  J.  was  born  Aug.  26.  1829;  Emily  C.,  May 


f 


^    '218 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1C,  1834;  William  F.,  Jan.  20,  1837;  John  S.,May 
25,  1839;  Sarah  C.,  April  20,  1842.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
B.  united  with  the  Christian  Union  Church  soon 
after  their  marriage.  Our  subject  is  a  Democrat 
politically,  and  socially  is  a  Mason  and  an  Odd 
Fellow,  and  is  Past  Grand  of  the  Subordinate 
Lodge  and  a  member  of  the  Encampment.  He 
has  in  all  respects  been  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen,  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  his  community. 


^ILLIAM  LASH,  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican 
War  and  an  early  pioneer  of  the  Prairie 
State,  became  a  resident  of  this  section  in 
183.5.  He  was  born  in  Miller  Township,  Knox 
Co.,  Ohio,  Sept.  14,  1825.  His  father.  Nathaniel 
Lash,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county  and  State, 
and  his  grandfather,  John  Lash,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina.  His  great-grandfather  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  being  desirous  of  emigrating  to 
America  and  not  having  money  to  pay  his  passage, 
contracted  with  a  North  Carolina  planter  and 
worked  for  him  to  pay  his  passage.  Locating  in 
North  Carolina  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  life 
there,  where  his  remains  were  buried  long  years  ago. 
His  son,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  died  in 
Morrow-  County,  Ohio,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-seven  years. 

Nathaniel  Lash,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  in  his  native  State  of  Ohio,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  fair  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools.  He  was  there  married, 
and  continued  in  that  State  until  1833,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  Illinois  and  settled  in  that  portion  of  the 
State  which  was  assigned  afterward  to  Bureau 
County,  the  latter  not  being  then  organized.  The 
elder  Nash  entered  a  claim,  built  a  cabin  and  fenced 
a  few  acres.  He  there  established  a  comfortable 
home,  it  being  located  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
north  of  the  now  flourishing  city  of  Princeton. 
There  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  and  died 
in  June,  1834. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Charity  Short,  and  she  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
Md.  She  came  to  Illinois  with  her  family  and  died 
in  Tazewell  County  in  November,  1836.  The  par- 
ental household  consisted  of  nine  children,  four 


sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  He 
was  eight  years  old  when  his  father  came  to  Illi- 
nois. After  the  death  of  his  mother  he  lived  with 
Mr.  Henshaw  and  grew  to  manhood  in  this  county. 

In  1846,  during  the  progress  of  the  Mexican 
War,  Mr.  Lash  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  4th  Illi- 
nois Infantry,  Col.  E.  D.  Baker  commanding,  and 
went  to  Mexico.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo,  and  engaged  in  the 
various  other  battles  and  skirmishes,  serving  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  receiving  his  honorable 
discharge  in  March,  1847.  At  the  close  of  his  mili- 
tary experience  he  returned  to  McLean  County,  and 
in  1851  set  out  overland  for  the  gold  fields  of  Cali- 
fornia. He  started  out  from  Dale  Township  on 
the  3d  of  April  and  drove  an  ox-team  across  the 
plains  in  company  with  a  large  party.  He  arrived 
in  Oregon  City  on  the  16th  of  August  following, 
having  crossed  the  Cascade  Mountains,  a  distance 
of  eighty  miles,  in  four  days.  After  arriving  in 
California  he  entered  the  mines,  and  was  occupied 
in  digging  for  the  yellow  ore  until  July  15  of  the 
following  year.  He  then  set  out  for  home  via  the 
Isthmus  and  New  Orleans,  and  the  Mississippi  and 
Illinois  Rivers  to  Pekin,  thence  by  stage  to  Bloom- 
ington. 

Mr.  Lash,  after  remaining  in  Illinois  until  1 855, 
set  out  in  the  month  of  February  for  Texas,  then, 
returning  in  April  of  the  same  year,  settled  upon 
the  farm  which  he  has  since  continuously  occupied. 
He  was  married  on  the  20th  of  March,  1856,  to 
Miss  Susan  Herring,  who  was  a  native  of  Richland 
County,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Ferguson)  Herring.  Their  comfortable  home 
is  surrounded  by  the  appliances  of  good  taste  and 
ample  means,  and  Mr.  Lash  and  his  wife  are  enjoy- 
ing the  good  things  of  this  life  and  the  highest 
esteem  of  their  friends  and  fellow-citizens. 

Mr.  Lash  has  always  been  a  conscientious  Demo- 
crat and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Cass.  HP  1ms 
had  a  large  and  useful  experience  in  life,  and  has 
gathered  much  valuable  knowledge  from  the  scenes 
which  he  has  witnessed  during  his  travels  over  a 
large  portion  of  the  United  States.  As  a  leading 
representative  citizen  of  this  county  we  give  a  por- 
trait of  Mr.  Lash  on  page  220. 

•» 


, 


•   \ 


t 


-•*- 

121 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


JOHN  M.  WILLSON,  proprietor  of  the 
.Maple  drove  Poultry  and  Vegetable  Farm, 
of  the  West  Side,  Bloomington,  engaged  in 
business  at  his  present  farm  in  October, 
188o,  and  has  met  with  gratifying  success.  His 
poultry  embraces  the  Brahma  and  Plymouth  Rock 
species,  and  Mr.  Willson  exhibits  some  of  the  fin- 
est fowls  to  be  seen  in  the  market.  His  business  is 
on  the  increase,  and  he  purposes  to  carry  on  breed- 
ing extensively  in  the  near  future.  Before  coming 
to  this  locality  Mr.  Willson  conducted  a  grocery 
trade  at  Lansing  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years 
and  carried  on  the  poultry  business  for  four  years. 
Of  this  latter  he  now  has  a  thorough  understanding, 
and  the  prospects  are  that  he  will  build  up  a  fine 
reputation  in  this  department  of  business. 

Mr.  Willson  is  descended  from  English  and  Scot- 
tish ancestry,  and  was  born  in  the  county  of  Brant, 
Ontario,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  Dec.  15,  184;}. 
He  was  reared  in  his  native  Province,  and  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1867.  His  father,  Joseph 
Willson,  is  still  living,  making  his  home  with  our 
subject.  The  mother,  Eli/a  A.  (Parsons)  Willson, 
died  at  Lansing,  Mich.,  July  3,  1871).  Of  the  par- 
ental union  there  were  born  but  two  children,  our 
subject  and  his  sister  Clarissa,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years.  The  parents  were  born  and 
reaied  in  Upper  Canada,  and  were  active  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  there. 

John  M.  was  educated  in  Went  worth  County, 
and  remained  there  until  nearly  grown.  When 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  visited  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  store  of  gen- 
eral merchandise.  Later  he  returned  to  Canada, 
and  from  there  proceeded  to  Lansing  and  engaged 
in  the  grocery  trade,  as  stated.  There  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Minnie  Potter,  who  died  after  the 
birth  of  her  first  child.  The  child,  Grace  B.,  only 
survived  its  mother  nine  months.  Mrs.  Minnie 
Willson  was  born  and  reared  in  Michigan,  and  was 
a  lady  greatly  beloved  by  her  husband  and  friends 
for  her  amiable  and  excellent  character. 

Mr.  Willson  was  the  second  time  married,  at  De- 
troit, Mich.,  on  the  29th  of  March,  1879,  to  Mrs. 
Josie  (Bainbridge)  Gaily,  the  daughter  of  Prof. 
E.  I),  and  Sarah  (Pickett)  Bainbridge,  natives  of 
New  York.  The  father  was  a  professor  of  music, 


a  skillful  musician,  and  was  called  one  of  the  sweetest 
singers  in  the  East.  He  graduated  at  Hamilton,  N. 
Y.,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  two  years  later 
began  teaching  and  followed  this  profession  until 
he  rested  from  his  earthly  labors.  Late  in  life  he 
went  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  died  there  on  the  29.th 
of  May,  1879.  For  many  years  he  had  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  AH  his  time  and  talents 
were  devoted  to  the  calling  which  he  greatly  loved, 
and  while  his  musical  talent  drew  around  him  a 
large  circle  of  admiring  friends,  he  was  likewise 
valued  for  his  kindly  and  courteous  disposition  and 
personal  worth. 

Mrs.  Josie  Willson  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
N.  Y.,  Aug.  22,  1850.  She  inherited,  in  a  large 
degree,  the  musical  genius  of  her  father,  and  when 
a  child  of  five  years  old  could  readily  play  upon 
the  several  instruments  which  he  possessed.  She 
still  plays  skillfully,  but  without  notes  or  after 
technical  rules.  She  lived  at  home  until  her  first 
marriage  in  Rochester  to  Mr.  W.  A.  Gaily,  who 
died  in  about  the  year  1875.  Our  subject  and  wife 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  of  which  the  former  is  a  Trustee,  and  in 
politics  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 
Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


APT.  ANDREW  \V.  SCOGIN,  of  Blooming- 
ton  Township,  whose  portrait  we  give  on  a 
preceding  page,  owns  and  occupies  a  finely 
improved  farm  estate  of  340  acres  of  well  improved 
land,  pleasantly  located  on  section  18.  He  is  car- 
rying on  the  business  of  a  general  farmer,  and  in 
the  management  of  large  and  important  interests  is 
meeting  with  success. 

Capt.  Scogin  is  a  native  of  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  on  the  25th  of  March,  1823. 
His  father,  Joel  A.  O.  Scogin,  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State,  and  of  excellent  Scottish  and  Welsh 
descent.  The  mother,  formerly  Miss  Hester  Wake- 
field,  was  a  native  of  the  same  State  as  her  husband, 
whom  she  survived  several  years,  removed  to  Mc- 
Lean Count}',  111.,  and  died  in  about  1875,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-three  years.  Her  husband 


1  22 


MCLEAN  COUNTS. 


wjis  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  died  in  his 
native  State  and  county. 

The  subject  of  onr  sketch  was  one  of  the  elder 
children  born  to  his  parents  and  remained  in  his 
native  county  until  he  had  arrived  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  years.  He  then  sought  the  more  western 
country  in  company  with  his  uncle,  Joseph  Wake- 
field,  and  they  came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  set- 
tling in  Randolph  Township,  and  j'oung  Scogin  re- 
mained with  his  uncle  until  his  marriage.  This  in- 
teresting event  occurred  on  the  26th  of  November, 
1844,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Karr,  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Elizabeth 
(Kitchell)  Karr,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  the  father 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  young  wife  lived 
only  a  short  time  after  the  birth  of  her  first  child, 
her  decease  occurring  Oct.  13,  1845.  The  child 
also  died  while  young. 

Mr.  Scogin  was  the  second  time  married,  Jan. 
19,  1847,  in  Bloomington  Township,  to  Miss  Eliza 
Low,  who  was  a  native  of  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
and  born  Aug.  29,  1829.  She  became  the  mother 
of  seven  children,  one  of  whom  is  now  deceased, 
and  died  at  her  home  in  Bloomington  Township  on 
the  15th  of  November,  1863.  The  children  are 
recorded  as  follows :  Lee,  the  eldest  born,  married 
Miss  Nettie  Custer,  of  DeWitt  County,  111.,  and  he 
is  now  carrying  on  farming  operations  in  Dale 
Township;  Jay  B.  is  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  resid- 
ing in  Bloomington  Township;  he  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Victoria  (Grow)  Brown,  a  Kentucky  lady. 
John  N.,  of  Bloomington,  is  employed  at  clraying; 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  Kinzel,  a  native  of 
this  county.  Frank,  a  farmer,  is  unmarried  and  re- 
sides at  home;  Hattie  became  the  wife  of  Olid 
Lash,  of  Dale  Township,  and  is  now  living  with  her 
father;  Joseph  W.  is  engaged  in  farming  on  the 
old  homestead.  These  children  constitute  a  fine 
family,  have  received  a  good  education,  and  are  all 
more  than  ordinarily  bright  and  intelligent. 

While  yet  a  young  man  Mr.  Scogin  had  served  a 
thorough  apprenticeship  at  the  carpenter  trade,  at 
which  he  was  engaged  until  after  his  second  mar- 
riage, since  which  time  he  has  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  fanning  pursuits.  The  homestead  is  finely 
located,  and  in  all  its  appointments  is  well  fitted  for 
y  the  operations  of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  The 

JJ!  - 


soil  produces  nil  kinds  of  cereals  for  the  local  mar- 
ket, and  there  is  a  sufficient  amount  of  timber  for 
tlie  ordiuaiy  uses  of  the  farm.  Mr.  S.  mvns  valua- 
ble farm  machinery  of  the  latest  improved  pattern. 
and  his  barns  and  out-bildings  are  conveniently  ar- 
ranged for  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of 
stock. 

The  mother  of  the  family  and  two  of  her  sons, 
Jay  B.  and  Joseph,  are  devoted  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  the  entire  family  in  a  marked 
degree  enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the 
community.  Mr.  S.  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and 
has  taken  a  liveU'  intesest  in  the  principles  which 
he  advocates  and  believes  in.  Some  years  since  he 
was  seriously  affected  by  a  stroke  of  paralysis, 
which  greatly  interfered  with  his  former  busy  and 
energetic  life. 

During  the  progress  of  the  late  Civil  War  Mr. 
Scogin  assisted  to  organize  a  company  of  three 
months'  men  and  was  elected  Captain.  After  the}' 
had  reached  Springfield  they  were  pressed  for  six 
months'  service  or  more,  but  owing  to  the  urgency 
of  business  matters  at  home,  some  of  the  company, 
who  had  arranged  their  affairs  for  three  months' 
absence  and  not  for  six,  concluded  to  return  home, 
and  did  so,  with  the  credit  of  having  the  will  and 
desire  to  serve  their  country  to  the  best  of  their 
ability. 


O.  FULLER,  an  enterprising  farmer 
living  on  section  4,  Old  Town  Township,  is 
the  son  of  Charles  and  Eliza  (Griffin)  Ful- 
ler, natives  of  York  State.  After  their  marriage 
the  parents  settled  in  Jefferson  County,  their  native 
State,  whence  they  removed  to  St.  Lawrence  County, 
and  then  back  to  Jefferson  County,  and  there  lived 
until  1865,  the  father  engaged  the  while  in  farming. 
During  the  latter  year  they  came  to  McLean 
County,  and  taking  up  their  residence  in  Old  Town 
Township  continued  to  live  as  man  and  wife  until 
October,  1882,  when  he  was  struck  by  lightning 
and  instantly  killed.  She  survives  him  and  is  :i 
resident  of  Old  Town  Township.  Their  union  was 
blest  by  the  birth  of  six  sons  and  five  daughters, 
and  George  O.  Was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 
Mr.  Fuller  of  this  notice  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


123 


County,  N.  Y.,  J)ec.  (i,  1842.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  worked  on  the 
farm  in  his  native  county  until  1865,  when  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  this  county  and  settled  with 
them  in  Old  Town  Township.  Thus  far  in  life  his 
years  have  been  passed  'in  agricultural  pursuits,  in 
which  he  has  met  with  moderate  success.  He  is  at 
present  the  owner  of  an  eighty-acre  farm,  located 
on  section  4,  Old  Town  Township,  on  which  he  has 
good  and  substantial  farm  buildings,  and  is  there 
engaged  in  the  general  routine  of  a  farmer's  life. 

Mr.  Fuller  was  married  in  Jefferson  County,  N. 
Y.,  Jan.  1,  1862,  to  Climena  Groat,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Jane  (Gibbons)  Groat.  Miss  Groat's 
parents  had  three  children,  and  she  was  born  in 
Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  The  union  of  our  subject 
with  Miss  Groat  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  two 
children,  Myron  and  Allie,  both  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Fuller  became  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  in 
1862,  enlisting  in  the  18th  New  York  Heavy  Ar- 
tillery and  served  three  years.  Receiving  his  dis- 
charge he  returned  to  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
there  lived  until  coining  here.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


<iw)  W.  EVANS,  a  prominent  and  prosperous  cit- 
izen of  McLean  County,  is  one  of  the  stock- 
holders and  Director  of  the  Bloomington 
Stove  Works,  and  a  lumber  merchant,  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  sash,  doors  and  blinds, 
and  also  in  contracting  and  building.  Our  subject 
was  born  in  Cambria  County,  Pa.,  on  the  12th  of 
February,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Jones)  Evans,  both  natives  of  Montgomery- 
shire, Wales.  His  grandparents,  John  and  Jane 
(Wntkins)  Evans,  were  also  of  Welsh  ancestry  and 
parentage,  and  were  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. Of  their  family  of  children  John  wns  the 
third. 

John  Evans  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and 
attended  school  during  his  earlier  years,  and  finally 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade. in  his  native  county. 
In  1818  he  emigrated  to  America,  and  proceeded 
to  Ebensburg,  Pa.,  where  he  opened  a  blacksmith- 
shop,  and  after  getting  it  fairly  under  way  returned 
to  his  native  land  and  was  there  married.  Shortly 


afterward  he  brought  his  bride  back  with  him  to 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  resumed  labor  in  his  shop, 
and  operated  it  for  twelve  years  thereafter.  He 
then  purchased  a  farm  about  two  miles  from  the 
village,  which  he  occupied  for  about  thirty  years, 
and  then  retiring  to  the  village  departed  this  life 
there  in  1877.  He  was  a  respected  and  useful  citi- 
zen, a  Deacon  of  the  Congregational  Church  for 
many  years,  and  held  various  offices  in  the  county. 
He  gave  to  each  of  his  children  a  good  education, 
and  took  an  intelligent  interest  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  the  intellectual  and  moral  advancement 
of  his  community.  John  Evans  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  six  children — David,  Mary,  John 
W.,  Morris,  Richard  and  Jane  A.,  all  of  whom  lived 
to  become  men  and  women. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  attended  school  three  months  each  year  in 
the  winter,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  A  year 
afterward  he  went  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade 
with  his  uncle,  David  H.  Roberts,  of  Ebensburg, 
where  he  served  three  years,  and  for  two  \7ears  fol- 
lowing worked  as  a  journeyman  there.  He  then 
came  West,  in  1852,  and  visited  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illi- 
nois, went  north  to  Michigan  and  southwest  to  Mis- 
souri ;  then  returned  East  to  New  York,  and  thence 
to  New  Jersey,  where  he  remained  a  short  time  and 
from  there  went  to  his  old  home,  having  been  gone 
a  year.  In  1854  he  started  westward  once  more  by 
way  of  Louisiana,  where  he  spent  the  winter  and 
worked  at  his  trade.  From  there  he  went  up  the 
river  to  Quincy,  111.,  where  he  spent  the  summer, 
and  in  October  of  that  year  came  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  He  worked  at  his 
trade  until  March,  1855.  and  then  formed  a  part- 
nership witli  J.  W.  Hayes,  and  they  engaged  in 
contracting  for  the  following  eighteen  years,  until 
the  death  of  Mr.  H.  During  this  time  they  put  up 
more  buildings  than  any  other  firm  in  the  city,  and 
during  the  time  they  operated  together  established 
a  lumber-yard  and  built  a  planing-mill,  in  1859. 
which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  April,  1861.  They 
immediately  rebuilt  and  operated  the  same  until 
the  partnership  was  dissolved  by  death  in  1873, 
since  which  time  Mr.  Evans,  who  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  his  partner,  has  continued  the  business 
alone.  The  main  office  is  located  on  the  corner  of  ' 


T 


-  ,    124 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Center  and  Mulberry  streets,  where  the  shops,  built 
of  brick,  cover  an  area  of  3,500  feet.  Mr.  Evans 
gives  employment  to  thirty-five  men;  the  lumber- 
yards are  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  Mr. 
Evans  was  one  of  the  original  organizers  of  the 
Bloomington  Stove  Works,  and  was  President  from 
1885  to  1887.  He  has  also  been  Treasurer,  and 
was  a  Director  from  its  organization. 

The  marriage  of  ,1.  W.  Evans  and  Miss  Martha 
Williams  took  place  in  Ebensburg,  Pa.,  May  20, 
1860.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  six 
children,  as  follows:  Fremont  is  engaged  with  his 
father  in  the  lumber  office;  Cora,  Roland,  Fred, 
William  and  Susan  are  at  home.  The  wife  and 
mother  departed  this  life  in  1879,  at  the  home  of 
her  husband  in  Bloomington.  Mr.  Evans  and  his 
family  occupy  a  beautiful  residence  at  the  corner  of 
Chestnut  and  Center  streets,  which  was  erected  in 
1864,  at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  It  is  built  of  brick,  and 
in  furnishing  and  finishing  is  indicative  of  cultiva- 
ted tastes  and  ample  means. 

Mr.  Evans  commenced  life  single-handed,  with- 
out means  or  influence,  and  his  present  possessions 
are  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and  enterprise. 
He  possesses  marked  business  talent,  and  is  well  in- 
formed upon  matters  of  general  interest.  He  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  the  affairs  of  the 
community  since  coming  here,  and  among  other 
positions  of  trust  was  Alderman  of  the  Sixth  Ward 
for  five  years,  and  has  always  contributed  cheer- 
fully of  his  time  and  means  for  the  promotion  and 
encouragement  of  whatever  was  calculated  to  be 
for  the  general  welfare  of  the  community.  He  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all  respects  a  repre- 
sentative citizen.  Our  subject  is  connected  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  Mrs.  E.  was  also 
a  member  in  good  standing. 


AMUEL    W.    SUTHERLAND,    deceased, 
formerly  a  resident  on  section  2,  Old  Town 
Township,  was  an  offspring  of  Dr.  John  and 
Maria     (Wilbor)    Sutherland,    natives    of 
Columbia  County,  N.   Y.     After  the  marriage  of 


tin-  parents  they  settled  in  Columbia  County,  where 
the  father  followed  the  practice  of  his  profession 
and  was  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  there 
in  1842.  She  afterward  married  Samuel  E.  Hudson, 
of  Newark,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1858  they 
emigrated  to  this  State  and  took  up  their  residence 
in  Old  Town  Township,  this  county,  where  he  died 
in  August,  1870.  She  afterward  made  her  home 
with  her  son  Samuel,  and  departed  this  life  in  Old 
Town  Township,  Oct.  20,  1886.  She  was  of  a 
quiet,  retiring  disposition,  and  was  loved  for  her 
acts  of  Christian  charity  and  kindness.  By  her 
first  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren, who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  wom- 
anhood. Our  subject  was  the  elder,  and  Caroline 
A.,  the  younger.  The  latter  became  the  wife  of 
R.  P.  Layton,  and  died  at  Rockford,  111.,  one  year 
after  her  marriage. 

Samuel  Sutherland  was  born  at  Chatham  Center, 
Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  28,  1826.  He  was 
reared  to  farm  labor  and  supplemented  his  educa- 
tion received  in  the  common  schools  by  a  course  of 
study  at  Kinderhook  Academy,  Kinderhook,  N. 
Y.,  and  still  later  attended  the  Rensselaer  Institute, 
at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he  graduated.  He, 
however,  aimed  to  follow  none  of  the  professions, 
but  devoted  his  entire  time  to  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  was  thus  occupied  in  Columbia  Count}'  until 
1856.  In  February  of  that  year  he  came  to  this 
county  with  his  wife  and  one  child,  and  located  in 
Old  Town  Township,  purchasing  nearly  the  whole 
of  section  2,  on  which  he  located  and  followed  his 
chosen  calling  until  his  death,  which  event  occurred 
May  18,  1879. 

Mr.  Sutherland  was  married  in  Columbia  County, 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  26,  1849,  to  Miss  Mary  H.  Rider, 
daughter  of  D.  W.  and  Anna  Rider,  natives  of 
York  State,  where  the  mother  died  in  August,  1852. 
The  father  came  to  Henry  County,  111.,  subsequently 
removing  to  Iowa,  where  he  departed  this  life.  D. 
W.  Rider,  was  the  father  of  six  children,  Mary  H. 
Helen,  Anna,  Wilson,  Adeline  and  D.  W.  Mrs. 
Sutherland  was  born  in  Chatham,  N.  Y.,  July  19, 
1 829,  and  has  borne  our  subject  seven  children,  three 
of  whom  are  deceased  ;  those  living  are  Anna  V.,  Ed 
ward  W.,  John  C.  and  Alice  M.  Anna  is  the  wife 
of  Allan  Brown.  Mr.  Sutherland  was  Township 


• 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


125 


Supervisor,  and  also  held  other  minor  offices  dur- 
ing his  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 


ON.  J.  H.  ROWELL,  Congressman  from  the 
Fourteenth  District  of  Illinois,  having  his 
residence  at  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  the 
Old  Granite  State,  where  he  was  born  in 
1833,  and  among  the  New  England  hills,  in  addi- 
tion to  a  natural  inheritance,  imbibed  those  strong 
and  worthy  principles  of  character  which  have  con- 
tributed to  his  success  in  life  and  to  the  building 
up  of  an  honorable  record.  He  is  the  son  of  J.  B. 
and  Cynthia  (Abbott)  Rowell,  also  natives  of  New 
Hampshire.  The  grandparents  on  both  sides  were 
natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  after  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  removed  from  their  native  State  into 
New  Hampshire.  Both  the  great-grandfathers  of 
our  subject  served  on  the  side  of  the  colonies  in 
their  struggle  for  independence,  and  were  among 
the  early  settlers  of  the  Bay  State.  They  descended 
from  a  long  line  of  honorable  English  ancestry, 
who  were  good  citizens  and  straightforward  busi- 
ness men,  and  mostly  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  removed  from  New 
Hampshire  in  1849,  to  McLean  County,  111.,  and 
settled  in  Danvers  Township.  The  father  lived 
only  one  year  after  coming  here,  and  his  eldest 
son,  Ira,  took  up  a  tract  of  160  acres  of  land,  upon 
which  he  built  a  house,  improved  a  farm,  and  es- 
tablished a  comfortable  home,  where  the  family 
lived  for  a  number  of  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
mother .  and  her  family  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old ;  at  sixteen  years  of  age  he  commenced 
teaching  school  winters  while  employed  on  the  farm 
during  the  summer  seasons.  He  had  made  the  most 
of  his  advantages,  and  given  good  attention  to  his 
books  while  in  school.  After  leaving  the  farm  he 
entered  Eureka  College  in  Woodford  County,  111., 
:is  :i  student,  and  remained  for  the  following  six 
years.  In  1860-61  he  was  Professor  of  Mathemat- 
ics. The  Civil  War  t icing  now  in  progress  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  G,  17th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  being  elected 


First  Lieutenant,  and  after  a  year  was  given  a 
Captain's  commission,  which  he  retained  until  his 
term  of  service  expired.  He  was  engaged  with  his 
regiment  in  the  battles  of  Fts.  Henry  and  Donel- 
son,  Shiloh,  Hatchie,  the  sieges  of  Corinth  and 
Vicksburg,  and  also  in  Meridian  campaign.  Inter- 
mingled with  these  were  various  skirmishes,  in  all  of 
which  he  performed  his  part  as  became  a  soldier 
and  a  leader. 

After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
army  Capt.  Rowell  commenced  the  study  of  law  in 
Chicago  University,  in  which  he  made  such  rapid 
progress  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  that  same 
year,  1865,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Bloomington,  111.  His  evident  talent  re- 
ceived ready  recognition,  and  he  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  State's  Attorney  from  1868  to  1872.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  for  six 
years,  and  Master  in  Chancery  of  McLean  County 
for  three  years,  in  the  meanwhile  occupying  other 
positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  as  a  citizen  and 
valued  member  of  society. 

Capt.  Rowell  was  elected  to  represent  the  Four- 
teenth District  in  the  United  States  Senate,  first  in 
1882,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  a  na- 
tional legislator.  During  this  time  his  course  has 
been  straightforward  and  upright,  and  his  influence 
has  been  exerted  for  the  best  good  of  the  greatest 
number.  He  is  by  no  means  a  party  politician,  but 
in  his  high  position  strives  to  follow  a  line  of 
strict  integrity,  which  shall  reflect  not  only  honor 
upon  himself,  but  upon  the  judgment  of  those  who 
have  placed  him  there. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Maria  Woods  at  Bloomington,  in 
1866.  Mrs.  Rowell  was  born  in  Alton,  111.,  and  is 
the  adopted  daughter  of  J.  C.  and  Maria  Woods, 
of  that  place.  She  is  an  accomplished  and  educa- 
ted lady,  being  a  graduate  of  Denmark  Academy. 
Their  household  circle  has  been  completed  by  the 
birth  of  five  children,  as  follows :  Chester  H.  and 
Cora  M.  are  attending  the  Michigan  University  at 
Ann  Arbor ;  Lawrence  W.  is  a  student  at  the  High 
School  in  Bloomington ;  Elmer  and  Laura  are  at 
home.  The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  located 
at  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Evans  streets,  and  its 
inmates  are  surrounded  by  all  the  refinements  of 


«H.- 


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126 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


r 


modern  life.     They  number  .among  their    friends 
the  most  cultivated  people  of  the  city. 

Capt.  Rowell  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  socially  belongs  to  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  oT  P.  and  G.  A.  R.  He  has  attained 
to  his  present  high  position  solely  by  his  own  mer- 
its. He  is  social  and  genial  in  his  disposition,  a 
man  who  is  faithful  to  his  friends,  strong  in  his 
sense  of  honor,  and  possesses  hosts  of  friends,  who 
rejoice  in  his  prosperity  as  the  just  reward  of  his 
excellent  qualities  of  mind  and  heart.  Capt.  Row- 
ell  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  property,  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  National  State  Bank,  and  has  an 
interest  in  the  Home  and  Loan  Association  of 
Bloomiiigton. 


UGH  CAMPBELL,  who  is  now  living  in 
ease  and  retirement  at  No.  904  Moulton 
street,  Bloornington,  is  enjoying  the  results 
of  an  energetic  and  industrious  life  and  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
Mr.  Campbell  has  been  a  resident  of  Illinois  since 
1835.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  14th  of  January, 
1812,  his  parents  being  James  and  Nancy  (Jamie- 
son)  Campbell,  natives  of  the  same  State  as  their 
son,  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  Of  their 
seven  children  four^are  now  living — Hugh.  John 
G.,  James  and  Eraeline  J.  The  parents  removed 
to  Missiouri  in  1854,  where  they  passed  the  remain- 
der of  their  days.  Both  were  honored  members  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  greatly  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  them. 

Hugh  Campbell  remained  with  his  parents  and 
received  a  common-school  education.  After  at- 
taining his  majority  he  left  the  parental  roof,  and 
worked  on  a  farm  for  two  and  one-half  years,  then, 
in  1835,  came  to  Morgan  County,  111.  There  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  290  acres,  upon  which  he  lived 
for  fifteen  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County.  Here  he  purchased  120  acres  four 
and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  Bloomiiigton, 
where  he  remained  from  1850  until  188G.  He  then 
moved  into  the  city,  and  purchased  the  place  where 
he  now  lives,  consisting  of  a  house  and  three  lots, 
which  forms  a  comfortable  and  attractive  home. 


In  1834  Mr.  Campbell  was  united  in  marriaii 
with  Miss  Catharine  Frye,  of  Kentucky,  and  of 
their  union  there  was  horn  one  child,  a  daughter. 
Adeline,  now  Mrs.  Lawler,  and  the  mother  of  two 
children — Hugh  and  Clarence  Eugene.  Mrs.  Cath- 
arine Campbell  departed  this  life  in  December, 
1  870,  after  being  the  companion  of  her  husband  for 
a  period  of  thirty-six  years. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Mrs.  Jane 
Simmons,  a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  III.  She 
was  born  Jan.  9,  1828,  and  by  her  former  husband, 
Hamilton  Simmons,  became  the  mother  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  John 
T.  married  Miss  Dora  Shurtz,  and  the3r  have  three 
children — Ashley,  John  M.  and  Nancy  J. ;  Celestia 
married  Oscar  Shurtz,  and  they  have  two  children 
— Alvin  and  Willliam  D. ;  Charles  married  Rebecca 
Miller,  and  they  have  two  daughters — Teresa  and 
Annie;  Rosella  became  the  wife  of  George  Little, 
and  is  the  mother  of  two  children — Orville  and 
George;  David  married  Miss  Alice  Pricer,  and 
their  two  children  are  named  Clyde  and  Calvin ; 
Lillie  became  the  wife  of  James  Hitchcock,  and 
they  have  one  son — Hugh  O. ;  James  Jefferson, 
born  Aug.  11,  1863,  was  killed  by  lightning  May 
23,  1880,  near  Marengo,  Iowa. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  are  worthy  members  of  the 
.  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  our  subject  casts 
his  vote  with  the  Republican  party.  He  became 
Supervisor  in  1862,  held  the  office  three  years,  and 
h.-is  .-dso  been  Road  Commissioner  and  Township 
Trustee. 


UBEN  G.  BRIGHT,  of  the  well-knownfirm  of 
Dillon  <t  Bright,  importers  and  breeders  of 
French  horses  at  Normal,  was  born  in  Lin- 
ln  County,  Ky..  Sept.  25,  1852.  The  par- 
ents of  our  subject  were  Henry  and  Maria  (Gentry) 
Bright,  also  natives  of  Lincoln  .County,  where  they 
lived  until  their  death.  The  father  was  twice  mar- 
ried, and  by  his  first  union  had  four  children  and 
by  the  second  three. 

Ruben  G.  Bright  is  the  second  child  born  of  his 
father's  first  marriage,  lie  was  reared  to  manhood 
on  a  farm,  and  devoted  his  time  to  agriculture  and 


• 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


127 


stork-raising,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  commou- 
schoul  education,  and  supplemented  by  a  course  of 
study  at  Lexington  College  for  two  years.  In 
1870  our  subject  came  to  this  .State,  and  locating 
at  Normal  purchased  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  two 
and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  that  city.  On  this 
place  lie  located  and  engaged  in  its  improvement 
and  the  raising  of  stock,  and  there  met  with  suc- 
cess. 

In  1874  Mr.  Bright  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Ellis  and  Martha  Dillon. 
He  then  began  to  deal  in  French  draft  horses,  and 
in  1882  made  his  h'rst  trip  to  France,  and  on  his  re- 
turn brought  with  him  ten  head  of  horses  of  that 
breed.  In  1884  he  again  went  to  France,  and  this 
time  imported  twenty  head,  six  of  them,  however, 
being  for  other  parties.  In  1885  our  subject 
formed  a  partnership  with  Adolphus  Dillon,  which 
relationship  has  continued  until  the  present  time, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Dillon  &  Bright.  Mr; 
Bright's  wife  departed  this  life  April  28,  1881, 
leaving  one  daughter,  Bernie.  In  politics  Mr. 
Bright  is  a  Democrat,  although  an  earnest  worker 
in  the  cause  of  temperance.  In  religion  he  holds 
fellowship  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  is  one 
of  the  prominent  and  foremost  citizens  of  the 
county. 


\f|  AMES  K.  ORENDORFF,  deceased,  was  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, and  died  at  his  home  in  this  township 
Jan.  1,  1875.  He  was  a  native  of  Christian 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  Dec.  28,  1812,  being 
the  h'rst  child  of  William  and  Sarah  Oreiidorff. 
William  Orendorff  became  the  father  of  fourteen 
children  by  four  different  wives.  (See  sketch  of 
Ohio  H.  P.  Orendorff  on  another  page  in  this  work.) 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  emigrated  North  to 
Illinois  with  his  father  when  he  was  only  about  six 
years  old,  his  mother  having  died  in  Kentucky 
about  two  years  previously.  He  remained  with  his 
father  until  lie  had  attained  to  years  of  manhood, 
and  was  married  in  Bloomington  Township,  this 
county,  to  Miss  Lavina  Sayles.  The  wedding  took 
place  at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  mother,  May 
4,  1837.  This  lady  was  born  in  Howard  County, 


Mo.,  Jan.  23,  1821,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Elias 
and  Sarah  (Sayles)  Sayles,  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina, of  Welsh  and  English  ancestry,  but  of  Ameri- 
can parentage  and  Southern  born.  Elias  Sayles  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  after  his  marriage  in 
North  Carolina  removed  first  to  Nashville,  Tenn., 
thence  to  Southern  Illinois,  afterward  to  Howard 
County,  Mo.,  whence  they  returned,  in  1830,  to  the 
Prairie  State  and  located  in  Sangamon  County. 
The  father  subsequently  went  to  the  lead  mines 
near  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  died  there  Jan.  20,  1835. 
The  mother,  with  her  children,  came  into  McLean 
County,  and  settled  in  Bloomington  Township. 
The  parental  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  all 
of  whom  except  Mrs.  O.  of  this  notice  have  been 
dead  for  more  than  twenty  years.  The  mother, 
in  about  May,  1844,  went  to  Iowa,  and  died  there 
in  August,  1853. 

After  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  wife 
they  went  to  Wisconsin,  locating  on  Fox  River, 
where  they  remained  for  four  years,  thence  coming 
to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  settling  in  Blooming- 
ton  Township,  which  remained  their  permanent 
home.  In  his  earlier  years  Mr.  Orendorff  accumu- 
lated a  handsome  property,  but  by  a  series  of  mis- 
fortunes lost  the  greater  part  of  it  before  he  died. 
His  widow  is  spending  the  sunset  of  her  life  on  a 
part  of  the  old  homestead.  She  is  a  most  excellent 
and  worthy  lady  and  has  many  warm  friends  in 
this  county.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  deceased;  Perry  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  Belleville,  and  resides  on  a  farm  in 
Sumner  County,  Kan. ;  James  married  Miss  Barthana 
Quinn.  and  is  farming  on  a  part  of  the  old  home- 
stead; his  wife  died  near  Shirley  in  1878.  Mary  F. 
is  unmarried  and  lives  with  her  mother.  The  de- 
ceased are  William  and  Sarah  A. ;  the  former  was 
marrie^l,  and  left  a  wife  and  family  who  are  residents 
of  this  county. 

Politically  Mr.  Orendorff  was  a  Whig,  but  in 
1866  joined  the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  party. 
His  family  were  closely  connected  with  the  history 
of  this  township,  and  were  people  of  rare  intelli- 
gence, good  business  qualities  and  principles  of 
honor  and  honesty.  The  family  history  is  some- 
what remarkable  and  is  of  more  than  ordinary  in- 
terest. The}'  are  widely  represented  in  the  United  i 


j 


•4* 


; 


12ft 


M.  LEAN    COUNTY. 


States,  and  in  October,  1886,  held  a  family  reunion 
in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  at  which  were  repre- 
sented large  numbers  of  their  descendants,  there 
being  about  250  in  attendance.  The  reunion  oc- 
cupied two  days  and  evenings,  and  was  a  grand 
success  in  all  of  its  features.  The  exercises  were 
interspersed  with  speeches,  toasts  and  music,  and 
the  various  members  of  the  family  exhibited  11111113' 
old  and  valuable  relics  which  have  been  preserved 
for  more  than  a  hundred  3~ears. 

The  Orendorflfs  are  of  German  descent.  In  1823, 
Christopher,  William  and  Thomas  came  to  this 
State,  and  the  first  named  settled  in  Logan  County, 
on  Sugar  Creek.  Thomas  took  up  a  claim  on  what 
is  now  known  as  the  Stephen  Houghton  place ;  he 
became  the  father  of  thirteen  children.  The  Oren- 
dorffs  of  this  locality'  are  descendants  of  William 
and  Thomas;  those  around  Canton,  of  John  Oren- 
dorff;  those  around  Springfield,  of  Joseph,  and 
those  around  Hopedale  and  Delavan,  of  Aaron, 
Enoch  and  Esau,  the  latter  being  brothers  of  an- 
other branch  of  the  family.  The  various  male 
members  of  the  family  have  been  represented  in 
the  State  Senate,  in  the  army,  and  have  occupied 
various  other  important  positions  connected  with 
public  affairs.  They  are  principally  noted  for  own- 
ing mills  of  all  kinds,  and  various  members  of  the 
family  have  brought  out  several  notable  inventions. 
Capt.  John  Orendorff  patented  a  reaping-machine 
similar  to  that  of  the  McCormicks',  but  failed  to 
reach  the  patent  office  before  they  had  theirs  en- 
tered. He  patented  a  wool-carding  machine,  and 
spent  twenty  years  trying  to  perfect  perpetual  mo- 
tion. 

The  Orendorffs  in  Canton  are  connected  with 
the  famous  plow  company  of  that  city,  and  Hon. 
Alfred  O.,  of  Springfield,  at  one  time  received  the 
Democratic  nomination  for  State  Treasurer,  ,and  is 
now  Chairman  of  the  State  Democratic  Central 
Committee.  They  have  been  intimately  identified 
with  the  business  and  industrial  interests  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  it  was  admitted  into  the  Union, 
and  have  contributed  their  full  quota  toward  de- 
veloping its  resources  and  building  it  up  financially 
and  otherwise.  At  the  late  reunion  several  mem- 
bers of  the  family  came  from  Rondo,  Polk  Co.. 
Mi'.,  traveling  the  entire  distance  of  450  miles  in 


a  wagon  drawn  03-  a  mule-team,  being  fourteen 
and  one-half  da3Ts  on  the  road.  This  simply  illus- 
trates a  trait  of  the  family,  namely,  that  of  stimty 
perseverance  and  a  determination  to  accomplish 
whatever  they  set  about,  and  this  has  been  the 
secret  of  their  success  in  life,  and  assisted  them  to 
the  position  which  1)103'  occupy  in  the  history  of 
the  State  of  Illinois. 


J~~)OHN  W.  COOK,  A.  M.,  incumbent  of  the 
I  Chair  of  Mathematics,  Illinois  State  Normal 
I  University,  was  born  in  Oneida  County, 
'  N.  Y.,  April  20,  1844,  being  the  son  of 
Harry  D.  and  Joanna  (Hall)  Cook.  In  1851  the 
family  removed  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  McLean 
County,  where  the  father  became  prominent  both 
as  a  business  man  and  a  politician,  not  only  in  that 
vicinit3T  but  throughout  the  State:  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1873.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and  re- 
sides at  Normal. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  the  Illinois  State  Normal  University,  whence 
he  graduated  in  1865.  He  then  taught  one  year  in 
the  schools  of  Briuafield,  Peoria  County,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  one  of 
the  departments  of  the  Model  School,  a  position 
which  he  occupied  for  two  3"ears.  During  the  seven 
years  following  he  had  charge  of  reading  aiid  elo- 
cution in  the  Illinois  State  Normal  University,  and 
since  1876  has  been  Professor  of  Mathematics. 

Prof.  Cook  is  a  very  active,  energetic  man,  and 
besides  giving  due  attention  to  his  duties  as 
teacher  has  found  time  to  assist  in  many  wortli3' 
enterprises.  For  twenty-six  months,  associated 
with  Dr.  E.  C.  Hewitt,  he  edited  and  published  the 
H/liiwis  School  Master,  and  for  three  and  one-half 
years  the  Illiiioix  School  Journal,  being  for  two 
years  assisted  by  Rudolph  R.  Reeder.  He  has,  for 
fifteen  years,  given  from  four  to  ten  weeks  of  his 
slimmer  vacation  to  conducting  institutes  in  differ- 
ent counties  of  the  State.  He  has  a  genuine  love 
for  learning,  which  he  has  evinced  by  his  numer- 
ous sacrifices  of  ease  and  profit. 

The  degree  of  A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  Prof. 
Cook  by  Knox  College  in  1884.  When  Dr.  Rich  i 


^ 


t 

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McLEAN   COUNTY. 


131 


arcl  Edwards,  former  President  of  the  Illinois 
State  Normal  University,  was  elected  .State  Super- 
intendent of  I'ublie  Instruction,  he  at  once  ten- 
dered Prof.  Cook  the  position  of  Chief  Clerk  in  his 
office,  and  in  fact  not  a  year  passes  that  the  latter 
is  not  offered  some  important  and  enviable  posi- 
tion. But  he  has  thus  far  refused  to  accept  any  of 
them,  preferring  to  remain  and  labor  for  the  insti- 
tution which  gave  him  his  education. 

Our  subject  is  the  author  of  "  Cook's  Methods  of 
Written  Arithmetic,"  which  has  passed  through 
several  editions.  Like  his  father  before  him  he 
takes  great  interest  in  political  matters.  Relig- 
iously he  is  connected  with  the  Unitarian  Church, 
and  has  been  leader  of  the  choir  for  some  time. 

Prof.  John  W.  Cook  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Lydia  F.  Spofford,  of  North  Andover,  Mass., 
on  the  26th  of  August,  1867.  Mrs.  Cook  is  the 
daughter  of  Farnham  and  Lydia  Spofford,  and  was 
born  in  North  Andover,  Mass.,  in  1846,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
two  children — Agnes  S.  and  John  L.  Our  subject 
and  his  family  occupy  a  beautiful  and  tasteful 
home,  and  number  among  their  warmest  friends  and 
associates  the  cultivated  people  of  Normal. 


R.  N.  B.  COLE,  physician  and  surgeon  of 
Bloomington,  111.,  and  who  has  made  for 
himself  a  good  record  in  his  profession,  is 
a  native  of  Fail-field  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  was  born  Dec.]. 28,  1837.  His  parents  were 
Broad  and  Leah  (Peters)  Cole,  the  former  born  on 
the  23d  of  September,  1802,  and  the  latter  Nov.  19, 
1806.  They  were  natives  respectively  of  Ohio  and 
Maryland,  and  were  married  in  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1827.  The  parents 
of  Broad  Cole  were  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Stev- 
ens) Cole,  the  father  born  in  Huntingdon  County, 
Pa.,  March  15,  1757,  and  the  mother  in  May,  1759. 
Thomas  Cole  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  In 
early  life  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ohio, 
they  being  among. the  early  settlers  of  that  State, 
locating  there  in  1800,  when  it  was  peopled  chiefly 
by  Indians.  He  built  a  log  cabin  in  the  wilder- 


ness,  and  in  due  time  became  the  proprietor  of  an 
extensive  and  valuable  farm,  which  he  had,  by  his 
own  industry,  eliminated  from  the  forest.  The 
family  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Cole  included 
seven  daughters  and  four  sons,  of  whom  all  lived 
to  years  of  maturity.  The  father  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days  upon  the  homestead  which  he 
had  established  in  the  wilds  of  Ohio,  and  died  Aug. 
20,  1840,  nine  years  after  the  death  of  his  faithful 
partner,  who  had  died  Sept.  27,  1831. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  Mrs.  Leah  (Peters) 
Cole,  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Stephenson)  Peters.  They  were  of  English  ances- 
try, but  American  birth,  both  being  natives  of  Bal- 
timore, Md.  After  marriage  they  removed  to  Ohio, 
settling  in  Fail-field  County  in  1812,  and  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits.  Samuel  Peters  was  born  Nov. 
27,' 1772,  and  departed  this  life  in  Ohio,  Sept.  10, 
1829.  His  wife,  Mary,  was  born  Sept.  28, 1773.  and 
died  in  Ohio,  Feb.  15, 1 861.  They  had  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  nine  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  living  to  maturity,  the  first  death  being  that  of 
one  of  the  sons  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years. 
They  all  lived  in  Ohio,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-dealing,  and  all,  with  one  exception,  became 
wealthy.  That  one,  however,  was  a  man  of  fine 
talents,  and  became  prominently  identified  with 
public  affairs. 

Broad  Cole,  the  father  of  our  subject,  received  a 
fair  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  was 
reared,  lived  and  died  on  the  farm  where  he  was 
born.  In  the  apportionment  of  property  he  re- 
ceived the  homestead,  and  with  that  and  other  land 
in  adjoining  counties  was  the  proprietor  of  700 
acres,  and  was  largely  interested  as  a  stock-dealer 
He  had  a  family  of  fourteen  children,  four  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.and  ten  lived  to  mature  years.  Of 
these  seven  are  now  living  and  recorded  as  follows: 
Thomas  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Fairfield  County, 
Ohio;  David  is  similarly  engaged  in  Blackford 
County,  Ind. ;  the  next  is  Dr.  N.  B.,of  our  sketch; 
Jonathan  S.  is  Principal  of  the  Minier  School  of 
this  county;  Joseph  R.,  who  is  possessed  of  much 
literary  ability,  is  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  and  en- 
gaged as  a  historian;  Lewis  D.  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio;  Henry  is  the  young- 
est of  the  family,  and  occupies  the  old  homestead. 


r 


r 


t 


,  ,    132 


M.LEAN   COUNTY. 


The  father  of  oui1  subject  died  on  the  2.0th  of  June. 
1H82,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years;  the 
mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead,  and  is 
eighty  years  old. 

The  .subject  of  this  history  commenced  attending 
school  at  a  very  early  age,  and  pursued  his  studies 
until  he  was  twenty,  in  the  meantime  filling  vaca- 
tions with  farm  work.  He  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine,  on  the  4th  of  April,  1857.  at  Lancaster, 
Ohio,  and  subsequently  took  two  courses  of  lectures 
in  New  York  City,  whence  he  entered  Long  Island 
College  Hospital,  Brooklyn,  and  graduated  on  the 
19th  of  July,  1860,  being  a  member  of  the  first 
class  graduated  from  the  institution.  lie  returned 
to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  and  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Etna,  where  he  remained 
until  April,  1862.  The  war  being  then  in  progress 
he  entered  the  army  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  U.  8.  A., 
for  a  term  of  three  months,  with  the  IDth  Ohio,  and 
was  with  the  regiment  at  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Field  Hospital  of  the 
2d  division  of  the  :!d  Army  Corps.  He  then  re-en- 
tered as  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  .~>0th  Ohio  Volun- 
teers, of  the  23d  Arm}-  Corps,  and  remained  in 
service  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Dr.  Cole  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Matilda  C.  Evans,  a 
native  of  Licking  County,  Ohio,  who  was  born 
Sept.  24.  1S:$'J,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Margaret  (Montgomery)  Evans,  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio  respectively.  Her  parents  were  married 
in  about  1*28.  They  lived  upon  a  farm,  and  her 
father  was  engaged  in  agriculture  and  stock-raising. 

After  their  marriage  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  came  to 
Bloomington,  arriving  here  Nov.  1,  18G5.and  since 
that  time  our  subject  has  followed  his  profession 
continuously  and  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice.  He  belongs  to  the  County,  State  and  Na- 
tional Medical  Associations,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  States  Examining  Pension  Hoard 
for  twelve  years.  Politically  he  affiliates  with  the 

Republican  party,  and  socially  is  a  member  in  g 1 

standing  of  the  (j.  A.  R.,  and  Union  Veterans 
Union. 

The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  C.  have  become  the  par- 
rnl.-  <>f  three  children — Carrie  L.,  Evens  N.  and 
Leah  M.,  all  living.  The  family  occupy  a  hand- 


some and  convenient  residence,  which  the  Doctor 
built  in  18(!(),  and  which  is  located  at  No.  110;") 
North  Main  street.  The  parents  and  one  daughter 
are  members  of  Grace  Methodist  Church,  of  which 
Dr.  Cole  has  been  a  Steward  for  ten  years.  He  has. 
in  all  respects,  fulfilled  the  obligations  of  a  good 
citizen,  and  as  a  physician  has  hosts  of  patrons  and 
friends.  His  office  is  located  at  No.  106  West 
Washington  street,  Bloomington. 


JOHN    CAMPBELL,    !).    I).   S.,   residing   at 
.Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia, 
born  in  1833.     He  is  the  son   of   Archibald 
and    Susan    (Jones)    Campbell,    natives   of 

West  Virginia,  where  the  father  followed  the  call- 
ing of  a  farmer.  Nine  children  were  born  of  the 
parental  union,  five  of  whom  are  now  living.  The 
subject  of  this  notice  was  reared  to  the  calling  of  a 
farmer,  and  lived  with  the  old  folk  until  he  was 
twenty  years  old.  His  early  education  was  received 
in  the  common  schools,  and  supplemented  by  an 
academical  course  at  Union,  Monroe  Co.,  W.  Va. 
His  preceptor  was  Rev.  Samuel  Houston,  a  Presby- 
terian clergyman.  After  leaving  school  our  sub- 
ject began  the  practice  of  dentistry,  borrowing  $50 
wherewith  to  purchase  his  first  case  of  dental  in- 
struments. 

Our  subject  continued  this  profession  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  Civil  War  in  1861,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  F.,  22d  West  Virginia  Volun- 
teers, as  Lieutenant.  He  resigned  his  office  during 
the  first  year  of  service,  and  while  at  home  was 
elected  Captain,  and  returning  to  the  field  of  con- 
flict continued  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  lie  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fisher  Hill, 
where  he  received  two  wounds,  one  in  the  left 
shoulder  and  one  in  the  left  hip.'  At  the  battle  of 
New  Market  he  received  a  ttesh  wound  in  the  foot. 
Here  he  was  ordered  to  charge  the  pits  of  the 
enemy,  and  starting  on  a  run,  our  subject  at  the 
head  of  his  men  soon  fell  into  the  pit  himself,  and 
that,  too,  right  on  top  of  two  of  the  enemy.  He 
immediately  demanded  their  surrender,  and  they, 
doubtless  thinking  there  were  many  more  to  assist 
him  in  their  capture,  there  and  then  surrendered, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


133    t 


although  they  were  afraid  to  stick  their  heads  out 
of  the  pit.  Mr.  Campbell  told  them  to  throw  up 
their  hats  and  get  out,  and  they  did  so. 

After  returning  from  the  war  Mr.  Campbell  once 
more  entered  upon  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life  and 
engaged  in  farming  in  West  Virginia.  This  he 
continued  for  about  one  year,  and  March  18,  1800, 
we  find  him  at  Bloomington,  111.,  with  a  cash  capi- 
tal of  seventy-five  cents  in  his  pocket.  Tie,  how- 
ever, had  a  large  amount  of  energy,  and  was  de- 
termined to  succeed  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion, and  engaged  in  partnership  with  his  cousin, 
Dr.  J.  M.  Skaggs,  at  Danvers.  This  relationship 
continued  for  about  eight  months,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  time  Dr.  Campbell  opened  an  office 
at  Leroy,  and  there  practiced  his  profession  until 
1808.  During  this  time,  howevei',  he  practiced 
three  months  of  each  year  at  Concord,  Mo.  Dur- 
ing the  years  1809-70  he  was  a  student  in  the 
Dental  College  at  St.  Louis,  where  he  received  his 
degree  of  D.  D.  S. 

Coming  to  Bloomington  in  1870  Dr.  Campbell 
opened  an  office  at  No.  208  North  Center  street,  and 
at  once  entered  upon  practice  as  Dental  Surgeon  and 
there  remained  for  two  years.  He  then  changed 
his  location  to  the  corner  of  Center  and  Jefferson 
streets,  where  he  is  at  present  located,  and  where 
he  is  meeting  with  success. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  married  to  Miss  Katie  Jar- 
rett,  of  West  Virginia,  in  1879.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ira  and  Eveline  (Johnson)  Jarrett,  natives 
of  West  Virginia.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Campbell,  one  daughter,  Nettie  J.,  has  been  born. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Dental, 
State  Dental  and  the  Central  Illinofs  Dental  Asso- 
ciations. He  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since 
1803. 


S.  BAY,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  this 
county  -and  now  a  retired  farmer,  is  living 
at  his  comfortable  home  in  Bloomington 
(QJ  Township,  lie  is  pleasantly  located  on  sec- 
tion 15,  and  has  at  this  place  fifty-four  acres  of 
land.  He  also  has  a  small  farm  south  of  his  home, 
in  the  same  township.  Mr.  Bay  became  a  resident 


of  McLean  County  in  1837,  at  once  making  his  lo- 
cation in  Bloomington  Township,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  eight  years  has  made  this  township  his 
home  since  that  time.  During  this  interval  he  re- 
sided in  Piatt  County  and  carried  on  farming,  but 
chose  this  locality  for  his  final  home. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  near  Median - 
icsburg,  Champaign  Co.,  Ohio,  on  the  30th  of 
March,  1816.  His  father,  William  Bay,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 
He  went  to  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  in  early 
manhood,  and  was  there  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Susanna  Hudson,  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
and  descended  from  the  same  races  as  her  husband. 
They  lived  in  Ohio  for  some  years  after  their  mar- 
riage, and  until  after  the  birth  of  five  children.  The 
elder  Bay  then  decided  to  go  westward  for  a  per- 
manent location.  Accordingly,  with  his  family,  he 
emigrated  to  Indiana  in  1824,  and  they  took  up 
their  first  location  in  Indianapolis,  where  they  re- 
mained for  a  period  of  fifteen  years,  during  which 
time  five  more  children  were  added  to  the  house- 
hold circle. 

In  1830,  with  his  wife  and  family,  Mr.  Bay  re- 
moved to  Mcllenry  County,  111.,  and  afterward 
came  to  McLean  County  and  settled  one  and  one- 
half  miles  west  of  the  city  of  Bloomington.  There 
they  remained  for  ten  years,  and  afterward  re- 
moved within  the  city  limits.  While  upon  a  visit 
at  Galesburg,  Knox  County,  the  father  was  taken 
ill,  and  died  there  on  the  30th  of  August,  1844. 
The  mother  survived  him  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
four  years,  and  departed  this  life  at  her  home  in 
McLean  County  in  September,  1808.  They  were 
most  excellent  and  worthy  people  and  were  highly 
respected  in  the  community.  William  Bay  was  an 
active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  officiated  as  local  minister  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  He  was  not  especially  educated  for  this 
work,  but  possessed  fine  abilities  as  a  speaker,  and 
was  more  than  ordinarily  intelligent. 

J.  S.  Bay  commenced  doing  business  for  himself 
when  quite  a  youth,  his  first  employment  away 
from  home  being  that  of  mail  carrier  between  In- 
dianapolis and  Madison,  Ind.  He  held  this  impor- 
tant position  for  eight  years,  and  after  the  first  year 
was  the  general  and  special  agent  of  the  post-office 


t 


134 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


department  and  was  (inly  sixteen  years  old  when  he 
tir-t  engaged  as  mail  agent. 

After  coining  to  McLean  County  Mr.  Bay  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  lloutt,  in  February,  1840. 
Mrs.  15ay  was  a  sister  of  ex-Gov.  Rontt,  of  Col- 
orado. She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  but  her  par- 
rents  dying  when  she  was  young,  she  came  North 
to  Illinois  with  her  uncle,  with  whom  she  lived  un- 
til her  marriage  with  our  subject,  and  after  becom- 
ing the  mother  of  two  children,  died  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1844,  a  little  more  than  four  years  after  her 
marriage.  ( )ne  of  the  children  is  deceased,  and  the 
other,  Sarah  by  name,  is  the  widow  of  Edwin  S. 
Walker,  who  was  a  nephew  of  the  late  Judge  David 
Davis;  Cornelia  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

Mr.  Bay  was  the  second  time  married,  in  Warren 
County,  If!.,  Sept.  27,  1 846,  to  Miss  Alvina  Bay,  who 
was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  born  Jan.  2G,  1828. 
This  lady  became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  and 
departed  this  life  Nov.  G,  1882,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  years.  The  children  of  Mr.  Baj'  by  his  sec- 
ond marriage  were  as  follows:  Manfred  J.,  Lidia 
A.  and  William  are  married ;  Mary  I.  is  deceased ; 
Clara  E.  and  Hattie  are  married ;  Fannie  is  de- 
ceased, and  the  remainder  are  at  home — Edwin  It., 
John  S.  and  Charles  E. 

Mr.  Bay  married  his  present  wife  in  Vermilion 
County,  111.,  Sept.  11,1 884.  the  lady  being  Miss  Mary 
F.  Reid,  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio.  She  was  born 
Dec.  G,  1859,  and  came  to  Vermilion  County,  111., 
while  a  young  child,  where  she  was  reared  and  re- 
ceived her  education.  She  was  one  of  the  younger 
children  of  her  parents'  family,  and  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and 
was  thus  engaged  in  this  township  for  some  years 
before  her  marriage.  She  became  the  mother  of 
one  child,  Ralph  S.,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Bay  has  occupied  a  prominent  position 
among  his  fellow-townsmen  since  coming  to  this  lo- 
cality. He  was  Constable  for  twelve  years  and  has 
served  as  Deputy  Sheriff.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican,  and  both  our  subject  and  wife  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Bay  is  very  pleasantly 
located,  and  his  family  are  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  Their 


home  and  its  surroundings  indicate  the  presence  of 
cultivated  taste  and  refinement,  and  they  enjoy  the 
highest  respect  of  their  friends  and  associates. 


>ILLIAM  M.  BRIGHT,  importer  and  breeder 
of  French  draft  horses,  is  also  extensively 
engaged  in  the  culture  of  small  fruits,  and 
is  the  occupant  of  a  fine  homestead  in  Normal, 
from  which  he  dispenses  a  generous  hospitality, 
and  enjoys  the  association  and  friendship  of  the 
cultured  people  of  this  locality.  Mr.  Bright  is  a 
native  of  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  Oct. 
23,  1835,  his  parents  being  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Morrison)  Bright,  natives  of  the  same  State,  where 
they  spent  their  entire  lives  and  were  finally  laid 
peacefully  away  for  their  final  rest.  The  parental 
family  of  our  subject  included  nine  children,  all 
of  whom  reached  mature  years,  and  seven  are  still 
living. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  next  to  the  young- 
est of  his  parents'  family,  and  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing pursuits.  After  pursuing  his  primary  studies 
in  the  common  schools,  he  entered  the  academy  at 
Stanford,  Ky.,  and  after  completing  a  course  in 
1857,  accompanied  his  brother-in-law,  James  Giv- 
ens,  to  Illinois.  The  two  together  purchased  sec- 
tion 2  of  Normal  Township,  in  this  county,  which 
they  retained  possession  of  until  1865.  In  the 
meantime  young  Bright  had  returned  to  his  native 
State  and  remained  there  until  1861,  when  he  came 
back  to  McLean  County,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  removed  within 
the  city  limits  of  Normal,  where  he  owns  100  acres 
on  three  sides  of  the  Soldier's  Orphans'  Home,  be- 
sides forty  acres  outside  of  the  city.  Until  1  882 
he  gave  his  principal  attention  to  the  growing  of 
small  fruits,  then,  through  the  influence  of  his 
nephew,  R.  G.  Bright,  he  imported  four  French 
draft  mares,  and  has  since  devoted  a  large  portion 
of  his  time  to  the  breeding  of  horses.  Before  this, 
however,  he  had  raised  a  number  of  Kentucky 
saddle  horses,  and  already  attained  quite  a  reputa- 
tion in  this  line. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  near  Dan- 
ville, Ky.,  in  1864,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Bruce,  who 


I 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


135 


was  born  near  that  city  on  the  2d  of  November, 
1 842,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  E. 
(Pope)  Bruce.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  one  son  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years,  and  six  are  now  living.  They  were 
named  respectively,  -John  H.,  James  G.,  Mary  E., 
Bruce,  Fannie  M.  and  Reuben  G. 


M.  DICKINSON,  a  retired  farmer,  now 
owns  and  occupies  a  handsome  residence  at 
No.  1417  North  Main  street,  BR>omington. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  having) 
been  born  in  Pike  County,  Oct.  29,  1842.  His  par- 
ents were  Eliada  and  Lois  B.  (Fancher)  Dickinson 
natives  of  Marlborough,  Conn.,  the  father  born  in 
1810,  and  the  mother  in  1812.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  their  native  State,  where  the  elder  Dickin- 
son was  employed  in  a  brass  bell  foundry,  and 
they  remained  in  New  England  until  1831.  They 
then  emigrated  to  the  West,  and  the  father  of  our 
subject  purchased  500  acres  of  Government  land  in 
Pike  County,  this  State.  He  first  put  up  a  log 
house,  in  which  all  the  children,  except  the  young- 
est, were  born.  The  family  lived  on  the  farm  un- 
til 1856,  and  then  moved  into  the  town  of  Perry, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  mercantile  business 
until  1861.  He  then  purchased  200  acres  of  land 
in  Sangamon  County,  near  Springfield,  and  engaged 
there  in  farming  three  years.  In  1865  he  pur- 
chased 400  acres  in  this  county,  which  he  occupied 
until  1877,  and  then  removed  to  Leroy,  where  he 
now  lives  in  ease  and  comfort,  retired  from  active 
business.  The  wife  and  mother  departed  this  life  in 
1864.  Their  three  children  were  Sarah  A.,  now  Mrs. 
I.  P.  Cook,  of  Le  Roy ;  D.  M.,  our  subject,  and  Mary 
T.,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Williams,  of  Blanchard,  Iowa.  The 
father  of  our  subject  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
religiously  inclines  to  Unitarian  doctrines. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Pike  County,  and  still  remembers 
it  as  it  was  before  being  relieved  from  its  original 
condition.  It  was  then  covered  with  a  thick  growth 
of  brush  and  trees,  and  he  recollects  cutting  this  and 
driving  cattle  through  to  break  it  down.  His  pri- 
mary studies  were  conducted  in  a  log  cabin  with 


puncheon  floor,  and  seats  made  of  slabs,  with  round 
pins  for  legs.  He  continued  to  work  on  the  farm 
and  attend  school  during  the  winter  seasons  until 
1856.  He  was  studious  and  interested  in  his  books, 
and  being  bright  and*  observant,  received  a  useful 
and  practical  education.  After  graduating  from 
the  log  cabin  he  attended  the  public  school  in 
Perry  for  two  years,  and  officiated  as  clerk  in  his 
father's  store  during  the  intervals  from  study.  Two 
years  later  he  entered  the  college  at  Quincy,  111., 
where  he  pursued  the  study  of  English  and  Ger- 
man for  one  year,  then  commenced  teaching  in 
Pike  County,  and  followed  the  same  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war. 

Mr.  Dickinson  then  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  being  engaged  in  the  service  three  years 
and  one  month,  and  participating  in  the  battles  of 
Hartsville,  Mo..  Magnolia  Hill,  Port  Gibson,  Ray- 
mond, Miss.,  Jackson,  both  before  and  after  the 
siege,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  the 
siege  of  Yicksburg,  lasting  from  the  19th  of  May 
until  the  3d  of  July,  the  Banks  expedition  up  the 
Red  River,  the  capture  of  Ft.  Esperanzo,  Tex.,  and 
of  Spanish  Fort,  Blakesley  and  Mobile,  besides 
many  minor  engagements.  Ho  received  but  one 
wound  during  the  campaign,  and  that  at  Magnolia 
Hill.  The  ball  struck  his  pocket-knife,  breaking  both 
sides  of  the  handle  off,  and  bending  the  frame  into 
the  shape  of  the  letter  "E,"  and  glancing  off  struck 
him  in  the  groin  and  lodged  in  the  butt  end  of  his 
musket.  At  Jackson,  Miss.,  a  canister  ball  passed 
through  his  hat,  slightly  grazing  the  top  of  his 
head. 

After  receiving  an  honorable  discharge  at  the 
close  of  the  war  Mr.  Dickinson  came  to  McLean 
County,  and  with  what  money  he  had  saved  and  a 
loan  from  his  father  he  .purchased  a  farm  of  240 
acres  in  West  Township.  To  this  he  afterward 
added  eighty  acres.  It  is  all  prairie  and  is  now 
finely  improved  with  a  handsome  and  substantial 
residence,  good  barns,  and  all  necessary  out-build- 
ings. Mr.  D.  labored  industriously  and  persever- 
iugly,  and  was  universally  conceded  to  be  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  of  this  section.  He  still  owns 
the  farm  property.  He  formerly  was  quite  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  raising  of  grain  and  cattle, 
but  the  farm  is  now  principally  devoted  to  grain. 


f 


13fi 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


I 


Mr.  D.  occupied  it  until  1882,  then  purchased  his 
prcM-nt  place  in  Bloomington  for  the  sum  of 
*4,000. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Dickmson  and  Miss  M.  1. 
Williams  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents,  Feb.  28,  1867.  Mrs.  I),  is  a  native  of  In- 
diana, being  the  daughter  of  John  and  Amanda 
(Bush)  Williams,  natives  of  Jamestown,  the  same 
State.  The  parental  family  included  ten  children, 
six  now  living:  Mrs.  L.  Wilcox,  Mrs.  I).  M.  Dick- 
inson, James  M.,  Mrs.  Joseph  Tailor,  Mrs.  Frank 
Duncan  and  Charles  W. 

( )ur  subject  and  his  wife  have  three  children — 
Clara  L.,  Melvina  and  Eliada.  Mr.  D.  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  an  honored  member  of  the  G. 
A.  H.  He  has  been  Treasurer,  Town  Clerk.  School 
Director  and  Commissioner  of  Highways,  and  in 
other  respects  has  assisted  in  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  Bloomington  Township.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Unitarian  Church,  and  Chairman  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees. 


\ 


LIVER  II.  P.  OEENDOBFF.  There  are  yet 
living  a  few  of  the  early  settlors  of  McLean 
County,  among  the  first  of  whom  was  the 
family  whose  history  we  purpose  briefly  to  relate  in 
this  personal  notice  of  the  oldest  member  now  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Orendorff  has  been  a  resident  of  Bloom- 
ington  Township  since  1823,  having  come  here  on 
the  2d  day  of  May  of  that  year.  He  was  the  third 
in  order  of  birth  of  eight  sons  and  five  daughters, 
and  his  father,  William,  was  born  in  Georgia, 
March  26,  1792.  His  grandfather,  Christopher,  is 
supposed  to  have  been  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
was  of  German  ancestry  and  parentage.  The  his- 
tory of  the  family  in  the  United  States  dates  back 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  Christopher  Or- 
endorff was  a  farmer  and  miller  by  occupation,  and 
removed  from  his  native  .State  to  Illinois,  where  he 
permanently  located  after  having  been  a  citizen  of 
several  other  States  of  the  Union.  He  died  in  Lo- 
gan County  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 

William  Orendorff,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
when  ;i  young  man  removed  from  Georgia  to  North 
Carolina  and  thence  to  Tennessee.  Later  hi-  went 


into  Kentucky,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Nichols,  who  became  the 
mother  of  three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter. While  still  a  young  woman  she  departed  this 
life  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  O.  was  the  sec- 
ond time  married,  after  coming  to  Illinois,  to  Miss 
Lovina  Sayles,  a  native  of  the  State  of  Tennessee, 
and  who  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  i>  the  eldest  son  and  second 
child.  William  Orendorff  came  to  Illinois  in  1X1 1!, 
locating  in  St.  Clair,  whence  he  removed  to  Mc- 
Lean County  in  1X23,  and  settled  in  Bloomington 
Township.  There  were  then  but  very  few  white 
people  in  this  region,  the  family  of  Mr.  O.  being 
the  second  one  to  make  settlement  in  the  township, 
and  here  the  mother  of  our  subject  died  on  the  9th 
of  November,  1831. 

The  third  wife  of  William  Orendorff  was  Miss 
Susan  Ogden,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  this 
county  in  1834.  This  lady  became  the  mother  of 
two  children,  a  son  and  daughter,  and  died  in  1844. 
William  Orendorff  married  his  fourth  wife,  Miss 
Naomi  Able,  on  his  sixty-second  birthday,  and  of 
this  union  there  were  born  four  children,  all  of 
whom  are  yet  living.  There  was  a  difference  of 
fifty-four  years  between  the  birth  of  his  first  and 
last  child.  He  and  his  last  wife  are  now  both  de- 
j  ceased.  He  was  born  March  26,  1792,  and  died 
May  12,  1869.  Mrs.  Naomi  Orendorff  survived 
him  only  two  years,  dying  in  1871.  He  was  the 
father  of  fourteen  children,  seven  of  whom  are  yet 
living.  William  Orendorff  was  a  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability,  and  became  prominent  in  the  af- 
fairs of  his  adopted  township  and  county.  After 
coming  to  this  locality  he  was  appointed  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  had  jurisdiction  over  a  large  portion 
of  this  State  while  it  was  yet  a  Territory,  and  upon 
the  organization  of  the  county  and  township  he 
held  the  various  local  offices. 

The  subject  of  this  history  lived  with  his  father 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  His  brother, 
John  Lewis,  was  the  first  male  child  born  in  Bloom- 
ington  Township,  his  birth  occurring  Jan.  20, 
1826.  After  our  subject  had  attained  his  majority 
he  was  married  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents 
in  this  township,  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  S.  Hendricks. 
daughter  <>(  John  and  Jane  (Brittin)  HendricUs.  ^ 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


137 


i 


Mrs.  O.  was  born  in  McLean  County,  July  24, 
1831,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
her  marriage.  Her  father  was  a  Virginian  by  birth, 
and  a  direct  lineal  descendant  of  President  Taylor. 
His  daughter  Elizabeth,  the  eldest  sister  of  Mrs.  O., 
was  the  first  white  child  born  in  McLean  County, 
her  birth  occurring  on  the  3d  of  May,  1823.  The 
family  history  was  interesting  and  eventful,  and 
one  which  its  later  descendants  may  peruse  with 
pride  and  satisfaction. 

John  Hendricks  and  Jane  Brittin  were  united  in 
marriage  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and  settling 
upon  a  farm  in  that  county  remained  for  some 
years,  when  they  decided  upon  a  removal  further 
West.  Accordingly,  in  1821,  they  set  out  over- 
land for  the  PrairiejState,  arriving  here  in  the  fall 
of  the  year,  and  spending  the  first  winter  near  the 
growing  village  of  Springfield.  Early  in  the  spring 
they  set  out  for  their  final  destination,  McLean 
County,  and  established  a  home  on  section  27,  in 
Bloomington  Township,  upon  which  they  remained 
until  they  closed  their  eyes  to  the  scenes  of  earth. 
The  father  died  Jan.  15,  1838,  and  the  mother 
Dec.  17,  1856. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hendricks  were  devoted  Christians 
and  prominently  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  They  were  extremely  hospitable 
and  charitable,  and  their  doors  were  always  open 
for  the  weary,  whether  stranger  or  neighbor.  They 
were  generous  to  a  fault,  and  would  rob  themselves 
to  contribute  to  the  comfort  of  others.  Their  home 
was  the  place  of  meeting  for  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal congregation  for  a  number  of  years,  and  the 
father  was  a  Class-Leader  in  that  denomination  for 
a  long  period.  This  excellent  and  worthy  pair  were 
known  throughout  the  county  as  Uncle  John  and 
Aunt  Jane  Hendricks.  Mr.  H.  was  a  stanch  Whig 
in  politics  and  died  before  the  old  party  was  aban- 
doned. 

Mrs.  Orendorffs  birth  occurred  on  section  27, 
in  this  township,  July  24,  1831.  When  but  in  her 
seventh  year  her  father  died  and  she  was  reared  by 
her  mother,  with  whom  she  remained  until  her  mar- 
riage. By  her  union  with  our  subject  she  became 
the  mother  of  two  children :  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of 
William  M.  Cox,  a  farmer  of  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, and  George  P.,  who  married  Miss  Ceatta  IIol- 


lis,  and  is  at  present  residing  on  his  father's  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  are  connected  with  the  Christian 
Church  of  Bloomington  Township.  Our  subject  has 
held  the  offices  of  his  township,  and  was  once  a  can- 
didate for  Sheriff.  He  once  received  a  fine  silver 
spoon  which  was  given  as  a  prize  to  the  oldest  set- 
tier  who  should  be  present  at  the  Logan  County 
Fair,  held  in  Atlanta.  Each  county  had  three  rep- 
resentatives, Mr.  O.  being  the  oldest  one  present. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Orendorff  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  section  27,  and  lie  is  surrounded  by  all 
the  comforts  of  life,  lie  has  been  engaged  in  ag- 
ricultural pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and 
has  uniformly  met  with  success,  which  is  the  re- 
ward of  industry  and  perseverance. 


R.  E.  K.  CROTHERS,  physician  and  sur- 
geon, optician  and  oculist,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  occupies  a  high  position  in  the 
profession  in  this  locality  as  a  gentleman 
well  versed  in  its  intricacies  and  faithful  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  professional  duties.  Dr.  Crothers  is 
a  native  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Jefferson  Co.,  Ohio,  and 
was  born  Oct.  29,  1826.  He  is  the  son  of  Noble 
and  Rachel  (Brown)  Crothers,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  his  father  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  They  left  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1  835,  and 
coming  to  the  Prairie  State  purchased  a  large  tract 
of  land  in  Putnam  County,  which  they  occupied 
for  two  years.  Noble  Crothers  then  sold  out  and 
returned  to  Ohio.  After  two  years  he  came  back 
to  Illinois,  and  locating  in  Fulton  County,  pur- 
chased another  tract  of  land,  which  he  devoted  to 
stock-raising,  and  also  engaged  in  buying  and  sell- 
ing, becoming  the  leading  stockman  of  that  county. 
He  continued  in  this  business  until  he  retired  from 
active  labor,  and  departed  this  life  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1880,  having  survived  his  wife  over  forty 
years,  the  death  of  the  mother  occurring  in  1837, 
in  Fulton  Count}',  111.  The  parental  family  in- 
cluded five  children,  who  grew  to  mature  years: 
Casaline  M.,  Mrs.  Parker,  after  having  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Fulton  County  for  forty-nine  years,  re- 
moved to  Chicago,  and  is  now  the  inmate  of  the 
home  of  her  sou,  Dr.  Edwin  S.  Parker;  she  became 


f 


N,     138 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


the  mother  of  four  children :  Dr.  Jordan  Parker, 
of  Fulton,  111.;  Louisa,  Mrs.  Jenkins,  living  near 
Vermont,  111. ;  William,  of  Bloomington,  and  Dr. 
Edwin  S.,  of  Chicago.  Rev.  Warren  B.,  who  for 
thirty  years  was  a  Methodist  preacher  for  the  coun- 
ties of  Knox,  Fulton  and  McDonough,  and  is  now 
in  Washington  Territory ;  Dr.  William  R.,  of  Dela- 
van,  is  the  leading  physician  and  surgeon  of  Taze- 
well  County;  Vincent,  now  deceased,  was  a  promi- 
nent stock-dealer  of  Fulton  County,  and  after  hav- 
ing been  in  a  snow  blockade  near  Chicago,  and 
having  exhausted  himself  in  an  effort  to  open  the 
blockade,  he  died  frr>m  exposure  that  night  at  Chi- 
cago. 

Dr.  Crothers  of  our  sketch  spent  his  youth  partly 
upon  his  father's  farm  and  in  attendance  at  school 
until  the  summer  of  1845,  when  he  occupied  him- 
self as  a  teacher  for  five  months  in  the  district 
school.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  William  H.  Nance,  of 
Vermont,  111.,  and  during  the  winter  of  1 847-48  at- 
tended medical  lectures  at  St.  Louis.  The  winter 
following  he  went  East,  and  took  a  course  of  study 
in  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1850.  lie  then  came 
directly  to  Bloomington  and  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  in  which  he  has  been  contin- 
uously engaged  since  that  time,  and  is  the  oldest 
physician  now  living  here  and  engaged  in  practice. 
He  commenced  with  a  capital  of  $10  in  cash  and 
his  medicine  box,  and  was  a  stranger  to  the  people. 
The  first  month  his  expenses  were  $100  over  his  in- 
come, but  the  tables  were  soon  turned  and  his  pat- 
rons increased  as  time  went  by,  so  that  he  now  has 
a  practice  extending  over  a  radius  of  twenty  miles 
in  each  direction.  Since  1865  he  has  given  especial 
attention  to  the  treatment  of  the  eye  and  ear.  in 
which  he  has  become  very  proficient.  In  the  mean- 
time he  attended  another  course  at  Philadelphia, 
devoted  to  the  study  of  the  eye  and  ear  at  Wills 
Hospital,  and  probably  has  had  more  experience  in 
this  direction  than  any  of  his  colleagues  in  this  lo- 
cality. 

Dr.  Crothers  was  married  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1851,  to  Miss  Maria  L.  DePew.  Mrs.  C.  is  a  na- 
tive of  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  the  daughter  of 
Elijah  DePew,  a  prominent  merchant  and  stock- 


dealer  of  Bloomington.  The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  C. 
have  become  the  parents  of  four  children :  Noble 
E.,  a  jeweler  of  Paxton,  111.;  Lulu,  at  home;  E.  K., 
Jr.,  also  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business,  and 
.  Rachel.  In  1874  Mrs.  Crothers  commenced  the 
•  study  of  medicine  under  the  instruction  of  her  hus- 
band, and  three  years  later  attended  the  Woman's 
College  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  and  aft- 
erward the  Woman's  Medical  College  of  Chicago. 
In  the  winter  of  1882-83  she  returned  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1883,  and  is 
now  the  ackowledged  leading  lady  physician  of 
Central  Illinois.  They  occupy  a  handsome  and  at- 
tractive home  in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  and  are 
valued  and  useful  members  of  society.  The  Doc- 
tor is  Republican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the 
McLean  County  Medical  Society. 


A.  CREED,  editor  and  publisher  of  the 
Heyworth  Standard,  is  a  resident  of 
Bloomington,  and  the  son  of  Austin  (>. 
and  Minerva  S.  (Shannon)  Creed,  his 
mother  being  the  daughter  of  Capt.  Shannon,  of 
Bloomiugton,  now  deceased.  Austin  G.  Creed  is  a 
contractor  and  builder,  and  the  parental  household 
included  two  children  only,  our  subject  and  his 
brother  Shannon. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Berry  - 
ville,  Highland  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  10,  1853.  He  re- 
sided there  with  his  parents  until  twelve  years  of 
age,  and  the  family  then  removed  to  Hillsboro, 
where  he  attended  school  in  the  winter  and  worked 
on  a  farm  during  the  summer  season.  He  grad- 
uated from  Hillsboro  High  School  in  the  spring  of 
1808,  and  the  following  year  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Chillicothe,  Mo.,  where  he  taught  school 
for  several  months,  and  then,  having  a  desire  to  be 
a  printer,  entered  the  office  of  the  Chillicothe 
Tribune  to  learn  the  trade.  He  served  a  full  ap- 
prenticeship, and  was  afterward  made  local  editor 
of  the  Tribune,  which  position  he  held  until  his  re- 
moval to  Bloomington,  where  he  arrived  Nov.  25, 
1874.  He  worked  at  the  case  in  the  Leader  and 
other  printing-offices  In  Bloomington  until  Decem- 
ber, 1875,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr. 


T 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


241 


I 


F.  M.  Doxsee,  and  purchased  the  outfit  of  a  job 
office,  which  they  operated  until  the  following 
June.  The}r  then  removed  to  Ford  County,  and 
for  six  months  were  occupied  in  the  printing  of  a 
Democratic  campaign  paper.  After  the  election 
they  returned  to  Bloomington,  and  Mr.  Creed,  pur- 
chasing the  interest  and  stock  of  his  partner,  estab- 
lished the  Democratic  News,  which  he  edited  and 
published  until  the  fall  of  1879.  He  then  sold  out 
to  Mr.  L.  L.  Burr,  who  merged  the  paper  into  the 
Bulletin,  the  present  Democratic  organ.  In  1880 
Mr.  Creed  purchased  another  printing-office,  and 
has  since  carried  on  a  job  and  newspaper  business. 
Mr.  Creed  was  married,  Oct.  7,  1879,  to  Miss 
Jessie  E.  Stump,  and  of  this  union  has  been  born 
one  child,  a  daughter,  L.  II.  They  occupy  a 
pleasant  and  attractive  home  at  No.  715  South 
Water  street. 

<S~-5K- •">*«-• •«— *• 

LDER  JONATHAN  PARK,  whose  por- 
trait is  shown  in  connection  with  this  sketch, 
is  a  pioneer  of  1853,  and  a  resident  of  sec- 
tion 26,  Dale  Township.  He  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  Ky.,  on  the  14th  of  July,  1815.  His  fa- 
ther, Eli  Park,  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and 
his  grandfather,  Ebenezer  Park,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  was  of  excellent  English  ancestry,  and  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  to  North  Carolina 
when  a  young  man.  His  father  had  died  when  he 
was  a  child,  and  after  he  became  of  suitable  years 
he  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  tailor. 
This,  however,  was  unsuited  to  his  taste,  and  he 
abandoned  his  trade,  and  going  to  North  Carolina 
married,  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  Dur- 
ing the  early  settlement  of  Kentucky  he  removed 
his  family  there,  it  being  before  the  day  of  carriage 
roads,  and  the  journey  was  performed  with  pack- 
horses.  This  was  about  1795.  Ebene/er  Park, 
after  his  nrrival  in  Kentucky,  purchased  a  tract  of 
timber  land  in  Madison  County,  cleared  a  farm 
from  the  wilderness,  and  established  a  comfortable 
home,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years. 
The  maiden  of  his  early  choice,  to  whom  he  was 
married  soon  after  his  arrival  in  North  Carolina, 
was  Miss  Tabitba  Mills.  She  accompanied  her  hus- 


band to  Kentucky,  and  died  there  in  Madison 
County. 

Eli  Park,  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Tabitha 
(Mills)  Park,  and  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
little  boy  seven  years  old  when  his  parents  re- 
moved from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  the  latter  State,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Winnifred  Dillingham.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  in  Madison  County,  and  en- 
tering upon  agricultural  pursuits  made  that  the 
business  of  his  life.  He  departed  from  the  scenes 
of  his  earthly  labors  on  the  Cth  of  December,  1858, 
at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  four  months  and 
twenty-seven  days.  His  wife  had  preceded  her 
husband  to  the  better  land  on  the  19th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1854,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years,  three 
months  and  nine  days.  They  were  excellent  and 
worthy  people,  and  of  their  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren they  reared  eleven  to  maturity,  and  instilled 
in  them  principles  of  virtue  and  honor. 

Jonathan  Park  of  our  sketch  was  the  fourth 
child  and  third  son  of  his  parents.  Free  schools 
had  not  been  established  when  he  was  a  child,  and 
his  early  education  was  received  in  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  of  his  native  county.  He  was  reared 
to  habits  of  industry,  and  when  not  in  school  was 
engaged  in  the  lighter  duties  around  the  homestead 
and  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority.  He  then  started  out  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  and  rented  a  tract  of  land  about 
ten  miles  from  his  old  home,  which  he  cultivated 
for  two  or  three  years,  and  then  purchased  a  few 
acres  in  Madison  County.  He  there  industriously 
engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and  as  time  passed  he 
added  by  degrees  to  his  first  purchase  until  he  was 
the  possessor  of  12"0  acres.  This  he  sold  in  1853, 
and  started  North  with  his  family,  including  his 
wife  and  six  children,  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois. 
They  made  the  journey  overland  and  their  outfit 
consisted  of  four  horses  and  two  wagons.  They 
carried  with  them  their  household  goods  and  pro- 
visions, camped  and  cooked  by  the  wayside,  and 
slept  in  the  wagons  at  night.  After  eighteen  days  of 
continuous  travel  they  landed  in  McLean  County. 
Mr.  Park  had  visited  the  State  the  previous  fall, 
on  horseback,  but  had  not  made  any  purchase  of 
land,  and  after  his  arrival  heie  with  his  family 


•242 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


they  spent  the  winter  in  a  house  belonging  to 
Hiram  ljuinn,  whose  name  is  frequently  mentioned 
in  connection  with  the  history  of  the  early  pioneers 
of  this  county. 

During  this  time  Mr.  Park  had  been  looking 
about  with  an  eye  to  business  and  had  purchased 
106  acres  of  land  in  Dale  Township  on  section  26, 
which  constitues  his  present  homestead.  Of  this 
there  were  forty  acres  broken,  and  a  portion  of  the 
land  fenced,  but  there  were  no  buildings  upon  it. 
Mr.  Park  erected  a  temporary  shelter  for  his  fam- 
ily, and  during  the  following  summer  built  the 
more  substantial  residence  which  has  been  his  home 
since  that  time.  He  did  all  the  carpenter  work 
himself,  which  he  feels  a  just  pride  in  saying  was 
well  done.  He  also  carried  on  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  his  land,  and  subsequently  added 
to  his  acreage  until  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  226 
acres,  with  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings  and  a 
generous  supply  of  grain  and  stock.  He  has  been 
successful  in  his  business  transactions,  and  has  con- 
ducted himself  in  that  straightforward,  honest  and 
methodical  manner  which  has  secured  him  the  es- 
teem and  confidence  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow- 
citizens. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Barthana  Quinn  on  the  6th  day  of 
October,  1836,  in  Madison  County,  Ky.  Mrs. 
Park  was  born  in  the  latter  named  county  Oct.  27, 
1818,  and  removed  with  her  husband  and  children 
to  this  State.  She  remained  the  faithful  compan- 
ion of  her  hqsband  for  a  period  of  fifty-four  years, 
and  departed  this  life  on  the  20th  of  August,  1882, 
in  Dale  Township.  Their  family  included  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  of  whom  are  now  living;  the  record  is 
as  follows:  Minerva  E.  became  the  wife  of  J.  J. 
Denham,  and  lives  in  Dale  Township;  Sidney  Q.  is 
also  a  resident  of  that  township ;  Alwilda  is  at  home ; 
Eli  is  in  California;  Rhoda  married  T.  E.  Cutting 
and  lives  in  Bloominton,  III. ;  Sallie,  the  wife  of  S.  F. 
Clark,  lives  on  the  old  homestead ;  Lucy  married 
John  C.  Douglas,  and  they  live  in  Madison  County, 
Ky. ;  Hiram,  the  sixth  child,  was  born  Nov.  4, 
1846,  and  died  Sept.  1st,  1870;  Mary,  the  young- 
est child,  was  born  March  20,  1862,  and  died 
March  22,  1882;  one  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 
'  Mr.  Park  became  a  member  of  the  Christian 


Church  in  1843,  and  his  wife  two  years  later,  lie 
commenced  preaching  in  1852,  and  was  ordained 
in  Kentucky,  that  same  year,  as  a  minister  of  the 
.  Christian  Church.  He  preached  'at  Grassy  Ridge 
Church,  alternately  with  John  G.  Campbell,  two 
or  three  years,  in  a  school-house,  and  then  a  church 
building  was  erected,  and  they  continued  their 
ministerial  labors  together  until  1858.  The  Chris- 
tian Church  of  Dale  Township  was  then  organi/.ed 
in  a  school-house  on  section  26,  and  Mr.  Park  was 
the  first  preacher  who  ministered  to  the  spiritual 
wants  of  the  congregation  and  continued  to  per- 
form this  office  until  the  church  building  was 
erected  in  Shirley.  He  is  now  afflicted  with  throat 
trouble,  and  has  been  able  to  speak  but  little 
within  the  past  six  or  seven  years.  Mr.  Park  has 
recently  bought  a  home  in  Bloomington,  where  he 
will  soon  move,  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
During  his  residence  in  Kentucky  Mr.  Park  was 
a  member  of  the  State  militia  and  held  commis- 
sions as  Captain  and  Major.  He  is  a  gentleman  of 
good  abilities,  and  has  filled  many  offices  of  trust  in 
Dale  Township.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
Assessor  and  School  Director,  and  to  whatever  po- 
sition in  life  he  has  been  appointed  has  fulfilled  his 
respective  duties  as  became  an  honorable  and  con- 
scientious citizen.  In  politics  in  early  life  he  was 
an  old  Henry  Clay  Whig,  and  on  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  he  became  identified  with 
and  has  since  been  a  strong  supporter  of  its  princi- 
ples. During  the  Rebellion  he  was  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  Union  cause.  One  of  his  sons,  Ely, 
served  three  years  as  a  soldier,  doing  honorable 
service  for  his  country  in  Co.  H,  94th  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers. 


RS.  IIATTIE  ENLOW,  widow  of  James 
Enlow,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead 
in  liloomington,  and  is  a  member  of  a 
prominent  family  in  McLean  County,  who 
were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  Prairie  State. 
Mrs.  Enlow  was  born  in  Rossville,  Ind.,  in  1849, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Eliza  (Harvey) 
Campbell,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  were 
married  in  Franklin  County,  that  State,  in  1849, 
and  located  for  a  short  time  upon  a  farm  there, 


t 


.\l<  LEAN    COUNTY. 


248 


whence  they  soon  afterward  removed  by  wagon  to 
Indiana,  and  located  in  Clinton  County  upon 
rented  land  for  a  period  of  five  years.  They  then 
removed  to  Illinois  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
unimproved  land  in  Dale  Township,  this  county, 
upon  which  Robert  Campbell  built  a  comfortable 
house,  planted  an  orchard,  and  made  other  im- 
provements as  time  went  on.  The  parents  still  oc- 
cupy the  old  homestead,  which  now  comprises  240 
acres,  and  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  farms  in  this 
section.  Their  family  consisted  of  four  children, 
of  whom  Hattie,  Mrs.  Enlow,  was  the  eldest;  New- 
ton married  Miss  Dora  Gulp,  and  lives  on  the 
homestead  ;  William  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Mc- 
Coy, March  28,  1867,  in  Bloomington,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  trade,  and  Crawford  is  at 
home. 

Robert  Campbell,  in  1881,  rented  his  farm,  and 
coming  to  Bloomington  engaged  in  the  grocery 
trade  for  three  years,  then  sold  the  building  and 
stock  and  moved  back  to  the  farm.  He  has  been  a 
good  citizen  and  a  prominent  man,  holding  the  of- 
fice of  Supervisor  and  other  minor  positions.  He 
is  Republican  in  politics,  an  Elder  and  Trustee  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  one  of  the 
wealthy  and  influential  men  of  Dale  Township. 
The  faithful  and  affectionate  mother  has  stood 
bravely  by  her  husband  in  his  labors  and  duties, 
and  is  also  connected  with  the  church  of  his  choice 
in  Bloomington. 

The  marriage  of  .lames  Enlow  and  Mrs.  Hattie 
Campbell  took  place  on  the  19th  of  November, 
1868,  in  Covell,  this  county.  The  husband  of  our 
subject  was  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Lan- 
der) Enlow,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County, '111.,  in  1835,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Dale  Township,  which  remained  their  home  the 
balance  of  their  lives.  Their  family  included  eight 
children,  of  whom  James  was  the  third  in  order  of 
birth.  He  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1833,  reared 
to  farming  pursuits,  and  given  a  practical  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  the  late 
war  being  then  in  progress,  he  enlisted  in  1862,  in 
Co.  H,  04th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  became  Sergeant  of  the 
company,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Upon  his  return  from  the  army  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing on  eight_y  acres  of  land  which  had  been  given 


him  by  his  father.  Two  years  later  he  sold  this 
and  purchased  160  acres  in  another  part  of  the 
township.  After  his  marriage  with  our  subject  they 
occupied  this  farm  until  1878,  and  then,  Mr.  En- 
low  wishing  to  extend  his  farming  operations,  re- 
moved to  Russell  County,  Kan.,  where  he  pur- 
chased 160  acres,  and  besides  the  improvement  and 
cultivation  of  this  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
continuing  thus  jointly  engaged  until  his  death 
in  1880.  The  bereaved  widow  returned  to  Dale 
Township  to  her  friends,  with  the  body  of  her  hus- 
band, which  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  here.  Mr. 
Enlow  was  a  man  of  good  business  capacity,  an  up- 
right and  straightforward  citizen,  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Enlow,  the 
following  year,  erected  her  present  fine  residence 
in  Bloomington  at  a  cost  of  over  *2,000,  and  has 
continued  the  management  of  the  property  which 
her  husband  left  to  her  with  rare  judgment  and 
business  tact.  The  four  children  born  to  her  and 
her  husband  are  :  John  R,,  Robert,  Mamie  and  Irma. 
Mrs.  E.  belongs  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Bloouiingtou,  and.  is  a  lady  highly  esteemed  for 
her  womanly  virtues,  kindness  of  heart,  and  many 
other  excellent  traits  of  character. 


RANK  EDWARDS  owns  and  operates  one 
of  the  best  livery  and  feed  stables  in  the  city 
of  Bloomington,  being  located  at  No.  410 
West  Front  street.  Our  subject  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  having  been  born  near  Pleasant  Hill  on  the 
7th  of  April,  1858,  and  is  the  son  of  George  W. 
and  Mary  A.  (Heney)  Edwards,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Tennessee  and  Troy,  N.  Y.  (ieorge  W. 
Edwards  left  his  native  State  when  a  small  boy, 
and  emigrated  to  Carter  County,  Kan.,  where  he 
was  engaged  on  a  farm  until  1845.  He  then  re- 
turned East  as  far  as  Illinois,  and  settled  at  Paris. 
Edgar  County,  where  he  engaged  in  keeping  hotel. 
Thence  he  removed  to  Pleasant  Hill,  McLean 
County,  and  occupied  himself  in  the  manufacture 
of  furniture  until  1861.  He  then  came  to  the  city 
of  Bloomington,  engaged  as  a  painter,  and  eight 
years  later  purchased  a  farm  two  and  one-half 


l<  ,  244 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


miles  east  of  the  city,  where  he  has  since  lived. 
He  was  married  on  the  1st  of  January,  1847.  The 
parental  household  included  four  children :  William 
H.,  who  resides  on  the  home'  farm ;  Frank,  our  sub- 
ject; Fred  and  Ned,  at  home. 

Frank  Edwards,  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
started  out  for  himself  and  was  employed  the  fol- 
lowing two  summers  in  work  on  a  farm.  He  then 
learned  house  and  sign  painting,  which  he  followed 
a  few  years,  and  during  the  fall  and  winter  also  oc- 
cupied himself  in  buying  and  selling  horses.  In 
this  latter  he  was  remarkably  successful,  and  con- 
cluded to  give  it  his  future  attention.  He  estab- 
lished his  present  business  in  the  winter  of  1881- 
82,  which  from  a  comparatively  humble  beginning 
now  yields  him  a  handsome  income.  He  subse- 
quently purchased  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, which  he  only  occupied,  however,  for  six 
months,  and  then  moved  into  the  city.  Here  he 
occupies  a  handsome  residence  at  No.  524  West 
Grove  street,  and  in  his  business  and  social  life  is 
esteemed  as  one  of  the  most  valued  citizens  of 
Bloomington. 

Our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Long,  of 
Kentucky,  in  1881.  Mrs.  E.  is  the  daughter  of 
George  and  Mary  E.  (Dixon)  Long,  of  Kentucky, 
where  the  father  died  in  1868.  Mrs.  Long  came  to 
Bloomington  in  1879,  and  is  living  with  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Edwards.  The  parental  family  included 
six  children,  of  whom  one  is  deceased.  Those  sur- 
viving are:  William  A.,  James  M.,  Annie,  Betty 
(Mrs.  A.E.  White  of  Bloomington),  and  Georgia  A. 


AMUEL  F.  BARNUM,  one  of  the  self- 
made  men  of  this  county,  and  at  present 
residing  at  Leroy,  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Barnum  &  Keenan,  proprietors  of 
the  Leroy  Flouring  Mills.  He  was  born  at  Can- 
ton, St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  11,  1824,  and 
his  father,  Samuel  B.  Barnum,  was  a  native  of  the 
Green  Mountain  .State.  The  father  was  reared  to 
manhood  in  his  native  State,  and  was  there  engaged 
in  a  woolen  mill  and  also  learned  the  trade  of  a 
cooper.  He  moved  to  Canton,  N.  Y.,  while  yet  a 
young  man  and  there  followed  his  woolen  trade  and 


continued  to  reside  there  until  his  marriage  withM. 
Rhoda  Farwell.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jcduthan 
F.-mvell,  a  merchant  and  manufacturer  in  Canton, 
who  also  owned  a  flouring  and  saw-mill,  and  a  large 
stock  farm  in  that  county.  He  was  a  Yermonter 
by  birth,  and  about  1835  removed  to  Erie  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  followed  his  business  as  a  merchant  and 
potash  manufacturer.  About  1846  Mr.  Farwell  re- 
moved to  Defiance  County,  Ohio,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  1834  our  subject's 
father  removed  to  that  county  and  settled  in  Eden 
Township,  where  he  erected  a  mill  and  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  cloth,  following  that  business  un- 
til 1846.  He  then  rented  his  mill  and  removed  to 
Defiance  County,  where  he  took  another  mill,  and  in 
1847  removed  the  machinery  from  the  mill  at  Eden 
to  the  one  in  Defiance  County.  He  continued  in  that 
business  for  two  years  when  he  purchased  a  farm 
near  town  and  devoted  the  remaining  years  of  his 
life  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  on  the  farm 
in  September,  1864.  His  widow  spent  the  last 
years  of  her  life  at  the  home  of  our  subject,  her 
demise  occurring  in  July,  1882.  There  were  five 
children  born  to  the  parents  of  our  subject,  of 
whom  he  is  the  eldest :  Harriet  married  S.  A.  Moore, 
and  departed  this  life  in  1872;  Eliza  married 
George  Brunei1,  a  resident  of  Bloomington ;  Jedu- 
than  died  in  Indiana:  John  is  a  resident  of  San 
Francisco,  Cal. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  county  until  he  was  ten  years 
of  age  when  he  commenced  working  in  his  father's 
mill  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  a  cloth  dresser. 
He  continued  to  work  for  his  father  until  twenty- 
one  years  old,  when  he  was  taken  into  partnership. 
This  relation  existed  for  one  year,  when  our  sub- 
ject rented  the  mill  and  ran  it  for  his  own  profit. 
In  1847  he  moved  the  machinery  of  the  mill  to 
Defiance  and  assisted  his  father  in  setting  up  the 
same,  when  he  returned  to  New  York.  His  father, 
however,  sent  for  him  to  return  to  Ohio,  as  the  fam- 
ily were  all  sick  and  our  subject  soon  after  arriving 
there  was  taken  sick  himself.  After  convalescing 
he  went  back  to  New  York  and  remained  there 
during  the  winter  of  1847.  In  the  spring  of  1848 
he  moved  his  family  to  Defiance  County  and  en- 
gaged, in  company  with  his  father,  in  the  niunn- 


I 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


245 


facture  of  cloth.  This  relation  existed  only  until 
the  fall  of  that  year,  when  our  subject  went  back 
to  York  State,  and  once  more  settling  at  Eden  em- 
barked in  the  lumber  business.  He  soon,  however, 
went  back  to  Defiance,  and  purchasing  a  lot  in  that 
place  erected  a  building  thereon.  The  climate  did 
not  agree  with  him  and  the  doctor  ordered  him  to 
return  to  York  State,  which  he  did,  and  for  three 
years  was  more  or  less  afflicted  with  chills  and  fe- 
ver and  unable  to  do  any  manual  labor.  In  1852 
he  was  elected  Constable  and  performed  the  duties 
of  that  office  for  one  year.  About  this  time  he 
purchased  twenty-five  acres  of  land  and  was  also 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  attended  to  the 
duties  of  that  office  while  cultivating  his  little  farm. 

In  1855  our  subject  came  to  Leroy  on  a  visit 
to  his  sister  and  accompanied  by  bis  father.  The 
latter  purchased  160  acres  of  laud  about  one  mile 
north  of  Leroy,  for  which  he  paid  $11  per  acre. 
They  returned  East,  and  the  following  spring  our 
subject  with  his  family  came  he:e  and  located  and 
improved  a  part  of  the  land  which  his  father  had 
purchased.  It  was  an  exceedingly  dry  summer 
and  in  consequence  thereof  the  crops  were  a  failure 
and  onr  subject  lost  his  all.  He  returned  to  New 
York  $1,500  in  debt  and  began  life  anew  by  work- 
ing at  anything  he  could  find  to  do  until  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  He  then  engaged  as  clerk  and  book- 
keeper in  a  wholesale  fruit,  feed  and  vegetable  estab- 
lishment and  remained  with  the  firm  one  year.  In 
1858  he  went  on  his  father-in-laws'  farm  and  as- 
sisted him  until  the  fall  of  that  year.  Then  in 
company  with  an  old  schoolmate  our  subject  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business,  his  partner  furnish- 
ing the  capital.  Their  store  was  located  at  Piden 
Valley,  and  they  continued  the  business  for  two 
and  a  half  years  when  they  sold  out,  and  from  that 
time  until  1865,  our  subject  performed  the  duties 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

In  the  spring  of  1865  Mr.  Barnuru  came  to 
Bloom  iugton  where  he  engaged  as  book-keeper  in 
a  lumber-yard  for  Bruner  &  Whitmer.  He  was 
with  this  firm  five  years  and  then,  moving  to  Leroy. 
he,  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Bruuer,  embarked  in 
the  same  business.  He  soon  thereafter  added  the 
coal  business  to  that  already  established,  and  one 
year  was  engaged  in  buying  grain  for  E.  H.  Rood. 


In  the  fall  of  1871  our  subject  commenced  buying 
grain  on  his  own  account.  In  1872,  in  company 
with  Bruner  &  Keenan,  he  purchased  the  flouring 
mill  at  Leroy,  and  in  1876  our  subject  and  Mr. 
Keenan  purchased  Mr.  Bruner's  interest  in  the  mill, 
and  the  firm  has  since  been  Barnum  &  Keenan. 
Mr.  Barnum  is  also  interested  with  Mr.  Keenan  in 
farming  and  stock-raising,  and  they  own  in  part- 
nership 380  acres  of  good  land. 

Samuel  F.  Barnum  was  married  to  Clarinda 
Bunting  in  1854.  She  was  born  at  Eden,  Erie  Co., 
N.  Y.,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Levi  and  Christine 
Bunting.  She  departed  this  life  in  1861,  and  in 
1 865  Mr.  Barnum  was  married  to  Eliza  A.  Patter- 
son. Of  our  subjects'  first  union  three  children 
were  born :  Matilda  M.  married  Charlton  Waters, 
and  they' are  living  at  Leroy ;  Henry  C.  died  in  Le- 
roy in  1856,  and  Henry  I.  is  a  book-keeper  for  Bar- 
num &  Keenan.  The  second  union  of  our  subject 
was  blest  by  the  birth  of  two  children — Percy 
Davis  and  George  Perrin.  Mr.  Barnum  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics  and  has  served  the  city  of  Le- 
roy as  Mayor,  and  at  present  is  Supervisor  of  Em- 
pire Township.  He  was  President  of  the  Empire 
Loan  and  Building  Association  during  its  entire  ex- 
istence, eight  years,  and  has  been  President  of  the 
Leroy  Loan  and  Building  Association  since  its  or- 
ganization. Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  holding  fellowship  with  Leroy  Lodge 
No.  221. 

(0) 


,,..,  ARON  P.  RHODES,  a  wealthy  and  influen- 
Ol    tial    resident   of   Bloomington   Township, 


f 


owns  and  occupies  a  fine  estate  on  section 
24.  He  comes  from  a  prominent  family, 
the  first  representatives  of  whom  in  this  section, 
settled  in  this  part  of  the  Prairie  State  before  the 
land  had  been  surveyed,  in  1823.  They  located  a 
"  squatter's "  claim,  which,  when  surveyed,  em- 
braced sections  22  (for  the  house  and  a  small  por- 
tion of  land),  and  14  and  15.  This  land  is  yet  in 
possession  of  the  family,  and  our  subject  owns  the 
homestead  as  it  was  first  laid  out.  The  father  was 
accidentally  killed  by  an  engine  of  the  I.,  B.  &  W. 
li.  R.,  near  his  home,  Aug.  20,  1875,  and  w.ii 
nearly  eighty  years  of  age.  He  was  a  man  greatly 


-I 


1'IC, 


M<- LEAN    COUNTY. 


t 


respected  and  of  flue  abilities,  kind  and  generous 
in  his  disposition,  and  exercised  a  good  influence 
over  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  wife, 
who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Mary  Johnson, 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  came  North  in  early  youth, 
and  met  her  husband  for  the  first  time  in  Cham- 
paign Count}'.  Ohio.  She  was  a  most  amiable  and 
lovable  Christian  lady,  and  by  her  noble  qualities 
of  mind  and  character  was  well  fitted  to  be  the 
companion  of  such  a  man  as  her  husband.  She 
came  t.o  Illinois  with  him,  and  departed  this  life  in, 
Bloomington  on  the  15th  of  February,  1845. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Eben- 
ezer  Rhodes,  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  where  he 
was  educated  and  reared  to  manhood.  In  his  na- 
tive State  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Mary 
Starr,  which  soon  ripened  into  a  mutual  attach- 
ment, and  in  due  time  she  became  his  wife.  After 
their  marriage  they  came  to  Illinois,  where  Mr. 
Rhodes,  who  was  of  a  deeply  religious  turn  of 
mind,  became  a  local  minister  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  They  spent  the  latter  part  of  their  lives 
in  Bloomington  Township,  and  here  closed  their 
eyes  forever  to  the  scenes  of  earth. 

Aaron  P.  Rhodes  of  our  sketch  was  the  youngest 
of  his  parents'  family  of  nine  children,  which  was 
composed  of  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom 
two  sons  and  one  daughter  are  yet  living.  He  re- 
ceived an  early  education  in  the  log  school-house, 
and  being  studious  and  fond  of  books,  in  due  time 
was  prepared  to  enter  college.  About  this  time 
came  the  call  for  volunteer  troops  for  the  defense 
of  the  Union,  and  young  Rhodes,  laying  aside  his 
personal  interests  and  inclinations,  responded  to 
the  call  and  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  Co.  G,  17th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  their  Captain  being  O.  A.  Burgess,  Prin- 
cipal of  the  college  where  young  Rhodes  intended 
to  pursue  his  studies.  They  were  assigned  to  the 
Western  division  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and- 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Frederickstown,  Ft. 
Henry,  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  luka,  Jackson, 
Memphis  and  Vieksburg.  They  were  also  at  the 
siege  and  capture  of  the  latter  city,  and  afterward 
in  the  engagement  at  Yazoo,  Miss.  Mr.  Rhodes 
escaped  through  these  many  engagements  and 
oilier  skirmishes  without  being  seriously  injured 
or  imprisoned,  and  at  the  close  of  the  term  for 


which  he  enlisted  received  an  honorable  discharge 
at  Springfield,  in  July,  1864,  having  served  his 
country  faithfully  for  more  than  three  years,  and 
reported  for  duty  each  time  without  fail  from  the 
hour  that  he  heard  of  the  firing  of  Ft.  Sumter  until 
he  was  mustered  out.  He  did  not  enter  the  army 
for  amusement  or  glory,  but  simply  because  he 
realized  the  importance  of  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  and  with  thousands  of  other  brave  spirit.- 
he  was  willing  to  yield  his  life  for  this  cause  should 
it  be  the  will  of  Providence. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  and  after  Mr.  Rhodes 
had  been  transformed  from  a  soldier  to  a  civilian, 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Bloomington  Township, 
and  at  once  commenced  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count. He  soon  felt  the  need  of  a  helpmeet  and 
sympathizer,  and  accordingly  on  the  9th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1864,  he  was  married  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, to  Miss  Martha  M.  Cox.  This  lad}'  was  born 
in  McLean  County,  Aug.  9,  1834,  and  died  at  the 
home  of  her  husband,  in  Bloomington  Township, 
Feb.  20,  1876.  (For  parental  history  see  sketch  of 
David  Cox.)  Mrs.  R.  became  the  mother  of  two 
children :  Edward,  a  bright  and  promising  young 
man,  who  completed  his  business  and  law  education 
at  the  Evergreen  City  Business  College,  and  is  now  in 
the  Normal  School  at  Valparaiso,  Ind. ;  andOraM., 
who  is  attending  school  with  bright  prospects  for  a 
good  education,  as  he  is  fond  of  his  books  and  ap- 
plies himself  faithfully. 

Mr.  R.  was  the  second  time  married,  in  Randolph 
Township,  this  county,  on  the  13th  of  October, 
1880,  to  Miss  Lottie  E.  Reid,  who  was  born  in 
Champaign  County,  Ohio,  on  the  22d  of  March, 
1848.  Her  parents  subsequently  removed  from 
that  State  and  are  now  residents  of  Randolph 
Township,  McLean  County.  Mrs.  R.  received  her 
early  education  in  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  county 
with  her  parents  in  October,  1875.  She  began 
teaching  when  twenty  years  of  age,  and  followed 
this  profession  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  She  is  an 
amiable  and  accomplished  lady,  and  is  highly  re- 
spected in  this  community. 

.M  r.  Rhodes  is  the  possessor  of  800  acres  of  some 
of  the  finest  farming  land  in  this  section  of  the 
Prairie  State.  It  is  finely  improved  and  cultivat- 
ed, and  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  pursuits  of  ag- 


T 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

247 


riculture  Mr.  Rhodes  is  giving  much  attention  to 
the  breeding  of  fine  stock.  He  has  also  beei>  en- 
gaged in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  mules  for  the 
past  ten  years,  and  has  brought  to  the  State  some 
of  the  finest  draft  animals  ever  exhibited  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley.  His  possessions,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  about  1  (JO  acres,  have  been  the  accumu- 
lation of  his  own  industry  and  perseverance,  and  lie 
has  illustrated  in  a  marked  manner  what  a  resolute 
will  can  accomplish. 

The  family  residence  is  a  model  of  beauty  and 
comfort,  and  in  all  its  appointments  is  indicative 
of  cultivated  tastes  and  abundant  means.  The 
grounds  around  it  and  the  barns  and  out-buildings 
correspond  with  the  dwelling,  being  shapely  and 
tasteful  structures,  which  embellish  the  place  and 
add  to  the  general  effect  of  stability  and  attractive- 
ness. He  has  valuable  and  costly  farm  machinery, 
and  all  the  appliances  of  a  modern  farm  estate. 
Mr.  Rhodes  has  contributed  his  full  quota  toward 
the  development  of  this  section,  and  is  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  for  his  excellent  personal  traits  of 
character  and  the  qualities  which  have  rendered 
him  a  valued  citizen. 


RS.  NANCY  ARROWSMITH,  a  lady  well- 
known  and  highly  respected  in  Leroy, 
where  she  has  her  present  residence,  is  a 
native  of  Washington  County,  Md.,  and 
was  born  May  13,  1810.  Her  father,  John  Oliver, 
was  born  in  County  Derry,  Ireland,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits. 
Early  in  life  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  lo- 
cating first  in  Washington  County,  Md.  From 
there,  in  1812,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  three 
children,  he  emigrated  to  Ohio,  the  removal  being 
made  after  the  fashion  of  those  days,  overland  b}' 
wagons.  He  located  in  Ross  County,  being  among 
the  early  pioneers  of  that  section,  and  purchased  a 
tract  of  timber  land  upon  which  he  erected  a  log 
house  and  in  due  time  opened  up  a  good  farm 
where  he  lived  to  see  the  country  around  him  de- 
veloped and  brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation. 
He  died  there  upon  the  homestead  which  he  had 
established,  on  the  12th  of  February,  1852,  at  the 


advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  In  early 
manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Beck,  who  was  born  in  Maryland  and  descended 
from  Scottish  ancestry.  She  also  died  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  13,  1852,  surviving  her  hus- 
band only  a  few  months.  The  parental  family  in- 
cluded nine  children. 

The  subject  of  this  history  made  her  home  with 
her  parents  until  her  marriage  with  John  Wesley 
Arrowsmith,  which  occurred  on  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, 1823.  Mr.  A.  was  born  in  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  Oct.  31,  1805.  His  father,  Samuel  Arrow- 
smith,  and  his  grandfather,  also  named  Sam- 
uel, were  natives  of  Maryland.  The  latter  was  of 
English  descent  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Rqss 
County,  Ohio,  where  with  the  assistance  of  his 
children  he  improved  a  farm  upon  which  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  The  father  of  John  W. 
was  a  young  man  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Ohio,  and  not  long  afterward  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Ritter,  a  native  of  Maryland  and 
of  German  ancestry.  The  young  people  lived  in 
Ross  County  until  1839,  then  came  to  Illinois,  the 
journey  being  made  overland  with  wagons.  Mr.  A. 
purchased  quite  an  extensive  tract  of  land,  located 
in  what  is  now  Padua  and  Arrowsmith  Townships. 
He  made  his  home  in  the  former  township  and  re- 
mained there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1842.  His  widow  survived  him  many  years,  mak- 
ing her  home  with  her  children  the  latter  part  of 
her  life,  and  died  in  1869.  The  town  of  Arrow- 
smith  was  named  in  honor  of  this  family. 

Before  his  marriage  John  W.  Arrowsmith  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  the  old  homestead  of  his  father 
where  he  resided  with  his  family  until  1854.  He 
then  sold  out  and  came  overland  to  Illinois,  their 
household  goods  being  transported  in  wagons,  also 
the  provisions,  and  they  camped  and  cooked  by  the 
wayside.  After  a  journey  of  over  two  weeks  they 
arrived  in  this  county,  and  in  due  time  Mr.  A. 
purchased  250  acres  of  land  in  Empire  Township, 
besides  ninety  in  Padua,  four  miles  north  of  Leroy. 
Later  he  purchased  another  tract  in  Arrowsmith 
Township/  He  resided  on  his  homestead  in  Padua 
Township,  until  his  death,  Jan.  11,  1885.  Mrs.  A. 
now  lives  in  Leroy  with  her  daughter,  Maria. 
Her  six  children  are  located  as  follows :  Hannah, 


i 


248 


M,  LEAN    COUNTY. 


HINSHAW,  JR.,  deceased,  and  late 
of  Bloomington  Township,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  was  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  born  near  the  county  seat  of  Overtoil 
County  on  the  26th  of  December,  1820,  and  de- 
parted this  life  June  12,  1874,  at  his  home  in  the 
township  of  which  he  has  b«en  a  resident  for  over 
fifty  years.  During  this  long  period  he  had  fully 
established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  was  a  bright  example  of 
a  useful  and  worthy  life. 

Mr.  Hinshaw  came  with  his  parents  from  his  na- 
tive State  of  Tennessee  to  McLean  County,  111.,  in 
1827,  when  a  child  of  seven  years  old.  His  father, 
also  named  George  Hinshaw,  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State  as  his  son,  and  was  occupied  in  farming 
pursuits.  He  was  one  of  the  solid  and  substantial 
men  who  came  North  at  that  period  in  the  history 
of  the  development  of  the  new  territory  of  Illinois, 
and  assisted  in  opening  a  way  for  the  advance  of 
civilization.  The  country  was  then  wild  and  un- 
broken, but  he  possessed  the  dauntless  spirit  of  the 
pioneer  settler  of  that  day,  and  having  set  his  hand 
to  the  plow,  was  not  the  «one  to  turn  back.  His 
ancestors  were  of  English  Quaker  stock,  hard-work- 
ing and  industrious  people,  of  whom  the  represen- 
tatives in  this  country  are  not  now  numerous. 


Mrs.  Birney,  is  a  resident  of  Seward  County,  Neb. ; 
Ross  lives  in  Padua  Township,  McLean  Co.,  111.; 
Elizabeth  J.,  Mrs.  Wahls,  lives  in  Empire  Town- 
ship; Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Kellar,  in  Arrowsmith;  John 
W.  in  Padua,  and  Maria  in  Leroy. 

Mrs.  Arrowsmith  and  her  husband  connected 
themselves  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
early  in  life  of  which  they  remained  members  for 
a  period  of  over  fifty  years.  In  1883,  they  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding,  at  which  were  gath- 
ered a  large  number  of  relatives  and  friends,  and 
which  was  made  the  occasion  of  general  rejoicing 
because  such  worthy  and  excellent  people  were 
spared  so  long  to  live  among  the  acquaintances 
which  they  had  attached  to  them  by  their  uniform 
kindness  of  heart  and  blameless  lives. 


The  parental  household  of  our  subject  include) I 
seven  children,  of  whom  he  was  the  youngest  but 
one.  The  family  is  now  almost  extinct,  and  never 
having  been  very  prolific,  a  few  of  the  immediate 
relatives  of  our  subject  are  the  only  representatives 
living. 

Mr.  Hinshaw  of  whom  we  write,  after  attaining 
to  years  of  manhood,  was  married  to  Miss  Polly  M. 
Tolliver,  July  3,  1848,  near  the  western  limits  of 
the  city  of  Bloomington.  Mrs.  Hinshaw  was  the 
fifth  child  and  fourth  daughter  of  James  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Maxwell)  Tolliver,  and  was  born  Dec.  21. 
1828,  in  a  pioneer  log  cabin  of  Bloomington,  and 
has  never  lived  more  than  five  miles  away  from 
her  birthplace.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ashe 
County,  N.  C.,  where  they  were  reared,  and  dur- 
ing early  youth  came  with  their  respective  parents 
to  Indiana,  where  they  were  united  in  marriage 
after  attaining  to  suitable  age.  Their  wedding  oc- 
curred in  Clay  County,  and  after  the  birth  of  four 
children  they  made  their  preparations  for  a  jour- 
ney to  the  farther  West.  Corning  into  McLean 
County,  111.,  they  setttled  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship on  the  farm  'of  Mr.  J.  II.  Rhodes,  and  in  the 
log  cabin  where  Mrs.  Hinshaw  first  opened  her 
eyes  to  the  light  of  day  and  was  reared  to  woman- 
hood. 

Mr.  Tolliver  was  successful  in  his  western  ven- 
ture, and  as  time  passed  he  accumulated  a  large 
body  of  land  lying  in  what  is  now  the  west  end  of 
the  city  of  Bloomington,  and  which  is  the  site  of 
some  of  the  best  buildings  erected  there.  This 
land,  afterward  laid  out  in  town  lots,  was  entered 
by  Mr.  Tolliver  from  the  Government,  and  he  paid 
for  it  at  the  rate  of  $1.25  per  acre.  It  is  now  vnl- 
ued  at  hundreds  of  dollars  per  foot.  This  land  he 
retained  possession  of  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  20,  1848.  He  was  a  thorough  busi- 
ness man,  and  an  industrious,  enterprising  and  re- 
liable citizen.  In  politics  he  was  strongly  Demo- 
cratic, and  worked  hard  for  the  success  of  his  party 
in  this  section.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Hin- 
shaw,  is  yet  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  daugh- 
ter. She  is  still  strong  and  active,  and  retains,  to 
a  remarkable  degree,  her  mental  and  physical 
powers,  and  often  relates  in  an  interesting  manner 


RESIDENCE     OF     N  .  A  .  KA1YIPF,  SEC.  7  .  MOUNT  HOPE      TP. 


RESIDENCE    OF     NICHOLAS      IYI  AURER  ,SEC  .10  ,  DANVERS  TP 


RESIDENCE    OF  5AM1.Y.   EWING  ,  SEC.  17.  MOUNT   HOPE      T 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


251 


many  incidents  of  her  girlhood  and  the  after  years 
which  followed  during  the  time  of  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  Prairie  State. 

Mr.  Hinshaw  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
intelligence  and  ability,  and  kept  himself  well 
posted  in  regard  to  matters  of  general  interest. 
He  was  well  informed,  an  extensive  reader,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  local  politics,  being  a  zeal- 
ous worker  for  the  success  of  the  Democratic  party. 
In  business  affairs  he  was  a  skillful  manager,  shrewd, 
and  keenly  observant  of  what  vvas  going  on  around 
him,  and  exercised  good  judgment  in  his  money 
transactions.  Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs. 
Ilinshaw  has  managed  the  large  business  interests 
left  upon  her  hands  in  a  highly  intelligent  and  suc- 
cessful manner.  She  comes  of  a  good  family,  was 
carefully  reared  and  educated,  and  eminently  fitted 
to  be  the  companion  of  her  husband.  She  owns 
240  acres,  which  constitutes  the  present  homestead, 
and  also  eleven  acres  within  the  limits  of  Normal, 
this  county.  Belonging  to  the  estate  there  is  also 
a  tract  of  land  comprising  1,200  acres  near  Baxter 
•Springs,  Cherokee  Co.,  Kan.;  they  also  own  a  three- 
story  business  house  at  No.  108  West  Front  street, 
Bloomington.  The  family  residence  is  a  tasteful 
structure,  comfortable  and  convenient  in  all  its  ap- 
pointments, and  the  barns  and  out-buildings  cor- 
respond in  every  respect  to  the  dwelling.  The 
children  were  carefully  reared  and  educated,  and 
are  of  invaluable  aid  to  their  mother  in  the  man- 
agement of  the  large  interests  for  which  she  holds 
herself  responsible.  Mrs.  Hinshaw  has  a  family  of 
four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter;  Ida 
became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Hull ;  the  sons — Ezra,  Toby 
and  Rolla — remain  at  home  assisting  their  mother. 


'RCHIBALD  CAMPBELL,  who  is  de- 
scended from  an  honorable  line  of  Scotch 
ancestry,  was  born  in  the  Land  of  the  This- 
tle in  1821!,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
America  two  years  afterward.  In  about  1840  he 
became  a  resident  of  Illinois,  and  until  within  the 
last  three  years  was  actively  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  He  is  now  a  resident  of  Blooming- 
ton,  where  he  owns  and  occupies  a  good  residence 


which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  13,100.  He  has  been 
intimately  identified  with  the  industrial  and  agri- 
cultural interests  of  McLean  Count}'  for  the  last 
forty  years,  and  is  held  in  the  highest  respect  by 
the  citizens  among  whom  he  has  moved  with  an 
honest  and  upright  purpose  and  a  blameless  life. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Archibald  and 
Elizabeth  (Shields)  Campbell,  also  natives  of  Scot- 
land. After  coming  to  America,  they  stopped  in 
Pittsburgh  for  eighteen  months,  and  then  went  into 
Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  and  were  residents  of  Lex- 
ington for  eight  yeare  following.  They  then 
moved  to  McLean  County,  locating  in  Orendorff 
settlement,  where  they  remained  one  year,  and 
thence  removed  to  Old  Town  Township,  where  the 
father  purchased  200  acres  of  land  at  first  and  sub- 
sequently added  300.  Here  he  remained  until  the 
close  of  his  life,  cultivating  the  soil  and  beautifying 
the  homestead,  and  was  buried  on  a  portion  of  land 
over  which  he  had  walked  for  so  many  years.  He 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years  and  an  El- 
der in  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  his  wife  was 
also  a  devoted  member.  The  record  of  their  four 
sons  is  as  follows :  John  is  a  merchant  of  McLean 
County,  and  all  the  other  brothers  are  residents 
here. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-four  years  old,  assisting  in  the 
labors  of  the  farm  and  receiving  a  practical  educa- 
tion. He  then  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  which 
he  paid  for  before  his  marriage,  afterward  making 
further  purchases,  first  of  eighty  and  then  of  120 
acres,  and  then  his  father  left  him  eighty  acres. 
To  this  he  afterward  .added  sixty  acres,  and  lias 
also  160  acres  near  Farmington  City,  and  eighty 
near  Amboy,  Lee  County. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  married,  in  1851,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Twining,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
June  2,  1833,  and  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Twining, 
a  native  of  the  same  State.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  seven  children,  three  now  living,  and  the  rec- 
ord is  as  follows:  Mar}'  B.,  Mrs.  Wagner,  was  born 
Feb.  21,  1852,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children — 
Charles  F.,Gracie  (deceased),  Abbie  J.,  Edna,  and 
an  infant  unnamed;  Sarah  E.,  Mrs.  Gregory,  was 
born  Dec.  10,  1850,  and  has  two  children — Ella  M. 
and  Goldio  E.;  Thomas  A.  was  born  May.  2,  1851), 


t 


f 


f 


<       252 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  married  Miss  Mary  Nogel;  they  have  two  chil- 
dren— Howard  and  Klnura;  Franklin  E.,  born  Dee. 
'.I,  18(51,  died  Oct.  13,  1886;  Howard  A.,  born  Aug. 
•2,  1S64,  died  .Ian.  31,  1882;  Charles  E..  born  Oct. 
23,  18G7,  is  attending  college  at  Bloomington;  Nel- 
lie A.,  born  May  24,  1871,  is  at  home  with  her 
parents. 

Mr.  and  M  rs.  <  .  arc  worthy  member!*  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  of  Bloomington,  and  in  poli- 
tics our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  was 
School  Trustee  while  on  a  farm,  and  belonged  to 
the  Union  League.  No  man  in  McLean  County  is 
held  in  higher  respect  than  our  subject,  and  no  lady 
is  more  worthy  of  esteem  than  his  amiable  and  ex- 
cellent wife. 


flLLIAM  J.  BALDRIDGE,  a  prosperous 
farmer  of  White  Oak  Township,  is  located 
on  section  -J.'i,  where  he  has  a  comfortable 
homestead,  and  is  surrounded  by  all  the  necessaries 
and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He  is  a  native 
of  the  Buckeye  State,  having  been  born  in  Adams 
County,  Ohio,  Oct.  13,  1839.  His  parents  were 
William  and  Margaret  (Kane)  Baldridge,  natives 
of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  born 
in  180;"),  and  is  still  living.  lie  came  to  Illinois  in 
1852,  and  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  White 
Oak  Township,  upon  which  he  remained  until  1858, 
and  then  retired  from  active  labor  and  took  up  his 
residence  in  the  village  of  Oak  Grove.  His  wife, 
the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  180G,  and 
died  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  White  Oak 
Township,  in  August,  1867. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  consisted  of 
six  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows: 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  William  Ramsey,  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  children.  Mr.  Ramsey  be- 
ing deceased;  Samuel  married  Mus  Kirkpatriek; 
Martha  is  now  Mrs.  A.  Hart;  James  W.  married 
Miss  Martha  Johnson;  William  J.,  of  this  sketch, 
was  the  fifth  child;  George  T.  married  Miss  Hattie 
Ewins,  now  deceased ;  his  second  wife  was  Miss 
Amanda  Leach. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  by  his  par- 
ent>.  and  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  he 


had  attained  his  majority,  lie  wa>  married  Nov. 
21,  1867,  to  Miss  Caroline  Wright,  who  was  born 
in  Ohio,  Feb.  6,  1848.  Mrs.  B.  is  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  (Balas)  Wright,  both  natives  of 
Ohio,  where  the  father  died  Nov.  13,  187(1.  The 
mother  still  survives,  and  is  now  living  at  Chenoa. 
this  county.  The  household  circle  was  completed 
by  the  birth  of  eleven  children,  as  follows :  Mary 
J.  was  the  eldest;  Nancy  died  when  sixteen  years 
of  age;  Samuel  A.  died  in  1807,  aged  thirty-five 
years;  William  II.  and  Albert  8.  are  resident^  of 
Mound  City,  Kan.,  the  latter  being  Mayor;  Sarah 
C.,  the  twin  sister  of  Albert,  is  living  at  Chenoa, 
this  county;  Elizabeth  A.  died  when  a  small  child; 
John  B.  is  living  in  Kansas;  Martha  died  in  in- 
fancy; Caroline  is  Mrs.  Baldridge;  James  A.  died 
when  two  years  of  age. 

William  J.  Baldridge  came  to  Illinois  in  the 
spring  of  1852,  being  a  lad  of  thirteen  years.  He 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools, 
and  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry  and  principles 
of  honor.  He  commenced  early  in  life  to  lay  his 
plans  for  the  future,  and  was  willing  to  work  for 
his  possessions.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  240  acres 
of  fine  land,  and  is  an  extensive  breeder  of  fine 
horses,  turning  his  attention  mostly  to  Norman  and 
Clydesdale  stock.  His  stables  include  four  fine 
Morgan  roadsters,  which  are  models  of  endurance 
and  speed.  As  a  stock-breeder  he  has  gained  an 
enviable  reputation  in  this  vicinity,  and  has  exer- 
cised admirable  judgment  in  the  management  and 
care  of  valuable  animals. 

Mr.  Baldridge  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  the  county  since  attaining  to  years  of  manhood. 
He  was  elected  Supervisor  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  in  187!),  and  has  served  the  county  in  that 
capacity  six  terms.  He  has  been  Chairman  of  the 
committee  on  education,  and  has  been  the  encour- 
agcr  and  supporter  of  every  measure  to  advance 
the  prosperity  and  intelligence  of  the  people  of 
this  section.  He  has  held  all  the  minor  offices  of 
White  Oak  Township,  and  is  highly  esteemed  in 
the  councils  of  his  townsmen,  for  his  cool  and  tem- 
perate judgment  and  the  general  fund  of  informa- 
tion which  assists  him  in  determining  questions  of 
importance.  In  religions  matters  he  has  been  no 
less  active  than  in  civil  affairs.  He  was  reared  in 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


253 


the  Presbyterian  Church,  but  is  now  connected 
with  the  Methodist,  holding  the  offices  of  Trustee, 
Steward  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday -School. 

During  the  progress  of  the  late  war  Mr.  Bald- 
ridge  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  94th  Regi- 
ment, Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a  private,  and 
participated  in  several  general  engagements.  He 
was  in  the  Western  and  Southern  armies,  and  takes 
pride  in  the  knowledge  that  he  was  never  beaten  in 
a  race  with  the  rebels,  never  under  arrest,  never 
in  the  hospital  and  never  wounded  in  battle.  After 
serving  three  years  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge, in  1865. 

Mr.  and  'Mrs.  Baldridge  became  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  namely:  Clarence.  Myrtie,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years;  Lucia,  lola,  Mary  Ma- 
bel, William  C.,  Estella,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mar- 
garet; Edith  who  diedin  infancy  and  John  Carl. 
In  politics  Mr.  Baldridge  is  Republican. 


GE  H.  COX,  of  Bloomiugton,  proprie- 
tor  of  the  Hungarian  Roller  Mill,  is  one 
°f  the  rising  young  men  of  the  city,  and  is 
rapidly  attaining  to  a  prominent  position  among  its 
industrial  interests.  Mr.  Cox  was  born  in  Dixfleld, 
Oxford  Co.,  Me.,  Nov.  22,  1848.  His  father, 
Thomas  J.  Cox,  was  a  general  merchant  of  Dix- 
field,  and  his  mother,  who  before  her  marriage  was 
Miss  Almira  Millett,  was  a  native  of  Norway.  Both 
are  now  deceased. 

The  subject  of  this  history  spent  his  boyhood 
in  his  native  town,  and  there  received  his  primary 
education.  He  soon  afterward  went  to  the  city  of 
Boston,  Mass.,  and  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store.  In 
June,  I860,  he  started  for  the  West, and  landing  in 
Bloomiugton,  became  book-keeper  for  his  brother, 
Thomas  J.,  who  had  preceded  him  to  this  locality 
and  had  set  up  in  business  for  himself.  After  five 
years  thus  occupied  young  Cox  purchased  a  one- 
fourth  interest  in  the  Eagle  Mills,  and  later  a  half 
interest.  He  then  sold  out  and  purchased  the 
Vienna  Mills  at  Peoria,  which  he  operated  about 
five  years,  and  until  the  property  was  destroyed  by 
fire.  This  calamity  involved  a  loss  of  nearly  $16,- 
000,  but  was  insured  for  a  little  over  $1 2,000.  Mr. 


Cox  then  returned  to  Bloomington,  and  purchased 
the  Union  and  Hungarian  Mills,  which  he  remod- 
eled and  enlarged,  and  put  in  a  complete  roller 
system.  He  is  still  operating  these  mills,  the  Union 
having  been  changed  in  name,  being  now  known 
as  the  Crown  Roller  Mills,  and  which  are  located  on 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  The  Hungarian 
Mills  are  on  the  Chicago  <fc  Alton  Railroad,  and  to 
both  are  secured  the  best  of  shipping  facilities, 
having  a  capacity  of  350  barrels  in  twenty-four 
hours.  The  grades  upon  leaving  this  point  go  to 
local  points,  and  the  mill  feed  to  Philadelphia,  and 
includes  the  best  grades  of  flour  sold  in  the  States 
of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio  and  Missouri.  The  lower 
grades  are  shipped  to  New  York  City  for  exporta- 
tion. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married,  Sept.  1,  1872,  to  Miss  Clara 
M.  Bruner,  of  Bloomington,  daughter  of  George 
Bruner,  Esq.  They  have  one  child  living,  a  son, 
Herman  W. ;  a  daughter,  Lutie  Dell,  died  when  six 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Cox  commenced  business  on  a 
small  capital,  but  by  energy  and  close  application 
has  accumulated  a  handsome  property.  He  is  a 
practical  and  thorough  business  man,  greatly  re- 
spected by  his  friends  and  associates,  and  is  con- 
tributing his  full  share  toward  the  prosperity  of 
this  section. 


ENRY  BEDELL,  deceased,  formerly  occu- 
pied a  prominent  position  among  the  ex- 
tensive landowners  and  successful  stock- 
raisers  of  Padua  Township.  He  was  born 
in  Greene  County,  N.  Y.,  May  9, 1806,  and  departed 
this  life  at  his  home  in  Padua  Township,  this 
county,  March  21,  1884.  He  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam Bedell,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State,  who 
spent  his  entire  life  in  Greene  Count}',  where  he  fol- 
lowed agriculture  for  many  years  and  then  retired 
from  active  labor  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  early 
industry.  He  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  dying  in 
Athens,  N.  Y.  The  mother  died  when  her  son,  Henry, 
was  but  a  youth.  He  started  out  early  in  life  to 
do  for  himself  and  after  arriving  to  years  of  man- 
hood was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Deborah 
Searles,  of  New  Baltimore  Township,  Greene 
County,  N.  Y.,  their  wedding  occuriug  on  the  2'Jth 


/ 

I 


t 


,  ,    254 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  January,  1840.  Mrs.  B.  also  was  born  in  Greene 
County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  29,  1814.  After  marriage  the 
young  people  settled  in  their  native  county  and 
there  their  seven  children  were  born:  Hannah  J. 
became  the  wife  of  George  W.  Bingham,  a  farmer 
of  Blue  Mound  Township,  this  county;  William  S. 
married  Miss  Cornelia  A.  Rowley,  and  is  carrying 
on  a  farm  in  Padua  Township;  Caleb  S.,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Delia  Brown,  of  Padua  Township,  owns 
and  operates  an  eighty  acre  farm  but  lives  upon  the 
old  homestead  with  his  mother,  cultivating  also  a 
part  of  this;  Palmer,  unmarried,  is  farming  in  Ne- 
braska; Lawrence  L.  is  located  on  a  farm  of  fifty- 
three  acres  in  Padua  Township,  having  been  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Estelle  C.  Fuller;  Henry,  Jr.,  married 
Miss  Anna  Horine,  and  is  carrying  on  agriculture 
on  his  own  homestead  of  fifty-five  acres  in  Padua 
Township;  Philena  C.  married  Andrew  T.  Dorland, 
and  lives  in  Nebraska. 

Mr.  Bedell  came  with  his  family  to  Padua  Town- 
ship in  1801,  and  established  a  permanent  home- 
stead upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death.  The 
homestead  consists  of  320  acres  of  finely  cultivated 
land,  a  handsome  and  commodious  residence  and 
all  the  buildings  necessary  to  the  completion  of  a 
first-class,  modern  farm  estate.  Mr.  B.  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  in  politics  a 
stanch  Republican.  He  in  all  respects  fulfilled  the 
duties  of  a  good  citizen  and  assisted  materially  in 
building  up  the  business  and  agricultural  interests 
of  this  section. 


^ALTER  BARNARD,  SK.,  deceased,  a  rep- 
resentative citizen  of  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, within  whose  boundaries  he  had  lived 
for  a  period  of  about  thirty  years,  was  a  highly  re- 
spected member  of  society,  and  successful  in  his 
farming  and  business  pursuits.  The  subject  of 
this  history  was  born  in  McLean  County,  near 
Hey  worth,  Feb.  4,  1831,  and  departed  this  life 
in  Bloomington  Township.  He  was  the  son  of 
Frederick  and  Mary  (Canedy)  Barnard,  who  came 
to  this  county  as  pioneer  settlers,  and  passed  the 
greater  part  of  their  lives  afterward  in  Blooming- 
ton  City.  Frederick  Barnard  was  born  March  6, 


1  T'.t'.i,  and  died  in  Bloomington,  Aug.  25.  1851. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  Nov.  2,  17'.)!, 
and  died  in  Bloomington. 

Walter  Barnard,  Sr.,  was  the  third  of  a  family  of 
six  children,  five  of  whom  lived  to  mature  years. 
but  only  two  of  whom  now  survive,  a  son  and 
daughter.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  with 
his  parents,  and  there  gained  the  experience  which 
afterward  fitted  him  for  successful  operation  in  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture.  Aside  from  general  farming 
he  was  successfully  engaged  in  buying  and  selling 
stock,  and  his  good  judgment  enabled  him  to  oper- 
ate successfully  and  profitably  in  this  line.  He  was 
an  upright  business  man,  and  a  stanch  adherent  of 
the  Republican  party. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Bloomington,  on  the 
8th  of  April,  1860,  to  Miss  Susan  Lawrence.  Mrs. 
B.  is  a  native  of  Boone  County,  Ind.,  born  Feb.  24. 
1839.  Her  parents  came  to  Ta/ewell  County,  111., 
when  she  was  about  eight  years  of  age,  and  located 
upon  a  farm,  where  the  mother  died.  Her  father, 
in  the  spring  of  1885,  came  to  McLean  County, 
which  remained  his  home  until  his  decease,  which 
occurred  on  the  17th  of  July,  1885.  He  was  a  good 
man  in  eveiy  sense  of  the  term,  honest  and  indus- 
trious, and  had  a  good  influence  over  all  those  with 
whom  he  associated.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch 
Democrat,  and  took  an  intelligent  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  community. 

Mrs.  Barnard  was  educated  in  Ta/.ewell  County,' 
and  received  careful  parental  training,  remaining 
at  home  until  she  attained  to  womanhood,  and  after 
the  death  of  her  mother  until  the  second  marriage 
of  her  father.  She  then  left  home  and  supported 
herself  until  her  marriage  with  our  subject.  She  is 
a  lady  greatly  esteemed  in  this  vicinity,  and  is 
widely  known  for  her  kindness  of  heart  and  gener- 
ous womanly  sympathies.  Of  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  there  have  been  born  three  children, 
one  of  whom,  Peter  J.,  who  was  born  June  10, 
1864,  died  Sept.  26,  1865;  Lydia  M.,  born  April 
1,  1*61,  is  the  wife  of  Alex  Robertson,  and  with 
her  husband  lives  on  the  homestead  of  Mrs.  B. ; 
they  "have  two  children — Perl,  B.,  born  Nov.  8, 1 878, 
and  Alex,  Jr.,  Aug.  30,  ]X«1.  Walter  Barnard,  Jr., 
is  attending  school,  and  makes  his  home  with  his 
mother.  Mrs.  B.,  in  her  own  right,  possesses  fort}-- 


I 


*r* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


255 


seven  acres  of  valuable  land  besides  the  home  which 
she  occupies.  She  has  been  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  since  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  has 
carried  out  in  her  daily  life  and  conversation  the 
principles  of  true  religion. 


xp^UST 

!|(  <~i)  go-a 
\^J)    sive 


I* STAVE  A.  ENSENBERGER,  one  of  the 
•ahead  men  of  Bloomington,  is  exten- 
ely  engaged  in  the  retail  furniture  busi- 
ness, and  has  been  a  resident  of  this  city  since  the 
spring  of  1868.  He  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  and  was 
born  Aug.  31, 1851.  When  he  was  two  years  old 
his  parents,  George  and  Catharine  Ensenberger,  emi- 
grated to  America.  After  reaching  New  York 
City  they  proceeded  to  Vincennes,  Ind.,  whence, 
after  a  short  time  they  removed  to  Aurora,  the 
same  State,  where  Gustave  attended  school.  In 
1868  George  Ensenberger,  with  his  family,  moved 
to  Bloomington,  through  the  influence  of  Dr. 
Schroeder,  the  expert  horticulturist  of  Bloomington, 
whose  circulars  and  advertisements  had  attracted 
his  attention. 

After  arriving  here  young  Gustave  was  em- 
ployed in  the  vineyard  of  Dr.  S.  a  few  months, 
and  was  then  employed  by  the  Bloomington  Manu- 
facturing Company,  with  whom  he  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade  and  the  fitting  of  sash,  doors  and 
blinds.  With  this  company  he  remained  eleven 
years,  and  having  accumulated  quite  a  little  capi- 
tal, in  the  fall  of  1879  went  into  the  furniture  busi- 
ness for  himself  in  the  building  known  as  the  Bee 
Hive  store.  Here  he  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
furniture  on  a  small  scale,  at  the  same  time  doing  a 
retail  trade.  He  was  prospered  in  his  undertakings, 
and  in  due  time  his  business  became  too  large  for 
the  old  store  and  he  then  removed  to  the  Gridley 
Building,  which  he  occupied  until  1886,  and  then 
located  in  his  present  quarters,  having  purchased 
the  building  formerly  owned  by  Harwood  Bros, 
and  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  business  houses  in 
the  city.  He  now  carries  on  a  general  manufactur- 
ing business,  to  which  he  has  added  upholstery,  and 
gives  employment  to  seven  or  eight  men.  His 
building  is  25x100  feet,  and  three  stories  in  height 
with  ;i  basement  under  the  whole.  The  wareroom 


and  shop  is  31x100,  the  building  running  through 
from  street  to  street.  Mr.  E.  carries  a  large  and 
well-selected  stock,  and  besides  his  own  manufact- 
ure buys  largely  from  other  houses. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married,  in  1878. 
to  Miss  Lizzie  Reisch,  of  Springfield,  111.,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  three  children — Frank  (i.. 
Gustavus  S.  and  Elnora  S.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  St.  Mary's  (German) 
Catholic  Church,  and  their  attractive  home  is  the 
resort  of  the  first-class  citizens  of  Bloomington. 


AMES  A.  LASH,  occupying  a  valuable  farm 
estate  in  Bloomington  Township,  is  success- 
fully engaged  in  the  breeding  of  thorough- 
bred Poland-China  swine,  his  land  lying  near 
the  limits  of  the  city  of  Bloomington.  He  established 
his  present  business  in  1880,  and  is  the  possessor  of 
several  valuable  and  registered  animals,  the  head  of 
the  herd  being  Cassander,  No.  4297.  The  only 
time  he  was  ever  exhibited  was  at  the  fair  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  took  the  first  premium  in  an  ex- 
hibition of  800  hogs.  Mr.  Lash  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  breeding  operations,  and  keeps  from 
sixty  to  100  head  of  swine.  '  He  began  in  a  small 
way,  but  has  steadily  increased  his  business  until 
he  has  made  a  reputation  as  a  fair  dealer,  and 
having  a  good  understanding  of  his  business.  One 
of  his  pigs  exhibited  at  the  Chicago  fair  took  the 
first  premium,  and  was  sold  for  $200,  being  then 
only  six  months  old.  Its  dam,  Belle  of  McLain,  is 
numbered  10,898  in  the  books,  and  is  supposed  to 
be  the  most  successful  breeder  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Lash  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  is 
a  native  of  Bloomington  Township,  and  was  born 
on  the  7th  of  October,  1846.  He  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage,  being  reared 
to  habits  of  industry  and  economy,  and  became 
well  fitted  for  the  later  struggle  of  life.  He  was 
married,  Oct.  19,  1865  in  the  city  of  Bloomington, 
to  Miss  Sarah  F.  Livingston.  Mrs.  Lash  was  born 
in  Lincoln,  Ohio,  on  the  14th  of  March,  1845, 
and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  when  a 
child  ten  years  of  age.  They  settled  in  McLean 


f 


256 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


County,  and  her  father,  Isaac  Livingston,  died  in 
Normal  Township  in  1874.  He  was  an  industrious 
and  energetic  man,  a  successful  farmer,  and  highlj- 
respected  by  his  neighbors.  The  mother  of  .M  r-. 
L.,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Sarah  Wise, 
is  still  living,  at  an  advanced  age,  and  makes  her 
home  in  Pontiac,  111.  She  is  a  relative  of  Con- 
gressman Wise,  of  Virginia,  and  possesses  the  ex- 
cellent traits 'of  a  family  noted  for  its  ability  and 
prominence. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lash  have  become  the  parents  of 
three  children,  two  boys  and  one  girl — Willard  E., 
Josie  A.  and  Frank — all  at  home.  They  are  all 
connected  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  politi- 
cally Mr.  L.  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Democratic 
party. 

We  incorporate  in  this  biography  a  sketch  of 
Isaac  Lash,  father  of  the  above,  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  McLean  County  since  1834,  and  in  that 
long  period  has  witnessed  with  unabated  interest 
the  remarkable  changes  which  have  taken  place  in 
this  portion  of  the  State. 

Isaac  Lash  is  now  a  retired  farmer,  and  one  of 
the  representative  citizens  of  the  township  of  Bloom- 
ington.  He  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  farm  estate 
lying  on  sections.  27  and  34,  the  residence  being  on 
the  former.  He  has  here  240  acres  of  valuable 
land,  well  stocked  and  supplied  with  first-class 
farm  buildings.  His  earlier  life  was  industriously 
employed  in  the  establisment  of  his  present  com- 
fortable home,  and  his  years  of  persevering  toil 
have  yielded  him  a  handsome  competency. 

Isaac  Lash  was  born  near  Veruon,  Knox  Co., 
Ohio,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1820.  His  father, 
Nathaniel  Lash,  was  of  German  descent  and  a  na- 
tive of  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  Ohio  when  a 
young  boy  and  was  reared  in  Knox  County,  and 
for  several  years  was  there  employed  in  a  sawmill. 
He  had  been  married  in  the  meantime  to  Miss 
Charity  Short,  a  lady  who  was  born  near  Baltimore, 
Md.,  but  having  lost  her  parents  when  quite  young 
came  to  Ohio  with  a  neighbor,  and  was  reared  by 
strangers  from  the  time  she  was  ten  years  of  age. 
The  family  of  Isaac  Lash,  Sr.,  and  his  wife  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  four  sous  and  five  daugh- 
ters, one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  their  son 
Isaac,  heretofore  written  of,  was  the  eldest  but  one 


ill  the  family.  The  parents  and  their  eight  chil- 
dren came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  set- 
tled in  Putnam  County.  There  the  father  died  a 
few  months  later,  and  in  the  spring  of  1834  the 
mother  with  her  children  came  to  McLean  County. 
A  few  years  later  she  also  departed  this  life,  having 
passed  away  in  Tazewell  County,  where  they  had 
located  a  short  time  previously,  and  very  near  the 
line  of  McLean  County.  After  the  death  of  their 
mother  the  children  all  lived  together  for  a  time, 
and  separated  later,  each  one  being  compelled  to 
depend  upon  his  own  resources. 

Our  subject  then  employed  himself  at  whatever 
he  could  find  to  do,  receiving  but  small  pay  and 
working  hard,  but  saving  his  money.  He  was  em- 
ployed by  Zachariah  Simmons  for  a  period  of  five 
years,  for  which  he  received  $200.  He  was  stout 
and  rugged  and  could  do  a  man's  work,  and  this  pay 
seemed  far  out  of  proportion  to  what  he  really 
earned.  But  money  was  scarce  in  those  days,  and 
the  laborer  felt  that  he  should  be  content  with  cash 
even  though  it  was  a  small  sum.  Young  Lash, 
however,  was  healthy  and  energetic,  and  possessed 
a  proportionate  amount  of  courage  and  resolution. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-four  years  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Anna  Simmons,  at  the  residence 
of  the  bride's  parents  in  Bloomington  Township, 
on  the  27th  of  December,  1845.  Mrs.  L.  is  the 
daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Jones)  Simmons, 
natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Georgia.  In 
early  youth  they  came  with  their  parents  to  Indi- 
ana, where  they  were  reared  to  mature  years,  and 
received  the  advantages  of  an  education  in  the 
public  schools.  Of  their  union  there  were  born 
three  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Lash  was  the  young- 
est, her  birth  havyig  taken  place  on  the  18th  of 
April,  1830.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  the  parents 
with  their  three  children  came  west  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  McLean  County,  soon  afterward  becom- 
ing residents  of  Bloomington  Township,  where  they 
lived  until  their  removal  within  the  city,  where 
they  are  now  retired  from  active  labor,  and  are  en- 
joying the  fruits  of  their  early  toil  and  struggles. 

Mrs.  Lash  remained  with  her  parents  until  her 
marriage,  and  has  become  the  mother  of  nine  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  is  deceased.  Of  those  who  sur- 
vive the  record  is  as  follows :  James  A.  married 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


2o7 


Mis.s  Sarah  F.  Livingston,  and  they  reside  near 
the  city  of  Bloomington,  this  son,  being  like  his 
father,  a  dealer  in  fine  swine;  Eliza  J.  is  the  wife  of 
William  R.  Young,  a  farmer  of  Bloomington  Town- 
ship; Martha  A.  married  Daniel  B.  Snavely,  and 
they  reside  on  the  homestead;  Lev!  A.  married 
.\l  i.-s  Lenora  B.  Jones,  who  is  now  deceased ;  he  is  in 
California  engaged  in  mining;  David  N.  is  with  his 
brother  in  Eureka,  Cal. ;  Andrew  J.  died  at  the 
age  of  two  and  one-half  years;  Mary  E.  is  the 
widow  of  Ed.  Orendorff,  and  lives  at  home  with  her 
parents;  Frank  O.  married  Miss  Agnes  Houser,  and 
resides  in  Vermilion  County,  111. ;  William  E.  is  at 
home,  and  assists  in  operating  the  farm. 

After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  they  com- 
menced farming  operations  upon  rented  land,  then 
made  a  small  purchase,  which  they  subsequently 
added  to,  and  now  have  a  finely  improved  farm 
upon  which  they  are  passing  their  later  days  in  the 
peace  and  comfort  which  is  their  just  due  after  the 
labors  and  toil  of  their  earlier  years.  Mrs.  L.,  with 
three  sons  and  three  daughters,  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  L.  has  been 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  community  since  be- 
coming of  suitable  age,  having  held  most  of  the 
minor  offices.  He  was  Overseer  of  the  County 
Poor-farm  for  six  years,  and  conducted  the  affairs 
of  the  institution  creditably  and  with  good  judg- 
ment. Politically  he  is  Democratic,  and  occupies 
an  important  position  in  the  affairs  of  his  party  in 
this  vicinity. 


R.  CURTIS  KNIGHT,  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  reliable  citizens  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  came  to  the  Prairie  State 
in  1863,  from  Kentucky.  He  was  born  in 
Westmoreland,  N.  II.,  on  the  18th  of  January,  1816. 
His  father,  also  Curtis  by  name,  was  a  gentleman 
farmer  of  New  England  ancestry,  who  came  to 
America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  set- 
tled in  Massachusetts.  The  first  representative  of 
the  family  in  this  country  was  Jonathan  Knight,  an 
Englishman,  who  made  settlement  in  Massachusetts. 
He  was  the  father  of  only  one  child,  the  great- 
grandfather of  our  subject,  who,  after  ho  grew  to 


manhood,  in  his  native  State,  married  Miss  Dudley, 
who  was  closely  related  to  the  first  Governor  of 
Massachusetts.  This  lady  lived  to  the  advanced 
age  of  103  years,  and  died  in  Piermont,  in  Graf  ton 
Co.  N.  II.,  as  also  did  her  husband,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five  years. 

Jonathan  Knight  became  a  prominent  physician 
in  that  locality,  and  was  looked  up  to  as  a  leader 
among  the  men  of  his  county.  His  son  Curtis,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Westmoreland, 
N.  II.,  and  there  grew  to  manhood,  being  reared  to 
farming  pursuits.  He  afterward  removed  to  Corn- 
ish, X.  II.,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Betsey  Atwood, 
a  New  Hampshire  lady,  and  lived  there  in  the  lat- 
ter named  State  until  1846.  They  then  removed 
to  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Blackberry, 
Kane  County,  where  the  father  passed  the  remain- 
der of  his  days,  his  death  taking  place  about  1850, 
when  he  was  sixty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  energy  and  industry,  and  improved 
a  farm  from  a  tract  of  uncultivated  land,  so  that 
his  widow  was  left  in  comfortable  circumstances; 
she  is  now  residing  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Maria 
Fonvard,  at  Elkhart,  Ind.,  whose  husband  is  con- 
nected with  a  foundry  in  that  place.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  has  now  arrived  at  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty -nine  years,  and  is  a  bright  and  intelligent 
old  lady,  who  retains  her  natural  faculties  to  a  re- 
markable degree. 

Curtis  Knight  was  the  eldest  of  twelve  children 
born  to  his  parents,  seven  sons  and  five  daughters, 
all  of  whom  are  living  with  the  exception  of  two, 
a  son  and  daughter.  They  are  all  married  and 
comfortably  settled  in  homes  of  their  own.  Our 
subject  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  edu- 
cated at  Piermont  Academy.  In  1834  he  set  out 
in  life  on  his  own  account,  first  coming  to  New 
York  City,  and  after  a  tour  of  some  of  the  West- 
ern States  landed  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.  Before 
leaving  his  native  State  he  had  had  some  experi- 
ence as  a  teacher,  and  after  arriving  in  Kentucky 
again  took  up  the  profession  which  he  followed 
there  for  three  years. 

From  Bourbon  Mr.  Knight  removed  to  Clark 
County,  and  in  due  time  was  married  to  Miss 
Polly  A.  Emerson,  a  native  of  the  latter  county, 
and  who  bore  him  three  children,  one  son  and  two  ' 


f 


258 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


daughters,  nil  now  married:  Mary  became  the  wife 
of  Schuyler  Thompson,  of  McLean  County,  III ., 
and  is  now  living  in  Bloomington  Township :  James 
P.  married  Miss  Mildred  Stagner,  and  is  farming 
in  the  latter  named  township;  Sarah  married  Kufns 
Oldham,  a  farmer  of  Clark  County,  Ky.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  in  the  latter  named 
State  and  county,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Knight  had  been  in  Jack- 
son County,  Mo.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
three  years  before  returning  to  Clark  County,  Ky., 
and  before  the  death  of  his  wife,  and  he  Inid  also, 
as  opportunity  afforded,  gained  considerable  infor- 
mation in  dentistry.  After  the  death*  of  his  first 
wife  he  began  practicing,  and  was  thus  occupied 
for  two  years  in  Clark  and  Marion  Counties.  He 
had  been  successful  in  his  business  transactions  and 
at  this  time  purchased  a  farm  in  Madison  County, 
Ky.,  upon  which  he  located,  and  on  the  4th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1850,  was  married  to  Mrs.  Emily  (Corneli- 
son)  Ballard,  a  native  of  Madison  County.  Ky., 
who  was  born  in  1821.  She  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  her  native  county,  where  her  father  had 
settled  at  an  early  day,  and  was  one  of  the  promi- 
nent citizens  of  the  county,  in  which  he  was  proprie- 
tor of  a  valuable  plantation.  Mrs.  Knight  was  edu- 
cated and  accomplished,  and  has  always  occupied 
a  high  position  in  society. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knight  lo- 
cated upon  the  farm,  and  our  subject  followed  his 
self-appointed  trade  as  a  local  dentist  until  1863. 
The  Civil  War  being  then  in  progress,  he  came 
North  to  evade  the  hostile  attitude  of  the  Secess- 
ionists, himself  being  a  radical  Republican.  lie 
voted  for  Fremont  for  President  while  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  when  the  National  Convention  assem- 
bled at  Chicago  on  the  10th  of  May,  1860,  and 
nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for  President,  he  was 
present  as  a  delegate  and  voted  and  worked  for 
the  great  Illinoisan.  After  he  returned  home  from 
the  convention  he  began  to  arrange  with  other 
loyal  citizens  for  the  raising  of  a  home  guard  and 
the  organization  of  Union  clubs,  and  was  President 
of  the  one  in  Madison  County.  Under  his  super- 
vision these  clubs  or  companies  finally  became  the 
means  of  holding  in  check  Morgan  and  Zollieoffer, 
who  were  then  threatening  the  peace  and  security 


of  that  section  of  country.  The  life  of  our  subject 
was  frequently  threatened,  and  after  a  time  he 
deemed  it  expedient  to  remove  North.  As  one  of 
the  Home  Guards  he  was  at  the  battles  of  Wildcat 
and  Richmond,  and  was  subjected  to  great  loss  and 
annoyance  of  all  kinds;  his  horses  were  stolen,  and 
his  property  greatly  damaged  by  Morgan's  raiders. 
After  coming  North  one  of  his  sons  joined  the 
regular  army,  and  did  good  service  in  battle  for 
the  Union. 

After  coming  to  Illinois  Dr.  Knight  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Bloomington  Township, 
where  he  established  a  permanent  home  and  which 
he  has  since  occupied.  Both  the  Doctor  and  his 
excellent  lady  are  prominently  connected  with  the 
Christian  Church  at  Shirley,  and  our  subject  in  poli- 
tics is  as  thoroughly  reliable  as  he  was  during  the 
days  of  the  "late  unpleasantness." 


JOHN  II.  BRYANT,  contractor  and  builder, 
having  his  office  at  the  intersection  of  North- 
east and  Douglas  streets,  Bloomington,  may 
'  be  properly  numbered  among  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Illinois,  as  he  came  here  in  1837  with  his 
parents,  being  then  a  young  child.  He  was  born  in 
East  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Dec.  3,  1833,  his  parents 
being  Eben  and  Martha  (Brown)  Bryant,  natives  of 
Wakefield  and  Charlestown,  Mass.  Eben  Bryant 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  emigrated  from 
the  Bay  State  to  Illinois  in  1837,  settling  in  Pike 
County,  upon  160  acres  of  wild  land,  which  he  im- 
proved and  cultivated  and  occupied  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1866.  The  mother  survived  him 
twelve  years,  dying  at  the  old  homestead  in  1878. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  now- 
living,  as  follows:  Eben  F.,  of  Pike  Count}';  John 
H.,  our  subject;  Harriet  and  Joseph  B.,  of  Kansas 
City.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  strong  Abo- 
litionist, and  both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

John  H.  Bryant  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm. 
and  leceived  a  practical  education.  He  remained 
at  home  until  nineteen  years  old,  and  then  served 
three  years  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  in  Griggsville. 
He  soon  afterward  commenced  as  a  contractor, 


RESIDENCE  OF  W.H.  B  ALL,SEC.IO.,CHEENEY'S  GROVETOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE  OF  W.  H.  H  os  ELTON  SEC.  23.,  ANCHOR  TOWNSHIP, 


EENEY'S  GROVEIOWNSHI 


BUTLER  .OEC.O., 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


261 


T 


which  he  followed  in  that  locality  until  1859,  and 
then  came  to  Bloomiugton.  Here  he  first  estab- 
lished himself  on  West  Mulberry  street,  removing 
to  his  present  quarters  in  1884.  He  now  gives  em- 
ployment to  from  five  to  twenty  men,  and  among 
the  important  structures  which  he  has  had  hi  charge 
are  the  City  Hall,  Turner  Hall,  the  German  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  and  the  Eagle  Block,  be- 
sides some  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1855,  to  Miss  Nancy 
English,  a  native  of  New  Salem,  111.,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  and  Martha  (Hooper)  English,  of 
Ohio.  Mr.  English  was  a  farmer  who,  after  coming 
to  Illinois,' settled  first  at  New  Salem,  whence  he 
removed  to  McLean  County  in  1863.  IIis_declin- 
ing  years  were  spent  in  Normal  Township,  where 
his  death  occurred  in  about  1865. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryant  became  the  parents  of  five 
children,  as  follows :  George  A.  is  in  California ; 
Alice,  now  Mrs.  Gilbert  Eldridge,  is  the  mother  of 
two  children — Clare  and  Tansy;  Frank  married 
Mis-*  Mary  Ellen  Ingersol,  and  they  have  one 
daughter,  a  babe,  Ethel  Frances;  Arthur  is  doing 
business  with  his  father;  Charles,  the  'youngest,  is 
at  home.  The  family  residence  is  located  at  No. 
806  West  Oliver  street,  and  is  the  resort  of  the  best 

— -  t 

people  of  Bloomington.  Mrs.  Bryant  is  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Bry- 
ant is  one  of  the  largest  contractors  in  the  city  of 
Bloomington,  and  both  as  a  business  man  and  a 
citizen,  is  one  of  the  important  factors  in  its  busi- 
ness and  industrial  interests. 


R.  A.  L.  CHAPMAN,  of  Bloomington,  has 
been  a  practicing  physician  of  McLean 
County  for  a  period  of  ten  years  and  came 
to  this  city  in  1883.  He  is  one  of  the  re- 
liable physicians  of  this  locality,  and  enjoys  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice  in  both  city  and  country.  Dr. 
Chapman  was  born  in  Smyrna,  Harrison  Co.,  Ohio, 
on  the  25th  of  January,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr. 
R.  C.  and  Mary  (McDonald)  Chapman,  the  former 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 
They  emigrated  to  Ohio  after  their  marriage,  in 
1843,  locating  in  llendrysburg,  Belmont  County, 


where  the  father  of  our  subject  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine,  but  subsequently  removed 
to  Newcomerstown,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  after  a  practice  of  twenty- nine  years  in  that 
place;  the  mother  died  in  1848.  Of  their  family 
of  four  children,  three  are  now  living:  Catharine 
M.,  Mrs.  Berg,  of  El  Paso,  Woodford  Co.,  111. ;  Dr. 
A.  L.  of  our  sketch,  and  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Brown,  of 
Newcomerstown,  Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
parents  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  received  a 
fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  The  war 
then  being  in  progress  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  76th 
Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  and  remained  in  service  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  went  in  as  a  drummer  boy, 
but  after  two  months  threw  his  drum  away,  substi- 
tuting for  it  a  musket,  and  participated  with  his 
comrades  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  Altona 
Pass,  Big  Shanty,  Kennesaw  Mountain  and  the 
siege  of  Atlanta,  winding  up  his  military  services 
at  the  battle  of  Bentonville,  in  North  Carolina. 
After  his  honorable  discharge  from  the  army  young 
Chapman  resumed  his  studies  at  the  High  School  in 
his  native  town,  and  after  a  three  years'  course  en- 
tered the  Eastman  National  Business  College  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1866.  In  1869  he  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn..  and 
became  teacher  in  a  graded  school  whence,  after 
eighteen  months,  he  removed  to  Glasgow,  Ky., 
where  he  taught  a  few  months,  and  then  returning 
home  attended  another  term  at  the  High  School. 
He  then  resumed  teaching  until  1874,  in  the  mean- 
time reading  medicine,  and  the  following  year  en- 
tered the  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1876.  He  commenced  prac- 
tice at  Bellaire,  Ohio,  and  in  1877  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Oak  Grove,  this  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1883,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  United  States  Pen- 
sion Examining  Surgeons,  and  is  Secretary  of  Mc- 
Lean County  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Chapman  was  married  in  1879,  to  Miss  Lydia 
Bramwell,  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  this  county, 
and  the  daughter  of  Ezra  F.  and  Rebecca  (Grif- 
fith) Bramwell,  of  Indiana.  Her  parents  came  to 
Illinois  in  1856,  and  purchased  a  farm  which  they 
still  occupy.  The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  C.  have  become 


4 


262 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-t 


the  parents  of  two  children  —  Jessie  R.  and  Mary 
C.  Their  comfortable  and  attractive  home  is  loca- 
ted at  No.  703  East  Washington  street,  and  they 
enjoy  the  society  and  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of 
acquaintances. 

Politically  our  subject  uniformly  casts  his  vote 
with  the  Democratic  party.  Socially  he  belongs  to 
the  G.  A.  R.,  the  Red  Men,  Commercial  Council, 
the  Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  the  Knights  Templar,  and  also  a  new  organiza- 
tion called  the  Union  Veterans  Union. 


eH  ARLES  A.  BARLEY,  Insurance  Agent  and 
. 
Notary    Public  of   Leroy,  is  also  engaged 
in  the  real  estate,  loan  and  collecting  business, 
of  which  he  has  a  thorough  understanding,  and  is 
meeting  with  success.     Mr.  Barley  is  a  native  of 
the  Buckeye  State  and  was  born  in  Wayne  Town- 
ship, Champaign  County,   March    19,  1845.      His 
father  was  George  Barley,  of   Frederick   County, 
Va.,  and  his  grandfather,  John  Barley,  was  a  native 
of  Maryland  but  of  German  ancestry  and  parentage. 
He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  and  spent  his  last  days  in  the  Old 
Dominion. 

George  Barley,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  county  and  was  there 
married  in  the  fall  of  1  834.  A  few  days  afterward, 
accompanied  by  his  bride  and  equipped  with  one 
horse  and  a  spring  wagon,  he  set  out  overland  for 
Ohio.  They  located  in  Greene  County  arid  thence, 
after  two  years,  removed  to  Champaign  County. 
Here  the  father  bought  a  tract  of  heavy  timber 
land  neaV  Urbana.  There  was  a  log  cabin  on  the 
place  and  half  an  acre  was  cleared.  He  immediately 
set  about  its  improvement  and  cultivation,  and  es- 
tablished a  permanent  home,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days,  his  decease  occurring  in  Janu- 
ary, 1883.  He  had  cleared  the  greater  part  of  his 
land  and  erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings.  In 
addition  to  the  affairs  of  his  own  family  and  his 
homestead  he  was  always  -interested  in  the  welfare 
and  prosperity  of  the  community  around  him,  and 
materially  assisted  in  its  development  and  progress. 
He  filled  various  offices  of  trust  in  his  township, 


and  with  the  exception  of  two  years  was  Trustee 
from  1854  until  his  death,  a  period  of  twenty -nine 
years. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Julia  A.  Spicknel.  She  also  was  born  in  Fred- 
erick County,  Va.,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Clement 
Spicknel  who,  with  his  wife,  formerly  a  Miss  Fra- 
zier,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  latter  of 
French  descent.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  July,  1886,  in 
Champaign  County,  Ohio.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  seven  children,  as  follows:  John  W.  served 
in  the  late  war  as  Captain  of  Co.  F,  134th  Ohio 
Vol.  Inf. ;  he  is  now  Register  of  Deeds  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Kan.  Noah  F.,  formerly  a  teacher 
of  penmanship  in  the  city  schools  of  Lexington, 
Mo.,  died  there  Aug.  10, 1860 ;  Isaiah  N.  is  a  farmer 
and  stock-raiser  near  Lawrence,  Kan. ;  Mary,  Mrs. 
Morecraft,  lives  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio;  our 
subject  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth ;  Martha  A., 
Mrs.  Hallowel,  lives  in  Leroy,  111.,  and  Sarah,  in 
Champaign  County,  Ohio. 

Charles  A.  Barley  was  the  fifth  child  of  his  par- 
ents. His  childhood  and  youth  were  spent  upon 
the  farm  and  he  received  his  early  education  in  the 
district  schools.  He  also  attended  the  High  School 
at  Urbana  for  two  years  and  remained  a  resident  of 
his  native  State  until  1868.  In  the  meantime  he 
had  graduated  from  Oberlin  Commercial  College, 
and  during  the  war  served  in  the  army  as  a  member 
of  the  134th  Ohio  Infantry.  He  taught  school  for 
a  time  in  Ohio,  and  after  coming  to  this  State  con- 
tinued this  occupation  near  Leroy  until  1870.  He 
was  then  appointed  Principal  of  the  Leroy  schools, 
which  position  he  held  for  four  years  and  then  was 
compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  ill-health.  He 
soon  afterward  established  his  present  business,  and 
in  1879  associated  himself  in  partnership  with  D. 
L.  Moorehouse,  loan  and  real-estate  agent.  They 
operated  together  until  September,  1886,  when 
their  business  was  closed  up  without  any  outstand- 
ing indebtedness. 

The  manner  in  which  the  affairs  of  the  firm  were 
conducted  by  Mr.  Barley  is  a  fair  indication  of  his 
tact  and  ability  as  a  financier.  He  is  a  thorough 
business  man,  and  his  straightforward  methods  of 
conducting  his  affairs  and  his  promptness  in  meet- 
ing his  obligations  have  gained  him  the  confidence 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


263 


and  respect  of  the  business  community.  In  his 
handling  of  half  a  million  dollars  there  has  never 
been  a  shadow  of  a  loss  or  fraud,  and  he  retired 
from  the  firm  with  a  clear  conscience  and  the  good 
will  of  those  with  whom  he  dealt.  He  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  various  public  enter- 
prises in  the  city  of  Leroy  and  has  held  various 
offices  of  trust.  He  was  one  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  company  organized  to  build  the 
Narrow  Gauge  Railroad  from  Leroy  to  Fisher,  in 
Champaign  County,  and  also  Secretary  of  the  same, 
and  one  of  five  who  organized"the  Leroy  Library 
Association  in  1875.  He  has  been  City  Clerk,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years,  since  the  city  was  in- 
corporated, and  was  a  member  of  the  School  Board 
from  1877  until  1886,  and  then  declined  to  serve 
longer.  He  was  Clerk  of  Empire  Township  six 
years  and  has  been  Notary  Public  since  1874.  He 
was  elected  Secretary  of  the  Empire  Loan  and  Build- 
ing Association  in  1874,  and  continued  in  that  of- 
fice while  the  company  existed,  a  period  of  eight 
years.  In  1882,  when  the  Leroy  Loan  and  Building 
Association  was  organized,  he  was  elected  Secre- 
tary, and  has  been  re-elected  each  year.  He  is  a 
member  of  Leroy  Lodge  No.  221,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
being  Master  two  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
Thomas  Riddle  Post  No.  230,  G.  A.  R. 

Charles  A.  Barley  and  Miss  Matilda  Dempsey 
were  united  in  marriage  in  Ohio  in  October,  1868. 
Mrs.  Barley  is  the  daughter  of  Jefferson  and  Jane 
(Bailey)  Dempsey,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
removed  to  Ohio  at  an  early  period  in  the  settle- 
ment of  Champaign  County,  being  among  the  pio- 
neers of  that  section.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  five  children — Inez,  Frank  C.,  Jessie, 
Cam  by  A.  and  Lloyd  B. 


YMAN  W.  BETTS,  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Bloomington  Township,  is  now  comfort- 
ably  located  on  section  12,  where  he  has 
spent  the  greater  part  of  forty  years,  and  been  act- 
ively and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming. 
Mr.  Betts  was  born  in  Cecil  County,  Md.,  Aug.  5, 
1825.  His  father,  Franklin  Betts,  was  a  native  of 
Richmond,  Mass.,  born  March  28,  1789,  and  was 


the  son  of  Zebulon  Betts,  who  was  a  farmer  of  New 
England,  and  died  in  Massachusetts.  Franklin 
Betts,  when  a  young  man  left  his  native  town  for 
the  city  of  Baltimore,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
boot  and  shoe  business,  and  where,  in  due  time,  he 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Ann  Davis,  a  native  of  his 
own  county.  After  the  birth  of  three  children, 
among  whom  was  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  the 
family  removed  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  two 
more  children  were  born,  both  daughters.  The 
three  eldest  were  sons — Franklin  M.,  Robert  C.  and 
our  subject,  Lyman  W.  The  sisters,  Mary  A.  and 
Louisa  A.,  are  now  both  living  in  Iowa. 

Mr.  Betts  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  bo3'hood 
and  youth  in  the  city  of  Brooklyn  and  afterward 
went  to  New  York  City.  Then,  when  nineteen 
years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ot- 
sego  County,  N.  Y.,  where  both  the  latter  died  a 
few  years  later.  Lyman  W.  then  set  out  for  the 
West,  and  coming  into  McLean  County,  111.,  lo- 
cated near  Bloomington,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
cattle  trade  with  the  late  Judge  Davis,  his  half- 
brother.  His  good  education  and  some  previous 
experience  in  mercantile  business,  had  given  him  a 
good  insight  into  methods  of  doing  business,  and 
he  was  quite  successful  in  his  trading  operations. 
His  connection  with  Judge  Davis  continued  for  a 
score  of  years.  In  1876  Mr.  Betts  removed  to  the 
farm  which  he  now  occupies,  and  engaged  in  the 
breeding  of  standard  horses — Hambletonians.  His 
two  stallions  are  Bright  Ratlcr  and  Roscoe  Thorn- 
dale,  magnificent  animals  which  promise  great 
things  for  the  future.  Mr.  Betts  has  already  at- 
tained a  fine  reputation  as  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful breeders  of  this  section.  The  dam  of  these 
horses  is  "  Roxy  "  from  Alexander's  "  Norman  " 
of  Kentucky. 

After  coming  into  this  county  Mr.  Betts  spent 
some  years  in  "  single  blessedness,"  but  finally  con- 
cluded that  his  condition  would  be  greatly  im- 
proved by  the  acquisition  of  a  helpmeet  and  part- 
ner. He  was  consequently  united  in  marriage,  on 
the  19th  of  September,  1853,  with  Miss  S.  R.  Da- 
vis, the  daughter  of  Dr.  David  Davis,  and  second 
cousin  of  Judge  Davis.  Their  wedding  took  place 
in  Cecil  County,  Md.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Betts, 
before  her  marriage,  was  Miss  Emeliue  Wicks,  and 


j. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


she  is  yet  living  in  Cecil  County,  Md.,  where  she 
was  born,  and  is  now  arrived  at  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty  years.  Dr.  David  Davis,  the  father  of 
Mrs.  Betts,  died  in  Maryland  in  1844.  He  was  a 
successful  physician,  and  practiced  in  his  native 
State  from  the  time  he  became  of  age  until  his 
death.  Mrs.  Betts  has  still  in  her  possession  some 
rare  old  pieces  of  china,  and  the  silver  buckles  worn 
by  her  great-grandmother  on  her  wedding  day. 

Mrs.  Betts  was  born  in  Kent  County,  Md.,  Feb. 
24,  1831.  After  the  death  of  her  father,  her 
mother,  with  a  family  of  eight  children,  removed 
to  Cecil  County,  where  Mrs.  Betts  was  reared  and 
educated,  and  remained  until  her  marriage  with 
our  subject.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  four 
children,  one  of  whom,  William,  died  in  1876,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Emma  became  the 
wife  of  J.  A.  Jordan,  trainmaster  at  Roodhouse, 
111. ;  Fannie  married  E.  B.  Mitchell,  Jr.,  a  farmer 
near  Danvers,  this  county;  Anna,  Mrs.  J.  V.  Nich- 
ols, is  living  with  her  husband  on  a  farm  near  Cov- 
ell,  111.  All  the  members  of  the  family  are  con- 
nected with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  "and 
Mr.  Betts,  politically,  is  a  solid  Republican. 


R.  J.  L.  WHITE,  of  the  firm  of  White  & 
Guthrie,  Bloomington,"is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing physicians  of  the  city,  and  comes'from 
a  prominent  New  England  family,  widely 
and  favorably  known  in  that  region.  Our  subject 
'  was  born  in  Westminster,  Mass.,  on  the  5th  of  De- 
cember, 1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  John  and 
Lucy  (Howe)  White,  also  natives  of  the  Bay  State. 
His  grandfather,  James  White,  was  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  in  his  younger  days  learned  the  trade 
of  a  blacksmith,  but  soon  afterward  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits,  in  which  he  became  very  success- 
ful and  accumulated  a  handsome  property.  The 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  Josiah  White, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  first 
representatives  of  the  family  in  this  country  came 
from  England  in  the  vessel  which  followed  the 
Mayflower,  and  settled  in  Watertown,  Mass.  From 
one  of  these  descended  the  present  family.  On  his 
mother's  side  Dr.  White  is  the  eighth  generation 


from  John  Alden,  who  is  celebrated  in  verse  by  the 
poet  Longfellow  in  connection  with  Miles  Standish. 

Dr.  John  White,  the  father  of  our  subject,  re- 
ceived careful  home  training  and  pursued  his  early 
studies  in  the  common  schools.  In  later  years  he 
entered  the  medical  department  of  Brown's  Uni- 
versity, at  Providence,  R.  L,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated with  honors,  and  commenced  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Westminster,  Mass.,  following  it 
there  for  a  period  of  twenty-six  years.  In  1851 
he  removed  to  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  where  he  con- 
tinued his  practice  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days,  his  decease  occurring  in  1868.  The  mother 
survived  until  1874.  Their  family  consisted  of 
five  children,  all  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Dr. 
J.  L.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest  of  the  family; 
Ellen  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  I.  Scollard,  of 
Clinton,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  highly  edu- 
cated, and  became  Principal  of  the  White  Seminary, 
at  Clinton,  which  position  she  occupied  about  seven 
years ;  the  institution  was  named  after  her.  Josiah 
is  a  resident  of  California  and  the  proprietor  of  an 
extensive  cattle  ranch  in  Sonoma  County;  he  is 
also  interested  in  silver  mines  in  Arizona.  Charles 
is  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Ithaca,  N.  Y. ; 
Abbie  married  John  J.  Stephens,  book-keeper  in 
the  Treasury  Department  at  Washington.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  a  member  of  the  State 
Legislature  of  Massachusetts  and  of  the  State 
Medical  and  local  societies.  He  was  a  prominent 
and  useful  citizen,  and  greatly  respected  for  his 
natural  talents  and  sterling  worth  of  character. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  spent  his  younger 
days  in  school,  commencing  his  medical  studies  at 
an  early  age  and  graduating  in  1854,  from  the 
Medical  Department  of  Harvard  College,  Massa- 
chusetts. He  also  obtained  valuable  experience  in 
the  general  hospital  of  the  State  in  1853.  He  sub- 
sequently went  to  Europe,  spent  several  months 
among  the  hospitals  of  Paris,  and  after  returning 
to  the  United  States,  came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of 
1854.  His  first  location  was  in  Jerseyville,  Jersey 
County,  where  he  remained  until  1859.  He  then 
went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  practiced  there  two  years, 
and  returning  to  Jerseyville,  became  surgeon  of 
the  Board  of  Enrollment,  which  position  he  occu- 
pied until  the  close  of  the  war. 
*~ 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 


Dr.  White  bee.-une  a  resident  of  Bloomington  in 
1 870,  since  which  time  he  has  practiced  continuously 
and  taken  a  leading  position  in  the  profession  along 
the  Mississippi  Valley.  The  following  year,  1871, 
he  became  surgeon  of  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.,  which 
position  he  holds,  together  with  the  same  on  the 
Illinois  Central  and  in  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home. 
Dr.  J.  L.  White  and  Miss  Harriet  Hawley,  of 
Jersey  ville,  were  united  in  marriage  on  the  10th  of 
February,  1857.  Mrs.  White  is  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Hannah  Hawley,  and  of  her  union  with 
our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren— Leila,  Charles  H.,  Lucy  B.,  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy.  The  Doctor  and  his  family  are  in  pos- 
session of  a  handsome  home  at  No.  509  West 
Washington  street,  and  enjoy  the  friendship  and 
esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  He  has 
built  up  an  extensive  practice  in  this  vicinity  and 
accumulated  a  competency.  He  is  stockholder  and 
i  Director  in  the  Third  National  Bank  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Plow  Works  and  Gas 
Company.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican ; 
socially  he  belongs  to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  in 
1886  was  Grand  Commander  of  the  K.  T.  of  Illi- 
nois; he  is  a  32d  degree  Mason. 


HILL,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  of 
McLean  County,  settled  in  Dale  Township 
as  early  as  1830,  and  during  a  residence  of 
fifty-seven  years  has  fully  established  him- 
self in  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  associates  and 
fellow-citizens.  Since  coming  to  this  section  of 
Illinois  Mr.  Hill  has  closely  identified  himself  with 
the  industrial  and  agricultural  interests  of  his 
adopted  county,  and  whenever  an  opportunity  pre- 
sented itself  has  been  one  of  the  foremost  to  con- 
tribute of  his  time  and  means  to  promote  its  devel- 
opment and  prosperity.  As  the  oldest  settler  of 
Dale  Township  he.  is  held  in  peculiar  veneration 
and  respect,  and  accorded  that  tacit  acknowledge- 
ment to  the  worth  and  enterprise  which  have  been 
his  chief  characteristics. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  native  of  the  Blue 
Grass  State,  having-  been  born  five  miles  from 
Lexington,  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.  His  birth  occurred 


on  the  24th  of  March,  1809,  and  his  father  was 
James  Hill,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  who,  when  a 
young  man  removed  to  Kentucky,  before  his  mar- 
riage, and  settled  in  the  county  where  his  son  was 
subsequently  born.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright by  trade,  a  skilled  workman,  and  followed 
his  trade  in  Kentucky  until  1820.  In  the  mean- 
time he  had  married,  and  now  resolved  to  remove 
to  the  North.  He  accordingly  started  out  with  his 
wife  and  nine  children  for  the  State  of  Indiana. 
They  proposed  to  make  the  trip  overland,  and 
their  outfit  consisted  of  eleven  horses  and  three 
wagons.  After  crossing  the  Ohio  River  they  set- 
tled in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  where  the  elder  Hill 
followed  his  trade  and  became  prominent  in  the 
business  affairs  of  that  section.  He  built  two  or 
three  gristmills,  of  which  lie  superintended  the  op-  . 
erations  for  some  years,  and  also  carried  on  the 
business  of  cabinet-making.  He  passed  the  balance 
of  his  life  in  Jefferson  County,  and  after  a  long  and 
busy  career  departed  from  the  scenes  of  his  earthly 
labors  in  about  1860,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty- 
four  years.  The  partner  of  his  early  manhood  and 
the  mother  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Mary  C.  Cope, 
to  whom  he  was  married  about  1794.  She  was  a 
native  of  Maryland,  and  after  her  marriage  to 
James  Hill  accompanied  him  to  Jefferson  County, 
Ind.,  and  died  in  that  county  two  years  after  the 
death  of  her  husband,  in  1862.  They  became  the 
parents  of  twelve  children,  whom  they  carefully 
trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  principles  of 
honor  and  honesty,  and  of  whom  five  are  surviv- 
ing, and  are  living  worthy  and  honorable  lives  in 
accordance  with  the  precepts  handed  down  to  them 
by  their  worthy  and  excellent  parents. 

Jesse  Hill  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth  child  of 
his  parents'  family.  He  received  only  a  limited 
education,  but  being  naturally  fond  of  books  has 
always  kept  himself  well  posted  in  regard  to  all 
matters  worthy  of  attention.  As  soon  as  large 
enough  to  work  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  mill 
and  distillery,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until 
after  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  then  de- 
termined to  see  something  of  the  world  beyond  the 
bounds  of  his  native  State,  and  packing  a  knap- 
sack started  on  foot  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois. 
He  walked  from  Madison  to  McLean  County 


t 


266 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  upon  his  arrival  here  had  $3.37£  in  his  pocket. 
This  was  in  1830.  He  first  obtained  work  among 
farmers,  digging  wells,  splitting  rails,  or  whatever 
his  hands  could  find  to  do.  He  made  his  home  for 
the  first  twelve  months  with  Col.  Beeler,  of  Twin 
Grove,  whose  daughter,  Miss  Nancy,  became  his 
wife  in  August  of  the  following  year. 

After  spending  one  season  in  McLean  County, 
111.,  Mr.  Hill  went  to  Indiana,  procured  a  pair 
of  horses,  a  wagon  and  some  leather;  he  then 
traded  one  horse,  the  wagon  and  leather  for  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Twin  Grove,  McLean  County,  and 
also  purchased  a  claim  on  section  2,  of  Dale  Town- 
ship. Upon  this  there  was  a  log  cabin  partly 
finished,  and  into  it  he  removed  with  his  young 
wife  and  commenced  housekeeping.  He  had  no 
money  with  which  to  enter  land,  and  it  was  entered 
for  him,  and  he  then  traded  his  land  in  Twin 
Grove  for  the  eighty  acres  which  he  now  owns  and 
occupies.  He  erected  a  small,  round  log  house, 
chinked  and  daubed  it  with  mud,  and  built  a 
chimney  of  sticks  and  dirt.  He  took  possession  of 
this  place  in  1833,  which  he  has  continuously 
owned  and  occupied  since  that  time.  The  log 
cabin,  however,  has  been  replaced  by  a  handsome 
and  comfortable  farm  residence;  and  the  diminu- 
tive pig-pen  by  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings. Mr.  Hill  has  added  to  his  first  pur- 
chase as  his  means  permitted,  and  is  now  the  pos- 
sessor of  220  acres,  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  has  also  erected  a  good  set  of  buildings 
on  two  other  farms.  His  life  has  been  one  of  en- 
ergy and  industry,  and  in  his  later  days  he  feels 
richly  rewarded  for  the  toils  and  difficulties  of  his 
early  manhood. 

Miss  Nancy  Beeler,  the  first  wife  of  our  subject, 
became  the  mother  of  three  children,  and  departed 
this  life  in  Dale  Township,  in  October,  1840. 
She  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  in  April, 
1808,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Graves)  Beeler,  who  removed  from  Ohio  to  Illi- 
nois in  1830.  The  children  of  Jesse  Hill  by  his 
first  marriage  were:  John  W.,  who  lives  in  Dale 
Township;  Jane,  wife  of  Samuel  Morgan,  also  of 
this  township;  and  Martha  E.,  Mrs.  Sackett,  who 
lives  in  Bloomington. 

For   his  second  wife  Mr.  Hill,  in  1843,  married 

I 


Mi.-s  1'hu'be  Munsell,  who  was  born  in  Vermont 
and  died  in  Dale  Township,  this  countj',  in  l*r,(>. 
Of  this  marriage  there  were  also  three  children : 
Nancy  A.,  the  wife  of  .lames  Rogers,  of  Dale  Town- 
ship; Xerah  Munsell,  of  Kansas,  and  James,  also  a 
resident  of  Dale. 

The  third  marriage  of  Mr.  Hill  took  place  in 
1802,  his  wife  having  been  Miss  Matilda  Hancock, 
of  Ohio,  and  of  this  marriage  there  are  two  sons 
living — Charles  F.  and  William  A. 

Politically  Mr.  Hill  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the 
Democratic  party.  His  life  has  included  a  rich  ex- 
perience, and  he  has  witnessed  with  unabated  in- 
terest the  remarkable  changes  which  have  occurred 
along  the  Mississippi  Valley  since  his  removal  from 
the  Blue  Grass  State  of  his  nativity  to  the  prairies 
of  Illinois.  The  stirring  scenes  he  has  witnessed 
during  the  course  of  a  long  and  busy  life  would 
make  an  interesting  volume,  and  we  cannot  by  any 
means  do  justice  to  them  within  the  brief  details  of 
a  biographical  sketch.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  Mr. 
Hill  has  acted  well  his  part,  and  has  his  abundant 
reward  in  the  position  which  he  holds  in  the  com- 
munity. 


>ILLIAM  H.  DOOLEY,  a  prosperous  and 
progressive  farmer  of  Empire  Township,  is 
one  of  its  most  intelligent  citizens,  an  ex- 
tensive reader,  well  educated  and  well  informed, 
and  a  gentleman  who  has  materially  assisted  in  the 
advancement  and  prosperity  of  this  section.  He 
is  a  native  of  Clark  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born 
Aug.  15,  1834.  His  father,  William  Dooley,  a  na- 
tive of  the  same  county  and  State,  was  born  March 
1,  1804,  and  his  grandfather,  Obadiah  Dooley,  of 
Virginia,  removed  from  the  Old  Dominion  to  Clark 
County,  Ky.,  soon  after  his  marriage,  and  win 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  region.  He 
cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness  and  made  it  his 
home  until  his  death,  at  an  advanced  age,  in  about 
1844. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  and  after  his  marriage  purchased  a  tract  of 
timber  land  ten  miles  from  Winchester,  the  county 
seat.  He  there  cleared  a  farm  and  lived  until 
,  then  disposed  of  his  possessions  in  the  Blue  < 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


267 


Grass  country  and  started  with  his  family,  consist- 
ing of  his  wife  and  twelve  children,  on  an  overland 
journey  to  Illinois.  They  began  their  journey  on 
the  llth  of  November,  their  outfit  consisting  of 
twelve  horses  and  four  wagons,  with  a  carriage, 
and  arrived  in  Bloomington  in  just  one  month  from 
the  day  they  started.  There  William  Dooley,  Sr., 
rented  a  house  for  a  short  time,  then  purchased  the 
Rogers  farm  in  Old  Town  Township.  This  he  oc- 
cupied until  1858.  being  successful  in  his  business 
and  agricultural  operations,  and  then  abandoning 
the  active  labors  of  life,  removed  to  Bloomington, 
whence  he  removed  to  a  farm  in  Padua  Township, 
where  he  spent  his  last  days,  dying  on  the  7th  of 
June.  1869.  The  mother  of  our  subject  before  her 
marriage  was  Miss  Minerva  Morris,  a  native  of  the 
same  county  and  State  as  her  husband.  She  was 
born  in  1810,  being  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Mor- 
ris, of  Virginia,  whence  he  removed  to  Clark 
County,  Ky.,  at  an  early  day,  where  he  cleared  a 
farm  and  occupied  it  until  his  death  in  1859.  Mrs. 
Minerva  Dooley  departed  this  life  in  Bloomington, 
in  August,  1884. 

William  H.  Dooley  was  the  fifth  child  of  his  par- 
ents' family,  and  was  a  youth  of  seventeen  years 
when  his  parents  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  this  county.  He  had  obtained 
a  good  education  in  the  subscription  schools  of  his 
native  State  and  afterward  assisted  his  father  in 
carrying  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage.  He  then 
settled  on  a  small  tract  of  land  which  had  been 
given  him  by  his  father,  and  after  occupying  it  one 
season  sold  it  and  purchased  sixty  acres  adjacent, 
where  he  lived  one  year,  then  sold  again  and  pur- 
chased 120  acres.  This  he  also  sold,  after  occupy- 
ing it  one  season,  and  after  a  short  residence  in 
Bloomington,  rented  for  one  year  a  farm  in  Nor- 
mal Township,  then  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Old 
Town  Township.  After  several  more  changes  of 
location  he  selected  his  present  site,  which  he  re- 
moved to  on  the  1st  of  May,  1876.  This  farm 
contains  1,185  acres,  all  improved,  much  of  it  being 
devoted  to  pasture,  and  the  shapely  and  substantial 
set  of  frame  buildings  is  unexcelled  in  this  sec- 
tion. His  cattle  are  graded  Durhams,  and  among 
them  are  to  be  found  some  of  the  finest  animals  in 
ir  the  county.  Everything  about  the  premises  denotes 


r 


the  supervision  of  an  intelligent  and  enterprising 
man,  who  is  keeping  full  pace  with  the  progress  and 
improvement  of  the  day. 

The  marriage  of  William  H.  Dooley  and  Miss 
Eliza  Naggle  took  place  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents  in  Old  Town  Township,  on  the  12th  of 
October,  1854.  Mrs.  Dooley  was  born  in  Darke 
County,  Ohio,  May  7,  1835.  Her  father,  Samuel 
Naggle,  and  her  mother,  formerly  Miss  Mary 
(Slechty)  Naggle,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
whence  they  came  to  McLean  County  in  1850, 
settling  first  in  Bloomington  Township,  and  later 
in  Old  Town  Township,  where  the  mother  died  in 
1871.  The  father  died  in  Vermilion  County  in 
1880.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dooley  became  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Lillie 
May,  Milton  H.,  George  E.,  Damaris,  Obadiah  M., 
Hattie  and  Lida  B.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members 
in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  our  subject  in  politics  is  an  uncompromising 
Democrat.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
James  Buchanan,  and  since  that  time  has  uniformly 
voted  in  support  of  the  principles  of  his  party. 
He  has  filled  various  offices  of  trust  in  Old  Town 
Township ;  has  been  Collector  of  Taxes,  and  served 
on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  several  terms  in  Em- 
pire Township,  being  also  a  member  of  the  School 
Board.  To  such  men  as  Mr.  Dooley  is  McLean 
County  indebted  for  its  prosperous  and  prominent 
position  as  one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  progress- 
ive counties  of  the  State. 


J'l   S.    CRAWFORD,  a   prominent   citizen   of 
McLean  County,  is  now  passing  his  days  in 
j    ease  and  retirement  at  his  pleasant  home  in 
'    Bloomington,  and  as  one  of  the  prominent, 
substantial  and  useful   members   of   the   business 
community,  is  held  in 'the  highest  respect,  which  is 
increased  by  the  knowledge  of  his  personal  worth. 
Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Center  County,  Pa.,  and 
was  born  on  the  25th  of  May,  1823.    He  is  the  son 
of  Rev.  James  and  Appalonia  (Helpher)  Crawford, 
natives  respectively  of  Lancaster  and  Center  Coun- 
ties.   They  were  jointly  engaged  in  merchandising 
and    farming,  and    moved   to   Maryland  in 


268 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the 
father  dying  in  1856,  and  the  mother  in  1862. 
Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  only  two 
now  living — D.  F.,  a  resident  of  Odell,  this  county, 
and  our  subject. 

Young  Crawford  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits 
and  received  a  practical  education.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  until  he  had  grown  to  man's 
estate,  and  had  the  care  of  his  parents  until  their 
death.  In  April,  1865,  he  disposed  of  his  interest 
in  the  estate,  and  coming  to  Ottawa,  La  Salle  County, 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  buggies  and  wag- 
ons, which  he  followed  for  nine  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Normal  in  order  to  educate  his  chil- 
dren, and  after  nine  3rears  came  to  Bloomington  in 
1883. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  married  in  1851,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Hinkle,  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  the  daughter 
of  Jesse  and  Mary  A.  (J^alck)  Hinkle,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  respectively.  They  were  the 
parents  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  following  are 
living:  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Bowden,  resides  in  Stark 
County,  Ohio ;  John  F.  is  in  Maryland ;  the  next 
was  Leonard;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  our  subject; 
Rev.  George,  her  twin  brother,  is  on  the  Pacific  coast ; 
Rev.  Richard  is  in  Pennsylvania;  Ellen  J.,  Mrs. 
Elbin,  lives  in  Maryland,  and  Mary  F.,  Mrs.  Pratt, 
in  Missouri.  The  father  of  Mrs.  C.  was  an  exten- 
sive farmer  and  the  owner  of  700  acres  of  land. 
He  died  in  1871,  aged  seventy-three  years.  The 
mother  died  in  1881,  and  was  eighty-four  years 
old.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crawford  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  six  now  living,  as  follows:  Asbury 
M.  is  an  attorney  of  Montana;  Amanda  M.  lives 
at  home;  William  A.  married  Miss  Elonise  (Smith, 
and  they  have  one  child,  Erastus  E.,  of  Chicago; 
George  S.  operates  a  ranch  in  Montana;  Bertha  C. 
married  E.  G.  Hubbard,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Elbert  G.  and  Ralph,  the  latter  of  whom  is  in  Buf- 
falo, N.  Y. ;  Elmer  E.  is  on  a  ranch  in  Montana. 

Mr.  Crawford  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  with 
his  wife  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  has  been  Class-Leader  and  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Sabbath-school,  and  was  Trustee 
most  of  the  time  while  living  in  Ottawa.  Mr. 


Crawford  purchased  his  residence  in  1883,  and 
since  retiring  from  farm  labor  has  engaged  con- 
siderably in  life  insurance.  He  is  considered  a  rep- 
resentative citizen  of  McLean  County,  and  has  ful- 
filled all  his  obligations  as  a  business  man,  the 
father  of  a  family,  a  neighbor  and  friend. 


eHARLES  II.  GMEHLIN,  dealer  in  and 
manufacturer  of  guns,  rifles,  pistols,  and 
carrying  on  general  repairing  in  this  line, 
is  thus  worthily  adding  his  mite  to  the  industrial 
interests  of  Bloomington,  where  he  is  held  in  high 
esteem  as  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen.  Mr. 
G.  is  a  skilled  mechanic  and  possesses  a  thorough 
acquaintance  with  his  business,  having  had  many 
years'  experience,  and  can  turn  out  in  a  creditable 
manner  almost  anything  in  the  line  of  fire-arms. 

Mr.  Gmehlin  was  born  in  Stuttgart,  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  Feb.  22,  1834,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  laws  and  customs  of  his  native  coun- 
try entered  school  when  six  years  of  age,  where  he 
remained  until  fourteen.  He  then  went  to  learn 
the  trade  of  a  gunsmith  to  the  King  of  Wurtein- 
berg,  and  after  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three 
years  packed  his  ''kit"  and  removed  into  Switzer- 
land, where  he  pursued  his  trade  one  year,  and  thence 
to  Paris,  France,  and  five  months  later  to  London, 
England.  In  the  latter  city  he  spent  two  years, 
during  which  time  he  acquired  an  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  fire-arms  and  became  an  expert  in  their  use 
and  manufacture. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  set  sail  for  America  in 
the  spring  of  1854,  first  landing  in  New  York  City. 
He  proceeded  soon  afterward  to  Hartford,  Conn., 
where  he  secured  a  job  in  the  shops  of  Samuel 
Colt,  manufacturer  of  the  celebrated  Colt's  re- 
volver. After  one  year  spent  there  he  came  West 
to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  he  spent  twelve  mouths. 
Thence  he  went  to  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  George  Brown,  and  they  for  a 
short  time  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  guns. 
The  firm  was  soon  dissolved,  and  Mr.  Gmehlin  soon 
afterward  fame  to  Bloomington,  in  1857.  He  en- 
gaged with  the  firm  of  Howlett  &  Clary,  hardware- 
merchants,  as  clerk  and  repairer,  and  continued  i 


• 


RESIDENCE  OF  Jos.  A.  PITTS,  SEC.  33..MT.  HOPE  TOWNSHIP. 


(•-     •  •.•'•'-,  r 

•  .U  '" 


RESIDENCE  OF  A.H.CARLOCK  ,-$EC.  20.,OAK  GROVE  TOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE  OFTHOS.TYSON,SEC.  22..MT.  HOPETOWNSHIP. 


•>-•-«. 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


271 


with  them  until  they  sold  out  their  business.  He 
then  commenced  business  on  his  own  account,  and 
has  been  deservedly  prosperous.  Besides  the  man- 
ufacture of  guns  and  pistols  he  makes  a  specialty 
of  repairing  these  and  locks  of  all  kinds.  He  carries 
a  full  stock  of  the  best  American  ar.d  English  man- 
ufactures in  his  line,  as  well  as  knives,  ammunition, 
etc.  He  owns  his  business  house  and  adjoining  lot. 
The  house  is  two  stories  in  height  and  25x50  feet 
in  area.  He  also  has  a  good  residence  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Madison  and  Market  streets. 

The  marriage  of  Charles  H.  Gmehlin  and  Miss 
Henrietta  Schlegel,  of  Bloomington,  was  celebrated 
in  1859.  Mrs.  G.  is  also  a  native  of  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  be- 
came the  mother  of  four  children,  one  now  de- 
ceased. Those  living  are  three  daughters:  Ida  is  a 
teacher  in  the  High  School  of  Bloomington ;  Mary 
:md  Amelia  are  at  home.  Mr.  Gmehlin  is  a  repre- 
sentative citizen  and  has  taken  an  intelligent  inter- 
est in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his  adopted 
city.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Council,  having  rep- 
resented the  Second  Ward  for  the  past  two  years. 
He  belongs  to  the  Turner  Society,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  fulfilling  his  obligations  as  a  useful  mem- 
ber of  the  community. 


UGH  K.  VICKROY,  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  Normal  Township,  is  engaged  in 
the  growing  of  small  fruits,  and  as  a  breeder 
of  Holstein-Friesian  cattle.  He  has  been 
a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1856,  coming 
here  when  a  boy  fourteen  years  old  from  his  native 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  in  West- 
moreland County,  on  the  24th  of  October,  1841. 
His  parents  were  Isaac  and  Marsha  (Kennedy) 
Vickroy,  whose  family  consisted  of  four  children : 
Nathan  is  a  fruit-grower  at  Amboy,  this  State ; 
our  subject  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth ;  John 
P.  is  a  resident  of  Normal;  Margaret  is  the  wife  of 
C.  F.  Lee,  of  Johnson  County,  Neb. 

.Mr.  Vickroy  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. Upon  coming  to  Illinois  with  his  uncle, 
Hugh  McLaughlin,  ho  located  in  Bureau  County, 


and  was  variously  occupied  at  whatever  he  could 
find  to  do  for  two  years  afterward.  He  then  engaged 
witli  Samuel  Edwards  of  Lamoille  to  learn  the  nur- 
sery business,  and  remained  with  him  six  years. 
Then,  wishing  to  still  further  advance  his  education, 
he  entered  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary,  and  applied  himself 
closely  to  study  for  two  years  following.  The  Civil 
War  then  being  in  progress  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Co.  K,  93d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  until  the 
close.  He  was  present  at  the  battles  of  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  Champion  Hills,  at  which  latter  place 
nearly  one-half  of  his  regiment  was  cut  down. 
Later  he  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and 
numerous  skirmishes,  the  only  injury  which  he  re- 
ceived being  on  account  of  a  railroad  accident  by 
whicli  he  suffered  the  fracture  of  his  leg.  He  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  at  Chicago,  and,  re- 
turning to  Bureau  Count}',  III.,  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Inspector  of  Spirits,  and  remained  at 
Peoria  during  the  winter  of  18G5-66.  He  after- 
ward took  a  course  of  study  at  Eastman  Commer- 
cial College  in  Chicago,  whence  he  graduated  in 

1867,  and  after  this  resumed  work  for  Mr.  Edwards, 
with  whom  he  remained  a  year,  and  afterward  en- 
gaged with  his  brother-in-law,  at  Minonk,  in  the 
nursery  business  for  some  length  of  time. 

The   marriage   of    Mr.   Vickroy  took   place   in 

1868,  at  Lamoille,  Bureau  County,  the  maiden  of 
his  choice  being  Miss  Mary  P.  Graves,  who  was 
born  in  Massachusetts,  but  at  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage resided   in  Bureau  County.     Soon  afterward 
our  subject  and  his  wife  located  at  Champaign, 
where  Mr.  V.  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  gardens 
and  orchards  of  what  is  now  the  University  of  Illi- 
nois, and  was  thus  emploj'ed  until   1874.     He  then 
came  to  Normal  and  settled  upon  the  place  which 
he  now  occupies.     He  at  first  purchased  ten  acres, 
located  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  for  which  lie 
paid   $4,500,  and   has  since  embellished  the  same 
with  a  fine  residence,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  be- 
sides other  improvements  which  have  added  greatly 
to  its  beauty  and  value.  Mr.  Yickroy  subsequent^ 
added  to  his  acreage,  and  now  has  in   all  seventy 
acres,  which  is  mainly  devoted  to  the  growing  of 
small  fruits,  and  to  which  he  gives  his  entire  atten- 
tion.    Every   dollar  he   possesses  he  accumulated 
by  his  own  industrious  efforts  and  good  judgment. 


t 


.  ,    272 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


He  lived  economically,  was  careful  to  meet  his  ob- 
ligations promptly,  and  by  this  means  has  gained 
the  reputation  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 
In  politics  he  uniformly  casts  his  vote  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  although  otherwise  taking  no  active 
part.  Socially  lie  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vickroy  have  become  the  parents 
of  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter — II.  Edwards 
and  M.  E.  Louise.  Mrs.  V.  is  a  careful  and  praise- 
worthy wife  and  mother,  and  an  earnest  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 


I  SHAM  G1LKAD  LAIX,  a  gentleman  highly 
respected  in  the  community,  and  an  intelligent 
and  skillful  farmer,  owns  a  large  tract  of  finely 
cultivated  land,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  residences 
in  this  section.  He  possesses  fine  natural  abilities, 
great  energy  of  character,  and  his  possessions  are 
the  result  of  his  own  industry,  economy  and  per- 
severance. 

Mr.  Lain  is  a  native  of  Madison  County,  Ky., 
and  was  born  on  the  1 1th  of  September,  1829.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Sallie  (Baker)  Lain,  and  he 
was  their  second  son.  He  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  received  his  early  education  in  the  sub- 
scription schools,  and  as  soon  as  he  became  of  suit- 
able age  commenced  the  duties  of  life  in  assisting 
his  parents  around  the  homestead.  When  he  had 
attained  his  majority  his  father  gave  him  a  horse 
and  a  saddle,  and  this  was  his  start  in  life.  He 
went  from  home  and  engaged  in  the  buying  and 
selling  of  cattle,  and  general  trading.  In  the 
spring  of  1855,  with  a  capital  of  $400  he  purchased 
a  stock  of  goods,  and  being  still  further  assisted  by 
his  father,  obtained  additions  to  this  on  credit,  and 
conducted  a  very  successful  trade  until  the  fall  of 
1857,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  McLean 
County. 

Upon  arriving  here  Mr.  Lain  purchased  a  tract 
of  land  on  section  19,  in  Dale  Township.  It  was 
entirely  unimproved,  and  he  industriously  set  about 
breaking  the  sod  and  cultivating  the  soil,  and 
erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings.  He  was  also 
obliged  to  fence  his  land,  and  he  was  thus  industri- 


i    ob 

r 


ously  occupied  until  the  fall  of  1  «<;;>,  when  he  sold 
out  and  purchased  land  in  Allen  Township.  The 
following  spring  he  removed  to  Shirley,  and  in 
company  with  his  brother,  W.  B.  Lain,  purchased 
200  acres  of  land  on  section  30,  which  constitutes 
his  present  homestead.  At  the  same  time  the 
brothers  opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise  in 
Shirley  and  conducted  that  business  and  farming 
together  for  the  following  two  years,  when  our  sub- 
ject traded  his  interest  in  the  store  for  his  brother's 
interest  in  the  farm,  and  has  since  devoted  his 
time  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  subsequently 
added  to  his  landed  possessions  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  532  acres,  the  home  farm  including  200 
acres  and  the  balance  of.  his  land  lying  in  Randolph 
Township.  It  is  all  improved  and  in  a  good  state 
of  cultivation,  and  Mr.  Lain  ranks  among  the  first 
and  substantial  farmers  of  this  locality. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  May  J.  Boulware  on  the  28th  of  July, 
1857.  '  Mrs.  L.  was  also  born  in  Madison  County, 
Ky.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Hardin  and  Ruth  J. 
(McWilliams)  Bo  ul  ware,  and  by  her  union  with 
our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  five  children, 
all  living:  Susan  P.  became  the  wife  of  Henry  B. 
Stubblefield,  and  lives  in  Dale  Township;  Robert, 
Albert  (i.,  Wellie  B.  and  Ira  D.  are  at  home  with 
their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Christian  Church  of  Shirley,  and 
in  politics  Mr.  Lain,  formerly  a  Whig,  now  affil- 
iates with  the  Democratic  party. 


J~  ACOB  P^YER,  one  of  the  self-made  men  and 
successful  merchants  of  McLean,  deals  ex- 
tensively   in    drj'-goods    and    ready-made 
clothing,   and   established   business  here  in 
March,  1883.     He  is  of  that  energetic  and  resolute 
character  which  admits  of  no  such  word  as  fail,  and 
has  maintained  the  position  which  he  first  took  in 
the  front  ranks  among  the  business  men  of  this  lo- 
cality. 

Mr.  Eyer  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Jan. 
1,  1848.  His  father,  Rudolph  Eyer,  was  a  native 
of  Germany,  and  was  educated  and  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  Empire.  After  attaining  his 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


273 


i 


majority  he  emigrated  to  America,  first  locating  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married.  In 
1843  he  removed  to  Fulton  County,  the  same 
State,  and  purchased  a  farm,  upon  which  he  lived 
for  thirteen  years,  and  then  selling  out  came  to 
McLean  County,  111.  He  first  located  in  White 
Oak  Township,  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and 
afterward  removed  to  Dry  Grove  Township,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  departing  this 
life  in  1877. 

The  wife  of  Rudolph  Eyer  was  formerly  Miss 
Barbara  Gunden,  who  was  a  native  of  the  same 
country  as  her  husband,  and  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  Ohio.  She  accompanied  him  to  the  West, 
and  now  lives  with  her  children  in  Dry  Grove 
Township.  Of  these  there  were  ten  in  number, 
seven  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years,  the  record 
being  as  follows :  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Barrett, 
lives  in  Humboldt  County,  Iowa;  Sophronia  mar- 
ried Edward  Patton,  and  lives  in  Dry  Grove 
Township;  Jacob,  our  subject,  was  the  third  child; 
Mattie,  Mrs.  Albert  Wright,  resides  in  Linn  County, 
Kan. ;  Lizzie  married  Jacob  Patton,  and  lives  in 
Dry  Grove  Township;  Christian  and  Daniel  are  in 
Humboldt  County,  Iowa. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  eldest  son  of 
his  parents.  He  attended  the  district  school  in 
winters,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  during 
the  milder  seasons.  He  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  then  farmed  on 
rented  land  on  his  own  account  and  purchased  an 
interest  in  a  corn-sheller  and  thrashing  machine, 
which  he  operated  profitably  in  White  Oak  and  Dry 
Grove  Townships.  In  1874  he  abandoned  farming 
to  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits,  having  a  capital 
of  $000,  the  result  of  his  own  earnings.  With  this 
he  purchased  a  half-interest  in  a  store  in  White 
Oak  Township,  and  put  in  a  general  stock  of 
merchandise,  operating  there  until  1882.  He  then 
sold  out,  and  after  a  vacation  of  a  few  months 
came  to  the  little  city  of  McLean,  as  before  stated. 
He  has  beei)  successful  since  his  first  establishment 
here,  is  doing  a  good  business  and  carrying  an  av- 
erage stock  of  $7.000. 

Mr.  Eyer  was  married  on  the  6th  of  July,  1884, 
to  Miss  Laura,  the  daughter  of  Edward  and  Maria 
(Griest)  Cadwallader,  who  were  natives  of  Indiana. 


Mrs.  Eyer  was  born  in  that  State,  in  Darlington, 
Montgomery  County,  in  18G3.  They  have  one 
child,  Lloyd  E.,  born  Dec.  14,  1885.  Both  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  our 
subject,  in  politics,  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party. 


J~~  II.  ANDERSON,  of  Blooraington,  is  en- 
gaged with  Tillotson  &  Fell  in  the  abstract 
and  loan  business,  and  possesses  a  good  un- 
derstanding of  business  matters  in  general. 
He  was  born  in  Greenfield,  Highland  Co.,  Ohio, 
Nov.  20,  1826,  being  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Brooks)  Anderson,  of  York  County,  Pa.  John 
Anderson  was  a  manufacturer  of  furniture,  and 
was  also  an  undertaker,  besides  being  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits.  He  removed  from  his  native 
State  to  Ohio  in  1820,  located  in  Greenfield,  and 
remained  .there  until  his  death  in  1866.  The  mother 
died  in  Lawrence,  Kan.,  in  1873,  at  the  home  of 
her  son,  Dr.  S.  B.  Anderson.  Both  parents  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  many 
years.  They  had  three  sons,  two  now  living,  our 
subject  and  his  brother,  the  latter  being  a  graduate 
of  the  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati. 

Young  Anderson  remained  with  his  parents  un- 
til he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  then  went 
to  Pickaway  County,  where  he  remained  three  years 
engaged  in  farming.  From  there  he  went  to 
Frankfort,  Ross  Co.,  Ohio,  and  engaged  in  general 
merchandising  for  two  years,  and  soon  afterward 
entered  the  Commercial  College  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1856.  He  after- 
ward remained  at  the  college  one  year,  during 
which  he  had  charge  of  its  office  affairs. 

After  leaving  the  college  Mr.  Anderson  engaged 
in  farming  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  until  Sep- 
tember, 1860,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  engaged 
in  the  dry -goods  business  at  Bloomington,  at  which 
he  continued  three  years.  He  then  purchased  a 
farm  of  420  acres  in  Will  County,  which  he  occu- 
pied and  cultivated  for  seven  years,  and  then  sold 
eighty  acres  of  it,  having  now  340  acres.  Upon 
retiring  from  his  farm  Mi-.  Anderson  returned  to 
Bloomington,  and  engaged  in  the  abstract  and  loan 
business  on  North  Main  street.  In  1873  he  moved 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


? 


i 

F 


into  the  court-house,  where  lie  has  been  since  that 
time. 

In  1  S  j  1  our  subject  married  Miss  Nancy  F.  Baker, 
who  was  born  March  5,  1831,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Solomon  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Horsey)  Baker,  na- 
tives of  New  York  and  Ohio.  Her  father  was  an 
extensive  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  owning  from 
6,000  to  8,000  acres  of  land,  and  shipping  large 
numbers  of  animals  to  market  annually.  Six  only  of 
their  ten  children  are  now  living:  Nancy  F.,  Mrs. 
Anderson;  Lizzie,  Mrs.  J.  N.  Larimore,  of  Bloom- 
ington;  John,  of  St.  Louis;  Minnie.  Mrs.  Baker, 
of  Bloomington;  Florence,  Mrs.  J.  J.  Hiddelston, 
of  Eudora,  Kan.;  Phillip  F.,  of  North  Carolina. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  became  the  parents  of 
six  children — Sallie  B..  William  M.,  Harry  A., 
Adelbert,  Samuel  and  Florence  M.  Politically  our 
subject  is  Democratic,  and  with  his  wife  is  .a  mem- 
ber of  the  Independent  Church  of  Bloomington. 
Their  handsome  and  attractive  residence  is  located 
at  the  corner  of  Douglas  and  Mi-Lean  streets,  and 
they  are  held  in  high  esteem  by  a  large  number  of 
friends. 

>^r 

ESLEY  T.  GRAIN,  a  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful farmer  of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  8,  and  carry- 
ing on  agriculture  and  stock-raising  in  a  first-class 
manner.  He  is  a  native  of  Logan  County,  Ky., 
and  was  born  July  20,  1841.  His  father,  William 
Grain,  was  born  in  the  same  county,  and  his  grand- 
father, Armisted  Grain,  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  removed  to  Kentucky  in  an  early  period  in  the 
settlement  of  that  State.  He  was  the  friend  and  as- 
sociate of  Daniel  Boone,  and  located  near  the 
Boone  settlement  when  first  becoming  a  resident  of 
Kentucky.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land 
and  cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  where  he 
established  a  comfortable  home  and  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  His  son  William,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  was  reared  in  his  native  count}'  and 
assisted  his  father  in  clearing  the  farm,  remaining 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  heavy  timber  land,  twelve  miles 
from  his  father's  place,  and  cleared  nearly  1,000 


acres.  Upon  this  he  engaged  extensively  in  stock- 
raising,  and  bred  horses,  mules  and  sheep,  which  he 
drove  to  (leorgia.  Alabama  and  Mississippi  for 
sale.  He  was  a  thorough  Union  man,  and  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  joined  the  Union  force- 
and  became  Lieutenant  of  the  8th  Kentucky  Cav- 
alry. He  died  in  the  service  at  Hopkinsville,  Ky., 
on  the  7th  of  March,  1863.  His  wife,  before  her 
marriage,  was  .Miss  Amanda  McMillan,  a  native  of 
the  same  county  and  State  as  her  husband,  and  the 
daughter  of  Bloomer  McMillan,  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Logan  County.  They  became  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  all  of  whom,  with  one  exception,  lived  to 
become  men  and  women:  Lemuel,  the  second  son, 
served  in  the  war  in  the  same  company  with  his 
father,  and  also  died  while  in  the  service  at  Klkton, 
Ky.,  Dec.  31,  1862.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and 
a  resident  of  Atlanta,  111. 

The  subject  of  our  ske'tch  was  the  eldest  child  of 
his  parents'  family.  He  remained  with  his  parents 
and  assisted  his  father  in  the  duties  around  the 
homestead  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and 
then  made  annual  trips  to  the  South  with  horses 
and  mules  to  sell,  usually  spending  his  winters  in 
that  warmer  clime.  In  the  spring  of  1860  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  E.  Porter,  a  na- 
tive of  Butler  County,  Ky.,  and  born  Dec.  11, 
1841.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Nancy  (Hutchinson)  Porter,  of  Butler  County, 
Ky.,  and  remained  with  her  parents  until  her  mar- 
riage with  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Grain  purchased  a  tract 
of  timber  land  in  Butler  County,  Ky.,  where  he 
built  a  log  house  and  commenced  the  improvement 
of  a  farm.  After  five  years  he  sold  out  and  pro- 
ceeded north  into  McLean  County,  111.,  and  pur- 
chased in  Mt.  Hope  Township  sixty  acres  of  land 
lying  on  section  5.  Two  years  afterward  he  traded 
this  for  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  section  8,  which 
he  now  owns  and  occupies,  and  where  he  has  resided 
since  that  time.  He  subsequently  added  to  this  last 
purchase  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres,  all  in 
one  body  and  all  improved.  Upon  this  he  erected 
a  comfortable  farm  residencce.  He  has  good  barns 
and  out-buildings,  and  all  the  necessary  machinery 
and  implements  for  carrying  on  agriculture  after 
the  most  modern  and  approved  methods.  The 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


275 


* 


homestead  bears  evidence  on  every  hand  of  culti- 
vated taste  and  ample  means. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grain  there  were 
hoi-ii  five  children,  who  are  recorded  as  follows: 
William  B.  is  a  resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township; 
Kuric  M.  is  a  student  at  Bloomington,  111.;  Virgil 
U.,  Ira  L.  and  Elon  P.  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Grain  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  occu- 
pies a  prominent  position  in  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
He  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  the  success 
of  the  order,  having  become  a  Mason  in  Kentucky 
as  earty  as  1863,  as  a  member  of  Gasper  River 
Lodge  No.  247.  After  coming  to  Illinois  he  as- 
sisted in  the  organization  of  McLean  Lodge  No. 
469,  in  the  fall  of  1865.  He  also  assisted  in  organ- 
izing Stanford  Allen  Lodge  No.  605,  and  still  holds 
membership-  in  that  lodge,  having  been  Worship- 
ful Master  for  several  years.  He  is  a  great  admirer 
of  the  doctrines  of  the  fraternity,  and  has  given 
liberally  of  his  time  and  means  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  Masonry. 


'ff/EREMIAH  WELCH,  one  of  the  leading 
|  farmers  of  Bloomington  Township,  is  also 
i  largely  interested  in  stock-raising,  turning 
(K||//  his  attention  principally  to  the  breeding  of 
fine  horses.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  roadsters,  and 
has  in  his  stables  several  of  the  offspring  of  the 
celebrated  Hero  of  Thorndale,  the  famous  Ralston 
and  the  Clay  stock,  comprising  in  all  about  forty 
head,  seven  of  these  being  from  the  Hero  of  Thorn- 
dale,  and  remarkably  fine  animals.  He  also  has  ani- 
Tnals  of  a  speedy  family  on  both  sides.  For  beauty 
and  symmetry  the  animals  exhibited  on  the  farm 
of  Mr.  Welch  will  compare  favorably  with  uny 
others  in  the  State. 

The  home  farm  of  Mr.  Welch  is  located  on  sec- 
tions 27,  34,  35  and  36,  the  residence  being  located 
on  the  first  named.  His  landed  possessions  in 
Bloomington  Township  aggregate  about  400  acres, 
besides  about  100  in  Vermilion  County.  His 
dwelling,  barns  and  outhouses  are  finely  built  and 
correspond  with  each  other,  being  models  of  taste 
and  convenience,  and  the  whole  estate  presents  one 
of  the  prettiest  spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean 


County.  Mr.  Welch  became  a  resident  of  this  lo- 
cality in  l.s;l  l.  mnking  his  first  settlement  in  Downs 
Township.  Me  has  been  successfully  engaged  in 
his  present  business  since  a  boy  fourteen  years  of 
age,  exhibiting  at  an  early  period  of  his  life  a  pe- 
culiar adaptability  for  his  chosen  field  of  operations. 
Of  this  he  makes  a  science,  and  has  studied  the 
habits  and  needs  of  animals  in  more  than  an  ordi- 
nary degree.  He  possesses  the  faculty  of  develop- 
ing their  finest  qualities,  and  in  return  is  rewarded 
by  a  handsome  income  from  his  operations  in  this 
department  of  business. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Vigo 
County,  Ind.,  July  10, 1827.  His  father,  Solomon 
Welch,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  stanch 
Irish  ancestry.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his 
native  State  and  was  there  married,  in  Northamp- 
ton County,  to  Miss  Susan  Jacoby,  a  native  of  the 
same  State  and  of  German  descent  and  parentage. 
After  marriage  they  removed  to  Central  Ohio, 
where  several  of  their  children  were  born,  and  sub- 
sequently removed  to  Vigo  County,  Ind.  The  family 
circle  included  ten  children,  only  three  of  whom 
are  living,  two  sons  and  one  daughter:  Jeremiah, 
of  our  sketch ;  Albert,  and  a  sister,  Elisa  J. 

Our  subject  was  the  ninth  child  of  the  family, 
and  his  father  died  at  Ft.  Harrison  Prairie,  Ind., 
when  his  son  Jeremiah  was  only  six  years  old.  Two 
years  later  the  mother  and  her  children  came  to 
Illinois,  and  locating  in  McLean  County  made  their 
final  home  in  Downs  Township,  where  the  children 
grew  to  mature  years  and  where  the  mother  closed 
her  eyes  to  the  scenes  of  earth  in  the  fall  of  1867. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Downs  Township,  and  while  still  a  young 
boy  began  to  earn  his  own  livelihood,  working  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do  and  being  em- 
ployed by  the  month  for  one  or  two  years.  After 
becoming  of  age  he  began  to  operate  a  farm  on  his 
own  account  and  met  with  success.  Five  years 
later  he  took  unto  himself  a  partner  and  helpmeet 
in  the  person  of  Miss  Sarah  J.  Myers,  their  mar- 
riage occurring  Feb.  17,  1853.  Mrs.  Welch  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  and  at  the  age  of  six  years  came 
with  her  parents  to  Illinois,  and  they  settled  in 
Bloomington  Township.  She  remained  with  them 
mi  til  her  marriage,  in  the- meantime  receiving  a  fair 


f 


276 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


education  in  the  common  schools,  and  assisting  her 
mother  in  household  duties.  Her  parents  are  both 
now  deceased,  but  their  names  are  held  in  kindly 
remembrance  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. They  were  most  worthy  and  excel- 
lent people,  and  trained  their  children  in  those 
principles  of  honor  and  honesty  which  they  had 
made  the  rule  of  their  own  fives,  and  the  good  in- 
fluence which  they  shed  around  them  will  live  for 
years  to  come.  They  were  natives  of  the  South 
and  of  English  and  German  ancestry. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  have  become  the  parents  of 
five  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased :  Mary  S., 
the  wife  of  L.  K.  Calhoun,  resides  on  a  farm  in 
Vermilion  County,  111.;  Minerva  married  Charles 
Wagner,  a  farmer  of  Gillum,  this  county;  John  is 
carrying  on  agricultural  operations  on  a  farm  in 
Bloomington  Township,  and  is  married ;  Lizzie  C. 
Kershaw  resides  on  section  35 ;  William  Henry  is 
attending  school  at  Bloomington,  111.  These  chil- 
dren form  a  bright  and  interesting  family,  and  are 
the  joy  and  comfort  of  their  parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  settled  in  this  township  soon 
after  their  marriage  and  began  life  at  the  foot  of 
the  ladder.  They  were  poor  in  purse  but  united  in 
their  efforts  to  establish  a  permanent  and  comforta- 
ble home,  and  this  they  have  accomplished  to  their 
abundant  satisfaction.  They  are  now  possessed  of 
a  good  share  of  this  world's  goods,  and  in  their 
later  years  are  reaping  the  rich  reward  of  earlier 
toil  and  self-denial.  They  are  highly  esteemed 
among  their  neighbors  and  fellow-townsmen,  and 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  W.  has  been  prominently 
connected  with  the  affairs  of  his  township  since 
coming  here,  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  Township  Supervisor,  Commissioner  of 
Highways,  etc.  Politically  he  is  a  solid  Republican. 

In  connection  with  the  present  business  of  Mr. 
Welch  it  is  only  just  to  say  that  his  reputation  as  a 
breeder  of  fine  horses  is  by  no  means  confined  to 
the  limits  of  his  township.  Some  of  his  roadsters 
are  familiarly  known  on  the  streets  of  Chicago  and 
New  York  City,  being  driven  by  some  of  the  finest 
horsemen  and  wealthiest  citizens  of  these  cities.  He 
has  carried  off  laurels  at  the  local  and  State  fairs, 
and  his  favorite  stallion  Lamplighter  has  won  the 


first  premium  at  various  fairs  for  the  last  fourteen 
j-ears.  The  colts  of  this  animal  are  sold  at  high 
prices.  The  stock  farm  of  Mr.  Welch  is  complete 
in  all  its  appointments  and  has  already  become  one 
of  the  notable  features  of  this  section. 


EV.  GEORGE  W.  BURNS,  deceased,  was 
late  a  prominent  member  of  the  Cen- 
tral Illinois  Conference  of  the  Methodist 
^Episcopal  Church,  and  died  while  in  attend- 
ance at  this  conference,  of  malarial  fever,  at  Ke- 
wanee,  Oct.  14,  1884.  He  was  born  in  Wheeling, 
\V.  Va.,  June  2,  1835,  being  the  second  child  and 
eldest  son  of  Rev.  John  Burns,  a  prominent  minis- 
ter of  the  same  church,  belonging  to  the  M  uskingum 
Conference.  John  Burns  was  the  son  of  a  Scotch 
gentleman  whom  it  is  supposed  was  a  native  of 
Ayrshire,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  a  fine 
education.  He  came  to  the  United  States  when  a 
young  man,  and  followed  the  vocation  of  a  teacher 
in  Virginia  and  Ohio.  He  was  a  man  of  influence 
and  greatly  respected  wherever  known.  His  son, 
John  Burns,  inherited  much  of  his  father's  talent, 
and  during  the  early  days  was  appointed  General 
Superintendent  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
in  the  United  States,  and  also  served  as  President 
of  the  Conference  for  many  years.  He  labored  in 
the  ministry  during  a  period  of  fifty  years,  preach- 
ing in  the  States  of  Ohio,  Virginia  and  Pennsylva- 
nia. He  was  celebrated  for  his  clear  and  logical 
reasoning  powers,  and  was  considered  one  of  the 
first  pulpit  orators  of  his  day.  He  was  a  close  stu- 
dent, an  extensive  reader,  and  distinguished  h'mf- 
self  by  that  unobtrusive  and  modest  bearing  which 
rendered  him  an  object  of  respect  and  affection 
wherever  known. 

George  W.  Burns,  following  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  honored  father,  became  in  early  life  a  hard  stu- 
dent, and  entered  upon  his  ministerial  duties  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  being  licensed  in  Steu- 
benville,  Ohio.  He  entered  upon  his  first  charge  at 
Brownsville,  that  State,  in  1857,  when  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  being  then  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  with  which  he  remained  con- 
nected for  the  following  sixteen  years.  After  with- 


r 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


277 


-H 


drawing  from  this  he  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  thereafter,  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life,  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  cause  of  religion,  in  the  ministry.  His  edu- 
cation was  begun  in  Steubenville,  Ohio,  whence 
later  he  went  to  Uniontown,  Pa.,  and  took  a  clas- 
sical course  in  the  college  there,  from  which  he 
graduated  after  three  years.  Becoming  also  desirous 
of  gaining  an  insight  into  the  methods  of  general 
business  transactions,  he  took  a  thorough  course  in 
Duff's  Business  College  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  which 
proved  of  great  advantage  to  him  in  his  supervision 
of  the  finances  of  the  churches  over  which  he  aft- 
erward had  charge. 

Rev.  George  W.  Burns  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Emma  H.  Mouser,  Sept.  2,  1863.  Mrs. 
B.  was  born  in  Marion,  Ohio,  Sept.  10,  1840,  being 
the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Anna  (Strawbridge) 
Mouser,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Penn- 
sylvania. They  became  residents  of  Ohio  in  early 
youth,  and  were  married  in  Marion,  that  State,  in 
February,  1835.  There  they  located,  and  the 
father  became  one  of  the  most  successful  cattle  deal- 
ers of  that  section.  He  died  there  upon  the  home- 
stead which  he  had  established  in  1864.  Later  the 
mother  removed  to  Shelby ville,  111.,  where  she  de- 
parted this  life  in  1874.  Mrs.  Burns,  after  a  course 
in  the  High  School  of  Marion,  completed  her  edu- 
cation in  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware, 
Ohio.  After  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Burns  they 
located  at  Ridgeville,  Md.,  whence  they  removed 
to  Liverpool,  Ohio,  where,  in  addition  to  his  minis- 
terial labors,  Mr.  B.  became  Superintendent  of  the 
public  schools,  and  where  he  labored  with  such  per- 
sistence and  faithfulness  that  his  health  was  seriously 
impaired.  He  was  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Protestant  Church  for  some  time  after  coming  to 
Illinois,  but  was  admitted  to  the  Central  Confer- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1873, 
at  Galesburg.  His  first  appointment  was  at  Oil- 
man, 111.,  where  after  two  years  he  was  removed  to 
Carthage  Circuit,  and  afterward  was  engaged  for 
some  time  in  different  parts  of  Illinois.  Finally,  in 
1883,  he  was  assigned  to  Chenoa,  but  in  the  mean- 
time made  his  home  in  Bloomintrton,  where  his 
death  occurred.  Although  cut  down  in  the  prime 
of  life  the  result  of  his  good  works  and  his  influence 


will  be  apparent  for  many  years  to  come.  His  earn- 
est and  devoted  life  secured  him  the  affection  and 
confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances, by  whom  his  name  will  ever  be  cherished  in 
tender  remembrance.  He  left  a  widow  with  a 
family  of  five  children:  Anna  E.  completed  her 
education  at  Wesleyan  University,  and  is  now  a 
teacher  in  the  Second  Ward  of  Bloomington ;  John 
W.  operates  the  farm  of  his  mother,  which  con- 
sists of  160  acres  of  good  land,  in  Padua  Township. 
He  also  has  received  a  good  education,  which  was 
completed  at  Wesleyan  University,  of  which  Carrie 
E.  was  also  a  student,  and  is  now  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  Padua;  George  P.,  living  at 
home,  is  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  High  School  of 
Bloomington,  and  Katie  W.,  the  youngest,  attends 
the  public  schools.  The  home  of  Mrs.  Burns  in 
Bloomington  is  pleasantly  located  at  No.  1404 
North  Main  street,  where  she  has  a  good  residence, 
which  is  the  resort  of  the  cultured  people  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Burns  was  a  strong  anti-slavery  man, 
and  was  greatly  interested  in  the  success  of  the 
temperance  movement,  arraying  himself  on  the  side 
of  the  Prohibition  party. 


'ILLIAM  B.  LAIN,  of  Dale  Township,  this 
count}',  a  prominent  and  successful  farmer 
and  stock-feeder  and  shipper,  is  operating 
successfully  on  his  fine  farm  located  on  section  36. 
He  is  in- all  respects  a  representative  man  of  one  of 
the  leading  counties  of  the  Prairie  State,  full  of  en- 
terprise and  energy,  and  presenting  an  example 
worthy  of  imitation  by  the  rising  generation. 

Mr.  Lain  is  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  State, 
having  been  born  in  Madison  County,  May  28, 
1827.  His  father,  John  Lain,  of  Virginia,  was 
born  in  Albemarle  County,  and  his  grandfather, 
Isham  Lain,  was  also  born  in  Virginia,  and  de- 
scended from  English  ancestry,  his  father,  the 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  having  been  a  na- 
tive of  England,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  the 
colonial  days,  settling  in  Virginia.  This  latter 
gentleman  was  twice  married,  and  the  two  families 
amounted  to  sixteen  sons,  seven  of  whom  served 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  grandfather  of 


f 


278 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


our  subject,  one  of  the  seven,  served  under  (.Jen. 
Washington,  and  received  a  pension  during  the 
last  years  of  his  life.  He  emigrated  from  Virginia 
to  Tennessee  before  the  days  of  carriage  roads, 
making  the  removal  with  pack  horses.  He  spent 
two  years  at  the  north  fork  of  Holston  River  and 
then  removed  to  Kentucky,  following  Boone's 
trail,  and  settling  H\  that  part  of  the  State  now  in- 
cluded in  Madison  County.  There  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  timberland,  cleared  a  farm  in  the  midst 
of  the  forest,  and  established  a  home  where  he  re- 
mained the  balance  of  his  life.  He  departed  from 
the  scenes  of  his  earthly  labors  in  1851,  after  hav- 
ing arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  over  ninety-six 
years.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Nancy 
Lamb.  She  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  followed  her 
husband  in  all  his  wanderings,  and  died  in  Madison 
County,  Ky.,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Their 
son,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  1795, 
and  was  about  nine  years  old  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Kentucky.  He  there  grew  to  manhood 
and  married  Miss  Sallie  Baker,  of  Maryland.  He 
purchased  land  in  Madis.on  County,  Ky.,  near  his 
father's  homestead,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  remained  there  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1867.  His  wife  died  in  the  same 
county,  Nov.  15,  1885,  at  the  age  of  eighty -two 
years.  They  were  most  excellent  and  worthy 
people  and  devoted  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  had  a  family  of  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  grew  to  years  of  maturity. 
William  B.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest  born ;  Isham 
G.  is  a  resident  of  Dale  Township;  Isaiah  lives  in 
Blue  Mound  Township;  Shelton  H.  and  Burgess 
W.  are  in  Madison  County,  Ky. ;  Elizabeth  mar- 
ried Thomas  R.  Todd  and  died  in  St.  Clair  County, 
Mo. ;  Nellie  B.  became  the  wife  of  Y.  J.  Garrett, 
and  died  in  Madison  County,  Ky. 

William  B.  Lain  was  reared  in  his  native  county 
before  the  day  of  free  schools.  His  father  was  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  and  fully 
realized  the  advantages  of  education.  He  accord- 
ingly contributed  his  full  share  toward  the  main- 
tenance of  a  subscription  school,  and  provided  for 
all  his  children  the  means  of  an  ordinarily  fair  ed- 
ucation. William  B.  remained  with  his  parents 


until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  employing  his  time 
alternately  in  work  and  study,  and  then  entered  a 
boarding-school  in  the  same  county  to  receive  a 
still  further  course  of  instruction.  Seven  years 
later  he  was  married  and  moved  to  Missouri,  set- 
tling in  St.  Clair  County,  being  among  the  earliest 
pioneers  of  that  region.  lie  entered  a  tract  of 
Government  land  and  purchased  another  tract  ad- 
joining, and  pursued  farming  and  school  teaching 
in  that  section  until  1857.  He  then  returned  to 
Kentucky  and  settled  in  Rockeastle  County,  where 
he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  18C4,  when 
he  sold  out  and  came  into  McLean  County,  111. 
He  purchased  160  'acres  of  land  in  Dale  Township, 
which  he  operated  for  one  year,  then  went  to  Shir- 
ley in  this  county  with  his  brother,  and  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  lying  on  section  36  in  Dale  Town- 
ship. He  then  located  in  the  town  and  engaged  in 
trade  as  before,  carrying  on  a  general  merchandise 
business  for  the  following  twelve  years.  In  the 
meantime  he  purchased  the  farm  which  he  now 
owns  and  occupies,  and  in  1875  settled  upon  it  and 
has  since  made  it  his  home.  He  has  greatly  im- 
proved the  condition  of  the  premises  since  he  first 
took  possession  and  has  brought  the  land  to  a  fine 
state  of  cultivation.  He  has  been  greatly  pros- 
pered in  his  farming  and  stock  operations  and  ships 
annually  large  numbers  of  stock  to  Chicago. 

Mr.  Lain  was  married  in  Rockeastle  County,  Ky., 
Sept.  27,  1849,  to  Miss  Ziporah  Todd,  who  was 
born  in  that  county,  Aug.  12,  1832.  She  comes 
from  an  excellent  and  prominent  family,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Heaton)  Todd. 
Her  grandfather,  William  Todd,  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Kentucky, 
and  owned  the  first  ox-cart  ever  brought  into  Mad- 
ison County. 


EORGE  CHURCH,  a  resident  of  McLean, 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  is  one  of  the  old  set- 
tlers of  this  county.  Mr.  Church  was  born 
at  Rome,  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  18,  1822. 
His  father,  Calvin  Church,  was  born  in  East  Had- 
dam,  Middlesex  Co.,  Conn.,  and  the  paternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Joseph  Church,  was 


I 

r 


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• 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


likewise  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  of  English 
ancestry.  The  grandfather  spent  his  entire  life  in 
the  State  of  his  nativity,  and  died  on  his  farm  near 
East  Haddam,  where  he  had  lived  all  his  life.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  reared  on  the  latter  farm, 
and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Ashtabula  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Susan  Crowell.  She  was  born  in  the  Nutmeg  State, 
and  removed  with  her  parents  to  Ohio  when  three 
years  old.  Her  father,  William  Crowell,  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  in  Rome,  Ohio.  He  bought 
timber  land  and  improved  a  farm  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  that  place,  and  there  spent  the  latter  years 
of  his  life.  Our  subject's  father  also  bought  tim- 
ber land  near  the  same  place,  which  he  occupied 
until  1833,  when  he  sold  it  and  removed  to  Geauga 
County,  Ohio,  and  located  at  Thompson.  He 
bought  a  house,  acted  in  the  capacity  of  "  mine 
host,"  and  also  engaged  in  merchandising  at  that 
place,  making  it  his  home  until  his  death,  in  1857. 
His  wife  died  at  the  residence  of  her  son  in  Akron, 
Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  eldest  son  born 
to  his  parents,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  store 
and  about  the  hotel,  making  his  home  with  his  par- 
ents until  1844.  He  then  went  to  Leesville,  Conn., 
and  engaged  in  a  cotton-mill,  to  learn  cotton 
dressing.  He  worked  in  this  place  for  a  year  and 
a  half,  when  he  embarked  in  the  cotton  business  in 
Battenville,  N.  Y.,  and  was  thus  occupied  for  two 
years.  Returning  to  Ohio  he  operated  his  father's 
hotel  for  a  time  and  then  served  as  Postmaster  at 
Thompson.  In  185C  he  came  to  Shipman,  Ma- 
coupin  Co.,  111.,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  located 
on  a  farm  and  was  there  occupied  for  a  little  more 
than  a  year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
moved  to  Bloomington,  and  leasing  ,a  hotel  kept 
public  house  for  a  year  and  a  half,  after  which  time 
he  rented  a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  and  for 
some  years  thereafter  was  occupied  in  farming  on 
rented  land.  In  1860  our  subject  removed  to  the 
village  of  McLean,  where  he  has  continued  to  re- 
side until  the  present  time.  From  1876  to  1883 
he  clerked  in  the  mercantile  establishment  of  F.  A. 
Wheelock,  and  previous  to  that  time  he  had  been 
engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business.  He  also 
served  eight  years  as  Deputy  Sheriff,  and  has  held 


the  positions  of  Constable,  City  Justice  and  Town- 
ship and  Town  Clerk. 

Mr.  Church  was  married  to  Miss  Margarette 
Hall  in  1851.  She  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  and 
has  borne  our  subject  four  children :  Susan  T.,  the 
wife  of  William  T.  Gibbs;  William  G.  and  Clara 
E.  are  residents'of  McLean ;  the  latter  is  the  wife 
of  William  M.  King,  Postmaster  of  McLean;  Liz- 
zie died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Church  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  holds  fellowship  with 
Lodge  No.  469  of  McLean.  In  politics  he  is  a 
stanch  Republican. 


J~  ACOB   FUNK,   a   highly   esteemed  farmer, 
and  one  of  the  most  extensive  stock-raisers 
of  McLean  County,  is  a  native  of  this  coun- 
ty, and  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship.    The  date  of  his  birth  was  April  7, 1830,  and 
he  is  the  third  son  of  Isaac  and  Cassandra  (Sharpe) 
Funk,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  another  part  of 
this  work. 

As  soon  as  old  enough,  young  Jacob  commenced 
to  assist  his  father  in  all  the  various  kinds  of  farm 
work,  and  herded  cattle  during  the  summer  season 
on  the  wild  prairies  of  his  native  township.  At 
the  age  of  twelve  years  he  went  to  Chicago  and 
lived  with  an  uncle  there,  also  following  his  old  oc- 
cupation of  herding  cattle  and  sheep,  outside  the 
city  limits.  Chicago  was  then  a.  small  town,  with 
probably  5,000  inhabitants.  The  greater  part  of 
the  land  now  occupied  by  the  city  was  wild  prairie, 
and  Jacob  Funk  frequently  herded  a  flock  of  sheep 
on  the  ground  which  is  now  occupied  by  the  Grand 
Pacific  Hotel.  He  remained  with  his  uncle  ten 
months,  and  then  returned  home  to  his  father  in 
McLean  County,  where  he  lived  until  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  then  again  started  for  Chicago 
and  the  home  of  his  uncle  with  whom  he  had  lived 
before.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  father,  and 
together  they  pursued  their  way  overland  to  Indi- 
ana where  they  intended  making  a  short  visit. 
Jacob  was  there  taken  sick,  and  after  an  illness  of 


282 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


three  weeks,  his  father,  who  had  gone  home  in  the 
meantime,  returned  for  him  and  removed  him 
home  on  a  bed.  After  this  he  remained  with  his 
father  until  his  marriage,  when  he  settled  on  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies,  and  a  part 
of  which  was  given  him  by  his  father.  Only  a 
few  acres  were  then  improved,  but  he  set  himself 
industriously  about  its  cultivation,  and  by  degrees 
increased  his  possessions  until  now  he  may  be 
ranked  among  the  large  landed  proprietors  of  the 
State,  owning  2,600  acres,  and  all  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  This  land  is  divided  up  into 
several  farms  which  are  furnished  with  suitable 
buildings  and  occupied  by  tenants.  Mr.  Funk 
manages  his  extensive  possessions,  and  upon  his 
land  are  raised  in  large  numbers,  horses,  cattle  and 
hogs.  He  grazes  from  400  to  600  head  of  cattle 
annually,  and  also  operates  as  a  shipper,  sending 
his  animals  to  Chicago.  As  we  might  expect,  the 
income  from  these  enterprises  yields  him  a  hand- 
some sum  annually. 

Jacob  Funk  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Walt- 
man,  Nov.  18,  1858.  Mrs.  Funk  is  a  native  of 
Bedford  County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  June  15,  1838. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Michstel  and  Julia  Ann  (Wil- 
son) Waltman,  and  of  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject there  have  been  born  three  children — Charles 
A.,  Clara  May  and  Dean  N.  They  are  all  now  at 
home  with  their  parents.  The  two  eldest  were 
educated  at  Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington; 
the  youngest  son  received  his  preparatory  course  at 
Peekskill,  N.  Y.,  and  is  now  a  student  at  Yale  Col- 
lege. . 

The  farm  residence  of  our  subject  and  his  fam- 
ily is  a  handsome  brick  structure,  one  of  the  most 
elegant  in  the  Prairie  State,  and  both  within  and 
without  is  indicative  of  cultivated  tastes  and  am- 
ple means.  Its  inmates  are  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  of  life,  and  enjoy  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 
In  politics  Mr.  Funk  is  strongly  Republican,  and 
as  a  business  man  is  straightforward  and  sj'Stem- 
atic  in  his  operations,  meeting  his  obligations 
promptly,  and  in  all  respects  conforming  to  the 
duties  of  a  good  citizen  whose  influence  is  widely 
felt,  and  whose  transactions  largely  affect  the  wel- 
fare of  his  community.  He  is  known  far  and  wide, 


and  his  portrait,  which  we  give  in  connection  with 
this  sketch,  will  be  welcomed  by  his  many  friends 
throughout  the  county. 


! 


ESTER  GREEN,  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Bloomington,  and  an  extensive 
dealer  in  hard  and  soft  coal,  has  his  yards 
at  the  corner  of  Howard  and  Mulberry  streets,  and 
his  city  office  at  No.  314  North  Center  street.  Mr. 
Green  is  a  native  of  England,  was  born  in  1846, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Fox)  Green, 
who  also  were  natives  of  England.  John  Green 
carried  on  draying  and  transportation  business,  and 
the  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  woolen  man- 
ufacturer. After  his  decease  his  son  John  contin- 
ued the  business  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  15,  1850.  Six  years  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  the  mother  of  our  subject  came  with  her 
family  of  three  children  to  the  United  States  and 
at  once  proceeded  westward  to  Illinois,  settling 
first  at  Jerseyville,  Jersey  County,  where  they  re- 
mained until  1858.  They  then  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  where  the  mother  has  since  lived.  Lester,  of 
our  sketch,  was  the  eldest  child;  Anna,  Mrs.  Rag- 
land,  lives  in  Chicago,  and  has  four  children  —  Wal- 
ter, John,  Rosa  and  Violet.  John  is  a  locomotive 
engineer  and  makes  his  home  at  Bloomington. 

Lester  Green  received  a  good  education,  his 
younger  days  being  mostty  spent  in  school,  and  he 
pursued  his  studies  three  years  after  the  family  be- 
came residents  of  Bloomington.  He  was  then  em- 
ployed by  the  month  at  farming,  and  continued  at 
this  and  other  work  until  18G7,  when  he  started  a 
dray  line  and  operated  it  for  about  four  years; 
then  at  the  same  headquarters  he  opened  his  pres- 
ent office  and  has  now  built  up  an  extensive  and 
lucrative  trade  in  coal.  He  gives  employment  to 
four  men  and  uses  four  double  teams  in  the  de- 
livery of  orders.  Besides  this  business  he  has  also 
dealt  considerably  in  real  estate.  He  purchased 
his  present  property,  which  includes  his  home  and 
office,  in  1871.  He  is  now  one  of  the  leaders  in 
city  affairs,  having  held  the  office  of  Alderman  in  the 
Second  Ward  and  is  Vice-President  of  the  Bloom- 
ington Co-operative  Coal  Company.  He  always 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


283    ,  , 


takes  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  his  city 
and  county,  and  contributes  liberally  of  his  means 
to  the  support  of  every  worthy  enterprise.  His 
latch  string  always  hangs  out  to  the  poor  and  needy, 
and  he  is  iri  all  respects  one  of  the  useful  factors 
in  the  social  and  business  elements  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Green  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ellen  Steele  in  1870,  and  they  have  three  children 
— Gertrude,  Flora  and  Ida.  Mrs.  Green  is  the 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Sivillia  (McGowen) 
Steele,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  The  little 
household  is  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of 
life,  and  enjoys  the  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances. 


• 


J"~'ACOB  FLEMING,  general  merchant  at 
Holder,  Old  Town  Township,  and  also  Su- 
pervisor of  the  township,  was  born  in  Hunt- 
'  ingdon  County.  Pa.,  June  2,  1841.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  John  Fleming,  was  born  on 
the  Emerald  Isle  in  1810,  and  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents  in  1820,  settling  in 
Fulton  County,  111.,  in  1849.  Our  subject's  mother, 
Elizabeth  (Kitt)  Fleming,  was  born  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. After  the  parents'  marriage  they  settled  in 
Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  and  there  lived  for  about 
ten  years,  when  they  removed  to  Fulton  County, 
111.,  where  their  demise  occurred.  The  father  died 
in  July,  1882,  and  the  mother  Jan.  11,  1868.  The 
parental  family  consisted  of  twelve  children,  nine 
of  whom  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  woman- 
hood, as  follows :  James,  Jacob,  William,  Samuel, 
Frederick,  Joseph,  B.  E.,  John  P.  and  Maggie  J. 
Three  died  in  infancy,  and  only  six  are  living  at 
this  writing. 

Jacob  Fleming  was  the  second  son  and  child 
born  to  his  parents,  and  was  but  eight  years  of  age 
when  they  removed  to  Fulton  County,  111.,  and 
there  in  the  common  schools  he  received  his  edu- 
cation. Our  subject  continued  to  live  with  the  old 
folk  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  G,  50th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  private. 
Soon,  however,  he  was  promoted  Corporal  for  mer- 
itorious conduct,  then  First  Sergeant,  then  First 
Lieutenant,  and  subsequently  commissioned  Cap- 


tain. He  was  in  the  service  nearly  four  years,  and 
during  that  time  received  no  serious  wound  or  in- 
jury. He  accompanied  Sherman  in  his  march  to 
the  sea,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Henry, 
Donelson,  Corinth,  Miss.,  Altona  Pass,  and  others, 
besides  many  skirmishes. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  service  Mr.  Flem- 
ing returned  to  Fulton  County,  and  at  once  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  a  pedagogue,  which  he 
followed  for  a  little  more  than  a  year,  and  then,  in 
February,  1867,  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in 
Old  Town  Township.  There  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  has  continued  to  make  that  township  his 
home  until  the  present  time.  He  carried  on  his 
farming  operations  until  1874,  and  then  embarked 
in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Holder,  in  company  with 
his  brother  William,  under  the  firm  name  of  Flem- 
ing Bros.  This  relationship  continued  until  1884, 
wften  our  subject  bought  out  his  brother's  interest, 
and  at  present  carries  on  the  business  alone.  He 
has  a  general  stock  of  merchandise,  sufficient  to 
meet  the  wants  of  all  his  customers,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  mercantile  business  is  largely  engaged 
in  buying  and  shipping  grain  and  stock.  Mr. 
Fleming  is  the  owner  of  420  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which  is  under  an  advanced  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  a  fine  residence  in  the  village  of  Holder, 
and  has  met  and  is  meeting  with  signal  success  in 
the  conducting  of  his  different  branches  of  business. 

Mr.  Fleming  and  Miss  Susan  D.  Hughes,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  E.  and  Ollie  (Harlan)  Hughes,  were 
united  in  marriage  in  Fulton  County,  111.,  Jan.  28, 

1863.     Her  father  was  a  native  of  Ireland  and  her 

• 

mother  of  English  ancestry.  After  their  marriage 
they  settled  in  Indiana,  whence  they  moved  to  Ful- 
ton County,  where  they  resided  until  their  death; 
his  demise  occurred  in  1862,  and  hers  in  1850. 
They  had  three  children — Sarah  A.,  Martha  and 
Susan  D.  Susan  was  born  in  Fulton  County,  111., 
Jan.  3,  1843,  and  remained  an  inmate  of  the  par- 
ental household  until  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject. By  this  union  eleven  children  were  born — 
Ollie  E.,  Fred  E.,  Joseph  B.,  Mary  E.,  Ida  H., 
Charlie  A.,  John  R.,  Maggie,  Robert  II.,  Jessie  G. 
and  Bernie  E.  Ollie  E.  and  Charlie  A.  are  de- 
ceased. 

Mr.  Fleming  has  held  the  office  of  Commissioner 

,  .  !  I  .» 


I- 

Li  .   284 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  Highways  for  nine  years.  He  was  elected  Su- 
pervisor of  Old  Town  Township  in  the  spring  of 
1884,  and  still  holds  that  office.  He  was  appointed 
Postmaster  at  Holder  under  the  Grant  administra- 
tion, and  has  held  that  office  continuously  until  the 
present  time,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  when 
his  brother  was  the  incumbent  of  the  office.  Mr. 
Fleming  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Third 
National  Bank  of  Bloomington,  and  is  yet  a  stock- 
holder of  the  same.  Mrs.  Fleming  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  our  subject  is 
a  Republican. 


J~  OHN  W.  ARROWSMITH,  JR.,  a  highly  re- 
spected resident  of  Padua  Township,  is  suc- 
cessfully operating  the  farm  of  his  mother. 
1  which  is  pleasantly  located  on  section  32. 
From  this  he  derives  a  handsome  income,  and  is  also 
the  owner  of  sixty  acres  of  good  land  on  section  5, 
Empire  Township.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
John  W.  Arrowsmith,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  passed  his  childhood  and  youth,  and 
developing  into  manhood  engaged  at  farming  pur- 
suits. There  also  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy 
Oliver,  a  lady  of  Irish  parentage  and  descent,  but 
a  native  of  Maryland.  After  marriage  the  young 
people  settled  on  a  farm  in  Green  Township,  Ross 
Co.,  Ohio,  whence  in  1854  they  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois, making  the  journey  overland  with  teams. 
They  settled  in  Padua  Township,  on  section  32, 
where  the  father  of  our  subject  purchased  160  acres 
of  land,  and  ninety  acres  in  Empire  Township,  on 
section  5.  He  was  born  Oct  31,  1805,  and  de- 
parted this  life  Jan.  11,  1885,  on  the  homestead 
which  he  had  established  in  this  county.  The  wife 
and  mother  is  yet  living,  making  her  home  with  her 
younger  daughter,  Nancy  M.,  at  Leroy. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Green 
Township,  Ross  Co.,  Ohio,  June  13,  1849,  being 
the  youngest  but  one  of  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  deceased.  He  was  five 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  from  the 
Buckeye  State  to  Illinois,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion mostly  in  Padua  Township.  He  remained  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  home  until  1873,  then  going 


into  Seward  County,  Neb.,  engaged  in  farming, 
being  also  married  there  on  the  2d  of  September, 
1875,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  to  Miss 
May  M.  Davis.  Mrs.  A.  was  born  in  Lee  County, 
Iowa,  in  the  vicinity  of  Keokuk,  Decj  27,  1855. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  James  T.  and  Amanda  E. 
(Collins)  Davis,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylva- 
nia and  Ohio.  They  removed  West  while  young, 
and  were  married  in  Lee  County.  Iowa.  After 
marriage  they  went  to  Nebraska,  settling  on  a 
farm  in  Seward  County.  Later  the  father  returned 
East  to  Butler  County,  Neb.,  where  he  died  July 
27,  1882.  The  mother  married  again  and  is  now  a 
resident  of  Lincoln,  Neb. 

Mrs.  Arrowsmith  was  the  elder  of  her  mother's 
two  children,  and  went  with  the  latter  to  Nebraska, 
remaining  with  her  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  five  children 
—  Preston  D.,  Maudalena,  Rose  O.,  John  W.  and 
Alvin  R. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arrowsmith 
located  in  Seward  County,  Neb.,  where  they  lived 
five  years,  and  then  came  to  Illinois,  settling  first  at 
Stumptown,  this  county,  and  in  about  1885  re- 
moved to  their  present  home.  Mr.  Arrowsmith  po- 
litically is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  as  a  business  man  and  citizen  is  consid- 
ered one  of  the  valued  members  of  the  community. 


)ILLIAM  B.  MYERS,  manufacturer  of  or- 
gans and  engaged  in  cabinet  work  at  No. 
218  South  Main  street,  Bloomington,  is  a 
native  of  York  County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  March 
31,  1846.  His  parents  were  Lewis  and  Lucy 
(Bond)  Myers,  natives  of  Germany,  who  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  before  their  marriage,  and  be- 
came husband  and  wife  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Md.  They  located  in  York  County,  Pa.,  and  there 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father  being 
engaged  in  the  cabinet  business.  Lewis  Myers 
died  in  1878,  and  the  mother  of  our  subject  in 
1879.  The  parental  household  included  nine  chil- 
dren, seven  now  living. 

William  B.  Myers  was  the  fifth  child  of  his  par- 
ents, and  remained  an  inmate  of  his  father's  house 


4 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


285 


until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  learned 
the  cabinet  trade,  and  coming  west,  located  first  in 
Decatur,  111.  He  became  a  resident  of  Blooming- 
ton  in  1 866,  and  with  the  exception  of  three  years 
this  city  has  been  his  home  since  that  time.  He 
was  engaged  with  Andrus  Bros,  for  a  period  of  ten 
years. 

Mr.  Myers  was  married  in  1868  to  Miss  Jennie 
Weire,  of  Decatur,  the  daughter  of  George  and 
Emetine  Weire,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
she  has  become  the  mother  of  two  children — Charles 
and  James  A.  They  have  a  pleasant  home  at  No. 
217  South  Center  street,  and  enjoy  the  society  of 
many  friends.  Mr.  Myers  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  and  is  one  of  the  most  worthy  citizens  of  an 
industrial  community. 


OHN  RODMAN,  an  old  pioneer  of  this 
county,  and  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  the 
State,  highly  respected  for  his  sterling  worth 
and  integrity,  is  passing  the  sunset  of  life  on 
his  farm  of  180  acres  on  section  22,  Old  Town 
Township.  Mr.  Rodman  was  the  sixth  in  order  of 
birth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children,  and  first  saw 
light  in  Berks  County,  Pa.,  Dec.  5,  1817.  He.  was 
reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  continued  to  re- 
side with  the  old  folk  until  he  had  attained  the  age 
of  manhood.  He  then  left  the  parental  rooftree 
and  began  farming  for  himself.  Prior  to  this,  how- 
ever, his  parents  had  removed  to  Zanesville,  Ohio, 
and  it  was  there  that  our  subject  received  his  edu- 
cation in  a  log  school-house  in  Muskingum  Count}*. 
It  was  during  the  year  1838  that  our  subject  first 
began  to  do  for  himself.  He  began  farming  on 
eighty  acres  which  his  father- had  previously  given 
him  in  Hopewell  Township,  and  for  thirteen  years 
was  occupied  in  that  manner,  when  he  went  on  an- 
other farm  given  by  his  father,  consisting  of  eighty 
acres  of  timber  land  in  Ohio,  and  was  interested  in 
its  improvement  and  cultivation  until  he  concluded 
to  try  his  fortunes  farther  West.  Following  up  this 
conclusion  he,  in  the  fall  of  1854,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  seven  children,  carne  to  this  county, 
and  settled  on  section  22,  Old  Town  Township. 
Mr.  Rodman  has  continued  to  reside  upon  the 


same  section  on  which  he  settled  when  he  first  came 
here,  until  the  present  time,  with  the  exception  of 
about  three  years,  and  has  been  continuously  occu- 
pied in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  is  at  present  the 
owner  of  180  acres  of  valuable  and  productive 
land,  on  which  he  has  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings, 
and  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Rodman  was  married  in  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  Feb.  15,  1838,  to  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Leg- 
gett  and  Nancy  (Gutridge)  Grey,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. Mrs.  Rodman  was  born  in  Muskingum  • 
County,  Ohio,  May  1,  1819,  and  of  her  union  with 
our  subject  seven  children  were  born,  four  of  whom 
are  living — Ann,  Joseph  L.,  Lucinda  and  E.  L. 
Ann  is  the  wife  of  Homer  Boise,  and  they  are  liv- 
ing at  Bloomington,  111. ;  Joseph  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  Hayes,  and  is  a  farmer  of 
Old  Town  Township;  Lucinda  became  the  wife  of 
Jeremiah  Whitcomb,  who  is  also  a  farmer  of  Old 
Town  Township;  E.  L.  married  Miss  Louisa  Fogle, 
and  they  are  likewise  residents  of  Old  Town  Town- 
ship. The  deceased  children  of  our  subject  and  wife 
were  named  Worthington  N.,  Laura  and  Margaret 
A.  The  latter  was  the  wife  of  John  Craig,  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  Old  Town  Township. 

Mr.  Rodman  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices 
in  the  township.  He  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
the  cause  of  the  Master,  and  with  his  wife  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  for 
almost  twoscore  years  and  ten,  and  all  their  chil- 
dren are  members  of  the  same  denomination.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  socially  is 
possessed  of  a  genial  and  kind  disposition  which 
has  made  for  him  innumerable  friends,  not  only  in 
Old  Town  Township,  but  throughout  the  entire 
county. 


\jl  AMES  POINDEXTER,  a  native  of  McLean 
County,  and  who  has  here  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  was  born  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives,  on  section  17,  Bloomington 
Township,  on  the  10th  of  September,  1843.  His 
father,  Arnett  Poindexter,  wa*  a  native  of  Virginia 
and  of  French  descent,  their  earlier  ancestors  go- 
ing with  William  the  Conqueror  from  France  to 
England,  whence,  later,  they  emigrated  to  the 
•»» 


t. 


286 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


United  States,  and  located  in  Virginia  at  about  the 
time  of  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  The 
first  representatives  in  this  country  were  two  broth- 
ers, one  of  whom  located  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  where 
afterward  the  father  of  our  subject  met  his  future 
wife,  Miss  Elizabeth  Duncan.  After  their  marriage 
and  the  birth  of  six  children,  four  sons  and  two 
daughter,  the  family  removed  North  to  Illinois,  in 
1839,  and  settled  in  Bloomiugton  Township  upon  a 
tract  of  unimproved  land,  most  of  the  country 
around  them  still  being  in  its  original  condition. 

Arnett  Poindexter  was  a  miller  by  trade,  and 
had  owned  mill  property  in  Kentucky  which  was 
devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  woolen  goods.  After 
coming  to  this  county  he  erected  the  first  woolen- 
mill  within  its  borders,  and  successfully  followed 
this  calling  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  about 
1844.  Our  subject  was  then  about  one  year  old 
and  the  youngest  of  the  family.  He  remained  on 
the  farm  with  his  mother  and  brothers  and  obtained 
a  fair  education  in  the  pioneer  schools.  When 
quite  young  he  was  greatly  interested  in  the  opera- 
tions of  the  honey-bee,  and  as  he  grew  older  he 
soon  begau  to  make  a  business  of  caring  for  these. 
He  has  now  about  200_,  colonies  of  Italian  bees, 
from  which  he  obtains  large  quantities  of  honey, 
usually  taken  in  the  comb. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  departed  this  life  in 
March,  1874;  five  of  his  brothers  and  sisters  lived 
to  mature  years,  and  two  brothers  and  one  sister 
are  yet  living.  On  the  25th  of  December,  1879, 
our  subject  was  married  in  Bloom  ington  Township 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Brigham,  the  daughter  of  George 
and  Lydia  (Shinn)  Brigham,  the  former  of  Boston, 
Mass.,  and  the  latter  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  They 
were  married  in  Pike  County,  III.,  and  located  there 
upon  a  farm,  where  the  father  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  The  mother  is  living  with  her  son, 
Asa  Brigham,  in  Bloomington  Township.  Mrs. 
Poindexter  was  born  in  Pike  County,  111.,  Dec.  20, 
1843.  She  came  to  McLean  County  with  her  par- 
ents when  twelve  years  of  age,  was  educated  in 
Normal,  and  began  to  teach  when  nineteen,  which 
she  followed  until  her  marriage  with  our  subject. 
Of  this  union  there  has  been  born  one  child — 
.luincsina  Pearl. 

The   homestead   of    Mr.    Poindexter    embraces 


seventy-five  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  a  com- 
fortable residence,  all  necessary  barns  and  out- 
buildings, and  within  and  without  gives  evidence 
of  the  supervision  of  a  well-directed  and  intelligent 
mind.  Mr.  P.  is  highly  respected  in  his  community, 
is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  in  all  respects  a  use- 
ful and  valued  member  of  society.  He  possesses 
considerable  literary  taste,  and  has  been  a  corres- 
pondent of  the  American  Bell  Journal  for  some 
time.  He  was  also  Secretary  of  the  Bee-Keeper's 
Association  of  Central  Illinois  in  1884,  which  po- 
sition he  occupied  for  some  time  afterward. 


'ILLIAM  KING,  deceased,  was  formerly 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in 
Bloomington  Township  and  ranked  among 
its  valued  citizens.  He  owned  a  good  farm  of  500 
acres  on  section  19,  where  his  widow  and  youngest 
son  are  now  living  and  operating  a  part  of  the 
homestead.  Mr.  King  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
Pa.,  Feb.  25,  1813,  and  was  of  pure  German  ex- 
traction. He  was  first  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Col- 
burn,  who  was  also  of  Pennsylvania  birth  and  Ger- 
man ancestrj-,  and  whose  parents  spent  nearly  their 
entire  lives  in  Somerset  County,  Pa. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  remained 
in  Pennsylvania  until  about  1836,  when  they  re- 
moved to  Illinois  and  located  upon  what  is  now 
familiarly  known  as  the  old  King  homestead.  Of 
their  union  there  were  born  three  children,  all  liv- 
ing and  recorded  as  follows:  Ellen  became  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Nye,  a  farmer  of  McLean  County ; 
William  married  Miss  Sarah  Alexander,  and  is 
farming  near  Farmer  City,  111.;  Amelia  married 
Mr.  John  Debolt,  and  is  residing  on  a  farm  with 
her  husband  in  Martin  Township,  this  county.  Mrs. 
Amelia  C.  King  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of 
her  husband  in  Bloomington  Township,  Aug.  12, 
1844,  greatly  mourned  by  her  family  and  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 

The  second  wife  of  Mr.  King  was  Miss  Ann  Van 
Nostin,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  Bloomington 
Township  on  the  26th  of  February,  1845.  This 
lady  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  2, 
1824,  her  parents  being  Abraham  and  Margaret  • 


I 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


287 


(Cook)  Van  Nostin,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  of  New 
England  parentage  and  German  ancestry.  They 
were  married  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  whence 
they  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  from  there 
to  McLean  County,  where  the  father  died  in  Ran- 
dolph Township  in  about  1840.  The  mother  is 
still  living,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  grandson, 
Elias  King,  in  Bloomingtou  Township,  having  ar- 
rived at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

Mrs.  King,  by  her  marriage  with  our  subject  be- 
came the  mother  of  six  children,  four  now  living, 
as  follows:  David  married  Miss  Crystal  Shermer, 
and  is  farming  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township; 
Alice  became  the  wife  of  John  Foster,  who  is  farm- 
ing near  Shirley ;  Elias  is  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits in  Bloornington  Township;  ZephaniahH.  lives 
with  his  mother  at  the  old  homestead  and  is  carry- 
ing on  farming;  he  was  married,  Feb.  23,  1887,  to 
Miss  Anna  Burning. 

Mrs.  King  and  her  husband  were  among  the 
early  residents  of  McLean  County  and  favorably 
known  as  being  numbered  with  its  most  valued  and 
worthy  citizens.  In  politics  Mr.  King  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  old  Whig  party,  and  served  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of  years.  The  sons  are 
all  Democrats.  Mr.  King  died  Oct.  28,  1854. 


B.  HOBLIT,  Cashier  of  the  National  State 
Bank  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  Illi- 
nois, and  was  born  in  Fulton  County  on 
the  10th  of  March,  1844.  He  is  the  son 
of  Mahlon  S.  and  Mary  A.  (Thomas)  Hoblit,  the 
father  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  mother  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The  early  life  of  Mahlon  S.  Hoblit  was  employed 
in  mercantile  pursuits  in  this  State,  partly  in  Can- 
ton and  partly  at  Atlanta.  He  was  busily  employed 
until  1857,  when  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  active 
business  on  account  of  his  wife's  failing  health,  and 
removed  to  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  where  his  life  ter- 
minated in  1K08;  the  mother  survived  her  husband 
for  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  dying  in  Atlanta, 
111.,  in  1885.  Both  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  The  father  was  one  of  the  first  men  in 
Illinois  to  advocate  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 


lican  party,  taking  an  active  part  in  its  organization 
here,  and  was  also  greatly  interested  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  schools  and  churches  and  the  success  of 
temperance.  His  latch-string  always  hung  out  to 
the  wayfarer,  and  the  poor  and  needy  found  in  him 
a  stanch  friend  and  helper. 

The  parental  household  of  ten  children  was  bro- 
ken into  by  the  death  of  four  of  its  members ;  the 
living  are  as  follows:  Almeda,  Mrs.  McCrary, 
lives  in  Little  Falls,  Minn. ;  Isaac  N.  is  a  dealer  in 
live-stock  at  Minneapolis.  Minn. ;  Alvin  B.  is  our 
subject;  Lizzie  Z.  resides  in  Minneapolis;  Mahlon  S., 
Jr.,  is  farming  near  Monticello,  Minn.,  and  Daniel 
S.  is  also  living  near  the  latter-named  place ;  John 
T.,  who  died  of  fever  at  Stone  River  while  in  the 
army,  was  first  to  enlist  in  the  three  months'  service 
at  Minneapolis;  he  was  city  editor  of  the  Tribune 
of  that  city ;  Isaac  N.,  who  was  also  in  the  army, 
was  injured  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  but  re- 
covered, and  at  the  expiration  of  three  months 
they  both  re-enlisted,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war;  they  belonged  to  the  famous  Minnesota 
First. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home 
until  seventeen  years  old,  and  after  his  parents  went 
North,  attended  the  Minneapolis  High  School.  He 
subsequently  engaged  as  a  clerk  for  his  brother,  a 
merchant  in  Canton,  111.,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  He  then  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  8th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  during  a  service  of  thirteen  months  participated 
in  several  engagements  and  skirmishes,  being  at  the 
siege  and  capture  of  Spanish  Fort,  Ft.  Blakeley  and 
Mobile,  Ala.  He  escaped  injury,  and  after  receiv- 
ing an  honorable  discharge  returned  to  Canton  and 
clerked  for  the  dry -goods  merchant,  A.  C.  Babcock. 
The  following  eighteen  months  were  spent  in  Sank 
Center,  Minn.,  with  the  firm  of  Moore  &  McClure, 
who  were  engaged  in  merchandise  and  milling.  He 
then  came  to  Atlanta,  111.,  and  was  connected  with 
the  banking  house  of  Frank,  Hoblit  Bros.  &  Co. 
from  1 8G7  to  1 873.  Then,  on  account  of  ill-health,  he 
accepted  a  position  as  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal 
Revenue  at  Springfield,  111.,  but  after  two  years  re- 
signed. Then,  in  company  with  a  few  friends  he 
assisted  in  the  establishment  of  the  Farmer's  Na- 
tional Bank  at  Pekin,  111.,  where  he  occupied  the 
position  of  Cashier  three  years.  He  was  then  con-. 


28H 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


cerned  with  others  in  the  organization  of  the  Na- 
tional State  Bank  of  Bloomington,  of  which  he  is  a 
stock-holder  and  Director,  and  has  been  Cashier 
since  1878. 

Mr.  Hoblit  was  married  in  1876,  to  Miss  Annie 
E.,  daughter  of  Capt.  Isaac  and  Elmira  (Neal) 
Keys,  who  were  natives  respectively  of  Illinois  and 
Kentucky.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  there  have  been 
born  two  sons — Edward  M.  and  Harris  K.  The 
residence  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is  located  at 
No.  315  East  Chestnut  street,  and  they  enjoy  the 
friendship  and  society  of  the  cultured  citizens  of 
Bloomington.  They  are  both  members  of  the  First 
Baptist  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Hoblit  uniformly 
votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  an  honored 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  P.  Lodge,  and  has  been  Past  Chancellor. 
His  energy  and  enterprise  have  placed  him  in  the 
front  rank  with  the  business  men  of  Bloomington, 
and  he  is  the  substantial  supporter  and  encourager 
of  every  measure  tending  to  its  credit  and  welfare. 


MURRAY,  deceased,  was  one  of  the 
prominent  and  'well-to-do  farmers  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  was  a  resident  of  Old 
Town  Township.  He  was  born  in  County 
Tipperary,  Ireland,  about  1821.  When  about 
twenty-eight  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  he  could  better  his  financial  condition  in  life 
by  emigrating  to  the  United  States,  and  following 
up  his  conclusion  he  landed  upon  the  soil  of  our  free 
Republic  in  1849.  He  selected  as  the  place  of  his 
residence  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  after  residing  there 
for  seven  years  he  concluded  to  come  still  further 
West,  and  in  1856  became  a  citizen  of  McLean 
County  by  settling  in  Old  Town  Township.  There 
he  determined  to  make  his  permanent  home,  hav- 
ing, as  he  often  said,  great  faith  in  the  future  de- 
velopment of  the  country.  He  purchased  a  farm 
in  that  township,  and  was  industriously  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  there  until  Aug.  10,  1886,  the 
date  of  his  demise.  At  this  time  he  was  the  owner 
of  320  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land, 
which  he  had  acquired  through  his  own  energy  and 
perseverance.  He  was  a  self-made  man  in  every 


respect  the  word  implies,  and  what  he  possessed  up 
to  the  date  of  his  demise  had  been  acquired,  MS 
stated,  through  his  own  exertions  and  not  as  the  re- 
cipient of  any  legacy  whatsoever. 

Mr.  Murray  was  married  at  Bloomington,  111., 
Sept.  14,  1856,  to  Miss  Eliza  Loughman,  who  was 
born  in  Queens  County,  Ireland,  Feb.  22,  1837. 
She  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  when  she 
came  to  the  United  States,  and  of  her  union  with 
Mr.  Murray  eleven  children  have  been  born:  Anna 
is  the  wife  of  Frank  Schlink,  and  they  reside  in  Peo- 
ria;  the  others  are  Edward,  Michael,  John,  Maggie, 
Thomas,  Martin,  James,  Mary,  Joseph  M.  and  Will- 
iam. James  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Murray  and  her 
children  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church,  as  was 
our  subject.  In  politics  Mr.  Murray  was  a  Demo- 
crat. His  remains  are  interred  in  the  Catholic 
Cemetery  at  Bloomington. 


OBERT  S.  HOWARD,  of  Leroy.  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1858,  and 
has  built  up  for  himself  a  good  record  as  a 
an  of  the  highest  integrity,  and  one  who 
has  exerted  a  good  influence  in  society.  He  is  an 
ardent  Prohibitionist,  earnestly  and  actively  op- 
posed to  the  use  and  manufacture  of  spirituous  liq- 
uors, and  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  with  which  he  has  been  prominently 
connected  since  1845.  A  large  portion  of  his  time 
has  been  given  to  the  promotion  of  those  ideas 
which  he  believes  to  be  for  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity, socially,  morally  and  religiously,  and  he 
has  contributed  liberally  and  cheerfully  of  his 
means  to  these  ends. 

Mr.  Howard  is  a  native  of  Madison  Count}-,  Ky., 
and  was  born  June  15,  1827.  His  father,  Ignatius 
Howard,  was  a  native  of  the  same  State,  and  his 
grandfather,  of  English  birth  and  parentage,  was 
one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  the  Blue  Grass 
region.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  and  yielded  up  his  life  on  the  battle-field 
as  a  tribute  to  liberty  of  thought  and  conscience. 
By  his  death  there  were  left  a  widow  and  two  small 
children,  the  father  of  our  subject  being  but  three 
or  four  years  old  when  his  father  died.  The  i 


"•• 


RESIDENCE  or  A  .T.  M  ITCH  ELL,   SEC.  23.,  DALE  TOWNSHIP 


RESIDENCE  OF    JOSEPH  DENNING.  808.  E.CHESTNUT ST., BLOOMINGTON 


RESIDENCE  OF     JONATHAN  ALLISON  .  SEC.  16., DALE  TOWNSHIP. 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


291 


mother  subsequently  married  Thomas  'Taylor,  of 
Madison  County,  Ky.,  who  became  a  well-to-do 
farmer.  Ignatius  Howard  was  reared  on  the  farm 
of  his  stepfather,  and  lived  there  until  a  few  years 
before  his  death,  his  last  days  having  been  spent  in 
Owen  County.  Me  and  his  only  brother,  James, 
served  as  soldiers  in  the  War  of  1812.  The  maiden 
name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject  was  Elizabeth 
Stalker.  She  was  also  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
Ky.,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  Owen 
County.  The  parental  household  consisted  of 
eight  children. 

Robert  S.  Howard  was  the  sixth  child  and  third 
son  of  his  parents,  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  sixteen  years  old.  He  then  went  to  Jes- 
samine County,  Ky.,  and  became  an  apprentice  to 
learn  the  cabinet-maker's  trade.  In  June,  1846,  he 
enlisted  in  the  2d  Kentucky  Infantry,  Company  F, 
the  latter  being  known  as  "  Jessamine  Blues,"  un- 
der command  of  Capt.  Willis.  He  was  mustered 
into  service  on  the  9th  of  June,  and  mustered  out 
late  in  the  summer  of  1847.  His  war  experience 
was  in  the  territory  of  Mexico,  where  he  -partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  and  where  his 
Captain,  Colonel,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Henry 
Clay,  Jr.,  were  killed. 

After  the  close  of  his  army  service  Mr.  Howard 
returned  to  his  cabinet  trade,  and  in  the  latter  part 
of  1848  started  in  business  on  his  own  account,  in 
Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  and  operated  there  for  the 
following  ten  years.  In  1858  he  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois, and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Empire 
Township,  this  county,  where  he  carried  on  farming 
six  years.  He  then  rented  his  farm  and  again  re-  • 
turned  to  "  jour "  work  at  his  trade  in  Blooming- 
ton,  where,  after  a  year  thus  occupied,  he  opened  a 
furniture  store.  He  conducted  this  until  1872, 
then  sold  out  and  came  to  Leroy  and  opened  a 
store  of  the  same  kind,  which  he  operated  until 
1883,  when  he  sold  out  and  retired  from  active 
business.  His  homestead  comprises  twenty  acres 
of  land  within  the  city  limits,  upon  which  is  a  good 
set  of  frame  buildings,  and  he  owns  other  valuable 
property  in  this  vicinity. 

Mr.  Howard  was  married,  Dec.  27,  1848,  to  Miss 
Lavina  Sageser,  who  was  a  native  of  Jessamine 
County,  Ky.,  and  born  Dec.  17,  1830.  Her  father, 


Henry  Sageser,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county  and 
State,  and  her  grandfather,  Frederick  Sageser,  was 
a  native  of  Germany,  whence  he  emigrated  in  early 
manhood,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in 
Jessamine  County,  Ky.  His  son  Henry,  the  father 
of  Mrs.  H.,  spent  his  entire  life  in  farming  pursuits 
in  his  native  county.  He  was  married  to  a  Miss 
Nancy  Woodard,  a  native  of  his  own  country,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  thirteen  children. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  have  no  children  of  their 
own,  but-  have  reared  two  others.  Joseph  F.  Sage- 
ser, the  nephew  of  Mrs.  H.,  was  taken  in  charge'by 
our  subject  and  his  wife  when  six  months  old, 
carefully  reared  and  educated  and  given  the  best 
advantages;  he  is  now  a  practicing  physician  of 
Chicago,  and  a  leading  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  other  child,  a  little  girl  by 
the  name  of  Annie  Cook,  became  an  inmate  of  the 
household  when  six  years  of  age,  and  remained 
until  her  marriage. 

Mrs.  Howard  is  a  member  of  the  same  church  as 
her  husband,  and  has  been  his  active  helper  and 
sympathizer  in  all  his  good  works.  Our  subject, 
before  the  war,  was  Democratic  i'n  politics,  when  he 
joined  the  ranks  of  the  Republicans,  but  since  1872 
has  identified  himself  with  the  Prohibitionists.  He 
voted  for  Green  Clay  Smith  in  1876,  for  Neal 
Dow  in  1880,  and  for  St.  John  in  1884.  In  1876 
and  1880  he  cast  the  only  vote  for  prohibition  in 
this  township,  and  has  been  among  the  bravest  in 
the  opposition  which  has  been  attendant  upon  the 
efforts  to  abolish  that  which  brings  such  untold  mis- 
ery to  thousands  of  human  beings. 


7ILLIAM  MARCUS  COX,  one  of  the  most 
successful  farmers  and  stock-growers  of 
Bloomiugton  Township,  is  finely  located 
on  sections  34  and  35,  the  homestead  being  located 
on  the  latter.  Mr.  Cox  has  carried  on  his  farming 
operations  intelligently  and  successfully,  and  of 
late  years  has  devoted  his  attention  principally  to 
the  breeding  of  Short-horn  and  Jersey  cattle,  sheep, 
horses  and  swine.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  native  of  McLean 
County,  and  was  born  on  his  father's  old  homestead 
in  Bloomington  Township,  Aug.  9,  1836.  A  his- 


t. 


292 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


tory  of  his  parents  will  be  found  in  the  sketch  of 
David  Cox  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Our  subject  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and  on  his 
twenty-sixth  birthday,  the  late  Civil  War  being 
then  in  progress,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Union,  and  joined  his  command  at  Bloomington, 
being  assigned  to  Co.  F.  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Col.  Orrne 
commanding.  They  were  sent  to  the  Department 
of  the  West,  and  later  went  to  Vicksburg,  after- 
ward to  the  Gulf,  where  they  remained  for  about 
one  year,  and  were  then  ordered  to  New  Orleans.  In 
August,  18G3,  Mr.  Cox  returned  home  on  a  fur- 
lough, and  in  December  of  that  year  returned  to  the 
army  and  joined  his  regiment  in  February  follow- 
ing, with  which  he  remained  until  his  final  dis- 
charge, which  also  occurred  on  his  birthday,  Aug. 
9,  1865. 

Mr.  Cox  participated  in  all  the  engagements  and 
skirmishes  of  his  regiment,  being  in  the  fight  at 
.Springfield,  Mo.,  and  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  re- 
maining in  the  latter  place  nearly  one  month  be- 
fore the  surrender  of  the  city.  They  returned  to 
New  Orleans  in  December  following,  and  then  went 
on  an  expedition  across  Lake  Pontchartrain  under 
command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Webb,  of  the  77th  Illinois 
Regiment.  While  the  fleet  was  crossing  a  lake  the 
vessel  which  contained  Mr.  Cox  and  his  comrades 
foundered,  and  Mr.  C.  was  seriously  hurt  in  the 
ankle  by  falling  from  the  deck  to  the  hull  of  the 
boat  through  a  trap-door.  Afterward,  at  the  siege 
of  Spanish  Fort  on  Mobile  Bay  in  March,  1865, 
while  on  duty,  a  large  shell  burst  within  a  few  feet 
of  him,  and  he  narrowly  escaped  being  torn  to 
pieces.  Aside  from  the  slight  wounds  thus  received 
and  some  slight  illness,  he  escaped  unharmed,  and 
very  seldom  failed  to  report  at  roll-call.  He  served 
in  the  army  just  three  years  to  a  day. 

At  the  close  of  his  army  life  Mr.  Cox  returned 
to  his  home  in  Bloomington  Township,  and  on  Dec. 
4,  1868,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  J. 
Orendorff,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Sarah  L.  (Hen- 
drix)  Orendorff,  a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  Mrs.  Cox  was  born 
in  Bloomington  Township,  Jan.  1,  1850,  and  com- 
pleted her  education  in  the  Normal  University  at 
Normal,  111.,  where  she  received  excellent  and  prac- 


tical instruction,  choosing  those  studies  which 
would  be  of  service  to  her  in  later  j-ears.  After 
leaving  school  she  returned  to  her  parents,  and  re- 
mained with  them  until  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject. She  is  the  elder  child  and  only  daughter  of 
a  family  of  two  children. 

Shortly  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Cox  located  upon 
a  tract  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 
He  has  been  successful  in  his  agricultural  and  busi- 
ness transactions,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  155  acres, 
all  finely  improved,  and  under  a  good  state  of  cul- 
vation ;  he  also  owns  property  in  Normal.  His 
homestead  is  pleasantly  located,  and  he  has  a  com- 
fortable residence  and  out-buildings,  and  all  the 
appliances  of  a  good  modern  farm  estate.  Mrs. 
Cox  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian 
Church,  while  Mr.  C.  is  a  Methodist  in  religious 
belief.  He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  principles  of  that 
party.  He  is  straightforward  and  upright  in  his 
business  transactions,  and  enjoys  in  a  marked  de- 
gree the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-towns- 
men. 


JEREMIAH  WHITCOMB,  a  well-to-do  and 
prosperous  farmer  residing  on  section  22, 
Old  Town  Township,  is  an  offspring  of 
Francis  and  Jane  (Evans)  AVhitcomb,  na- 
tives of  New  Hampshire  and  Ohio  respectively. 
When  about  thirty  years  of  age  the  father,  in  corn- 
pan}'  with  a  brother,  went  to  York  State,  whence 
the  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1817,  and  settled  in 
Vermilion  County.  For  over  forty  years  he  heard 
of  none  of  his  relatives.  Jane  (Evans)  Whitcomb 
was  a  daughter  of  William  Evans,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Bloomingtou,  this  county.  The  parents 
of  our  subject  were  united  in  marriage  in  Vermil- 
ion County,  this  State,  and  made  settlement  there, 
and  in  that  county  the  father  was  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  salt.  Subsequently  he  embarked 
in  the  milling  business,  and  still  later  in  life  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  In  1849  the 
parents  moved  to  McLean  County,  and  settled  in 
Old  Town  Township,  where  the  father  continued  at 
his  chosen  vocation.  He  lived  to  attain  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-six  years,  and  she  departed 


r 


r 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


293 


this  life  when  in  her  seventy-eighth  3'ear,  both  dy- 
ing in  Old  Town  Township. 

The  parental  household  of  our  subject  included 
seven  children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  ma- 
turity, and  Jeremiah  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth. 
He  was  born  in  Vermilion  County,  111.,  Jan.  10, 
1839,  and  was  ten  years  of  age  when  he  accompan- 
ied his  parents  to  this  county,  and  since  that  time 
has  been  a  resident  of  Old  Town  Township.  His 
education  was  received  in  the  common  schools  of 
this  county,  and  his  years  thus  far  in  life  have 
been  devoted  almost  exclusively  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  is  at  present  the  owner  of  233  acres 
of  valuable  land,  and  is  meeting  with  success  in 
the  prosecution  of  his  vocation. 

Mr.  Whitcomb  was  married  in  Old  Town  Town- 
ship to  Miss  Lucinda  Rodman,  Feb.  27,  1862.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  J.  (Grey)  Rod- 
man (see  sketch  of  John  Rodman),  and  was  born 
in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  March  27,  1843. 
Their  union  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Sylvia,  Lillie  A.,  May,  William 
A.,  Mary  F.  and  Alma'  E.  May  is  the  wife  of 
M.  Adams,  and  they  are  living  in  Downs  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Whitcomb  has  held  the  office  of  Super- 
visor two  years,  Justice  of  the  Peace  eight  years, 
Township  Clerk  two  years,  Township  Treasurer 
four  years,  and  School  Trustee  for  several  years,  and 
is  at  present  Township  Treasurer.  In  politics  he  is 
Republican.  Mrs.  Whitcomb  religiously  holds  fel- 
lowship with  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 


M.  CAMPBELL.     Tiie  subject  of  the  fol- 
lowing brief  history  owns  and  occupies  a 

good    farm    on    section    32,    Bloomington 

Township,  and  is  successfully  engaged  in  general 
agriculture  and  stock-raising.  His  homestead  con- 
sists of  120  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  stocked 
with  good  cattle,  and  supplied  with  a  fine  set  of 
frame  buildings.  With  the  exception  of  a  few 
years  Mr.  Campbell  has  made  this  place  his  home 
since  he  came  to  McLean  County  in  1849. 

N.  M.  Campbell  was  born  in  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  March  30,  1842.  His  father,  Rev.  John  G., 
and  his  mother,  Sallie  A.  (Campbell)  Campbell, 


were  both  natives  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and 
descended  from  excellent  Scotch-Irish  ancestry. 
They  were  reared  and  married  in  their  native  State, 
and  soon  afterward  came  North  to  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  where,  after  eleven  years,  and  the  birth  of 
three  children,  they  ."returned  to  Kentucky  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health.  While  in  Indiana  tlie 
father  of  our  subject  had  frequently  ofh'ciated  in 
the  pulpit  of  the  Christian  Church  and  followed 
preaching  afterward  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
years. 

After  their  return  to  Kentucky,  Mr.  Campbell 
became  greatly  opposed  to  the  principles  of  slavery 
and  decided  to  remove  away  from  it.  He  accord- 
ingly proceeded  to  Illinois,  where  freedom  reigned 
and  all  enjoyed  their  liberty.  He  secured  a  wild 
tract  of  land  in  McLean  County,  on  which  stood  a 
small  log  cabin,  into  which  he  removed  his  family. 
He  now  began  to  preach  in  earnest,  and  his  health 
greatly  improved,  by  the  change.  He  labored 
faithfully  among  the  settlers  with  good  results,  and 
on  the  3d  of  April,  1853,  was  greatly  pleased  in 
being  able  to  assist  in  the  organization  of  the 
Grassy  Ridge  Christian  Church,  which  started  in 
with  about  a  dozen  members  and  Mr.  Campbell  as 
Elder  and  minister.  In  due  time  a  church  edifice 
was  erected  on  section  32,  and  upon  ground  do- 
nated by  Wilson  Lindley.  The  church  thus  started 
has  been  well  kept  up,  and  the  building  still  occu- 
pied for  religious  purposes.  Rev.  J.  G.  Campbell 
conducted  the  services  of  this  charge  for  about  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  and  in  the  meantime  also  of- 
ficiated at  other  places  and  was  an  active  agent  of 
the  McLean  County  Missionary  Society.  The 
good  seed  thus  early  sown  by  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject sprang  up  and  brought  forth  fruit,  and  is  felt 
to-day  in  the  religious  influences  which  prevail 
throughout  that  locality. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  in  early  life  was 
greatly  devoted  to  his  parents,  and  labored  on  his 
father's  farm  early  and  late.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  during  the  winter  seasons  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age  and  remained  under  the  pa- 
rental roof  until  his  marriage.  This  interesting 
event  took  place  Oct.  27,  1864,  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Bloomington  Township,  the  lady 
of  his  choice  being  Miss  Mary  S.  Quiim,  daughter 


t. 


294 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


of  S.  M.  and  S.  A.  (Boulware)  Qninn,  of  Rich- 
mond, Ky.  Her  parents  were  born  and  married  in 
the  Blue  Grass  State,  and  the  father  died  at  the  old 
home  in  Bloomington  Township  in  1 882,  aged 
about  sixty-six  years.  Mrs.  Campbell  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  May  23,  1847,  and  came  North  with 
her  parents  when  a  young  child,  living  with  them 
in  Bloomington  Township  until  her  marriage.  She 
has  become  the  mother  of  two  sons:  Charles  L., 
born  March  10,  1866,  and  Ira  C.,  Oct.  18,  1869. 
Both  have  received  a  good  education  and  are  liv- 
ing at  home  with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Campbell  and  his  family  are  active  members 
of  the  Christian  Church  in  Grassy  Ridge,  of  which 
our  subject  has  held  the  office  of  Deacon  for  sev- 
eral years  and  is  now  Elder  in  the  church  at  Bloom- 
ington. In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the 
Republican  party. 


J^/OSEPII  B.  AYERS,  a  retired  farmer  now 
living  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competency  in 
the  village  of  Danvers,  has  spent  his  entire 
lifetime  in  this  county,  having  been  born  in 
the  city  ot  Bloomington  on  the  19th  of  November, 
1831.  Bloomington,  at  that  time,  probably  could 
have  hardly  been  called  a  city,  and  our  subject  has 
noted  with  keen  interest  the  changes  which  have 
taken  place  in  his  native  county  within  a  period  of 
over  fifty  years.  He  has  also  furnished  his  full 
quota  to  its  growth  and  prosperity,  having  been 
one  of  its  most  progressive  and  substantial  citizens. 
The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  son  of  James 
T.  and  Rebecca  B.  (Bloomer)  Ayers,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Madison  and  Fayette  Counties,  Ohio. 
James  T.  Ayers  was  born  Nov.  14,  1805,  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  Buford,  8.  C.,  on  the  10th  of 
September,  1865.  Mrs.  Rebecca  B.  Ayers  was 
born  Oct.  13,  1806,  and  preceded  her  husband 
to  the  unknown  land  on  the  2d  of  March,  1.848. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  fairly  educated  in 
their  youth,  and  were  married  in  Ohio  in  1825.  His 
father  was  a  man  of  line  abilities,  an  extensive 
reader  and  possessed  a  valuable  fund  of  general 
information.  They  emigrated  to  the  Prairie  State 
in  the  fall  of  1831,  locating  first  in  Tazewell 


County,  whence  they  removed  to  McLean  County 
and  settled  near  Lexington.  .lames  Ayers  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army,  first  as  an 
Orderly  Sergeant,  and  was  afterward  appointed 
Regimental  Mail  Messenger.  After  going  to  Nash- 
ville he  was  retained  by  Gov.  Johnson  of  Ten- 
nessee as  recruiting  officer,  and  was  afterward  ap- 
pointed Chaplain  and  assigned  to  duty  in  the  104th 
Regiment  of  Colored  Troops  at  Buford,  S.  C. 

Joseph  B.  Ayers  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  on  the 
27th  of  April,  1851,  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  C. 
Ilaybarger.  Mrs.  Ayers  was  born  July  26,  1832, 
in  Augusta  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Abraham  and  Mary  (Crowbarger)  Haybarger,  who 
were  of  German  descent,  but  natives  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia  respectively.  The  father  was  born 
Nov.  19,  1798,  and  died  in  McLean  County,  111., 
in  1843.  Mrs.  H.  was  born  July  5,  1800,  in  Rock- 
ingham  County,  Va.,  and  died  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship, this  county,  in  September,  1885.  They  were 
worthy  and  valued  citizens,  and  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  house- 
hold included  seven  children,  as  follows:  Susan  M. 
married  William  C.  Ilinshaw;  George  C.  died  in 
infancy ;  John  C.  married  Miss  Catharine  Peuter- 
baugh;  David  K.,  unmarried,  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years ;  Sarah  C.  is  the  wife  of  our  sub- 
ject; Elizabeth  R.  is  now  Mrs.  John  Smith,  and 
Julia  A.,  Mrs.  D.  B.  S.  Smith. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ayers  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  John 
Thompson,  born  April  12,  1852,  married  Miss  Hat- 
tie  A.  Estes;  William  Henry,  born  June  29,  1854, 
married  Miss  Emma  Neal;  one  son,  born  Sept.  3, 
1853,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  Dec. 
30,  1856,  married  M.  L.  Keplinger,  of  Carlinville, 
111.;  a  daughter  was  born  Jan.  2,  1856,  and  soon 
afterward  died;  Joseph  Lincoln,  born  Jan.  16, 
1859,  died  October  20  of  the  same  year;  Seymore 
Warren  was  born  Aug.  12,  1861,  and  Frank  David, 
June  15,  1865. 

Our  subject  in  early  life  purchased  a  farm  at 
Mosquito  Grove,  in  this  county,  which  he  occupied 
for  thirty-five  years,  and  where  he  carried  on  agri- 
cult  urc  with  fair  success,  and  his  sons  now  occupy 
it.  He  is  a  member  in-  good  standing  of  the 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


295 


Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with  which  he  united 
in  1853,  and  held  the  office  of  Steward.  The  father 
of  our  subject  died,  as  stated,  in  Buford,  S.  C.,  with 
typhus  malarial  fever.  When  but  twenty  years  old 
he  commenced  his  ministry  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  as  a  local  preacher.  He  possessed 
fine  talents,  was  fairly  educated  and  a  natural  ora- 
tor. He  was  the  means  of  great  good  during  his 
life,  being  active  and  useful  and  a  sincere  Chris- 
tian. His  wife  was  also  connected  with  the  same 
church,  and  a  worthy  helpmeet  of  her  husband. 
They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children:  Mary 
J.  became  the  wife  of  W.  Walters  Wallace ;  Nancy 
was  the  second,  who  died  in  infancy;  Richard  died 
in  infancy;  the  next  was  our  subject;  then  followed 
William  T.,  Catharine,  Margaret,  Benjamin  H., 
Henry  C.,  Sarah  E.  (deceased),  and  an  infant  son, 
who  died  unnamed.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Ayers 
came  to  Illinois  in  1834,  and  located  in  Tazewell 
County,  whence  they  came  to  Danvers  Township 
three  years  later,  where  they  remained  the  balance 
of  their  lives. 


„..,  NDREW  R.  DILLMAN,  a  prosperous  and 
Ol    successful  druggist  of  the  little  city  of  Mc- 


Lean, has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
_  since  1867,  and  during  a  period  of  twenty 

years  has  fully  established  himself  in  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  was  born  in 
a  log  cabin  in  Lewis  Township,  Brown  Co.,  Ohio, 
Jan.  11,  1841.  His  father,  Conrad  Dillman,  was 
a  native  of  Maryland,  and  his  grandfather,  Andrew 
Dillman,  was  of  pure  German  ancestry,  and  came 
to  America  with  his  father  and  mother  when  a 
young  child.  They  located  in  Maryland,  and  later 
removed  to  Kentucky,  where  they  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives. 

Conrad  Dillman  was  quite  young  when  his  par- 
ents removed  from  Maryland  to  Kentucky,  and  he 
there  grew  to  manhood  and  married  Miss  Lydia 
Reed,  a  native  of  Jessamine  County.  After  their 
marriage  they  removed  to  Ohio,  and  the  elder  Dill- 
man purchased  a  tract  of  land  and  cleared  a  farm 
in  Brown  County.  He  was  generous-minded  and 
liberal,  always  willing  to  assist  a  friend,  and  by  the 


signing  of  notes  lost  the  whole  of  his  property. 
In  1841  he  removed  from  Brown  to  Clermont 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  cultivated  rented  land  and 
worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1859,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 
His  widow  afterward  removed  to  Illinois,  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  her  days  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Margaret  Houser,  of  Champaign  County,  departing 
this  life  in  December,  1882,  in  the  eighty-second 
year  of  her  age.  The  parental  household  consisted 
of  nine  children,  three  sons  and  six  daughters, 
eight  of  whom  are  still  living. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  seventh  child 
of  his  parents.  In  early  youth  he  was  attacked 
with  hip  disease,  and  was  an  invalid  for  a  period  of 
eight  years.  His  father  being  poor  he  could  do 
but  little  toward  educating  his  children,  but  An- 
drew R.  was  fond  of  his  books,  and  while  confined 
at  his  home  pursued  his  studies,  and  with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  district  school  fitted  himself  for  a 
teacher,  and  commenced  this  occupation  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years.  He  taught  during  the  winter 
seasons  and  in  the  summer  pursued  farming  on 
rented  land  for  eight  years,  and  during  this  time 
took  a  partial  course  of  study  at  Prof.  Laycock's 
Academy  at  Felicit3r,  Ohio.  In  1866  he  decided  to 
remove  further  West,  and  accordingly  journeyed 
across  the  State  of  Indiana  and  located  in  McLean 
County,  pursuing  his  first  duties  as  a  pedagogue  in 
this  State,  in  the  town  where  he  now  resides.  After 
one  year  thus  employed  he  secured  a  position  as 
clerk,  and  followed  this  in  various  stores  in  Mc- 
Lean for  the  next  four  years.  In  1874  he  was  ap- 
pointed Postmaster,  which  position  he  held  until 
December,  1885.  In  1872  he  officiated'as  clerk  in  a 
drug-store,  where  he  gained  much  valuable  inform- 
ation, and  held  the  position  as  druggist's  clerk  for 
the  following  ten  years,  when  he  opened  a  drug- 
store on  his  own  account,  and  has  successfully  op- 
erated it  until  the  present  time. 

The  marriage  of  Andrew  R.  Dillman  and  Miss 
Joanna  Croswell  was  celebrated  April  2,  1868,  in 
the  village  of  McLean.  Mrs.  D.  is  the  daughter  of 
John  M.  and  Mary  Croswell,  and  was  born  in 
1 837.  By  her  marriage  with  our  subject  she  has 
become  the  mother  of  one  child,  a  daughter,  Ora 
Litta.  They  occupy  a  pleasant  and  comfortable 


r 


t. 


•  '    296 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


home  and  enjoy  the  esteem  and  respect  of  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Mr.  Dilluian 
is  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Dillman  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  town  since  coming  here.  He  is  local  editor  of 
the  McLean  Lens,  and  has  served  six  years  as  Po- 
lice Magistrate  of  the  village.  He  has  taken  a  de- 
cided interest  in  educational  matters,  and  served 
as  a  member  of  the  School  Board,  doing  what  he 
could  to  advance  the  educational  and  moral  inter- 
ests of  his  community. 

The  McLean  Lens  was  established  in  1879,  by 
U.  G.  Palmer,  as  an  independent  paper.  He  con- 
ducted the  paper  until  June,  1885,  when  our  sub- 
ject became  the  editor.  It  is  now  owned  by 
Critchfield  Bros.  The  Lens  is  a  seven-column 
folio,  issued  every  Saturday,  and  is  a  bright,,  newsy 
sheet.  It  is  well  edited,  and  has  a  liberal  country 
circulation. 

<jfl  OHN  F.  WELCH,  a  farmer  and  stock-grower 
of  Bloomington  Township,  is  located  on 
section  35,  and  in  addition  to  the  ordinary 
pursuits  of  agriculture  is  extensively  en- 
gaged as  a  breeder  of  fine  stock.  He  carries  on 
farming  on  one  of  his  father's  places,  which  con- 
sists of  240  acres.  In  his  stock-raising  operations 
he  makes  a  specialty  of  horses,  and  exhibits  some 
among  the  best  specimens  of  their  kind  in  this  sec- 
tion of  McLean  County. 

Mr.  Welch  is  a  native  of  McLean  Count}',  and 
was  born  on  the  farm  which  he  now  occupies  but 
which  is  owned  by  his  father.  Eighty  acres  of  this 
was  purchased  by  the  latter  at  an  early  day  for  the 
consideration  of  one  yoke  of  oxen.  For  a  history 
of  the  parents  of  our  subject  the  reader  is  referred 
to  the  sketch  of  Jeremiah  Welch  on  another  page 
of  this  work. 

John  F.  Welch  remained  a  member  of  the  paren- 
tal household  until  his  marriage.  In  the  meantime 
he  received  his  primary  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  completed  his  studies  at  Wesleyan 
College,  Bloomington,  where  he  took  a  course  of 
practical  instruction  such  as  he  judged  would  be 
,>f  use  to  him  in  later  j'ears.  He  was  married,  Oct. 


29,  1885,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Le- 
roy,  McLean  County,  to  Miss  Lizzie  C.,  the 
daughter  of  John  W.  and  Emeline  (Buckles)  Ker- 
shaw.  The  father  of  Mrs.  W.  was  the  only  son  of 
Joseph  Kershaw,  an  English  gentleman  who  settled 
in  the  Prairie  State  at  an  early  period  in  its  history, 
and  was  the  only  representative  of  the  family  bear- 
ing that  name  in  this  country.  His  wife,  the  grand- 
mother of  Mrs.  W.,  was  of  Virginian  parentage  and 
American  ancestry,  but  born  in  Illinois,  her  family 
being  of  German  descent.  The  parents  of  Mrs. 
W.  are  still  living,  and  make  their  home  in  Downs 
Township.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was  born  in 
the  latter  township  Jan.  30,  1867.  She  was  reared 
under  the  parental  roof,  and  completed  her  educa- 
tion at  the  U.  B.  College,  of  Westfield,  Clark 
Co.,  111.,  and  subsequently  took  a  course  at  Wesleyan 
College  in  the  city  of  Bloomington.  She  also  be- 
came an  accomplished  musician,  and  in  her  other 
studies  attained  to  a  high  degree  of  perfection. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  have  become  the  parents  of 
one  child — Bessie  K.,  who  was  born  July  2,  1886. 
Mrs.  W.  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  politically  Mr. 
Welch  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


eHRISTI AN  BECK,  a  prosperous  fanner  and 
stock-raiser  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  is  the 
owner  of  eighty-six  acres  on  section  4,  and 
is  engaged  principally  in  the  breeding  of  fine  horses 
and  cattle.  His  farm  is  finely  cultivated  and  im- 
proved, and  he  occupies  a  handsome  country  resi- 
dence which  is  indicative  within  and  without  of 
cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means.  His  barns  and 
out-buildings  are  of  first-class  description,  and  his 
business  transactions  are  carried  on  with  that 
method  and  system  which  is  one  of  the  requisites 
of  thrift  and  prosperity. 

Mr.  Beck  was  born  in  Woodford  County,  this 
State,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1848.  He  is  the  son  of 
Peter  and  Catharine  (Gingery)  Beck,  who  were  of 
German  birth  and  parentage.  Peter  Beck  was  born 
in  about  1805,  emigrated  to  America  in  1833,  mak- 
ing his  first  location  in  Pennsylvania  whence,  four 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


297    -  • 


years  later,  he  came  to  the  Prairie  State  and  died 
in  Woodford  County,  Sept.  17,  1850.  The  mother 
was  born  May  27,  1809,  is  still  living,  and  re- 
mains a  widow.  She  makes  her  home  with  her 
son  Christian.  Of  their  eight  children  the  record 
is  as  follows:  Barbara  was  born  July  11,  1833, 
and  died  in  infancy;  Daniel  was  born  Oct.  8,  1834; 
Elizabeth,  Oct.  9,  1836,  and  married  Andrew 
Keefer,  of  Allen  County,  Kan. ;  John  was  born 
Nov.  21,  1838,  and  died  when  twenty-six  years  of 
age;  Ellen,  now  Mrs.  A.  Stephens,  was  born  Feb. 
19,  1841 ;  Peter  was  born  Nov.  21,  1843,  and  mar- 
ried Miss  Lydia  Miller;  Catherine,  born  May  9, 
184G,  died  at  the  age  of  one  year  and  twenty  days. 

Christian  Beck  of  our  sketch  was  the  youngest 
member  of  his  father's  family.  He  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of 
age,  and  on  the  3d  of  January,  1874,  was  married 
to  Miss  Barbara  Schick.  Mrs.  B.  is  a  native  of 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  was  born  April  19,  1847,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Magdalena  (Augs- 
berger)  Schick,  her  parents  being  natives  of  Ger- 
many, and  are  still  living  in  Tazewell  County,  this 
State,  which  has  been  their  home  since  1856. 
Their  family  of  eleven  children  included  the  fol- 
lowing :  Elizabeth,  Barbara,  Magdalena,  Catharine, 
Joseph,  Mary,  Annie,  Francis,  Lydia,  Fannie  and 
Rosa. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beck  have  become  the  parents  of 
four  children — Ida  M.,  Amelia  A.,  Mary  O.  and 
Rosa  L.  In  religious  belief  Mr.  Beck  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and  politically 
•he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  The  Lake  Erie  & 
Western  Railroad  crosses  the  southwest  corner  of 
his  farm. 


?ILLIAM  BUCKWORTH,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing druggists  of  Leroy,  is  a  native  of  Sus- 
sex County,  Del.,  and  was  born  Feb.  7, 18-29. 
His  father,  Curtis  Buckworth,  was  a  native  of 
Maryland,  but  was  reared  and  married  in  Delaware. 
He  removed,  in  1832,  to  Ohio,  and  located  seven 
miles  from  Chillicothe,  in  Ross  County,  where  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  heavily  timbered  land,  in  the 
midst  of  which  was  a  log  cabin.  Here  he  estab- 
lished himself  with  his  family,  and  lived  to  improve 


a  farm  of  over  400  acres,  erecting  good  buildings 
and  providing  all  the  appliances  of  a  first-class  farm 
estate.  After  witnessing  the  remarkable  changes 
which  occurred  during  an  interval  of  thirty -seven 
years,  and  keeping  full  pace  with  the  progress  of 
the  age,  he  departed  this  life  on  the  homestead 
which  he  had  established  in  1869,  when  seventy- 
nine  years  of  age. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Ellen  Draper.  She  was  born  in  Delaware,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  John  Draper,  a  native  of  the 
same  State.  She  became  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren, and  died  four  years  after  locating  with  her 
husband  in  Ohio,  her  decease  occurring  in  1836. 
The  sister  of  our  subject,  Susan  by  name,  became 
the  wife  of  John  Thomas,  accompanied  her  hus- 
band to  Missouri,  and  died  there  in  1863;  Alexan- 
der D.  lives  at  North  Platte,  Neb.,  and  has  served 
as  State  Senator;  he  was  formerly  a  physician,  and 
later  Register  of  the  land-office  of  North  Platte, 
and  at  present  is  engaged  in  the  banking  and  real- 
estate  business. 

William  Buckworth  received  his  early  education 
in  the  common  school,  and  attended  two  terms  at 
Frankford  Academy  in  Ohio.  When  twenty-two 
years  of  age  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine, 
under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  William  Latta  at 
Frankford,  and  in  the  winter  of  1854-55  attended 
a  course  of  lectures  at  Starling  Medical  College  at 
Columbus,  Ohio.  The  following  spring  he  com- 
menced practice  at  Clarksburg,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  came  to  Illinois,  locating  first 
at  Mt.  Zion,  Macon  County.  In  1862  he  attended 
lectures  iii  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati, 
from  which  lie  graduated  in  June,  1863.  He  then 
returned  to  Mt.  Zion,  and  after  practicing  eighteen 
months  there  removed  to  Champaign  County, 
where  he  spent  six  years  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  from  there  he  came  to  Leroy.  In 
1871  he  purchased  the  drug-store  of  Guy  &  Sims 
in  this  place,  which  he  has  successfully  conducted 
since  that  time.  He  is  a  thorough-going  business 
man,  genial,  courteous  and  obliging,  and  a  great 
favorite  in  the  business  circles  of  his  community. 

Mr.  Buckworth  was  married  in  Greenfield,  Ohio, 
Nov.  15,  1855,  to  Miss  Mary  S.  Parish,  who  was 
born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  in  1831.  Of  this  union 


f 


f 


298 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


there  were  born  two  children:  Dana  L.,  who  is  as- 
sociated with  his  father  in  business;  Maggie  Ellen 
died  in  infancy.  The  store  is  finely  equipped  and 
doing  a  good  business.  Our  subject  is  Republican 
in  politics,  and  in  all  respects  is  fulfilling  the  obli- 
gations of  a  good  citizen. 


«.,,  NSEL  D.  HOWARD,  of  McLean,  is  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Howard  <fe  Gifford. 


dealers  yi  hardware.  He  is  a  native  of 
Taunton,  Bristol  Co.,  Mass.,  and  was  born 
Aug.  18,  1831.  His  father,  Ansel  Howard,  Sr.,  was 
a  native  of  West  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  and  was  born 
June  24,  1803.  Our  subject's  grandfather,  Simeon 
Howard,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  it  is  sup- 
posed that  his  great-grandfather,  Eliakim  Howard, 
was  also  born  there.  Eliakim  Howard  was  a  farmer 
there,  and  Clerk  for  the  town  of  Bridgewater  in 
early  days,  and  died  there.  Simeon  Howard  was  a 
farmer  and  miller,  and  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
•  War  of  1812,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  time 
he  was  in  the  army,  spent  his  entire  life  in  Bridge- 
water.  Ansel  Howard,  Sr.,  was  reared  in  Bridge- 
water,  Mass.,  and  served  his  apprenticeship  there  at 
carriage-making.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he 
went  to  Taunton,  where  he  worked  as  a  "jour  "  for 
one  year,  and  then  engaged  in  business  on  his  own 
account  as  a  manufacturer  of  carriages  and  coaches. 
After  the  construction  of  the  Taunton  &  New  Bed- 
ford branch  railroad  he  added  to  his  other  business 
that  of  car-building,  carrying  on  this  latter  depart- 
ment until  1856,  and  manufacturing  carriages  until 
1867.  He  then  disposed  of  his  property  in  the 
East,  and  coming  to  this  State  located  in  McLean 
County,  and  has  since  lived  a  retired  life,  spending 
the  most  of  his  time  with  his  son,  our  subject. 

Ansel  Howard,  Sr.,  in  early  life  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Louisa  Wilbur,  the  mother  of 
our  subject.  She  was  born  in  Easton,  Mass.,  Sept.  5, 
1804,  and  departed  this  life  in  Taunton,  April  4, 
1834.  Mr.  Howard  afterward  married  Miss  1'hcrbe 
Bucklin,  also  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  who 
died  in  Fall  River,  that  State,  in  1885.  Of  the  first 
marriage  there  were  four  children :  Louisa  W.  died 
May  11,  1843,  in  Taunton;  Maria  W.  became  the 


wife  of  Daniel  McFarland,  and  lives  in  Mt.  Hope 
Township;  Ansel  D.,  our  subject,  was  the  third 
child;  James  G.  died  Feb.  8,  1836,  in  Taunton. 
Of  the  second  marriage  there  was  one  child,  a  son, 
Charles  W.,  who  died  Feb.  27,  1859. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
home  roof  and  attended  the  city  schools  of  Taun- 
ton until  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  engaged  as 
elerk  in  a  drug-store,  and  later  in  a  boot-and-shoe 
store.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  began  an 
apprenticeship  at  carriage-building,  serving  three 
years,  and  then  spent  two  years  in  a  locomotive 
manufactory.  He  became  remarkably  skillful  in 
the  use  of  tools,  and  after  working  as  a  "  jour  "  in 
a  wagon-shop  one  year,  went  into  partnership  with 
his  father  and  operated  with  him  until  the  fall  of 
1857,  and  the  following  spring  came  to  Illinois. 

After  arriving  in  this  count}'  our  subject  en- 
gaged at  farm  work  with  S.  J.  Chapin  for  a  brief 
time,  afterward  going  into  DeWitt  County  and 
working  at  his  trade.  There,  after  eighteen  months, 
the  shop  in  which  he  was  employed  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  he  lost  a  large  number  of  valuable 
tools.  He  then  went  to  Independence,  Iowa, 
whence  he  returned  after  nine  months  to  Waynes- 
ville,  this  State,  and  from  there  came  to  Heyworth 
in  this  county,  where  he  built  a  shop  and  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  other 
vehicles  four  years.  He  then  came  back  to  the  Prai- 
rie State  and  this  county,  and  purchasing  a  farm  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  1875.  He  then  sold  out,  and  going  to 
McLean  engaged  in  the  furniture  trade.  In  1881 
he  became  associated  with  his  present  partner, 
Laban  F.  Gifford,  and  added  hardware  to  his  other 
stock.  The  firm  is  on  a  substantial  basis,  and  doing 
a  profitable  and  steadily  increasing  trade. 

Mr.  Howard  was  married  in  October,  1855,  to 
Miss  Mary  B.  Hunter,  who  was  a  native  of  Warren, 
R.  I.,  and  the  daughter  of  Wrilliam  S.  Hunter,  of  the 
same  town  and  State.  Rufus  Hunter,  the  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  H.,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island, 
and  iu  early  life  followed  the  sea  in  the  whaling 
service.  His  father  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  and  his  son  Rufus  was  in  the  War  of 
1812.  William  Hunter,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Howard, 
followed  the  sea  from  the  time  he  was  sixteen  until 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


301 


he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  and  then  engaged  in 
ship-building  in  Warren,  R.  I.  He  left  New  En- 
gland in  1858,  and  crossing  the  Mississippi  settled 
in  Buchanan  County,  Iowa,  and  still  lives  there 
upon  a  comfortable  homestead.  He  married,  in 
early  manhood,  Miss  Sarah  Luther,  who  was  born 
in  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  and  died  in  Warren,  R.  I.,  in 
1840.  For  his  second  wife  William  S.  Hunter  mar- 
ried Miss  Lydia  Luther,  a  sister  of  the  first  lady. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  have  two  children — Mary 
L.,  the  wife  of  Laban  F.  Gifford,  of  McLean,  and 
Ella  M.,  who  married  Willis  Snow,  and  lives  in  Mt. 
Hope  Township.  The  parents  and  daughters  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  Howard  has  been  Treasurer  and  one  of  the 
leading  members  for  several  years.  He  has  in  all 
respects  fulfilled  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen, 
and  enjoys  the  friendship  and  esteem  of  the  com- 
munity in  a  marked  degree. 


EV.  GEORGE  WILSON,  of  Blooming-ton 
Township,  a  gentleman  of  rare  literary  abil- 
ity, a  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
ho  has  also  combined  the  peaceful  and 
pleasurable  pursuit  of  agriculture  with  his  other 
life  labors,  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  1858,  at  which  time  he  located  upon  a  purchase 
which  he  made  nearly  twenty  years  before.  He  has 
been  remarkably  successful  in  his  undertakings  in 
life,  and  to  his  agricultural  pursuits  has  added  that 
of  stock-raising,  which  he  lias  carried  on  exten- 
sively and  profitably  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is 
the  owner  of  570  acres  of  land,  320  in  this  county, 
and  250  in  Ford  County.  111.,  and  since  becoming 
a  resident  of  this  locality  has  aided  materially  in 
the  building  up  of  its  industrial  and  agricult- 
ural interests,  as  well  as  its  great  moral  bulwarks. 
The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Allegheny 
County,  Pa.,  on  the  22d  of  August,  1817.  His 
father,  Samuel  Wilson  (who  always  spelled  his 
name  Willson),  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  and 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Crag- 
head,  whose  descendants  were  of  the  same  races. 
The  mother  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  her 
father  was  a  Captain  in  the  French  and  Indian 


War,  and  also  a  Colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
After  the  marriage  of  the  parents  of  our  subject 
they  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives. 

George  Wilson  remained  in  his  native  State,  re- 
ceiving careful  home  training  and  a  good  educa- 
tion. He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in  private 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  attended 
Franklin  College,  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio.  After 
completing  his  studies  in  this  institution  he  en- 
tered Theological  Hall,  a  seminary  of  learning 
which  is  conducted  by  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  there  received  literary  and  ministerial 
instruction,  under  the  tutorship  of  Rev.  Dr.  John 
Pressley.  Before  entering  on  his  theological  stud- 
ies his  father  died.  He  spent  three  years  with  Dr. 
Pressley,  and  was  then  licensed  to  preach  by  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Associate  Reform  Church  of 
Monongahela.  He  was  ordained  in  the  fall  of 
1841  by  the  Mansfield  Presbytery,  but  after  a  few 
years  withdrew  from  the  church  of  his  early 
choice  and  received  immersion  from  the  Baptist 
Church,  with  which  he  has  since  been  connected. 

After  a  few  years  of  ministerial  labor  in  Mans- 
field, Ohio,  Mr.  Wilson  came  to  Illinois  and  engaged 
in  the  ministry  in  this  State.  Prior  to  making  this 
his  home  in  (1839)  he  had  traveled  over  the  larger 
portion  of  the  State,  conversed  with  many  educated 
and  intellectual  men,  and  here  began  the  more 
practical  development  of  his  religious  thought  and 
ideas.  These  he  soon  began  to  put  upon  paper,  and 
in  the  course  of  time  became  quite  noted  as  the 
author  of  a  valuable  religious  work,  "Baptismal  Con- 
troversy Reviewed,"  which  is  a  very  logical  work, 
consisting  of  434  pages,  bound  in  cloth.  He  has 
also  in  manuscript  a  work  entitled  "  The  Kingdom 
of  God  Developed,  According  to  the  Inspired  Rec- 
ord and  Predictions."  Many  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  this  latter  work,  and  it  will  soon  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  publishers.  In  this  Mr.  Wilson 
hopes  to  fill  a  vacant  niche  in  sacred  literature.  Al- 
though his  literary  labors  have  consumed  much 
time  and  labor,  Mr.  Wilson  has  worked  indus- 
triously alike  at  his  farming  pursuits. 

The  marriage  of  Rev.  George  Wilson  and  Miss 
Margaret  Taggart  was  celebrated  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  in  1841.  Mrs.  W.  was  a  daughter 


3r  T' 

T* 


302 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 


of  Rev.  William  Taggart,  D.  D.,  a  prominent  min- 
ister in  the  Associate  Reform  Church  of  Ohio. 
She  was  born  Oct.  16,  1821,  and  reared  in  her  na- 
tive State,  receiving  a  liberal  education,  and  by 
her  union  with  our  subject  became  the  mother  of 
seven  children,  viz. :  Sarah  E.,  Mary  J.,  William 
T.,  Margaret  G.,  Amelia  A.,  Maria  I.  and  Geor- 
giette  C.  The  family  occupy  a  handsome  and 
comfortable  residence,  and  are  surrounded  by  a 
large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  This  fair 
home  was  invaded  by  death  March  18,  1887,  when 
the  faithful  wife  and  fond  and  tender  mother  was 
taken  from  them. 

Her  decease  was  caused  by  a  complication  of 
diseases,  principally  of  the  liver  and  lungs.  She 
had  suffered  much  for  many  years,  and  was  often  at 
the  "  Gates  of  Death,"  but  rallied,  and  was  active 
to  the  last  attack,  which  commenced  with  hem- 
orrhage of  the  lungs  and  terminated  in  stragula- 
tion. 

Tenacity  for  early  impressions  and  teaching  was 
the  predominant  trait  of  her  mind,  and  she  never 
gave  up  any  of  them  while  she  could  resist  the  evi- 
dence against  them. 

In  her  last  attack  she  could  talk  but  little ;  but 
in'former  attacks  of  chills,  caused  by  the  obstruc- 
tion of  the  gall  duct,  she  raved  much,  continually 
repeating  detached  portions  of  Psalms  in  meter. 
With  these  Psalms  she  was  familiar  from  childhood, 
and  could  sing  them  without  book  or  precentor, 
and  when  no  human  voice  could  impress  her  she 
had  all  the  counsel,  praise  and  prayers  enstamped  on 
her  mind,  mingled  with  incoherent  thoughts.  She 
was  a  life  member  of  the  Iowa  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention, the  Bible  Union,  and  of  the  Missionary 
Union.  The  following  beautiful  and  tender  lines 
were  penned  by  Mr.  Wilson,  whose  heart  was  bur- 
dened with  a  sense  of  his  loneliness  at  the  loss  of 
his  beloved  life  companion : 

Now  rest  in  peace,  thy  journey  is  o'er. 
And  we  on  earth  shall  meet  no  more; 
I'll  tread  alone  this  thorny  path, 
And  finish  up  our  work  at  last. 

Then  I  shall  talk  as  spirits  do, 
And  learn  what  now  is  known  to  you; 
The  life  we  now  begin  by  faith 
Will  not  be  altered  by  death. 


And   when  the  Savior  comes  again, 
We  hope  to  follow  in  His  train: 
The  earth  a  I'aradise  will  be. 
And  here  again  I'll  walk  witli  tliee. 

The  ''casket"  now  encloses  thy  form. 
But  thy  bosom  and  head  I  can  see; 
Thy  face  is  pale,  yet  fresh  as  the  morn; 
Thy  closed  eyes  return  no  look  unto  me. 

Margaret!  we  are  going  to  take  thee away. 
To  dwell  in  thy  lonely  house  of  clay  : 
Thy  place  at  home  will  be  empty  still. 
For  no  other  one  thy  place  can  till. 

Thy  coffin  is  lowered,  we  bid  thee  adieu. 
The  earth  replaced  conceals  thee  from  view. 
The  last  sight  1  took,  thy  image  impressed 
What  time  can  never  erase  from  my  breast; 
Nor  can  1  forget  my  first  days  with  you: 
Thou  wast  young,  fair,  lovely  and  true. 

O!  thy  grave  is  so  lonely,  and  1  feel  as  if  thou 
Felt  its  loneliness,  too,  and  desertion,  e'en  now. 
Thank  (rod!  Xothere!  Thy  spirit  is  gone. 
I  stand  beside  thy  cold  grave  alone. 
At  home,  thou,  with  those  first  you  have  loved. 
And  had  gone  before  you  had  removed. 

I  stand  alone.    No  voice  from  thee  speaks 
Me  joy  and  peace,  nor  me  reproaches 
For  consigning  thee  to  this  cold.  dark,  and 
Drear  abode.    Thou  art  at  home — the  better 
Home  and  better  company;  but  still  I  feel — 
I  feel — my  better  judgment  cannot  change 
My  feelings.    My  last  impressions  must 
Grow  dim  with  age  and  worn  out  with  cares, 
Labors,  and  sorrows  thou  wilt  not  know. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  stanch  Republican. 
He  was  a  strong  anti-slavery  man,  and  during  the 
early  history  of  the  party  assisted  greatly  in  the 
establishment  of  its  principles,  by  giving  lectures 
for  this  purpose  whenever  time  and  opportunity 
permitted.  At  the  same  time  he  vigorously  ad- 
vocated the  abolition  of  slavery,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  his  words  at  that  time  left  an  ineffaceable 
impress  upon  the  people  of  Ohio.  He  can  now  pass 
down  the  sunset  hill  of  life  with  the  consciousness 
that  he  has  been  a  good  and  fathf ul  servant  in  the 
cause  of  right  and  justice.  It  is  with  pleasure  that 
we  give  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Wilson  with  this  brief 
outline  of  his  life,  and  as  -a  fitting  companion 
picture  we  give  that  of  his  wife. 


ESEK  E.  GREENMAN,  one  of  the  earliest 
pioneers  of  McLean  County,  came  to  this 
section  Aug.  29,  1829,  and  after  following 
farming  the  greater  part  of  his  life  retired  from 
active  labor  and  removed  to  Leroy,  where  he  is  now 
living  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competemry.     He  was 


t 


•>-»-* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


303 


s; 


born  three  miles  from  Waterford,  Washington  Co., 
Ohio,  Jan.  23,  1816.  His  father,  John  Greenman, 
was  a  native  of  Providence,  It.  I.,  and  his  grand- 
father, Jeremiah  Greenman,  was  of  Welsh  birth  and 
parentage,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a 
young  man.  He  was  accompanied  by  two  brothers, 
and  they  located  in  Providence,  R.  I.  During  the 
struggle  of  the  colonists  for  independence  he  was  a 
commissioned  officer  of  the  Revolutionaiy  War, 
and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  British  at  the  battle 
of  Quebec.  After  being  released  he  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits,  and  subsequently  emigrated  to 
Ohio,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Wash- 
ington County.  His  son  John,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  a  young  man  when  his  parents  removed 
from  Rhode  Island  to  Ohio.  He  had  received  a 
good  education  in  his  native  State,  and  taught 
school  in  Washington  County  before  his  marriage. 
After  this  event  he  located  on  a  farm,  but  still  de- 
voted the  greater  part  of  his  time  for  twenty  years 
to  the  profession  of  a  teacher. 

In  1826  he  removed  to  Waterford,  where  he 
leased  a  hotel  and  ferry,  which  he  operated  for  one 
year,  then  removed  three  miles  up  the  river,  where 
he  purchased  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  lived  until 
1829.  Early  in  August  of  that  year  he  started  for 
the  West,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  nine  chil- 
dren, together  with  Seth  Baker  and  family.  The 
entire  journey  was  made  overland  with  teams.  Mr. 
Greenman  had  one  pair  of  horses  and  a  wagon,  and 
Maj.  Baker,  one  yoke  of  oxen  and  a  horse  in  lead. 
They  camped  and  cooked  by  the  wayside,  and  the 
journey,  especially  through  Indiana,  was  slow  and 
tedious.  In  places  the  sloughs  were  so  bad  that  all 
the  animals  were  required  to  pull  one  wagon 
through.  Each  cheerfully  assisted  the  other,  how- 
ever, and  they  arrived  at  "  Blooming  Grove  "  on 
the  29th  of  August,  halting  at  the  home  of  their 
former  neighbor,, and  the  brother  of  Maj.  Baker, 
Dr.  Isaac  Baker.  After  looking  around  three  or 
four  days  they  found  a  vacant  double  log  house  in 
the  grove,  four  miles  south  of  the  present  site  of 
the  city  of  Bloomiugton.  Into  one  end  of  this  Mr. 
Greenman  removed  with  his  family,  while  the  other 
was  reserved  for  school  purposes,  Mr.  G.  officiating 
as  pedagogue. 

In  November  following  James  Allin,  a  merchant 


from  Vandalia  and  proprietor  of  a  store  at  the 
south  part  of  the  grove,  came  along  looking  after 
his  interests  there  and  to  seek  a  new  location.  He 
made  a  claim  to  the  land  which  is  the  present  site 
of  Bloomington,  and  induced  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject to  remove  his  family  there,  and  in  considera- 
tion let  him  have  the  west  half  of  the  southwest 
quarter  of  section  4,  Mr.  Allin  reserving  twenty 
'  acres  off  the  east  side  for  the  purpose  of  laying  out 
what  was  the  original  site  of  Bloomington.  This 
sixty  acres  is  on  the  east  side  of  Madison  street, 
and  within  one  block  of  the  court-house.  Mr. 
Greenman  built  a  double  log  house  between  Wash- 
ington and  Front  streets  and  near  Madison,  and  this 
was  the  second  house  put  up  on  the  original  site  of 
the  city  of  Bloomington.  Mr.  Greenman  also  en- 
tered a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  what  is  now  section 
6.  This  transaction  took  place  on  the  22d  of  -Feb- 
ruary, 1 830,  and  our  subject  has  in  his  possession 
the  receipt  for  the  money,  which  was  signed  by 
William  L.  D.  Ewing,  Receiver,  who  was  after- 
ward Governor  of  Illinois.  In  this  house  Lydia  E. 
Greenman,  the  sister  of  our  subject,  taught  the  first 
school  opened  in  Bloomington,  in  the  summer  of 
1830. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  in  the  meantime,  as- 
sisted Mr.  Allin  in  the  store,  which  he  had  moved 
there  in  the  spring,  and  in  the  fall  and  winter  he 
taught  a  term  of  school  two  and  one-half  miles 
southwest  of  the  future  city.  In  the  spring  of 
1831  he  sold  his  land  and  removed  to  De  Witt 
County,  entering  a  claim  three  miles  south  of 
\Vaynesville.  He  removed  there  with  his  family, 
and  in  October  of  that  same  year  was  seized  with 
fatal  illness  and  died.  The  family  then  returned 
to  McLean  County  and  entered  eighty  acres  of 
land  two  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  Bloom- 
ington. There  was  a  log  cabin  on  the  place,  into 
which  the  family  moved,  but  on  account  of  the  se- 
verity of  the  weather  soon  left  it  and  rented  a 
house  in  Bloomington.  In  1833  the  mother  of  our 
subject  was  again  married,  to  Dr.  Isaac  Baker,  and 
spent  the  last  years  of  her  life  at  his  home  in 
Bloomiiigtou.  After  the  death  of  her  first  husband 
she  kept  her  family  together  until  they  were  all 
able  to  care  for  themselves. 

Esek   E.   Greenman   was  thirteen  years  of   age 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


when  he  came  to  McLean  County  with  his  parents, 
and  fifteen  when  his  father  died.  He  remained 
with  his  mother  two  years  afterward,  and  then  went 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  at 
which  he  served  until  the  summer  of  1835,,  when  he 
went  to  Dixon's  Ferry,  now  in  Lee  County,  III., 
and  after  following  the  business  of  helping  build 
cabins  on  Old  Man's  Creek,  shortly  after  the  Black 
Hawk  War,  proceeded  from  there  to  Plattsville, 
Wis.,  where  he  entered  the  lead  mines  and  remained 
one  and  one-half  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Bloomington  for  a  year,  and  was  variously  em- 
ployed there  and  elsewhere  until  1838.  He  then 
went  to  Cedar  County.  Iowa,  in  company  with  two 
brothers,  where  they  entered  two  claims,  broke  and 
fenced  the  land,  built  a  cabin  and  made  other  im- 
provements, and  then,  leaving  one  brother  in 
charge,  our  subject  and  the  other  went  into  Daven- 
port to  earn  money  by  which  to  secure  their  pur- 
chase. Our  subject  was  then  taken  sick,  and  finally 
returned  to  Bloomingtou.  His  mother  then  sold 
the  land  near  there  and  gave  each  child  his  share 
of  the  estate.  Esek  E.  and  his  brother  again 
started  for  Iowa  with  teams,  and  while  on  the  way 
ran  across  a  mill  site  on  Skunk  River  below  Au- 
gusta, in  Des  Moines  County,  Iowa,  and  concluded 
to  stop  there  arid  build  a  saw  and  grist  mill.  This 
was  in  1840,  while  Iowa  was  yet  a  Territory.  In 
June,  1843,  our  subject  sold  his  interest  in  the  mill, 
and  returning  to  Bloomington,  purchased  a  carriage 
and  proceeded  to  Chicago,  where  he  purchased  a 
stock  of  dry-goods  and  notions,  and  starting  home- 
ward peddled  them  through  the  country.  Late  in 
the  fall  of  1843  he  stopped  with  Hiram  Buck,  the 
popular  landlord  of  the  Leroy  hotel,  and  Mr.  Buck 
induced  him  to  settle  at  Leroy  and  establish  a 
store.  Mr.  Buck  offered  to  board  him  for  $1  a  week 
as  long  as  he  would  stay.  Mr.  Greenman  formed  a 
partnership  with  S.  D.  Baker,  and  with  $250  worth 
of  goods  on  hand,  and  another  $100  worth  pur- 
chased in  Bloomington,  on  credit,  and  a  good  team, 
started  in  business  here  Feb.  13,  1844.  They  op- 
erated together  for  fourteen  years,  carrying  a  gen- 
eral stock  of  everything  required  in  those  days, 
from  a  thimble  to  a  grindstone,  and  accumulated 
sufficient  means  so  that  in  time  our  subject  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  240  acres  a  few  miles  west  of  Le- 


roy.  lie  still  remained  in  town,  but  controlled  his 
farming  interests  for  about  two  years,  and  then  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  trade.  In  1868  he  sold  out 
and  retired  from  active  business  with  a  fine  compe- 
tency, which  will  enable  him  to  pass  the  remainder  of 
his  days  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life  and 
many  of  its  luxuries.  The  third  year  after  Mr. 
Greenman  commenced  renting  his  farm  he  made 
a  lease  with  George  W.  Segler,  and  Mr.  Segler 
has  now  occupied  the  place  for  the  long  period  of 
nineteen  years,  as  tenant,  which  probably  has  not 
a  parallel  case  in  McLean  County. 

The  marriage  of  Esek  E.  Greenman  and  Miss 
Martha  Pearce  was  celebrated  Feb.  14,  1848.  Mrs. 
G.  was  born  in  Mechanisburg,  Champaign  Co., 
Ohio,  Feb.  27,  1831.  She  became  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  and  departed  this  life  July  14, 
1864.  Only  three  of  their  family  are  living: 
Mary  Belle  is  the  widow  of  Scott  Cruinbaugh,  and 
resides  with  her  father  in  Leroy;  John'  E.  and 
Charles  E.  are  also  at  home.  Mr.  Greenman  was 
formerly  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  been  a 
Republican  since  the  organization  of  this  party. 
He  has  been  Postmaster  of  Leroy,  was  a  member 
of  the  School  Board  for  nine  years  and  School 
Treasurer  six  years.  Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Le- 
roy Lodge  No.  221,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Bloomington 
Chapter. 

During  his  long  residence  in  this  vicinity  Mr. 
Greenman  has  fully  established  himself  in  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  his  fellow-townsmen,  and  has 
assisted  materially  in  the  growth  and  development 
of  Empire  Township.  He  has  been  a  man  of  ex- 
cellent judgment  and  foresight,  and  whether  at  car- 
pentering or  mining,  teaching,  farming  or  in  trade, 
he  was  uniformly  successful,  and  whenever  he  en- 
countered difficulties  did  not  allow  them  to  overcome 
him,  but  returned  to  the  attack  with  renewed 
vigor.  He  displayed  rare  judgment  in  his  mining 
operations  and  seemed  to  have  an  intuitive  knowl- 
edge of  the  richest  leads.  When  he  and  his  partner 
first  began  they  followed  the  suggestions  of  the  lat- 
ter and  dug  without  results,  but  when  they  changed 
to  where  Mr.  Greenman  believed  they  would  find  a 
rich  vein  of  ore  it  proved  as  he  had  predicted.  Mr. 
G.  was  at  Belraont  when  it  was  the  capital  of  Wis- 
consin, and  traveled  over  a  considerable  portion  of 


i 


f 


•>-•-«« 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


305 


the  three  States  of  Iowa,  Wisconsin  and  Illinois  be- 
fore there  was  any  railroad  or  even  a  wagon  track. 
He  has  witnessed  strange  scenes,  remarkable 
changes,  and  no  man  has  viewed  with  more  satis- 
faction the  growth  and  development  of  the  Great 
West. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Ruth  White,  audshe  was  born  in  Barnard, 
Vt.,  Dec.  31,  1793.  Her  father,  Deacon  David 
White,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  was 
born  in  I  lard  wick,  Mass.,  when  he  removed  to  Ver- 
mont in  1799,  and  from  there  to  Washington 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  died  in  Waterford  Town- 
ship, Nov.  13,  1840.  His  wife  died  Nov.  21,  1841. 


AMUEL  I.  LEACH,  Supervisor  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  is  a  highly  respected  resident 
of  the  village  of  McLean,  where  he  owns  a 
comfortable  estate,  and  by  his  energy  and 
industry  has  obtained  the  means  whereby  he  is 
now  able  to  enjoy  the  good  things  of  life,  while  his 
excellent  personal  traits  of  character,  his  ready 
sympathy  and  uniform  kindness  of  disposition  have 
gained  him  the  deep  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
The  subject  of  this  biography  is  a  native  of  the 
Old  Granite  State,  having  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the 
light  among  the  New  Hampshire  Hills,  in  Cheshire 
County,  and  the  town  of  Westmoreland.  The  date 
of  his  birth  was  Dec.  31, 1840.  His  father,  Bradley 
Leach,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town  and  county ; 
his  grandfather,  Isaac  Leach,  also  a  native  of  Ches- 
hire Count}7,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  spent  his 
entire  life  in  the  county  of  his  birth,  and  departed 
from  the  scenes  of  his  earthly  labors  after  having 
attained  the  ripe  old  age  of  over  ninety  years.  His 
son  Bradley,  the  father  of  our  subject,  in  early  man- 
hood learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  which  he 
followed  since  that  time  at  Westmoreland,  Ches- 
hire County,  where  he  still  resides,  being  now 
eighty-one  years  of  age.  After  having  arrived  at 
years  of  manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Eliza  Woodward,  a  native  of  Westmoreland, 
i  '  Cheshire  County,  and  she  still  remains  his  faithful 


and  affectionate  companion,  being  his  junior  by 
one  year.  The  household  circle  embraced  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 

Samuel  I.  Leach  was  the  fifth  child  and  third  son 
of  his  parents'  family.  He  was  reared  under  the 
parental  roof,  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  and  in  the  academy  at  South  Village, 
lie  was  fond  of  study  and  ambitious  to  excel,  and 
after  he  had  completed  his  primary  course,  pur- 
sued a  more  advanced  one  at  Meriden,  N.  H.,  and 
engaged  in  teaching,  which  he  pursued  the  three 
succeeding  winters.  At  this  time,  the  late  Civil  War 
being  then  in  progress,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of 
the  Union,  Aug.  31,  1862,  in  Co.  A,  14th  N.  H. 
Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  in  the  army  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  The  first  year  he  was  employed  at 
Brigade  Headquarters  in  the  Quartermaster's  De- 
partment, on  detached  service,  and  he  was  after- 
ward assigned  to  duty  at  Campbell  General  Hos- 
pital, Washington,  D.  C.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
he  received  an  honorable  discharge  with  his  com- 
rade's, on  the  21st  of  July,  1865,  and  immediately 
returned  to  New  Hampshire.  After  visiting  among 
his  old  friends  and  acquaintances  for  about  a 
month  he  came  west  to  McLean  County,  111.,  and 
engaged  as  book-keeper  for  C.  C.  Aldrich,  with 
whom  he  has  continued  with  the  exception  of  one 
year  since  that  time.  In  1883  he  associated  him- 
self in  partnership  with  R.  E.  Gifford,  and  opened 
a  grocery  store,  which  has  now  become  one  of  the 
leading  establishments  of  its  kind  in  this  vicinity. 
To  their  first  stock  he  has  added  a  line  of  general 
merchandise,  and  now  enjoys  an  extensive  and  lu- 
crative trade. 

Mr.  Leach  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Nancy  Maria  Blake,  on  the  12th  of  October,  1862. 
Mrs.  Leach  is  a  native  of  Swanzey,  Cheshire 
County,  N.  H.,  and  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  C. 
and  Emeline  (Aldrich)  Blake,  a  native  of  the  same 
town  and  county.  Benjamin  C.  Blake  learned  the 
trade  of  a  tanner,  and  after  following  this  a  few 
years  departed  this  life  at  the  early  age  of  twenty- 
six  years.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Eme- 
line Aldrich.  She  is  still  living,  and  makes  her 
home  with  her  son-in-law,  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

Samuel  I.  and  Mrs.  Nancy  M.  Leach  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  five  children,  as  follows :  Fred 


I 


306 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


H 


S.,  Carlon  W.,  Blake,  Carrie  De  Etta  and  Mattie 
Maria. 

Mr.  Leach  was  Township  Clerk  for  fourteen 
years.  He  is  also  Township  Treasurer,  which  of- 
fice he  has  occupied  since  1874.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  a  number  of 
years,  a  position  which  he  still  holds,  and  was  ap- 
pointed in  November,  1884,  Supervisor  of  Mt. 
Hope  Township,  elected  in  1885,  and  re-elected 
in  1886.  He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  so- 
cially belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  Harrison  W.  Wood 
Post  No.  173.  He  also  belongs  to  the  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.,  being  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  469,  McLain 
.and  Bloomington  Chapter,  De  Molay  Command- 
ary  No.  24,  at  Bloomington. 

Mr.  Leach,  in  connection  with  his  official  duties, 
has  the  supervision  of  his  farm,  which  is  operated 
by  a  tenant,  and  is  quite  extensively  interested  in 
stock-raising.  It  comprises  237  acres  of  land,  all 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  yields  him  a 
handsome  income. 


ON.  SAMUEL  BEVAN  KINSEY,  a  prom- 
inent and  wealthy  farmer  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  valuable 
farm  estate  which  is  pleasantly  located  on 
section  12.  He  is  an  old  and  valued  resident  of 
McLean  Count}',  and  has  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  development  of  the  resources  of  this 
section.  He  is  possessed  of  fine  abilities,  is  of  an 
energetic  and  enterprising  turn  of  mind,  and  has 
always  had  in  view  some  worthy  aim  and  object. 
Mr.  Kinsey  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
on  the  19th  of  September,  1824.  His  father,  John 
Kinsey,  and  his  grandfather,  Christopher  Kinsey, 
were  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  latter 
emigrating  from  his  native  State  to  Clinton  County, 
Ohio,  during  the  early  settlement  of  that  county. 
He  there  purchased  a  farm  and  pursued  the  peace- 
ful calling  of  an  agriculturist  the  balance  of  his 
days.  His  son  John,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
there  learned  the  trade  of  a  millwright,  and  later, 
that  of  a  carpenter.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he 
removed  to  Highland  County,  and  in  about  1825 
returned  to  Clinton.  He  was  industrious  and  en- 


terprising, and  was  afterward  engaged  as  a  builder 
and  contractor.  In  1 840  he  engaged  to  build  a  few 
miles  of  stone  pike  that  extended  from  Cincinnati 
to  Columbus,  which  he  completed,  but  which,  owing 
to  the  dishonesty  of  his  partner,  proved  unprofitable. 
In  the  spring  of  1843  he  removed  from  Ohio  to 
Illinois,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  six  children. 
Their  outfit  consisted  of  six  horses  and  two  wagons, 
and  they  carried  the  greater  part  of  their  household 
belongings,  and  camped  and  cooked  by  the  way- 
side. The  first  stop  was  made  in  the  south  part  of 
Logan  County,  where  they  were  obliged  to  wait 
for  the  waters  of  Salt  Creek  to  subside  before  they 
could  proceed  further.  They  then  journeyed  to 
the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and  settled  two 
and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  the  present  site  of 
the  then  unknown  city  of  Atlanta.  The  elder  Kin- 
sey then  being  unable  to  buy  land,  rented  for  the 
succeeding  three  or  four  years,  afterward  going  to 
Tazewell  County,  111.,  and  engaging  in  his  former 
business  as  a  builder  and  contractor.  He  there 
superintended  the  erection  of  several  large  barns 
and  two  county  bridges  on  the  Mackinaw  Creek, 
and  in  this  vicinity  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Elinor  Bevan.  She  was  born  in  Virginia, 
attended  her  husband  in  his  various  wanderings 
after  their  marriage,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter  in  the  village  of  McLean,  Sept.  22,  1872. 
They  had  become  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows :  Jonathan,  the  eldest 
born,  died  in  Logan  County,  111. ;  Samuel  B.,  our 
subject,  was  the  second  son;  Lewis  lives  in  Mt. 
Hope  Township;  Milton  in  Tazewell  County ;  John 
died  in  Ohio;  Louisa  married  Lafayette  Archer; 
Ruth  lives  in  McLean,  and  also  Stacy  B. ;  Nathan 
L.  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  in  Co.  G,  33d 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  died  in  the  army.  The  parents 
were  reared  in  the  Quaker  faith,  to  which  Mrs. 
Kinsey  adhered  until  the  close  of  her  life. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  with  his  par- 
ents during  his  childhood  and  youth,  pursuing  his 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  the  differ- 
ent branches  of  work  in  which  he  was  engaged. 
He  came  to  Logan  County  with  his  parents  and 
lived  with  them  one  year,  after  which,  during  the 


, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


307 


t 


winter  seasons,  he  taught  school,  and  during  the 
summer  was  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  In  1850 
he  entered  160  acres  of  land  on  the  southwest  quar- 
ter of  section  12,  in  what  is  now  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, and  commenced  the  improvement  of  a  farm. 
Three  years  later  he  moved  upon  it  and  since  that 
time  has  occupied  it  continuously.  The  land  is  all 
enclosed  and  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and 
Mr.  Kinsey  has  a  comfortable  set  of  frame  build- 
ings on  it.  He  subsequently  added  to  his  first 
purchase,  having  160  acres  in  another  part  of  the 
township  and  fifteen  acres  of  timber  in  Logan 
County. 

Mr.  Kinsey  was  married,  Jan.  16,  1847,  to  Miss 
Mary  Stephens,  a  native  of  Logan  County,  111., 
and  the  daughter  of  Adam  and  Mary  Stephens,  who 
were  pioneer  settlers  of  that  section.  This  lady 
only  remained  the  companion  of  her  husband  for 
six  short  years,  departing  this  life  in  1853,  after 
having  become  the  mother  of  two  children :  Guy 
H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years,  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  In  1854  Mr.  Kinsey  was 
married  to  Miss  Millicent  Stephens,  the  sister  of 
his  first  wife,  and  of  this  union  there  were  born 
five  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows: 
John  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington;  Jarvis  H.  lives 
in  Mt.  Hope  Township;  Nathan  L.  lives  in  Mc- 
Lean Village  and  is  employed  as  a  teacher;  Effie 
married  Terah  Farnsworth  and  they  reside  in  this 
township,  and  Maude  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Kinsey  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
this  locality  since  first  coining  here,  his  talents  and 
ability  being  duly  recognized  by  his  fellow-citizens. 
For  two  years  he  was  the  Assessor  and  Treasurer 
of  Logan  County,  and  the  second  year  after  com- 
ing to  McLean  was  elected  Assessor,  and  since  that 
time  has  held  the  office  of  Commissioner  of  High- 
ways for  twelve  years.  He  has  been  School  Treas- 
urer for  the  same  length  of  time,  and  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  past  ten  years. 
In  1862  he  resigned  his  position  on  the  Board,  hav- 
ing received  a  commission  from  Gov.  Yates  as  a  re- 
cruiting officer  for  volunteer  soldiers,  and  in  six 
days  raised  a  company  of  ninety-six  men,  of  which 
company  he  was  elected  Captain.  This  was  named 
Company  A.  and  it  constituted  a  part  of  the  117th 
Illinois  Regiment.  They  marched  to  the  scene  of 


conflict  and  were  engaged  in  the  battles  at  Sabina 
Cross  Roads,  and  were  in  all  the  battles  of  Sher- 
man's meridian  campaign.  Then,  on  account  of 
ill-health,  Capt.  Kiusey  was  obliged  to  tender  his 
resignation,  and  on  the  10th  of  May,  1864,  reached 
home  and  for  some  time  was  incapacitated  for  .any 
active  labor. 

In  1884  Capt.  Kinsey  was  elected  to  represent 
the  28th  District  in  the  Lower  House  of  the  Illi- 
nois Legislature,  and  re-elected  in  the  fall  of  1886. 
His  abilities  here,  as  elsewhere,  were  at  once  ac- 
knowledged, and  he  was  placed  on  various  impor- 
tant committees,  embracing  roads  and  bridges  and 
canals  and  rivers.  He  has  served  his  constituents 
faithfully  and  conscientiously,  and  enjoys  the  re- 
spect and  esteem  of  the  people  of  his  community  in 
a  marked  degree.  In  politics  he  was  originally  a 
Whig ;  his  first  vote  for  President  was  for  Henry 
Clay,  and  on  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party  he  became  identified  with  its  principles,  and 
has  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  that  party  since. 


EWIS  HARLEY,  deceased,  late  a  highly  re- 
spected  resident  of  Logan  County,  111.,  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Decem- 
ber, 1820,  and  departed  this  life  at  his  home  in 
Logan  County,  111.,  on  the  6th  of  January,  1871. 
He  became  a  resident  of  that  county  in  1844  and 
built  up  for  himself  an  enviable  record  as  an  hon- 
est man,  a  good  citizen,  and  a  valued  member  of 
the  community.  He  commenced  at  the  foot  of  the 
ladder  in  life  and  his  career  offers  a  striking  illus- 
tration of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  inborn 
principles  of  honor,  truth  and  resolution,  and 
perseverance  in  battling  with  the  difficulties  of  life. 
The  father  of  our  subject,  Abraham  Harley,  was 
also  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State  from  which  he 
removed  to  Ohio  when  his  son  Lewis  was  yet  a 
child.  He  settled  with  his  family  near  Dayton,  and 
after  living  there  a  few  years  they  proceeded  further 
westward  and  finally  located  in  this  county,  being 
among  its  earliest  settlers.  Their  location  was  near 
a  handsome  grove  which  later  received  its  name 
from  and  in  honor  of  the  Harley  family,  which  it 
still  bears.  There,  in  the  course  of  time,  and  after  i 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


our  subject  had  grown  to  years  of  discretion,  the 
father  and  son  established  a  comfortable  home,  im- 
proved a  fine  tract  of  land  and  erected  a  sawmill. 
The  tide  of  prosperity,  however,  finally  turned 
against  them,  and  by  a  series  of  misfortunes  the 
property  was  lost  to  the  family  and  its  various  mem- 
bers scattered  in  different  directions  to  look  ont  for 
themselves  as  best  they  could.  Lewis  was  turned 
out  into  the  world  with  all  his  earthly  possessions 
tied  up  in  a  pocket  handkerchief.  He  had  been 
reared  to  habits  of  industry,  however,  and  his 
bright  intelligent  face  soon  secured  him  friends. 
He  first  engaged  to  work  by  the  month  in  a  distil- 
lery, and  at  once  commenced  to  save  a  portion  of 
his  earnings.  A  few  years  later  and  at  the  time  of 
his  marriage  he  was  the  owner  of  forty  acres  of 
land  in  White  Oak  Township.  This  he  sold  after- 
ward and  purchased  a  tract  of  wild  land,  eighty 
acres,  in  Mt.  Hope  Township.  Upon  this  he  built 
a  frame  house,  where  he  resided  with  his  wife 
and  family  for  two  years,  in  the  meantime  break- 
ing the  sod  and  fencing  the  land,  and  two  years 
later  sold  it  at  an  advanced  price.  This  enabled 
him  to  purchase  400  acres  of  laud  in  Iowa.  He 
did  not  remove  there,  however,  but  soon  disposed 
of  this  purchase,  and  in  company  with  two  brothers, 
Guy  and  Marian  Tuttle,  built  a  sawmill  near  Kick- 
apoo  River,  and  was  engaged  in  operating  this  two 
years.  He  then  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  mill 
and  purchased  320  acres  of  land  on  sections  13  and 
14  of  what  was  afterward  Atlanta  Township,  Logan 
County.  On  account  of  insufficient  means  he  only 
put  up  a  small  frame  house  here,  into  which  he  re- 
moved his  'family  and  commenced  the  improve- 
ment of  his  purchase.  He  planted  hedge  all  around 
it  and  divided  it  into  forty-acre  fields. 

About  this  time  the  war  came  on,  and  he  at  once 
laid  aside  his  personal  and  private  interests  and 
proffered  his  services  to  assist  in  the  preservation 
of  the  Union,  becoming  a  member  of  Co.  A,  117th 
Illinois  Infantry.  He  performed  his  duties  bravely 
and  faithfully  as  a  soldier,  encountered  with  his 
comrades  the  dangers  and  vicissitudes  of  war, 
which  he  escaped  unharmed,  and  at  the  close  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  on  the  7th  of  Au- 
gust, 1865.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in  Logan 
County  and  resumed  his  farming  pursuits.  His 


health,  however,  bad  become  greatly  impaired  from 
privation  and  exposure  in  the  army,  lint  lie  made  no 
application  for  a  pension  and  endured  his  allliction 
as  patiently  and  bravely  as  he  had  done  when  on 
the  march  and  in  the  field. 

Mr.  Harley  was  remarkably  enterprising  and  am- 
bitious, and  willing  to  labor  cheerfully  to  accomplish 
any  desired  result.  His  ambition  led  him  to  labor 
for  a  comfortable  home  and  a  competency,  and  his 
worthy  efforts  in  this  direction  were  richly  rewarded. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the  owner  of  a  fine 
homestead,  consisting  of  340  acres  of  land,  a  good 
brick  residence,  large  frame  barn,  and  all  the  neces- 
sary out-buildings  required  by  a  first-class  agricult- 
urist. The  farm  was  well  stocked  with  high  grade 
animals,  the  sale  of  which,  after  his  death,  amounted 
to  about  $5,000.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza- 
beth J.  Haughey  occurred  in  February,  184'.),  in 
McLean  County.  Mrs.  Harley  was  born  in  Greene 
County,  Ohio,  Aug.  7,  1831,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Esther  (White)  Haughey  (see  • 
sketch  of  Matthew  Haughey).  After  their  mar- 
riage Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harley  settled  in  Logan  County, 
and  lived  there  until  the  following  August,  when 
they  moved  into  the  house  of  Mrs.  Harley's  father, 
where  they  remained  during  the  winter,  while  Mr. 
II.  built  a  house  on  his  own  land. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harley  there  were 
born  two  children:  Abraham  died  when  two  years 
and  five  months  old;  Francis  Marian,  the  surviving 
son,  was  born  in  Logan  County,  111.,  July  8,  1855. 
He  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the  common  schools 
and  completed  his  education  by  attendance  at  the 
State  Normal  University.  He  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  part  of  the  old  homestead  in  Atlanta  Town- 
ship, Logan  County,  and  has  elsewhere  about  300 
acres  of  valuable  land.  He  married  Miss  Fidelia 
M.  Tuttle,  who  was  born  in  Logan  County,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Guy  and  Martha  A.  (Roach)  Tut- 
tle. They  have  one  child,  a  daughter — Edna. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  II.  has  ad- 
ministered upon  the  estate.  She  remained  upon 
the  homestead  until  1878,  and  then  purchased  prop- 
erty in  McLean,  where  she  erected  a  fine  residence. 
She  has  in  her  own  right  160  acres  of  land,  which 
comprises  a  part  of  the  home  farm  and  which  is 
operated  by  a  lessee.  She  is  a  lady  of  fine  business 


RESIDENCE  OF  H  ENRY  PATTON.SEC.I.DRY  GROVETOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE  opJ.  J.  HAM.  Stc.33.  HUDSON  TOWNSHIP. 


•-:  -    £..  '-;  -.  >' 


RESIDENCE  OF  W"  GooDFELLOW,SEc.l5.,DALETowNSHip. 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


.'!!  1 


capacities,  greatly  respected  in  her  community  on 
account  of  her  personal  worth,  and  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  Congregational  Church. 


BILLET  L.  MARTIN  was  born  in  Padua 
Township,  Dec.  28,  1843,  and  it  has  been 
his  home  until  the  present  time.  He  was 
here  reared  to  manhood,  educated  in  the  district 
schools,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  un- 
til he  attained  his  majority.  He  was  trained  to 
habits  of  industry  and  honesty,  and  at  an  early  age 
gained  a  good  insight  into  business  methods,  and 
when  quite  young  was  intrusted  with  the  buying 
and  selling  of  cattle,  and  other  affairs  in  which  he 
displayed  more  than  ordinary  ability.  A^ith  this 
valuable  experience  he  obtained  a  good  start  in 
earl}'  life,  and  has  now  a  beautiful  farm  homestead, 
finely  located  on  section  31,  Padua  Township.  This 
comprises  277  acres,  of  which  216  lie  in  Empire 
Township,  on  section  6.  His  land  is  all  improved. 
The  farm  residence  is  a  handsome  and  convenient 
structure,  and  the  barn  and  other  out-buildings 
correspond  with  the  general  air  of  thrift  that  per- 
vades the  whole  premises.  His  agricultural  ma- 
chinery and  his  stock  are  of  the  best  kind  and  kept 
in  fine  condition.  Mr.  Martin  has  labored  indus- 
triously since  he  first  started  out  for  himself,  and 
while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life  is  reaping  a  rich  re- 
ward of  perseverance  and  energy. 

The  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Martin  occurred  in  his 
native  township,  on  the  21st  of  January,  1869, 
when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Damaris  Dooley. 
Mrs.  M.  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  and  came 
North  with  her  parents  in  1851,  remaining  under  the 
parental  roof  until  her  marriage.  Of  this  union  there 
were  three  children.  This  lady  died  at  the  home 
of  her  husband  in  Padua  Township,  Nov.  7,  1872. 
Since  the  death  of  the  mother,  one  child  has  passed 
away.  Those  surviving  are  Mary  J.  and  Florence 
M.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom 
he  was  married  Jan.  6,  1876,  was  Miss  Cynthia, 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Catharine  (Foust)  Baum, 
who  were  both  natives  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
where  they  were  reared,  educated  and  mairied. 
They  remained  on  a  farm  in  their  native  State  im- 


til  1874,  then  removed  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Padua  Township,  where  the  mother  died  in  1884, 
being  sixty-two  years  of  age.  Mr.  Baum  now  lives 
with  his  daughter,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  and 
is  sixty-two  years  old.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  B.  is  Re- 
publican in  politics.  Mrs.  Martin  and  her  twin 
brother,  John  C.,  were  born  in  Pickaway  County, 
Ohio,  Aug.  7,  1850.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters, 
all  of  whom  are  living,  married,  and  settled  in 
homes  of  their  own.  Mrs.  M.  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  her  native  county,  being  a  young  lady 
when  her  parents  removed  to  the  Prairie  State.  Of 
the  present  marriage  of  our  subject  there  were  born 
four  children—  Laura  H.,  Elberta  F.,  Charles  A. 
and  John  H.  Mrs.  M.  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  our 
subject  politically  is  a  solid  Republican.  As  a  citi- 
zen, farmer  and  business  man,  he  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  leading  spirits  of  his  community,  and  is  held 
in  high  respect. 


CRICHFIELD,  a  resident  of 
Frink's  Grove  Township,  this  count}',  was 
born  in  De  Witt  County,  111.,  Oct.  23,  1853, 
being  the  youngest  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Dun- 
can) Crichfield,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Our 
subject  was  but  a  young  child  when  his  parents 
came  into  McLean  County  and  settled  in  Funk's 
Grove,  where  he  attended  the  district  school  and 
assisted  his  father  in  the  improvement  of  the  farm. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his  mar- 
riage, and  then  settled  on  the  old  homestead,  and  is 
now  the  owner  of  ninety-one  acres  of  this.  He  has 
erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings  and  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  which 
he  has  carried  on  with  uniform  success. 

Mr.  Crichfield  was  married,  Dec.  30,  1877,  to 
Miss  Chrissie  Baker,  who  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township,  July  10,  1860,  and  is  the  daughter  of  R. 
Harris  and  Mary  (Taylor)  Baker,  a  sketch  of  whom 
is  given  in  another  part  of  this  ALBUM.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
C.  became  the  parents  of  four  children  —  Hattie 
May,  Alice,  Nellie  and  Samuel.  Mrs.  C.  is  a  mem- 


-*-• 


t 


312 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


ber  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr. 
C.  is  Republican  in  politics,  :mrl  in  all  respects  a 
worthy  citizen  and  useful  member  of  the  com- 
munity. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Samuel  Crichfield,  \v:is 
burn  in  Fayette  County,  Pa..  April  10,  1817,  and 
was  the  son  of  James  Crichfield.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  county  and  was  there  married  to 
Miss  Lydia  Duncan,  a  native  of  the  same  State. 
In  1846  they  removed  to  Coshocton  County,  Ohio, 
where  they  remained  until  1853,  then  started  for 
Illinois  with  four  horses  and  two  wagons,  making 
the  entire  journey  overland,  camping  and  cooking 
by  the  way.  After  arriving  in  the  Prairie  State, 
James  Crichfield  rented  land  in  De  Witt  County  a 
few  years,  then  purchased  a  tract  of  wild  land  in 
this  county,  in  what  was  afterward  Funk's  Grove 
Township.  He  improved  a  farm  and  built  up  a 
comfortable  homestead,  upon  which  he  remained  the 
balance  of  his  days,  departing  this  life  on  the  24th 
of  January,  1886.  The  wife  and  mother  died  in 
September,  1877.  The  household  circle  was  com- 
pleted by  the  birth  of  eight  children. 


NAFFZIGER,  Postmaster  at 

a/  Danvers  Village,  and  carrying  on  a  trade  in 
'/  general  merchandise,  is  one  of  the  valuable 
German  citizens  of  this  locality  who  have  con- 
tributed so  much  toward  its  development  and  pros- 
perity. Our  subject  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany,  March  12,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Chris- 
tian and  Barbara  (Staehly)  Naffziger,  natives  of  the 
same  Province,  and  who  are  still  living,  being-now 
residents  of  Danvers  Township.  Christian  Naff- 
ziger was  born  Jan.  17,  1803,  and  his  wife,  Barbara. 
Jan.  22,  1805.  They  emigrated  to  America  in  the 
fall  of  1853,  and  landing  in  New  York  City  pro- 
ceeded westward  to  Chicago,  locating  in  Danvers 
Township,  this  county,  on  the  19th  of  March,  1854. 
The  father  of  our  subject  is  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  the  owner  of  120  acres  of  valuable  land  in 
Danvers  Township.  Both  parents  are  members  of 
the  Mennonite  Church,  and  Mr.  N.  is  Democratic 
in  politics.  He  greatly  enjoys  the  political  freedom 
of  his  adopted  country,  being  a  gentleman  who  en- 


joys  the  privilege  of  expressing  his  views  and  main- 
taining them.  The  parental  family  consisted  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows: 
Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Steitz,  is  a  resident  of  St.  Louis, 
Mo. ;  Catharine  married  Phillip  Klenk,  and  they 
live  in  Seward.  Neb. ;  Peter  is  a  merchant  of  Stan- 
ford, this  county ;  Helena  married  Mr.  H.  Naffziger, 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County;  Christian 
is  deceased,  his  wife  and  daughter  live  in  Princeton, 
111.;  Maria  died  in  Germany;  Jacob  died  in  Dan- 
vers Township;  our  subject  was  the  eighth  in  order 
of  birth;  John  married  Miss  Mary  Imhof,  and  is 
living  on  the  home  farm ;  Barbara  became  the  wife 
of  Jacob  Brenneman,  and  lives  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  had  attained  to  years  of 
manhood,  and  on  the  28th  of  February,  1867,  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Henrietta  Naffziger, 
the  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Barbara  (Naffziger) 
Naffziger,  natives  of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to 
America  in  1840,aTid  after  a  residence  of  ten  years 
in  Ohio  removed  to  Illinois,  in  1 850.  The  family 
consisted  of  eight  children,  viz.,  Augustus,  Freder- 
ick, Edward,  Henrietta,  Albert,  Julius,  Julia,  who 
died  in  infancy,  and  Ida,  now  Mrs.  Arthur  Hulbert, 
of  Arrowsmith,  this  county.  The  wife  of  our  sub- 
ject was  born  in  Ohio  on  the  13th  of  June,  1848. 

Mr.  Naffziger  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  attained 
his  majority  and  afterward,  for  a  few  mouths,  en- 
gaged as  clerk  for  Mr.  Abbot,  of  Danvers.  Dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  late  war  he  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  Co.  D,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
when  this  regiment  was  mustered  out  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  37th  and  promoted  Corporal.  He 
participated  in  all  of  the  genenil  engagements  around 
Mobile,  Ala.,  and  Ft.  Morgan,  and  served  along 
the  Rio  Grande  River  for  several  months.  In  July, 
1864,  his  brigade  reshipped  to  New  Orleans;  he 
was  actively  engaged  at  the  siege  and  capture  of 
Ft.  Morgan,  Mobile  and  Spanish  Fort,  and  received 
his  honorable  discharge  at  Huston,  Tex.,  on  the  loth 
of  May,  1866.  After  returning  from  the  army  he 
located  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  and  engaged  in 
fanning.  He  emigrated  to  Kansas  in  1 870,  and  re- 


T 


t 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


313 


Burned  to  Danvers  in  1876,  and  in  1877  established 
his  present  business,  in  which  he  has  met  with 
marked  success,  having  now  the  largest  store  in  the 
village.  In  1880  he  erected  the  fine  building 
which  he  now  occupies,  and  five  years  later  was  ap- 
pointed Postmaster.  This  position  he  is  filling  with 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 
He  is  a  -worthy  member  of  the  Mecnonite  Church,  a 
systematic  business  man,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat, 
and  is  a  member  of  Post  No.  146,  G.  A.  R.  at 
Bloomington,  111. 

The  household  circle  of  our  subject  was  com- 
pleted by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
seven  are  now  living:  Edwin,  Assistant  Postmas- 
ter, was  (in  1886)  eighteen  yearsold;  Ida,  sixteen; 
Otto,  fourteen  ;  Clara,  deceased  ;  Theodore  is  nine 
years  old  ;  Emma,  seven  ;  Helena,  five,  and  Charles, 
one  year  old. 


AMES  QU1TMAN  BISHOP,  a  former  resi- 
dent of  section  10,  Empire  Township,  was 
born  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  farm  which  he 
now  owns  and  occupies,  Nov.  24,  1848. 
His  father,  James  Bishop,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
McLean  County,  was  born  in  Fauquier  County, 
Va.,  April  3,  1806.  The  Bishops  from  whom  he 
descended  came  to  the  colonies  from  England  with 
William  Penn  and  belonged  to  the  Society  of 
Friends.  In  the  fall  of  1809  they  removed  to  the 
Territory  of  Ohio  and  located  within  the  bounds  of 
what  is  now  Clarke  County.  There  James  Bishop 
received  his  early  education  and  remained  with 
his  parents  until  some  years  after  he  had  attained 
his  majority. 

In  the  spring  of  1831  he  set  his  face  for  the 
farther  West,  coming  as  far  as  La  Fayettc,  Ind., 
and  thence  to  Ft.  Clark,  now  Peoria,  also  to  Pekin, 
whence  he  went  down  the  Mississippi  Bottoms, 
where  he  purchased  cattle  and  returned  to  Ohio. 
He  then  returned  to  the  West,  but  visited  Ohio 
every  year  until  he  was  married.  This  interesting 
event  occurred  on  the  9th  of  March,  1837,  the 
lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Margaret  Cannaday. 
They  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Caroline,  born  June  26,  1838,  became  the 


wife  of  Thomas  Campbell,  of  Old  Town;  John 
Allen  was  born  May  3,  1840.  and  lives  half  a  mile 
west  of  his  father's  old  homestead  ;  Emily  was  born 
Aug.  30,  1843,  and  became  the  wife  of  William 
Evans,  now  deceased;  Rachel  was  born  May  23, 
1846,  and  married  Nathaniel  Beck m an ;  they  live 
on  a  farm  in  West  Township;  James  Quitman  was 
born  Nov.  24,  1848,  the  day  when  Gen.  Scott  cap- 
tured the  city  of  Mexico  and  made  Gen.  Quitman 
the  Governor  thereof. 

The  experiences  of  James  Bishop  during  the  first 
years  of  his  residence  in  the  Prairie  State,  were 
very  interesting,  oftentimes  pathetic  and  frequently 
ridiculous.  The  pleasures  of  the  early  pioneers 
were  of  the  simplest  kind,  but  it  is  probable  that 
they  reaped  fully  as  much  enjo3'ment  and  amuse- 
ment as  do  the  people  of  to-day  with  their  more 
costly  recreations.  The  settlers  had  their  wolf 
hunts,  their  bear  hunts,  Indian  hunts  and  prairie 
fires,  and  these  served  to  beguile  many  days  and 
hours  that  perhaps  otherwise  would  have  been  un- 
bearably tedious.  Our  subject  was  reared  amid 
these  stirring  scenes,  and  thus  became  instilled  with 
those  sturdy  and  self-reliant  qualities  for  which  the 
earlier  settlers  of  the  great  West  were  so  eminently 
distinguished,  and  which  was  necessary  to  aid  them 
in  overcoming  the  difficulties  which  beset  their 
path.  James  Bishop  accumulated  a  fortune  by 
farming  and  buying  and  selling  cattle,  and  was  at 
one  time  said  to  be  the  wealthiest  man  in  Empire 
Township. 

James  Q.  Bishop  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
and  attended  the  district  school,  receiving  a  fair 
education.  He  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  his  marriage,  and  then  purchased  land  in 
West  Township,  where  he  located  and  lived  until 
1877.  Then,  after  his  father's  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1877,  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead 
upon  which  he  has  since  resided.  It  includes  now 
about  700  acres  of  land,  and  upon  it  is  a  fine  set  of 
farm  buildings,  all  kept  in  good  repair.  The  farm 
is  well  stocked  with  high  grade  cattle,  horses  and 
hogs,  and  the  farm  implements  and  machinery  are 
of  the  most  valuable  and  efficient  character.  The 
Bishop  farm  is  familiarly  known  throughout  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  forms  one  of  the  most  attractive 
homesteads  within  its  limits. 


J 


314 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


n 


Tlic  subject  of  this  history  was  married,  Feb.  1(1, 
1873,  to  Miss  Martha  .1.  Powell,  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  young  wife  died  within  less  than  a  year  of 
her  marriage.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Bishop 
married  Miss  Margaret  V.  Powell,  the  sister  of 
his  first  wife,  Nov.  11,  1875.  This  lady  was  also 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  by  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  became  the  mother  of  four  children — 
Minor,  Clinton  M.,  James  Q.  and  Margaret  E. 
Our  subject  and  his  family  in  their  home  life  en- 
joy all  the  comforts  and  luxuries  which  wealth  af- 
fords. Mr.  Bishop  manages  the  pasture  land  of 
his  farm,  and  looks  after  the  stock,  while  the  bal- 
ance is  leased  to  tenants. 


/,..,  LEXANDER  MODEL,  a  manufacturer  of 
Lul    wagons,  and  who  is  also  engaged  in  black- 


smithing,  occupies  Nos.  '208  and  210  West 
Grove  street,  Bloomington,  and  is  a  worthy 
factor  of  the  industry  of  the  community.  Mr. 
Model  is  a  native  of  Baden,  and  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Steisslingen  by  the  Stockach,  Oct.  14, 
1828.  His  parents  were  John  and  Barbara  (Shu- 
maker)  Model,  natives  of  the  same  country  as  their 
son,  and  the  father  followed  the  trade  of  a  weaver 
through  life.  Of  the  parental  family  of  six  chil- 
dren only  three  are  living — Solomon,  John  and 
Alexander. 

The  subject  of  this  history,  in  accordance  with 
the  customs  and  laws  of  his  native  country,  was 
placed  in  school  when  six  years  of  age,  and  pur- 
sued his  studies  until  fourteen.  He  then  served 
two  and  one-half  years  at  the  wagon  trade,  follow- 
ing this  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  en- 
tered the  German  army  and  served  as  a  soldier 
three  years,  traveling  all  over  the  Empire,  being 
detailed  as  wagon-maker.  Thinking  that  he  had 
given  sufficient  of  his  years  to  the  service  of  his 
country,  he  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in 
Hamilton,  Canada,  in  March,  1856.  Three  years 
later  he  came  to  Madison  County,  111.,  and  in  Oc- 
tober, 1860,  became  a  resident  of  Bloomington. 
Here  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  late  war,  and  in  1862  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  82d 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  two  years,  and  receiving  his 


honorable  discharge.  After  being  mustered  out  of 
service  Mr.  Model  returned  to  Bloomington  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  1880.  He  then  purchased 
his  present  shops  for  $2,200,  where  he  has  since 
continued  business,  and  in  brisk  seasons  gives  em- 
ployment to  eight  men. 

Mr.  Model  was  married  in  1856,  in  Hamilton, 
Canada,  to  Miss  Mary  N.  Sancraisan,  a  native  of 
his  own  countiy,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  survive:  John  A.,  and 
Louisa,  who  is  the  wife  of  Goodwin  Ford,  As-i>t- 
ant  Superintendent  of  the  Dominion  Express  Com- 
pany, in  Canada.  Our  subject  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  with  his  wife  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Their  res- 
idence is  located  at  No.  703  South  Lee  street,  where 
they  are  enjoying  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life. 


CAMON  RODMAN,  a  resident  of  Old  Town 
Township  since  1856,  is  at  present  residing 
on  section  23,  where  he  owns  a  fine  and 
productive  farm,  and  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  raising  of  stock  and  the  cereals.  The  par- 
ents of  Mr.  Rodman,  Joseph  and  Mary  (Street) 
Rodman,  were  natives  of  Bucks  County,  Pa.  In 
1821  the  parents  removed  from  Bucks  County,  Pa., 
to  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and  there  the  father 
died  in  April,  1853.  The  mother  departed  this 
life  at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  at  the  home  of  her  young- 
est daughter  in  1876,  having  attained  to  the  ven- 
erable age  of  ninety  years.  The  parental  family  of 
our  subject  consisted  of  eleven  children,  six  sons 
and  five  daughters,  and  Scamon  was  the  third  in 
order  of  birth. 

Scamon  Rodman  first  saw  light  in  Bucks  County, 
Pa.,  Aug.  7,  1810,  and  was  about  eleven  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Muskingum 
County,  Ohio.  His  education  was  received  prin- 
cipally in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
he  continued  an  inmate  of  the  parental  household 
until  he  was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when 
he  started  out  to  do  for  himself.  He  first  worked 
a  farm,  owned  by  his  father,  on  .shares.  Continu- 
ing his  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  time,  he  was  soon 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


315 


enabled  to  buy  a  place  of  his  own,  which  was  lo- 
cated in  Muskingum  County.  Continuing  to  re- 
side in  that  county  until  1853,  he  emigrated  to  this 
county,  and  spent  the  first  winter  two  and  a  half 
miles  north  of  Danvers.  He  then  rented  a  farm  in 
Bloomington  Township,  and  for  two  years  was  oc- 
cupied in  farming  in  this  manner.  In  the  spring 
of  1855  he  bought  120  acres  of  land  on  sections 
23  and  28,  Old  Town  Township,  and  immediately 
moved  upon  the  same,  and  has  made  that  his  home 
until  the  present  time.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
200  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land,  and  has 
met  and  is  meeting  with  success  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  vocation. 

Mr.  Rodman  and  Miss  Eliza  Wolf  were  united 
in  marriage  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  17, 
1833.  She  was  born  in  Virginia,  May  18,  1811, 
and  has  borne  our  subject  ten  children— William, 
Joseph  H.,  Francis  A.,  James  M.,  Samuel  A.,  Eliz- 
abeth A.,  Scamon  C.,  Julius  N.,  Winfleld  S.  and 
Oscar.  Joseph  died  July  3,  1855,  when  in  his 
twentieth  year ;  William  married  Miss  Applegate, 
and  they  are  living  in  Old  Town  Township ;  Fran- 
cis A.  married  Miss  Angeline  Matthew;  she  died, 
and  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Amanda 
King,  and  they  are  at  present  living  in  Old  Town 
Township.  James  M.  and  Eliza  Linton  became 
man  and  wife,  and  live  in  Piatt  County,  this  State; 
Samuel  A.  is  married  and  a  resident  of  Vermilion 
County,  111. ;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  William  H. 
Porter,  a  farmer  of  Old  Town  Township ;  Scamon 
C.  and  Emma  Flemming  became  man  and  wife, 
and  they  are  living  in  Butler  County,  Kan. ;  Julius 
N.  married  Miss  Clara  Colvin,  and  they  are  living 
in  Piatt  County ;  Winfleld  S.  and  Miss  Josephine  E. 
Bad  ley  were  united  in  marriage,  and  are  at  present 
residing  in  Bloomington;  Oscar  O.  selected  as  his 
life  companion  Miss  Kate  B.  Schultz,  and  they  are 
living  in  Old  Town  Township. 

Mr.  Rodman  was  the  first  Supervisor  of  Old 
Town  Township,  and  held  that  office  for  five  years. 
He  was  also  Justice  of  the  Peace  twelve  years, 
School  Director,  and  held  other  minor  offices  in  the 
township.  lie  is  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church  for  fifty-six  years. 
His  wife  was  a  member  of  the  same  church  for  up- 
ward of  forty  years,  and  departed  this  life  Jan.  28, 


1880,  in  Old  Town  Township.  In  politics  Mr. 
Rodman  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  in  1862 
was  a  delegate  to  the  State  Convention  and  like- 
wise was  elected  to  the  same  honor  in  1880,  1884 
and  188G.  Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  first  lawyer 
to  whom  Mr.  Rodman  ever  paid  a  fee. 

When  our  subject  first  came  to  Old  Town  Town- 
ship wild  game  prevailed  in  abundance,  and  being 
exceedingly  fond  of  hunting,  he  engaged  in  the 
sport,  and  during  the  winter  of  1856-57  killed 
twelve  deer  in  Old  Town  Township.  In  1881  he 
obtained  a  position  in  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
State,  in  the  shipping  department,  and  held  the 
same  for  four  years.  He  has  been  an  active  fac- 
tor in  the  development  of  Old  Town  Township, 
and  has  contributed  his  quota  toward  its  progress. 
He  has  also  taken  considerable  interest  in  church 
affairs,  and  in  1846,  prior  to  his  settlement  here, 
was  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference  at  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  and  in  1866  was  a  delegate  to  the 
General  Convention  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Mr. 
Rodman  has  in  his  possession  a  genealogy  of  the 
Rodman  family  from  the  original  Rodman  of  Bar- 
badoes — 1620  to  1886. 


OHN  MARSHALL  HITCHCOCK,  deceased, 
formerly  a  resident  of  this  county,  was  born 
in  York  County,  Pa.,  Sept?  3,  1820,  and  was 
(w|^/  the  son  of  Caleb  and  Elizabeth  (Marshall) 
Hitchcock,  and  grandson  of  Isaac  Hitchcock,  a  na- 
tive of  England.  The  grandfather  came  to  this 
country  during  the  Revolution  and  was  a  pedagogue 
by  profession.  Caleb  Hitchcock  was  born  and 
reared  to  manhood  in  Maryland.  He  first  saw 
light  in  Hartford  County,  near  Baltimore,  that 
State,  Jan.  18,  1797.  He  there  learned  the  trade 
of  a  miller,  and  followed  the  same  in  Maryland  for 
some  time,  and  then  in  Ohio,  whither  he  had  re- 
moved. Later  in  life  he  was  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  and  also  carried  on  a  large  farm  in 
Harrison  Township,  Perry  Co.,  Ohio.  He  spent 
the  last  years  of  his  life  on  the  farm  in  that  county, 
dying  there  in  1875.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  Baltimore,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter  in  Morgan  County,  this  State,  in  1879. 
Eleven  children  were  born  to  the  parents. 


f 


316 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


Our  subject  attended  the  public  schools  in  his 
younger  years,  and  when  he  was  of  sufficient  age 
assisted  in  the  labors  on  the  farm.  He  lived  at 
home  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  and  then 
engaged  in  trade  at  Oakfield,  Perry  Co.,  Ohio.  He 
was  thus  occupied  for  two  years  and  then  bought 
a  farm  in  that  county,  where  the  city  of  Corning 
is  now  situated,  and  carried  on  farming.  He  sold 
his  place  in  September,  1851,  and  bought  another 
near  the  home  of  his  father,  and  located  upon  it. 
In  1852  he  went  to  California,  via  the  Isthmus,  and 
was  absent  from  home  until  August,  1856,  his  wife 
in  the  meantime  residing  with  his  and  her  parents. 
While  living  in  California  he  engaged  in  mining, 
meeting  with  partial  success.  Returning  home  he 
continued  his  farming  operations  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  late  war  and  then,  Sept.  20,  1861,  en- 
listed in  Co.  A,  62d  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
his  country  faithfully  and  well  until  Sept.  24,  1802, 
when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  disability. 
He  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  participated 
in  several  important  battles.  May  20,  1864,  he 
again  enlisted,  this  time  for  100  days,  and  joined 
Co.  G,  161st  Ohio  National  Guards.  He  was  mus- 
tered in  as  Sergeant,  and  continued  to  serve  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  all  the 
engagements  in  which  his  regiment  fought,  which 
were  numerous  and  bloody,  and  escaped  from  the 
field  of  conflict  without  serious  injury.  Returning 
from  the  war  he,  in  1865,  sold  his  farm  in  Ohio  and 
that  year  came  to  this  State,  and  bought  a  place  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  this  county.  He  farmed  this 
place  for  nine  years,  then  rented  it,  and  purchasing 
the  McLean  Hotel,  filled  the  position  of  "mine 
host"  until  Sept.  20,  1876,  the  date  of  his  demise. 

Mr.  Hitchcock  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Rink,  May  12,  1850.  She  was  born  in  Baltimore 
County,  Md.,  March  3,  1832.  Her  father,  John 
•Rink,  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  came  to 
America  with  an  uncle  when  one  year  old,  his  mother 
having  died  in  the  old  country.  He  was  reared 
to  manhood  in  Pennsylvania.  There  he  learned 
the  trade  of  a  tailor,  and  moving  to  Baltimore, 
Md.,  worked  at  his  trade  until  1845.  He  then  went 
to  Perry  County,  Ohio,  and  continued  working  at 
his  trade  until  1872,  when  he  moved  to  Armstrong, 
Tazevvell  Co.,  111.,  and  continued  laboring  at  his 


vocation  until  a  short  time  before  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  November,  1880.  The  maiden  name 
of  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Hitchcock  was  Belinda  II. 
Marshall,  a  native  of  Baltimore  County,  Md.  She 
died  in  Ohio  in  June,  1868. 

After  the  death  of  our  subject  Mrs.  Hitchcock 
continued  to  manage  the  hotel  until  1880.  July 
14  of  that  year  the  building  was  destroyed  by 
fire, and  Mrs.  Hitchcock  then  went  to  Atlanta,  and 
rented  a  hotel  which  she  conducted  on  her  own  ac- 
count. She  then  returned  to  this  county,  and  in 
1882  had  the  present  hotel  erected.  It  is  com- 
modious and  conveniently  arranged  and  is  well  kept. 
Mrs.  Hitchcock  is  the  mother  of  two  children  by 
our  subject,  Addis  and  Mazilla.  She  and  her 
daughter  Addis  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


eHARLES  C.  MAYER,  an  enterprising  Ger- 
man citizen  of  Leroy,  was  born  in  Schwen- 
ningen,  in  the  Kingdom  of  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  Nov.  19,  1847.  He  is  the  son  of  Law- 
rence and  Anna  Maria  (Haller)  Mayer,  who  were 
also  natives  of  the  same  Province,  the  father  being  a 
cooper  by  trade,  which  he  followed  in  his  native 
country  until  1863.  He  then  started  for  the  United 
States,  embarking  at  Havre,  France,  in  June,  and 
landing  in  New  York  City  in  August.  From  there 
he  proceeded  to  Buffalo,  and  engaged  in  a  sash  and 
blind  factory.  He  then  journeyed  West  to  Michi- 
gan, and  locating  in  Ann  Arbor  spent  the  last  years 
of  his  life  there  with  his  son.  The  mother  had  died 
in  Schwenningen,  in  1859.  Four  of  their  children 
accompanied  the  father  to  America:  George  lives 
in  Avoca,  Iowa,  and  is  a  jeweler  by  trade;  John  is 
a  cabinet-maker,  and  lives  in  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.; 
our  subject  was  the  next  oldest;  Kate  died  in  Wis- 
consin; Jacob,  the  eldest  son  of  the  family,  served 
in  the  German  army,  and  died  there  from  the 
effects  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

The  subject  of  this  history  attended  school  ki 
his  native  country  until  he  was  fourteen  years  old, 
and  was  then  apprenticed  to  watch  and  clock  mak- 
ing, serving  at  this  until  his  departure  for  the 
United  States.  After  reaching  Buffalo  he  learned 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


317 


the  barber's  trade,  at  which  he  afterward  worked  in 
Cincinnati,  St.  Louis  and  Bloomington.  Jn  1867 
he  came  to  Leroy,  and  opening  a  barber-shop  con- 
tinued his  former  occupation  until  1881.  In  the 
meantime  he  added  to  it  the  jewelry  business,  and 
in  1881  disposed  of  the  barber-shop,  since  then 
having  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  his  trade  in 
jewelry  and  the  repairing  of  watches  and  clocks. 
His  is  the  only  establishment  of  the  kind  in  the 
city,  and  yields  him  a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Mayer  was  married  in  Leroy,  on  the  10th  of 
July,  1871,  to  Miss  Nannie  J.  Gibbs,  who  was  born 
in  Leroy,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
Gibbs.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children  —  Edith,  George,  John  L.,  Charles, 
Bertha  and  Frank.  The  family  attend  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  our  subject  in  politics  uniformly  casts 
his  vote  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council  and  Collector  of  Taxes,  and 
socially  belongs  to  Leroy  Lodge  No.  221,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M. 


OELSON  O.  LACOCK,  a  successful  and  pros- 
perous farmer  residing  on  section  1,  Old 
Town  Township,  is  the  son  of  Rezin  and 
Eliza  (Oliver)  Lacock,  natives  of  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  where  they  were  married  and  settled, 
and  where  they  continued  to  live  until  called  to  a 
better  home.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  and  fol- 
lowed his  calling  in  his  native  county  until  his  de- 
mise. He  became  the  head  of  a  family  of  three 
children,  of  whom  Elisha  and  Nelson  lived  to  at- 
tain the  age  of  manhood. 

Nelson  Lacock  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  July  4,  1817.  When  he  was  five  days  old 
his  mother  died,  and  young  Lacock  was  placed  in 
the  home  of  his  grandparents,  with  whom  he  lived 
until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  manhood,  engaged 
the  while  in  attending  the  common  schools  and  in 
working  on  a  farm.  April  6,  1842,  our  subject 
was  married  to  Sarah  Williams,  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham and  Sarah  (Hannah)  Williams,  natives  of  West- 
moreland County,  Pa.  After  their  marriage  her  par- 
ents went  to  Greene  County,  Pa.,  whence  they  re- 
moved to  Washington  County,  that  State,  and  from 
there  came  to  this  county,  arriving  here  in  1856, 


and  settling  near  White  Oak  Grove,  where  the  fa- 
ther continued  to  labor  at  his  calling,  that  of  a 
farmer,  until  his  death,  and  where  his  good  wife 
also  died.  Abraham  Williams  became  the  father 
of  eight  children  —  Elizabeth,  Khoda,  Rebecca, 
Richard,  Mary,  Abraham,  Sarah  and  Robert  E. 

Sarah,  Mrs.  Lacock,  was  born  in  Greene  County, 
Pa.,  March  22,  1823.  She  lived  with  her  parents 
until  her  marriage  with  our  subject,  which  union 
has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  the 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows  :  Elizabeth  is  the  wife 
of  Joseph  M.  Smith,  and  lives  in  Bloomington,  111.  ; 
Luzettee  died  of  diphtheria  when  eighteen  years  old  ; 
Abraham  died  when  sixteen  years  old;  Timandria 
died  when  fourteen  years  of  age.  of  diphtheria  ;  Rob- 
ert R.  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Grace  Ma- 
son, and  they  are  living  in  Padua  Township;  Sarah 
A.  is  the  wife  of  E.  D.  Benjamin,  and  they  are  living 
in  Old  Town  Township;  Oliver  N.  is  married  to 
Minnie  Young,  and  they  live  in  Padua  Township; 
Cromwell  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Lacock  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of 
his  township,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church,  to  which  denomina- 
tion they  have  belonged  for  many  years.  He  was 
Elder  in  a  congregation  of  that  denomination.  In 
political  principle  he  is  a  Republican,  but  since  the 
birth  of  the  Prohibition  party  has  voted  for  its  suc- 
cess. Mrs.  Lacock  is  one  of  those  kind-hearted 
Christian  women  found  in  every  portion  of  our 
land,  who  sympathise  with  the  poor,  and  has  never 
turned  the  hungry  from  her  door,  believing  as  she 
does  that  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive, and  inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one 
of  the  least  of  these,  my  disciples,  ye  have  done  it 
unto  me." 


firjAMES  S.  GEORGE,  a  highly  respected 
farmer  and  carpenter  of  Dauvers  Township, 
pleasantly  located  on  section  36,  is  a  native 
of  Pendleton  County,  Va.,  and  was  born  on 
the  24th  of  March,  1824.  His  parents  were  Will- 
iam and  Mary  A.  (Hawkins)  George,  both  natives 
of  Virginia,  and  the  mother  of  German  ancestry. 
William  George  was  a  carpenter  by  trade;  he  was 
born  in  179G,  and  removed  to  Champaign  County, 


Li* 


1 

',  '    318 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 

1 


III.,  where  he  died  in  April,  187.5.  The  parents 
were  married  in  Hampshire  County,  Va.,  in  INK!, 
the  mother  being  eighteen  years  old.  She  removed 
with  her  husband  to  Illinois,  and  died  of  cholera  in 
Danvers  Township  in  1854,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four 
years.  The  parental  household  included  the  follow- 
ing children :  Samuel  married  Miss  Rebecca  Idle- 
man,  in  Virginia;  John  died  of  cholera,  in  1854; 
Thomas  married  Miss  Collins  Betts;  James  S.  is  the 
subject  of  our  sketch;  Catharine,  Mrs.  Simons,  lives 
in  Harrison  County,  W.  Va. ;  Elsie,  the  wife  of 
Elijah  White,  resides  in  Randolph  County,  W.  Va. ; 
Mary  became  the  wife  of  William  Brown,  of  Vir- 
gina;  Sarah  married  Silas  Smith,  of  Tazewell 
County,  111. ;  Rebecca  married  William  Emmett,  of 
Ta/ewell  County,  111.,  and  William  married  Miss 
E.  Demming,  of  McLean  County;  Abraham  and 
Isaac  were  twins,  the  first  married  Miss  Goram,  and 
Isaac  married  Miss  II.  Cook,  of  McLean  County, 
111. 

James  S.  George  became  a  resident  of  the  Prai- 
rie State  in  1852,  and  for  two  years  followed  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter.  Not  being  quite  satisfied 
with  the  results  in  this  direction  he  took  up  farming 
pursuits,  locating  on  the  tract  of  land  which  he 
now  owns  and  occupies.  He  is  making  a  specialty 
of  stock-raising,  and  deals  in  high  grade  Short-horn 
cattle. 

After  coming  to  Illinois  the  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bennett,  on 
the  12th  of  September,  1853,  in  Tazewell  County. 
Mrs.  George  was  born  in  Virginia,  on  the  12th  of 
September,  1829,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Catharine  (Grapes)  Bennett,  natives  of  the  same 
State,  the  father  born  in  1797.  He  emigrated  to 
Iowa  after  his  marriage,  and  died  there  in  1873. 
The  mother  died  in  Tazewell  County,  this  State,  in 
183G,  leaving  four  children,  two  boys  and  two 
girls.  Eliza  married  John  Roarbeck;  Elizabeth, 
of  our  sketch,  is  the  second  child ;  David  married 
Miss  Salina  Green;  William  was  killed  by  lightning 
when  sixteen  years  old.  The  education  of  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  was  necessarily  somewhat  limited, 
their  parents  being  pioneers  of  a  new  country,  and 
schooling  facilities  very  meager.  Realizing  the  ad- 
vantages of  mental  culture  they  have  given  their 
children  the  best  advantages  which  the  schools  of 


the  present  day  afford.  Of  these  children  John 
died  of  cholera,  in  1854;  David  B.  married  Miss 
Charity  Perry;  James  W.,  Ida  and  Elmer  are  at 
home.  While  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  have  not 
identified  themselves  with  any  church  organization 
they  are  firm  believers  in  the  Scriptures,  and  en- 
deavor to  follow  the  precepts  of  flie  Golden  Rule. 
Mr.  George  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  a  worthy  citizen  and  a  valued  member  of 
society. 


JOHN  GAY,  an  enterprising  and  intelligent 
farmer  of  Empire  Township,  owns  and  oc- 
cupies a  comfortable  homestead  of  200 
I  acres  on  section  3.  He  is  a  native  of  Pick- 
away  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  1842,  being 
the  son  of  James  Gay,  deceased.  The  latter  was 
also  a  native  of  Ohio,  his  birth  occurring  in  Pick- 
away  County  on  the  1st  of  April,  1809.  The 
father  of  the  latter,  John  Gay,  Sr.,  removed  from 
his  native  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
that  region.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land, 
cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  and  established 
a  comfortable  home,  where  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  There  James  Gay,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  married  to  Miss 
Permelia  Ross,  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  He  in- 
herited a  part  of  the  old  homestead  in  Pickaway 
County  and  lived  upon  it  until  the  fall  of  1852. 
Then,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  ten  children, 
he  started  overland  to  Illinois.  After  twelve  days' 
travel  they  landed  in  Piatt  County,  where  James 
Gay  cultivated  a  tract  of  rented  land  for  two  years 
and  then  coming  into  McLean  County,  purchased 
the  northeast  quarter  of  section  3,  in  what  is  now 
Empire  Township.  Thirty  acres  of  this  was  broken 
and  fenced,  and  there  was  upon  it  a  frame  house 
and  log  stable.  Here,  the  father  of  our  subject 
settled  with  his  family,  and  here  his  life  terminated 
on  the  6th  of  July,  1881.  He  had  been  prosperous 
in  his  farming  and  business  operations,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  his  land  was  finely  improved,  well 
fenced  and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  The 
wife  and  mother  departed  this  life  Feb.  17,  1871. 
One  child  was  born  to  them  after  coming  into  this 


^ 

X 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


321 


State,  and  of  the  eleven  born  to  them  the  record  is 
as  follows:  David  died  in  Empire  Township; 
Mary  was  married  and  her  husband  died  in  the 
army, and  she  now  lives  at  Wcedman  Station;  Mar- 
garet, the  widow  of  Abner  Brown,  lives  with  her 
brother  on  the  old  homestead;  Martha  became  the 
wife  of  Chamber  Dynes, and  died  on  the  homestead 
in  1 870 ;  our  subject  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth ; 
Elizabeth  married  F.  M..Rutledge,  and  lives  in  Em- 
pire Township;  Eliza,  Mrs.  C.  H.  Best,  lives  in 
Shelby  County,  Iowa;  Reason  R.  lives  in  Hancock 
County,  Iowa;  William,  in  Farmer  City;  Sarah, 
Mrs.  Frank  McFarland,  in  Nobles  County,  Minn. ; 
Mary  F.,  Mrs.  Jacob  Williams,  in  Empire  Town- 
ship. 

John  Gay  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  old  when  he 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents.  His  youth 
and  childhood  were  spent  in  attendance  at  the  dis- 
trict school  and  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm,  and 
he  lived  with  his  parents  until  one  year  before  his 
marriage.  He  then  engaged  with  his  brother 
David  in  operating  a  rented  farm  for  about  five 
years,  and  afterward  rented  a  farm  by  himself 
west  of  Le  Roy,  upon  which  he  remained  until 
after  the  death  of  his  wife.  He  then  returned 
to  the  old  homestead  for  a  year,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  time  that  he  was  engaged  with  his 
brother  William,  has  been  a  resident  there  since. 
His  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  L.  Buckles  occurred 
in  1867,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in 
Downs  Township.  Mrs.  Gay  was  born  in  Empire 
Township,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Peter  Buckles, 
one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this  county.  Our  sub- 
ject is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  in  all  respects  is 
fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen. 


AVID  II.  ROUNDS,  formerly  a  prominent 
contractor  and  builder  of  Bloomington 
Township,  is  now  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful breeders  of  fine  horses  in  McLean 
County.  He  was  formerly  associated  in  business 
with  a  partner,  and  they  engaged  in  building  oper- 
ations for  about  ten  years  under  the  firm  name  of 
Vanschoick  &  Rounds.  The  firm  is  now  dissolved, 
and  Mr.  Rounds  devotes  nearly  the  whole  of  his 
time  and  attention  to  developing  the  qualities  of 


that  noble  animal,  the  horse.  He  is  making  a  spec- 
ialty of  roadsters,  and  is  the  only  man  in  McLean 
County  who  has  raised  a  horse  that  has  made  a 
record  by  his  training,  coming  within  2  :30,  and  the 
only  man  in  the  county  who  has  developed  the 
speed  of  a  horse  to  a  record  of  2 :24|,  which  is  the 
record  of  the  chief  of  his  stables,  which  is  known 
as  Rounds  Sprague,  and  is  registered  as  No.  4194. 
This  animal  is  the  son  of  Governor  Sprague,  his 
dam  being  Davis  Maid.  Mr.  Rounds  purchased 
him  at  the  age  of  twenty  months,  and  has  made 
him  what  he  is.  There  is  also  attached  to  his  sta- 
bles, Belmont  Sprague  No.  4527,  which,  although 
young,  gives  indications  of  something  beyond  the 
ordinary,  which  will  soon  place  him  upon  an  equal- 
ity with  his  sire,  Rounds  Sprague,  and  dam,  Lady 
Rodman,  by  Belmont  No.  64,  and  grand-dam, 
Patty  Rodman,  by  Alcalde  No.  103.  Mr.  Rounds 
also  owns  the  fine  colt  Brownell,  No.  6064,  which 
possesses  the  most  style  of  any  in  his  stables.  He 
was  sired  by  Lumps,  whose  record  is  2:21,  his  dam 
being  Mambrunello,  and  the  second  dam  by  Pilot, 
Jr.  His  coach  stallion,  Abdallah  Bruce,  and  which 
possesses  particularly  graceful  movements  for  a 
large  horse,  is  on  record,  and  when  upon  exhibi- 
tion received  the  highest  praise  from  Judge  Ar- 
thur Caton,  whose  knowledge  of  a  good  horse,  and 
success  in  developing,  proves  him  to  be  a  man  of 
no  ordinary  judgment.  With  these  horses  Mr. 
Rounds  has  built  for  himself  an  enviable  repu- 
tation as  a  breeder  and  developer.  He  has  fol- 
lowed his  present  business  for  nearly  thirty  years, 
although  a  part  of  the  time  he  was  engaged  as  a 
builder  and  contractor.  He  lives  near  the  city 
limits  of  Bloomington,  and  is  well  and  favorably 
known  throughout  this  section,  as  much  for  his  per- 
sonal traits  of  character  as  for  his  success  in  his 
chosen  calling. 

The  "Mark-Field  Monthly"  of  March,  1886, 
has  given  a  lengthy  notice  of  the  Vanguard  Stud, 
by  which  the  collection  of  horses  bred  by  Mr. 
Rounds  is  familiarly  known  throughout  this  sec- 
tion. It  editorially  remarks :  "  The  truth  of  the 
matter  is  that  Mr.  Rounds  has  employed  his  brains 
in  the  most  effective  manner,  and  to  the  greatest 
possible  advantage.  In  addition  to  this  he  has 
been  wonderfully  fortunate  in  getting  hold  of  a 


t     322 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


lot  of  dams  whose  pedigrees  contain  in  harmonious 
union  about  all  the  elect  blood  lines  •  which  are 
known  to  the  trotting  register,  and  whose  forms 
and  breeding  qualities  are  admirably  adapted  to  the 
head  of  the  stud.  The  splendid  success  with  which 
the  efforts  of  the  owner  of  the  Vanguard  Stud  have 
been  crowned,  is  easily  traced  to  the  sound  judg- 
ment and  practical  wisdom  that  were  employed  in 
laying  the  foundation  of  that  interest.  That  the 
plucky,  intelligent  and  thoroughly  honest  labors  of 
Mr.  Rounds  are  an  enduring  credit  to  himself  and 
a  source  of  untold  profit  to  the  city  of  Blooming- 
ton,  cannot  for  one  moment  be  denied."  We  can- 
not, in  the  space  of  a  brief  biography,  name  the 
various  members  of  his  family  of  equines,  but  it 
will  be  safe  to  say  that  the  collection  has  no  supe- 
rior, if  any  equal,  in  this  portion  of  Illinois.  The 
animals  are  models  of  beauty  and  symmetry,  and 
those  whose  speed  has  been  tested,  give  indications 
of  remarkable  feats  to  be  performed  in  the  future. 
Mr.  Rounds  is  a  native  of  Lewis  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  born  Oct.  28,  1830.  When  a  young  child 
his  parents  removed  to  Medina  County,  Ohio,  and 
later,  in  1841,  journeyed  still  further  Westward, 
coming  to  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  making  their  lo- 
cation in  Fulton  County.  In  1856  they  all  came 
to  Bloomingtou,  which  has  remained  their  home 
since  that  time.  The  parents  are  still  living,  and 
make  their  home  with  their  son,  our  subject.  The 
father,  Samuel  D.  A.  Rounds,  was  a  native  of  Bos- 
ton, Mass.,  and  the  mother,  who,  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Amy  Hatfield,  was  born  in  the  State 
of  New  York. 

David  H.  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  had 
attained  to  years  of  manhood,  and  was  married  at 
Farmington,  III.,  in  1852,  to  Miss  Laura  Sweet,  a 
native  of  Allegany  County,  N.  Y.,  who  had  come 
West  with  her  parents  one  year  previously.  Of 
this  union  there  have  been  born  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  are  now  deceased:  Alice,  who  became 
the  wife  of  J.  M.  Grant,  a  farmer,  and  resides  at 
Ebrood,  III.;  Nellie,  Olivia  and  Amy  are  at  home. 
The  deceased  are  George  A.,  Mary,  Spencer  and 
Samuel  D.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rounds  are  prominently 
connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  in  politics  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  Re- 
'  '  publican. 

' 


Among  the  numerous  portraits  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  McLean  County  given  in  this  volume, 
we  are  confident  none  are  more  deserving  a  prom- 
inent place  or  will  be  received  with  greater  favor 
than  that  of  Mr.  Rounds. 

J ""JONAS  SILL   has   been   a   resident   of   Dry 
|    Grove  Township  since  1857,  and  is  now  lo- 
I    cated  on  section  16.     His  has  been  a  varied 
'    and  busy  life,  interspersed   with  travel  to 
various  parts  of  the  world,  including  two  trips  to 
Europe  and  visits  to  different  parts  of  the   United 
States;  in  fact  he  has  seen  the  wonders  of  the  prin- 
cipal cities  of  the   world,  and  his  experiences,  if 
written  out,  would  make  an  interesting  volume. 

Mr.  Sill  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  on  the 
10th  of  April,  1819.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Catharine  (Stiffler)  Sill,  natives  of  the  same  county 
as  their  son.  Daniel  Sill  was  bora  in  1778,  and 
died  in  Pennsylvania  in  1850,  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-two years.  He  was  possessed  of  a  good  En- 
glish and  German  education,  and  was  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  Mrs. 
Catharine  Sill  was  born  in  1786,  and  departed  this 
life  in  1848,  after  becoming  the  mother  of  sixteen 
children,  nine  sons  and  seven  daughters,  viz. :  Eliz- 
abeth, Sophia,  Henry,  Jacob,  Catharine,  Isaac,  Dan- 
iel, Zachariah,  Mary,  Jonas,  George,  Michael,  Henry 
(second),  Mary  (second),  Susan  and  Nancy.  Of 
these  only  six  are  living.  The  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  were  people 
highly  connected  in  their  community,  training  up 
their  family  to  habits  of  industry  and  principles  of 
honor  and  virtue. 

Jonas  Sill  was  married  in  his  native  State,  to  Miss 
Theresa  Boyer,  on  the  22d  of  October,  1841.  Mrs. 
Sill  was  born  in  Somerset  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  26, 
1816.  Her  parents  were  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
(Ellrich)  Boyer,  natives  of  Maryland.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters.  William,  who  married  Miss  Nora 
Swallow,  is  living  in  this  county;  Elizabeth,  Mrs. 
John  Lucas,  resides  in  Missouri;  Catharine,  who 
married  Rev.  Andrew  Latimer,  a  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Latimer  was 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


323 


born  in  New  York  State,  in  1838,  and  reared  in 
Canada,  where  his  education  began.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  1868,  and  completed  his  studies  at  Evan- 
ston  College,  near  Chicago,  entering  the  ministry 
the  following  year.  He  is  now  located  at  Durham, 
Marion  Co.,  Iowa,  and  to  himself  and  wife  have 
been  born  two  children  :  Simpson  J.,  born  Sept.  29, 
1874,  died  Sept.  27,  188(5;  Arthur  H.  was  born  July 
4,  1878.  Mr.  Latimer  is  distinguished  as  a  revival- 
ist, and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  clergymen  in 
his  locality.  Daniel  M.,  the  other  son  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  Dec.  3,  1851,  and  is  still  an  inmate 
of  the  parental  home.  He  is  highly  educated,  com- 
pleting his  studies  in  the  Wesleyan  University  at 
Bloomington.  On  account  of  failing  health  he 
went  to  Oregon  and  spent  four  years,  and  after  re- 
turning to  Illinois,  made  a  trip  to  Europe. 

Mr.  Sill  is  the  possessor  of  210  acres  of  finely 
cultivated  land,  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  taste- 
ful farm  dwelling  with  all  necessary  barns  and  out- 
buildings. Of  late  years  he  has  been  largely  en- 
gaged in  the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  especially 
horses,  of  which  he  has  imported  choice  specimens 
of  Clydesdale  and  Norman.  Of  these  he  has  made 
three  importations  and  disposed  of  them  to  parties 
in  Oregon  and  other  portions  of  the  Northwest. 
His  farm  is  beautifully  located  in  the  central  part 
of  the  township,  and  the  local  elections  have  been 
held  at  his  shop  for  the  last  sixteen  years.  Mr. 
Sill  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Evangelical  Association  for  a  period 
probably  of  forty-seven  years.  He  has  been  closely 
identified  with  the  agricultural  and  industrial  inter- 
ests of  this  section  for  the  last  thirty  years,  and  has 
contributed  his  full  quota  toward  its  development 
and  growth,  and  in  presenting  his  portrait,  we  give 
that  of  one  of  the  leading  and  representative  men 
of  McLean  County. 


J*~  OHN  FRY,  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Pa., 
now  owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable  home- 
stead  in   Empire   Township,  on  section  19. 
He  comes  of  worthy  and  substantial  ances- 
try, being  the  son  of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Becken- 
baugh)  Fry,  the  father  born  in  the  eastern  part  of 


the  Keystone  State,  and  the  mother  in  Greene 
County.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  maternal  grand- 
parents were  of  German  descent,  but  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania. Abraham  Fry  departed  this  life  in  1827, 
leaving  a  wife  and  seven  children.  Just  previous 
to  his  death  he  had  visited  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
and  selected  a  farm  there,  which  he  had  paid  for 
by  the  sale  of  his  property  in  Greene  County,  Pa. 
To  this  the  widow  and  her  children  removed,  set- 
tling in  Burlington  Township.  The  journey,  a  dis- 
tance of  160  miles,  was  made  overland  with  teams, 
in  the  manner  common  to  the  pilgrimage  of  the 
early  pioneers.  They  took  their  household  goods 
along,  and  camped  and  cooked  by  the  wayside. 
There  was  a  log  cabin  on  the  place,  which  the  fam- 
ily occupied  for  some  years,  and  forty  of  the  175 
acres  were  partly  cleared.  Our  subject  and  his 
brothers  cleared  all  but  thirty  acres  of  the  remain- 
der. The  mother  kept  her  family  together  until 
they  had  grown  to  mature  years.  Twenty  years  after 
the  death  of  her  first  husband  she  was  married 
again,  was  again  widowed,  and  during  the  last 
years  of  her  life  made  her  home  with  her  children. 

John  Fry  was  the  sixth  child  of  his  parents,  and 
was  born  Sept.  4,  1824.  As  soon  as  large  enough 
he  assisted  his  parents  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  and 
lived  with  his  mother  after  her  second  marriage. 
He  attended  the  common  schools  in  Ohio,  and  after 
he  had  attained  his  majority  and  was  married,  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  old 
homestead.  This  he  occupied  until  1870,  and  then, 
selling  out,  removed  to  this  State  and  county,  and 
located  upon  the  place  which  he  still  owns  and  oc- 
cupies. This  comprises  205  acres  of  land,  all  en- 
closed, with  a  fine  stretch  of  pasture  and  good  im- 
provements. He  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry 
and  economy,  and  inherited  from  his  substantial 
German  ancestors  the  traits  which  have  constituted 
him  a  valuable  and  reliable  member  of  the  com- 
munity. 

The  mai'riage  of  Mr.  Fry  with  Miss  Rebecca 
Liming  was  celebrated  Feb.  17,  1849.  Mrs.  F.  was 
born  in  Monongalia  County,  W.  Va.,  July  7,  1829. 
Her  parents  were  Samuel  and  Jane  (Brown)  Lim- 
ing. They  removed  to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  when 
Mrs.  F.  was  a  young  child,  and  spent  the  last  years 


t  ,  324 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  their  life  there.  Of  this  union  there  are  seven 
children  living,  as  follows:  Susan,  the  wife  of 
James  W.  Long,  is  a  resident  of  Calhoun  County, 
Iowa;  Abraham  also  lives  in  that  county;  Ellen 
married  Leroy  Oliver,  and  they  live  in  Downs 
Township;  William  is  a  teacher  in  Bellefllower 
Township;  Charles  A.,  John  Wesley  and  Elizabeth 
May  are  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  the 
support  of  which  they  contribute  liberally  and 
cheerfully.  Mr.  Fry  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  Gen.  Cass,  and  was  Democratic  in  politics  until 
the  formation  of  the  Republican  party.  His  pres- 
ent possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own  industry 
and  perseverance,  and  he  has  contributed  his  full 
share  toward  the  growth  and  development  of  his 
adopted  township.  His  homestead  is  finely  located 
and  pleasant  to  look  upon,  and  our  subject  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  lo- 
cality. 


/,.,  LFRED  H.  MORRIS,  of  the  firm  of  Ga- 
LJ|    lusha  &  Morris,  dealers  in  hardware  at  Le 


Roy,  is,  with  his  partner,  carrying  on  an 
extensive  and  lucrative  trade.  Mr.  M. 
was  born  in  Empire  Township,  this  county,  April 
27,  1846.  His  father,  Leonard  M.  Morris,  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  whence  he  removed  at 
an  early  day  to  Indiana,  where  he  lived  until  1844; 
then,  with  his  wife  and  one  child,  he  came  into  Illi- 
nois, making  the  journey  overland,  and  arriving  at 
Le  Roy,  in  this  county,  with  $1.75  in  his  pocket.  He 
located  upon  a  tract  of  rented  land,  which  he  culti- 
vated for  a  number  of  years,  and  then  purchased 
forty  acres  one  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Le  Roy. 
To  this  latter  he  added  eighty  acres,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  and  improve  until  the  fall  of 
1884,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  the  home 
of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Helmiek,  in  Monroe  County, 
Mo.,  where  he  departed  this  life  on  the  8th  of  Au- 
gust, 1885.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject, 
was  formerly  Miss  Lavina  Pugsley,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  Maine,  and  the' daughter  of  Joseph  Pugsley, 
of  the  same  State,  whence  he  removed  to  Indiana, 
'  'being  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  that  State. 


Soon  afterward  he  pushed  on  to  Illinois  and  located 
in  Empire  Township,  this  county,  being  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  this  region.  Of  their  six  children 
five  grew  to  become  men  and  women :  Sarah  O. 
married  James  Helmick,  and  they  live  in  Monroe 
County,  Mo. ;  Alfred  II.,  our  subject,  was  the  sec- 
ond child ;  Charles  W.  died  in  Empire  Township, 
June  26,  1885;  Marcus  P.  lives  in  West  Township, 
and  William  J.,  in  Sedgwick  County,  Kan. 

The  subject  of  this  history  pursued  his  primary 
studies  in  the  town  of  Le'Roy,  and  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm.  He  remained  under  the  paren- 
tal roof  until  twenty-one  years  old,  and  was  soon 
afterward  married  and  located  upon  land.  After 
farming  in  this  manner  for  twelve  years  he  pur- 
chased land  in  Empire  Township,  which  he  occu- 
pied and  cultivated  until  December,  1880.  He  then 
purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  store  of  Mr. 
Galusha,  with  whom  he  has  been  associated  since 
that  time. 

Mr.  Morris  was  married,  April  9,  1867,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Wyckoff,  who  was  born  on  the  line  of 
Licking  and  Fairfield  Counties,  Ohio,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Matthew  and  Nancy  (Finckbone) 
Wyckoff,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Ohio. 
Of  this  union  there  have  been  bom  four  children, 
all  daughters — Ella  May,  Mary  Agnes,  Eva  and 
Daisy  Alice.  Mr.  Morris  is  Republican  in  politics, 
and  has  held  the  office  of  City  Treasurer  of  Le  Roy. 
Socially  he  belongs  to  Le  Roy  Lodge  No.  149, 
1.  0.  O.  F.  He  is  a  straightforward  and  energetic 
business  man,  and  in  all  respects  a  representative 
citizen. 


GEORGE  McINTOSH,  plumber,  and  carry- 
ing on  a  good  trade  in  gas  and  steam-fit- 
tings, is  contributing  his  full  share  to  the 
business  interests  of  Bloomington,  and  thus  fulfill- 
ing the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  Scotland,  born  in  the  city  of  Brechin  in 
May,  1844.  His  parents  were  George  and  Agnes 
Mclntosh,  by  whom  he  was  reared  and  sent  to 
school,  where  he  received  a  good  education.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  a  plumber  in  his  native  city, 
serving  an  apprenticeship  of  six  years,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  this  time  proceeded  to  the  city  of 


4" 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


325 


Glasgow  and  worked  as  a  "jour"  for  one  year. 
From  there  he  went  to  Dublin,  where  he  spent  one 
year,  and  thence  to  the  city  of  London,  England, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  two  years.  From 
there  he  sailed  for  America,  and  after  spending  a 
week  in  Montreal,  Canada,  where  work  was  dull, 
set  his  face  Westward,  and  soon  found  a  job  in 
Chicago,  111.,  from  which  he  derived  a  handsome 
salary  of  $4.75  per  day. 

Mr.  Mclntosh  spent  two  years  with  one  firm  in 
that  city,  and  was  then  detailed  to  go  to  Blooming- 
ton,  where  he  completed  a  contract  for  the  firm, 
and  where  he  decided  to  locate.  He  became  a  per- 
manent resident  of  the  city  in  1868,  and  established 
himself  in  business.  Three  years  later  his  stock 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  having  no  insurance  he 
•lost  everything.  His  credit,  however,  was  good, 
and  he  soon  recovered  from  this  disaster.  He  once 
more  opened  up  a  stock  of  fixtures,  his  business 
place  being  located  under  the  First  National  Bank, 
at  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Main  streets, 
where  he  operated  successfully,  and  in  due  time 
was  enabled  to  put  up  the  present  convenient  and 
commodious  building.  This  occupies  an  area  of 
22x90  feet,  with  two  stories  and  basement. 

Mr.  Mclntosh  is  a  straightforward  business  man, 
and  takes  a  genuine  interest  in  the  prosperity  of 
his  adopted  city,  and  there  are  few  worthy  enter- 
prises that  have  not  received  his  encouragement 
and  support.  He  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss 
Helen,  daughter  of  John  McGregor,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  they  have  two  children — George  and 
Adella. 


eHRlSTIAN  W.  NAFZIGER,  a  retired  farm- 
er  now  living  in  the  village  of  Stanford, 
this  county,  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1819.  He  is  the 
son  of  Christian  and  Elizabeth  (Fisher)  Nafziger, 
and  his  father,  born  in  18G7,  died  in  March,  1819, 
leaving  a  widow  and  five  children.  The  mother, 
born  in  1788,  after  the  death  of  her  husband  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  with  her  family,  and 
died  three  years  later  in  Illinois,  in  .September, 
1854.  The  family  lived  one  year  in  Ohio. 

Our  subject  preceded  the  balance  of  his  mother's 


family  to  America,  coming  here  in  1846,  landing 
in  New  York  City  on  the  22d  of  September, 
whence  he  went  to  Butler  County,  Ohio.  He  was 
employed  as  a  farm  laborer  in  that  State  for  a  per- 
iod of  eight  years,  and  in  the  meantime  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Ehresmann,  March  15,  1849. 
She  was  born  in.Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1823,  and  came  to  America  in  July,  1842, 
where  she  and  her  sister  joined  their  father  and 
two  brothers,  who  had  already  been  here  three 
years,  and  located  in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  Her 
father  died  one  year  after  her  marriage.  His  fam- 
ily consisted  of  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  Barbara  married  Mr.  Berck;  Frederick  mar- 
ried Miss  Emma  Jacobs;  Christian  is  deceased; 
Elizabeth,  of  our  sketch,  and  Ellen,  who  married 
Jacob  Musleman. 

A  few  years  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nafziger  came  to  Illinois,  in  1854.  Mr.  N.  rented 
laud  the  first  year  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres, 
to  which  he  afterward  added  a  like  amount,  and  be- 
side this,  which  comprises  the  homestead,  has  120 
acres  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  village  of 
Stanford.  In  1 878  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
in  Stanford  and  was  thus  occupied  for  five  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  out  and  retired  from 
active  business.  He  has  been  a  hard  worker  in  his 
time,  and  his  possessions  are  but  the  just  reward  of 
his  early  industry. 

Mr.  N.  became  connected  with  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity in  1877,  being  a  member  of  Allin  Lodge 
No.  605,  and  is  a  warm  supporter  of  the  principles 
which  he  learned  to  admire  long  ago.  He  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Mennonite  Church, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  liberal  and  cheerful  sup- 
porter, and  politically  is  a  reliable  Democrat.  He 
is  held  in  the  highest  respect  in  this  community  for 
his  usefulness  as  a  citizen  and  his  excellent  personal 
traits  of  character. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nafziger  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows:  John  H. 
married  Miss  Amelia  Nafziger  (a  cousin) ;  Chris- 
tian F.  married  Miss  Me  Williams,  and  is  living  in 
Allin  Township;  Eliza  M.  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Linker,  of  Tazewell  County,  this  State; 
Gustoff  A.  married  Miss  Birtha  Hauter,  and 
lives  in  Tazewell  County;  Lena  E.,  Mrs.  George. 


|i  ,326 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Wright,  is  a  resident  of  Stanford  ;  William  ,1.,  mar- 
ried Miss  Martha  Lamb,  and  is  located  in  Allin 
Township. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Nafziger  departed  this  life  on  the 
21st  of  February,  1884,  of  consumption.  She  was 
a  lady  greatly  beloved  by  her  husband  and  family, 
industrious,  cheerful  and  affectionate,  a  good  wife 
and  loving  mother,  and  at  her  death  mourned  by  a 
large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  She  was 
a  sincere  Christian,  a  member  of  the  Mennonite 
Church,  and  by  her  daily  walk  and  conversation 
exerted  a  good  influence  over  her  household  and 
all  who  enjoyed  her  acquaintance.  Her  memory  is 
held  sacred  by  her  husband  and  family,  who  sus- 
tained in  her  death  an  irreparable  loss. 


OLOMON  S.  PORTER,  a  prosperous  farmer 
of  Normal  Township,  is  pleasantly  located 
on  section  15,  where  he  owns  a  valuable 
homestead,  and  is  carrying  on  his  agricult- 
ural pursuits  skillfully  and  with  success.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  for  a  period  of 
over  thirty  years,  all  but  one  of  which  have  been 
spent  in  Normal  Township,  and  during  this  long 
period,  by  his  upright  course  as  a  citizen  and  a 
business  man  has  fully  established  himself  in  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  associates. 

Mr.  Porter  was  born  in  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  on  Christmas  Day,  1828.  His  father,  William 
Porter,  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Pa.,  and 
his  mother,  formerly  Miss  Mary  Ritchie,  in  Erie 
County.  They  were  reared  and  married  in  their 
native  State,  whence  they  removed  to  Muskingum 
County,  Ohio,  in  about  1806,  being  among  the 
early  pioneers  of  the  Buckeye  State.  William  Por- 
ter there  opened  up  a  farm  in  the  wilderness  and 
established  a  permanent  home,  where  he  and  his 
wife  resided  until  their  death,  which  occurred  in 
1832,  both  dying  within  one  week.  They  left  a 
family  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  the  youngest,  and  he  was  but  four 
years  old  when  thus  sadly  orphaned.  He  was  taken 
into  the  family  of  his  eldest  brother  who  resided 
on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until  sixteen  years 


of  age  and  received  the  advantages  of  a  common 
school  education.  He  then  started  out  to  take 
care  of  himself.  He  pursued  his  studies  for  some 
time  afterward,  paying  his  expenses  by  teaching 
and  clerking  alternately.  He  then  became  collector 
for  a  large  foundry,  and  in  1857  started  for  the 
West. 

Young  Porter,  after  leaving  Ohio,  came  into 
La  Salle  County,  111.,  and  during  the  summer  sea- 
son engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  In  the  winter  lie 
still  followed  collecting  for  his  former  employers,  in 
the  south  part  of  the  State,  where  the  company  had 
sold  a  large  number  of  stoves.  The  following  year 
he  came  into  McLean  County,  and  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Normal  Township  since  that  time.  The 
first  purchase  of  Mr.  Porter  in  Normal  embraced 
250  acres  of  land  on  section  10,  which  he  cultivated 
and  improved  industriously  for  many  years  and 
which  still  remains  in  his  possession.  He  removed 
to  his  present  home  in  1874.  His  landed  property 
now  includes  378  acres,  which  are  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation  and  largely  devoted  to  stock- 
raising. 

The  marriage  of  Solomon  S.  Porter  and  Miss 
Amanda  M.  Shueey  took  place  in  Ohio  in  the 
spring  of  1859.  Mrs.  P.  was  born  in  Muskingum 
County,  that  State,  and  by  her  marriage  with  our 
subject  has  become  the  mother  of  seven  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  childhood  and  another  at  the 
age  of  fifteen  years.  Those  living  are :  Ida,  Walter, 
Weldon,  Bessie  and  Willie.  The  homestead  is  one 
of  the  finest  in  McLean  County,  and  is  equipped 
with  all  the  appurtenances  of  a  first-class  country 
estate,  and  Mr.  Porter  and  his  family  are  living  in 
the  full  enjoyment  of  the  good  things  of  this  life, 
and  he  is  in  all  respects  rated  as  a  representative 
citizen  of  one  of  the  wealthiest  counties  of  the 
Prairie  State. 

The  career  of  the  subject  of  this  history  is  a 
striking  illustration  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
from  an  exceedingly  small  beginning.  Mr.  Porter 
started  out  early  in  life,  and  "  paddled  his  own 
canoe  "  singly  and  alone,  with  but  little  education 
and  no  money.  He  was  thoughtful  and  studious, 
however,  and  improved  upon  his  meager  early  ad- 
vantages to  the  best  ability.  His  spare  time  was 
devoted  to  study,  and  he  made  such  good  progress 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


327 


that  he  was  given  the  position  of  a  teacher,  and 
with  this  and  the  small  salary  which  he  received  as 
collector  he  managed  to  save  a  little  from  time  to 
time  until  he  was  enabled  to  come  West,  which 
was  then  the  "  promised  land  "  to  the  enterprising 
and  ambitious  young  man.  He  was  possessed  of 
good  judgment  and  made  the  most  of  his  oppor- 
tunities, and  those  who  have  known  him  and 
watched  his  course  for  the  last  thirty  years  rejoice 
to  see  that  he  is  reaping  the  just  reward  of  perse- 
vering industry  and  a  straightforward  and  upright 
life. 


€OL.  WILLIAM  H.  SCROGGS,  a  well-to-do 
and  influential  farmer  of  Hudson  Township, 
owns  one  of  the  finest  country  estates  in 
McLean  County,  and  is  widely  and  favorably 
known  as  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens.  Col. 
Scroggs  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  on 
the  24th  of  November,  1835.  His  parents,  Alex- 
ander and  Lavina  (Rodgers)  Scroggs,  were  natives 
of  the  same  State.  Alexander  Scroggs  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  remained  in  his  native 
State  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1862.  The 
mother  subsequently  removed  with  some  of  her 
children  to  Warrensburg,  Mo.,  where  she  departed 
this  life  in  1885.  The  parental  household  embraced 
nine  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and 
eight  attained  their  majority.  The  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: James  A.  is  a  resident  of  Pottawatomie 
County,  Kan.;  William  H.,  our  subject;  John  G., 
of  Warrensburg,  Mo. ;  Josie,  the  wife  of  Capt.  W. 
C.  Marlatt,  resides  in  Warrensburg,  Mo. ;  Alexan- 
der, near  Wichita,  Kan. ;  Mary  L.  became  the  wife 
of  Capt.  James  Crawford,  of  Greenfield,  Ohio;  Sadie 
died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years ;  Erskin  E. 
lives  near  Warrensburg,  Mo. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  child 
of  his  parents'  family.  He  was  reared  to  farming 
pursuits,  attended  the  common  schools,  and  com- 
pleted his  education  in  the  Academy  at  South  Sa- 
lem, Ohio.  After  becoming  a  young  man,  in  1859, 
he  entered  Monmouth  College,  in  Warren  County, 
111.,  and  pursued  a  thorough  course  of  study  for 
one  year.  He  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  taught 
school,  intending  to  re-enter  college;  but  when  the 


Civil  War  broke  out  he  decided  to  proffer  his  serv- 
ices to  aid  in  putting  down  the  Rebellion.  He  en- 
listed in  Company  C,  81st  Ohio  Infantry,  on  the 
19th  of  September,  1861,  as  a  private.  The  regi- 
ment was  equipped  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  and 
young  Scroggs  soon  afterward  was  appointed  First 
Corporal.  They  embarked  on  a  river  steamer  the 
following  March,  at  St.  Louis,  arriving  at  Pitts- 
burgh Landing,  Tenn.,  on  the  17th.  From  there 
the  regiment  moved  toward  Corinth,  Miss.,  arriv- 
ing there  on  the  29th  of  May,  and  Mr.  Scroggs  was 
there  promoted  Fifth  Sergeant.  At  the  battle  of 
Corinth  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm  and 
shoulder,  and  as  a  soothing  medicine  for  this  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  First  Sergeant. 

On  the  1st  of  Januaiy,  1863,  Mr.  Scroggs  was 
transferred  to  the  lllth  United  States  Colored  In- 
fantry, and  on  the  29th  of  January  following  Sergt. 
Scroggs  received  a  Captain's  commission.  He 
was  subsequently  captured  in  an  engagement  with 
the  rebels  under  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest,  and  held  until 
Nov.  24,  1864,  when  he  was  exchanged,  and  joined 
his  command  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  He  was  soon 
afterward  assigned  to  duty  as  Assistant  Inspector 
of  Defences,  and  ordered  to  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 
In  July,  1865,  he  was  mustered  as  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel, but  retained  on  general  court  martial,  receiv- 
ing his  final  discharge  in  November,  1866. 

After  being  relieved  from  his  position  as  an  In- 
spector of  Defences,  Col.  Seroggs  was  sent  to  New 
Orleans,  thence  to  Mobile,  where  he  arrived  the 
morning  following  the  explosion  of  Dick  Taylor's 
amunition  at  that  city.  He  was  intending  to  leave 
New  Orleans  on  a  boat  which  started  previously, 
and  which,  at  the  time  of  the  disaster,  was  blown  to 
pieces.  Col.  Scroggs  has  in  his  possession  a  fine 
steel  engraving,  in  the  center  of  which  is  his  war 
record,  and  which  was  presented  to  him  by  C.  B. 
Davis,  a  member  of  the  staff  of  Gen.  Thomas,  and 
architect  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army  Col.  Scroggs 
was  assigned  to  duty  as  Assistant  Superintendent  of 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Ft.  Donelson,  where  he 
remained  until  April,  1867.  He  then  came  north  to 
Illinois,  and  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he 
now  resides,  where  he  has  devoted  his  attention 
mostly  to  stock-raising.  His  homestead  consists  of. 


T 


328 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


147  acres,  under  good  cultivation,  with  a  comforta- 
ble and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and 
outhouses,  and  all  the  appliances  of  a  first-class  ag- 
riculturist and  stock-raiser.  Col.  Scroggs  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  liberal  in  his  views,  making  it 
his  aim  to  cast  his  ballot  for  worthy  men,  irrespect- 
ive of  party.  He  has  frequently  been  the  incum- 
bent of  local  offices,  more  to  please  his  friends  than 
to  gratify  his  own  inclinations,  He  is  a  member 
and  the  Commander  of  Post  611,  G.  A.  R.,  and  in 
religious  matters  coincides  with  the  doctrines  of 
the  Baptist  Church. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Col.  Scroggs  was 
married,  in  Warren,  Pa.,  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1867,  to  Miss  Harriet,  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Elizabeth  (Orr)  Barber.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Niag- 
ara County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  28,  1840.  Of  this  union 
there  were  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy. Those  surviving  are  Charles  R.,  M.  Alice, 
Richard  E.,  William  C.  and  J.  Harvey.  Col. 
Scroggs  has  taken  particular  care  to  give  his  chil- 
dren the  advantages  of  a  good  education,  so  that 
they  may  become- honored  and  useful  members  of 
society. 


&  IjfclLLIAM  J.  BAIRD,  residing  on  section  12, 
\jjj//  Dry  Grove  Township,  is  a  farmer,  brick- 
\y§!/  layer  and  house-builder,  and  in  the  prose- 
cution of  his  several  trades  is  uniformly  skillful 
and  successful.  Mr.  Baird  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Pa.,  in  November,  1821,  and  is  the  son  of 
Aaron  and  Margaret  (Allen)  Baird,  also  natives  of 
the  Keystone  State.  Aaron  Baird  was  born  May 
30,  1786,  and  died  in  his  native  State  on  the  18th 
of  November,  1870,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-five  years.  The  mother  was  born 
April  14,  1786,  and  died  in  Pennsylvania  Aug.  22, 
1834.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
Republican  in  polities,  and  an  active  Elder  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  both  parents  were 
members  for  a  good  many  years.  Of  their  family 
of  thirteen  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  the 
first  born  died  unnamed;  Maria  became  the  wife  of 
EN  Finley;  Eliza,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Miller,  is  now  de- 


ceased; Jane  and  her  husband,  William  Brown,  are 
both  deceased ;  John  A.  married  Miss  E.  J.  Wilson ; 
Robert  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  eleven 
months;  Mary  died  when  eleven  months  old;  James 
P.  married  Miss  Harriet  Riley,  who  is  now  deceased ; 
William  J.  of  our  sketch  was  the  next  child  ;  Robert 
A.  married  Miss  Nancy  Acklen;  George  E.  died 
when  nine  years  old;  Josiah  W.  died  aged  four 
years;  David  A.  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Ridge  way. 
Of  the  second  marriage  of  Aaron  there  were  born 
three  children — Emma  C.,  Sanford  W.  and  Haven  E. 

William  J.  Baird  of  this  sketch  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Maria  Wilkins,  in  Pennsylvania 
on  the  16th  of  October,  1845.  Mrs.  Baird  was  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hastings)  Wil- 
kins, natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  are  both  now 
deceased.  Their  family  of  five  children  is  recorded 
as  follows:  William,  Jane,  Nancy,  James  and 
Maria.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baird,  after  their  marriage, 
remained  in  Pennsylvania  until  1860.  They  then 
removed  to  Montgomery  County,  Mo.,  and  re- 
mained through  the  summer,  coming  in  the  fall  to 
McLean  County,  where  he  has  since  remained. 
The  following  year  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land,  and  in  1868  another  eighty  acres  adjoining. 
Upon  his  homestead  of  160  acres  he  erected  a  fine 
dwelling  in  1864,  and  in  1885  renovated  and 
rebuilt  it  so  that  it  is  now  two  stories  in  height  and 
makes  a  commodious  and  handsome  residence.  He 
is  also  supplied  with  all  necessary  barns  and  out- 
buildings and  the  other  appurtenances  of  a  modern 
country  estate. 

Mr.  Baird  learned  bricklaying  in  his  native 
State,  and  has  followed  it  considerably  in  the  last 
forty-five  years.  He  has  now  practically  abandoned 
it  and  gives  the  most  of  his  attention  to  the  busi- 
ness of  his  farm.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Baird  included  four  children,  as  follows:  Aaron 
died  when  nine  days  old ;  William  W.  married  Miss 
Landgartha  Hayes,  and  they  are  living  in  this 
county ;  Elizabeth  J.  is  at  home ;  James  D.  married 
Miss  Ann  Eliza  McWilliams,  and  is  living  in  McLean 
County. 

Mr.  Baird  is  Republican  in  politics  and  takes  a 
great  interest  in  the  success  of  the  temperance 
movement.  He  has  been  a  member  of  and  an 
Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Normal  for 


RESIDENCE  OF   FRANK     KRAFT,  SEC.  17  TOWANDA     TP 


RESIDENCE  OF    GEO.W.    Bl  NCH  A  M  ,  SEC  .32  ,  BLUE    MOUNDTP. 


RESIDENCE    OF    LUKE   CARNELL,  SEC. 33.  BLUE  MOUNTS  TP. 


t 


•*-•-«• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


331 


April 


a  period  of  fifteen  years.  He  has  been  an  earnest 
worker  in  the  cause  of  religion  and  a  cheerful  and 
liberal  contributor  to  the  maintenance  of  the  church. 


'NDREW  J.  SPRINGER,  one  of  the  intelli- 
gent and  progressive  farmers  of  Allin 
Township,  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
having  been  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
22,  1836.  His  parents  were  Christian  and 
Magdalena  (Engel)  Springer,  natives  of  France, 
the  father  born  Sept.  18,  1792,  and  the  mother 
Feb.  4,  1798.  Christian  Springer  was  a  miller  by 
trade,  and  with  four  other  brothers,  served  under 
Napoleon  in  the  war  of  1812,  in  his  native  country, 
for  a  period  of  four  years  and  then  deserted,  for 
the  third  time,  finally  coming  to  the  United  States. 
He  arrived  here  on  the  12th  of  June,  1830,  and 
landed  at  New  Orleans,  whence  he  proceeded  to 
Hamilton,  'Butler  Co.,  Ohio,  There  he  followed 
farming  upon  ninety-four  acres  of  land  of  which 
he  became  the  owner  and  occupied  this  farm  un- 
til November,  1854.  He  then  removed  to  this 
State  and  county,  settling  in  Danvers,  where  he 
lived  two  years.  He  then  purchased  600  acres  of 
land,  upon  which  he  fanned  until  within  a  few  years 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  Oct.  3,  1'879.  The 
mother  died  Sept.  13,  1870.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  were  married  in  France  on  Christmas  Day, 
1822.  Their  children  were  ten  in  number  and 
recorded  as  follows :  Catherine  died  in  France  in 
infancy;  Joseph  E.  married  Miss  Reiser,  and  lives 
in  Stanford;  Peter  D.  married  Miss  Brenaman; 
Christian  W.  married  Miss  Stalter;  Magdalena 
became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Reiser;  John 
married  Miss  Sherbine ;  Andrew  J.  of  our  sketch 
was  the  sixth  child ;  Catherine  became  the  wife  of 
Mr.  Peter  Schurtz;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Mr.  David 
Habecker;  George  died  in  Ohio.  The  parents  were 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 

Andrew  Springer  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  lived  with  his  parents  until 
he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  was  then  married, 
July  22, 1875,  to  Miss  Eliza  Slaughbough,  and  then 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Allin  Township. 


His  present  homestead  consists  of  146  acres,  all 
finely  cultivated  and  improved.  The  children  of 
our  subject  and  his  wife,  six  in  number,  were  Will- 
iam E.,  Daniel  A.,  John  Q.  (died  Feb.  22,  1887), 
Mary  M.,  Anna  A.  and  Lucrella;  the  latter  died 
March  9,  1883. 

Mrs.  Springer  is  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  Slaughbough,  natives  respectively  of  Mary- 
land and  Germany.  Her  father  was  born  in  1827, 
and  her  mother  in  1822.  They  were  married  in 
1 849,  and  became  the  parents  of  six  children — Eliza, 
John,  Catherine,  Mary,  Anna  and  Susan.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Slaughbough  live  in  Danvers  Township  and 
are  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church.  Mr.  Sprin- 
ger is  Democratic  in  politics,  a  temperate  and  law- 
abiding  citizen  and  a  worthy  member  of  the  com- 
munity. 


\j^T>REDERICK  MEYER,  senior  member  of  the 
iMg)  firm  of  Meyer  &  Martens,  merchant  tailors 
IK,  of  Bloomington,  is  a  gentleman  skilled  in 
his  trade  and  occupying  a  good  position  in  the 
business  community.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
having  been  born  in  Prussia,  March  17,  1840.  His 
parents,  Christopher  and  Dora  T.  Elizabeth  (Thiede) 
Meyer,  emigrated  to  America  in  1852,  landing  in 
New  York  City,  whence  they  came  immediately 
West  and  located  in  Bloomington,  this  State,  where 
they  settled  permanently  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  The  mother  departed  this  life  Jan. 
28,  1881,  and  the  father  Nov.  17, 1885.  Their  four 
children,  all  sons,  are  still  living. 

Frederick  Meyer  of  this  sketch  was  started  to 
school  when  six  years  of  age  and  continued  until 
fourteen.  He  then  commenced  to  learn  the  tailor's 
trade,  at  which  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three 
years,  and  then  worked  as  a  "  jour "  while  in  his 
native  country.  After  his  arrival  in  Bloomingtou 
he  continued  at  his  trade,  and  in  1872  went  into 
business  on  his  own  account  as  a  merchant  tailor. 
In  this  he  was  eminently  successful,  having  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  business  and  being  skilled  in  all 
its  departments.  He  entered  into  partnership  with 
Charles  Martens  in  1873,  and  they  have  since  oper- 
ated together  profitably  and  harmoniously. 

Mr.  Meyer  was  married  in  1864,  to  Miss  Dora 


f 


332 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


T.  Pagels  of  Bloomington,  and  they  have  three  sons : 
Edward  F.,  in  the  grocery  business;  Otto  C.,  a 
tailor  by  trade,  and  Albert  W.,  still  a  youth  and 
attending  the  High  School.  The  family  residence 
is  pleasantly  located  at  No.  606  West  Jackson  street, 
and  our  subject  and 'his  family  enjoy  the  esteem  of 
many  friends.  Mr.  Meyer  is  a  member  of  Uhl 
Lodge  No.  305,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  German  Free 
School  Society,  Mutual  Aid  No.  fi,  the  Turner  So- 
ciety, and  Rebecca  Degree  Lodge  No.  85.  In  many 
of  these  he  has  occupied  all  the  chairs  and  has 
often  represented  various  fraternities  at  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  is  serving  his  second 
term  as  President  of  the  Turners. 


J~  OHN  R.  BENJAMIN  a  prominent  and 
influential  farmer  of  Padua  Township,  oc- 
cupies a  fine  homestead  on  section  7,  com- 
prising 230  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land, 
upon  which  ,is  erected  a  handsome  modern  dwelling 
and  all  the  other,  buildings  required  by  the  pro- 
gressive agriculturist.  Mr.  Benjamin  took  posses- 
sion of  this  farm  in  1854,  where  he  has  since  lived, 
and  has  firmly  established  himself  in  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  community.  He  is  a  gentleman 
of  fine  abilities,  an  extensive  reader,  and  one  who 
takes  an  active  interest  in  current  events  whether 
they  concern  his  county,  or  the  State  and  Nation 
at  large.  He  is  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in 
Columbia  County,  Oct.  17,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of 
Darius  Benjamin,  a  native  of  the  same  county  and 
State,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  suc- 
cessfully and  spent  his  entire  life.  He  was  married 
in  early  manhood  to  Miss  Martha  Rogers,  also  a 
native  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  who  survived 
her  husband  several  years,  and  finally  removing  to 
the  West,  died  at  the  home  of  her  son  in  Old  Town 
Township,  this  county,  in  1884,  after  arriving  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 

John  R.  Benjamin  was  the  fourth  of  six  sons 
born  to  his  parents,  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then 
journeyed  into  Chester  County,  Pa.,  where  he  lo- 
cated, and  three  years  later  was  united  in  marriage 


with  Miss  Sarah  Beaver,  who  was  born  and  reared 
in  that  county.  Her  parents,  who  were  of  Penn- 
sylvania birth  and  German  descent,  after  marriage 
passed  their  lives  in  Chester  County,  and  there 
their  remains  are  buried.  Of  the  union  of  our  sub- 
ject and  wife  there  were  born  six  children,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Deborah  became  the 
wife  of  T.  J.  Moore,  a  farmer  of  Padua  Township; 
Timothy  married  Miss  Agnes  McBarns,  and  is  car- 
rying on  farming  in  Old  Town  Township;  by  his 
former  marriage  he  was  united  to  Miss  Anna  Coole, 
by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Arthur;  Martha,  Mrs. 
Willis  B.  Mills,  resides  with  her  husband  in  Putnam 
County,  this  State,  the  latter  being  a  tile  manufac- 
turer; George  D.  operates  with  his  father  on  the 
homestead. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  are  active  members  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  with  which  they  have  been 
connected  for  thirty-seven  years,  being  charter 
members  of  the  first  organization  in  Padua  Town- 
ship, in  1861.  Of  this  church  our  subject  is  one  of 
the  pillars,  and  has  been  an  Elder  for  many  years. 
He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  occupied  the 
offices  of  Road  Commissioner  and  Overseer  of  the 
Poor. 


AMUEL  H.  BROWN,  a  successful  farmer 
and  stock-raiser  of  Dry  Grove  Township, 
owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead  on  sec- 
tion 14.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1836,  and  an  interested  witness 
of  its  growth  and  development.  Our  subject  is 
the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Dollie  (Benedict)  Brown, 
who  were  both  natives  of  Vermont.  Nathaniel 
Brown  was  born  in  1784,  and  died  in  1843.  He 
served  in  the  War  of  1812,  holding  a  commission 
as  Captain,  and  was  also  Captain  in  the  Vermont 
State  Militia.  He  afterward  settled  down  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  Windsor,  Vt.,  where  he  spent 
about  forty  years,  and  in  1838  removed  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  where  his  death  occurred. 

The  birth  of  our  subject  took  place  on  the  12th 
of  August,  1815,  and  he  was  bereft  of  the  tender 
and  affectionate  care  of  his  mother  when  a  child 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTS. 


333 


six  years  of  age.  His  earlier  years  were  spent  on 
his  father's  farm  near  the  town  of  Rochester,  Vt., 
where  he  pursued  his  primary  studies  at  the  com- 
mon schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he 
came  West,  driving  a  team  to  Buffalo,  whence  he 
took  a  steamer  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  arriving  after  a 
trip  of  four  days,  and  walked  from  there  to  Chi- 
cago in  company  with  three  others.  After  two 
weeks  spent  in  Chicago,  our  subject  struck  out  for 
Peoria,  and  from  there  to  Clermont,  in  Tazewell 
County,  these  wanderings  taking  him  late  into  the 
fall  of  the  year.  He  remained  in  Tazewell  County 
six  years,  being  employed  most  of  the  time  as  a 
farm  laborer.  When  he  landed  in  Peoria  he  had 
but  $1.50  in  his  pocket.  At  the  close  of  his  first 
two  years  of  labor  he  found  himself  t,he  possessor 
of  1400,  but  the  third  year  he  met  with  misfortune 
in  the  loss  of  his  health,  and  spent  nearly  the  whole 
of  these  hard  earnings  for  medicine  arid  in  the  pay- 
ment of  doctors'  bills,  being  disabled  for  a  period 
of  ten  months.  As  soon  as  able  he  resumed  his 
former  occupation,  and  soon  afterward,  in  1843, 
entered  forty  acres  of  Government  laud  in  Dry 
Grove  Township,  McLean  County,  and  entered  in- 
dustriously upon  its  improvement  and  cultivation. 
He  then  became  interested  in  a  steam  sawmill, 
which  he  operated  for  two  years  and  sold  at  a  loss. 
In  1854  he  purchased  a  half-section  of  land  from 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  and  sold 
160  acres  of  it  at  a  profit  of  $100.  The  160  acres 
left  he  has  now  converted  into  a  valuable  farm, 
and  occupies  a  fine  dwelling,  in  the  rear  of  which 
is  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings  for 
the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock. 

The  marriage  of  Samuel  H.  Brown  and  Miss 
Fidelia  Munsell  took  place  June  22,  1840.  Mrs. 
Brown  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  remained  the 
companion  of  her  husband  only  five  short  years, 
dying  on  the  1st  of  April,  1845,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren— Sarah,  George  and  Angeliue.  On  the  25th 
of  December,  1850,  Mr.  Brown  married  for  his  sec- 
ond wife,  Miss  Mary  E.  Henry,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  six  children — Norman  E.,  Charles 
E.,  Fred  S.,  John  J.,  Lincoln  H.  and  Truman  E. 
Mrs.  Brown  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
March  23,  1828,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  par- 
ents when  a  child  four  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


Brown  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr.  Brown  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  twelve  years,  and  was  Assessor  three 
years  and  School  Trustee  eighteen  years.  Politi- 
cally, in  former  times,  he  affiliated  with  the  Whig 
party,  and  now  votes  with  the  Republicans. 

George  Brown,  the  eldest  son  of  our  subject, 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  in  the  94th 
Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at 
the  siege  of  Vicksbm-g  on  the  16th  of  June,  1863, 
but  lived  until  the  llth  of  November  following. 
Of  the  children  of  our  subject  there  are  now  only 
two  living — Fred  S.  and  Angeline.  Fred  S.  mar- 
ried Miss  Ella  Stevens,  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Kep- 
ner  by  her  first  husband.  They  carry  on  the  home 
farm.  Angeline  married  George  Brown. 


ffi  OSEPH  BAKER,  a  prominent  and  highly  re- 
spected resident  of  Funk's  Grove,  came  to 
the  Prairie  State  in  September,  1835,  accom- 
panied by  his  parents,  after  an  overland 
journey  from  Ohio  with  horses  and  wagons.  Mr. 
Baker  was  born  in  McConnellsville,  Morgan  County, 
that  State,  Feb.  21,  1834.  His  father,  Samuel  C. 
Baker,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  born 
in  AVashington  County,  in  1807.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Samuel  Baker,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  born  April  25,  1775,  and  removed  to 
Ohio  at  an  early  day,  being  among  the  pioneers  of 
that  State.  He  first  located  near  Marietta,  and  in 
company  with  other  settlers  made  his  home  in  a 
block  house  so  as  to  be  protected  from  the  Indians. 
After  removing  to  Illinois  he  settled  in  DeWitt 
County,  on  a  tract  of  wild  land,  from  which  he  im- 
proved a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable  home, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  21,  1852,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years, 
one  month  and  twenty-one  days.  The  grandmother 
died  Nov.  3,  1870,  aged  ninety-six  years  and  three 
days. 

Samuel  C.  Baker,  the  father  of  our  subject,  grew 
to  manhood  in  Ohio,  and  was  there  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Murphy,  a  native  of  Virginia.  He  learned 
the  cooper's  trade  in  early  life,  at  which  he  worked 


t 


[    •     334 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


a  part  of  the  time,  and  when  not  in  demand  at  that, 
chopped  wood,  and  was  employed  at  the  salt  works 
near  his  home.  In  September,  1835,  accompanied 
by  his  wife  and  two  children,  he  removed  from 
Ohio  to  Illinois,  purchasing  land  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Waynesville  Township,  DeWitt  County. 
There  were  two  log  cabins  on  the  laud  and  the 
family  took  up  their  abode  in  one  of  these,  which 
was  equipped  with  homemade  furniture.  Mr.  Baker 
kept  the  cabin  in  good  repair,  enlarged  it  as  was 
necessary,  and  occupied  it  with  his  family  until 
after  the  war,  when  he  erected  a  frame  house.  He 
was  prospered  in  his  agricultural  and  business  pur- 
suits, and  at  one  time  was  the  possessor  of  280  acres 
of  land.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  still  living,  and 
make  their  home  with  one  of  their  sons  near 
Waynesville.  Four  of  their  five  children  are  now 
living:  Rhoda  A.,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Robb,  lives 
in  Waynesville  Township,  DeWitt  Co.,  111. ;  Joseph, 
our  subject,  is  the  next  eldest;  William  died  in 
1839,  when  six  months  old;  Isaac  and  John  live 
near  Waynesville,  111. 

Joseph  Baker  was  the  eldest  son  of  his  parents, 
and  was  one  year  old  when  they  removed  to  Illi- 
nois. After  becoming  of  suitable  age  he  attended 
the  pioneer  school  at  Rock  Creek  Grove.  The 
school-house  was  built  of  logs  with  puncheon  floor 
and  seats;  the  chimney  was  built  outside,  of  dirt 
and  sticks,  and  light  was  let  into  the  structure 
through  panes  of  greased  paper.  His  education 
was  carried  on  mostly  during  the  winter  season  and 
in  the  summer  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  bought  four  yoke 
of  oxen  and  commenced  breaking  prairie.  This  he 
followed  four  seasons,  and  in  the  meantime  was  also 
occupied  in  assisting  to  grade  the  track  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad.  He  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  his  marriage,  and  afterward  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  school  land  in  Barnett  Township, 
DeWitt  County,  from  which  he  improved  a  farm 
and  lived  there  until  1860.  He  then  sold  out  and 
purchased  120  acres  on  section  11,  of  Funk's 
Grove  Township.  This  land  was  partly  fenced, 
and  upon  it  stood  a  small  frame  house  into  which 
he  removed  with  his  young  wife  and  lived  there 
until  1HC.».  He  then  sold  out  and  purchased 
the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  This 


contains  209  acres  all  in  one  body,  enclosed  with 
good  fences.  Mr.  Baker  has  also  put  up  a  good 
set  of  farm  buildings  and  keeps  every  tiling  in  good 
shape.  The  homestead  is  a  model  of  neatness  and 
taste. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Miss  Mar- 
garet Taylor,  and  they  were  married  on  the  25th 
of  September,  1856.  Mrs.  Baker  was  born  in 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  April  1,  1 836,  and  is  the  sister 
of  Mrs.  II.  Baker,  of  whom  a  sketch  is  given  in 
another  part  of  this  volume.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  ten  children.  The  record  is  as  follows: 
Rhoda  A.,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Rayner,and  Lctha  Ella,  Airs. 
Frank  Stout,  live  in  Funk's  Grove  Township; 
George  C.  married  Miss  Anna  Larison,and  lives  in 
Funk's  Grove.  The  remainder  are — John  W., 
Samuel,  Benjamin,  Hattie,  Arthur  and  Joseph 
Howard. 

Mrs.  Baker  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  B.,  formerly  a  Whig,  now  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  filled  vari- 
ous offices  of  trust  in  his  township  and  held  the  of- 
fice of  School  Director  many  years.  He  has  al- 
ways taken  an  interest  in  educational  matters  and 
in  every  enterprise  which  has  had  for  its  object  the 
welfare  of  his  county  and  community.  He  was 
Township  Collector  two  years  and  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  same  length  of  time. 
Besides  the  home  farm  he  owns  200  acres  on  section 
34  of  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  devotes  his  at- 
tention principally  to  the  raising  of  grain  and 
graded  stock. 


ffiAMES  McTWIGGAN,  Superintendent  of 
the  Bloomington  Electric  Light  Company, 
in  which  he  is  a  stockholder,  is'  a  gentleman 
well  fitted  for  the  responsibilities  which  de- 
volve upon  him  in  this  capacity,  having  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  requirements  of  his  position.  He 
is  well  posted  on  all  matters  connected  with  the 
electric  system,  having  been  associated  with  some  of 
the  best  works  in  this  and  other  States.  He  has 
had  the  supervision  of  the  plant  in  this  city  since 
the  works  were  started,  and  is  probably  the  most 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


335 


competent  man  in  the  city  for  the  office  which  he 
occupies. 

Mr.  McTwiggan  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was 
born  in  August,  1847.  His  parents  emigrated  to 
America,  and  after  arriving  at  suitable  years  James 
returned  to  his  native  country,  where  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  millwright  and  pattern-maker.  After  re- 
turning to  the  United  States  he  spent  some  time  in 
the  city  of  Boston,  among  the  leading  firms,  repre- 
senting his  trade,  and  in  connection  with  this  ac- 
quired a  good  knowledge  of  the  electric  light  sys- 
tem. In  1884  he  came  to  this  county  and  began 
the  construction  of  the  Bloomington  Electric  Light 
Works.  After  getting  everything  in  running  order 
they  started  by  furnishing  100  lights,  and  continued 
until  they  had  240,  of  which  211  were  exclusively 
for  the  lighting  of  the  city.  The  works  now  have 
a  capacity  of  300  lights.  They  are  put  up  in  the 
best  style  and  equipped  with  the  latest  improve- 
ments. 

Mr.  McTwiggan  became  interested  in  the  elec- 
tric light  system  when  it  was  first  brought  to  the  no- 
tice of  the  public,  in  1877,  and  since  that  time  has 
given  it  his  close  attention.  The  result  of  this  has 
been  that  he  has  become  an  expert  in  all  its  depart- 
ments, and  possesses  the  best  of  judgment  in  his 
capacity  as  Superintendent. 


eOX  BROS.,  dealers  in  general  merchandise 
at  Hudson.  Harry  W.  and  Herbert  M.  Cox 
are  twin  brothers  and  youngest  sons  of 
James  H.  and  Mary  A.  (Chadbourne)  Cox,  and 
were  born  in  Bloomington,  July  17,  1861.  After 
receiving  such  instruction  as  is  afforded  by  the 
•  common  schools  they  attended  the  High  School  de- 
partment of  the  Illinois  State  Normal  University 
three  years.  Their  father  being  engaged  in  gen- 
eral mercantile  business,  they  grew  to  manhood  ac- 
customed to  and  experienced  in  the  same  in  connec- 
tion with  completing  their  school  studies.  In  1881 
they  became  associated  as  partners  with  their 
father,  and  carried  on  the  business  under  the  firm 
style  of  J.  H.  Cox  <fe  Sons  until  Jan.  1,  1884,  when 
they  became  sole  proprietors,  and  are  now  conduct- 
ing an  extensive  trade  successfully  and  profitably. 


The  "Cox  boys"  are  upright  young  men,  of  ex- 
cellent character  and  habits,  and  enjoy  the  confi- 
dence of  the  people  among  whom  they  have  lived 
their  entire  lives.  In  politics  they  are  Republicans, 
the  friends  of  law  and  good  order,  and  are  rapidly 
becoming  important  factors  in  the  business  inter- 
ests of  this  section.  Harry  W.  a  is  member  of  Cus- 
ter  Division,  No.  22,  Uniformed  Rank,  Knights  of 
Pythias;  Herbert  M.  is  a  member  of  Company  G, 
4th  Regiment  I.  N.  G.  The  latter  was  married  on 
the  1st  of  October,  1885,  to  Miss  Downey,  the 
daughter  of  William  H.  and  Laura  W.  Downey,  of 
Atlanta,  Logan  County,  where  she  was  born.  They 
have  one  daughter — Edith  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 


<fil  OHN  J.  MITCHELL,  a  highly  respected  and 
successful  farmer  of  Dale  Township,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  23,  where  he  is 
carrying  on  general  agriculture  after  the 
most  approved  methods.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  native 
of  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  and  was  born  on  the 
28th  of  October,  1832.  While  still  a  youth  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  they  lived 
until  about  1838,  and  then  proceeded  still  further 
westward,  to  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  stopping  in 
Paris,  Edgar  County,  and  from  there  moved  to 
McLean  County.  (See  sketch  of  Isaac  P.  Mitch- 
ell.) Soon  after  arriving  in  this  State  the  subject 
of  our  sketch  began  to  assist  his  father  in  the  labors 
of  the  farm,  driving  a  breaking  team  of  four  yoke 
of  oxen,  and  being  otherwise  employed  as  circum- 
stances demanded.  In  the  meantime  he  also  at- 
tended the  pioneer  school  of  Bloomington,  then  an 
humble  hamlet  of  a  few  houses,  pursuing  his  educa- 
tion mostly  in  the  winter  season.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  after  his  marriage,  and  with 
his  brother  Andrew  managed  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  Mitchell  settled  upon  the  place  which  he 
now  owns  and  occupies  in  1880.  It  is  comprised 
of  225  acres,  being  partly  located  on  sections  22 
and  23.  His  land  is  all  enclosed,  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation,  and  is  supplied  with  a  substantial  set 
of  frame  buildings,  which  Mr.  Mitchell  erected  after 
taking  possession  of  the  property.  In  addition  to 


1 

-  >     336 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  ordinary  pursuits  of  agriculture  he  is  giving 
considerable  attention  to  stock-raising,  and  has  a 
herd  of  grade  cattle. 

The  marriage  of  John  J.  Mitchell  and  Miss  Char- 
lotte English  was  celebrated  in  Clinton,  DeWitt 
Co.,  111.,  on  the  12th  of  February,  1861.  Mrs.  M. 
is  a  native  of  Erie  County,  Pa.,  and  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Eliza  (Harris)  English,  the  date  of  her 
birth  being  Feb.  1,  1843.  The  family  circle  of  our 
subject  and  his  wife  has  been  completed  by  the 
birth  of  nine  children,  all  living,  and  named  as  fol- 
lows: Isaac  P.,  Mary  E.,  John  D.,  Jeanette  S., 
Jessie  C.,  Robert  A.,  Elisha  M.,  Edna  J.  and  Nel- 
lie D.  Isaac  married  Miss  Nettie  Rogers,  and  lives 
at  Covell,  this  county  ;  Mary  E.  became  the  wife 
of  Frank  Fonger,  and  lives  in  Hand  County,  Dak. 
Mrs.  Mitchell  is  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  M.  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 

The  comfortable  home  of  Mr.  Mitchell  exhibits 
the  evidences  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample 
means;  his  children  are  being  carefully  trained 
and  educated,  and  as  successful,  energetic  and 
valued  citizens  he  and  his  family  are  held  in  the 
highest  respect  by  their  community. 


fNTONE  MEYER,  deceased,  a  late  member 
of  the  brewery  firm  of  Meyer  &  Wochner, 
was  a  native  of  Baden,  Germany,  and  born 
on  the  River  Rhine,  in  April.  1832.  He 
was  educated  in  his  native  country,  and  when  six- 
teen years  of  age  sailed  for  America,  landing  at 
New  York  City.  There  he  learned  the  brewing 
business,  and  then  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  af- 
terward to  Muscatine,  Iowa,  and  thence  to  Spring- 
field, 111.,  remaining  in  the  latter  city  two  years. 
In  July,  1862,  he  came  to  Bloomington  and  pur- 
chased a  small  brewery  on  the  site  of  where  the 
present  large  one  is  now  located.  He  formed  a 
partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  Francis  X. 
Wochner,  which  continued  until  the  death  of  our 
subject,  in  April,  1883.  They  were  prospered  in 
their  undertaking,  and  in  due  time  erected  a  large 
building  where  they  operated  an  extensive  and 
profitable  business. 


Mr.  Meyer  was  married  in  1862,  to  Miss  Sophia 
M.  Wochner,  second  daughter  of  Francis  X.  and 
Elizabeth  (Maurer)  Wochner.  She  was  born  in 
Sangamon  County,  111.,  and  by  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  became  the  mother  of  six  children  — 
Henry,  Sophia,  Antone,  William,  Edward  and  Os- 
car Joseph.  Mrs.  Meyer  and  all  her  children  are 
members  of  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church.  Since  the 
death  of  the  husband  and  father,  there  has  been  no 
change  in  the  name  of  the  firm,  the  widow  repre- 
senting her  husband  in  the  business  in  a  creditable 
and  efficient  manner. 


R.  GEORGE  W.  MASON,  a  leading  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  of  Bloomington,  has 
been  a  resident  of  the  city  since  the  spring 
of  1880,  and  has  built  up  an  extensive  and 
lucrative  practice.  Dr.  Mason  was  born  in  Polo, 
Ogle  Co.,  111.,  Aug.  8.  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Al- 
len C.  and  Nancy  A.  (Wilcoxson)  Mason,  natives 
respectively  of  Rhode  Island  and  Portsmouth, 
Ohio. 

Allen  C.  Mason  left  his  native  State  in  child- 
hood and  removed  with  his  parents  to  Cayuga 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  located  upon  a  farm, 
and  he  was  there  reared  to  manhood  and  received 
a  practical  education.  In  1834  he  set  his  face 
westward,  and  coming  into  Ogle  County,  111.,  en- 
tered a  tract  of  land,  and  also  engaged  in  carpen- 
ter work.  On  the  21st  of  August,  1849,  he  was 
married  to  the  mother  of  our  subject,  and  they  lo- 
cated at  Polo,  Ogle  County,  until  1865,  when  Mr. 
Mason  removed  to  Normal,  where  he  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  his  decease  occurring  April  17,  1870.  He  was 
a  prominent  man  in  the  community,  a  member  of 
the  first  official  board  at  the  organization  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Normal,  and  Super- 
intendent of  the  Sabbath-school  for  a  number  of 
years.  Politically  he  was  a  strong  Republican, 
greatly  interested  in  educational  matters,  his  chief 
reason  for  removing  to  Normal  being  that  it  af- 
forded better  facilities  for  the  education  of  his  chil- 
dren. He  was  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
A.  F.  it  A.  M.,  and  highly  respected  by  all  who 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


337 


i, 


knew  him.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and  a  resi- 
dent of  Normal.  Of  the  four  children  which  com- 
pleted their  household  circle,  three  are  now  living: 
Dr.  George  W.,  our  subject;  Lettie  A.,  Mrs.  Dr. 
William  E.  Quine,  of  Chicago,  and  Allen  C.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Tacoma,  W.  T.,  the  latter  being  engaged 
as  an  attorney,  and  in  the  real-estate  business,  and 
until  recently  was  editor  of  the  Tacoma  Neivs. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  commenced  attend- 
ing school  when  four  and  one-half  years  old,  which 
he  continued  in  the  winter  seasons  until  fourteen. 
He  was  a  bright  and  studious  boy,  and  at  this 
early  age  entered  the  model  department  of  the 
State  Normal  University.  At  the  end  of  two  years 
he  went  into  the  Normal  Department  of  the  same 
institution,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1869.  The 
course  of  study  and  training  in  this  department 
admirably  fitted  him  for  the  profession  of  a  teacher, 
and  he  was  chosen  as  Principal  of  the  High  School 
of  Paris,  Edgar  County,  where,  however,  he  re- 
mained but  a  short  time,  leaving  this  to  take  a 
similar  position  in  the  High  School  at  Charleston, 
Coles  County.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  here 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Kramer  School  at 
Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  after  a  year  in  the  South 
went  to  Pekin,  Tazewell  County,  and  graduated  in 
the  first  class  from  that  institution  in  1873.  He 
then  went  to  Hannibal,  Marion  Co.,  Mo.,  and  con- 
ducted the  High  School  there  for  three  years.  In 
the  meantime  he  was  married  to  Miss  S.  Jennie 
Rudd,  of  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  the  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Mary  Rudd,  residents  of  that  State. 

Dr.  Mason  and  his  young  wife  located  at  Little 
Rock  in  the  fall  of  1876,  and  our  subject  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  James  A. 
Dibrell,  Jr.,  being  at  the  same  time  engaged  as 
Principal  of  schools.  Dr.  Mason,  after  a  thorough 
course  of  study  in  the  Medical  College  at  Chicago, 
graduated  with  high  honors  in  1880,  and  delivered 
the  Valedictory  address.  He  served  a  term  as 
Interne  of  Mercy  Hospital.  The  following  spring 
he  came  to  Bloomington,and  entered  actively  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed continuously  since  that  time.  lie  was  the 
first  President  of  the  Bloomington  Microscopical 
Society,  and  is  a  Staff  Surgeon  and  Secretary  of 
St.  Joseph's  Hospital. 


Dr.  Mason  has  won  for  himself  a  high  position  in 
the  profession  here,  and  belongs  to  the  American 
Medical  Association,  the  Illinois  State,  the  Central 
Illinois  and  the  McLean  County  Medical  Societies, 
and  the  Physicians'  Club  of  Bloomington.  He  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  socially  is  identified 
with  the  Masonic  Lodge,  Wade  Barney  No.  512, 
also  Remembrance  Lodge  No.  77,  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  is  Past  Regent  of  E.  O.  Haven  Council  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  is  Past  Grand  of  the  Odd 
Fellows.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.,  of  Bloomington,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  First  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  became  the  parents  of  two 
children,  of  whom  only  one  is  •  living — Mary  C. 
Their  residence  is  located  at  No.  201  North  Main 
street,  the  Doctor  having  his  office  at  his  residence. 
He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  education,  aside  from  his 
proficiency  in  his  profession,  and  numbers  among 
his  friends  and  associates  the  most  cultured  people 
of  the  city.  He  is  an  extensive  reader,  a  close 
student,  and  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  lead- 
ing lights  of  the  profession  in  the  Prairie  State. 


;ILLIAM  T.  M.  MILLER,  a  farmer,  and  at 
present  making  his  home  in  Bloomington, 
was  born  in  Christian  County,  Ky.,  Aug. 
17,  1831.  His  parents  were  James  and  Isabella 
(Moore)  Miller,  natives  of  Rockingham  and  Rock- 
bridge  Counties,  Va.,  who  became  residents  of 
Kentucky  in  1808.  In  the  spring  of  1835  they 
removed  to  McLean  County,  111.,  settling  in  Bloom- 
ington, where  James  Miller  engaged  in  both  mer- 
chandising and  farming,  also  having  a  branch  store 
in  DeWitt  County.  He  became  prominent  in  pub- 
lic matters  and  was  State  Treasurer  from  1856  to 
1858.  The  latter  3'ear  he  was  elected  to  the  same 
position,  but  was  obliged  to  resign  soon  afterward 
on  account  of  failing  health.  He  donated  the  lot 
and  contributed  much  of  the  money  to  build  the 
first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Bloomington, 
in  about  1837.  He  was  Class-Leader  and  Steward 
for  many  years,  and  indeed,  one  of  the  pillars  of 
the  church  until  his  decease.  He  withdrew  from 


338 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


active  business  in  1854,  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  society  of  his 
friends  and  in  doing  good  as  he  had  opportunity. 
Of  the  five  children  born  to  James  and  Isabella 
Miller,  only  three  are  living — Robert  A.,  William 
T.  M.  and  James  E.  The  father  departed  this  life 
Sept.  23,  1872,  and  the  mother  Dec.  29,  1885. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  and  commenced 
dealing  in  real  estate  in  1852.  He  was  thus  occu- 
pied a  number  of  years  in  Bloomington,  when  he 
purchased  400  acres  of  land  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, and  although  he  never  lived  there,  was  busily 
occupied  in  its  care  and  cultivation.  In  1857,  in 
company  with  Col.  Hogg,  he  purchased  fourteen 
acres  within  the  city  limits  and  laid  out  his  portion 
in  lots,  which  he  disposed  of  at  a  fair  price  and 
which  enabled  many  a  mechanic  with  humble 
means  to  secure  a  good  home.  He  built  his  present 
home  in  1867,  and  in  1868  engaged  in  partnership 
with  George  D.  McElhiney  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness, which  relationship  continued  until  the  death 
of  bis  partner  in  1871,  when  the  business  was  con- 
ducted by  himself  until  1878.  He  is  the  owner  of 
valuable  city  property  aside  from  his  home  resi- 
dence. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  in  1856,  to  Miss  Belle 
Lee,  the  daughter  of  Robert  McCart,  of  Kentucky, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  all 
living — Ida  B.,  Cleon,  Juliet,  Marcus  A.,  Wave, 
Estella,  Homer,  Maude  and  Lola.  Mr.  Miller  is  an 
independent  Democrat  and  one  of  the  solid  and 
substantial  men  of  McLean  County.  He  was  Assist- 
ant Supervisor  of  Bloomington  Township  from 
1878  to  1884,  and  in  other  respects  has  been 
identified  with  its  growth  and  prosperity. 


v  R.  F.  H.  McINTOSH,  D.  D.  S.,  a  highly 
esteemed  member  of  the  dental  profession 
in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  has  a  finely 
appointed  office,  located  on  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Jefferson  streets,  and  has  built  up  a  prof- 
itable and  lucrative  business.  Our  subject  is  a 
native  of  Bureau  County,  111.,  and  was  born  on  the 
12th  of  March,  1856.  His  parents  were  John  C. 


and  Lydia  A.  (Hoyt)  Mclntosh,  both  natives  of  New 
York  State,  and  his  father  was  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits  and  railroading.  They  settled  in  Bureau 
County  in  1849,  where  the  father  died  in  1881,  and 
where  the  mother  still  resides.  Of  their  family  of 
eight  children,  four  only  are  living:  Albert  E.  mar- 
ried Miss  Annie  Gettings,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
near  Lamoille,  111. ;  George  married  Miss  Lucy  R. 
Randall,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Dover, 
111.;  Fred  H.  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch;  Marga- 
ret B.  resides  in  Bureau  County,  111.  John  C. 
Mclntosh  was  essentially  a  self-made  man  and  pos- 
sessed of  considerable  ability.  He  obtained  a  fail- 
education  through  his  own  persistent  efforts,  and 
was  beloved  and  respected  bj7  all  for  his  genial 
sympathies  and  his  liberal  and  hospitable  traits  of 
character.  The  poor  and  needy  always  found  in 
him  a  friend  ready  to  aid.  Both  parents  were 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational 
Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  passed  his  youthful 
summers  in  the  manner  common  to  most  farmers' 
boys,  and  attended  school  during  the  winter  seasons 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  old.  He  then  assumed 
the  duties  of  a  teacher,  his  first  school  being  near 
Arlington,  in  Bureau  County.  After  one  year 
thus  employed  he  engaged  with  the  I.  M.  B.  So- 
ciety of  Princeton  as  Assessment  Clerk,  which 
position  he  occupied  for  two  years,  and  then  com- 
menced the  study  of  dentistry  under  the  instruction 
of  Dr.  G.  T.  Smith,  of  Princeton.  Four  years 
later  he  completed  his  course  of  study  in  the  Phila- 
delphia Dental  College,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  the  class  of  1881.  He  then  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  A^ill  X. 
Sudduth.  After  a  few  months  Dr.  S.  left  to  finish 
his  studies,  and  our  subject,  purchasing  his  interest 
in  the  business,  has  since  that  time  practiced  alone. 
It  is  safe  to  say  that  he  ranks  among  the  best  dental 
surgeons  in  the  State,  as  his  large  practice  fully  in- 
dicates. 

Dr.  Mclntosh  is  a  valued  member  of  the  pro- 
fession, being  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  and 
the  Central  Illinois  Dental  Societies.  Notwith- 
standing the  arduous  duties  of  a  pressing  business 
he  has  found  time  to  identify  himself  with  the 
social  amenities  of  life  where  he  believed  he  would 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


341 


I 


- 


be  the  means  of  doing  good.  He  is  now  PresidenJ; 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  is  .Superintendent  of  the  First 
Congregational  Sabbath-school,  also  Treasurer  of  the 
church,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 
Socially  Dr.  Mclntosh  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  and  in  politics  casts  his  vote  in  support 
of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  He  has 
recently  invested  in  real  estate  in  the  city  by  pur- 
chasing a  house  and  lot  at  No.  408  East  North 
street.  Whether  this  is  indicative  of  any  further 
interesting  event,  remains  to  be  seen. 


f  OHN  STUBBLEFIELD,  son  of  the  late  lam- 
ented Robert  Stubblefleld,  one  of  the  best 
known  men  of  McLean  County,  was  born 
in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  June  4,  1820,  and 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  when  four  and 
one-half  years  old.  Robert  Stubblefleld  was  born 
in  Halifax  County,  Va.,  and  was  the  son  of  Edward 
Stubblefield,  Sr.,  who  was  the  son  of  John  Stubble- 
fleld. The  latter,  with  two  brothers,  Edward  and 
William,  came  from  England.  Edward  Stubble- 
fleld, Sr.,  married  Miss  Mary  (Lightfoot)  Munford, 
daughter  of  William  Green  and  Ann  (Stanhope) 
Mum'ord.  She  was  of  English  birth  and  ancestry, 
and  acted  as  a  private  secretary  to  her  father  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War,  in  which  Mr.  Munford 
served  as  Colonel.  He  not  only  devoted  his  per- 
sonal energies,  but  loaned  the  Government  a  large 
amount  of  money  to  assist  it  in  freeing  his  adopted 
country  from  the  British  yoke.  An  extended 
history  of  Robert  Stubblefield,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
John  Stubblefield  was  reared  to  manhood  in 
McLean  County,  and  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  1842.  His  father  then  gave  him  the 
use  of  twenty  acres  of  land,  and  he  rented  a  log 
cabin  of  Isaac  Funk,  and  in  it  commenced  house- 
keeping with  his  young  wife.  He  had  already  en- 
tered forty  acres  on  section  5,  of  what  is  now 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  during  the  latter  part 
of  the  time  he  lived  with  his  father,  had  made 
some  improvements  on  his  own  land.  He  subse- 
quently erected  a  frame  house  16x18  feet,  into 


which  he  moved  his  family  in  December,  1846.  He 
was  prospered  in  his  labors,  and  from  a  compara- 
tively modest  beginning  is  now  the  owner  of  2,000 
acres  of  land  in  McLean  County. 

The  marriage  of  John  Stubblefield  and  Miss  Elli- 
saunah  Houser  took  place  in  December,  1842. 
Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ind.,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Dillman) 
Houser.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  were 
born  the  following  children :  Sarah  E.,  Mrs.  Ray- 
burn,  lives  in  Funk's  Grove;  David  R.,  in  Dale 
Township;  George  W.,  in  Bloom ington ;  Phineas, 
in  Funk's  Grove  Township;  Mary  Frances,  Mrs. 
Crum,  lives  in  Cass  County ;  Henry  B.,  in  Dale 
Township;  Simon  Peter,  at  Funk's  Grove,  and  John 
W.,  at  home.  The  family  homestead  is  one  of  the 
finest  in  McLean  County,  and  Mr.  Stubblefield, 
with  his  household,  is  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  this  section  of  the  State.  He  has  held 
the  various  offices  of  trust  in  his  township,  and  has 
always  taken  great  interest  in  educational  and  relig- 
ious matters.  He  was  Trustee  for  several  years, 
and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  8.  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  with  which  our  subject  has  been 
connected  for  nearly  fifty  years.  He  has  been 
among  its  most  liberal  supporters  and  held  its  most 
important  offices.  He  ranks  among  the  best  men 
of  an  old  and  honorable  race,  and  will  be  remem- 
bered by  the  citizens  of  this  locality  long  years 
after  he  shall  have  been  gathered  to  his  fathers. 

David  R.  Stubblefield,  the  eldest  son  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  in  the  pioneer  log  cabin  of  his  par- 
ents in  Funk's  Grove  on  the  13th  of  April,  1846. 
.He  first  attended  school  a  distance  of  three  miles 
from  his  home,  and  pursued  his  studies  in  winter 
until  seventeen  years  of  age.  His  summers  were 
mostly  employed  in  herding  his  father's  cattle  on 
the  prairies,  which  are  now  occupied  by  beautiful 
homesteads  and  all  the  indications  of  prosperity 
and  thrift.  In  those  early  days  wolves  and  deer 
were  abundant,  but  David,  imbued  with  the 
courage  of  his  forefathers,  felt  little  fear  of  any 
living  creature,  and  he  pursued  the  even  tenor  of 
his  way  until  called  to  other  duties.  In  politics 
Mr.  S.  is  Republican ;  prior  to  the  formation  of  the 
Republican  he  affiliated  with  the  Whig  party. 


I 


342 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Among  those  represented  in  the  portrait  depart- 
ment of  this  volume,  none  are  more  worthy  than 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Stubblefield. 


\ 


J~~  ACOB  MAURER,  a  prosperous  and  intelli- 
gent German  farmer  of  Montgomery  Town- 
ship, Woodford  Co.,  111.,  owns  and  oc- 
'  cnpies  a  good  homestead  on  section  26, 
where  his  industry  and  energy  have  caused  him  to 
become  successful  in  his  business  transactions  and 
established  him  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his 
fellow-citizens.  Mr.  Maurer  was  born  in  the  little 
Kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  Nov.  1,  1834. 
He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Magdalena  (Schwart- 
zentruber)  Maurer,  natives  of  Germany,  the  father 
born  in  1795,  and  the  mother  in  1800.  Samuel 
Maurer  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  emigrated 
from  his  native  country  with  his  family  in  1860. 
They  landed  in  New  York  City,  and  immediately 
came  westward  to  the  Prairie  State  and  to  McLean 
County.  Here  Mr.  M.  purchased  eighty-five  acres 
of  land  and  erected  a  small  dwelling,  which  he  oc- 
cupied with  his  family  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1863.  The  wife  and  mother  departed 
this  life  Nov.  3,  1884.  Their  eight  children  were, 
Phebe,  the  wife  of  Frederick  Heidenfelter;  Chris- 
tian; Peter;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Eckhart  Wendrath; 
Jacob  of  our  sketch;  John,  who  married  Mrs.  Bar- 
bara Imhoff  ;  Daniel,  who  married  Miss  Helen  Otto, 
and  Catharine,  who  became  the  wife  of  Earnest 
Linneman. 

Jacob  Maurer  preceded  his  parents  to  this  conn- 
try  five  years,  his  arrival  being  in  1855.  H*e  first 
located  in  Pennsylvania  and  engaged  as  a  farm  la- 
borer by  the  month  for  two  years  following.  He 
then  went  into  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
similarly  occupied,  and  thence  journeyed  westward 
to  this  county,  where  he  first  located  in  Dry  Grove 
Township,  and  worked  by  the  month.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1859,  to  Miss  Catharine  Maurer,  and  in  1872 
purchased  160  acres  in  Woodford  County,  which 
constitutes  his  present  homestead.  The  wife  of 
our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Mary 
Maurer,  natives  of  France,  the  former  being  born 
March  24,  1787,  and  the  latter,  Dec.  3,  1795.  They 


.were  married  in  France  in  1825,  and  in  1830  came 
to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Butler  County, 
Ohio.  They  remained  there  eight  years,  and  thence 
removed  to  Woodford  County,  111.,  where  Mr.  M. 
purchased  160  acres  of  land  and  where  both  parents 
resided  until  his  death.  Their  nine  children  were, 
Joseph,  Barbara,  Mary,  Anna,  Magdalena,  Peter, 
Christian,  John  and  Catharine. 

Jacob  Maurer  and  his  wife  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  nine  children — Magdalena  E.,  Daniel  E., 
Mary  I.,  Emiel  J.,  Erwin  J.,  Feodor  W.,  Emma  C., 
Elma  A.  and  Etta  D.  Our  subject  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  worthy 
and  valued  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 


ILAS  IIUBBARD,  M.  D.,  a  skillful  and 
popular  physician  of  Hudson,  this  county, 
has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State 
since  1855,  at  which  time  he  located  in 
McLean  County,  and  during  a  period  of  over 
thirty  years  has  been  widely  and  favorably  known 
as  a  conscientious  practitioner  and  a  good  citizen. 
Dr.  Hubbard  was  born  near  Maysville,  Chautauqua 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  on  the  9th  of  May,  1821.  His  parents 
were  Solomon  and  Hannah  (Willard)  Hubbard, 
also  natives  of  the  Empire  State.  His  earlier  days 
were  passed  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years 
the  family  removed  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Here,  eight 
years  later,  our  subject  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  1842, 
graduated  from  Casselton  Medical  College  of  Ver- 
mont. He  commenced  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession  at  Buffalo,  continuing  there  until  1855, 
and  then  came  to  Illinois.  For  three  years  he  was 
located  atBloomington,  whence  he  came  to  Hudson, 
and  is  now  the  oldest  physician  in  this  place.  He  has 
been  a  close  student,  an  extensive  reader,  and  a  valu- 
able contributor  to  the  prominent  medical  journals. 
Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party, 
but  finds  little  time  in  an  extensive  practice  to  de- 
vote to  political  matters.  Religiously  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  Baptist  Church  for  a  period  of 
thirty-two  years,  working  actively  in  its  mainten- 
ance and  support  and  to  advance  generally  the 
cause  of  religion. 

Dr.  Silas  Hubbard  was  united  in   marriage  with 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


343 


Miss  Julia  Frances  Read  in  New  York  City,  in 
1849.  Mrs.  II.  is  the  daughter  of  William  and 
May  (Hoye)  Read,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  the 
District  of  Columbia,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject has  become  the  mother  of  five  children,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Hannah  Frances, 
the  wife  of  John  D.  Lai-kin,  resides  in  Buffalo,  N. 
Y. ;  Albert  G.  is  also  a  resident  of  that  city;  Daisy 
M.,  Mrs.  Alvin  W.  Carlock,  lives  in  Hudson,  this 
county ;  Mary  E.  and  Honor  A.  are  at  home.  The 
family  are  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout 
this  section  and  are  valued  as  among  the  most 
intelligent  and  useful  members  of  the  community. 


if 


i 


^f/UDGE  J.  E.  McCLUN,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  Bloomington,  now  living  in 
peace  and  comfort,  retired  from  the  active 
duties  of  life,  is  a  native  of  Frederick 
County,  Va.,  where  he  was' born  in  1812.  He  is  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bailey)  McClun, 
who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  moved 
when  children  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley  with  their 
parents.  The  ancestral  McGinns  came  from  the 
North  of  Ireland,  and  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 
The  first  members  of  the  family  in  this  country  set- 
tled in  Pennsylvania  at  an  early  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  that  State,  and  located  in  Lancaster  and 
Chester  Counties.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Thomas  McClun,  was  there  born,  and  reared  a 
Quaker,  and  became  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
that  locality.  He  moved  to  the  Shenandoah  Val- 
ley in  about  1770,  settled  upon  a  farm,  and  reared 
his  family  in  those  principles  by  which  his  fore- 
fathers had  distinguished  themselves. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Judge  McClun,  Will- 
iam Bailey,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  died 
in  the  service  of  the  colonies.  He  was  of  English 
ancestry  and  parentage,  and  one  of  the  early  pio- 
neers of  Chester  County,  Pa.  Thomas  McClun, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  parent  of  seven 
sons,  of  whom  the  Judge  was  the  youngest  born. 
Thomas  McClun  died  at  the  old  homestead  in  Vir- 
ginia, in  1820.  The  mother  survived  her  husband 
for  a  period  of.  twenty-three  years,  spending  her 
last  days  with  her  sou,  in  Bloomington,  her  death 


occurring  on  the  1st  of  June,  1843.  She  was  reared 
an  Episcopalian,  but  in  the  latter  years  of  her  life 
was  identified  with  the  Methodist  Church. 

Judge  McClun,  of  our  sketch,  distinctly  remem- 
bers many  of  the  incidents  connected  with  his 
childhood,  and  other  matters  whicli  he  noticed 
with  the  interest  of  a  bright  and  intelligent  boy, 
among  which  was  the  election  of  John  Quincy 
Adams,  in  1824,  and  the  contest  which  occurred 
between  Adams  and  Jackson.  -He  witnessed  the 
inauguration  of  Gen.  Jackson,  who  received  the 
oath  of  office  from  John  Marshall,  and  he  well  re- 
members hearing  a  sermon  by  old  Bishop  Asbury, 
who  preached  at  a  camp-meeting  near  his  mother's 
house  when  our  subject  was  only  three  and  one- 
half  years  old.  His  education  was  begun  in  the  old 
cabin  school-house,  nearly  two  miles  from  his 
home,  with  puncheon  floor  and  slabs  for  seats  and 
desks,  and  where  he  taught  school  when  he  became  a 
young  man,  for  a  period  of  three  years.  He  had 
forty  pupils  under  his  charge,  who  ranged  all  the 
way  from  six  to  twenty-two  years  old. 

Some  two  years  after  he  had  attained  his  major- 
ity young  McClun  removed  from  his  native  State 
to  Springfield,  111.,  whence  he  came  to  McLean 
County,  in  1836,  and  located  in  Bloomington.  He 
was  greatly  impressed  by  the  scenes  then  surround- 
ing the  spot,  the  deer  roaming  over  the  prairie,  the 
howling  of  wolves  at  night,  and  the  abundance  of 
all  kinds  of  wild  game,  with  thousands  of  prairie 
chickens  flying  over  and  amidst  the  tall  grass.  At 
Springfield  he  became  acquainted  with  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  also  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  who  was  just 
commencing  the  practice  of  law  at  Jacksonville,  111. 
Mr.  McClun,  during  his  first  years  in  Bloomington, 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  also  estab- 
lished a  stage-line,  running  from  Danville  to  Peo- 
ria.  He  was  energetic  and  industrious,  and  at  an 
early  daj-  gave  indications  of  his  ability  to  become 
a  leader  in  his  community.  After  filling  various 
minor  positions,  in  1849  he  was  elected  Judge  of 
the  Probate  Court,  and  afterward  a  representative 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  Illinois.  These  posi- 
tions he  held  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 
faction to  his  constituents.  Afterward,  in  con- 
nection with  a  few  other  gentlemen,  he  established 
the  Home  Bank,  which  for  many  years  transacted 


N.     344 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


an  extensive  business,  and  has  lieen  largely  identi- 
fied with  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  city. 

The  marriage  of  Judge  McClun  and  Miss  Han- 
nah Harkness  took  place  on  the  31st  of  January, 
1839.  The  wife  of  our  subject  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  the  daughter  of  .Samuel  and  Esther  (Evans) 
Harkness,  of  Rhode  Island.  Of  this  marriage  there 
were  born  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy ;  the  others  are  Elisha  II.,  a  real-estate  agent 
of  Englewood,  111. ;  Isaac  B.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty-one  years;  Edward  is  connected  with  the 
Board  of  Public  Works  of  Chicago;  Robert,  who 
is  a  miller,  and  lives  in  Chicago;  Esther  E.,  Mrs. 
Martin,  who  lives  in  Bloomington.  The  Judge  and 
his  amiable  and  excellent  lady  are  prominent  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  having 
been  connected  with  this  denomination  for  sixty 
years.  They  occupy  a  handsome  residence  at  No. 
405  "West  Jefferson  street,  and  enjoy  the  society 
and  friendship  of  the  most  cultivated  people  in  the 
city. 

Judge  McClun  has  been  one  of  the  moving  spir- 
its in  developing  the  resources  of  this  section,  and 
to  him  the  city  of  Bloomington  is  greatly  indebted 
for  her  standing  and  position  among  other  promi- 
nent cities  of  the  Prairie  State.  The  wife  of  our 
subject  is  noted  for  her  refinement  and  kindness  of 
heart,  and  the  entire  family  are  widely  and  favora- 
bly known  for  their  high  character  and  personal 
worth.  In  politics  Judge, McClun  is  a  Prohibition- 
ist, and  is  praying  for  the  extermination  of  the  liq- 
uor traffic. 


t 


II.  WILLIAM  MuKNIGHT,  one  of  the 
honored  pioneers  of  Illinois,  has  been  a 
practicing  physician  of  the  State  for  many 
years  and  a  resident  of  Normal  since 
March,  1883.  He  has  been  a  close  student,  an  ex- 
tensive reader,  and  has  enjoyed  a  large  and  lucra- 
tive practive  in  other  portions  of  the  State.  Here, 
the  longer  he  is  known  the  more  he  is  respected  as 
a  skilled  and  reliable  practitioner,  and  as  a  citizen 
is  one  of  the  most  valued  members  of  the  commu- 
nity. Dr.  McKnight  was  born  in  Allegheny  County, 
Pa.,  May  20,  1823,  his  parents  being  Jacob  and  Isa- 
bella (McNeil)  McKnight,  also  natives  of  the  Key- 


stone  State.  In  about  1826  the  family  removed 
to  ( ;  iiernsey  County,  Ohio,  where  they  settled  upon 
a  farm  and  where  the  father  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight  years;  the  mother  survived  until  she 
was  seventy -six  years  old,  and  then  passed  peace- 
fully from  earth,  dying  upon  the  homestead  which 
they  had  established  in  Ohio.  The  parental  family 
embraced  six  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  child- 
hood and  one  son  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  A  daughter, 
Julia  Anns  became  the  wife  of  James  Atchison, 
of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and  died  in  her  prime, 
leaving  a  family  of  little  children.  The  three  liv- 
ing are :  Neil,  a  farmer  residing  on  the  homestead 
in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio;  Margaret,  who  lives 
with  him,  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  the  latter 
being  the  eldest  of  the  family. 

When  the  parents  of  Dr.  McKnight  removed  to 
Ohio  he  was  but  a  child  three  years  of  age.  His 
youth  and  boyhood  were  passed  upon  the  farm  and 
in  attendance  at  the  district  and  a  select  school. 
At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Stephen  B.  Clark,  of 
Cambridge,  Ohio,  who  continued  his  preceptor  for 
three  years  following.  He  then  took  a  course  of 
lectures  at  Miami  Medical  College,  Cincinnati,  and 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  in 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio.  In  the  fall  of  1848  he 
came  westward  to  Illinois,  and  located  in  Gran- 
ville, Putnam  County,  where  he  practiced  until 
1861.  He  then  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  at 
Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  from  which  he 
graduated  the  following  year  and  resumed  his  prac- 
tice in  Granville.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Clay- 
ton, Adams  County,  returned  to  Granville  three 
years  later,  where  he  built  ilp  an  extensive  and  lu- 
crative practice,  and  later  came  to  Normal  for  the 
better  education  of  his  children. 

Dr.  McKnight  was  first  married  in  1847,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Henderson,  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio, 
who  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  viz., 
Herman  L.,  now  a  banker  in  Battle  River,  D.  T. ; 
Hannah,  a  resident  of  Normal ;  Jennie,  the  wife  of 
George  M.  Adams,  of  Bloomington,  and  Emma 
and  George,  residing  at  home.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Mc- 
Knight departed  this  life  at  Clayton,  111.,  in  1870. 
The  second  marriage  of  Dr.  McKnight  occurred 
Dec.  20,  1871.  his  present  wife  having  been  Miss 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


345 


Amanda  Moore,  who  was  born  in  Putnam  County, 
this  State,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Shcperd  and  Mar- 
"•aret  Moore.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  two 

O 

sons — William  and  Joseph.  Their  residence  is 
pleasantly  located  and  they  count  among  their 
friends  and  associates  the  cultured  people  of  the 
little  city  of  Normal.  Politically  Dr.  M,cKnight 
inclines  to  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party, 
but  confesses  that  his  practice  engages  too  much 
of  his  attention  to  enable  him  to  give  any  portion 
of  his  time  in  assisting  the  politicians. 


^H 


J~~  OHN  P.  McLEAN,  junior  partner  of  the  firm 
of  Steere  &  McLean,  is  assisting  to  conduct 
a  prosperous  boot  and  shoe  trade,  and  ranks 
among  the  enterprising  and  representative 
business  men  of  Bloom  ington.  The  house  'is  lo- 
cated at  No.  117  North  Main  street,  and  they  en- 
joy the  patronage  of  the  best  citizens  of  Blooming- 
ton  and  vicinity.  Mr.  McLean  is  the  oldest  retail 
boot  and  shoe  dealer  in  the  city.  He  was  born  in 
AVellsville,  Columbiana  Co.,  Ohio,  in  1845,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Rachel  (Wiley)  McLean,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  The 
father  of  our  subject  removed  to  the  Buckeye 
State  when  a  young  man.  While  yet  a  boy  he 
commenced  running  on  the  Mississippi  River,  en- 
gaged in  flat-boating  and  trading  in  the  Southern 
States,  and  followed  the  rivers  for  fifteen  years. 
At  different  times  he  was  Captain  of  five  steam- 
boats— the  "  Gennantown,"  "  New  Lisbon,"  "North 
Queen,"  "  Hibernian  "  and  the  "  Kentucky."  He 
was  on  the  Illinois  River  for  a  period  of  five 
years,  and  ran  from  Pittsburgh  to  New  Orleans,  and 
also  from  La  Salle  to  St.  Louis.  He  finally  aban- 
doned the  river  in  1855,  and  coming  to  Illinois,  set- 
tled in  Normal  Township,  this  county,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  is  still 
living,  as  also  are  the  five  children  of  the  parental 
household ;  the  latter  are  all  residents  of  Blooming- 
ton.  Rebecca  A.,  Mrs.  Rugg,  is  the  mother  of  five 
children — Anna,  Josephine  B.,  Grace,  Orra  and 
John;  Cynthia  T.,  Mrs.  Temple,  has  one  child,  a 
son — D  wight;  Josephine,  Mrs.  Moore,  is  the  mother 


of  two  cMdren: — Annie  and  William;  the  two 
youngest  were  John  P.  and  Emma  B.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  Supervisor  and  Road  Commis- 
sioner of  Normal  Township,  is  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
Both  parents  are  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  at  home 
until  1805,  and  while  in  Ohio  pursued  his  studies 
at  the  Wellsville  Union  School.  After  coming  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents  he  attended  the  Normal 
University  and  the  Commercial  and  Western  Col- 
leges. His  first  experience  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
line  commenced  as  clerk  with  O.  Rugg,  with  whom 
he  remained  for  a  periodi  of  eighteen  years,  being 
head  man  and  book-keeper  during  the  last  two 
years.  He  then  engaged  with  W.  J.  Brownell  & 
Co.,  and  remained  with  that  firm  over  five  years. 
On  the  -2'2d  of  February,  1862,  Mr.  McLean,  in 
company  with  Mr.  Steere,  established  the  present 
business,  which  they  have  continued  to  this  time 
(1887)  with  marked  success.  They  employ  from 
four  to  six  men  and  carry  the  heaviest  stock  of 
any  firm  of  the  kind  in  the  city. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Clara 
D.,  the  daughter  of  E.  B.  and  Frances  (Dean) 
Steere,  natives  of  New  York,  and  of  this  union 
there  was  born  one  son — Arthur  D.,  now  a  clerk  in 
his  father's  store.  The  family  residence  is  located 
at  No.  306  East  Locust  street,  and  the  home  of  our 
subject  is  in  all  respects  indicative  of  culture,  taste 
and  ample  means.  He  has  become  considerably 
interested  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  city  property, 
and  in  all  respects  ranks  among  the  enterprising 
business  men  of  McLean  County.  He  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Blue  Lodge  Chapter  and  De- 
Molay  Commandery  No.  24,  K.  T. 


DW1N  W.  BAKEWELL,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  Normal,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
the  pursuit-  of  agriculture,  was  born  in 
Wellsburg,  Va.,  on  the  20th  of  July,  1812.  His 
parents,  Samuel  R.  and  Ann  Maria  (Beau)  Bake- 
well,  were  natives  of  England,  and  were  united  in 


I 


346 


Me  LEAN    COUNTY. 


marriage  previous  to  their  emigration  to  the  United 
States.  The  father  was  an  inventor  and  manufact- 
urer, and  educated  to  mercantile  pursuits.  Among 
other  useful  and  desirable  inventions  which  he  has 
produced  was  that  of  a  press  for  making  brick  out  of 
dry  clay.  After  a  busy  and  prosperous  life  he  died 
in  his  native  England,  while  from  home  on  a  busi- 
ness trip,  at  about  the  age  of  sixty -six  years;  the 
mother  survived  him  a  number  of  years,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  parental 
family  included  six  children,  all  of  whom  attained 
their  majority,  and  three  are  yet  living:  Salina,  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Alexander  Campbell,  of  the  Camp- 
bellite  Church,  and  now  a  resident  of  Alabama; 
Edwin  W.,  our  subject,  and  Theron  H.,  of  Mounds- 
ville,  W.  Va. 

Mr.  Bake  well  of  this  sketch  received  a  common- 
school  education,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  at 
the  printer's  trade.  He  afterward  followed  farm- 
ing and  hotel-keeping  in  his  native  State.  In  1 845 
he  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Normal, 
where  he  purchased  3GO  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in 
farming.  When  the  State  Normal  University  was 
located  at  that  place  he  donated  forty  acres  of  land 
to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  agricultural 
chemistry,  but  as  the  land  was  never  used  for  the 
purpose,  it  was  in  consequence  forfeited. 

Mr.  Bakewell  followed  farming  for  a  number  of 
years  successfully,  and  Jhen  retired  upon  a  compe- 
tency. He  ranks  among  the  earty  pioneers  of  the 
Prairie  State,  and  has  watched  its  development  and 
growth  with  interest  and  satisfaction.  Although 
his  life  has  been  a  quiet  and  unostentatious  one,  he 
has  performed  the  obligations  of  a  law-abiding  citi- 
zen, and  has  exerted  a  a  good  influence  upon  those 
with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact.  In  early  life, 
politically,  he  was  a  Whig,  but  is  now  independent, 
voting  for  the  best  man  irrespective  of  party.  He 
has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  office,  and  has  occu- 
pied his  time  principally  in  attending  to  his  busi- 
ness affairs.  Religiously  he  has  been  connected 
with  the  Christian  Church  since  seventeen  years  of 
age. 

Mr.  Bakewell  was  married  on  the  17th  of  March, 
1833,  to  Miss  Julia  Ann  Parshall,  who  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  six  children,  as  follows:  Campbell  N. 


resides  in  Farmington,  111.;  Irvin  II.  is  at  home; 
Melvin  was  killed  by  a  railroad  train,  at  the  age  of 
thirty  -eight  years;  Salina  II.  is  the  wife  of  Will  S. 
Erett,  and  resides  at  Ash  Grove,  Mo.,  her  husband 
being  President  of  the  college  at  that  place  ;  Lutie 
M.,  the  wife  of  James  M.  Dawson,  resides  at  Lex- 
ington, 111.,  and  one  daughter  died  when  two  years 
of  age. 


iHOMAS  H.  EWINS,  Supervisor  of  Hudson 
Township,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
was  born  in  Dan  vers  Township,  Oct.  2,  1837. 
His  father,  James  P.  Ewins,  was  born  in  the  Old 
Granite  State,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and 
learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Stickney,  also  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  they  soon  afterward  started  for  the 
West,  locating  first  in  Cook  County,  111.,  whence 
they  afterward  removed  to  this  county,  settling  in 
Danvers  Township  in  1836,  and  engaging  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  There  the  father  died  in  1849, 
and  the  mother  a  few  months  later,  in  the  same 
year.  Of  their  nine  children,  eight  grew  to  mature 
years,  and  five  are  still  living.  John  A.  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Danvers  Township;  Mary  P.,  the  widow  of 
James  A.  Allison,  of  Eureka,  111.  ;  Eliza,  the  wife 
of  Samuel  Ramsay  ;  Alice,  Mrs.  William  Harbord, 
lives  in  California,  and  Thomas  H. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  in  Dan- 
vers Township,  and  educated  in  the  district  schools. 
After  the  death  of  his  parents  he  lived  with  his 
brother  John  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he 
worked  at  farming  a  part  of  the  time  and  after- 
ward became  clerk  in  a  store.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  late  war  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in 
Co.  C,  20th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  with  his  comrades 
first  met  the  enemy  at  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
town,  Mo.  He  was  next  at  Ft.  Henry,  and  after- 
ward at  Douelson,  where  he  received  a  gunshot 
wound  in  the  left  wrist,  which  disabled  him  for 
further  service,  and  he  was  consequently  honorably 
discharged,  in  July,  1862. 

After  returning  from  the  army,  Mr.  Ewins  pur- 
sued his  studies  for  one  term  in  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity, and  then  engaged  in  clerking  at  Danvers.  In 
1866  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  'in  Hudson 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


347 


Township,  which  he  occupied  until  1881,  and  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits.  He  then  sold  out,  and 
removing  to  the  village  of  Hudson,  engaged  in 
general  merchandising  until  1886.  He  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  He  served  two  terms  as  Collector 
in  Danvers  Township,  and  is  now  serving  his  sec- 
ond term  as  Supervisor  in  Hudson.  The  only  so- 
ciety with  which  he  has  ever  connected  himself  is 
the  G.  A.  R. 

Mr.  Ewins  was  married  in  Danvers  Township, 
Nov.  1,  1866,  to  Miss  Kmcliuc  Wallace,  who  was  a 
native  of  Mercer  County,  Pa.,  and  in  early  child- 
hood came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents.  They  were 
Hugh  and  Catharine  (Lotzenhauzer)  AVallace.  Of 
this  union  there  have  been  born  three  children,  of 
whom  one  died  in  infancy,  and  two,  Edwin  8.  and 
Katie  A.,  are  at  home. 


hand 


L.  MOORE,  one  of  the  enterprising  busi- 
ness men  of  Bloomington,  is  extensively 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  harness  and 
saddles,  of  which  he  keeps  constantly  on 
a  full  line,  with  collars,  robes,  whips,  nets, 
trunks,  etc.  Mr.  Moore  is  a  native  of  Menard 
County,  111.,  and  was  born  Feb.  6,  1829,  He  is 
the  son  of  John  N.  and  Ph<wbe  (Scott)  Moore,  na- 
tives of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  respectively,  who, 
after  their  marriage,  located  in  Menard  County, 
111.,  in  1821.  This  was  a  part  of  Sangamoii  County 
at  that  time,  and  John  Moore  entered  land  and  also 
purchased  a  farm,  becoming  finally  the  possessor  of 
440  acres.  He  and  his  wife  shared  in  common  with 
the  other  pioneers  the  hardships  and  difficulties  in- 
cident to  a  new  settlement.  Their  family  included 
ten  children.  The  mothers  of  that  day  spun  and 
wove  the  cloth  which  they  made  into  garments  for 
their  families,  Mrs.  Moore  doing  the  same,  and  be- 
ing one  of  the  most  busy  as  well  as  one  of  the  most 
excellent  of  housewives  and  mothers.  Both  par- 
ents were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  John  Moore  was  an  Elder,  and  to  the  sup- 
port of  which  he  contributed  liberally  and  cheer- 
fully of  his  means.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  his  township  for  many  years,  and  joined  in  wed- 
lock scores  of  couples  who  came  many  miles  to 


have  him  say  the  few  words  that  would  complete 
their  happiness.  He  was  universally  loved  and  re- 
spected by  all,  and  after  the  record  of  a  worthy 
and  useful  life  folded  his  hands  for  his  final  rest  in 
1848.  The  mother  survived  until  1870,  departing 
this  life  at  her  home  in  Menard  County,  111.,  where 
they  first  settled,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fifth  child  of 
the  family  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  eighteen  years  old,  receiving  a  common- 
school  education.  He  then  left  home  and  went  to 
Jacksonville,  111.,  and  apprenticed  himself  to  learn 
harness-making.  In  1857  he  hired  a  horse  and 
rode  to  Bloomington,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles, 
where  he  rented  a  shop  on  the  southwest  side  of  the 
square  and  proceeded  to  engage  in  business  for 
himself.  He  operated  alone  for  the  following  two 
years,  and  then  took  in  Mr.  P.  Wbltmer  as  partner. 
After  two  years  Mr.  Moore  purchased  the  interest 
of  Mr.  W.,  they  having  in  the  meantime  moved  to 
the  corner  where  the  People's  Bank  now  stands. 

Here  Mr.  Moore  remained  until  1858,  being 
prospered  in  his  business  and  giving  employment 
to  from  four  to  six  men.  He  then  removed  to 
North  Main  street,  and  four  years  later,  during  the 
progress  of  the  late  war,  sold  out  and  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  Co.  K,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was 
appointed  Regimental  Quartermaster,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  and  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  when  his  regiment  was  sent  to 
the  Rio  Grande  to  take  charge  of  the  forts  along 
the  river.  With  his  comrades  he  was  then  sent  to 
Ft.  Morgan,  of  which  they  took  possession,  and 
afterward  to  Spanish  Fort.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  Mr.  Moore  returned  to  Bloomington  and  pur- 
chased back  his  old  business  from  the  man  to  whom 
he  had  sold,  and  has  continued  it  successfully  since 
that  time.  In  1870  he  removed  to  his  present  lo- 
cation, and  his  business  has  increased  so  that  he 
now  employs  from  six  to  ten  men,  his  transactions 
being  the  largest  of  any  house  of  its  kind  in  the 
city.  He  is  a  straightforward  business  man  and 
forms  one  of  the  important  factors  in  the  indus- 
trial elements  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Moore  was  married,  in  1852,  to  Miss  Joanna 
Beaty,  a  native  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and. 


T 


I 


348 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  daughter  of  John  Beaty.  Of  this  union  there 
have  been  born  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are 
still  living — Laura,  James,  John  and  Ruth.  The 
family  residence  is  located  on  West  Washington 
street  at  No.  508,  and  its  inmates  are  surrounded 
by  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of 
life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  our  subject  is  an  Elder. 
Socially  Mr.  Moore  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
uniformly  casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 


W.  BENTLEY,  gunsmith  and  dealer  in 
sporting  goods  at  No.  206  West  Front 
street,  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, born  in  1831.  Young  Bentley,  dur- 
ing his  earlier  years,  worked  on  the  farm  in  sum- 
mer and  attended  schools  through  the  winters  until 
nineteen  years  of  age.  He  then  learned  the  carpen- 
ter trade,  which  he  followed  from  1849  to  1854,  in 
the  meantime  also  being  engaged  as  a  contractor  and 
builder.  He  came  to  McLean  County  in  1855,  set- 
tling first  in  the  village,  of  Heyworth,  and  thence, 
in  1864,  removed  to  Bloomington,  soon  afterward 
engaging  in  his  present  business.  He  subsequently 
purchased  a  lot,  put  up  a  substantial  brick  build- 
ing, and  employs  two  men. 

Mr.  Bentley  was  married  in  1853  to  Miss  Mary 
J.  Hooton,  a  native  of  Clark  County,  Ky.,  and  the 
daughter  of  Nicholas  Hooton,  who  now  makes  his 
home  with  our  subject.  The  residence  of  .Mr. 
Bentley  and  his  family  is  pleasantly  situated  at  No. 
519  West  Jackson  street,  and  they  enjoy  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  the  community  in  a  marked 
degree.  Mr.  B.  is  independent  in  politics,  and  so- 
cially belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  Knights 
of  Pythias. 


J"  AMES   T.    GILDERSLEEVE,    one   of    the 
peaceable   and    unostentatious    citizens    of 
Hudson  Township,  occupies  a  comfortable 
homestead   on   section    26,    owned    by   his 
father,  where  he  is  carrying  on  agricultural   opera- 
'      tions  with  fair  success.     Our   subject  is  the  son  of 


' 


Charles  T.  and  Mary  A.  Gildersleeve,  and  was  born 
in  Hudson  Township  on  the  10th  of  March,  1861. 
lie  was  partially  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
pursued  his  studies  at  the  Illinois  State  Normal 
University  five  terms,  and  completed  his  school 
days  by  an  attendance  of  two  years  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Wooster,  Ohio.  After  his  return  to  Hud- 
son Township  our  subject  was  married,  on  the  8th 
of  December,  1883,  to  Miss  Nettie  A.,  the  daughter 
of  J.  J.  and  Elsie  M.  Ham.  Mrs.  G.  was  also  a 
native  of  Hudson  Township,  born  on  the  26th  of 
March,  1865,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
has  become  the  mother  of  one  daughter,  Elsie,  born 
Oct.  15,  1885. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  settled 
upon  the  farm  where  they  now  reside  and  which 
belongs  to  the  father  of  our  subject,  the  latter  hav- 
ing full  charge.  It  comprises  320  acres  of  finely 
cultivated  land  and  yields  a  handsome  income  for 
the  tilling  of  the  soil.  Mr.  Gildersleeve  is  in  all 
respects  a  praiseworthy  citizen,  and  although  young 
in  years  bids  fair  to  become  a  prominent  man  in 
his  community.  In  politics  he  is  strongly  Demo- 
cratic, and  in  religion  a  firm  adherent  to  the  Baptist 
faith. 


HARLESE.  COX,  of  the  firm,  of  Hascn- 
winkle  &  Cox,  of  Hudson,  owns  and  oper- 
ates the  Hudson  Elevators,  which  are  a 
great  convenience  to  the  citizens  of  this  locality, 
and  yield  their  proprietors  a  handsome  income. 
The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  eldest  son  of 
James  H.  and  Mary  A.  (Chadbourne)  Cox,  and 
was  born  in  Waterford,  Me.,  Sept.  25,  1 848.  The 
family  came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1851,  settling 
at  Hudson  in  this  county.  Here  Charles  E.  grew 
to  manhood  and  completed  his  education  in  Shurtleff 
College,  at  Upper  Alton,  where  he  took  a  three  years' 
course.  His  tastes  were  inclined  to  mercantile  pur- 
suits, and  he  had  previously  clerked  in  the  store  of 
his  father,  beginning,  in  fact,  as  soon  as  he  was 
large  enough  to  reach  the  top  of  the  counter.  His 
school  days  ended  in  the  spring  of  1866,  and  he 
then  established  a  drug  business  in  Hudson,  which 
he  operated  for  one  year  and  then  became  associ- 
ated with  his  father,  the  firm  name  being  J.  II. 


RESIDENCE    OF    TIMOTHY      KRAFT  ,5EC,3,TOWANDA  TOWNSHIP 


RESIDENCE  AND    FARM  PROPERTY  OF  JOHN  A.  HEFNER.SEC5  .15  &  22  .MONEY  CREEK    TP    . 


RESIDENCE     OF      W  tf     LEM  K  E  ,  5  EC  .  3,4- ,    BLUE    MOUND     TOWNSHIP 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


351 


Cox  <fe  Sou,  and  afterward  Cox  &  Aldrich.  Then 
Charles  E.  Cox  and  J.  W.  Aldrich  formed  a  part- 
nership under  the  firm  name  of  Cox  &  Aldrich,  in 
the  drug  business,  while  at  the  same  time  they  op- 
erated in  live-stock,  lumber  and  grain.  On  the 
llth  day  of  November,  1884,  our  subject  having 
withdrawn  from  the  aforesaid  business,  became  a 
partner  of  William  Ilasenwinkle,  with  whom  he  has 
continued  since  that  time. 

The  marriage  of  Charles  E.  Cox  and  Miss  Effie 
Dart  was  celebrated  in  September,  1871,  at  Hudson. 
Mrs.  Cox  is  the  daughter  of  William  Dart,  and  was 
born  in  this  State  in  1854.  By  her  union  with  our 
subject  she  became  the  mother  of  six  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  the  five  living  are 
Merton  D.,  Lena  Mabel,  Claude  Herbert,  James 
H.  and  Charles  W. 

Mr.  Cox  is  Republican  in  politics  and  has  been 
School  Treasurer  of  the  township  for  several  years, 
although  he  prefers  to  give  his  attention  to  his  own 
private  concerns.  Religiously  he  is  connected  with 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  as  a  man  and  a  citizen 
he  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  people  of 
his  locality. 


H.  MILLER,  architect,  and  a  highly 
respected  resident  of  Bloomington,  first 
opened  his  eyes  within  the  limits  of  this 
city  on  the  7th  of  May,  1856.  His  parents  were 
George  and  Louisa  (Sheurer)  Miller,  who  were  of 
German  birth  and  parentage  and  natives  of  the 
Province  of  Wurtemberg.  They  emigrated  to 
America  in  1855,  after  their  marriage,  and  after  a 
brief  season  spent  in  the  State  of  New  York,  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Bloomington,  where  the 
father  of  our  subject  engaged  in  business  and  con- 
tinued successfully  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is 
still  living,  but  now  retired  from  active  labor,  and 
resides  at  No.  318  South  Madison  street.  The  pa- 
rental family  consisted  of  eight  children,  seven 
now  living,  viz.,  John  M.,  George  H.,  Harry  H., 
William  B.,  Andrew,  Charles  and  Ida.  Sophia 
died  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  Before  com- 
ing to  this  country  George  Miller,  Sr.,  served  in 
the  German  Cavalry  for  a  period  of  five  years.  He 


was  a  good  business  man  and  gave  each  of  his 
children  a  practical  education. 

George  H.  Miller  at  the  age  of  fifteen  engaged 
to  learn  the  business  of  an  architect  with  R.  Richter, 
of  this  city,  with  whom  he  remained  four  years, 
and  then  went  into  the  employ  of  J.  T.  Harris,  of 
Columbus,  Ohio,  as  draughtsman.  Thence  he  jour- 
neyed northwest  to  Chicago,  and  was  there  em- 
ployed by  the  firm  of  F.  <fe  E.  Baumann  in  the  same 
capacity  for  six  months.  He  then  came  to  Bloom- 
ingtou and  engaged  with  H.  A.  Miner,  with  whom 
he  remained  ten  years,  and  in  1882  commenced 
business  for  himself.  He  employs  two  men,  and 
being  one  of  the  leading  architects  of  the  city  en- 
joys a  fine  patronage.  His  business  office  is  lo- 
cated at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Front  streets. 

Mr.  Miller  occupies  a  good  position  among  the 
citizens  who  have  known  him  from  his  earliest 
youth,  and  has  been  intrusted  by  them  with  various 
important  offices.  He  was  elected  City  Treasurer 
in  1883,  and  is  now  serving  as  Alderman  of  the 
Third  Ward.  In  politics  our  subject  is  a  conscien- 
tious Democrat,  and  in  all  respects  is  fulfilling  his 
obligations  as  a  good  citizen.  A  great  many  of  the 
finest  buildings  of  Bloomington  and  surrounding 
country  have  been  designed  by  Mr.  Miller,  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  the  McLean  County  Jail, 
German  Catholic  Church,  German  Lutheran,  Ger- 
man Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Turner's  Hall, 
Odd  Fellow's  Hall.  George  Brand  Building,  B.  S. 
Green,  H.  J.  Higgins  &  Co.,  E.  B.  Gridley.  L.  H. 
Kerrick,  and  numerous  other  buildings,  and  has  a 
great  amount  of  work  throughout  this  entire  State. 


FOREMAN,  a  prominent  resident 
of  the  little  city  of  McLean,  is  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  has  obtained  quite  a  reputation 
as  an  importer  of  English  draft  horses.  He  was 
born  in  Norfolk  County,  England,  Jan.  23,  1841, 
and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Hannah  (Loads)  Fore- 
man. His  father  was  also  a  dealer  in  horses,  and 
spent  his  entire  life  in  Norfolk  County.  At  the  age 
of  fifteen  years  our  subject  was  apprenticed  to  the 
blacksmith  trade,  at  which  he  served  four  years, 
and  was  afterward  employed  at  "  jour  "  work  until 


t 


352 


M.'LEAN    CorNTV. 


18G3.  He  then  came  to  America,  locating  first  in 
Toronto,  Canada,  where  he  worked  until  1865.  He 
then  came  West  to  Illinois,  and  passed  the  follow- 
ing winter  in  McLean  County.  In  the  spring  he 
returned  to  Canada,  where  he  spent  the  summer, 
and  then,  in  the  fall  of  18G6,  he  returned  to  this 
locality,  rented  a  shop  at  McLean,  and  commenced 
business  on  his  own  account,  carrying  on  horse-shoe- 
ing and  general  repairing.  He  is  a  natural  me- 
chanic, and  soon  gathered  about  him  numerous 
friends  and  patrons,  becoming  one  of  the  most 
popular  artisans  of  the  kind  in  this  vicinity.  In 
1872  he  commenced  dealing  in  horses,  first  pur- 
chasing the  Norman  stallion,  Louis  Napoleon.  The 
following  year  he  purchased  a  Clydesdale  stallion, 
imported  from  Canada.  In  1883,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  daughter,  he  returned  to  England, 
where  he  combined  business  with  pleasure,  visiting 
among  his  old  friends  and  acquaintances  for  sev- 
eral months,  and  in  the  meantime  looking  around 
among  the  fine  stock  of  his  native  county  and  vi- 
cinity. While  on  this  trip  he  purchased  the  cele- 
brated Knglish  draft  horse  "Stowbridge,"  which  he 
still  owns.  In  1885  he  made  another  trip  to  En- 
gland, and  brought  back  with  him  four  valuable 
animals,  two  of  which  he  sold  at  a  high  price,  and 
the  other  two  still  remain  in  his  possession. 

Mr.  Foreman  was  married,  in  October,  1867,  in 
New  York,  to  Miss  Emily  liunton,  who  was  born 
in  his  own  county  and  there  reared  to  womanhood, 
They  became  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Alice,  who  still  remains  at  home  with  her  par- 
ents. Mr.  Foreman  is  in  all  respects  an  enterpris- 
ing and  progressive  citizen,  and  a  valued  member 
of  the  community.  In  politics  he  is  Republican, 
and  socially  belongs  to  McLean  Lodge  No.  4G9. 
A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


ENRY  W.  McCORMICK,  Ph.  D.,  of  Normal, 
is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  the  Prairie 
State,  who  has,  through  his  own  persever- 
|)  ance  and  love  of  learning,  obtained  a  fine 
education  under  adverse  circumstances,  and  from 
a  humble  position  in  life,  now  takes  his  rightful 
place  among  the  intelligent  minds  of  the  age. 


Prof.  McCormick  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in 
County  Mayo  on  the  5th  of  February,  1837.  His 
parents  were  Edmund  Burke  and  Betty  (Rowan) 
McCormick,  also  of  Irish  birth  and  parentage. 
The  former  came  to  the  United  States  in  1«51,  and 
engaged  as  clerk  in  New  York  City.  He  only 
lived,  however,  two  years  after  coming  here,  his 
death  occurring  in  1853. 

That  same  year  our  subject  crossed  the  waters  to 
join  his  father,  and  upon  arriving  here  found  that 
he  had  died  ten  days  before.  Henry  then  occu- 
pied himself  in  various  pursuits.  After  a  brief 
visit  with  relatives  he  went  to  Ohio,  and  in  Wash- 
ington County  was  employed  for  one  year  as  a  la- 
borer on  a  railroad.  He  then  went  onto  a  farm  in 
Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  where,  for  his  services,  he 
received  $11  per  month.  After  a  few  months  he 
was  taken  ill  and  remained  in  feeble  health  until 
the  following  spring.  He  then  went  to  Walworth 
County,  Wis.,  and  was  there  employed  as  a  farm 
laborer  during  the  summer  of  1855,  at  the  rate  of 
$100  per  year,  attending  school  during  the  winter 
season,  and  "  doing  chores  "  for  his  board.  Deter- 
mined upon  securing  a  good  education,  he  alter- 
nated his  farm  work  with  the  pursuit  of  his  studies, 
and  in  due  time  entered  Wayland  University  at 
Beaver  Dam,  Wis.,  where  he  took  a  thorough  course 
of  one  year,  and  at  the  expiration  of  this  time 
again  resumed  his  farm  labors.  In  November, 
1859,  he  commenced  teaching  in  a  district  school 
in  Walworth  County,  near  the  State  line,  where  he 
was  employed  four  months  at  $16  per  month,  and 
"  boarded  round."  The  following  Christmas  he 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Numantia  B. 
Kinyon,  who  was  born  in  New  York  State,  but  in 
childhood  removed  with  her  parents  to  Wisconsin. 
In  the  spring  of  1860  Mr.  McCormick  located  on 
a  small  farm  owned  by  his  wife,  and  situated  in 
Le  Roy  Township,  Boone  Co.,  111.  To  this  he  re- 
moved with  his  wife,  cultivated  his  land  in  sum- 
mer and  taught  school  in  the  winter  seasons,  con- 
tinuing thus  employed  until  the  spring  of  1865. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  in  the  meantime,  who 
had  remained  iu  Ireland  when  her  first  husband 
came  to  the  United  States,  was  married  the  second 
time  in  her  native  country,  and  with  her  daughter 
and  husband  came,  in  1863,  to  the  United  States. 


M<  LEAN    COUNTY. 


353    ,  . 


and  settled  in  Athens  County,  Ohio.  Of  the  first 
marriage  there  had  been  only  two  children,  our 
subject,  and  his  sister  Alice,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Peter  Deane,  and  now  resides  at  Lake  View,  111. 
The  step-father  of  our  subject  was  Anthony  Dun- 
lavy,  and  of  the  marriage  of  his  mother  with  this 
gentleman,  there  were  born  two  sons — Christopher 
and  James. 

In  1866  our  subject  concluded  to  adopt  the  pro- 
fession of  a  teacher  for  the  future,  and  in  order  to 
prepare  himself  more  thoroughly  for  its  duties  and 
requirements,  he  entered  the  Illinois  State  Normal 
University,  where  he  remained  for  the  following 
three  years,  and  from  which  he  graduated  in  June, 
1868.  He  was  then  elected  Principal  of  the  Nor- 
mal Public  Schools,  which  position  he  occupied  for 
a  year,  and  in  the  summer  of  1869  was  elected  to 
a  professorship  in  the  University,  first  as  Professor 
of  Geography,  to  which  has  since  been  added  history. 
After  graduating  at  the  Illinois  State  Normal  Uni- 
versity, Prqf.  McCormick  took  the  Post  Graduate 
course  at  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  and  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  A.  M.,  to  which  was  afterward 
added  that  of  Ph.  D.  In  his  history  have  been  il- 
lustrated the  results  of  resolution  and  perseverance 
in  a  marked  degree.  When  landing  in  New  York 
City  young  McCormick  possessed  but  a  half  crown 
(sixty  cents)  and  even  this  small  sum  he  loaned  to 
a  lady  before  leaving  the  vessel,  so  he  practically 
began  life  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  in  the  New 
World.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to  the 
possessor  of  such  wise  determination,  and  such 
courage  amid  many  difficulties. 

Prof,  and  Mrs.  McCormick  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  as  follows:  Alice  is  the  wife 
of  Oliver  R.  Trowbridge,  Principal  of  the  Lacon 
Schools;  Nelson  K.  is  a  practicing  physician  at 
Bloomingtou;  Edmund  13.,  Ferdinand  C.  and 
Henry  G.  are  at  home.  The  family  residence  is 
pleasantly  located  between  Bloomington  and  Nor- 
mal, and  its  inmates  are  surrounded  by  all  the  com- 
forts and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  They  en- 
joy the  friendship  and  association  of  the  most  cul- 
tured people  of  this  vicinity.  Although  not  a  pol- 
itician, Prof.  McCormick  upholds  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  uniformly 
casts  his  vote.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 


Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  belongs  to  the  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  and  is  an  Alderman  of  the  city  of  Nor- 
mal. His  intellectual  and  social  attainments  have 
constituted  him  one  of  the  most  valuable  members 
of  society,  and  one  of  the  bright  lights  of  a  rarely 
intelligent  community. 


OWLAND  N.  EVANS,  City  Clerk  of 
Bloom  ington,  has  been  a  resident  here  since 
cli  Ml\  1856.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Cambria 
\^)  County,  Pa.,  in  June,  1834,  being  the  son 
of  David  R.  and  Ann  (Jervis)  Evans,  both  natives 
of  Wales,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  early 
in  life  and  located  in  Pennsylvania.  There  the 
father  died  in  1847  ;  the  mother  is  still  living.  The 
parental  household  included  four  children,  of  whom 
our  subject  was  the  eldest.  He  remained  under 
the  home  roof  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  assisting 
his  mother  in  the  duties  around  the  farm,  and  then 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  carpenter's  trade. 
Upon  completing  this  he  went  to  Ohio,  where  he 
staid  one  year,  and  in  the  fall  of  1856  pushed  on 
further  westward  to  the  Prairie  State.  He  worked 
at  his  trade  in  Bloomington  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  late  war,  and  then  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier 
in  Co.  C,  20th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  four  and  one-  - 
half  years  in  the  Western  army.  He  was  engaged 
with  his  comrades  at  the  battles  of  Ft.  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  and 
marched  with  Sherman  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea. 
He  served  as  a  private  one  year,  and  was  then  pro- 
moted First  Lieutenant,  being  afterward  given  a 
Captain's  commission.  Afterward  he  became  Ma- 
jor of  the  regiment,  with  which  rank  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  July,  1865. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  career  Maj.  Evans 
returned  to  Bloomington,  and  engaged  as  book- 
keeper for  the  Bloomington  Stove  Works,  and  J. 
W.  Evans  &  Son,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
May  1,  1886,  when  he  was  elected  to  his  present 
office.  He  served  as  Alderman  from  the  Sixth 
Ward  two  years,  and  in  other  respects  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  affairs  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Evans  was  married  in  May,  1870,  to  Miss 
Mary  L.  Parke,  who  was  born  in  1842,  and  the 


,  ,   354 


MrLEAN    COUNTY. 


daughter  of  .Samuel  S.  Parkc,  an  old  resident  of 
Bloomington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  have  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Ida  Lucretia.  They  occupy  a  pleasant 
home  on  Douglas  street  and  enjoy  the  societ}7  of 
many  warm  friends.  Mr.  Evans  is  connected  with 
the  G.  A.  H. 


R.  MORSE,  political  and  city  editor  of  the 
Bloomington  Leader,  first  opened  his  eyes  to 
the  light  on  the  rugged  New  England  coast, 
being  born  in  the  town  of  Jay.  Franklin  Co.,  Me., 
Sept.  14,  1850.  His  parents  were  Moses  and  Louisa 
(Cooper)  Morse,  natives  of  the  same  .State,  where 
his  father  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  largely  en- 
gaged in  railroading  and  as  a  stock  dealer.  He  emi- 
grated West  to  Minnesota,  and  died  in  the  city  of 
Minneapolis,  in  1861.  The  mother  is  still  living 
and  resides  with  her  daughter  in  Wisconsin.  Of 
their  seven  children  three  only  are  living,  as  fol- 
lows: Reuben  S.  is  a  resident  of  Beetown,  Wis. ; 
Mary  J.,  Mrs.  Pierce,  resides  in  Cassville,  Wis.; 
our  subject  and  the  two  above  mentioned  are  the 
only  living  children.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
received  a  fine  education,  and  after  the  death  of 
her  husband  gave  her  children  all  the  advantages 
in  her  power.  .She  possessed  fine  abilities  as  a  writer 
and  was  a  contributor  to  several  publications  in 
the  East.  She  is  regarded  with  the  highest  respect 
and  admiration  by  all  who  know  her  as  having  done 
her  part  well,  and  having  overcome  difficulties  be- 
fore which  many  others  would  have  been  discour- 
aged. 

Young  Morse  attended  the  common  schools  un- 
til thirteen  years  of  age,  and  then  began  to  learn 
the  "art  preservative."  In  the  meantime  he  pur- 
sued his  school  studies  under  the  instruction  of 
a  private  teacher,  so  that  at  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  was  prepared  to  enter  college.  When  he  had 
completed  his  apprenticeship  at  Farmington,  Me., 
he  was  made  foreman  of  the  Chronicle  office  and 
afterward  became  editor.  He  was  also  connected 
with  the  Liberal  Republican  of  Augusta,  and  after- 
ward with  the  Portland  Daily  Advertiser,  and  was 
city  editor  of  the  Sunday  Times  for  a  period  of 
seven  years.  Mr.  Morse  came  to  Bloomington  in 


February,  1881,  and  assumed  the  position  which  he 
now  occupies.  He  "stumped"  the  State  of  Maine 
for  the  Garfield  ticket  in  1880,  and  was  heartily 
urged  to  speak  in  many  other  States  through  which 
his  fame  had  spread. 

Mr.  Morse  was  married  in  1872,  to  Miss  Eunice 
Newell,  a  native  of  Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  they 
have  seven  children,  all  living — Fred.  R.,  Annie  L., 
Florence  P.,  Clinton  W.,  Harvey  R.,  Adlai  S.  and 
Gertrude.  The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated at  No.  1106  North  East  street,  where  its  in- 
mates enjoy  the  society  and  friendship  of  the 
cultured  people  of  the  city.  Mr.  Morse  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen.  He 
is  also  a  member  and  was  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  the  Round  Table.  He 
has  been  prominent  in  city  affairs,  and  was  elected 
Alderman  of  the  Sixth  Ward  in  1886. 

Mr.  Morse,  as  a  writer,  possesses  fine  abilities  and 
has  already  placed  himself  among  the  leading 
journalists  of  the  State.  He  has  also  indulged  in 
the  lighter  literature  of  the  day,  and  as  a  story- 
writer  has  gained  considerable  popularity.  His  con- 
nection with  the  Leader  has  lent  added  interest 
to  that  striking  sheet,  and  he  is  universally  regarded 
as  a  favorite  among  newspaper  men  and  a  useful 
and  worth}'  member  of  society. 


J~  OHN   A.    MILLER,  a   resident  of  McLean 
County   since    1857,    was   born   in   Carroll 
County,  Ohio,  June   17,  1831.     His  father, 
Dr.  Thomas  Miller,  was  born  in   Maryland 
in  1801,  whence  he  removed  to  Ohio  with  his  par- 
ents   when  a  boy.     The  mother  of   our   subject, 
Rebecca  (Harrington)  Miller,  was  also  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  was  the  second  wife  of  Thomas  Miller. 
Of  her  marriage  with   him    there   were   born  ten 
children,  and  of  these  eight  are  still  living,  John  A. 
being  the  eldest. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  a  common- 
school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years 
commenced  work  at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was 
married  in  1854,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  McGiffen.  She 
was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  14, 


4 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


4 

355  i  > 


1829,  her  parents  being  William  and  Lydia  (But- 
terfleld)  McGiffen.  Three  years  later  they  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  first  at  Shirley,  whence  they 
removed  two  years  afterward  to  Hudson,  where 
our  subject  now  resides.  He  followed  his  trade 
until  about  1882,  and  since  that  time  has  occupied 
himself  with  an  apiary,  consisting  of  sixty  stands 
of  bees,  which  lighter  labor  affords  him  much 
satisfaction  and  serves  to  furnish  employment  for 
his  active  rnind  and  hand  which  would  not  be  con- 
tent in  idleness. 

Before  laying  aside  his  active  labors  as  a  car- 
penter, Mr.  Miller  for  twenty-five  years  was  en- 
gaged as  a  contractor  and  builder,  frequently 
employing  a  force  of  twelve  or  fifteen  men,  and 
many  of  the  most  important  buildings  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hudson  stand  as  monuments  of  his 
skill  and  handiwork.  He  has  been  uniformly  suc- 
cessful in  life,  and  has  fairly  earned  the  reputation 
of  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 

Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  there 
were  born  four  children,  viz. :  Sarah  M.,  the  wife  of 
George  Hasselton  of  Hudson;  Mary  E.,Mrs.  James 
Middleton  of  Whiteside  County ;  Emma  F.,  the 
wife  of  Stephen  B.  Houghton  of  Hudson,  and 
Harvey,  who  is  at  home  with  his  parents. 

In  politics  Mr.  Miller  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  religiously  has  been  connected  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  for  many  years  as  one  of 
its  most  active  and  useful  members. 


eHRISTIAN  C.  MARTENS,  of  Bloomington, 
is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Hyde  &  Mar- 
tens, who  are  successfully  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  buggies,  spring  wagons  and  car- 
riages, and  also  handle  all  kinds  of  farm  machinery, 
carriage  iron  and  wood  stock.  Mr.  Martens  is  a 
native  of  Prussia,  and  was  born  in  1854,  being  the 
son  of  Charles  J.  and  Henrietta  (Schroder)  Mar- 
tens, natives  of  the  same  country.  Charles  J.  Mar- 
tens emigrated  to  America  in  18G9,  and  proceeded 
directly  westward,  settling  in  Bloomington  the  fol- 
lowing year,  where  he  followed  his  profession  as  a 
musician.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  five  now  living. 


The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  seventli 
child  of  his  parents'  family.  He  attended  school 
until  fourteen  years  old,  then  worked  upon  a  farm 
one  yca»,  and  afterward  at  blacksmithiug  in  his  na- 
tive country.  After  arriving  in  Bloomiugton  he 
continued  as  a  journeyman  for  six  years,  and  then 
formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Hyde,  which  has  re- 
mained until  the  present.  Their  new  block  was 
erected  in  1876.  They  give  employment  usually 
to  about  fifteen  men  and  are  doing  a  fine  business. 

Mr.  Martens  was  married  in  1  882,  to  Miss  Car- 
rie, daughter  of  Frederick  Agle,  of  Bloomington, 
and  they  have  one  son  —  Ernest  W.,  who  was  born 
in  1883.  Mr.  Martens  is  Democratic  in  politics, 
and  with  his  wife  belongs  to  the  German  Lutheran 
Church.  Their  residence,  situated  at  No.  320  South 
Main  street,  is  the  home  of  refinement  and  culti- 
vated tastes,  and  they  enjoy  the  friendship  and  as- 
sociation of  the  cultured  people  of  Bloomington. 


^f  OHN  H.  SPANGLER  owns  and  occupies  a 
comfortable  homestead  in  Allin  Township, 
on  section  28,  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  Prairie  State  since  1856.  He  was  born 
in  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  March  15,  1829,  being 
the  son  of  Eli  and  Mary  (Barbee)  Spangler,  natives 
of  Virginia,  the  father  born  March  12,  1795,  and 
the  mother  March  25,  1802.  Eli  Spangler  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  followed  that  calling  all 
his  life.  The  parents  were  married  March  14,  1822, 
and  at  once  removed  from  the  Old  Dominion  to 
Franklin  County,  Ohio,  and  located  upon  rented 
land,  where  the  father  died  not  quite  ten  years 
later,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1832.  Mrs.  S.  sur- 
vived her  husband  over  fifty  years,  and  died  in 
this  county  Aug.  23,  1886.  Their  children  were 
Susan,  Margaret,  Mary  A.,  John  H.  and  Eli.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church.  After  the  death  of  his  father 
John  H.  resided  with  his  mother  until  he  was  six- 
teen years  old,  and  worked  out  by  the  month  on  a 
farm  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  1850, 
the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Caroline 
Haines.  The  young  couple  went  to  housekeeping 
upon  rented  land,  and  in  18C4  our  subject  pur- 


f 


f 


356 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


chased  the  present  homestead  of  160  acres.  This 
is  finely  cultivated  and  improved,  with  a  tasteful 
and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all 
necessary  out-buildings  required  by  the  intelligent 
and  progressive  farmer. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Spangler  were  Jacob  and 
Sarah  Haines,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia.  Her  father  was  born  Sept.  17,  1794, 
and  her  mother  Dec.  15,  1802.  They  were  mar- 
ried July  5,  1821,  first  locating  in  Behnont 
County,  Ohio.  Thence  they  removed  to  Illinois 
in  1856,  locating  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  this 
county,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  the  father  dying  in  1870,  and  the  mother  in 
1871.  Their  ten  children  were  Martha,  Adeline, 
Samuel,  Horatio,  John,  Susan  A.,  Robert,  Levi, 
William  J.  and  Jane  B. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spangler  are  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  our 
subject  is  a  strong  Republican.  Of  their  seven 
children  three  died  in  infancy  unnamed;  William 
S.  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  McReynolds,  Jan.  14, 
1880,  and  lives  in  Allin  Township;  Eliza  F.  mar- 
ried Banjamin  Kauffman,  Dec.  24,  1874;  he  is  de- 
ceased, and  she  lives  in  Allin  Township;  John  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  E.  McReynolds,  Dec.  23, 1880;  they 
have  one  child  which  died  in  infancy  unnamed ; 
Margaret  E.  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 


'LEXANDER  MeELFRESH,  a  retired  far- 
mer and  resident  of  Le  Roy,  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  Prairie  State  for  nearly 
thirty  years.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  County, 
W.  Va.,  Sept.  22,  1817,  his  father  being  Jesse  Mc- 
Elfresh,  a  native  of  Maryland.  His  grandfather, 
Richard  M.,  is  also  believed  to  have  been  a  native 
of  that  State  and  there  spent  his  declining  years. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
his  native  State  and  when  a  young  man  went  to 
Pennsylvania.  He  remained  there  about  two  years 
and  in  the  meantime  removed  to  West  Virginia, 
settling  on  Short  Creek,  in  Ohio  County,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life.  The  mother  of  our  subject  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Ann  E.  Murphy,  who  was  born  in 


Pennsylvania  and  was  the  daughter  of  Alexander 
Murphy,  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  who 
came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  was  mar- 
ried to  a  German  lady.  Mr.  Murphy  teamed  across 
the  mountains,  and  met  his  death  by  a  fall  from  his 
wagon,  receiving  injuries  from  which  he  soon  died. 
His  widow,  the  grandmother  of  our  subject,  after- 
ward removed  to  Holmes  Co.,  Ohio,  and  died  there  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
and  two  years.  The  parental  household  included 
seventeen  children,  ten  sons  and  seven  daughters, 
of  whom  our  subject  was  the  fourth  son  and 
seventh  child.  His  parents  were  poor,  and  as  soon 
as  large  enough  he  assisted  in  the  support  of  the 
family.  His  first  work  was  in  a  wood-yard  on  the 
Ohio  River,  where  he  commenced  when  ten  years 
of  age,  and  received  for  his  labors  from  $5  to 
$8  per  month.  He  worked  in  this  way  for  about 
six  years,  and  then  in  company  with  a  brother, 
rented  a  farm,  which  they  operated  for  about  five 
years,  and  then  our  subject  decided  to  learn  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade.  After  two  years  at  this  and 
two  more  at  carpentering  he  resumed  farming  with 
his  brother-in-law.  When  twenty-six  years  of  age 
he  was  married,  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio,  and 
rented  a  farm  there.  He  had  about  $200,  which 
he  had  saved  from  his  earnings,  and  this  enabled 
him  to  carry  on  a  farm.  He  operated  in  this  man- 
ner until  1858,  and  then  came  to  Illinois,  making 
the  journey  with  two  horse-teams  and  being  accom- 
panied by  his  brother-in-law,  Robert  Hanson.  The 
family  came  by  rail.  He  first  rented  land  in  Downs 
Township,  this  county,  two  years,  then  purchased 
eighty  acres  upon  which  was  a  small  house  and  a 
straw  shed.  He  moved  with  his  family  into  the 
house,  and  they  continued  to  reside  there  until 
1876,  the  first  house  in  the  meantime  having  been 
replaced  by  a  comfortable  frame  dwelling  and  the 
straw  shed  by  a  good  barn.  In  the  year  last  named, 
Mr.  McE.  rented  his  farm  and  purchased  the  place 
which  he  now  owns  and  occupies  in  Le  Roy.  He  is 
now  living  retired  from  active  business  and  .sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  of  life,  and  is  reaping 
the  reward  of  his  early  industry. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  McElfresh  took  place  Jan. 
4,  1843,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Lydia 
Hanson,  who  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio, 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 


357  -  , 


Nov.  10,  1825.  Her  father,  John  Hanson,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  par- 
ents when  five  years  of  age  and  was  reared  in 
Pennsylvania,  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  black- 
smith in  Lancaster  County,  and  after  his  marriage 
removed  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Jefferson  County, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The 
mother,  formerly  Miss  Lydia  Galloway,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania.  They  became  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daughters. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McElfresh  have  no  children  of 
their  own.  Their  adopted  daughter,  Almira,  be- 
came the  wife  of  Charles  Roach,  now  deceased. 
Mr.  McE.  belongs  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
and  Mrs.  McE.  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  paternal  grandmother  of  our  subject's  wife  was 
a  sister  of  Gen.  Montgomery,  who  fell  in  battle  at 
Quebec  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 


TERKING.  The  subject  of  the  follow- 
ing brief  history,  who  is  successfully  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits  on  section  2, 
Dry  Grove  Township,  is  principally  occu- 
pied in  the  breeding  of  Norman  and  Clydesdale 
horses,  of  which  he  keeps  in  stock  about  twelve 
head,  and  exhibits  some  of  the  finest  animals  in 
this  section.  His  farm  estate  consists  of  320  acres 
of  choice  land,  with  three  good  farm  houses  and  all 
necessary  barns  and  out-buildings.  He  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  township  since  1865,  and  has  fujly 
established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
his  neighbors. 

Mr.  King  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  Feb. 
G,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Christian  and  Pha-be 
(Barnett)  King,  of  German  ancestry,  and  who 
were  reared  and  married  in  the  Fatherland  and 
emigrated  to  America  at  an  early  day.  They  lo- 
cated in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  a  short  time,  and 
then  came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  where  they 
spent  their  declining  years  and  both  are  now  bur- 
ied. Their  eight  children  were  Christian,  John, 
Jacob,  Daniel,  Peter,  Barbara,  Samuel  and  Joseph. 
Peter  King,  at  the  age  of  five  years,  came  with  his 
parents  overland  to  Illinois.  They  first  located  in 
Wood  ford  County,  whence,  after  three  years,  they 


removed  to  Dry  Grove  Township  in  McLean 
County,  and  located  upon  the  farm  of  1GO  acres 
which  the  father  had  purchased.  Here  our  subject 
grew  to  manhood,  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 
Christian  King  religiously  adhered  to  the  Mennon- 
ite  belief,  and  reared  his  children  in  the  same  re- 
ligious faith.  He  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years,  and  passed  away  leaving  a  record  of  an  hon- 
est and  worthy  life.  Our  subject  was  married  on 
the  5th  of  February,  I860,  to  Miss  Barbara  Hodler, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio  Feb.  8,  1838.  She  came 
with  her  parents  to  Illinois  in  1854,  and  they  lo- 
cated in  Dale  Township,  this  county,  where  they 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  days,  both  being  now 
deceased.  Ten  of  their  children  are  now  living, 
and  the  record  is  as  follows:  Imhoff  was  born  in 
1839;  Mary,  Dec.  13,  1840;  Magdaleua,  Feb.  7, 
1842;  Annie,  Dec.  13,  1843;  Joseph,  Oct.  9,  1845; 
Peter,  Nov.  20,  1847;  Elizabeth,  March  29,  1850; 
John,  Feb.  27,  1853,  and  is  now  deceased;  Lydia, 
Aug.  31,  1854;  Daniel,  April  28,  1857. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  of  this  notice  became  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  as  follows:  Lucy  A.,  born 
July  8,  1864,  married  Daniel  King,  and  lives  in 
White  Oak  Township;  Emma  N.,  born  Sept.  10, 
1866,  married  Daniel  Augustine,  <Jf  White  Oak; 
Phoebe  L.  was  born  Feb.  7,  1869;  Amelia  M.,  July 
16,  1871;  Rosa  E.,  Sept.  27,  1873;  Lewis  I.,  Jan. 
30,  1876;  Mary  M.,  deceased,  was  born  Jan.  8, 
1861,  and  died  Nov.  29,  1864;  Christian,  deceased, 
was  born  Aug.  9,  1862,  and  died  Nov.  26,  1864. 

Mr.  King  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  township.  He  has 
served  two  terms  as  School  Director,  and  in  other 
ways  has  assisted  to  advance  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion and  morality.  He  is  a  peaceable  and  law- 
abiding  citizen,  and  held  in  great  respect  by  his 
fellow-townsmen. 


-*- 


,ENJAMIN  BEDELL,  living  on  section  1, 
Old  Town  Township,  and  a  gentleman  who 
has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  thus1  far 
in  life,  is  a  son  of  William  and  Hannah 
(Bradbury)  Bedell.  The  father  was  born  on  Long 
Island,  and  the  mother  in  England.  They  were 


f 


-I- 


,  ,    358 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


married  in  this  country,  and  settled  in  Greene 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  the  father  followed  the  voca- 
tion of  a  fanner,  and  where  both  heads  of  the  fam- 
ily continued  to  reside  until  their  death.  Seven 
children  were  born  of  this  union,  named  William, 
Hannah,  Phebe,  Abram.  Benjamin,  Ellen  and  Eliza- 
beth. 

Benjamin  Bedell  was  born  in  Greene  County,  N. 
Y.,  April  1-2,  1820.  He  was  reared  to  farm  labor 
on  his  father's  farm,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age 
his  ]>arents  removed  to  Athens,  on  the  Hudson, 
and  there  our  subject  continued  to  reside  until 
1848.  He  then  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Athens,  and  for  nine  years  was  employed 
in  its  cultivation  and  improvement,  when  he  sold 
it  and  moved  to  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  There  he 
purchased  another  farm,  and  continued  his  labors 
until  the  fall  of  18G6.  Disposing  of  this  place  with 
the  hope  of  bettering  his  financial  condition  in  a 
country  farther  west,  he  came  to  this  county,  locat- 
ing in  Old  Town  Township,  where  he  remained  for 
one  year.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Blue 
Mound  Township,  where  he  lived  and  industriously 
labored  until  1871.  During  that  year  he  bought 
a  place  in  Old  Town  Township,  moving  upon  it 
in  the  spring  of  that  year,  and  has  made  it  his  home 
until  the  present  time.  His  farm  consists  of  sev- 
enty-one and  a  half  acres,  is  well  stocked,  and  has 
good  buildings  upon  it. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Mary  A. 
Cook  was  solemnized  in  Albany  County,  N.  Y., 
Dec.  1 4, 1 848.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and 
Sarah  (Armstrong)  Cook,  natives  of  New  York. 
Her  parents  settled  in  Albany  County  after  their 
union,  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  farmingand 
wagon-making,  carrying  on  quite  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  both  branches  of  his  occupation.  He  died 
in  the  city  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  she  in  the  same 
county.  The  issue  of  their  union  was  four  chil- 
dren— Ransom,  John  "VV.,  Alexander  and  Mary  A. 
Mary  A.,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  was  born  in 
Albany  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  26,  1826.  She  lived 
at  home  until  her  marriage  with  our  subject,  and 
by  that  union  nine  children  have  been  born,  the 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows:  Elizabeth  is  the  wife 
of  Justine  Pierson,  and  they  are  living  at  Bennet, 
Neb.;  Charles  H.  died  when  seven  years  old;  Will- 


iam departed  this  life  when  two  years  of  age,  and 
Edward  died  in  infancy;  Alice  is  the  wife  of  Sam- 
uel Cole  and  they  are  living  in  Old  Town  Town- 
ship; Adelaide  died  in  the  lattcr-namad  township 
in  1883,  when  twenty-three  years  old;  Clara  is  the 
wife  of  William  N.  Cole,  a  farmer  of  Old  Town 
Township;  Hannah  and  Sarah  both  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  B.  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  his 
township.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  sect 
known  as  Friends,  and  in  politics  our  subject  is  an 
earnest  and  faithful  supporter  of  the  principles  of 
the  Prohibition  party,  but  prior  to  its  birth  was  a 
stanch  Republican. 


OBERT  S.  McINTYRE,  engaged  in  the  in- 
surance and  real-estate  business,  with  his 
office  and  residence  at  Bloomington,  is  a 
(native  of  Rhode  Island.  He  was  born  in 
Providence,  Sept.  20,  1836,  and  his  parents  were 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (McFarland)  Mclntyre,  na- 
tives of  Ireland  and  of  Scotch  descent,  who  came 
to  the  United  States  at  an  early  clay  in  their  lives. 
Our  subject's  father  was  a  farmer  by  calling,  and 
Robert  S.  passed  his  boj^hood  days  on  the  farm  in 
St.  Clair  County,  111.,  and  there  lived  until  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age.  He  accompanied  his  parents 
to' this  county  in  1848,  and  located  with  them  in 
Bloomington.  In  that  city  he  entered  the  print- 
ing-office of  Jesse  W.  Fell,  and  learning  the  trade 
continued  at  the  same  until  1861. 

During  the  year  last  named  our  subject  enlisted 
in  Co.  A,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  a  private.  He  was 
soon  promoted  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  his  regi- 
ment, in  which  capacity  he  served  till  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  enlistment.  He  was  mustered  out  in 
July,  1865,  and  returned  to  Bloomington;  that  same 
fall  he  was  elected  County  Clerk  of  McLean 
County.  Assuming  the  duties  of  his  office  in  De- 
cember of  that  year  he  continued  faithfully  to 
serve  the  citizens  of  the  county  for  a  term  of  four 
years.  On  retiring  from  the  County  Clerk's  office 
Mr.  Mclntyre  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  real- 
estate  business.  In  1880  he  was  elected  Assessor 
of  Bloomington,  city  and  township,  and  has  held 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTS. 


363 


that  office  continually  since.  Mr.  Mclntyre  is  Sec- 
retary of  the  Blooniingtou  Loan  and  Home  Asso- 
ciation, anil  is  one  of  the  thorough-going  and  en- 
terprising business  men  of  the  city. 

Robert  S.  Mclntyre  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Siinili  E.  Worley,  of  Taylorsville,  Christian  Co., 
III.,  in  18G5.  This  union  lias  been  blest  by  the 
birth  of  the  following  children,  namely :  Florence 
M.,  Jessie  I.,  William,  Donald  and  Ralph  S.  So- 
cially Mr.  Mclntyre  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  also  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  the 
Royal  Arcanum  and  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men. 


ENRY  C.  SHOLTY,  one  of  the  most  exten- 
sive farmers  of  Dale  Township,  came  to  the 
Prairie  State  during  the  period  of  its  early 
settlement  and  has  watched  the  growth  and 
progress  of  this  section  with  the  interest  which 
every  intelligent  man  feels  in  the  development  of 
the  country  or  State  which  he  calls  his  home.  Mr. 
Sholty  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  on  the 
7th  of  March,  1 833.  His  father,  Jacob  Sholty,  was 
also  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State,  and  was  born 
in  the  county  of  Lancaster  in  1805,  and  his  grand- 
father, William  Sholty,  was  a  native  of  Holland  and 
came  to  America  when  a  young  man.  He  was  poor, 
and  not  having  money  enough  to  pay  his  fare  over, 
the  ship's  Captain  sold  his  time  and  he  worked 
three  j'ears  and  nine  months  to  liquidate  the  debt. 
After  coming  into  Pennsylvania  he  purchased  a 
small  tract  of  land  in  Lancaster  County,  upon 
which  he -carried  on  farming  operations  for  the  bal- 
ance of  his  life.  While  a  young  man  he  had 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  and  also  engaged  in 
this  in  connection  with  his  agricultural  pursuits. 

Jacob  Sholty,  the  father  of  onr  subject,  was 
reared  in  his  native  county  and  assisted  his  father 
in  the  blacksmith-shop  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  then  learned  the  milling  business,  in 
which  he  was  occupied  the  greater  part  of  his  time 
until  1837,  when  he  removed  to  Indiana.  It  was 
before  the  days  of  railroads,  and  he  started  over- 
land to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  stopped  six  months 
and  then  completed  his  journey,  locating  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ind.  He  had  with  him  $100  in  cash, 
and  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  at  $2  per 


acre,  paying  only  a  part  down.  He  built  a  log 
cabin  on  the  place  and  commenced  to  clear  a  farm. 
About  this  time  he  received  a  letter  from  home 
upon  which  was  due  twenty-five  cents  postage.  He 
had  no  money,  and  his  wife  took  six  chickens  to  the 
nearest  village  and  sold  them  for  twenty-five  cents, 
thus  raising  money  to  pay  the  postage. 

Mr.  Sholty  worked  out  days  to  earn  money  upon 
which  to  support  his  family,  and  at  night  labored  at 
home  improving  and  cultivating  his  land.  In  1845 
he  bought  asmalltiouring-mill,  and  soon  afterward, 
in  company  with  another  man,  erected  a  larger  mill 
on  White  River,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Selma. 
He  lived  there  with  his  family  until  1849,  when  he 
sold  out  and  started  for  Illinois,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  seven  children.  Their  traveling  out- 
fit consisted  of  one  yoke  of  oxen,  three  horses, 
two  wagons  and  a  carriage.  They  carried  their 
household  goods  with  them  and  camped  and  cooked 
by  the  wayside.  They  arrived  at  Bloomington, 
111.,  in  about  twelve  days  from  the  time  they  started, 
and  camped  on  the  spot  which  is  now  occupied  by 
the  First  National  Bank.  They  had  seleete'd  Ful- 
ton County  for  their  location,  but  meeting  a  friend, 
Mr.  John  McGoun,  were  persuaded  by  him  to  settle 
in  McLean.  Mr.  S.  consequently  rented  a  log 
house  near  town  into  which  he  moved  his  family, 
and  then  purchased  125  acres  of  land  on  section 
34,  Dale  Township.  Upon  this  there  was  a  log 
house,  into  which  Mr.  S.  moved  his  family  and  com- 
menced the  improvement  of  his  land.  This  re- 
mained his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
October,  1880.  Jacob  Sholty  was  very  prosperous, 
and  as  time  passed  on  added  to  his  acreage,  and  at 
his  death  was  the  possessor  of  551  acres,  mostly 
under  improvement,  a  beautiful  residence,  and  the 
finest  barn  in  the  county.  He  was  a  straightfor- 
ward business  man,  a  substantial  and  reliable  citi- 
zen, and  highly  respected  in  the  community  which 
he  had  assisted  in  building  up.  The  maiden  name 
of  his  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  Mary 
,  Kaufman,  a  native  of  his  own  county  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  German  ancestry  and  parentage.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Annie  (Funk) 
Kaufman,  and  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with 
her  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Henry  C.  Sholty  was  the  second  child  of  his  par- 


I 


•364 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


cuts,  and  was  four  years  old  when  they  removed 
from  his  native  State  to  Indiana.  He  was  a  youth 
of  seventeen  years  when  they  came  into  McLean 
County,  111.  He  had  been  reared  to  farming  pur- 
suits and  also  assisted  his  father  in  the  mill.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-one  he  commenced  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  a  part  of  the 
time  for  ten  years.  He  was  skillful  at  his  trade, 
and  among  other  fine  buildings  which  he  erected 
was  his  father's  barn,  already  spoken  of,  and  which 
was  the  largest  building  of  its  kind  in  McLean 
County. 

In  1854  Mr.  Sholty  settled  upon  the  farm  which 
he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He  followed  his  trade 
only  a  part  of  the  time  afterward  and  devoted  the 
remainder  of  his  time  to  the  improvement  and  cul- 
tivation of  his  land.  He  built  the  house  in  which 
he  now  lives  in  1855,  but  subsequently,  in  1874, 
remodeled,  enlarged  and  improved  it,  and  it  is  now 
one  of  the  finest  farm  residences  in  this  section. 
His  estate  embraces  one  of  the  most  splendid  tracts 
of  land  in  McLean  County,  comprising  720  acres, 
all  in  one  body,  and  with  a  living  stream  running 
through  the  farm,  which  is  in  a  fine  state  of  cul- 
tivation with  a  generous  tract  of  pasture,  upon 
which  roams  some  of  the  finest  stock  exhibited  in 
this  section. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Susan  Swinehart,  in  March,  1859.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  George  and  Susannah  (Saylor) 
Swinehart;  they  were  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  farmers.  They  both  died  on  their  farm  near 
Harrisburg,  in  York  County,  Pa.  Mrs.  S.  was  born 
in  Montgomery  County,  Pa.,  July  30,  1828,  and 
by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  four  children.  Mary  died  Oct.  11, 
1880,  aged  twenty  years;  William  married  Annie 
Bo/.arth,  and  lives  on  a  part  of  the  homestead ; 
Jacob  married  Florence  Staley,  and  they  also  live  on 
a  part  of  the  home  farm  ;  Elizabeth  married  Elmer 
Zeiters,  and  likewise  lives  on  the  home  farm.  Thus 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  children  of  this  esteemed 
couple  are  married  and  settled  around  them.  From 
their  own  door  they  can  see  each  of  their  resi- 
dences. Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  S. 
is  a  stanch  Republican. 


Everything  in  and  around  the  Sholty  homestead 
is  indicative  of  cultured  tastes  and  ample  means, 
and  he  and  his  family  are  surrounded  by  all  of  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  Like 
his  father  before  him,  Mr.  S.  is  possessed  of  un- 
limited enterprise  and  energy.  He  is  straight- 
forward and  systematic  in  his  business  methods, 
prompt  to  meet  his  obligations,  and  occupies  a 
prominent  position  among  the  business  and  indus- 
trial interests  of  this  section.  lie  is  highly  esteemed 
by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances,  and 
by  his  fellow-citizens  as  possessing,  in  a  marked  de- 
gree, all  the  qualities  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen.  His  success  in  life  has  been  largely  due 
to  his  own  energy  and  industry,  and  he  is  but  reap- 
ing the  reward  of  what  is  justly  due  him  for  worthy 
effort. 

A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the  residence,  out- 
buildings and  farm  of  Mr.  Sholty  appears  in  the 
work.  We  also  show  a  portrait  of  Jacob  Sholty, 
the  father  of  Henry  C.  Sholty,  who  during  his 
lifetime  was  one  of  the  honored  settlers  of  McLean 
County. 


ENRY  A.  DOTY,  one  of  the  most  successful 
^  contractors  and  skillful  builders  of  Blootn- 
ington,  is  a  native  of  Carlisle,  Cumberland 
Co.,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  par- 
ents in  1850,  when  a  child  of  thirteen  years,  his 
birth  having  occurred  Sept.  26,  1837.  The  parents 
of  our  subject  were  Henry  A.,  Sr.,  and  Elizabeth 
(Livenger)  Doty,  also  natives  of  the  Keystone 
State.  The  father  followed  the  business  Of  a  con- 
tractor and  builder  for  fifty-five  years.  He  moVed 
to  Illinois  in  1850,  and  lived  in  Uloomington  until 
1859,  thence  went  to  Ottawa,  where  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days,  his  death  occurring  in  1876. 
The  mother  died  in  Bloomington  in  1855.  Of  the 
seven  children,  of  the  parental  family  three  only 
are  living — Catharine,  Henry  A.  and  Rebecca. 

The  subject  of  this  history  attended  school  until 
fourteen  years  of  age,  then  learned  the  carpenter 
trade  of  his  father  in  Pennsylvania.  He  came  West 
with  his  family,  and  was  an  inmate  of  the  parental 
household  until  1859.  The  following  year  he  went 
to  Ottawa,  and  engaged  in  contracting  and  build- 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


365 


ing  for  two  years.  In  1861,  the  Rebellion  then 
assuming  alarming  proportions,  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
E,  104th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  was  promoted  Orderly  Ser- 
geant, and  continued  in  the  service  three  years. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Doty 
came  to  Bloomington.  and  engaged  at  his  former 
occupation  as  contractor  and  builder.  Among  other 
important  structures  he  superintended  the  building 
of  the  shaft  for  the  Vermilion  Coal  Company,  the 
Streator  Coal  Shafts,  and  the  Pekin  and  Southwest- 
ern Railroad  bridges,  together  with  many  of  their 
depots.  He  then  built  the  Union  Depot  on  the 
Wabash  Railroad  at  Howard  Station,  and  has  put 
up  many  of  the  finest  structures  in  '  the  city  of 
Bloomington,  frequently  employing  over  100  men 
and  nine  teams. 

Henry  A.  Doty  and  Miss  Effle  M.  Sackett  were 
united  in  marriage  at  Bloomington,  in  1885.  Mrs. 
Doty  is  the  daughter  of  Sabina  and  Martha  E. 
(Hill)  Sackett,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
has  become  the  mother  of  one  child,  a  son —  Earle  E. 
By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Doty  has  two  sons — 
Willie  H.  and  Charlie  A. 

Our  subject  in  politics  affiliates  with  the  Repub- 
lican part}',  and  socially  belongs  to  the  Masons,  the 
Odd  Fellows,  the  G.  A.  R.  and  the  Seven  Wise 
Men. 


t 


GEORGE  W.  GASTMAN  is  a  native  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  where  he  was  born  on  the 
12th  of  July,  1837.  He  is  the  son  of  E.  A. 
and  Margaret  Ann  Gastman,  who,  with  their  fam- 
ily, came  to  Illinois  in  1 838.  On  the  8th  of  April 
of  the  same  year,  they  located  in  McLean  County, 
where  their  son,  our  subject,  grew  to  manhood,  in 
the  meantime  receiving  careful  home  training  and 
a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  His  stud- 
ies were  completed  at  Eureka  College,  but  having 
been  bred  to  farm  life,  he  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  after  his  marriage,  and  was  thus  occupied 
until  1885,  when  he  removed  into  the  village  of 
Hudson. 

Mr.  Gastman  was  married,  April  5,  1860,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  J.  Woolen,  a  native  of  McLean  County, 
and  the  daughter  of  James  and  Catharine  Woolen. 
Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  four  children: 


Margaret  Ann,  the  wife  of  William  A.  Hitch; 
Francis  M.,  Angenetta  and  Hattie  E.  They  have 
a  pleasant  residence  in  the  village,  and  Mr.  Gast- 
man still  owns  his  farm  of  145  acres  in  the  town- 
ship of  Hudson. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gastman  is  usually  Democratic, 
but  in  local  affairs  endeavors  to  cast  his  vote  for 
the  men  best  fitted  for  the  offices.  He  served  as 
Deputy  County  Surveyor  four  years  in  McLean 
and  eight  years  in  Livingston  Counties,  although 
at  the  same  time  residing  in  this  county  continu- 
ously. He  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many 
years,  and  has  held  the  various  local  offices.  The 
brother  of  our  subject,  E.  A.  Gastman,  is  Superin- 
tendent of  the  city  schools  of  Decatur. 


A.  CREED,  editor  and  publisher  of  the 
Hey  worth  Standard,  is  a  resident  of  Bloom- 
ington, and  the  son  of  Austin  G.  and 
Minerva  S.  (Shannon)  Creed,  his  mother 
being  the  daughter  of  Capt.  Shannon,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  now  deceased.  Austin  G.  Creed  is  a  contractor 
and  builder,  and  the  parental  household  included 
two  children  only,  our  subject  and  his  brother 
Shannon. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Berry- 
ville,  Highland  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  10,  1853.  He 
resided  there  with  his  parents  until  twelve  years  of 
age,  and  the  family  then  removed  to  Hillsboro, 
where  he  attended  school  in  winter  and  worked  on 
a  farm  during  the  summer  season.  He  graduated 
from  Hillsboro  High  School  in  the  spring  of  1868, 
and  the  following  year  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Chillicothe,  Mo.,  where  he  taught  school  for  several 
months,  and  then,  having  a  desire  to  be  a  printer, 
entered  the  office  of  the  Chillicothe  Tribune  to 
learn  the  trade.  He  served  a  full  apprenticeship, 
and  was  afterward  made  local  editor  of  the  Tribune, 
which  position  he  held  until  his  removal  to  Bloom- 
ington, where  he  arrived  Nov.  25,  1874.  He 
worked  at  the  case  in  the  Leader  and  other  print- 
ing-offices in  Bloomington  until  December,  1875, 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  F.  M. 
Doxsee,  and  purchased  the  outfit  of  a  job  office, 
which  they  operated  until  the  following  June. 


3G6 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


They  then  removed  to  Ford  County,  and  for  six 
months  were  occupied  in  the  printing  of  a  Demo- 
cratic campaign  paper.  After  the  election  they 
returned  to  Bloomington,  and  Mr.  Creed,  pur- 
chasing the  interest  and  stock  of  his  partner,  estab- 
lished the  Democratic  News,  which  he  edited  and 
published  until  the  fall  of  1879.  He  then  sold  out 
to  Mr.  L.  L.  Burr,  who  merged  the  paper  into  the 
Bulletin,  the  present  Democratic  organ.  In  1880 
Mr.  Creed  purchased*  another  printing-office,  and 
has  since  carried  on  job  and  newspaper  business. 

The  Hey  worth  Standard  was  established  January 
1G,  1880,  by  our  subject.  It  was  a  five-column 
quarto,  issued  every  Friday,  but  is  now  a  six- 
column  folio.  In  politics  it  is  independent.  The 
Standard  has  a  liberal  advertising  patronage,  and  a 
good  circulation.  Its  local  columns  are  well  filled 
with  interesting  news  from  different  parts  of  the 
county,  and  it  also  contains  all  the  important  news 
from  the  various  parts  of  the  country.  It  is  a 
lively  paper  and  a  credit  to  town  and  county. 

Mr.  Creed  was  married,  Oct.  7,  1879,  to  Miss 
Jessie  E.  Stump,  and  of  this  union  has  been  born  a 
daughter — L.  II.  They  occupy  a  pleasant  and 
attractive  home  at  No.  715  South  Water  street. 


EZRA  F.  BRAMWELL,  of  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship, is  pleasantly  located  on  section  14, 
where  he  is  carrying  on  the  peaceful  pur- 
suits of  a  farmer's  life,  and  passing  the  latter  days 
of  a  busy  life  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  comfortable 
home,  and  the  respect  of  hosts  of  friends.  Our 
subject  was  born  in  Vernon,  Jennings  Co.,  Ind., 
Oct.  4,  1820,  and  is  of  Scotch-English  parentage, 
his  parents  being  William  C.  and  Catharine  (Mc- 
Donald) Bramwcll.  They  were  born  in  the  coun- 
ties of  Mercer  and  Garrett,  Ky.  William  C.  Bram- 
well  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  on  the  27th 
of  October,  1788,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  life 
followed  his  trade  as  spinning  wheelwright  and 
chair  builder.  The  parents  were  married  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1810,  and  came  to  Indiana  the  following 
year,  where  the  father  took  up  the  carpenter's  trade 
and  became  prominently  connected  with  the  affairs 
of  his  adopted  State.  At  the  time  of  bis  marriage 


he  could  neither  read  nor  write,  but  he  afterward 
became  proficient  in  astronomy  and  logarithms, 
and  mastered  Greek  and  Hebrew.  lie  was  a  man 
of  great  force  of  character,  fond  of  argument,  and 
became  one  of  the  bright  lights  in  the  politics  of 
I  lie  State.  He  served  one  term  in  the  Legislature 
of  Indiana,  and  came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  in 
the  fall  of  185(i.  He  afterward  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  religious  matters,  and  occupied  the  pulpit 
for  many  years,  first  as  a  Baptist,  and  afterward 
espoused  the  doctrines  advocated  by  Alexander 
Campbell.  In  politics  he  was  an  old-line  Whig, 
but  after  the  abandonment  of  that  party  practically 
withdrew  from  political  work. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  Mrs.  Catharine  Brarn- 
well,  was  born  on  the  25th  of  March,  1791,  and 
died  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  July  2,  18G5,  three 
weeks  after  the  death  of  her  husband.  Their  mar- 
riage took  place  in  Kentucky,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  seven  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, as  follows:  John  M.,  James  H.,  Solon  C.,  Jesse 
V.,  Ezra  F.,  Zenas  F.,  William  A.  and  Nancy  M. 

The  subject  of  our  history  went  to  Iowa  from  In- 
diana in  1837,  with  a  surveying  party,  and  stopped 
at  Keokuk,  where  he  remained  three  weeks.  He 
then  returned  home  and  remained  until  1857,  when 
he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county.  During 
his  childhood  he  attended  the  common  schools,  and 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  went  to  the  city  of 
Madison,  and  was  employed  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods 
store  for  four  years  following.  He  then  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Dr.  Philo  Andrews,  of  New  York  Cit3r, 
with  whom  he  remained  for  three  years,  and  then 
commenced  practice.  He  followed  his  profession 
until  1844,  but  not  finding  it  sufficiently  lucrative, 
abandoned  it.  He  then  took  a  contract  on  the 
Madison  <fe  Indianapolis  Railroad,  for  laying  track, 
and  after  the  completion  of  this,  became,  first  fire- 
man, then  engineer,  and  afterward  conductor  on 
that  road,  being  thus  engaged  four  years,  in  the 
meantime  losing  an  eye  by  a  scale  from  the  smoke 
stack. 

Mr.  Bramwcll  was  married  on  the  6th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1842,  to  Miss  Rebecca  C.  Griffith,  a  native 
of  Steubenville,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Brain  well  was  the 
daughter  of  Ile/.ekiah  and  Lydia  (Mobley)  Grif- 


•M 

I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

307  ,  , 


I 

i 


fith,  natives  of  Maryland,  but  of  Welsh  ancestry 
and  parentage.  Their  family  included  ten  chil- 
dren. The  father  of  Mrs.  Bramvvell  was  born 
March  1.  17!>0,  and  died  in  Indiana,  Aug.  13, 1840. 
The  mother  was  born  Jan.  24,  17D5,  survived  her 
husband  thirty-four  years,  and  died  in  Indiana  on 
the  16th  of  April,  1874.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bramvvell 
have  become  the  parents  of  eleven  children — Hen- 
rietta, Rachel,  Alice,  William  C.,  Daniel  I)..  Charles 
L.,  Lydia,  Kate,  Esther,  Frank  L.  and  Eugene  F. 
Mr.  Brain  well  came  to  McLean  County  in  1857, 
and  for  the  first  six  years  cultivated  rented  laud, 
then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home- 
stead. He  was  prospered  in  his  agricultural  oper- 
ations, and  afterward  doubled  the  amount  of  his 
real  estate,  so  that  he  now  has  1 60  acres  under  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation.  Ilis  stock  includes  some 
fine  specimens  of  Jersey  cattle,  and  his  residence, 
barns  and  out-buildings,  are  indicative  of  the  thrift 
and  enterprise  of  the  proprietor.  Mr.  Bramwell 
has  held  the  office  of  Township  Trustee  for  a  period 
of  twelve  years;  has  been  Town  Clerk  over  seven 
years,  and  has  served  as  Constable  and  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican, and  a  man  of  influence  in  his  party  in 
•  this  section.  The  various  members  of  the  family 
are  connected  with  and  regular  attendants  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


RS.  EMELINE  G.  BARNETT,  of  Leroy, 
is  the  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Tlieda 
(Woodruff)  Gibbs,  and  the  widow  of 
the  late  Thomas  J.  Barnett.  She  was 
born  in  Belpre,  Washington  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  11, 
1818.  Her  father,  Elisha  (iibbs,  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  and  also  her  grandfather,  Elisha 
Gibbs,  Si1.,  the  latter  spending  his  entire  life  in  his 
native  State.  Elisha  Gibbs,  Jr.,  was  reared  in  Con- 
necticut,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and 
millwright.  He  was  there  married,  and  soon  after- 
ward removed  to  New  York  and  located  near  Lake 
Geneva,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1816. 
He  then  removed  with  his  family  to  Ohio,  the  jour- 
ney being  made  on  a  raft  via  the  Ohio  and  Alle- 
ghany  Rivers.  They  first  located  in  Belpre,  whence 


after  two  or  three  years  they  removed  to  Mt.  Ver- 
non,  Knox  County,  where,  in  company  with  an- 
other man,  Mr.  Gibbs  erected  a  saw  and  grist  mill 
three  miles  from  the  village.  After  a  time  he  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  his  partner  and  operated  the 
mills  by  himself  until  the  fall  of  1838,  when  he  de- 
cided to  move  further  West.  After  reaching  Illi- 
nois he  came  into  McLean  County  and  purchased 
land  in  what  is  now  Empire  Township.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  removed  a  part  of  his  family  here, 
his  wife  and  two  children,  two  sons,  having  pre- 
ceded him.  He  located  in  Leroy  and  put  up  the 
first  mill  in  the  village.  His  sons  operated  the  mill 
and  Mr.  Gibbs  pursued  his  trade  in  different  places, 
putting  in  mill  machinery  wherever  required  and 
erecting  a  number  of  buildings  in  this  locality, 
many  of  which  are  now  standing. 

The  mother  of  Mrs.  Barnett,  who  before  her 
marriage  was  Miss  Theda  Woodruff,  was  born  in 
Connecticut,  and  a  daughter  of  Philo  Woodruff, 
also  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  who  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Gibbs, 
near  Mf.  Vernon,  Ohio.  He  was  a  prominent  Abo- 
litionist, and  both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Bar- 
nett died  in  Leroy  in  March,  1854.  The  parental 
family  consisted  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Maria  became  the  wife  of 
Luther  Hill,  and  died  in  Akron,  Ohio ;  Philo  died 
in  Decatur,  Ohio,  when  thirteen  years  old ;  David 
died  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa;  Simeon  lives  in  Leroy, 
this  county ;  Enoch,  in  Kansas  City,  Mo. ;  Mrs.  Bar- 
nett was  the  sixth  child ;  Julia  married  Rev.  Aus- 
tin Rogers,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  lives  in  Heyworth. 

Mrs.  Barnett  spent  her  youth  and  childhood  with 
her  parents,  and  attended  the  subscription  schools. 
When  of  suitable  age  and  attainments  she  entered 
Oberlin  College  and  graduated  from  there  when 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  after  her  parents  had  re- 
moved to  Illinois.  After  joining  them  there  she 
engaged  in  teaching,  and  continued  three  terms 
after  her  marriage.  This  event  occurred  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1845.  Her  husband,  Thomas  J.  Barnett, 
was  a  native  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and  born 
Jan.  21,  1818.  His  father,  Moses  Barnett,  was  a  '  ' 


t  ,    368 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 


native  of  Pennsylvania,  also  his  mother,  who  was 
formerly  Miss  Catharine  Ellis.  In  1831  Moses 
Hiirnett,  with  his  family,  emigrated  to  Illinois  ami 
settled  in  what  is  now  Empire  Township,  this 
county,  where  their  son  Thomas  was  reared  to  man- 
hood. He  received  a  limited  education,  and,  his 
parents  being  without  worldly  wealth,  he  worked 
out  by  the  day  or  month.  lie  broke  prairie  and  en- 
gaged in  teaming,  making  frequent  trips  to  and 
from  Chicago,  making  the  tedious  journeys  with 
oxen.  The  Garden  City  then  was  but  an  unpre- 
tentious hamlet,  and  the  experiences  of  Thomas  J. 
Barnett,  together  with  the  interesting  scenes  which 
he  witnessed  from  time  to  time  would  make  an  in- 
teresting volume.  After  his  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject they  lived  with  her  father's  family  for  a  time, 
and  Mr.  Barnett  cultivated  a  portion  of  the  land. 
He  was  industrious,  enterprising,  and  possessed  of 
excellent  judgment,  and  was  soon  in  a  condition  to 
become  the  owner  of  100  acres,  which  he  secured 
and  engaged  as  before  in  general  agriculture.  After 
a  few  years  he  abandoned  farming  to  engage  in  the 
grocery  and  hardware  business,  and  later  merged 
his  stock  into,  dry-goods.  He  was  a  thorough  and 
successful  business  man,  straightforward  and  hon- 
est in  his  transactions,  prompt  to  meet  his  obliga- 
tions, and  became  a  useful  and  honored  member  of 
the  community.  He  continued  in  business  until 
the  summer  of  1874,  and  then,  on  account  of  failing 
health,  disposed  of  his  interests  and  retired  from 
active  business.  He  departed  this  life  in  Septem- 
ber, 1882. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnett  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Alice 
married  John  Young,  and  lives  in  Chicago;  Emma 
became  the  wife  of  Denton  Young,  a  clothing  mer- 
chant of  Leroy;  Orvin  died  in  infancy;  Orrin  is  a 
resident  of  Lewistown,  Fulton  County,  this  State; 
Laura,  Mrs.  Dixon  Brown,  lives  in  Downs  Town- 
ship, this  county,  and  George  in  Chicago.  Mrs. 
Barnctt's  son  Orrin  possesses  unusual  musical  tal- 
ent which  has  been  finely  cultivated.  He  attended 
the  Conservatories  of  Music  at  Oberlin  and  Boston, 
and  is  well  qualified  for  the  position  which  he  oc- 
cupies as  leader  in  the  musical  circles  of  his  local- 
ity. 

Mrs.  Barnett  is  a  lady  of   more  than    ordinary 


ability,  has  been  a  wise  and  judicious  mother,  at- 
tending closely  to  the  training  and  the  education  of 
her  children,  and  has  fitted  them  to  become  good 
citizens  and  useful  members  of  the  community. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  greatty  respected  by  those  among 
whom  she  has  lived  for  so  many  years.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  society,  a  neighbor  and  friend,  she  has  ful- 
filled her  duties  creditably  and  conscientiously, 
and  has  built  for  herself  a  good  record  of  wom- 
anly virtues. 


EZEKIAH  R.  BENSON,  an  intelligent  mem- 
ber of  the  legal  profession  in  the  city  of 
Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  the  Empire 

__  State,  having  been  born  in  Onondaga 
County,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  18^6.  His  father,  Lyman 
Benson,  who  was  born  in  Washington  County,  N. 
Y.,  traces  his  ancestry  as  having  come  from  the 
north  of  England,  but  being  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent. The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  New  York  State, 
and  other  representatives  of  the  family  were  scat- 
tered in  Washington  and  Rutland  Counties,  the 
town  of  Benson  in  Rutland  County  having  been 
named  in  honor  of  them.  They  were  good  busi- 
ness men  generally,  and  the  possessors  of  comfort- 
able homes  and  a  good  amount  of  property. 

Lyman  Benson,  the  father  of  our  subject,  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  the  West  in  1841),  first 
settling  in  Belvidere,  111.,  which  was  then  the 
county  seat  of  Boone  County.  Here  he  carried  on 
the  manufacture  of  wagons,  at  the  same  time  being 
engaged  in  farming,  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days  there.  In  early  manhood  he  married  Miss 
Cornelia  Osborn,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  they  first 
located  in  New  York  State.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  ma- 
turity. Two  brothers  were  sacrificed  during  the 
late  war. 

Our  subject  was  the  fourth  child  of  the  parental 
family,  and  came  with  his  father  and  mother  to 
this  State.  He  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the 
common  schools  of  Boone  County,  and  completed 
them  at  Manlius  Academy,  N.  Y.  Later  he  at- 


f 


*-•-«• 


MCLEAN  COUNT 


Y1. 


369 


tended  the  law  department  of  the  University  at 
Chicago,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1864.  He 
then  came  to  McLean  County,  and  opened  an  of- 
fice in  Chcnoa,  where  he  began  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession,  following  it  there  six  years,  in 
the  meantime  serving  as  City  Clerk  and  Attorney. 
Mr.  Benson  came  to  Bloomington  in  the  fall  of 
1871.  and  was  soon  afterward  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Anna,  daughter  of  Henry  Gruzzelle,  a 
farmer  residing  in  the  east  part  of  the  county. 
They  located  in  Bloomington,  where  our  subject 
has  since  followed  his  profession.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  belongs  to  Bloom- 
ington Chapter  No.  26,  Royal  Arch  Masons.  For 
the  last  eight  years  he  has  been  Secretary  of  the 
Republican  Central  Committee,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Canton  Masonic  Mutual 
Benevolent  Society.  Religiously  he  is  identified 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  all  respects 
is  pursuing  the  honest  and  upright  course  of  a  good 
citizen  and  worthy  member  of  society.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Benson  have  become  the  parents  of  one  child 
—Nellie. 


5>ILLIAM  A.  ARROWSMITH,  a  well-known 
and  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Padua 
Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  farm 
estate  comprising  110  acres  on  section  24.  His 
land  is  valuable  and  fine!}'  improved,  the  residence 
of  modern  style  of  architecture,  and  the  barns  and 
out-buildings  shapely  and  substantial  structures,  in 
all  respects  adapted  for  the  purpose  for  which  they 
were  intended.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  this  sec- 
tion since  1856,  and  held  the  office  of  Supervisor 
for  a  period  of  six  years,  and  in  all  respects  is  a 
representative  citizen,  taking  a  genuine  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  his  county  and  community. 

Mr.  Arrowsmith  came  to  this  county  a  single 
man,  being  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  locating  first 
in  Padua  Township.  He  is  a  native  of  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Green  Township,  July  6, 
1838.  His  father,  John  Arrowsmith,  also  a  native 
of  Ross  Count}',  came  of  Kentucky  parentage,  and 
married  a  lady  of  that  State,  by  name  Miss  Phebe 
Ritter.  After  marriage  they  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Ross  County,  Ohio,  and  there  passed  the  remainder 


of  their  days.  John  Arrowsmith  was  born  in  1806, 
and  departed  this  life  in  1846.  His  wife,  Phoebe, 
was  born  in  1801,  and  died  two  years  before 
her  husband,  in  1844.  Of  their  six  children, 
our  subject  was  the  eldest  son  and  third  child, 
and  was  quite  young  when  his  parents  died. 
He  afterward  lived  with  an  older  sister,  for 
whom  the  father  had  provided  in  his  will  on  con- 
dition that  she  should  take  the  place  of  mother 
to  the  children  until  they  were  able  to  care  for 
themselves.  This  trust  she  nobly  fulfilled.  Our 
subject  received  a  good  public-school  education 
and  made  his  home  with  his  sister  until  he  started 
for  the  West.  After  arriving  here  he  lived  with 
another  relative  until  he  reached  his  majority. 

After  coming  to  this  county,  Mr.  Arrowsmith, 
being  in  possession  of  some  means  and  desiring  to 
still  further  perfect  himself  in  his  studies,  entered 
Wesleyan  College,  where  he  remained  until  the  out- 
break of  the  late  war.  On  the  6th  of  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  D,  94th 
Illinois  Regiment,  which  was  then  commanded  by 
Col.  W.  W.  Orme,  of  Bloomington.  He  is  now 
deceased.  The  first  destination  of  the  regiment 
after  it  left  Illinois  was  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  and 
young  Arrowsmith  participated  in  all  engagements 
thereafter,  being  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  the 
battle  at  Ft.  Morgan,  Ala.,  besides  minor  engage- 
ments. He  was  afterward  in  the  fight  at  Yazoo 
City,  Miss.,  Brownsville,  Tex.,  Ft.  Morgan  and 
Spanish  Fort.  He  escaped  injury,  although  his  coat 
was  at  one  time  pierced  by  a  ball  from  the  enemy. 
He  has  now  in  his  possession  a  hickory  cane  which 
bears  marks  of  the  enemy's  bullets  and  which  in- 
dicates that  they  fired  close  to  the  ground.  After 
a  period  of  brave  and  faithful  service,  during  which 
time  he  shared  uncomplainingly  the  privations  and 
hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  Mr.  Arrowsmith  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  at  Galveston,  Tex., 
July  17,  1865.  After  being  mustered  out  he  re- 
turned to  this  county  and  purchased  the  tract  of 
land  which  constitutes  his  present  homestead. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  Dec. 
21,  1865,  in  Padua  Township,  the  maiden  of 
his  choice  being  Miss  Martha  J.  Martin,  who  was 
born  on  the  farm  where  she  now  lives,  July  22, 
1840.  Mrs.  A.  is  the  daughter  of  Archer  and  Jane 


t 


370 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


(Lewallen)  Martin,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
but  while  young  removed  to  Ohio  and  were  there 
married.  The  mother  was  born  in  New  Jer-c>y. 
After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed 
West  in  1834  and  located  upon  the  farm  where  our 
subject  and  his  wife  now  live,  and  which  Mr.  Mar- 
tin improved  from  its  original  condition.  Here 
both  parents  died,  the  father,  July  28,  1868,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-nine  years,  having  been  born  Oct. 
10,  178'.».  The  mother,  who  was  born  May  30, 
1802,  died  June  25,  1872.  They  were  most  excel- 
lent people  and  greatly  respected  wherever  known. 
Mrs.  Arrowsmith  was  reared  and  educated  in 
Padua  Township  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  were  born  five  children,  two  of  whom, 
John  and  Mary,  died  when  less  than  one  year  old. 
Those  surviving  are  Sarah  J.,  the  wife  of  Ennis 
Wheeler,  a  farmer  of  Empire  Township;  Laura  and 
William  M.  at  home.  Mr.  Arrowsmith  is  strongly 
Republican  in  politics,  and  takes  an  active  interest 
in  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  schools. 
He  is  an  extensive  reader  and  possesses  a  large 
fund  of  general  information.  Besides  the  home 
farm,  he  owns  twenty-four  acres  of  valuable  land 
in  Empire  Township,  and  is  in  all  respects  a  flue 
representative  of  the  thrift}'  and  intelligent  citizen 
who  is  contributing  his  full  share  toward  the  pros- 
perity of  his  county. 


A.  MINER,  manufacturer  of  sash,  doors, 
blinds,  etc.,  and  general  contractor  and 
builder,  has  his  office  and  planing-mill  on 
Northeast  street,  which  occupy  Nos.  408, 
410,  412  and  414,  Bloomington,  111.  Mr.  Miner 
has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1856, 
when  he  left  the  home  of  his  childhood,  and  com- 
ing West  settled  first  at  Galesburg,  this  State, 
whence  he  soon  afterward  came  to  McLean  County. 
He  was  born  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1835, 
and  is  the  son  of  Seth  and  Abigail  (Phelps)  Miner, 
natives  respectively  of  Connecticut  and  New  York. 
Seth  Miner  was  extensively  engaged  in  farming  in 
the  Empire  State,  and  was  a  man  of  great  force  of 


character,  and  universally  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

The  Miner  family  trace  their  ancestry  back  to 
the  sixteenth  century,  when  two  brothers  came 
from  England  and  settled  in  Connecticut.  We  only 
date  back  in  this  biography  of  the  Miner  family  to 
E/.ra,  the  father  of  Seth  and  grandfather  of  (mi- 
subject.  This  gentleman  was  born  in  Connecticut, 
and  followed  the  sea  for  many  years  as  Captain  of 
a  merchant  vessel.  He  finally  abandoned  the  ocean, 
and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  the  peaceful 
pursuit  of  farming.  He  removed  from  Connecticut 
to  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  and  thence,  in  1840,  to 
Michigan,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
dying  when  about  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  He 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  always 
interested  himself  in  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of 
his  country. 

Seth  Miner,  'the  father  of  our  subject,  was  for 
many  years  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  various 
other  offices  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
was  a  leading  and  prominent  man  and  Captain  of 
the  State  Militia.  He  was  deeply  pious,  and  in  early- 
life  connected  himself  with  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  in  which  he  was  a  Class-Leader  and 
Chorister  for  many  years.  He  died  at  Honeoye, 
Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.,  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him, 
as  having  been  a  good  and  useful  citizen,  whose 
loss  could  scarcely  be  replaced.  The  mother  died 
at  Prattsburg,  N.  Y.  Of  the  six  children  which 
composed  the  parental  family  only  three  are  now 
living:  Henry  A.,  of  our  sketch;  Gertrude,  Mrs. 
Wing,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  Jane,  of 
Bloomington,  111. 

Henry  A.  Miner  attended  the  common  schools 
during  his  childhood,  but  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
started  out  in  life  for  himself.  He  first  apprenticed 
himself  to  learn  harness-making,  but  not  being  sat- 
isfied with  this  trade  he  took  up  that  of  a  carpen- 
ter, at  which  he  worked  until  1856,  in  his  native 
county.  He  then  came  to  Illinois,  as  before  stated, 
and  devoted  about  six  months  to  learning  archi- 
tecture and  building.  After  coming  to  Blooming- 
ton  he  worked  first  as  a  journeyman  carpenter,  and 
then  engaged  as  contractor  and  builder,  in  which 
he  was  successfully  occupied  for  ten  years  follow-  ' 


r 


RESIDENCE  OF  GOTTLIEB  ARNOLD  ,  S  EC.  21. .TowAN  DA  TOWNSHIP. 


- 


RESIDENCE  OF  W-. TYSON.  SEC.  22..Mi.  HOPE  TOWNSHIP 


RESIDENCE  or  W-.SCHWARZEL,  SEC. 28. JOWANDA  TOWNSHIP. 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


373    <  J 


ing,  often  having  under  his  employ  from  twcnty- 
flve  to  fifty  men.  Finding  it  necessary  to  increase 
his  business  facilities  he  rented  the  building  now 
occupied  by  the  Walton  Plow  Company,  where  he 
operated  successfully  for  fifteen  years.  He  then 
sold  out  at  a  profitable  figure  to  a  company  which 
had  been  formed  to  carry  on  the  same  business,  and 
was  their  manager  for  three  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased the  ground  upon  which  his  present  office 
and  shops  are  located,  and  built  these  and  the 
mill  in  18H1.  They  occupy  about  6,000  square 
feet  of  ground,  are  built  of  brick,  being  solid  and 
substantial  structures,  admirably  adapted  to  the 
purpose  for  which  the}'  were  erected.  Mr.  Miner  is 
also  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  west  of  the  city,  and 
takes  a  genuine  interest  in  agricultural  affairs.  He 
has  furnished  designs  for  many  of  the  best  build- 
ings in  McLean  County.  He  has  taken  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  his  adopted 
city,  and  has  furnished  his  full  quota  toward  bring- 
ing it  to  its  present  proud  position  among  the 
growing  cities  of  the  West.  Politically  Mr.  M.  is 
a  Republican,  and  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Bloomington,  in 
1885,  to  Miss  Emma  Thomas,  and  they  occupy  a 
beautiful  residence  at  the  corner  of  McLean  and 
Locust  streets,  being  surrounded  by  all  the  com- 
forts of  life  and  many  of  its  luxuries.  By  a 
former  marriage  of  our  subject  there  were  born 
three  children :  Frank,  of  Kansas  City ;  Belle,  who 
became  the  wife  of  C.  A.  Clement,-  of  Springfield, 
Mo.,  and  Willie,  at  home  with  his  father. 


.  JOHN  AV.  FISHER,  U.  S..  of  Blooming- 
jj  ton,  111.,  is  a  native  of  Flushing,  Belmont 
Co.,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  in  a  log 
cabin  on  the  2d  of  October,  1829.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Hannah  (Thompson)  Fisher, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Ohio  after  their 
marriage  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  John 
Fisher,  Sr.,  in  early  life  had  learned  the  trade  of  a 
cooper,  but  practically  abandoned  it  after  remov- 
ing westward.  The  parents  established  a  comfortable 
home  in  the  Buckeye  State,  upon  which  they  passed 


the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  mother  dying  in 
1881,  and  the  father  two  years  later.  The  parental 
fttmity  included  nine  children,  five  now  living,  as 
follows:  Martha,  Mrs.  Smith,  resides  in  Ohio;  the 
next  oldest  is  our  subject,  Dr.  John  W. ;  Asa  B.  is 
in  Wichita,  Kan;  Maria,  Mrs.  Baldertson,  is  in 
Washington,  Kan.;  Anna,  Mrs.  Ilolloway,  lives  in 
Ohio. 

Dr.  Fisher  was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  parents, 
and  well  remembers  how  the  snow  drifted  through 

o 

the  cracks  of  their  humble  cabin  as  he  lay  in  his 
bed  in  the  winter  time.  He  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  primary  schools,  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  He  then  read  medicine  for  one  year,  and 
commenced  the  study  of  dentistry  a  year  later,  first 
engaging  in  practice  in  his  own  town.  He  was 
without  capital,  but  was  desirous  to  go  to  St. 
Clairsville,  the  county  seat  of  Belmont  County, 
where  he  believed  he  could  find  a  better  field  of 
operation.  An  old  Quaker,  Daniel  Huff,  knowing 
of  his  desires,  stopped  him  on  the  road  one  day, 
and  holding  out  $100  invited  him  to  help  himself. 
Young  Fisher  accepted  $50  at  eight  per  cent  inter- 
est, and  six  months  after  settling  in  St.  Clairsville 
paid  the  indebtedness  in  full,  both  principal  and 
interest. 

Dr.  Fisher  practiced  in  St.  Clairsville  for  over 
eleven  years,  with  fine  results,  then,  desiring  to  see 
something  of  the  western  country,  he  started  for 
the  Prairie  State,  and  in  1869  came  to  Blooming- 
ton.  He  did  not  commence  practice,  however, 
until  two  years  later,  bi(t  since  1871  has  followed 
his  profession  continuously.  On  the  24th  of  July, 
1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  E. 
Clemens,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Pleasant  (Mer- 
ritt)  Clemens,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  two  children,  a  son  and 
daughter — James  E.  and  Mary  A.  Their  pleasant 
home  is  located  at  No.  514  East  Locust  street,  and 
the  office  of  Dr.  Fisher  is  at  No.  402  North  Main. 
In  addition  to  his  dwelling  in  the  city  he  has  a 
farm  of  120  acres  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  which 
is  cultivated  and  improved,  and  quite  valuable. 
Dr.  Fisher  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  regular 
attendant  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a 


f 


f 


374 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


member  of  the  Illinois  -State  Dental  Society,  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  highly 
esteemed  as  a  eiti/en,  and  in  his  profession  ranks 
among  its  most  skillful  and  successful  members. 


NTIS  T.  HALL,  a  retired  fanner  now  a  resi- 
dent of  the  village  of  Danvers,  is  a  native 
of  the  Old  (Jranitc  State,  having  been  born 
in  Salem,  N.  II.,  April  3,  1828.  He  is  the  son  of 
Israel  W.  and  Polly  (Stickney)  Hall,  natives  of  the 
same  State,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  1798.  Is- 
rael Hull  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  came  into 
the  Prairie  State  in  1834,  locating  in  McLean 
County  at  an  early  period  in  its  history.  He  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  good  farming  land,  upon  which 
he  located  and  commenced  its  improvement  and 
cultivation.  He  was  married  to  the  mother  of  our 
subject  in  1824,  and  remained  upon  the  homestead 
which  he  had  first  established  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1865.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  son,  the  subject  of  this 
notice.  The  parental  household  consisted  of  three 
children:  Alice,  who  married  Jacob  McClure,  and 
died  in  1884;  Otis,  of  our  sketch,  and  Cynthia,  who 
married  for  her  first  husband,  Thomas  Dodge,  now 
deceased,  and  she  was  then  married  to  John  Morri- 
son. The  father  of  our  subject  was  an  outspoken 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  both  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Otis  T.  Hall  was  reared  by  his  parents  and  re- 
mained with  them  until  he  had  attained  his  major- 
ity, in  the  meantime  receiving  a  common-school 
education.  He  came  with  them  to  this  county, 
and  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  the  father's 
death.  The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss 
Eliza  Wilson  took  place  in  this  county  in  1870. 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  Hall  were  James  and  Susan  J. 
(Whiting)  Wilson,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia 
and  Kentucky.  Her  father  was  born  in  1800,  being 
twenty  years  the  senior  of  his  wife,  who  was  born 
in  1820.  He  had  been  reared  to  farming  pursuits, 
and  before  his  marriage  removed  to  Indiana  and 
purchased  200  acres  of  good  farming  land.  He 
was  then  married,  in  1840,  and  after  remaining 


there  a  number  of  years,  came  to  this  State  and 
county  with  the  view  of  establishing  :i  permanent 
home.  Mr.  Wilson  purchased  300  acres  in  Dan- 
vers Township,  which  he  cultivated  and  occupied 
until  1881,  and  then  removed  into  the  village  and 
practically  retired  from  active  business.  Here,  two 
years  later  the  mother  died,  June  9,  1883.  The 
death  of  Mr.  Wilson  occurred  Feb.  8,  1880.  Their 
fourteen  children  were  named  as  follows:  Sarah, 
William,  John,  Joseph,  James,  Mary,  Alfred,  Eliza,. 
Anna.  Manley,  Charles,  (ieorge,  Margaret  and  Ad- 
die.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Hall  and  wife  have  had  born  to  them  one 
child,  Gertie  W.,  who  is  twelve  years  old.  In  pol- 
itics Mr.  Hall  is  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Hall  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  and  Mr.  Hall  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church. 


I 


<j[  SAAC  P.  MITCHELL,  deceased  March  26, 1887, 
was  an  honored  member  of  McLean  County, 
and  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  the  Old 
Dominion,  having  been  born  in  Frederick  County, 
Va.,  on  the  14th  of  October,  1811.  His  father, 
Thomas  Mitchell,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  and  a  commissioned  oflicer  in  the  Naval 
Department.  After  the  independence  of  the  colo- 
nies was  established  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Fred- 
erick County,  Va.,  where  he  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  slave- 
holder, but  a  man  of  humane  and  generous  instincts, 
and  in  his  last  will  and  testament  made  provision 
for  the  freedom  of  all  his  colored  people.  One  of 
the  slaves  was  quite  young  and  he  was  to  be  sold 
and  freed  at  a  certain  age.  Isaac  P.,  our  subject, 
purchased  this  one  and  freed  him  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed. The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our 
subject  was  Deborah  Perkins,  and  she  also  was 
born  in  Frederick  County,  Va.,  and  died  there  on 
the  farm  which  she  had  inherited  from  her  father. 
Isaac  P.  Mitchell  was  the  sixth  child  and  second 
son  of  his  parents.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's 
plantation  and  received  his  primary  education  in 
the  subscription  schools.  He  remained  at  home 
until  the  death  of  his  mother,  when  he  was  nearly  ' 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


375 


twenty-one  years  old.  lie  then  joined  an  older 
brother  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  and  remained  there 
until  1838,  in  the  meantime  having  assumed  domes- 
tic ties,  and  was  now  a  man  of  family  with  ,1  wife 
and  two  children.  He  now  determined  to  seek  a 
more  western  location,  and  accordingly  started  for 
the  prairies  of  Illinois.  His  outfit  consisted  of  two 
horses  and  a  wagon,  into  which  they  loaded  their 
household  goods  and  packed  provisions,  and  started 
on  their  journey  overland,  camping  and  cooking 
by  the  way.  They  spent  their  first  3'ear  in  the 
Prairie  State  in  the  little  town  of  Paris,  Edgar 
County,  and  then  rented  a  tract  of  land  in  McLean 
County,  which  is  now  included  in  the  heart  of  the 
city  of  Bloomington.  He  was  thus  occupied  for 
the  following  three  or  four  years,  and  then  entered 
a  tract  of  Government  land  which  is  now  included 
in  the  old  homestead.  He  had  just  money  enough 
to  enter  eighty  acres,  and  as  he  wanted  double  that 
amount  he  visited  the  office  of  a  lawyer,  stated  his 
case,  and  by  giving  the  gentleman  security  on  the 
eighty  acres  already  entered,  managed  to  raise  the 
money  required,  upon  which  he  paid  forty  per  cent 
interest.  He  earned  money  to  pay  for  his  land  by 
breaking  prairie  and  then  renting  it,  and  continued 
this  labor  during  the  summer  season,  and  while  not 
thus  employed  was  engaged  in  teaming  for  merchants 
between  Bloomington,  Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  using 
oxen  for  his  motive  power.  He  also  hauled  wheat 
to  Chicago,  125  miles  distant,  which  he  sold  at 
tv/enty-five  cents  per  bushel,  the  trip  consuming 
from  eight  to  ten  days.  During  this  time  he  lived 
very  economically,  saved  what  he  could  of  his  earn- 
ings, and  after  a  few  years  was  enabled  to  build 
and  locate  on  his  farm.  In  the  spring  of  18G8  he 
removed  to  Kansas,  settled  in  Wilson  County,  and 
together  purchased  and  entered  nearly  800  acres  of 
land,  remaining  a  resident  of  that  State  until  1880, 
when  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  in  Dale 
Township.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  very  successful  as  a 
farmer,  and  has  been  the  possessor  of  920  acres  of 
land  in  Dale  Township  beside  his  laud  in  Kansas. 
The  greater  part  of  this  he  has  deeded  to  his  sons, 
beside  providing  for  his  daughters. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Sarah  Johnstone  in  1837.  This  lady  was 
born  in  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  her  father,  John 


Johnstone,  havirtg  been  a  native  of  the  same  coun- 
try and  a  farmer  by  occupation,  where  he  spent  his 
entire  life.  The  maiden  name  of  her  mother  was 
Jeanette  Johnstone,  and  she  lived  and  died  in  her 
native  Scotland,  in  Dumfriesshire.  Mr.  Mitchell 
was  her  second  husband,  her  first  being  David  Irv- 
ing, to  whom  she  was  married  in  Dumfriesshire  and 
with  whom  she  came  to  America  in  1832.  They 
first  located  in  Canada  and  afterward  removed  to 
Ohio.  Mr.  I.  died  in  the  South  in  1833,  leaving 
one  child,  John  J.,  whose  name  was  afterward 
changed  to  Mitchell.  Mr.  Mitchell  and  his  wife 
had  five  children  born  to  them,  viz  :  Andrew  T.,  Rob- 
ert P.,  Jeanette,  Mary  (deceased),  and  Isaac.  The 
three  eldest  are  residents  of  Dale  Township,  this 
county  ;  Jeanette  is  the  wife  of  E.  H.  McClung,  and 
lives  in  Englewood,  111.;  Isaac  is  a  resident  of  Dal- 
las, Tex.  ;  Robert  P.  is  unmarried  and  carries  on 
the  home  farm.  He  served  four  and  one-half 
months  during  the  Rebellion,  in  the  70th  Illinois 
Infantry. 

Mr.  Mitchell  was  a  Republican  in  politics  after 
the  organization  of  that  party.  He  was  naturally 
possessed  of  energy  and  industry,  and  was  actively 
employed  until  1884,  when  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
he  was  thrown  from  a  carriage,  and  a  broken  hip 
made  him  a  cripple  for  the  balance  of  his  days. 
His  mind,  however,  was  as  bright  and  intelligent  as 
ever,  and  he  directed  the  affairs  of  his  homestead 
with  the  same  judgment  as  of  old.  Mrs.  Mitchell  is  a 
lady  of  great  intelligence  and  business  talent,  and 
has  been  well  fitted  for  the  helpmeet  of  such  a  man 
as  her  husband.  She  occupies  a  pleasant  home- 
stead and  is  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of 
life. 


K  BRAND,  wholesale  and  retail  dealer 
in  furniture,  located  at  the  corner  of  North 
an<I  Main  streets,  Bloomington,  is  carrying 
on  a  profitable  and  steadily  increasing  trade.  Mr. 
Brand  is  a  representative  German  citizen,  who  has 
identified  himself  with  the  interests  of  his  adopted 
country,  and  has  became  a  valued  factor  in  the 
business  of  this  city.  He  was  born  in  "VVurtem- 
berg,  German}',  on  the  25th  of  August,  1829.  In 
accordance  witli  the  laws  and  customs  of  his  native 


f 


.t 


M.-LKAN    COUNTY. 


country  he  commenced  attending1  school  when  >i\ 
years  of  age.  and  continued  diligently  until  four- 
teen. He  then  engaged  to  learn  the  baker's  trade, 
at  which  he  worked  two  years,  then  sailed  for  the 
United  States,  which  he  reached  after  a  prosperous 
voyage  of  forty-one  days,  landing  in  the  city  of 
New  York.  Thence  he  proceeded  westward  to 
Holmes  County,  Ohio,  where  he  resumed  work  at 
his  trade  and  remained  three  years,  thence  going 
into  Somerset  County,  the  same  State.  From  there 
he  proceeded  to  the  city  of  Cleveland,  and  after- 
ward to  Detroit  and  Chicago. 

In  1853  Mr.  Brand  came  to  Bloomington,  and 
engaged  with  J.  DePew,  with  whom  he  remained 
for  eight  years  following.  He  then  became  the 
partner  of  his  employer,  with  whom  he  operated 
two  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  went 
into  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railway 
Company,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1870  he  commenced  business  on  his 
own  account,  with  a  capital  of  $190,  $100  of  which 
he  paid  out  for  a  stock  of  lumber.  He  then  com- 
menced to  manufacture  furniture  on  a  small  scale, 
and  in  the  course  of  time  began  to  prosper  and 
business  to  increase.  He  was  soon  compelled  to 
enlarge  his  stock  and  capacities  for  work  and 
employ  men  to  assist  him.  He  possessed  good 
business  abilities,  was  prompt  in  meeting  his  obli- 
gations, and  before  long  secured  a  good  patronage. 
He  is  now  carrying  on  an  extensive  factory,  his 
business  operations  extending  throughout  this  and 
other  States. 

In  1885  Mr.  Brand  put  up  his  present  business 
house,  which  is  four  stories  in  height,  and  covers  an 
area  of  24x98  feet,  all  of  which  is  occupied  in  carry- 
ing on  his  manufactures.  The  building  was  erected  at 
a  cost  of  $18,000,  and  is  all  paid  for,  which,  consid- 
ering the  modest  beginning  of  our  subject,  speaks. 
well  for  his  industry,  perseverance  and  good  man- 
agement. This  structure  is  one  of  the  neatest 
business  houses  in  the  city,  and  an  ornament  to  the 
block  whereon  it  is  located.  Besides  this  Mr. 
Brand  has  a  good  residence  handsomely  finished 
and  furnished,  where  he  eiijyys  the  society  of  his 
friends  and  acquaintances  and  dispenses  a  generous 
hospitality. 

Mr.  Brand  was  married  in   1862,  to  Miss  Lena 


Koclit,  of  Ohio,  and  they  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  Our 
subject  is  a  member  and  Steward  of  the  First 
Methodist  Kpiseopal  Church,  and  socially  belongs 
to  Remembrance  Lodge  No.  77,  I.  O.  ().  F.  In 
politics  lie  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


M.  HAMILTON,  attorney-at-law, 
Bloomington,  is  giving  particular  atten- 
tion to  the  pension  business,  and  has  his  of- 
fice at  No.  101  West  Jefferson  street.  He  came  to 
this  county  in  March,  1870,  and  soon  afterward  lo- 
cated in  Bloomington,  where  he  has  since  resided, 
and  followed  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  a 
manner  indicative  of  ability  and  good  judgment. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  born  in  Schenectady,  N.  Y., 
Jan.  8,  1839.  His  father,  F.  H.  Hamilton,  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  descended  from  excel- 
lent Scotch  ancestry.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, Joseph  Hamilton  by  name,  served  as  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  F.  II.  Hamilton  removed 
from  his  native  State  to  New  York  when  a  young 
man,  and  there  married  Miss  Ruth  Ann  Cady,  of 
Schenectady,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of 
seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  childhood, 
and  five  lived  to  mature  years.  Our  subject  was 
the  second  son. 

Mr.  Hamilton  remained  in  his  native  county  un- 
til about  fifteen  years  old,  then  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  The 
war  then  coming  on  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Union,  in  Co.  F,  84th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.  He  pro- 
ceeded with  his  regiment  to  Cumberland,  Md.,  to 
guard  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  was 
thereafter  on  detached  duty,  which  consisted  most 
of  the  time  in  fighting  guerrillas.  He  served  two 
years,  and  was  neither  wounded  nor  taken  prisonor, 
and  received  his  honorable  discharge  in  the  fall  of 
1865. 

Mr.  Hamilton  commenced  reading  law  in  Steu- 
benville,  Ohio,  in  1861,  in  the  office  of  R.  S.  Moody, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  liar  in  September,  18C3. 
After  his  return  from  the  army  he  was  elected 
City  Attorney  and  served  two  years.  Thereafter 
he  practiced  law  in  a  general  way,  and  in  March, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


377 


1870,  turned  his  face  toward  the  Great  West. 
After  reaching  Bloomington  he  opened  a  law 
office,  and  to  the  duties  of  this  has  given  his  close 
attention  since  that  time,  making  a  specialty  of 
pensions  and  other  war  claims. 

The  father  of  our  subject  is  still  living,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  over  eighty-three  years,  having 
been  born  March  31,  1804.  He  makes  his  home 
in  Bloomington,  at  the  residence  of  his  son  Erskine. 
The  mother  died  in  1882.  She  was  born  Sept.  12, 
181 '2,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Peter  Cady,  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  New  York  State. 


R.  ALEXANDER  T.  DARRAH,  Grand 
Master  of  the  Masons  in  Illinois,  and  a 
skilled  physician  and  surgeon  of  Bloom- 
ington, has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1838,  and  of  Bloomington  since  1883. 
.  He  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction  and  a  fine  speci- 
men of  physical  manhood,  being  the  largest  in 
stature  of  a  family  noted  for  its  development  both 
physically  and  intellectually. 

Dr.  Darrah  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio, 
on  the  17th  of  March,  1836.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Orr)  Darrah,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Pennsylvania  respectively,  the  father  born  in 
1811  and  the  mother  in  1803.  His  grandparents, 
James  and  Nancy  (Kent)  Darrah,  were  natives  re- 
spectively of  Virginia  and  Ohio.  When  a  young 
man  James  Darrah  removed  from  Virginia  to  Ohio, 
where  he  became  a  large  landholder,  and  lived  until 
1856.  He  then  sold  out,  and  coming  to  Griggs- 
ville,  111.,  retired  from  active  labor,  and  with  his 
wife  spent  the  remainder  of  his  daj's  there.  James 
Darrah  died  in  1866,  aged  ninety-nine;  his  wife 
departed  this  life  in  1862,  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
five  years.  Both  were  connected  with  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  and  useful,  honored  members 
of  society.  Of  their  family  of  eight  children  all 
lived  to  mature  years,  and  the  records  of  the  fam- 
ily for  generations  back  indicate  a  long-lived  race. 
On  the  mother's  side,  the  grandfather,  James,  and 
grandmother,  Mary  (Thompson)  Orr,  were  natives 
of  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.   Orr  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and   the 


owner  of  a  line  homestead  in  Pennsylvania.  This 
he  afterward  sold,  and  removed  to  Ohio,  purchas- 
ing a  farm  in  Harrison  County,  upon  which  he  re- 
mained until  1838.  He  then  came  to  Pike  County, 
111.,  and  passed  his  declining  years  free  from  care. 
Mrs.  Orr  departed  this  life  in  1834,  and  James 
Orr  ten  years  later,  in  1844.  Their  family  of  seven 
children  lived  to  become  men  and  women,  and  al- 
most without  exception  the  children  of  both  fami- 
lies were  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 

John  Darrah,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  after  his  marriage 
removed  from  Ohio  to  Illinois,  purchasing  640 
acres  of  land  in  Pike  County,  which  he  occupied 
until  1865,  and  then  sold  this  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Champaign  County,  whence,  after  a  year, 
he  removed  to  the  village  of  Tolono,  where  he  died 
in  March,  1886.  The  decease  of  the  mother  took 
place  in  Champaign  County,  in  1868.  Of  the  par- 
ental family  of  ten  children,  three  died  in  infancy 
and  six  are  still  living,  the  record  being  as  follows: 
Lucinda,  Mrs.  Curfman,  resided  in  Douglas  County 
until  January,  1887,  the  date  of  her  death;  James 
W.  and  his  sister,  Jane  Taylor,  are  in  Tolono,  111. ; 
Dr.  A.  T.  is  our  subject;  Thomas  is  an  extensive 
farmer,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  Champaign  County,  111.,  having  his  residence  at 
Pesotnm  ;  Matthew  S.,  of  Pittsfield,  111.,  has  been  oc- 
cupied both  in  farming  and  mercantile  pursuits, 
and  is  now  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Pike  County;  Will- 
iam II.  is  a  farmer  and  stockraiser  of  Sadorus,  111. 

John  Darrah  was  for  a  number  of  years  Justice 
of  the  Peace  in  Champaign  County,  and  held  other 
minor  offices  within  the  gift  of  his  townsmen,  being 
also  County  Commissioner.  Politically  he  was  a 
stanch  Democrat.  Both  parents  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the  father  of 
our  subject  for  many  years  was  Class-Leader,  Stew- 
ard and  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school,  a 
useful  man  in  his  church  and  his  community,  be- 
loved and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Dr.  Alexander  T.  Darrah  spent  his  boyhood 
years  on  the  farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  district 
school,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  In  1858,  while 
still  pursuing  his  studies  in  school,  he  became  one 
of  the  Directors,  and  before  the  expiration  of  the 


f 


378 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


term  he  was  Principal  of  the  school.  At  this  time 
he  determined  to  see  something  of  the  world,  and 
accordingly,  leaving  the  parental  roof,  became  en- 
gaged as  a  surveyor  for  a  map  publishing  firm  of 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  was  thus  employed  two  years. 

From  youth  the  subject  of  our  history  had  de- 
termined to  become  a  physician,  and  while  teaching 
school  and  vocal  music  he  employed  his  spare  mo- 
ments in  the  study  of  medicine.  In  due  time  he 
entered  the  office  of  Dr.  A.  J.  Miller,  of  Stone's 
Prairie,  Adams  Co.,  111.,  and  after  close  application 
for  two  years  entered  Rush  Medical  College  at 
Chicago,  from  which  he  graduated  with  high  honors 
on  the  2uth  of  January,  1865,  and  commenced 
practice  at  Tolono,  111.  On  the  14th  of  March, 
186G,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Fugate, 
a  native  of  Missouri,  and  the  daughter  of  Wil- 
bourne  and  Euphema  (Thomson)  Fugate,  both  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.,  after 
their  marriage,  located  on  a  farm  in  Missouri.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  Darrah  was  a  man  of  fine  abilities, 
possessing  both  musical  and  literary  talents,  and 
commenced  teaching  while  a  very  young  man. 
They  removed  to  Illinois  in  1838.  In  his  younger 
years  Mr.  F.  was  a  student  in  the  William  and 
Mary  College,  of  Virginia,  and  became  a  historian 
of  great  excellence.  He  always  took  a  deep  inter- 
est in  educational  matters,  and  after  a  worthy  and 
useful  life  ceased  from  his  earthly  labors  in  1885. 
The  mother  is  still  living,  in  Urbana,  111.,  aged 
seventy-five.  Of  their  family  of  six  children,  the 
record  is  as  follows :  John  T.  is  a  practicing  phy- 
sician of  Urbana,  111.;  Jerome  W.  is  following  the 
same  profession  in  Lawrence,  Kan. ;  Elizabeth  H. 
is  the  wife  of  our  subject;  Lycurgus  W.  is  practic- 
ing medicine  at  Colchester,  McDonough  Co.,  III.; 
David  W.  is  a  resident  of  Camp  Point,  111.,  and 
Martha  M.  also  resides  at  the  latter-named  place. 

Dr.  Darrah  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Tolono,  Champaign  County,  and  contin- 
ued for  eighteen  years  there.  For  two  terms  he 
was  President  of  the  Champaign  County  Medical 
Society;  has  served  as  Secretary  of  the  Judicial 
Council  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  a  number  of 
years,  and  was  Vice  President  and  then  President 
of  the  same  during  18*2-8:!.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Champaign  County,  McLean  County,  Cen- 


tral Illinois  and  Illinois  State  Medical  Societies;  is 
identified  with  the  American  Medical  Association, 
and  an  honorary  member  of  the  Southern  Illinois 
Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Darrah  came  to  Bloomington  in  1883,  but 
his  reputation  had  already  preceded  him,  and  he 
stepped  at  once  into  a  lucrative  and  extensive 
practice.  His  office  is  located  at  No.  109  East 
\\  .-isliington  street,  and  the  attractive  residence  of 
himself  and  family  is  at  No.  (!14  East  Front  street. 
The  household  circle  includes  three  children — Del- 
mar  1).,  Nellie  E.  and  Ada  M. 

During  years  of  pressing  business  cares  Dr.  Dar- 
rah has  been  greatly  interested  in  the  success  of  Ma- 
sonry, and  has  been  a  prominent  figure  among  its 
councils  since  18C3.  Besides  passing  all  the  de- 
grees up  to  his  present  high  position  in  the  frater- 
nity, he  is  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Illinois  Or- 
phans' Home,  is  Associate  Chief  of  the  Illinois  Ma- 
sonic Veterans,  and  honorary  member  of  Star  Lodge 
No.  240,  in  Champaign.  He  now  occupies  the 
highest  position  within  the  gift  of  the  fraternity  of 
Illinois,  to  which  he  is  amply  entitled  by  his  long 
experience,  mature  judgment  and  wise  councils.  In 
politics  Dr.  Darrah  uniformly  casts  his  vote  with 
the  Democratic  party. 


DWARD  BUNN,  an  extensive  stock-dealer 
of  Danvers,  and  having  his  residence  in  the 
village,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1852.  He  has  a  good  knowledge  of  the 
business  in  which  he  is  engaged,  and  is  meeting 
with  fair  success.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  2,  1 835,  being  the  son  of  Jef- 
ferson and  Mary  (Madden)  Bunn,  of  Ohio  and  Vir- 
ginia respectively.  Jefferson  Bunn  was  of  (icrman 
ancestry  and  parentage,  but  born  in  Ohio  Sept.  1C, 
l<HI)->.  lie  was  a  cabinet-maker  by  trade,  having 
served  his  apprenticeship  at  Chillicothe,  in  his  na- 
tive county,  where  he  was  married.  He  removed 
to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1852,  and  located  at  Bloom- 
ington,  whence,  after  two  years'  residence  he  re- 
moved to  Table  Grove,  Fulton  County.  There  he 
followed  farming  pursuits  for  five  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Macomb,  where  he  was  employed  in  the 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


379 


cabinet-shop  of  Messrs  John  and  Thomas  McEl- 
rath  for  two  years.  From  there  he  came  to  Dan- 
vers, where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days 
and  departed  this  life  Dec.  29,  1885. 

Jefferson  Bunn  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  for  a  period  of  forty  years.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  also  connected  with  the 
same  church.  Her  birth  occurred  in  1 800,  and  her 
death  on  the  22d  of  July,  1872.  The  parental 
household  included  six  children,  three  now  living. 
The  record  is  as  follows:  Lewis  died  in  1829,  and 
Maria  L.,  Feb.  16,  1830;  one  died  in  infancy  un- 
named; George  lives  in  Bloomington,  and  married 
Miss  E.  Rayburn;  Susan  resides  in  Danvers,  and 
Edward  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Bunn  occurred  Jan.  1, 
1857,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Eliza  Wil- 
fong.  The  wedding  took  place  at  Macomb,  111., 
John  O.  C.  Wilson,  Esq.,  officiating.  Mrs.  Bunn 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  May  18,  1833,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  William  P.  and  Sarah  (Marley) 
Wilfong.  The  former  was  born  in  Rawleigh,  N.  C., 
in  September,  1798,  where  he  was  reared  and  mar- 
ried. He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  family  in  1843, 
and  located  in  Hancock  County,  where  they  lived 
one  year,  thence  removing  to  Birmingham,  Schuy- 
ler  County,  and  from  there  to  Maeomb,  where  the 
death  of  the  father  occurred  on  the  8th  of  June, 
1877.  The  mother  of  Mrs,  Bunn  was  born  in 
Randolph  County,  N.  C.,  in  1809,  and  was  married 
in  1832.  She  is  still  living,  and  makes  her  home 
with  her  daughter  in  Danvers.  The  parental  house- 
hold consisted  of  ten  children,  viz.,  Eliza,  Isabel, 
Ann,  Sarah,  Emeline,  Martha,  Rosa,  James,  John, 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Of  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  there 
have  been  born  six  children — Ida,  Laura,  Clarence, 
Nora,  Mattie  and  Orin.  Ida  became  the  wife  of 
John  Musselman,  a  druggist  of  Danvers;  Laura 
married  William  Shorthose,  a  farmer  of  Dauvers; 
Nora  married  Harr}'  Swearengin,  a  railroad  man ; 
Clarence  married  Miss  Nettie  Montague,  and  is 
foreman  of  a  lumber-yard  at  Bloomington,  111. 
Mr.  Bunn  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1852, 
and  in  a  period  of  over  thirty  years  has  been  an 
interested  witness  of  the  development  and  progress 
of  the  Prairie  State.  He  may  not  have  distin- 
«•  


guished  himself  by  any  remarkable  deeds,  but  he 
has  been  a  law-abiding,  enterprising  and  worthy 
citizen,  living  at  peace  with  his  neighbors,  and  per- 
forming all  the  obligations  of  a  valued  member  of 
the  community. 


B.  CHRISTIAN  P.  NAFZIGER,  an  excellent 
representative  of  the  worthy  German  farm- 
ing  element  of  this  region,  is  comfortably 
located  in  Allin  Township,  on  section  18,  where  he 
is  carrying  on  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture, 
and  by  his  upright  and  honest  course  in  life  has  se- 
cured the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
Mr.  Nafziger  was  born  in  Prussia,  July  20,  1819, 
being  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Nafziger) 
Nafziger,  both  natives  of  the  German  Empire,  the 
father  born  in  1797,  and  the  mother  the  following 
jrear.  They  were  married  in  their  native  county 
in  about  1817,  and  remained  there  until  1853, 
when  they  set  sail  for  the  New  World.  After  land- 
ing in  New  York  City,  they  proceeded  immediately 
westward  to  this  State  and  count}',  where  the  father 
of  our  subject  purchased  eighty  acres  of  fine  farm- 
ing land,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1884.  The  mother  had  died 
previously  in  1863,  after  they  had  become  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children,  named  as  follows:  Au- 
gustus, Eliza,  Helen,  Helena,  Katie,  Henrietta  and 
G.  B.  Christian  P.  of  our  sketch.  They  were  most 
excellent  and  worthy  people,  members  of  the 
Mennonite  Church,  and  trained  their  children  to 
habits  of  industry  and  principles  of  honor. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and 
in  1855  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Kate 
Nafziger,  in  McLean  County,  111.  He  reached  the 
United  States  in  the  spring  of  1840,  and  first  went 
to  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  three  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Germany,  and  after  a  sojourn 
of  nine  years  in  his  native  land,  set  out  once  more 
for  America.  Then  Mr.  N.  came  to  the  Prairie 
State  and  this  county,  where  he  was  married  and 
where  he  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  now 
resides.  Here  he  is  engaged  in  general  agriculture, 
and  is  devoting  much  time  and  attention  to  the 


t. 


'  ,    380 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


breeding  of  graded  stock.  The  eight  children  of 
our  subject  are  recorded  as  follows:  Augustus 
married  Miss  Lizzie  Ehrsmau,  of  Allin  Township; 
Eliza  became  the  wife  of  Christian  Otto;  Minnie 
married  Arnold  I'nziger;  Emila  married  a  gentle- 
man of  the  same  name;  Katie,  Julia,  Bertha  and 
Ferdinand  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  The  lat- 
ter are  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and  our 
subject,  politically,  affiliates  with  the  Democratic 
parti'. 


RESLEY  T.  BROOKS,  a  retired  farmer 
now  living  in  ease  and  comfort  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Stanford,  is  wisely  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  his  early  toil  and  taking  satisfac- 
tion in  the  consciousness  of  a  well-spent  life.  He 
was  born  in  Hart  County,  Ky.,  Nov.  9, 1821,  being 
the  son  of  Miles  and  Lucy  (Pullian)  Brooks,  both 
natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  Dec.  1, 
1781,  and  the  mother  Aug.  5, 1784.  Miles  Brooks 
disposed  of  his  possessions  in  Kentucky  in  1828, 
and  started  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  stopping 
during  the  winter  of  that  year  and  the  summer  of 
1829  in  Indiana.  In  the  fall  of  1829  he  came  into 
Sangamon  County,  where  he  remained  until  Decem- 
ber, and  then  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now 
Allin  Township,  this  county,  to  which  he  removed 
his  familj-  and  where  he  established  a  comfortable 
home.  There  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
dying  in  1840.  lie  was  prospered  in  his  farming 
and  business  transactions,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  the  owner  of  500  acres  of  choice  land 
with  modern  improvements.  Mrs.  Brooks  survived 
her  husband  about  three  years  and  died  Feb.  1 1 , 
1844.  They  became  the  parents  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  America  was  born  March  12, 
1806;  Elizabeth,  April  2,  1807;  Virginia,  Oct.  10, 
1808;  Millie,  June  16,  1810;  Benjamin  P.,  March 
24,  1812;  Elzey,  Oct.  12,  1814;  Sarepta  S.,  Aug. 
20,  1H17;  /crilda,  Oct.  19,  1819;  Presley  T.,  Nov. 
9,  1821;  Lucy  A.,  May  17,  1825;  Martha  D., 
March  21,  1823.  In  Kentucky  the  parents  were 
connected  with  the  Baptist  Church,  but  after  their 
removal  to  Illinois  became  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

The  subject  of   this  history  was  reared  by  his 


p:ircnts,  received  a  very  limited  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  after  attaining  his  majority 
was  married,  Dec.  29,  1842,  to  Miss  Eliza  S.  Lari- 
son.  They  located  in  Allin  Township,  on  Govern- 
ment land,  and  in  1848  entered  the  land  that  he 
located  on  in  1842.  Mr.  Brooks  purchased  ad- 
ditional land,  until  he  became  the  possessor  of  480 
acres,  which  he  brought  to  a  state  of  good  cultiva- 
tion and  erected  upon  it  a  handsome  and  commo- 
dious farm  dwelling,  witjiagood  barn  and  all  neces- 
sary out-buildings.  He  donated  one  acre  of  this 
for  a  cemetery  and  for  a  school  building.  He  has 
been  a  useful  and  valued  citizen  since  coming  to 
this  community  and  held  the  offices  of  Constable, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Township  Supervisor,  Asses- 
sor, and  Treasurer,  being  the  incumbent  of  the  lat- 
ter office  for  a  period  of  eighteen  years.  As  a 
Magistrate  he  officiated  twenty-five  years.  He  has 
always  been  greatly  interested  in  the  temperance 
movement.  In  early  life  he  affiliated  with  the 
Democratic  party  but  has  now  identified  himself 
with  the  Prohibitionists.  Both  Mr.  Brooks  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  consisted  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living,  namely, 
Catherine,  Miles,  Maiy,  Abel,  Rachel,  Lucy  A., 
Millie  and  Ella.  The  deceased  are,  America  A. 
and  an  infant  son  which  died  unnamed.  Besides 
his  town  property  Mr.  Brooks  owns  480  acres  of 
land  in  Allin  Township,  on  sections  29  and  32, 
1  CO  acres  of  which  land  he  purchased  on  a  sol- 
dier's warrant  for  the  sum  of  #112. 


OBERT  LOU  DON  is  widely  known  through- 
out this  section  as  one  of  the  solid  men  of 
McLean  County,  and  as  a  gentleman  who 
is  intimately  identified  with  the  industrial 
interests  of  Bloomington.  During  the  years  of  a  busy 
life  he  has  accumulated  a  competency  and  is  still  eu- 
gaged  with  his  active  duties,  being  proprietor  of  the 
Eagle  Machine  Works,  located  on  North  Main 
street,  which  occupy  forty-four  feet  front,  and  run 
through  to  Center  street.  These  works  include  black- 
smith-sin >ps  \vitlialltheotheraccessoricsofafactory, 
and  an  extensive  yard  for  storage.  The  business 


I- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


383 


was  established  in  March,  1870,  and  the  prod- 
ucts of  the  shops  are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  this  and 
adjoining  States. 

The  family  record  of  our  subject  extends  back 
to  some  of  the  earlier  members  of  the  family  who 
were  of  Scotch  ancestry,  possessing  all  the  admira- 
ble traits  of  that  nationality.  His  grandparents  on 
his  father's  side  were  Hugh  and  Margaret  (Hous- 
ton) London,  and  on  his  mother's  side,  Robert  and 
Margaret  (French)  Kennedy.  Hugh  London  was 
a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  worked  in  Kilmarnock, 
Ayrshire,  where  he  married  and  became  the  father 
of  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  Of  these  the  fa- 
ther of  our  subject  was  the  third  son.  All  learned 
the  shoemaker's  trade  except  him,  and  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  machinist's  trade  with  Bailey 
Morton,  of  Kilmarnock,  who  was  famed  all  over 
Scotland  for  making  telescopes.  He  had  an  ob- 
servatory of  his  own,  mounted  with  a  fine  telescope, 
and  people  came  from  all  parts  of  Scotland  to  view 
the  stars  through  it.  While  working  here  Allan 
London  became  very  proficient,  and  assisted  in  the 
manufacture  of  telescopes,  one  of  which  was  made 
for  Sir  John  Ross,  and  formed  a  part  of  his 
outfit  when  he  went  in  search  of  the  North  Pole. 
Another  is  still  in  use  in  the  observatory  of  Dum- 
fries, which  stands  beside  the  monument  erected  to 
the  memory  of  the  poet  Burns.  He  also  made  a  small 
locomotive  about  18.14,  which  could  be  enclosed  in  a 
space  of  MX  inches  square,  and  was  a  great  curiosity. 
He  often  amused  visitors  by  raising  steam  in  it 
and  making  it  run  around  the  kitchen  floor.  This  was 
before  the  days  of  railroads,  but  the  little  locomo- 
tive is  still  in  good  running  order,  being  in  posses- 
sion of  our  subject's  father.  Previous  to  this  he 
constructed  an  eight-day  clock,  which  was  then  set 
running  and  has  been  kept  in  motion  since  that 
time,  being  as  correct  as  ever  in  its  indication  of 
time. 

Allan  London  became  master  machinist  in  the 
celebrated  woolen-mills  of  Blackwood  Bros.,  at 
Kilmarnock.  In  1839  he  moved  to  Dairy,  in  Ayr- 
shire, to  take  charge  of  Bridge  End  Mills,  which 
position  he  held  for  about  forty  years,  and  was 
noted  for  his  fidelity  to  duty  and  being  reliable  in 
his  vocation.  He  also  invented  an  engine  gover- 
nor, which  was  a  great  improvement  over  the  old 


ball  governor,  and  the  lap  machine  for  wool,  the 
first  which  ever  worked  successfully,  and  which  is 
running  to-day;  the  doubling  for  twisting  woolen 
yarn,  and  a  carding-machine  which  involved  a  sav- 
ing of  about  twenty  per  cent.  These  inventions 
were  of  comparatively  little  benefit  to  Allan  Lou- 
don,  but  assisted  the  proprietors  of  the  milt  to  a 
fortune. 

The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  whose  name 
was  French,  was  a  fine  violinist  and  musical  com- 
poser, and  was  known  all  over  the  west  of  Scotland. 
He  and  Neal  Dow  often  played  together  at  the 
fancy  balls  of  the  Lords  and  Dukes  of  that  region, 
and  one  of  his  pieces  of  sacred  music,  which  bears 
the  name  of  French,  is  still  sung  by  many  congrega- 
tions. Robert  London  states  that  he  has  heard  his 
grandmother  relate  that  when  her  father  died  Neal 
Dow  appropriated  all  of  his  music  and  pub- 
lished it  as  his  own  productions,  reaping  all  the 
honors  and  profit  that  should  have  been  her  fa- 
ther's. Dow  lived  in  Old  Cumnock.  near  Dum- 
fries. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Allan  London  and 
Jeanette  Kennedy,  were  married  in  Kilmarnock, 
Scotland,  and  lived  there  until  1839.  The  mother 
was  born  in  Old  Cumnock,  where  her  ancestors  had 
lived.  They  became  the  parents  of  three  sons  and 
five  daughters.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Kilmar- 
nock, March  18,  1833,  and  removed  with  his  par- 
ents to  Dairy  in  1839.  He  commenced  attending 
school  when  four  years  old  and  continued  until 
twelve,  when  he  was  considered  old  enough  to  do 
something  for  himself.  He  was  accordingly  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  silk  weaving  by  hand  loom,  and 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years.  The  busi- 
ness, however,  did  not  suit  him,  for,  having  in- 
herited the  talents  of  his  father,  he  desired  to  be- 
come a  machinist  and  was  bound  to  learn  this  trade, 
the  agreement  being  that  he  should  serve  five 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  on  the  8th 
of  April,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Jeanette  Johnston,  and  soon  afterward,  with 
his  wife,  concluded  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  New 
World.  Taking  with  them  their  only  child,  a  babe 
six  months  old,  they  secured  passage  on  the  steam- 
ship Edinburgh,  which  sailed  from  Glasgow  to 
New  York.  After  landing,  they  at  once  set  out  for 


J. 


'    384 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


the  West,  first  coming  to  Alton,  111.,  where  the 
brother  of  Mrs.  L.  had  previously  located.  Our 
subject  engaged  to  work  for  the  Terre  Haute  & 
Alton  Railroad  Company,  and  continued  with  them 
until  after  the  removal  of  their  shops  to  Litchfield, 
111. 

In'the  fall  of  1859  Mr.  L.,  in  company  with  two 
others,  started  a  machine-shop  at  Jacksonville,  111., 
beginning  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Ellis, 
Shields  &  Loudon.  This  proved  an  unfortunate 
venture,  as  times  were  hard,  and  the  following  year 
being  no  better  Mr.  L.  sold  out  and  returned  to 
the  railroad  shops  in  Litchfield,  where  he  worked 
until  1863.  He  then  went  to  Cairo  as  a  Govern- 
ment employe,  and  had  charge  of  a  gang  of  men 
who  were  engaged  in  repairing  the  dispatch  boats 
which  ran  between  Cairo  and  Vicksburg  and  up  the 
Yazoo  River.  In  December,  1863,  he  was  solicited 
to  come  to  Bloomington  and  take  charge  of  the 
C.  &  A.  R.  11.  machine-shops.  He  arrived  there 
the  first  week  in  January,  1864,  being  delayed  on 
account  of  the  snow  blockade.  From  here  he  en- 
gaged with  the  J.  M.  Ollis  foundry  and  machine- 
shops,  but  this  move  proving  unsuccessful,  he  con- 
cluded to  begin  business  for  himself,  which  he  did 
in  1 870,  having  for  his  partner  Mr.  N.  Diedrich. 
After  one  year  they  dissolved  partnership,  and 
then  Mr.  L.  established  his  present  business,  which 
he  has  operated  alone  since  that  time,  and  in  which 
he  has  been  remarkably  successful. 

Of  the  six  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loudon  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Allan  K.  married  Miss  Car- 
rie, daughter  of  William  Gillespie,  of  Bloomington; 
David  J.  is  at  home;  Robert  W.  married  Miss  Min- 
nie, daughter  of  Shelby  Hodge,  now  deceased; 
Emma  J.,  a  graduate  of  Normal  University,  is  a 
teacher  in  the  ward  schools ;  Jeanette  M.  and  Agnes 
G.  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  The  handsome 
and  substantial  family  residence  is  located  at  No. 
812  North  Prairie  street,  and  all  its  appoint- 
ments indicate  the  presence  of  cultivated  tastes 
and  ample  means.  Mr.  L.  politically  affiliates  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  belongs  to 
the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which 
our  subject  is  a  Deacon,  and  has  contributed  liber- 


ally and  cheerfully  to  its  support.  lie  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Bloomington  Chair  Factory,  and  gen- 
erally a  leading  man  in  every  enterprise  which  is 
calculated  to  advance  the  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  his  city  and  county.  We  present  in  this  vol- 
ume, as  a  representative  business  man,  the  portrait 
of  Mr.  Loudon. 


&*^ 


AHLON  BISHOP,  one  of  the  large  land- 
owners of  Le  Roy  Township  and  a  success- 
ful and  progressive  farmer  now  living  at 
Le  Roy,  was  born  on  his  father's  homestead 
on  section  15,  Empire  Township,  this  county,  June 
13,  1849.  His  father,  Hon.  Mahlon  Bishop,  was 
born  Dec.  25,  1810,  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  and 
his  father,  John  Bishop,  was  a  native  of  Virginia 
and  a  pioneer  settler  of  Clarke  County,  Ohio.  The 
grandfather  cleared  a  farm  in  the  latter  county,  on 
which  he  lived  and  labored  and  reared  a  family, 
and  there  died.  Our  subject's  father  was  reared 
on  this  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  was  one  of  ten  children  born  to 
his  parents,  and  at  twenty  years  of  age  rented  land 
in  his  native  county  and  began  to  do  for  himself. 
He  was  there  married,  and  in  1834,  accompanied 
by  his  wife  and  one  child,  started  for  this  State 
with  a  cash  capital  of  $200  in  his  pocket  and  two 
teams  and  six  head  of  sheep.  The  journey  was  made 
overland,  and  on  his  arrival  here  he  found  a  log  cabin 
near  the  farm  of  William  Bishop,  in  Old  Town 
Township.  He  lived  in  this  cabin  a  short  time, 
and  while  there  entered  eighty  acres  of  Govern- 
ment land,  the  same  being  located  on  section  15 
of  what  is  now  Empire  Township.  There  was  a 
log  cabin  with  one  room  on  the  claim,  and  in  this 
the  family  made  their  home  for  four  years  before 
our  subject's  father  was  enabled  to  build  another. 
He  then  erected  a  small  frame  house,  and  a  few 
years  later  a  commodious  frame  dwelling,  and  con- 
tinued to  reside  upon  this  land  until  his  death. 
He  was  possessed  of  a  wonderful  amount  of  energy, 
and  at  one  time  was  the  proprietor  of  upward  of 
1,000  acres  of  land  in  Empire  and  West  Townships. 
He  filled  many  of  the  local  offices  and  was  for  a 
number  of  years  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  also  one 


:.. 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


\ 
385  A. 


of  the  Supervisors  of  his  township,  and  in  1 842 
represented  his  district  in  the  State  Legislature.  His 
death  occurred  Feb.  13,  1883.  His  wife,  Catherine 
Foley,  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  Aug.  30, 
1812.  Of  her  union  with  Mr.  Bishop  eight  chil- 
dren were  born,  and  four  of  the  number  are.  yet 
living.  The  record  is  as  follows :  Nancy  J.  is  the 
wife  of  Mark  Craig,  of  West  Township ;  Stephen 
Lewis  (whose  sketch  is  also  given);  Kate  is  the 
wife  of  William  Hammond,  a  farmer  of  West 
Township,  and  our  subject  completes  the  four 
children  who  are  yet  living.  James  F.,  third  in 
order  of  birth,  died  aged  twenty-five  years;  Eliza- 
beth, the  fifth  child,  died  when  twenty-four  years 
old,  and  Elias  departed  this  life  when  twenty -two 
years  old;  Sarah  A.  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bishop  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  The  former  was  always  active  in 
church  and  school  matters  and  was  a  Class-Leader  in 
his  church  for  many  years.  In  politics  he  was 
a  conservative  Democrat.  As  a  representative  of 
the  old  pioneers  of  the  county,  as  well  as  one  of  her 
most  distinguished  citizens,  we  give  the  portrait  of 
Mr.  Bishop  in  this  connection.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  youngest 
child  of  his  parents'  union.  He  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  schools,  and  later  in  life 
attended  a  graded  school  at  Le  Roy,  and  also  one 
term  at  Wesleyan  University,  and  likewise  a  com- 
mercial course  at  Bloom ington. .He  made  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  and  in  addition 
to  farm  labor  was  occupied  in  dealing  in  stock. 
About  a  year  after  his  marriage  he  left  the  parental 
homestead  and  moved  to  Le  Roy,  where  he  is  at 
present  living.  He  is  the  owner  of  380  acres  of 
the  old  parental  homestead  and,  although  he 
lives  at  Le  Roy,  manages  the  farm.  He  has 
it  well  stocked  with  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is 
also  interested  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  stock, 
and  is  extensively  engaged  in  buying  wool  during 
the  proper  season,  which  business  he  has  followed 
for  the  past  fifteen  years. 

The  old  Indian  trail  running  from  the  head  of 
Old  Town — the  old  Indian  fort — passed  diagonally 
across  Mr.  Bishop's  farm  and  through  the  north- 


west  corner  of  Le  Roy.  One  of  the  old  Indian 
landmarks  is  still  to  be  found  also  on  Mr.  Bishop's 
homestead,  which  is  a  hole  cut  by  the  Indians  in  an 
oak  tree  from  which  they  had  taken  honey,  but  at 
present  the  orifice  is  almost  grown  over  with  a  new 
growth.  Mr.  Bishop  has  an  Indian  relic,  a  veritable 
tomahawk,  found  by  the  father  of  our  subject  fifty 
years  ago  on  his  homestead. 

Mr.  Bishop  was  married  Jan.  30,  1878,  to  Emma 
Smith.  She  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
Oct.  30,  1860,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Wesley  and 
Mary  (Evans)  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop  have 
two  children  —  Mahlon  L.  and  Aaron  Leslie.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 


TEPHEN  L.  BISHOP,  residing  in  Empire 
Township,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
was  born  in  Old  Town  Township,  Jan.  14, 
1835.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Mahlon  and 
Catheririe  Bishop  ;  a  portrait  of  the  former  is  given 
in  this  ALBUM.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject was  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  company  with  two  brothers.  The  three 
brothers  had  been  in  the  military  service  of  the 
mother  country,  and  on  arrival  in  this  country  they 
separated,  one  of  them  settling  in  New  York, 
another  in  Virginia,  and  the  third  in  South  Caro- 
lina. The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  the 
brother  who  settled  in  Virginia. 

Mr.  Bishop  of  this  notice  was  but  three  months 
old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Empire  Township, 
and  has  made  that  his  home  since,  a  period  of 
upward  of  fifty-two  years.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation in  a  pioneer  school-house  of  this  county, 
and  he  remembers  that  the  first  school  he  attended 
was  held  in  a  little  log  building  on  section  22,  and 
it  was  taught  by  James  Lincoln.  The  neighbors 
made  a  "bee"  and  erected  the  building,  which  had 
split  puncheons  for  floor  and  clapboards  for  roof, 
which  were  held  in  place  by  poles.  There  was  a 
fireplace  in  the  end  of  the  building,  made  of  dirt 
and  sticks.  It  was  in  this  rudely  constructed  build- 
ing that  he  received  his  education.  He  assisted 
his  father  on  the  farm,  and  when  large  enough, 


386 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


teamed  to  Chicago  and  Peoria,  it  taking  about  two 
weeks  to  make  the  trip  to  Chicago  with  an  ox- 
team.  The  most  tedious  trip  our  subject  ever  had 
to  the  now  great  metropolis  was  in  driving  hogs  to 
that  city  on  foot. 

In  1854  our  subject  bought  Mexican  soldiers' 
land- warrants  of  Judge  David  Davis,  which  he  laid 
on  land  in  West  Township.  That  same  year  he 
commenced  to  improve  his  land  and  continued  to 
"squat"  farm  there  until  1862.  He  then  removed 
to  Le  Roy  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business, 
and  was  thus  occupied  until  1868,  when  he  resumed 
farming  in  Empire  Township.  He  has  a  large  and 
well-improved  farm  located  on  sections  16  and  17, 
Empire  Township,  his  residence  being  one  mile 
north  of  Le  Roy. 

Mr.  Bishop  has  been  three  times  married ;  his  first 
union  occurred  in  1855,  and  was  with  Miss  Cynthia 
C.  Craig.  She  was  born  in  Old  Town  Township, 
this  county,  and  departed  this  life  before  they  had 
been  married  quite  a  year.  The  second  marriage 
was  with  Miss  Cynthia  Rice,  and  took  place  in  1 858. 
She  was  born  in  Empire  Township,  this  county,  in 
1837,  and  came  to  her  death  by  the  explosion  of  an 
oil  can  in  her-  hand,  being  so  badly  burned  that 
she  only  lived  five  hours  after  the  terrible  accident. 
Our  subject  in  trying  to  save  her  nearly  lost  his 
own  life.  He  was  very  badly  burned,  and  was 
confined  to  his  bed  for  nearly  a  year.  His  life  was 
only  saved  by  the  best  medical  skill  and  care.  The 
third  marriage  of  Mr.  Bishop  took  place  Feb.  2, 
1882,  Kate  Crumbaugh  being  the  other  contracting 
party.  She  was  born  in  Frederick  County,  Md., 
in  1839,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Esquire  Gideon 
Crumbaugh,  whose  sketch  will  be  found  in  this 
work.  Mr.  Bishop  has  two  children  living:  Frank- 
lin, a  son  of  his  first  wife,  occupies  a  part  of  the 
homestead.  He  married  Matilda  Wamsley,  and 
they  have  three  children.  The  second  child  of  our 
subject,  Myra,  is  a  daughter  of  his  second  wife, 
and  is  the  wife  of  George  Schrigley,  and  they  are 
living  in  Empire  Township.  Mr.  Bishop  was  a  Demo- 
crat until  1864,  when  that  party  proclaimed  that 
the  war  was  a  failure,  and  he  then  became  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  since  voted  with  and  worked  for  the 
success  of  that  party,  and  is  at  present  Chairman  of 
the  Republican  Central  Committee.  He  has  held 


the  offices  of  Assessor  and  Collector  of  West  and 
Empire  Townships.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the 
.MiiMinic  fraternity,  holding  fellowship  with  the  Le 
Roy  Lodge  No.  221. 


J~  OHN  A.  FULWILER,  attorney  at  law  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  one  of  the  most  worthy 
representatives  of  his  profession  in  the 
'  city  of  Bloomington.  He  is  a  native  of  the 
Keystone  State,  having  been  born  in  the  city  of 
Shippensburg,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  June  17, 1843. 
His  father,  John  Fulwiler,  was  a  merchant  of  that 
city,  and  of  excellent  German  ancestry.  The 
mother,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Mary  Ma- 
hon,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  and  both  parents 
possessed  the  excellent  qualities  for  which  those  races 
are  eminently  noted.  The  parents  of  our  subject 
after  their  marriage  remained  in  Shippensburg  until 
1854,  then  coining  West  to  Illinois,  located  first  in 
Lexington,  McLean  County,  where  John  Fulwiler, 
Sr.,  embarked  in  mercantile  pursuits,  which  he  is 
still  following  with  success.  The  ten  children 
which  comprised  the  parental  household  included 
fire  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  only  seven 
are  now  living.  John  A.  was  the  fifth  child,  and 
was  about  fifteen  years  old  when  his  parents  came 
to  this  county.  His  early  education  was  conduct- 
ed in  the  common  schools  of  Lexington,  and  when 
eighteen  years  of  age,  the  late  war  being  in  prog- 
ress he  entered  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  G,  33d  III.  Vol.  Inf.  There  lie  served 
faithfully  for  three  years,  receiving  his  honorable 
discharge  in  October,  1864. 

After  returning  from  the  army,  young  Fulwiler 
for  a  short  time  engaged  in  general  merchandising 
at  Forest,  Livingston  County,  this  State.  This  busi- 
ness not  being  in  accordance  with  his  tastes  and  in- 
clinations, he  began  the  reading  of  law,  in  which  he 
made  rapid  progress,  and  \v;is  admitted  to  the  bar 
at  Ottawa,  in  1870.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Pontiac,  111.,  and  associated 
himself  in  partnership  with  E.  M.  Johnson,  and 
they  continued  together  until  1874.  Our  subject 
then  returned  to  this  county,  and  in  1876  opened 
a  law  office  in  Bloomington,  since  which  time  he 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

387  .  . 


has  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  his  profession, 
in  which  he  has  attained  success  and  a  good  posi- 
tion in  the  profession  in  this  county.  He  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1881,  and  has  contin- 
ued in  the  ollice  by  successive  elections  since  that 
time. 

Mr.  Fulvviler  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary,  the  only  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  A. 
Fell,  in  1805,  and  they  have  three  children — John 
Walter,  Leonard  Fell  and  Roberta  May.  Mr.  Ful- 
wiler  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially  a  char- 
ter member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  a*id  the  Union  Veter- 
ans' Union,  also  a  member  of  Jesse  Fell  Lodge, 
K  of  P. 


t 


J~  AMES  HENRY  LYON  CRUMBAUGII,  liv- 
ing on  section  7,  Empire  Township,  was,  be- 
fore he  divided  his  property  among  his  chil- 
I  dren,  one  of  the  largest  land-owners  of  that 
township.  The  financial  success  in  life  which  he 
has  met  with  has  been  due  to  his  own  energy, 
good  judgment  and  perseverance,  as  he  was  never 
the  recipient  of  any  legacy  whatsoever.  Mr. 
Crumbaugh  was  born  in  Henderson  County,  Ky., 
May  1,  1826.  His  father,  Henry  Crumbaugh,  was 
born  in  Frederick  County,  Md.,  April  25,  1789, 
and  his  father,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Solo- 
mon Crumbaugh,  was  likewise  a  native  of  Mary- 
land. Henry  Crumbaugli  was  reared  to  manhood 
in  his  native  county,  and  while  yet  young  in  years 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.  On  becoming  his 
own  man  he  went  to  Kentucky,  and  locating  in 
Scott  County,  worked  at  his  trade  and  also  at  farm- 
ing. He  was  there  married  to  Sarah  Baldoek,  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  and  a  daughter  of  James  D. 
JJaldock,  born  in  Virginia,  and  her  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Hogan,  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

Three  or  four  years  after  his  marriage,  Henry 
Crumbaugh  moved  to  Henderson  County,  Ky., 
and  there  lived  until  1828.  During  that  year  he 
disposed  of  his  interests  in  Kentucky  and  started 
west  for  Illinois,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two 
children.  The  journey  was  made  overland,  the  fa- 
ther driving  his  stock,  and  his  good  wife  making 
the  journey  mostly  on  horseback.  They  termiu- 


ated  their  trip  at  Elkhart,  Sangamon  County,  in 
the  neighborhood  of  which  place  he  was  a  farmer 
on  rented  lands  until  1830.  lie  then  came  to  Taze- 
well  County,  and  selected  a  claim  in  what  is  now 
Empire  Township,  McLean  County,  and  located  on 
section  14.  He  built  the  customary  log  cabin,  and 
returned  to  Elkhart  for  his  family  and  brought 
them  to  his  new  home.  The  cabin  was  incomplete 
when  the  family  arrived,  there  being  no  floor,  and 
Mr.  Crumbaugh  piled  the  household  goods  inside 
and  went  to  split  puncheon  for  the  floor,  and  also 
made  a  door.  There  was  not  a  foot  of  sawed  lum- 
ber used  in  the  construction  of  this  cabin,  and  the 
chimney  was  of  mud  and  sticks.  This  was  the  sea- 
son before  the  deep  snow  which  is  so  well  remem- 
bered by  the  few  people  who  were  in  the  county  at 
that  time.  The  nearest  mills  were  miles  away,  and 
the  snow  was  so  deep  and  crusted  that  for  weeks 
travel  was  entirely  impeded.  Nearly  half  his  stock 
died  during  that  winter,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
the  wild  game  in  the  countrj'  at  that  time  many  a 
family  would  have  perished  with  starvation. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  continued  to  live  on  that  place 
until  his  death  in  1877.  He  had  lived  to  see  the 
country  develop  from  a  wild  and  uncultivated  prai- 
rie to  one  of  the  most  productive  counties  in  the 
State,  and  profited  by  its  progress  to  the  extent  of 
possessing  a  competency  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
was  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  always  voted  for 
Democratic  presidential  nominees  except  once,  when 
he  cast  his  vote  for  Henry  Clay.  His  good  wife 
died  in  February,  1885.  Twelve  children  were 
born  to  them,  six  of  whom  grew  to  attain  the  age 
of  man  and  womanhood.  Narcissa  married  Simp- 
sou  E.  Thompson,  and  they  live  in  Empire  Town- 
ship; our  subject  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth; 
John  E.  is  a  resident  of  Le  Roy ;  Andrew  J.  is  a 
farmer  of  Empire  Township ;  Lewis  C.  lives  on  the 
old  homestead. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  but  two  years  old 
when  he  came  to  this  State  with  his  parents. 
Here  he  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools,  attending  the  first  school  ever  taught  at 
Le  Roy,  James  H.  Lincoln  being  the  teacher.  On 
attaining  a  suitable  age  he  made  a  full  hand  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  farm,  and  continued  to  reside 
with  the  old  folk  until  his  marriage,  and  then 


.    388 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


bought  100  acres  of  land  east  of  Le  Roy,  on  which 
he  lived  for  five  and  a  half  years.  He  then  sold  it 
and  bought  where  he  is  at  present  residing.  His 
first  purchase  here  was  160  acres,  and  he  added  to 
it  by  subsequent  purchases  until  at  one  time  he  was 
the  proprietor  of  1,000  acres  in  Empire  and  Downs 
Townships.  A  goodly  portion  of  this  is  divided 
among  his  children,  but  he  has  sufficient  left  to 
support  him  in  his  retirement  from  active  labor 
during  the  latter  years  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  was  married,  Sept.  28,  1851,  to 
Amanda  M.  Buck.  She  was  born  in  Switzerland 
County,  Ind.,  Feb.  10,  1828,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Hiram  and  Mary  (Karr)  Buck.  Of  the  union  of 
our  subject  and  Miss  Buck  three  children  were 
born :  Laura  E.  is  the  wife  of  William  Lafferty,  a 
farmer  of  Downs  Township;  Edith  May  married 
Charles  S.  Lafferty,  and  they  are  residents  of  Wei- 
don,  DeWitt  Co.,  III. ;  Hiram  H.  is  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Crumbaugh  has  held  the  various  offices  of  his 
township,  including  Collector,  Commissioner  of 
Highways  and  also  Township  Supervisor.  He  and 
his  daughter  May  are  members  of  the  Universalist 
Church. 


AFAYETTE  ARCHER,  Deputy  Sheriff  of 
McLean  County,  is  a  native  of  Genesee 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  June  13,  1832. 
His  father,  David  Archer,  was  also  a  native  of  the 
Empire  State,  and  his  grandfather,  Basil  Archer, 
also  born  in  New  York,  served  as  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  was  held  as  a  prisoner  by  the 
British  for  some  time.  After  peace  had  been  de- 
clared he  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  and  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  State  where  he  was 
born.  His  son  David,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  remained  in  New  York 
State  until  1834.  He  then  came  to  Illinois,  and  lo- 
cating in  Bureau  County  operated  a  sawmill  there 
until  the  following  spring,  when  he  returned  to 
New  York  for  his  family.  He  proceeded  with  them 
to  the  headwaters  of  the  Alleghany  River  and 
they  went  on  a  raft  to  Pittsburgh,  and  from  there 
via  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers, 
reached  Hennepin,  where  they  took  a  private  con- 
veyance into  Bureau  County.  Mr.  Archer  pro- 


ceeded  with  his  mill  operations  a  few  years,  then 
purchased  a  tract  of  wild  land  and  commenced  the 
improvement  of  a  farm.  The  principal  market  for 
grain  and  pork  at  that  time  was  Chicago,  110  miles 
distant,  and  it  usually  took  seven  days  to  make  the 
trip.  Upon  these  journeys  the  pioneers  carried 
their  provisions,  camping  and  cooking  by  the  way- 
side. David  Archer  was  a  man  of  resolution  and 
courage,  overcame  all  the  difficulties  which  he 
encountered,  and  lived  to  sec  the  county  developed 
into  prosperous  farms,  and  railroads  running 
through  it.  As  yesrrs  passed  by  the  city  of  Prince- 
ton was  started  and  grew,  being  located  five  miles 
from  his  farm.  After  laboring  for  a  period  of  over 
forty  years  upon  the  homestead  which  he  estab- 
lished in  the  wilderness,  he  passed  his  declining 
days  in  peace  and  comfort,  and  having  arrived  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years,  departed 
this  life  in  August,  1885.  The  maiden  name  of  his 
wife  was  Climena  Grovier,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
New  York  State,  and  lived  the  faithful  and  affec- 
tionate companion  of  her  husband  until  within  a 
few  months  of  his  death,  her  decease  occurring  Janu- 
ary 1 8  of  the  same  year.  Of  their  union  there  were 
born  twelve  children,  of  whom  ten  grew  to  mature 
years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  a  child  three 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Illinois.  He 
attended  the  pioneer  schools  and  grew  to  manhood 
in  Bureau  County,  assisting  his  father  in  the  du- 
ties of  the  farm.  He  then  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  in 
Bureau  County  until  1858,  and  then  coming  into 
McLean  County  was  similarly  occupied  until  1862. 
The  late  war  being  then  in  progress  he  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  Co.  A,  117th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt. 
Kinsey  commanding,  and  served  until  the  close. 
He  participated  with  his  comrades  in  the  battles  of 
Pleasant  Hill  and  Meridian,  Miss.,  and  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Nashville  received  a  gunshot  wound  which 
compelled  him  to  remain  in  the  hospital  for  a  num- 
ber of  weeks.  After  several  other  engagements 
and  skirmishes  he  received  his  final  and  honorable 
discharge  in  May,  1865.  He  then  returned  to  Me 
Lean  County  and  resumed  work  at  his  trade,  at 
which  he  has  been  occupied  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Archer  was  married,  Dec.  31,  1855,  to  Miss 


t 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


389 


I 


Louisa  Kinsey,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of 
John  and  Elinore  (Be  vans)  Kinsey,  a  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  six  children,  as  follows :  Cicero 
H.,  a  resident  of  Ft.  Niobrara,  Neb.;  F.  Aurelian; 
Add ie,  the  wife  of  Bert  Rice;  William  Lewis,  of 
this  county;  Hattic  L.  and  Eva  E.,  at  home  with 
their  parents.  Mr.  Archer  has  served  as  Collector  of 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  and  is  fulfilling  the  duties  of 
his  present  position  as  Deputy  Sheriff  in  an  able 
and  efficient  manner.  He  belongs  to  McLean 
Lodge  No.  469,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  to  Harrison  W. 
Ward  Post  No.  173,  G.  A.  R. 

The  children  of  David  Archer  and  his  wife,  the 
parents  of  our  subject,  are  recorded  as  follows: 
Emily  became  the  wife  of  John  L.  Wilson,  and 
died  in  Kansas;  George  W.  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  64th  Illinois  Regiment,  known  as  Yates'  Sharp- 
shooters, and  now  lives  in  Dakota;  Lafayette  was 
the  third  child;  Peru  and  LaSalle  (twins)  also 
served  with  their  brother  George  in  the  64th  Regi- 
ment; Peru  died  while  in  service  at  luka,  Miss.,  in 
18G3 ;  LaSalle  lives  at  Joplin,  Mo. ;  Martin  V.  served 
in  the  8th  Missouri  Infantry,  and  now  lives  at  Rock 
Island,  III. ;  Milton  resides  on  the  homestead  ;  Lewis 
C.  served  in  the  146th  111.  Inf.,  and  lives  at  Ft.  Nio- 
brara,  Neb. ;  Ellen  became  the  wife  of  Edward  Not- 
tingham, and  occupies  a  part  of  the  old  homestead. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  na- 
tive of  New  York  and  served  in  the  War  of  1812. 
He  was  of  English  and  German  ancestry. 

Mr.  Archer  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
John  C.  Fremont,  and  has  voted  for  each  Repub- 
lican candidate  for  that  office  since  that  time. 


D.  HALLETT,  of  Bloomington, 
who  is  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at 
the  corner  of  Olive  and  Center  streets,  is 
a  useful  factor  of  the  business  community.  He  was 
born  in  England  in  April,  1841,  being  the  son  of 
James  and  Lydia  Ilallett,  who  are  now  living  in  re- 
tirement in  Bloomington,  and  of  whom  a  sketch  is 
given  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

William  Hallett  was  educated  in  his  native  En- 
gland and  emigrated  to  America  with  his  parents 


when  about  twelve  years  of  age.  He  was  early 
trained  to  habits  of  industry,  and  soon  began  to 
make  himself  useful,  being  variously  employed  un- 
til the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion.  He  then  en- 
listed in  the  39th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was  in  the 
service  three  years  and  two  months.  He  fought 
with  his  comrades  at  the  battles  of  Charleston 
Harbor,  Drury's  Bluff,  and  at  Weire  Bottom  Church 
was  wounded  in  the  hip.  After  remaining  in  the 
hospital  for  some  time  and  his  term  of  service  hav- 
ing expired,  he  received  his  honorable  discharge, 
and  returning  to  Bloomington  soon  afterward  en- 
gaged in  the  restaurant  business,  which  he  followed 
for  fourteen  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  grocery 
trade,  which  he  has  pursued  since  that  time.  He 
purchased  the  lot  on  which  his  store  was  built  in 
1883.  This  structure  is  of  brick,  21x60  feet  in 
area,  and  is  finely  fitted  up  fpr  the  transaction  of 
business. 

Mr.  Hallett  was  married  in  1865,  the  lady  of  his 
choice  being  Miss  Emma  R.  Harley,  and  they  have 
four  children — Carrie  M.,  William  D.,  Harley  J. 
and  Ethel.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  1008 
South  Lee  street,  where  in  1866,  Mr.  Hallett  pur- 
chased several  lots.  Here  they  have  a  convenient 
and  comfortable  home,  and  dispense  to  their  many 
friends  a  generous  hospitality.  Mr.  Hallett  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.  He  is  a  straightforward  and  methodical  busi- 
ness man,  and  greatly  respected  by  those  who  have 
dealings  with  him. 


J'"")    M.  FORDICE,  proprietor   of   the   lumber- 
yards at  the  corner  of  Market  and  Howard 
streets,  Bloomington,  also  deals  extensively 
in  sash,  blinds  and  doors,  besides  hard  and 
soft  coal.     He  is  one  of   the  prominent  business 
men  of  the  city,  always  ready  to  assist  in  every 
good  work  and  purpose,  and  is  esteemed  alike  for 
his  straightforward  business  methods  and  his  kindly 
Christian  character. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  Bloom- 
ington, and  was  born  March  14,  1840,  his  parents 
being  James  M.  and  Letitia  (Saterfield)  Fordice, 
the  former  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  White- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


side  County,  111.  The  grandfather  of  our  .subject, 
Stantou  Ford  ice,  _was\)ne  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
Illinois,  coming  into  McLean  County  in  1822,  and 
taking  up  a  tract  of  Government  land  in  what  is 
now  Bloomington  Grove.  Upon  the  farm  which 
he  eliminated  from  the  wilderness  he  erected  a  com- 
fortable dwelling,  which  constituted  the  permanent 
home  of  himself  and  family,  and  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  His  four  children  were:  Stanton, 
Daniel,  John  and  James  M.  (the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject). The  latter  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in 
Bloomington,  which  he  followed. 

The  Fordice  family  trace  their  ancestry  back  to 
the  Mohawk  Dutch,  and  on  the  mother's  side  from 
Scotland.  Our  subject  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  city  schools  of  Bloomington,  finishing 
with  a  term  at  the  High  School,  and  during  the 
summer  seasons  worked  out  by  the  month  farming. 
He  handled  his  first  lumber  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1857,  and  has  continued  since  that  time  with  short 
intervals  in  the  lumber  business.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1867,  he  came  into  possession  of  a  one- 
third  interest  in  a  lumber-yard,  and  in  1875  pur- 
chased the  entire  interest,  which  he  has  conducted 
successfully  and  profitably  to  this  time.  His  trans- 
actions now  extend  over  a  wide  range  of  territory, 
and  he  is  known  throughout  McLean  County  as 
one  of  its  most  reliable  and  prosperous  business 
men. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  Fordice  enlisted  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  becoming  a  member  of  Co. 
C,33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  mustered  in  in  August, 
1861,  as  Second  Sergeant,  and  .promoted  Orderly 
Sergeant  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  serving  until 
October,  1864.  With  his  comrades  he  was  engaged 
in  the  battles  of  Frederickstowu,  Magnolia  Hills, 
Raymond,  Champion  Hills,  the  siege  and  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  and  the  two  battles  at  Jackson,  Miss. 
He  performed  his  part  as  a  soldier  in  a  brave  and 
faithful  manner,  as  he  has  performed  all  other  du- 
ties in  life. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mattie  Dixon,  on  the  10th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1871.  Mrs.  F.  is  a  native  of  Ripley,  Brown 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of  William  Dixon,  a 
native  of  the  same  State.  Of  this  union  there  was 
born  one  child,  Lewis  J.,  who  died  at  the  age  of 


seven  years.  Mrs.  Mattie  Fordice  only  remained 
the  companion  of  her  husband  live  short  years,  de- 
parting this  life  at  their  home  in  1*76.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  Fordice  married,  in  1K7H,  Miss 
Martha  J.  Henry,  of  Brown  County,  Ohio,  and  the 
daughter  of  J.  W.  Henry,  also  of  Ohio.  Slic  be- 
came the  mother  of  two  children,  Kttie  L.  and 
Lena  M.,  and  passed  from  the  scenes  of  earth  in 
1881. 

The  present  and  third  wife  of  our  subject  w:is 
M  iss  Carrie  Herman,  to  whom  he  was  married  in 
Bloomington  in  1882,  and  who  was  born  in  this  city 
in  1860.  The  family  residence  is  located  at  No. 
605  North  Madison  street,  and  in  all  its  appoint- 
ments denotes  the  abode  of  cultivated  tastes  and 
the  refinements  of  life. 

Mr.  Fordice,  in  his  political  views,  warmly  in- 
dorses the  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  with 
which  he  uniformly  casts  his  vote,  and  socially  be- 
longs to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  G.  A.  R. 


V.  JAMES  D.  FRY,  of  Bloomington,  a  fine 
representative  of  the  culture  and  education 
of  the  city,  is  a  native  of  Chester  County, 
I  Pa.,,  where  he  was  born  May  16,  1834.  His 
parents,  George  and  Anna  (Souder)  Fry,  removed 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Richlaud  County,  Ohio, 
when  their  son,  our  subject,  was  a  lad  of  eight 
years  of  age.  From  there,  five  years  later,  they 
removed  to  Lorain  County,  where  James  D.  grew 
to  manhood  and  completed  a  good  English  educa- 
tion. Later  he  attended  Oberlin  College,  where 
he  took  a  classical  course  through  the  Sophomore 
year  and  later  became  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference during  its  session  at  Gallipolis.  He  preached 
for  four  years  following,  in  the  meantime  having 
been  ordained  Deacon  and  Elder.  Desirtng  to  still 
further  perfect  himself  in  his  ministerial  studies, 
he  entered  upon  a  course  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan 
University,  Delaware,  Ohio,  whence  he  graduated 
in  1865,  and  entered  upon  the  career  in  which  lie 
afterward  became  distinguished  as  an  eminent  and 
devoted  laborer  in  the  Master's  service. 

James  D.  Fry  was  united  in  marriage  with  M  iss 
Margaret  Susanna,  the  daughter  of  James  David- 


f 


RESIDENCE   OF    JOHN  ALLISON, 5EC    15,  DALE  TOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE    OF  ALEX.  BRYANT,  5EC.  6  ,  BLOOMINGTON    TP. 


RESIDENCE     OF     A.J.    WIL5ON.SEC.il,     DALE   TOWNSHIP 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


393 


son,  on  the  21st  of  June,  18G8,  in  Lawrence  County, 
Ohio.  In  1872  he  became  Financial  Agent  for  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University.  lie  spent  the  year 
1873-74  traveling  through  Europe,  accompanied 
by  his  wife.  lie  remained  some  months  at  Hullo 
University,  Germany,  studying  the  German  lan- 
guage and  attending  theological  lectures.  In  1874, 
returning  to  the  United  States  Mr.  Fry  resumed  his 
labors  in  the  ministry,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  year 
following  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  Moral  Phil- 
osophy and  German  in  the  Illinois  Wesleyau  Uni- 
versity. Two  years  later  he  resigned  this  position 
and  resumed  his  work  in  the  ministry. 

Mrs.  Fry,  wife  of  our  subject,  is  finely  educated. 
She  was  elected  to  the  Chair  of  Belles  Lettres  in 
the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  Bloom ington,  111., 
in  1875,  which  position  she  still  holds.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  years  she  graduated  with  honors  from 
Oxford  Seminary,  at  Oxford,  Ohio.  She  received 
the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, Delaware,  Ohio,  in  1878,  and  the  degree  of 
Ph.  D.  by  examination  in  1881,  from  Syracuse 
University,  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  She  possesses  literary 
ability  of  a  high  order,  and  has  been  an  occasional 
contributor  to  the  first-class  periodicals. 


^ILLIAM  BALDRIDGE,  a  highly  respected 
citizen  of  Oak  Grove  Village,  and  formerly 
a  farmer  of  White  Oak  Township,  is  a  na- 
tive of  the  Buckeye  State,  having  been  born  in 
Adams  County,  Jan.  7,  1805.  He  is  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  (McGarrah)  Baldridge,  natives 
of  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.  Samuel  Baldridge 
remained  on  his  father's  farm  and  attended  the 
common  schools  until  reaching  his  majority,  and 
then  started  out  to  do  for  himself.  He  first  went 
into  Adams  County,  Ohio,  and  was  employed  on  a 
farm  for  several  years.  He  was  industrious  and 
economical,  and  saved  his  earnings,  and  in  due 
time  found  himself  able  to  purchase  100  acres  of 
land  near  Manchester,  Ohio.  He  had  been  married 
in  his  native  county  in  Pennsylvania  and  removed 
with  his  wife  to  the  new  farm,  upon  which  they 
remained  the  balance  of  their  lives.  The  father  of 
our  subject  died  in  about  1847,  in  the  sixty-ninth 


year  of  his  age.  The  mother  survived  her  husband 
many  years,  living  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety. 
They  were  members  of  what  is  known  as  the  Re- 
form Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  .Samuel 
Baldridge  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  old  Whig 
parly.  The  household  circle  was  completed  by  the 
birth  of  ten  children — Mary,  William,  James  W., 
Martha,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Robert,  Cather- 
ine, and  one  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

William  Baldridge  remained  on  the  homestead  of 
his  parents  during  his  childhood  and  youth,  and 
received  a  common-school  education.  When  twenty- 
two  years  of  age  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Margaret  Kane,  Aug.  29,  1827.  The  young 
couple  remained  on  the  father's  farm  until  the 
spring  of  1852,  when  our  subject  came  to  Illinois 
and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  fine  farming  land  on 
section  22,  White  Oak  Township,  ten  acres  of  which 
is  timber.  Two  years  later  he  increased  his  lauded 
interests  by  the  purchase  of  160  acres  on  section 
24,  and  in  1862  traded  this  hitter  for  the  ninety 
acres  which  he  now  owns,  and  which  is  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  became 
the  parents  of  six  children — Mary  J.,  Samuel, 
James  W.,  Martha,  William  J.  and  George  T.  Mary 
became  the  wife  of  William  Ramsey;  Samuel  was 
twice  married;  his  first  wife  having  been  Miss  Eliza- 
beth J.  Kendall,  and  the  second,  Miss  Elizabeth 
Kirkpatrick ;  James  W.  married  Miss  Martha  John- 
son; Martha  became  Mrs.  Robert  Patterson;  Will- 
iam J.  married  Miss  Caroline  Wright;  George  T. 
was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Haltie  Ewing,  and 
second  to  Miss  Amanda  Leach.  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  Aug.  14,' 1807,  and  William 
Baldridge  was  the  second  time  married,  Miss 
Nancy  P.  Ewing  becoming  his  wife.  Of  this  union 
there  were  no  children. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Baldridge  is  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Mary  (Darwin)  Ewing,  who  were  natives  of 
York  Count}',  Pa.,  where  they  were  reared  and 
educated,  and  married  in  1775,  and  removed  the 
same  year  to  Virginia,  where  they  remained  until 
1819.  Thence  they  removed  to  Adams  County, 
Ohio,  where  the  mother  died  that  same  year.  They 
had  eight  children.  Our  subject  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Reform  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  B.  is  a  stanch  Repub- 


f 


394 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Hcan.  In  1874  lie  bought  a  fine  two-story  dwelling 
in  Oak  Grove  Village,  but  subsequently  traded  for 
the  place  where  he  is  now  living  retired  from 
active  labor,  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life 
and  enjoying  the  reward  of  his  early  toil  and  in- 
dustry, having  a  sufficient  competency  for  himself 
and  wife. 


]  OHN  A.  JONES,  of  Danvers  Township,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  14,  where  he 
(  has  a  fine  homestead,  and  is  enjoying  with 
(|f§»  his  family  the  comforts  of  life  and  many  of 
its  luxuries.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State,  and  was  born  iu  Dry  Grove  Township,  this 
county,  Oct.  12,1 845.  He  is  consequently  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  has  already  established  himself 
in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  community. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Benjamin  L.  and 
Mary  A.  (Anderson)  Jones,  natives  respectively  of 
Kentucky  and  Ohio.  The  father  was  born  Aug.  31, 
1812,  and  the  mother  in  1815.  Benjamin  Jones 
followed  agricultural  pursuits  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  When  a  young  man  he  removed  from  his 
native  State  to  Ohio,  where  he  made  his  home  with 
his  uncle,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Ander- 
son, in  Clermont  County,  in  1835.  In  the  fall  of 
1837  they  came  to  Schuyler  County,  111.,  and  Mr. 
Jones  farmed  on  rented  land  two  years  there,  then 
came  to  this  county  and  was  similarly  employed 
for  some  time.  In  February,  1849,  he  met  with  a 
great  affliction  in  the  loss  of  his  wife.  Mrs.  Jones 
died  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship, and  her  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Stout's 
Grove  Cemetery. 

Mr.  Jones  at  an  early  day  purchased  320  acres 
of  timber  land,  at  $1.25  per  acre.  After  the  death 
of  his  wife  he  made  his  home  with  his  children  and 
with  his  brothers,  one  of  the  latter  being  in  Schuy- 
ler and  the  other  in  Mason  County,  this  State.  He 
has  now  resided  with  our  subject  for  the  last  four 
years.  He  and  his  wife  united  with  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church  many  years  ago.  He  is  greatly  inter- 
ested in  the  success  of  the  temperance  movement, 
and  a  pronounced  Prohibitionist.  The  household 
circle  was  completed  by  the  birth  of  seven  children, 


of  whom  John  A.  (1st)  died  in  infancy;  James  L. 
married  Miss  Alice  Crum,  and  lives  in  Topeka, 
Kan. ;  Sarah  A.  and  her  husband,  Alexander  Fowler, 
died  in  Neosha  County,  Kan. ;  George  W.  married 
Miss  Hattie  Dunnaway;  John  A.  (2d)  of  our 
sketch  was  the  fifth  child;  Mary  J.,  Mrs.  Sears,  is 
now  deceased;  Milton  was  married  in  Missouri. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother,  our  subject  being 
only  four  years  of  age,  went  to  live  with  Andrew 
J.  Mason,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old.  He  received  a  fair  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  after  leaving  Mr.  Ma- 
son made  his  home  with  N.  C.  Carlton  in  Danvers 
Township.  In  1860  he  went  to  Texas,  making  the 
trip  to  that  State  by  wagon,  and  being  six  weeks  on 
the  journey.  The  late  war  soon  coming  on,  our 
subject  being  a  Union  man,  was  obliged  to  leave 
Texas  and  seek  a  place  of  safety  in  the  Indian  Ter- 
ritory, which  he  with  several  others  reached  by  fol- 
lowing a  hog-path  through  the  woods.  While  on 
this  journey  the  rebels  captured  nine  of  the  party, 
and  the  others  made  their  way  into  Kansas.  There 
our  subject  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  2d  Kan.  Vol.  Cav., 
and  with  his  comrades  engaged  in  many  of  the 
principal  battles  of  the  war  in  that  section.  During 
the  engagement  at  Sabine  River,  a  sabre  stroke 
right  in  front  of  his  left  ear  cut  a  part  of  it,  but 
further  than  this  he  received  no  serious  injury  and 
was  never  taken  prisoner.  After  his  retirement 
from  the  army  he  went  to  Ft.  Riley,  and  engaged 
in  bailing  hay  for  the  Government,  at  $60  a  month 
and  board.  In  the  fall  of  1865  he  returned  to  Illi- 
nois and  engaged  in  farm  work  until  1881.  He  had 
been  economical  and  saved  what  he  could  of  his 
earnings,  and  was  able  to  purchase  fifty  acres  of 
good  farming  land,  situated  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  west  of  Danvers;  the  I.,  B.  &  W.  R.  R.  runs 
through  the  center  of  the  farm. 

Mr.  Jones  was  married,  Oct.  24,  1878,  to  Miss 
Fannie  O.,  the  daughter  of  Henry  C.  and  Permelia 
(McClure)  McClure,  who  were  natives  of  Indiana. 
Mr.  McClure  was  born  May  9,  1828,  and  his  wife, 
Permelia,  April  18  of  the  same  year.  The  record 
of  their  six  children  is  as  follows:  Robert  A. 
married  Miss  Anna  McLaughlin;  Louisa  A.  died 
when  a  child ;  Horace  A.  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Ella  Martin;  Herman  W.  married  Miss 


f 


395  1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


May  Vance;  Fannie,  now  Mrs.  Jones,  was  the  next 
child,  and  George  L.  was  the  youngest.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McClure  are  still  living,  and  now  residing  in 
Gibson  City,  Ford  Co.,  111.,  where  Mr.  McClure  and 
his  sons  are  engaged  in  the  banking  business,  also 
in  grain  buying  and  dealing  in  lumber.  They  came 
to  Illinois  at  an  early  day.  The}'  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which 
Mr.  McC.  has  held  the  office  of  Deacon  for  many 
years.  Politically  he  is  a  straight  Republican. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  have  had  three  children: 
Freddie  died  when  nine  months  old,  and  one  died 
unnamed.  The  one  living  is  Marshall,  who  was 
born  July  16,  1884.  Mr.  J.  belongs  to  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  his  wife  is  connected  with 
the  Presbyterian.  Our  subject  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Township  Collector  in  1882,  and  again  in 
1884.  He  has  been  School  Director  for  the  last 
three  }rears.  He  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Junior  Deacon  in  Lodge  No.  746,  Danvers 
Township,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


~~/OSEPH    KEENAN,  banker,  and  Mayor   of 


Le  Roy,  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  self- 
made  men  of  McLean  County,  who  have 
contributed  so  materially  to  its  present  pros- 
perity and  importance.  Mr.  Keenan  was  born  in 
Marion  Township,  Clinton  Co.,  Ohio,  March  10, 
1828.  His  father,  Peter  Keenan,  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  a  few  miles  from  Lexington, 
Ky.,  and  his  grandfather,  Patrick  Keenan,  was'  a 
native  of  Dublin,  Ireland,  where  he  was  reared  to 
manhood,  and  soon  afterward  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica. He  located  in  Kentucky  in  the  early  settle- 
ment of  that  State,  and  was  married  to  a  lady  of 
American  birth  and  English  ancestry.  He  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits,  and  after  several  years  spent 
in  the  Blue  Grass  regions,  removed  to  Warren 
County,  Ohio,  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Lebanon," 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Peter  Keenan,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
youth  of  fifteen  years  when  his  parents  removed 
from  Kentucky  to  Ohio.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
the  latter  State,  and  was  married  in  Clinton  County 


to  Miss  Nancy  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
but  was  of  Scotch  and  English  ancestry.  He  car- 
ried on  farming  in  Warren  and  Clinton  Counties, 
in  the  latter  of  which  he  owned  a  farm.  After  the 
death  of  his  wife  he  made  his  home  with  his  chil- 
dren, coming  West  in  later  years,  where  his  death 
occurred  at  the  home  of  his  son  John,  in  Monti- 
cello,  111.,  in  about  1873.  The  parental  household 
was  completed  by  the  birth  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows :  Elizabeth  A.  mar- 
ried William  Hudson,  and  died  in  Clinton  County, 
Ohio,  when  twenty-seven  years  of  age;  Mary  J. 
became  the  wife  of  C.  Y.  Hannen,  and  died  in  Clin- 
ton County  in  September,  1885;  Emeline  was  first 
married  to  John  Thonhill,  who  died  in  1845;  her 
second  husband  was  Cyrus  Steans,  who  is  also  de- 
ceased, and  Mrs.  Steans  lives  in  Clinton  County, 
Ohio;  John  lives  in  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. ;  Joseph, 
our  subject,  was  the  fifth  child;  Melissa  married 
John  Tribby,  and  died  in  Polk  County,  Iowa; 
Samuel  lives  in  East  Portland,  Ore.;  William  died 
in  Decatur,  111.,  in  1882;  Henry  served  in  an  Ohio 
regiment  during  the  late  war,  and  died  in  the  serv- 
ice while  in  Virginia;  Nancy  married  George  Han- 
nen, and  lives  in  Iowa. 

The  youth  and  childhood  of  Joseph  Keenan  were 
passed  in  a  manner  common  to  farmers'  boys.  His 
opportunities  for  an  education  were  limited,  but  he 
made  the  most  of  them,  and  tramped  two  or  three 
miles  in  the  winter  season  to  the  temple  of  learn- 
ing, which  was  an  humble  log  cabin  built  upon  one 
of  the  lonely  roads  of  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  His 
education  could  only  be  carried  on  during  the  win- 
ter season,  while  his  summers  were  employed  in 
such  duties  as  he  could  perform  around  the  home- 
stead. He  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  the  heavy 
timber  from  the  farm  which  they  opened  up  in  the 
wilderness  and  in  cultivating  the  soil.  When  eight- 
een years  old  he  started  out  in  business  for  him- 
self, buying  produce  and  shipping  to  Cincinnati. 
He  was  employed  at  this  for  about  six  months,  and 
then  went  to  work  in  a  cooper's  shop.  He  was  in- 
dustrious and  economical,  and  saved  his  money, 
and  in  due  time  found  himself  with  sufficient  means 
to  purchase  a  partly  improved  farm.  Upon  it  was 
a  log  house,  of  which  he  took  possession  with  his 
wife,  and  they  lived  there  until  he  was  enabled  to 


t 


396 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


put  up  a  inure  pretentious  dwelling,  this  latter  be- 
ing two  stories  in  height  and  of  hewed  lug's.  He 
continued  his  improvements  upon  this  land  and  oc- 
cupied it  until  1 8;~>4,  when  he  sold  out  and  started  for 
Illinois,  via  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Riv- 
ers to  Alton,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon  County, 
where  he  stopped  a  few  weeks  with  his  wife's 
brother,  and  in  the  meantime  visited  McLean 
County  and  prospected  for  a  location. 

After  coining  to  this  county  Mr.  Keenan  rented 
land,  the  first  season  near  Le  Roy,  and  then  pur- 
chased 178  acres  three  miles  southeast,  paying 
therefor  the  sum  of  $22  per  acre.  He  added  to 
his  landed  interests  by  subsequent  purchases,  but 
in  1864  sold  the  original  tract,  and  the  following 
spring  removed  to  Le  Roy.  About  that  time  he 
purchased  ICO  acres  of  timber  land  of  the  late 
Judge  David  Davis,  which  he  divided  into  small 
lots  and  sold  nearly  all  of  them  before  the  close  of 
the  year.  In  1866,  in  company  with  T.  J.  Barnett, 
he  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  trade  until  August  of 
the  following  year,  when  he  disposed  of  his  inter- 
ests in  the  business,  and  renting  a  store  building  in 
December,  1867,  opened  up  in  the  same  business 
alone,  continuing  until  1882,  when  he  sold  out. 

In  1872  Mr.  Keenan  opened  a  private  bank  which 
was  familiarly  known  as  J.  Keenan's  Bank,  and 
which  he  managed  in  connection  with  his  store  for 
several  years.  Of  this,  his  son,  Arthur  J.,  has  been 
the  manager  since  1 880.  He  is  part  owner  with  S. 
F.  Barn  inn,  of  the  Empire  Flouring-Mills,  and  is 
also  interested  with  the  same  gentleman  in  the  coal 
and  lumber  trade,  and  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  In  1879  he  erected  a  brick  block  in  which 
is  conducted  the  only  first-class  hotel  in  the  town, 
which  is  known  as  the  Keenan  House,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  this  also  owns  the  block  where  he  first 
opened  up  in  business  in  Le  Roy. 

Mr.  Keenan  was  married  in  October,  1848,  to 
Miss  Hannah  Sidles,  who  was  born  in  Clinton 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Israel  and 
Nancy  Sidles.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
four  children :  Walter  M.  took  a  course  of  study 
at  the  State  Normal  University,  and  also  at  the 
Michigan  University  in  Ann  Arbor,  graduating 
from  the  latter  in  1874,  and  is  now  engaged  in  a 
dry-goods  commission  house  in  Chicago;  Clara  B. 


married  L.  A.  Reynolds,  and  lives  in  Le  Roy;  Ar- 
thur Jay  attended  the  SUite  University  at  Cham- 
paign, 111.,  and  has  managed  the  banking  business 
of  his  father  since  1880;  Luther  C.  is  a  brick  man- 
ufacturer, and  lives  in  Northwestern  Nebraska. 
The  family  residence  is  a  model  of  taste  and  con- 
venience, and  its  inmates  are  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  of  life  and  many  of  its  luxuries.  Mr. 
Keenan  identified  himself  with  the  Republican 
party  at  its  organization,  and  still  casts  his  vote  in 
support  of  its  principles.  He  has  filled  various 
positions  of  trust,  and  is  one  of  the  most  honored 
and  respected  citizens  of  this  county.  His  fanning 
operations  include  the  breeding  of  Norman  horses, 
of  which  he  has  thirty-eight  in  number,  four  of 
them  being  imported  animals  which  were  secured 
at  great  expense,  and  the  others  are  high  grade. 
He  is  also  interested  in  Short-horn  cattle,  and  has 
a  herd  of  nearly  150  hogs  of  the  Poland-China 
breed.  His  landed  estate  now  embraces  900  acres 
lying  in  West  and  Empire  townships,  each  farm 
being  supplied  with  good  buildings  and  managed 
by  reliable  men. 

Mr.  Keenan  is  one  of  those  public-spirited  and 
enterprising  citizens  which  are  the  life  of  a  com- 
munity, and  without  which  it  is  impossible  to  build 
up  a  country  or  a  locality.  He  has  contributed  his 
full  share  toward  the  agricultural  and  industrial  in- 
terests of  this  section,  and  receives  his  reward  in 
the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens. 


RS.  ELIZA  M.  FRENCH  was  born  in 
1'reble  County,  Ohio,  in  1849,  and  is  now 
a  resident  of  Bloouiington,  111.,  making  her 
home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  T.  J.  Read, 
at  No.  816  East  North  street.  Eli  H.  French  was 
a  native  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  and  the  sou  of 
William  and  Mary  (Bundy)  French.  His  early 
years  were  spent  upon  a  farm  in  Ohio,  and  he  came 
to  Illinois  when  a  young  man,  where  he  purchased 
a  farm  in  Randolph  Township,  this  county.  lie  was 
married  to  Miss  Eliza  Mason  of  McLean  County. 
In  1854  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Story 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
360  acres.  Mrs.  French  subsequently  returned  to 
Bloomiugton,  where  she  has  since  lived. 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


397 


The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  daughter 
of  Solomon  and  Elizabeth  (Frier)  Mason,  natives  of 
Ohio.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1830,  and  settled 
in  McLean  County,  where  the  mother  died  in 
Downs  Township  in  1851 ;  the  father  is  still  living, 
having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five 
years.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  eleven 
children,  of  whom  Mrs.  French  was  fifth  in  order  of 
birth,  and  of  these  only  six  are  living.  Mrs. 
French  some  years  ago  connected  herself  with  the 
United  Brethren,  and  still  remains  a  member  of 
that  church. 

Mary  E.,  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  French,  was  mar- 
ried to  Mr.  T.  J.  Read  in  1870,  and  they  have  four 
children — Arthur  C.,  Carrie  M.,  Ida  B.  and  Julia 
W.  Mr.  Read  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1848, 
being  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Bearing) 
Read,  natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  Penn- 
sylvania. They  came  to  Bloomington  in  1856, 
and  Mr.  R.  has  been  a  resident  of  the  city  since 
that  time.  He  is  connected  with  the  Pantograph 
as  collector  and  circulator,  is  a  good  business  man 
and  a  worthy  citizen.  He  built  his  tasteful  and 
convenient  residence  in  1883.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R. 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  is  Republican  in  politics  and  a  thorough  news- 
paper man,  having  been  associated  with  some  of 
the  city  journals  for  the  last  thirty  years. 


F.  HAY,  a  resident  of  Danvers 
Township,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits  on  section  24,  is  a  native  of  Todd 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  Sept.  18,  1814.  His 
parents  were  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Finley)  Hay, 
natives  respectively  of  Massachusetts  and  Virginia. 
Peter  Hay  was  born  in  1770,  and  died  on  the  24th 
of  August,  1824,  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  in 
Christian  County,  Ky.  He  was  by  trade  a  tinsmith, 
but  the  latter  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  farm- 
ing pursuits.  Religiously  he  was  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  wife  fol- 
lowed her  husband  to  the  better  land  on  the  1st  of 
September,  1824.  She  was  connected  with  the  Old- 
School  Presbyterian  Church.  The  parental  house- 
hold consisted  of  eight  children — Jane,  John,  Su- 


sail,  Mary,  Marcia,  Rachel,  Catharine  B.,  and  George 
F.,  our  subject. 

The  early  life  of  George  F.  Hay  was  spent  on 
the  farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  common  schools. 
When  twenty  years  of  age  he  came  to  Illinois  with 
Mr.  Benjamin  Major,  settling  near  Eureka,  and  as- 
sisted Mr.  Major  in  driving  cattle  from  Kentucky 
to  Walnut  Grove.  In  Febrnaiy,  1836,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  office  of  Deputy  Surveyor  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  which  position  he  held  for  four  years. 
Subsequently  he  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and 
at  all  times  employed  his  leisure  moments  in  the 
perusal  of  good  and  instructive  books.  In  this 
manner  he  obtained  a  fund  of  useful  information 
which  served  him  well  in  lieu  of  a  college  educa- 
tion, and  enabled  him  to  engage  successfully  as  a 
school  teacher,  which  calling  he  followed  for  sev- 
eral winters.  The  first  purchase  of  land  by  Mr. 
Hay  consisted  of  thirty-seven  acres  of  timber,  and 
his  next  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  obtained  from 
the  Government.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  217 
acres,  and  has  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings,  being 
occupied  in  mixed  husbandry.  In  1856,  thinking 
a  change  would  be  desirable,  Mr.  Hay  removed  to 
Woodford  County  and  resided  four  years,  during 
which  time  he  became  Assessor  of  the  county,  but 
finally  returned  to  the  old  home  in  McLean,  where 
he  has  been  content  to  stay  since  that  time. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  March 
17,  1836,  when,  he  was  united  with  Miss  Elizabeth 
E.  McCullough,  the  sister  of  Col.  William  McCul- 
lough,  of  Bloomington,  who  was  killed  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Coffeeville,  Miss.  Mrs.  Hay  was  born  in 
Fleming  County,  Ky.,  in  1821,  and  came  to  Dry 
Grove  Township,  this  county,  with  her  parents  five 
years  later,  in  1826.  Her  father  was  the  first  man 
who  erected  a  house  in  said  township.  Of  this 
township  Mr.  Hay  has  also  been  Assessor  at  two 
different  times,  and  served  as  School  Trustee  for 
fourteen  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hay  are  the  parents 
of  one  child — Elizabeth  L.,  who  was  born  Dec.  27, 
1836,  and  married  J.  W.  Owen,  of  Chicago,  in 
September.  1853.  Mr.  O.  is  doing  commission 
business  at  the  Union  Stock  Yards.  They  have  had 
five  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Hay  became  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  at  Noah  Springs,  Teun.,  in  1832.  Mrs.  Hay 


t 


'  '    398 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


became  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Dan- 
vers,  111.,  and  they  have  since  been  connected  with 
that  denomination,  Mr.  H.  having  held  the  offices 
of  Deacon,  Elder  and  Clerk.  Politically  he  is  a 
stanch  Democrat.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Hay  were 
Peter  and  Levina  (Crooks)  McCullough,  natives 
respectively  of  Maryland  and  Kentucky,  who  lo- 
cated in  the  former  State  after  their  marriage,  and 
removed  to  Kentucky  when  Mrs.  H.  was  but  a 
small  child.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1826,  where 
the  father  died  in  January,  1858  or  1859,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  mother  of  Mrs. 
Hay  died  in  184G,  aged  fifty  years.  Of  their  fam- 
ily of  nine  children  two  only  are  living:  Mary  M., 
now  Mrs.  Perry,  of  Allin  Township,  and  Mrs.  Hay 
of  our  sketch.  Peter  McCullough  wasaUniversal- 
ist  in  religious  belief,  but  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Hay 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Hay  relates  an  incident  of  his  early  life 
which  is  of  considerable  interest.  While  roaming 
around  the  country  with  a  young  companion  and 
schoolmate  they  came  to  the  mouth  of  a  cave  which 
had  never  been  explored,  but  with  true  juvenile 
bravado  they  entered  and  proceeded  some  distance, 
coming  out  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  where 
they  went  in.  Much  credit  Was  given  the  young 
heroes  for  their  spirit  of  adventure. 


BENJAMIN  F.  PARKS,  deceased,  was  for- 
merly a  merchant  of  Le  Roy,  and  one  of  its 
prominent  and  reliable  business  men.  He 
was  born  near  Bloomington,  Ind.,  Feb.  21, 
his  ancestors  being  among  the  early  settlers 
of  that  State.  Mr.  Parks  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  county,  and  in  company  with  his  brother,  L. 
H.  Parks,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tobacco 
until  1853.  Both  brothers  then  came  to  Illinois, 
and  locating  in  Le  Roy,  this  county,  established  a 
dry-goods  business,  which  they  conducted  until 
after  the  war.  Then  our  subject  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  his  brother  in  the  business  and  operated 
it  alone  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  7, 
1871. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Parks  with  Miss  Martha  J. 
Brown  occurred  on  the    1st  of   September,    1858. 


1827, 


Mrs.  Parks  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  March 
12,  1840.  Her  father,  Aaron  Brown,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  pursued  the  occupation 
of  a  farmer  for  some  years,  finally  removing  to 
Knox  County,  Ohio,  where  he  died  in  1846.  In 
1852  his  widow  removed  with  her  children  to  this 
county,  and  settled  near  Le  Roy.  Mrs.  Brown  be- 
fore her  marriage  was  Miss  Isabella  Pollock,  and 
she  was  born  in  Ohio.  She  made  her  home  with 
Mrs.  Parks  until  the  last  years  of  her  life,  her  death 
occurring  about  1876,  aged  eighty-four.  Mr.-*. 
Parks  has  three  sons  living:  Theophilus  and  Charles 
live  in  Le  Roy.  the  former  engaged  in  the  grocery 
trade;  Fred  is  at  home  with  his  mother.  Mrs.  P. 
is  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mr.  Parks  in  politics  belonged  to  the  Democratic 
party,  and  socially  was  a  member  of  Le  Roy  Lodge 
No.  149,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


eHARLES  E.  BAKER,  President  of  the  Ever- 
green City  Business  College,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  is  a  graduate  of  Evansville  Commercial 
College,  and  has  been  mainly  instrumental  in  bring- 
ing it  to  its  present  prosperous  condition.  He  is  a 
gentleman  of  fine  education  and  good  business  ca- 
pacity, having  the  rare  faculty  of  adapting  his  at- 
tainments to  practical  uses. 

Mr.  Baker  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  was  born 
in  Knox  County,  July  13,  1852.  His  father, 'Na- 
than Baker,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  still  resides  in 
Knox  County,  Ind.  His  mother,  who  was  formerly 
Miss  Lucretia  Wyant,  was  a  native  of  Illinois,  and 
died  in  1855,  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  Knox 
County,  Ind.  Of  their  three  children  only  one  is 
living,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  the 
youngest  of  the  family. 

The  boyhood  of  Charles  E.  Baker  was  mostly 
spent  upon  his  father's  farm,  his  primary  education 
being  carried  on  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county. 
After  graduating  from  Evansville  College  he  be- 
came book-keeper  for  the  firm  of  French  &  Co., 
with  whom  he  remained  two  years,  and  was  then 
tendered  the.  position  of  Assistant  Principal  of 
Crescent  City  Commercial  College  at  Evansville, 


4 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


399 


which  position  he  occupied  eighteen  months.  He 
came  to  Bloomington  in  the  summer  of  1874,  and 
was  soon  afterward  elected  to  his  present  position. 
The  school,  which  was  then  in  its  infancy,  under 
his  efficient  management  has  become  one  of  the  im- 
portant institutions  of  McLean  County,  and  since 
its  establishment  has  enrolled  over  2,000  students, 
100  of  whom  are  now  prominent  and  useful  citizens 
of  Bloomington,  occupying  various  positions  among 
its  business  and  industrial  interests. 

The  marriage  of  President  Baker  and  Miss  Lyda 
Beck  was  celebrated  in  1872.  Mrs.  B.  is  a  native 
of  the  Prairie  State,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  has  become  the  mother  of  four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters — Cora,  Clarence, 
Maude  and  Walter.  Mr.  Baker  is  Secretary  and  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Independent  Church  of 
Bloomington,  assisting  greatly  in  its  Sunday-school 
work,  and  contributing  of  his  time  and  means  to- 
ward its  maintenance  and  prosperity.  He  is  also 
identified  with  the  Knights  of  Honor  as  their  Sec- 
retary, and  is  an  active  and  efficient  brother. 


R.  LEE  ALLIN,  a  prominent  and  popular 
member  of  the  dental  profession  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  is  located  in  Bloomington, 
where,  during  a  period  of  thirty-three 
years  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
practice.  Dr.  Allin  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State, 
having  been  born  in  Vandalia,  Fayette  County, 
Nov.  27,  1828.  He  is  the  son  of  Hon.  James  and 
Catharine  (Livingston)  Allin,  natives  respectively 
of  North  Carolina  and  Boone  County,  Ky.  James 
Allin,  while  a  small  boy,  removed  from  his  native 
State  with  his  parents  to  Indiana,  and  they  settled 
on  a  farm  near  a  small  village  called  Rising  Sun,  in 
Ohio  County. 

Here  the  father  of  our  subject  passed  his  boy- 
hood and  youth,  assisting  his  parents  around  the 
homestead  and  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools.  He  remained  at  home  until 
twenty-one  years  old,  and  then,  anxious  to  see 
something  more  of  the  world,  engaged  on  a  flat- 
boat,  which  floated  grain  and  produce  down  the 
Mississippi  River  to  New  Orleans.  After  arriving 


there  he  would  sell  his  flatboat,  and  purchasing  a 
pony  ride  back  through  the  Indian  Territory.  He 
followed  this  for  several  years,  and  then  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Rising  Sun.  After  a  few 
years  he  went  to  Jidwardsville,  Madison  Co.,  111., 
for  a  short  time,  and  then  purchased  a  farm  near 
Vandalia,  which,  after  a  short  time,  he  sold  and 
moved  into  town,  where  he  perfected  his  arrange- 
ments for  laying  out  a  town  in  Sangamon  County, 
that  State.  He  started  from  Vandalia  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1828,  to  prospect  for  his. pet  idea,  and  go- 
ing north  reached  the  farm  where  the  city  of  Bloom- 
ington now  stands.  He  said  to  himself,  "  This  is 
the  place,"  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land  from  a 
man  named  William  Evans.  He  returned  to  Van- 
dalia to  spend  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  re- 
moved with  his  wife  and  four  children  to  his  farm. 

Before  starting  Mr.  Allin  purchased  a  stock  of 
goods  in  St.  Louis,  which  he  conveyed  overland  to 
the  place,  and  also  had  a  building  in  readiness 
to  receive  his  goods  and  family.  This  was  built  of 
hewed  logs,  but  it  abundantly  answered  the  pur- 
pose in  those  days.  Thus  was  inaugurated  the  first 
store  on  the  present  site  of  Bloomington,  and 
James  Allin  was  the  first  merchant  in  the  present 
limits  of  McLean  County.  After  becoming  com- 
fortably settled  he  proceeded  to  put  his  idea  into 
execution,  and  laid  out  the  original  town  plat  be- 
tween Front  and  North,  and  East  and  West  streets, 
an  area  including  twenty-two  and  a  half  acres  of 
land.  This  he  proffered  to  the  county,  if  its  offi- 
cials would  locate  the  county  seat  here,  which 
proposition  they  accepted.  To  this  he  added  what 
was  called  the  "first  addition  to  the  town  plat," 
and  afterward  made  several  other  additions.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  liberality,  and  gave  a  great  many 
lots  to  people  who  were  too  poor  to  buy,  upon  the 
condition  that  they  would  locate  and  remain  there. 

James  Allin,  Sr.,  was  the  first  Postmaster  of 
Bloomington,  and  the  first  Circuit  Court  was  held 
in  his  hewed  log  cabin.  After  he  located  here 
his  household  was  increased  by  the  birth  of  a 
daughter,  Catharine  A.,  making  in  all  a  family 
of  five  children:  William  died  in  July,  1857,  at 
the  age  of  forty-two  years;  he  was  through  life, 
until  his  retirement  in  1855,  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous merchants  of  Bloomington,  commencing 


t 


t  ,    400 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


business  with  his  father  in  1836.  James,  also  a 
merchant  for  many  years,  was  appointed  Postmas- 
ter under  President  Lincoln,  and  after  his  term  of 
service  had  expired  removed  to  Kansas  in  1882, 
where  he  now  resides ;  John,  who  was  engaged  in 
farming  in  McLean  Township,  departed  this  life  in 
1865;  Lee  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Catharine 
A.  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Z.  L.  Hoover,  who  died 
in  1886;  he  was  formerly  a  prominent  physician  of 
Bloomington. 

Hon.  James  Allin,  Sr.,  died  in  1869,  at  th'e  age 
of  eighty-one  years.  He  was  a  man  of  great  force 
of  character,  and  became  prominently  identified 
with  the  politica'1  and  other  important  matters  of 
this  section.  He  was  elected  State  Senator  about 
the  year  1837,  and  in  whatever  position  he  was 
called  to  fill  acquitted  himself  faithfully  and  cred- 
itably. He  was  a  hearty  supporter  of  the  church, 
and  materially  assisted  in  the  establishment  of  Wes- 
leyan  University  and  other  institutions  of  learning. 
With  his  wife  he  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  was  its  liberal  and  cheerful  sup- 
porter until  the  close  of  his  life.  In  early  manhood 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Catharine,  the 
daughter  of  Judge  John  Livingston,  of  Rising  Sun. 
This  lady  died  at  Bloomington  in  1872,  when  sev- 
enty years  of  age. 

Dr.  Lee  Allin  of  our  sketch  ranks  among  the  pio- 
neer settlers  of  McLean  County,  being  seven  months 
old  when  his  parents  removed  to  this  vicinity,  in 
1 829.  His  boyhood  days  were  spent  alternately  in  the 
subscription  school  and  his  father's  store,  in  which 
he  was  given  an  interest  when  twenty  years  of  age, 
which  he  retained  for  four  years,  and  then  aban- 
doned to  commence  the  study  of  dentistry.  In 
1852  he  was  married  to  Miss  Julia  McFarland,  who 
w:is  born  in  Jacksonville,  111.,  in  1834,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Noble)  McFarland, 
who  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  Illinois  in  about 
is  10.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  Mrs.  Allin  was  the  youngest  born. 
Mrs.  McFarland  died  in  1875;  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Allin  is  still  living  in  Peoria,  having  arrived  at  the 
advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 

The  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Allin  became  the  parents 
of  three  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  living: 
Lee  I),  married  Miss  Josephine  Garvey,  and  they 


have  two  children — Winlield  S.  and  a  babe  un- 
named ;  this  son  is  a  conductor  on  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
R.  R.  Clayborn  is  at  home.  Their  pleasant  and 
comfortable  residence  is  located  at  the  intersection 
of  East  and  Front  streets,  where  the  Doctor  also  has 
his  office.  During  his  long  residence  here  he  has 
fully  established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  ranks  among  the 
most  valued  members  of  the  community.  lie  has 
witnessed  great  changes  since  his  boyhood,  and  has 
contributed  his  full  share  as  a  good  citizen  toward 
the  development  and  prosperity  of  McLean  County. 
He  is  independent  in  politics,  and  served  as  Deputy 
Clerk  of  the  county  in  1848-49.  Both  the  Doctor 
and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 


RS.  M.  A.  CAMPBELL,  the  widow  of 
James  Campbell,  owns  and  occupies  a  snug 
IS  homestead,  consisting  of  eighty  acres  of 
land  and  a  good  farm  dwelling  on  section 
35,  White  Oak  Township.  She  is  a  native  of  Mor- 
gan County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  1 840,  being  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Fry)  Ray.  Her 
father  was  born  in  Virginia,  Dec.  30,  1803,  and  the 
mother  near  Wellsburg  in  the  same  State  in  1,813. 
They  were  married  there  in  1836,  whence  they  re- 
moved shortly  afterward  to  Ohio,  and  Mr.  Ray  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land  in  Morgan  County. 
There  he  established  a  comfortable  home,  upon 
which  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
April  10,  1861.  Mrs.  Ray  is  still  living  on  the  old 
homestead.  They  became  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Rachel  J.,  now  Mrs.  Thomas 
Hempfield;  M.  A.  of  our  sketch;  George  V., 
who  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wilson;  Thomas,  who 
married  Miss  Eliza  Ray;  Samuel,  who  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Gordan,  and  Sarah  E.,  unmarried  and 
living  with  her  mother.  The  parents  belonged  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  politically  Mr.  Ray 
was  a  stanch  Democrat. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  Oct.  5, 
1865,  in  McConnellsville,  to  James  T.  Campbell. 
Mr.  C.  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  born  in 
1838.  After  their  marriage  they  came  westward. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


408 


and  located  on  eighty  acres  of  land  iu  this  county, 
which  Mr.  C.  improved  and  cultivated.  His  death 
occurred  Dec.  4,  1878.  During  the  late  war  Mr. 
Campbell  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier,  becoming  a 
member  of  Co.  C,  122d  Regiment,  Ohio  Volunteers. 
He  served  three  years,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles at  Warrensburg,  Port  Royal,  Kelley's  Ford, 
Brandy  Station,  Locust  Grove,  and  other  engage- 
ments and  skirmishes.  He  was  also  at  the  battle  of 
Winchester  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  per- 
formed his  duties  bravely  and  faithfully,  escaping 
without  a  wound  or  being  captured.  As  a  citizen 
Mr.  Campbell  was  highly  valued  in  his  community, 
and  when  among  his  family  and  friends  displayed 
those  genial  and  lovable  traits  which  endeared  him 
to  all.  He  was  a  regular  attendant  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  although  he  never  connected  himself 
with  any  religious  organization. 

Mrs.  Campbell  lived  with  her  parents  during  her 
childhood  and  youth,  and  until  she  was  married, 
and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools.  Since  the  death  of  her  husband  she  has 
carried  on  the  farm  with  good  judgment  and  in  a 
business-like  manner.  She  is  a  very  intelligent  and 
pleasing  lady,  and  highly  respected  by  all  who  know 
her. 


&HOMAS  S.  R1DGWAY,  a  prosperous  and 
influential  farmer  of  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship, whose  portrait  is  shown  in  connection 
with  this  sketch,  is  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
citizens  of  this  locality,  who  has  learned  much  from 
a  large  experience  in  life,  and  keeps  himself  well 
posted  upon  all  matters  of  general  interest.  He  is 
an  extensive  reader,  and  has  made  the  most  of  his 
time  and  opportunities  all  through  life. 

Mr.  Ridgway  is  a  native  of  Venango  County, 
Pa.,  and  was  born  in  Franklin  on  the  llth  of 
March,  1819.  His  father,  John  Ridgway,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  his  grandfather,  Joseph 
Ridgway,  of  England,  and  descended  from  excel- 
lent English  ancestry.  The  latter  came  with  his 
parents  to  America  in  about  1794,  locating  first  in 
Pennsylvania,  whence  they  removed  later  to  the 
Old  Dominion.  Joseph  Ridgway  was  a  millwright 
by  trade,  and  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  the 


skill  and  thoroughness  in  his  work  and  system  in 
his  business  transactions,  for  which  his  ancestry 
were  noted.  His  son  John,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, also  learned  the  trade  of  a  millwright,  but 
after  following  it  a  number  of  years  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  in  Venango  County,  and  spent  his 
later  years  in  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture. 
Early  in  life  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Titus, 
who  was  a  native  of  Crawford  County,  Pa.,  and  the 
daughter  of  Peter  Titus,  who  was  born  in  Germany 
and  emigrated  to  America  previous  to  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  He  became  a  soldier  in  that  struggle, 
and  was  with  Gen.  Washington  at  Valley  Forge. 
After  the  independence  of  the  colonies  was  estab- 
lished he  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and  spent 
his  last  days  in  Crawford  County,  Pa.,  where  he 
died  at  the  advanced  age  of  one  hundred  years. 

Thomas  S.  Ridgway  was  reared  in  his  native 
town  under  the  home  roof  and  attended  the  sub- 
scription schools  as  opportunity  offered.  When 
twenty-two  years  of  age  he  entered  Venango 
Academy  in  Franklin,  and  fitted  himself  for  a 
teacher.  He  followed  this  profession  three  years, 
and  in  the  meanwhile  occupied  his  leisure  time  in 
the  study  of  law,  making  such  proficiency  that  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Franklin  in  1842.  He 
soon  afterward  opened  an  office  in  Franklin,  but 
the  confinement  within  doors  undermined  his 
health,  and  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  his  pro- 
fession. In  1 849  he  went  to  New  Orleans  and  was 
employed  as  clerk  in  a  lumber-yard  there  until  he 
engaged  in  the  same  business  for  himself,  and  was 
thus  occupied  for  eight  years  following.  In  1857 
he  went  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  opened  a  whole- 
sale store  of  general  merchandise,  which  he  oper- 
ated for  one  and  one-half  years.  He  then  con- 
ducted the  same  business  in  St.  Louis  for  the  same 
length  of  time,  and  afterward  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  and  liquor  trade  in  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  until  1804,  whence  he  came  to  McLean 
County  in  June  of  the  same  year.  He  then  pur- 
chased the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies, 
and  upon  which  he  has  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  stock-raising. 

The  marriage  of  Thomas  S.  Ridgway  and  Miss 
Frances  Shelley  was  celebrated  in  New  Orleans  on 
the  Oth  of  July,  18f>3.  Mrs.  R.  is  a  native  of 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


France,  and  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Shelley,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  when  the 
wife  of  our  subject  was  a  child  six  years  of  age. 
They  located  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  where 
Mrs.  R.  was  reared  and  received  her  education. 
Of  this  union  there  has  been  no  issue.  They  have 
an  adopted  daughter,  Josephine,  now  the  wife  of 
A.  D.  Lawrence,  of  Le  Roy. 

The  farm  estate  of  our  subject  includes  405 
acres  of  valuable  land,  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation, 
well  drained  with  tile.  It  is  stocked  with  fine 
grades  of  the  domestic  animals,  and  supplied  with 
all  the  appliances  necessary  for  the  carrying  on  of 
agriculture  after  the  most  improved  methods.  The 
family  residence  is  a  handsome  and  substantial 
structure,  and  the  barns  and  out-buildings  are  in 
all  respects  fully  adapted  to  the  storing  of  grain 
and  the  shelter  of  stock.  Everything  within  the 
house  and  about  the  premises  indicates  the  exercise 
of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means,  and  the 
homestead  presents  one  of  the  most  attractive 
features  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ridgway  casts  his  vote  in  sup- 
port of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
in  his  religious  views  is  liberal.  He  has  been  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  business  and  agricult- 
ural interests  of  this  section  since  his  arrival  here, 
and  has  aided  materially  in  its  prosperity  and 
advancement. 


ARRISON  C.  LOTT,  Superintendent  and 
Manager  of  the  County  Poor  Farm  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  was  placed  in  charge  of  this 
institution  on  the  1st  of  March,  1882,  and 
has  occupied  it  since  that  time  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  The  farm 
is  located  on  section  33,  Bloomington  Township, 
and  within  the  last  four  years  has  had  an  increase 
of  inmates  at  the  rate  of  about  eight  persons  per 
annum.  The  farm  consists  of  220  acres,  and  is 
beautifully  located.  The  main  building  is  of  brick, 
with  slate  roof,  and  furnished  with  all  the  conve- 
niences necessary  for  the  care  and  comfort  of  a 
large  household.  The  barns  and  out-buildings  are 
in  keeping  with  the  asylum,  and  do  credit  to  the 


benevolence   of   the    people   of    McLean    County. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Jefferson 
County,  Ind.,  Aug.  18,  1848.  His  father,  Abuer 
Lott,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  when  a  young 
man  went  to  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  where  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  Orrill,  who  was  born  in  Virginia, 
of  German  descent.  The  parents  succeeded  in 
opening  up  a  good  farm  in  Jefferson  County,  where 
they  are  now  living  a  comfortable  and  happy  old 
age  among  the  friends  and  associates  of  many  long 
years,  and  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  know 
them.  Abner  Lott  is  now  sixty -eight  years  of  age, 
and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Lott,  sixty -three. 

Harrison  C.  Lott  was  the  fourth  child  of  a  fam- 
ily of  five  sons  and  seven  daughters.  He  was 
reared  at  home,  applied  himself  contentedly  to 
farm  life,  and  attended  the  district  schools  of  his 
native  county.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  en- 
listed in  the  146th  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served 
seven  months,  the  war  then  closing,  which  termin- 
ated his  soldier  life.  During  the  short  time  he 
was  in  the  service  they  were  compelled  to  march 
forty-eight  hours  without  food.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen,  he  started  out  to  battle  for  himself,  and 
came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits. 

On  the  29th  of  January,  1873.  Mr.  Lott  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Waddington,  a  native  of 
Williamson  County,  111.,  who  was  born  May  12, 
1848,  and  was  the  daughter  of  George  and  Eliza- 
beth (Kershaw)  Waddington.  Her  parents  were 
natives  of  England,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
before  their  marriage,  settling  in  Williams  County, 
where  they  were  married,  and  afterward  removed 
to  McLean,  locating  in  Downs  Township,  where 
they  established  a  permanent  home  and  passed  the 
remainder  of  their  days.  Mrs.  Lott  remained  with 
her  parents  until  her  marriage,  and  by  her  union 
with  our  subject  became  the  mother  of  six  children, 
the  two  eldest  of  whom,  Ida  M.  and  one  unnamed, 
died  in  infancy.  The  living  are  George  A.,  Will- 
iam H.,  Jessie  E.  and  Elsie  B. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lott  have  lived  in  McLean  County 
since  their  marriage,  and  in  his  business  and  farm- 
ing operations  our  subject  has  been  uniformly  suc- 
cessful. His  management  of  the  Poor  Farm  has 
been  wise  and  judicious,  and  he  has  proved  him- 
•». 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


405 


i 


self  fully  equal  to  the  duties  of  a  difficult  position. 
He  has  held  various  minor  offices  in  his  township, 
and  in  politics  is  a  solid  Republican.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lott  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Mr.  Lott  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  Post  146,  of  Bloomington,  111. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  publishers  of  this 
work  present  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Lott,  as  being 
that  of  an  honored  and  worthy  representative  of 
Bloomington  Township. 


R.  JOHN  SCOTT,  of  Bloomington,  is  a 
registered  veterinary  surgeon,  and  re- 
ceived the  gold  medal  of  a  class  of  eighty- 
five  students,  who  graduated  from  Ontario 
Veterinary  College,  at  Toronto,  Canada,  in  1886. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Ontario  Veterinary 
Medical  Society,  and  the  Illinois  Veterinary  Medi- 
cal Association.  His  office  in  Bloomington  is  at 
No.  408  West  Front  street,  where  he  is  prosecuting 
the  practice  of  his  profession  intelligently  and  suc- 
cessfully. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  native  of  Western 
Canada,  and  was  born  Feb.  16,  1862.  His  parents 
were  William  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Scott,  the 
former  a  Canadian  of  Irish  descent,  and  the  mother, 
of  excellent  Scottish  ancestry,  was  born  in  the  land 
of  the  thistle  and  came  to  Canada  with  her  parents 
when  eight  years  of  age.  She  was  married  to  the 
father  of  our  subject  in  1858,  and  they  located 
upon  a  farm.  Since  that  time  William  Scott  has 
been  industriously  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  now  has  a  fine  estate  of  200  acres  near 
Orangeville,  Canada.  The  parental  household  con- 
sisted of  four  children,  of  whom  Isaac  is  a  student 
at  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College;  John,  our  sub- 
ject, was  the  second  son ;  Jeanette  and  Thomas  are 
in  Canada.  William  Scott  is  one  of  the  prominent 
men  of  Western  Canada,  and  has  been  intimately 
identified  with  the  growth  and  progress  of  that  por- 
tion of  the  Dominion.  He  belongs  to  the  Reform 
party,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

'  Dr.  John  Scott  remained  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,   assist- 


ing  in  the  labors  on  the  farm,  and  pursuing  his 
studies  in  the  High  School  where  he  received  a  fine 
education.  He  attended  the  Ontario  College  for 
a  period  of  two  years,  giving  his  principal  atten- 
tion to  the  details  of  the  branches  which  he  is  now 
pursuing,  and  in  the  meantime  engaged  in  practice 
under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  O'Neill,  one  of  the 
leading  veterinary  surgeons  of  Canada.  Our  sub- 
ject came  to  Bloomington  on  the  22d  of  April, 
1886,  and  even  in  this  comparatively  short  time 
has  built  up  a  fine  practice  with  rare  prospects  for 
the  future.  He  is  a  young  man,  ambitious  to 
excel  in  his  profession,  and  if  he  continues  in  the 
manner  in  which  he  has  begun,  will  become  one  of 
the  leading  men  in  his  profession  in  this  State. 
He  is  independent  in  politics,  and  keeps  himself 
well  posted  upon  all  matters  of  general  interest. 


J"~  AMES  H.  ROBINSON,  deceased,  was  one  of 
the  most  active  and  prominent  business  men 
of  Bloomington.  and  greatly  respected  for 
his    excellent   moral   character   and   genial 
social  qualities.     He  was  a  native   of  the  Empire 
State,    born   in    Washington    County.    March    11, 
1808.      He   removed    from    Saratoga   Springs   to 
Bloomington    in  the  fall  of    1836,  and  from   that 
time  was  intimately  identified  with  the  business  in- 
terests of  this  section. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  Benjamin  Robin- 
son, a  native  of  New  England,  and  the  mother  was 
formerly  Miss  Ruhanna  Wood,  who  was  born  in 
Westport,  Mass.,  Dec.  9,  1778.  James  H.  Robin- 
son was  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  eleven  children, 
and  entered  upon  his  business  career  in  Blooming- 
ington,  111.,  as  a  clerk  with  James  Allen  in  general 
merchandise.  He  afterward  became  the  partner  of 
his  employer,  and  they  continued  business  until 
1840,  when  the  business  was  sold  out.  Four  years 
later  Mr.  Robinson  went  into  business  on  his  own 
account,  which  he  operated  very  successfully  until 
1852.  His  next  venture  was  in  the  lumber  trade, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  for  about  six  years. 
In  1860  he  became  President  of  the  Bloomiugton 
Bank,  in  which  he  was  one  of  the  principal  stock- 
holders, and  which  position  he  occupied  until  his 


j '  •  406 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


death,  which  occurred  in  December,  1874.  This 
is  now  known  as  the  First  National  Bank,  and  un- 
der his  wise  management  were  laid  the  foundations 
which  have  been  the  secret  of  its  success. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  married  in  1842,  to  Miss  L. 
M.  Drake,  who  was  born  in  1821,  and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  B.  B.  Drake,  a  minister  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Of  their  children  the  following 
survive  :  Charles  W.  is  Cashier  of  the  First  Nat- 
tional  Bank  of  Bloom  ington;  John  D.  is  a  florist; 
James  and  Benjamin  are  pursuing  their  studies  at 
Harvard  College. 

The  fine  brick  residence  on  East  Clay  street, 
which  constitutes  the  present  homestead  of  the 
family,  was  erected  in  1869.  It  is  built  after  the 
modern  style  of  architecture,  and  is  surrounded  by 
beautiful  and  extensive  grounds,  embellished  with 
native  forest  trees  and  choice  shrubbery.  All  its 
appointments  both  within  and  without  are  indic- 
ative of  refined  tastes  and  ample  means,  and  the 
family  is  held  in  the  highest  respect  throughout  the 
county,  where  they  are  widely  known. 


JOHN  D.  ROBINSON,  florist,  at  Bloomington, 
is  the  second  son  of  James  H.  and  Latrecia 
(Drake)  Robinson,  the  date  of  his  birth  be- 
ing Aug.  16,  1852.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  in  early  years 
indicated  by  his  tastes  in  floriculture,  the  business 
to  which  he  was  best  adapted  in  life.  With  this 
end  in  view  he  spent  two  years  in  the  Bloomington 
Nursery,  which  was  then  known  as  the  Phoenix. 
During  that  time  he  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  plants  and  trees  and  the  care  and  treatment  re- 
quired in  their  successful  propagation  and  growth. 
After  graduating  from  this  department  he  spent  one 
year  with  William  C.  Wilson,  a  noted  nursery-man 
of  New  York,  and  completed  the  experience  re- 
quired in  the  successful  operation  of  the  business 
of  a  florist. 

Returning  to  Bloomington,  in  1871,  Mr.  Robin- 
son established  the  grounds  and  greenhouse  which 
have  now  become  familiarly  known  as  the  largest 
and  most  thoroughly  equipped  of  anything  of  the 
kind  in  the  city.  In  the  construction  of  his  green- 


house there  were  employed  16,800  feet  of  glass, 
which  furnishes  ample  room  for  the  multitude  of 
plants  and  flowers  which  he  keeps  constantly  on 
hand.  The  establishment  is  warmed  by  a  complete 
system  of  hot  water  pipes  attached  to  three  boilers, 
in  which  the  water  is  kept  at  an  even  temperature. 
Mr.  Robinson  has  built  up  a  fine  trade,  and  be- 
sides the  bulbs  and  roots  which  he  furnishes  by  the 
thousand,  he  also  deals  extensively  in  cut  flowers, 
large  numbers  of  which  he  furnishes  for  funerals, 
weddings,  and  other  important  events.  He  also 
ships  large  orders  of  these  to  Kansas  City,  Peoria, 
and  intermediate  points,  besides  having  a  good 
home  trade.  Mr.  Robinson  is  unmarried,  and  makes 
his  home  with  his  widowed  mother  in  the  family 
residence  at  the  intersection  of  Clay  and  East 
streets. 


BEL  GALE  SMITH,  editor  of  the  Le  Roy 
Free  Press,  is  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  Oct.  13,  1832. 
His  father,  Jacob  Denton  Smith,  was  a  na- 
tive of  the  same  State,  where  he  followed  farming 
pursuits  until  1833,  when  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Ohio  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Erie 
County.  His  decease  occurred  at  Sandusky  City 
in  1849.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was 
formerly  Elizabeth  Conger,  also  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. She  was  married  to  Jacob  D.  Smith  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  removed  with  him  to  Ohio  and 
died  at  Shelby,  Richland  County,  on  the  30th  of 
April,  1877.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Cordelia 
married  Harrison  Mickey,  of  Shelby,  in  1 846 ;  Mrs. 
Robert  A.  Smith  lives  in  Chicago;  Abel  G.  was 
the  third  child  and  eldest  son;  Miss  Docia  B. 
Smith  lives  in  Chicago;  Emma,  Mrs.  Silas  Abbott, 
lives  in  Kentucky ;  Robert  is  engaged  in  printing 
in  Chicago. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  one  year  old 
when  his  parents  removed  from  his  native  State  to 
Ohio.  He  remained  with  them  until  he  was  seven- 
teen and  then  adopted  the  printer's  trade.  In  1 855 
he  purchased  the  Free  Press  at  Milan,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  six  years,  and  then,  removing  to  Wat- 
seka,  111.,  became  owner  of  the  \T(H\WIK  Republican^ 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


407 


which  he  conducted  for  five  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Danville  and  entered  upon  the  publica- 
tion of  the  Danville  daily  and  weekly  Times,  con- 
tinuing there  until  1881.  Thence  he  came  to  Le 
Roy. 

The  Le  Roy  Free  Press  was  founded  by  A.  G. 
Smith,  Sept.  29,  1882.  It  is  a  neatly  gotten  up 
six-column  folio  paper,  Republican  in  politics  and 
has  a  fair  circulation.  Mr.  Smith  is  an  old  and  ex- 
perienced newspaper  man  and  has  established  a 
good  many  papers  in  his  time,  all  of  which  have 
done  good  service  in  the  journalistic  field.  The 
Free  Press  is  well  edited  and  a  very  readable  pa- 
per, and  devoted  particularly  to  the  building  up  of 
the  thriving  town  of  Le  Roy. 

The  marriage  of  Abel  Gale  Smith  and  Miss 
Charlotte  B.  Paige  was  celebrated  on  the  loth  of 
September,  1875.  at  Alexander,  Genes.ee  Co.,  N. 
Y.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Owego,  Tioga  Co., 
N.  Y.,  and  became  a  resident  of  Illinois  in  1872. 
Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  two  sons — Paul 
and  Gale.  By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Smith  has 
one  son — Dudley,  of  Chicago. 


fcALMADGE  ROSS,  deceased,  was  a  native 
of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  and  born  Feb. 
11,  1 820.  He  departed  this  life  near  Le  Roy, 
July  23,  1882.  having  made  for  himself  a  good 
record  as  a  worthy  citizen,  a  kind  husband  and 
father,  and  one  whose  name  is  held  in  kindly  remem- 
brance for  his  sterling  worth  in  all  the  relations  of 
life.  .  The  father  of  our  subject,  Moses  L.  Ross,  was 
one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  opened 
up  a  farm  in  the  wilderness,  and  established  a  com- 
fortable home  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  In  early  manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  Frazee,  who  survived  her  husband  a 
number  of  years  and  died  in  McLean  County, 
while  on  a  visit  to  her  son  in  1882. 

Talmadge  Ross  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
in  Ohio  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his 
marriage.  He  then  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in 
Pickaway  County,  upon  which  was  a  hewed  log 
house  and  a  barn,  and  about  two-thirds  of  the  laud 


was  under  cultivation.  Tie  had  been  reared  to 
habits  of  industry  and  economy,  and  proceeded  with 
the  improvements  of  his  new  purchase  with  the 
hope  and  courage  of  youth,  meeting  with  success. 
In  a  little  more  than  two  years  he  obtained  a  clear 
title  to  his  purchase  and  thus,  while  a  young  man, 
had  a  good  start  in  life.  In  1 855  he  sold  out  and 
came  to  Illinois,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two 
children.  They  located  in  Champaign  County, 
where  Mr.  Ross  rented  a  hotel  which  he  conducted 
for  one  year  and  then,  coming  to  McLean  County, 
purchased  225  acres  of  land  in  Empire  Township. 
As  time  passed  on  he  added  to  his  landed  area  and 
became  the  possessor  of  480  acres,  all  enclosed  and 
improved,  and  supplied  with  a  fine  set  of  frame 
buildings.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  gave 
considerable  attention  to  stock-raising  and  became 
one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  farmers  of 
this  section.  His  death  occurred  upon  the  home- 
stead, which  he  had  improved  and  beautified,  and 
where  he  had  surrounded  his  family  with  all  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 

The  marriage  of  Talmadge  Ross  and  Miss  Mar- 
garet E.  Thomas  was  celebrated  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  Dec.  25,  1850.  Mrs.  Ross  was 
born  in  said  county  Jan.  10,  1830,  being  the  daugh- 
ter of  Edward  and  Fannie  (Lair)  Thomas,  natives 
respectively  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  Her 
grandfather,  Nicholas  Thomas,  was  a  native  of 
Maryland,  and  emigrated  to  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
at  an  early  day.  He  settled  upon  a  timber  tract 
from  which  he  cleared  a  farm  and  where  he  spent 
his  last  years.  His  son  Edward,  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Ross,  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  spent  his 
entire  life  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  engaged  in 
agriculture.  The  mother  also  died  in  that  county. 
The  parental  household  consisted  of  six  children, 
as  follows:  Davis  C.  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington, 
111. ;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  William  Ross,  lives  in 
Empire  Township,  this  county ;  Josephine  E.,  Mrs. 
Clark  W.  Davis,  also  lives  in  this  township;  Pamelia 
F.  married  Henry  Crumbaugh,  and  they  live  in 
Monarch,  this  county ;  James  E.  lives  on  the  home- 
stead, and  Talmadge  J.  resides  with  his  mother.  In 
September,  1883,  the  year  following  her  husband's 
death,  Mrs.  Ross  removed  to  Le  Roy,  where  she  pur- 
chased a  residence  and  lived  one  year.  She  then 


408 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


returned  to  the  farm  for  two  years,  and  in  188G 
went  back  to  Le  Roy,  which  is  her  present  home. 
She  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  greatly  respected  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  associates  as  having  been  the 
worthy  helpmeet  and  companion  of  one  of  the  most 
worthy  men  of  this  county. 


JOSEPH  KING,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  Oak 
Grove  Township,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State  and  of  this  county,  born  Oct.  15, 
1844.  His  parents  were  Christian  and  Phebe 
(Barnett)  King,  both  natives  of  Baden,  Germany. 
Christian  King  emigrated  to  America  in  1830,  and 
went  directly  to  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
rented  a  tract  of  land  and  carried  on  farming  for 
ten  years.  He  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1 840,  and 
engaged  here  in  farming  pursuits  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  April,  1882.  The  mother  accom- 
panied her  husband  to  Illinois,  and  departed  this 
life  in  1876.  Politically  Mr.  King,  in  later  years, 
was  independent,  and  both  parents  were  worthy 
members  of  the  Meimonite  Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. He  was  married  in  1868,  to  Miss  Anna 
Hodler,  and  they  lived  upon  his  father's  farm  for 
five  years.  He  then  purchased  eighty-four  acres  of 
good  land  which  constitutes  his  present  homestead. 
He  has  a  handsome  and  commodious  residence, 
with  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings, 
and  is  making  a  specialty  of  raising  fine  horses  of 
Hambletonian  stock.  Of  these  he  has  now  about 
twelve  head,  and  some  fine  specimens  of  Norman. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  have  become  the  parents  of  four 
children — Emauuel  A.,  Joseph  A.,  Walter  F.  and 
Charles.  Mr.  K.  is  one  of  the  progressive  farmers 
of  this  section,  a  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life, 
and  possessing  those  excellencies  of  character  which 
have  gained  him  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  those 
who  know  him. 

The  children  of  Christian  and  Phebe  King,  the 
parents  of  our  subject,  were  as  follows :  Christian 
married  Miss  Barbara  Salt/man;  John  married  Miss 
LydiaTroyer ;  Jacob  married  Miss  Anna  Neuhauser; 


Daniel  married  Mary  Hodler;  Peter,  Miss  Barbara 
Hodler;  Joseph,  Miss  Anna  Hodler;  Samuel,  Miss 
Mary  Scliad;  Barbara  became  the  wife  of  David  S. 
Ropp. 

Joseph  Hodler,  the  father  of  Mrs.  King,  was  a 
native  of  France  and  born  in  1820,  and  departed 
this  life  in  March,  1881.  His  wife,  formerly  Miss 
Barbara  Schertz,  was  born  in  Germany.  Both  par- 
ents came  to  America  when  quite  young,  settling 
in  Pennsylvania,  where  the  mother  was  married  the 
first  time  and  removed  to  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
with  her  husband,  where  he  died.  She  was  also 
married  in  that  county  to  Joseph  Hodler  and  they 
lived  there  for  some  years  afterward,  removing 
thence  to  McLean  County,  this  State,  and  locating 
in  Dale  Township,  where  they  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  Joseph  Hodler  departed  this  life  in 
March,  1881.  The  mother  had  died  in  1868. 

Joseph  Hodler  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife 
having  been  Miss  Mary  Schertz,  and  his  second, 
the  mother  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Hodler  by  her 
first  marriage  became  the  mother  of  one  child,  a 
son,  Christian  Imhoff. 

Mr.  K.  is  Republican  in  politics,  but  latterly  has 
voted  the  independent  ticket  at  local  elections. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Mennouite  Church. 


^JLLIAM  JONES,  one  of  the  self-made  men 
and  energetic  citizens  of  Le  Roy,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Liverpool,  England,  and  born  Sept. 
20,  1836.  His  father,  John  Jones,  a  tailor  by 
trade,  was  a  native  of  the  same  country,  his  birth 
having  occurred  July  4,  1800.  He  followed  his 
trade  in  Liverpool  in  early  life,  and  in  about  1840 
emigrated  to  America.  He  first  located  in  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  and  in  company  with  another  gentle- 
man engaged  as  a  merchant  tailor,  and  two  years 
later  was  joined  by  his  wife  and  son.  They  lived 
in  Springfield  until  1851,  then  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  Danville,  where  John  Jones  opened  a 
tailor-shop,  and  carried  on  business  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1857.  In  early  life  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Betsey  Wood,  a  native  of  his  own 
country,  who  was  born  July  10,  1804.  They  be- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


409 


t 


came  the  parents  of  five  children,  two  now  living, 
of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second.  His  sister 
Maggie,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  married  Joseph 
Taut,  and  they  live  in  Terre  Haute,  Ind.;  Martha 
died  in  Vinccunes,  Ind.,  a  few  months  after  her 
marriage.  The  mother  survived  her  husband  a  few 
months,  and  died  in  Danville,  111.,  in  1857. 

William  Jones  was  a  child  of  six  years  when  he 
came  to  America  with  his  mother  to  join  his  father 
in  Ohio.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
during  his  childhood  and  youth, and  received  care- 
ful home  training,  and  attended  a  private  school 
in  Springfield.  When  fifteen  years  old  he  com- 
menced working  in  a  blacksmith-shop  at  Selma,  but 
after  a  few  months  proceeded  to  Danville,  111., 
whence,  later,  he  went  to  Higginsville,  but  finally 
returned  to  Danville,  and  from  there  went  to  Deca- 
tnr.  He  possessed  natural  mechanical  talent,  and 
after  a  short  apprenticeship  of  two  years  was  so 
skillful  and  correct  in  his  work  that  he  commanded 
journeyman's  wages.  He  also  became  quite  a  trav- 
eler, and  visited  various  places  in  Indiana,  Iowa, 
Missouri  and  Texas.  In  the  latter  State  he  estab- 
lished business  near  Ft.  Graham,  on  the  Brazos 
River,  in  1 858.  At  that  time  this  was  on  the  front- 
ier, and  about  225  miles  from  any  railroad  station. 
From  there,  in  1860,  he  went  to  Decatur,  111., 
thence,  in  1861,  to  Newburg,  and  then  to  Le  Roy, 
and  established  a  blacksmith-shop,  which  he  opera- 
ted four  years,  and  then  removed  to  Gillespie,  in 
Macoupin  County,  establishing  a  shop  there  also. 
After  eighteen  months  he  returned  to  Le  Roy,  and 
engaged  as  a  machinist  in  the  shops  of  the  I.,  B.  & 
W.  R.  R.,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of 
1871.  In  March  of  that  year  he  started  a  black- 
smith-shop, and  engaged  in  horse-shoeing  and  gen- 
eral repairs  for  four  or  five  years,  and  then  estab- 
lished the  machine-shop  which  he  has  managed  until 
the  present  time.  He  is  industrious,  energetic  and 
wide-awake,  and  has  uniformly  met  with  success, 
being  now  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  handsome  compe- 
tency. 

The  marriage  of  William  Jones  and  Miss  P^liza- 
beth  Johnson  took  place  in  Decatur,  111.,  on  the  9th 
of  January,  1857.  Mrs.  Jones  was  born  in  Spring- 
field, Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Benjamin  F.  and  Elizabeth  Johnson,  of  Kentucky. 


Of  their  union  have  been  born  five  children,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Emma  is  the  widow 
of  Dr.  A.  C.  Fisk,  and  lives  in  Le  Roy ;  John  F. 
married  Miss  Sallie  Allensworth,  and  lives  at  Minier, 
Tazewell  County;  Charles  G.  is  associated  with  his 
father  in  business;  Ada  died  in  infancy;  Edith  is 
the  youngest,  and  at  home  with  her  parents. 

The  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Jones,  Grancier 
Johnson,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  came  to 
tho  United  States  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War, 
settling  in  "  Old  Virginia."  He  was  there  married, 
and  became  the  father  of  three  children — James, 
Stephen  and  William.  Stephen  became  a  Baptist 
preacher,  while  the  other  two  followed  farming. 
William,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Jones,  married 
Miss  Tabitha  Boiler.  They  reared  six  children, 
namely,  Sarah,  James,  Benjamin,  Edmund,  Younger 
and  Thomas.  They  removed  to  Kentucky  in  1797, 
being  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  Green  River 
country,  where  they  were  neighbors  of  Daniel  Boone, 
the  famous  Indian  fighter  and  hunter.  The  daugh- 
ter, Sarah,  became  the  wife  of  Jonathan  Broom- 
back,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  came  to  Illinois 
in  1835,  and  settled  at  the  old  trading-post,  twelve 
miles  east  of  Decatur,  in  Macon  County,  before  the 
Indians  had  left  that  part  of  the  country.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  died  there,  having  had  one  son, 
James,  who  married  Miss  Polly  Turpin.  He  was 
drowned  in  the  Kentucky  River. 

Benjamin  Johnson,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Jones,  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1791,  and  was  six  years  old 
when  his  parents  removed  to  Kentucky.  He  re- 
mained with  them  until  his  marriage,  in  1816.  His 
wife,  formerly  Miss  Elizabeth  Agee,  was  also  a  na- 
tive of  the  Old  Dominion,  and  the  daughter  of  Ad- 
ler  and  Rejoice  Agee,  the  former  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. Mr.  Johnson  followed  farming  until  1834, 
but  after  his  removal  to  Grant  County,  Ky.,  en- 
gaged in  tobacco  raising  until  1837.  He  then  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Illinois,  and  lived  one 
year  at  the  old  trading-post  in  Macon  County. 
Thence,  in  1838,  he  removed  to  Decatur,  where  he 
purchased  a  farm  and  again  resumed  agriculture 
until  his  death.  Only  three  of  their  ten  children 
are  now  living— Willis,  Louisa  and  Elizabeth  (Mrs. 
Jones.)  Willis  Johnson  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  Ky.,  in  1820.  He  came  to  Illinois  with 


,  ,  410 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


his  parents  in  1837,  and  on  the  14th  of  July,  1842, 
was  married  to  Miss  Damaras  A.  Sinclair.  He  also 
engaged  in  tobacco  raising  for  three  years,  but  is 
now  carrying  on  a  farm  near  Decatur,  111.  Louisa 
became  the  wife  of  James  Abrams,  and  is  also  a 
resident  of  Decatur,  111.  The  grandfathers  of  Mrs. 
Jones  on  both  sides  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Politically  our  subject  is  Republican,  and  socially 
is  a  member  of  Le  Roy  Lodge  No.  221,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.  Mrs.  Jones  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  family 
residence  is  a  handsome  and  tasteful  structure,  lo- 
cated on  the  corner  of  Walnut  and  Green  streets, 
and  Mr.  Jones  and  his  family  enjoy  the  friendship 
and  association  of  the  best  class  of  the  community. 


J~  AMES  K.  NOBLE,  Constable  of  McLean 
County,  has  his  residence  at  No.  604  East 
Taylor  street,  Bloomington,  his  office  being  at 
No.  221  North  Main  street.  Mr.  Noble  is  a  na- 
tive of  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  June 
28,1829.  Heisthesonof  David  and  Rebecca  (Karr) 
Noble,  the  father  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  mother 
of  New  Jersey.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  1831, 
and  settled  in  Randolph  Grove,  Randolph  Town- 
ship, this  county.  Here,  David  Noble  purchased  a 
farm  which  was  but  slightly  improved,  and  carried 
on  the  pursuit  of  agriculture  until  about  1850.  He 
then  sold  out  and  took  possession  of  160  acres  in 
another  part  of  the  township,  this  latter  being 
Government  land.  He  built  a  comfortable  farm 
house  and  all  necessary  out-buildings,  planted  an 
orchard  and  shrubbery,  and  established  a  comfort- 
able home,  upon  which  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  dying  in  1865.  The  mother  died  in  this 
State  in  1838.  Their  family  of  six  children  are  as 
follows:  William  C.,  Sarah  J.  (Mrs.  Munson),  Ste- 
phen K.,  Mercy  A.  (Mrs.  Rust),  James  K.  and 
Thomas  J.  David  Noble  was  for  many  years  Post- 
master of  Randolph  Township,  and  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
personal  worth  and  highly  respected  wherever  he 
made  his  home. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  reared   on  a 


farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  receiving  a 
common-school  education.  After  becoming  his 
own  man  he  first  rented  a  farm  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, which  he  operated  for  a  few  years,  and  in 
1858  purchased  eighty  acres  in  the  same  township, 
which  he  cultivated  and  occupied  until  1870.  He 
then  disposed  of  his  farm  property  and  moved  into 
Bloomington,  which  has  since  remained  his  home. 
He  purchased  his  present  residence  in  1872. 

The  marriage  of  James  K.  Noble  and  Miss  Sarah 
A.  Johnston  took  place  in  this  county  in  1872. 
Mrs.  N.  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Rebecca  Johnstpn.  Of 
her  union  with  our  subject  there  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing: Mark  is  a  resident  of  Chicago;  Rebecca, 
Mrs.  LaBelle  of  Bloomington,  is  the  mother  of  one 
child,  a  son,  Stanley  ;  Frank  is  janitor  of  the  county 
jail  in  Bloomington  ;  William  J.  is  telegraph  oper- 
ator and  press  reporter  for  the  Western  Union  at 
Bloomington;  Charles  A.,  also  a  telegraph  oper- 
ator, is  stationed  at  Springfield;  Lillie,  Carrie, 
Hattie  and  Clyde  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Noble  in  earlier  years  learned  the  plasterer's 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  a  few  years  after  coining 
to  Bloomington.  In  1874  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Sheriff  under  James  Hoodhart,  which  position  he 
occupied  four  years,  and  was  elected  County  Con- 
stable in  1882,  holding  the  position  until  the 
present  (1887).  While  in  Randolph  Township  he 
served  as  School  Director,  and  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  whatever  was  calculated  to 
advance  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his  county. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noble  are  connected  with  the 
Christian  Church,  and  our  subject  in  all  respects  is 
rated  as  a  representative  citizen  and  business  man. 


,UDOLPH  R.  REEDER,  Principal  of  the 
Grammar  Department  of  the  Illinois  State 
Normal  University,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  be- 
g  born  in  Warren  County,  Jan.  5,  1859. 
His  father,  George  W.  Reeder,  was  a  native  of  the 
same  State  and  county,  and  his  mother,  Jane 
(Thompson)  Reeder,  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  The 
family  came  West  in  1866,  and  settled  near  Mat- 
toon,  111.,  whence  they  afterward  removed  to  Moul- 


~ 


RESIDENCE       OF        JOHN     T .  HI  LL  ,5EC.  3fe  ,DRV    GROVE    TP  . 


RESIDENCE     OF  AUGUSTUS     H  ILL,  SEC.  19,  PADUA     TP 


RESIDENCE    OF     WM  .  YO  U  N  G  ,  SEC  .  2  1  ,  PA  DUA     TP 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


413 


trie  County,  and  from  there  in  1874  came  to  Nor- 
mal. Here  the  father  died  in  January,  1883,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two  years;  the  mother  is  still  living 
and  resides  with  her  children.  Of  these  there  were 
seventeen  in  number,  all  but  three  having  lived  to 
attain  their  majority.  Four  sons  served  as  soldiers 
in  the  late  war;  one  fell  at  the  battle  of  Ft.  Don- 
elsou,  mortally  wounded,  and  one  died  in  the  serv- 
ice. At  the  present  writing  (1887)  ten  of  the  fam- 
ily are  living. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifteenth  child 
of  his  parents'  family,  and  the  youngest  who  lived 
to  adult  years.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were 
passed  upon  the  farm,  and  his  first  studies  were 
conducted  in  the  district  school.  His  school  life 
during  those  early  days  numbered  about  three 
months  annually.  When  the  family  settled  at  Nor- 
mal he  was  a  youth  of  fifteen  years.  He  attended 
the  public  school  one  term  and  then  entered  the 
grammar  grade,  whence  he  was  almost  immediately 
promoted  to  the  High  School  department.  One 
year  later  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  one  of  the 
country  schools  of  McLean  County,  and  subse- 
quently attended  the  State  Normal  University  dur- 
ing the  spring  terms  for  five  years.  Jn  summer  he 
worked  in  the  harvest  field  and  did  whatever  else 
he  could  find  to  do,  and  taught  school  during  the 
winters.  He  was  obliged  to  pay  his  own  way 
through  school,  but  his  ambition  and  his  gratifying 
success  encouraged  him  to  persevere.  His  educa- 
tion cost  him  about  $1,200,  all  of  which  he  paid 
from  his  own  earnings. 

In  the  fall  of  1880  Prof.  Reeder  was  chosen 
Principal  of  the  Public  Schools  in  Rutland,  which 
position  he  held  three  years,  and  employed  his  leis- 
ure time  in  the  further  pursuit  of  his  studies,  and 
in  due  time  passed  the  examinations  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  State  Normal  University  with  hon- 
ors, although  he  had  not  attended  school  for  three 
years.  Prof.  Reeder  for  two  years  and  one-half 
was  associated  with  Prof.  J.  W.  Cook  as  editor  and 
publisher  of  the  -'Illinois  School  Journal,"  and  has 
otherwise  contributed  much  of  his  time  and  means 
to  further  the  cause  of  education,  for  which  he  has 
a  genuine  love  and  a  deep  and  abiding  interest. 

Prof.  Reeder  was  married  on  the  20th  of  June, 
1883,  to  Miss  May  Hewett,  daughter  of  Dr.  E.  C. 


Hewett,  of  Normal,  and  they  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  two  children  —  Irene  May  and  Ruth  Ange- 
line.  The  family  are  regular  attendants  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  of  which  Prof.  Reeder  has  been  a 
member  for  four  years.  He  is  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  as  an  educator  and  a  citizen,  and  does 
honor  to  the  position  which  he  occupies. 


^f  OSIAH  RICHARDSON,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  Bloomington,  is  now  retired  from 
active  business,  and  living  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  competency  accumulated  by  the  indus- 
try and  good  management  of  earlier  years.  He  is 
a  native  of  Watertown,  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and 
the  son  of  Josiah  and  Cynthia  (Tolman)  Richard- 
son, natives  respectively  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits,  and  died  on  the  old  homestead 
when  w'ell  advanced  in  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  on  the  farm 
until  nineteen  years  old,  attending  school  during 
the  winter  seasons.  In  1851  he  started  for  the 
West,  and  located  in  Bloomington,  then  a  little 
city  of  1,000  souls.  In  1854  he  purchased  a  piece 
of  ground,  put  up  a  good  building,  and  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  wagons  and  carriages.  The 
building  with  its  contents  was  destroyed  by  fire 
the  following  year,  and  Mr.  Richardson  lost  the 
greater  part  of  his  worldly  possessions.  He  then 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  with  Orin  Waters 
for  one  year,  then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  his 
former  business  on  Front  street,  which  he  contin- 
ued until  1876.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Belle- 
flower  Township,  where  he  raised  stock  and  grain, 
and  at  the  same  time  dealt  considerably  in  real  es- 
tate. He  became  prominent  in  the  city  affairs,  and 
for  two  years  was  Alderman  in  the  First  Ward. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  married,  in  1855,  to  Miss 
Lovina  Dimmett,  who  was  born  in  Bloomington, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Ervin) 
Dimmett,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  They  came  to 
Illinois  in  1825,  first  settling  in  Danville,  whence 
they  removed  a  few  months  later  to  Blooiningtou, 
and  purchased  1  60  acres  of  land  east  of  the  city.  A 
part  of  this  was  laid  off  in  city  lots,  and  upon  the 


414 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


li:il:ince  Mr.  I),  engaged  in  fanning.  The  record 
of  their  ten  children  is  as  follows:  Catherine,  Mrs. 
Von  Eisner;  Lovina,  Mrs.  Richardson ;  and  Melissa, 
Mrs.  McCracken,  reside  in  Bloomington;  Mary, 
Mrs.  Wade,  lives  in  Butler,  Mo.;  Carrie,  Mrs.  Mc- 
Ilvain,  and  Pauline,  Mrs.  Bettenger,  were  twins; 
the  former  lives  in  West  Point,  Kan.,  and  the  lat- 
ter in  Bloomington ;  William  II.  is  also  in  the  lat- 
ter-named cit3r ;  Lee  and  John  are  in  Kansas  City, 
and  Susan,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Grantly,  lives  in  Appleton, 
Mo.  Mr.  Dimmettdied  Feb.  19,  1879.  The  mother 
still  lives  on  the  old  homestead,  where  she  has  re- 
sided for  the  last  fifty  years. 

Our  subject  and  wife  have  an  adopted  daughter, 
Maude  B.  The  family  residence  is  a  handsome  and 
substantial  structure,  which  was  erected  at  a  cost 
of  $7,000,  and  combines  all  the  comforts  and  con- 
veniences of  a  modern  dwelling.  Mr.  R.  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  with  his  wife  attends  the 
Unitarian  Church. 


eALVIN  BARNES,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y., 
on  the  13th  of  April,  1805,  thus  having  ar- 
rived at  the  venerable  age  of  over  eighty-two 
years.  His  father,  Elijah  Barnes,  was  of  New  En- 
gland parentage  and  a  native  of  Massachusetts, 
and  his  mother,  Miss  Lucy  Hunter,  was  a  native  of 
the  same  State.  Their  family  included  seven  chil- 
dren. The  forefathers  of  our  subject  were  of 
Scotch  and  English  descent,  and  the  Hunters,  of 
English  origin,  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
Bay  State.  Elijah  Barnes  served  three  years  in  the 
Revolutionary  War  and  received  a  pension  from 
the  Government.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  Capt.  Hunter,  a  native  of  England. 
Elijah  Barnes,  soon  after  his  marriage,  removed 
from  Massachusetts  to  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y., 
making  the  trip  overland  with  an  ox-team.  There 
they  established  a  permanent  home,  where  they 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father  of 
our  subject  dying  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years 
and  the  mother  at  eighty -six,  the  families  of  both 
having  been  noted  for  longevity. 


The  boyhood  of  Calvin  Barnes  was  passed  mostly 
upon  the  farm  of  his  father,  and  in  the  meantime 
he  received  a  limited  education.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  after  spending  two  summers  run- 
ning on  a  packet  on  the  Erie  Canal  he  purchased 
fifty  acres  of  land  adjoining  his  father's  farm,  and 
engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  agriculture,  meeting  with 
success.  As  time  progressed  he  added  to  his 
first  purchase  until  he  became  the  owner  of  280 
acres,  all  in  one  body,  and  became  one.  of  the  most 
prosperous  and  prominent  citizens  of  that  locality. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  26th  of  January, 
1 836,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Keyser,  of  Herkimer  County, 
N.  Y.,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  six  chil- 
dren. In  the  fall  of  1853  he  emigrated  with  his 
family  to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  settled  in 
Bloomiugton,  where  he  lived  for  two  years.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  purchased  a  section  of  land  in 
Towanda  Township,  and  during  these  two  years  had 
been  making  ample  preparations  to  take  possession. 
After  the  removal  was  effected  he  engaged  princi- 
pally in  raising  grain,  his  first  wheat  crop  yielding 
1,700  bushels.  The  wheat  crop,  however,  for  the 
following  three  years  was  a  failure,  and  the  fourth 
year  the  army  worm  swept  away  the  grain  while  it 
was  green.  Mr.  Barnes,  however,  by  good  manage- 
ment weathered  the  storm,  while  many  of  his 
neighbors  were  ruined.  He  .then  seeded  his  farm 
to  grass,  and  then,  the  war  coming  on,  he  found  a 
good  market  for  the  300  tons  of  hay  which  he  cut 
in  one  summer,  and  which  he  sold  at  $16.25  per 
ton.  This  assisted  him  out  of  his  difficulty.  He 
then  started  a  dairy,  having  sixty-five  cows,  and 
found  a  ready  sale  for  the  products  thereof,  butter 
and  cheese,  never  selling  the  cheese  for  less  than 
fifteen  cents  a  pound,  and  during  one  season  of 
the  war  sold  it  at  twenty-five  cents. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Barnes  was  giving  all  his 
spare  time  to  the  raising  of  cattle,  of  which  he  had 
250  head  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Three  years  in 
succession  he  raised  100  calves.  He  purchased  two 
tracts  of  land  adjoining  the  main  farm,  which  gave 
him  1,000  acres,  all  in  one  body.  After  the  war 
he  abandoned  the  dairy  business,  sold  off  a  part  of 
his  cattle,  and  engaged  extensively  in  raising  corn. 
The  first  amount  worthy  of  notice  was  12,000 
bushels,  and  he  kept  increasing  the  acreage  devoted 


i     ' 

t 


t 

T 


McLEAN    COUNTS. 


415 


to  this  purpose  until  one  year  he  had  700  acres 
planted  in  corn,  which  yielded  35,000  bushels 
which,  when  husked  and  cribbed,  he  sold  at  prices 
ranging  from  forty  to  seventy  cents  per  bushel. 
He  had  four  sons  to  assist  him  in  his  farming  opera- 
tions, but  finally,  desiring  to  change  his  occupation 
somewhat,  he  rented  a  part  of  his  land  and  engaged 
with  his  four  sons  in  the  importation  of  full  blood 
Norman  horses,  and  at  this  time  they  have  about 
sixty-five  head  of  high  grade  and  full  blood,  and 
sell  quite  a  number  from  the  farm  each  year. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Barnes  took  possession  of  his 
farm  there  was  no  place  to  hitch  a  horse,  so  he  set  a 
post  in  the  ground  for  that  purpose,  which  is  now 
the  present  site  of  Barnes  Station  on  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad.  The  farm  is  npw  laid  out  into 
convenient  fields,  the  boundaries  marked  by  beauti- 
ful hedges,  there  being  twelve  miles  in  all  of  this 
kind  of  fence.  An  artesian  well  furnishes  water 
for  nearly  all  the  stock  on  the  farm.  The  water  is 
raised  by  means  of  a  wind-pump  and  deposited  in 
a  large  tank,  whence  it  is  conducted  wherever  re- 
quired by  means  of  pipe. 

Mr.  Barnes  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  four 
sous  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  were  born  in 
Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  and  five  are  still  living. 
The  record  is  as  follows :  Elizabeth  is  deceased ; 
Franklin;  Alden;  Monroe;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  Jos- 
eph Thomas,  and  Calvin,  Jr. 

Mr.  Barnes  started  in  life  at  the  foot  of  the  lad- 
der, and  his  accumulations  are  the  result  solely  of 
his  own  enterprise  and  industry.  He  furnishes  a 
striking  illustration  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
by  resolution  and  perseverance,  and  as  one  of  the 
landmarks  of  McLean  County  is  held  in  high  es- 
teem as  having  contributed  largely  to  its  wealth  and 
prosperity. 


AMES  A.  WELCH,  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive and  skillful  farmers  of  Randolph  Town- 
I  ship,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead  on 
section  12,  which  comprises  227  acres  of 
valuable  land,  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
Upon  this  he  erected  a  set  of  shapely  and  substan- 
tial farm  buildings,  which  with  their  surroundings, 
form  one  of  the  finest  fafm  estates  in  this  part  of 


McLean  County.  Most  of  the  land  is  under  the 
best  of  cultivation,  and  is  well  stocked  with  good 
grades  of  the  domestic  animals.  Mr.  Welch  took 
possession  of  this  farm  in  1871,  which  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  Besides  this  he  owns  eighty  acres 
in  West  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Downs 
Township,  Jan.  6,  1849,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Henry  Welch,  deceased.  The  latter  was  a  large 
land-owner  and  very  successful  farmer  of  McLean 
County.  James  A.  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  county,  and  lived  at  home  until  his 
marriage  with  Miss  Myrtilla  J.  Bishop,  which  was 
celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in 
Randolph  Township,  on  the  23d  of  November, 
1871.  Mrs.  Welch  is  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Mary  Bishop,  her  father  being  an  extensive  farmer 
of  Randolph  Township.  She  was  born  on  the 
homestead,  Sept.  29,  1852,  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  born  four  children — Henry  A., 
Florence  B.,  Mary  M.  and  Nellie  J.,  all  at  home, 
stout,  hearty  and  full  of  life.  Mrs.  Welch  is  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  United.  Brethren  Church, 
and  politically  our  subject  uniformly  easts  his  vote 
with  the  Republican  party. 


)ILLIAM  C.  NOBLE,  the  son  of  David  and 
Rebecca  (Karr)  Noble,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  that  State, 
Feb.  25,  1818,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  his  par- 
ents in  1831.  He  was  reared  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, which  he  followed  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  but  is  now  retired  from  active  labor  and  lives 
at  No.  508  East  North  street,  Bloomington. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Noble  was  born  Sept.  30,  1795, 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  the  mother,  a  native  of  New 
Jersey,  was  born  March  12,  1796.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1831,  locating 
upon  a  claim  of  eighty  acres  which  the  father  had 
entered  near  Randolph  Grove.  To  this  he  subse- 
quently added,  and  in  1836  entered  another  tract 
about  four  miles  from  his  first  claim,  upon  which 
he  removed  and  where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of 


t 

-• 


<  ,     416 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


his  declining  years.  His  death  occurred  Sept.  15, 
1863.  The  mother  had  passed  to  her  long  home" 
cm  the  24th  of  November,  1838.  David  Noble 
was  Postmaster  of  Randolph  Grove  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
Of  their  seven  children,  six  are  still  living — Will- 
iam C.,  Stephen  K.,  Sarah  J..  Mercy  A.,  James  K. 
and  Thomas  J.  David  Noble  was  married  the  sec- 
ond time,  in  1840,  to  Mrs.  Jane  Arnold,  and  by 
this  union  had  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Mariah  L.,  now  Mrs.  AVilliam  Custer,  of  Ho- 
mer, 111. ;  Eliza  Ann  married  Milton  Hollis,  of 
Homer,  111.;  Martha  E.  is  now  Mrs.  Vance  Ouster, 
of  Danville,  111.;  Harrison  D.  lives  in  the  latter- 
named  city,  and  remains  in  a  state  of  single  blessed- 
ness. 

William  C.  Noble  attended  school  near  the  place 
of  his  birth,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  until  their 
removal  to  this  county.  The  temple  of  learning 
was  built  of  logs,  and  was  similar  to  that  where  the 
other  pioneers,  whose  history  has  been  detailed  in 
this  work,  received  their  rudimentary  education. 
He  was  naturally  fond  of  his  books,  and  pursued 
his  studies  after  coming  to  Illinois.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  1839,  and  then  commenced 
farming  on  his  own  account  on  a  tract  of  160  acres 
in  Randolph  Township,  this  county,  which  he  oc- 
cupied until  1873.  He  then  practically  retired 
from  active  labor,  and  purchased  his  present  home, 
in  Bloomington.  He  was  Assessor  in  Randolph 
Township  three  years,  also  School  Director  and 
Roadmaster. 

Mr.  Noble  was  married  on  the  31st  of  October, 
1839,  to  Miss  Isabel  J.  Stewart,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  four  children,  two  now  living — Re- 
becca J.,  Mrs.  Cutter,  of  Hatfield,  Mass.,  who  has 
two  children,  William  and  Bernice,  and  Seth  S., 
who  married  Miss  Esther  Mercer,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Cora  Bell  and  Herbert  C.  Mrs. 
Isabel  Noble  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of  her 
husband.  May  12,  1855. 

Mr.  Noble  for  his  second  wife  married  Mrs. 
Eunice  (Burley)  Hughes,  a  native  of  Scioto  County, 
Ohio,  Who  was  born  Feb.  27,  1823,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Anderson)  Burley, 
natives  of  Ohio.  Her  father  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation, and  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in 


1833.  settling  in  Jersey  County,  where  the  parents 
lived  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the  father  dying 
in  1846  ;  the  mother  survived  him  thirty  years,  and 
passed  to  her  final  rest  in  1876.  Of  their  eleven 
children,  eight  are  now  living — James,  Daniel, 
Newton,  Eunice,  Mary,  Sarah,  Joel  and  Lucinda. 

Mrs.  Noble,  by  her  former  husband,  became  the 
mother  of  three  children,  as  follows:  John  N. 
Hughes  was  born  Dec.  8,  1845,  and  died  March  9, 
1874;  he  was  finely  educated  and  a  promising 
young  man,  beloved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  James  A.  was  born  Aug.  5,  1850;  Mary  A., 
Mrs.  F.  B.  Chase,  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Edna, 
and  resides  in  Chicago.  By  her  union  with  our 
subject,  Mrs.  Noble  has  had  four  children,  three 
now  living:  Annie  S.,  Mrs.  P.  A.  Guthrie,  who 
has  two  children — Sidney  A.  and  Dudley  R. ;  Ida 
J.  became  the  wife  of  L.  G.  Bronson,  of  Chicago, 
and  Cora  B.,  who  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Noble  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  with  his 
wife  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  has  been  Steward,  Class-Leader 
and  Trustee  of  the  church  in  Randolph  Township, 
and  is  in  all  respects  a  representative  man  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  one  who  has  been  fully  identi- 
fied with  its  growth  and  prosperity. 


ROF.  L.  C.  DOUGHERTY,  Principal  of 
the  Preparatory  Department  of  Wesleyan 
University,  and  youngest  child  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Waltower)  Dougherty,  was 
in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  Aug.  27, 
The  mother  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
died  while  he  was  an  infant  and  his  father  when  the 
lad  was  seven  years  old.  A  few  weeks  after  this 
sad  event  the  boy  was  taken  by  his  oldest  brother, 
Joseph,  to  Ohio,  and  the  next  year  the  two  brothers 
went  overland  in  a  one-horse  wagon  to  Warren 
County,  111.,  where  they  arrived  in  June,  1855.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  young  Dougherty 
voluntarily  cast  his  lot  among  strangers  in  a 
strange  land,  cheerfully  doing  all  a  stout  rustic  lad 
might,  such  as  dropping  and  covering  corn,  pulling 
weeds,  collecting  bundle*  for  the  "shockers"  and 
. •*- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


417    t 


I 


later,  harrowing  with  oxen,  plowing,  binding,  cut- 
ting up  corn  and  the  usual  work  of  the  farm,  receiv- 
ing in  return  for  such  services  a  minimum  amount  of 
kindness,  schooling,  clothes  and  food. 

The  Professor  still  remembers  the  primitive  log 
school-house  in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  where  he  first 
attended  school  and  learned  to  read  and  write,  hav- 
ing for  a  text-book  only  McGuffy's  Speller.  In 
addition  to  this  term  the  boy  went  to  school  at 
various  times  until  1861,  but  the  aggregate  time 
spent  at  school  amounted  to  a  few  months  only, 
so  when  he  enlisted  in  the  army  his  knowledge  was 
limited  to  a  slight  acquaintance  with  mental  arith- 
metic and  the  ability  to  fairly  read  and  write.  In 
1 860  he  became  a  man  to  the  degree  that  he  made 
a  formal  contract  to  work  one  year  for  $40,  and 
two  months'  schooling.  He  did  a  man's  work, 
bought  his  own  books  and  clothing,  a  literary  work 
for  $4,  and  when  the  year  closed  had  a  balance  of 
$8  on  hand. 

When  Ft.  Sumter  was  fired  upon,  young  Dough- 
erty resolved  if  possible  to  assist  in  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Union.  A  military  company  was  organ- 
ized in  the  neighboring  village  of  Young  America, 
now  Kirkwood,  Warren  County,  which  he  joined,  no 
questions  being  asked  as  to  age,  though  it  appeared 
that  his  friends  put  it  down  at  nineteen  years.  On 
July  17,  1861,  the  company  was  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  and  became  known  as  Co.  B,  59th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.  The  young  volunteer  was,  at  this  date, 
thirteen  years  and  eleven  months  old.  Private 
Dougherty  performed  all  the  duties  of  a  soldier  in 
the  ranks  acceptably,  and  was  soon  selected  for 
posts  of  unusual  responsibility,  and  was  one  for 
whom  both  officers  and  comrades  had  words  of 
praise  only.  He  marched  with  his  regiment  10,000 
miles,  and  participated  in  nineteen  regular  engage- 
ments beside  many  skirmishes.  He  took  part  in 
the  more  prominent  battles  of  Perryville,  Lookout 
Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge  and  all  the  battles  of 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  during  which  he  was  for 
sixty  days  under  fire,  either  of  artillery  or  mus- 
ketry, and  lastly  Nashville.  On  the  first  day  of  this 
struggle  he,  with  a  comrade,  took  eight  prisoners, 
including  a  Captain,  in  one  squad.  At  night  he 
found  that  a  blanket  which  he  carried  had  seven- 
teen bullet  holes  in  it.  The  sole  of  one  of  his  shoes 


also  was  partially  torn  off  by  a  minie  ball.  In  a 
charge  upon  the  rebel  works  on  Overton  Hill  on 
the  second  day  of  the  battle  he  was  wounded  twice, 
when  within  two  rods  of  the  enemy.  On  Jan. 
12,  1863,  at  Whiteside,  Tenn.,  he  re-enlisted  as  a 
veteran,  being  one  of  thirty-two  in  a  company  which 
contained,  all  told,  during  the  war  159.  Veteran 
Dougherty  was  promoted  Corporal  and  bearer  of 
the  regimental  banner,  in  which  capacity  he  was 
mustered  out  at  New  Braunfels,  Tex.,  Dec.  8, 1865. 

Mr.  Dougherty  remained  in  Texas  nine  months 
afterward,  studying  the  situation,  with  a  view  to 
making  that  State  his  future  home.  On  a  ranch  in 
the  hills  some  thirty  miles  from  San  Antonio  he 
took  a  position  as  shepherd,  where  he  remained 
nine  mouths.  Afterward  rejecting  several  business 
offers  he,  with  a  companion,  turned  his  face  toward 
the  North,  and  after  a  horseback  ride  of  more  than 
1,200  miles,  found  himself  again  in  Warren  County, 
111.  In  the  spring  .of  1866  Mr.  Dougherty  entered 
Monmouth  Academy,  taking  his  place,  through  the 
grace  of  the  Principal,  in  the  lowest  class.  He  com- 
pleted the  two  years'  course  in  twelve  months  and 
afterward  for  several  years  taught  school,  worked 
on  a  farm  and  clerked  in  a  general  store.  His 
leisure  time,  however,  was  given  to  his  books,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1871  he  entered  the  Illinois  Nor- 
mal University,  where  he  spent  over  three  years  and 
graduated  in  1876,  fourth  in  rank  in  a  class  of 
twenty-eight.  During  this  time  he  took  Latin  as 
an  extra  study,  and  in  the  meantime  taught  school 
seven  and  one-half  months  in  the  Barr  School,  in 
Warren  County;  was  one  year  at  Rutland,  LaSalle 
County,  as  Principal,  and  one  year  as  Principal  of 
the  schools  at  Ironton,  Mo. 

After  graduating,  Mr.  Dougherty  became  Prin- 
cipal of  Lacon  schools,  Marshall  County.  He  rer 
mained  there  two  years,  when  he  became  Principal 
of  the  Minonk  schools  in  Woodford  County,  which 
position  he  held  seven  years,  and  was  unanimously 
elected  for  the  eighth  year,  but  resigned  to  accept 
the  position  which  he  now  holds. 

Prof.  Dougherty  was  married  at  Lacon,  Aug.  5, 
1879,  to  Miss  Olive  E.,  daughter  of  the  late  Will- 
iam Trench,  for  many  years  editor-in-chief  of  the 
Peoria  Democrat,  and  later  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Illinois  Statesman,  published  at  Lacon.  Of  this 


t 


418 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


union  one  child  has  been  born,  Ethel  Lucretia, 
aged  six  years.  Mrs.  Dougherty  on  her  mother's 
side  is  descended  from  Peregrine  White,  the  first 
white  child  born  in  New  England. 

Mr.  Dougherty  was  converted  at  the  age  of  ten 
years,  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
of  which  both  he  and  his  wife  are  valued  members. 
Mr.  IX  was  chorister  and  Mrs.  D.  organist  of  the 
churches  at  Lacon  and  Minouk,  and  our  subject  is 
now  Precentor  at  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Repub- 
lican, is  an  advocate  of  prohibition,  and  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  also  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
He  was  without  doubt  the  youngest  soldier  who 
became  a  veteran,  or  who  served  during  the  War. 
He  is  essentially  a  self-made  man  and  never  pos- 
sessed a  dollar  that  he  did  not  earn.  He  occupies 
a  pleasant  residence  with  his  family  at  No.  915 
North  West  street,  where  they  enjoy  the  society  of 
the  cultured  people  of  the  community,  and  are 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life. 


^ 


East 


C.  RICHARDSON,  of  the  firm  of  Tryner  & 
Richardson,  manufacturers  and  wholesale 
jobbers  of  cigars  is,  with  his  partner,  trans- 
acting a  successful  and  growing  business  on 
Front  street,  Bloomington,  occupying  Nos. 
108  to  110.  Mr.  Richardson  was  born  in  Jefferson 
County,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  19,  1848,  his  parents  being 
Charles  and  Chloe  (Gillett)  Richardson,  natives  of 
the  same  county  and  State  as  their  son.  Th.ey  were 
married  in  1  847,  and  the  father  of  our  subject  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  many  years,  but  is  now  re- 
tired from  active  labor.  The  paternal  grandpar- 
ents were  Josiah  and.  Cynthia  (Tolman)  Richardson, 
natives  of  Connecticut  and  New  Hampshire  re- 
spectively. They  settled  in  Jefferson  County, 
N.  Y.,  before  the  War  of  1812,  and  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits  through  life.  The  great-grand- 
father of  our  subject,  Capt.  Tilley  Richardson,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  likewise  re- 
moved to  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  en- 
gaged there  in  farming  until  his  death.  The  Rich- 


ardsonswere  of  solid  and  substantial  character,  and 
made  their  mark  in  the  community  wherever  they 
located.  They  were  possessed  of  high  moral  prin- 
ciples, and  universally  respected.  Charles  Richard- 
son held  various  positions  of  trust  in  both  his  na- 
tive and  adopted  counties.  The  parental  family 
consisted  of  three  children :  Horace  C.,  our  sub- 
ject; Charles  L.,  of  Watertown,  N.  Y..  and  Cynthia 
Z.,  now  Mrs.  Morrison,  of  Watertown,  N.  Y. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  at  home  and 
engaged  in  farming  until  he  was  twenty-two  years 
old.  He  completed  his  studies  at  the  Business  Col- 
lege of  Watertown,  and  after  leaving  home  ac- 
cepted a  position  as  clerk  in  a  life  insurance  office 
at  that  place,  and  remained  in  that  position  until 
he  came  to  Bloomington,  in  October,  1872.  Soon 
afterward  he  was  taken  into  the  firm  of  Thomp- 
son, Andrus  &  Co.,  produce  and  commission  mer- 
chants, with  whom  he  remained  until  they  closed 
out  their  business.  He  then  became  book-keeper 
for  the  pork  packing  house  of  Tryner,  Van  Schoick 
&  Co.,  with  whom  he  remained  two  and  one-half 
years,  and  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Tryner,  in  the  flour  and  provision  trade,  on  South 
Main  street.  The  firm  of  T^ner  <fe  Richardson 
operated  in  these  commodities  for  a  few  years,  then 
closed  out  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars. 
The}'  moved  to  their  present  location  on  East 
Front  street,  in  February,  1886,  where  they  were  en- 
abled to  extend  their  business  facilities  and  accom- 
modate a  rapidly  increasing  trade.  This  building 
is  three  stories  in  height,  with  basement,  and  cov- 
ers an  area  of  44x70  feet.  They  give  employment 
in  the  busy  season  to  fifty  men,  and  usually  have 
four  men  on  the  road.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
state  that  the  products  of  their  manufacture  are 
unexcelled,  and  becoming  widely  known  through- 
out the  West. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  married  in  May,  1875,  to 
Miss  Julia  Murray,  formerly  of  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
but  a  resident  of  Illinois  since  a  young  child. 
They  have  no  children.  Their  pleasant  and  at- 
tractive home  is  at  No.  501  East  Washington  street, 
and  their  friends  and  associates  include  the  cult- 
ured people  of  the  city.  Mr.  Richardson  for  many 
years  has  been  prominent  in  the  business  and  social 
affairs  of  the  city,  and  has  been  an  encourager  and 


f 


1, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


419 


supporter  of  every  measure  calculated  to  advance 
the  intellectual  and  moral  interests  of  the  commu- 
nity. Politically  he  belongs  to  the  Republican 
party,  and  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity as  High  Priest  of  Bloomington  Chapter 
No.  26,  and  Eminent  Commander  of  DeMolay 
Commandery  No.  24. 


?j  ILBERT  R.  WOOLSEY,  M.  D.,  the  oldest 
practicing  physician  of  Normal,  has  been  a 
resident  physician  of  that  place  since  1868, 
where  he  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice, He  is  freely  adjudged  as  a  skilled  and  relia- 
ble physician,  with  large  sympathies  and  a  con- 
scientious devotion  to  duty.  He  is  a  native  of  this 
State,  and  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Sept.  21, 
1840.  His  parents  were  Jesse  and  Freelove  (Rog- 
ers) Woolsey,  both  natives  of  Long  Island,  N.  Y., 
where  they  were  reared  to  years  of  maturity  and 
united  in  marriage. 

Jesse  Woolsey,  a  hatter  by  trade,  although  he 
never  followed  the  business  after  serving  his  ap- 
prenticeship, for  some  time  carried  on  mercantile 
pursuits  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace.  In  1836 
he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  entered  a  tract  of  land 
in  Henry  County,  which  he  settled  upon  after  his 
marriage.  He  then  became  engaged  as  a  real- 
estate  dealer,  and  kept  a  hotel  for  some  time  at 
Andover.  He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  in 
Henry  County,  dying  about  1869,  and  the  mother 
in  1867.  They  had  only  two  children — Marietta, 
the  widow  of  Edwin  Buck,  of  Cambridge,  111.,  and 
Gilbert  R.,  our  subject. 

Young  Woolsey,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and 
after  having  received  a  fair  common-school  educa- 
tion, spent  a  few  months  in  traveling  through  the 
Eastern  States,  and  afterward  pursued  his  studies, 
and  being  fond  of  his  books  acquired  a  good  liter- 
ary education.  The  war  being  now  in  progress,  and 
his  travels  having  landed  him  in  the  Prairie  State, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  112th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
served  until  the  close.  He  was  with  Burnside 
in  East  Tennessee,  through  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
He  was  in  the  fight  at  Franklin,  and  received  a 
scalp  wound,  which,  however,  did  not  disable  him. 


He  recovered  sufficiently  to  be  in  the  fight  at  Nash- 
ville, and  the  capture  of  Wilmington,  N.  C.,and  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  at  Greensboro, 
N.  C.,  in  1865,  being  mustered  out  as  Adjutant  of 
his  regiment. 

After  his  return  to  the  ranks  of  civil  life  our 
subject  returned  to  Henry  County,  111.  He  had 
already  resolved  to  locate  in  the  West,  and  in 
1865  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  in  the  old 
Hahnemann  College  of  Chicago,  whence,  after  grad- 
uating, he  located  in  Normal,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained. 

Dr.  Woolsey  is  a  strict  temperance  man,  and 
politically  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party.  He  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Congregational  Church,  to  the  sup- 
port of  which  he  contributes  liberally  and  cheer- 
fully. He  has  a  pleasant  home  in  Normal,  and  enjoys 
the  society  and  friendship  of  hosts  of  acquaintances. 


EDWARD  W.  KING,  of  the  firm  of  King  & 
Parks,  is,  with  his  partner,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade  at  Le  Roy.  Mr.  K.  was  born 
in  Toronto,  Vermillion  Co.,  Ind.,  July  22,  1848. 
His  father,  Alexander  C.  King,  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  born  in  Suffleld,  Hartford  County, 
May  20,  1803.  His  grandfather,  John  A.  King, 
was  also  a'native  of  Suffield,  and  his  great-grand- 
father, Dan  King,  was  the  owner  of  a  small  farm 
near  that  town,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  practic- 
ing physician,  and  removed  from  Suffleld  to  Phelps- 
town,  N.  Y.,  before  the  day  of  canals  or  railroads. 
He  had  hardly  become  fairly  settled  in  his  new  home 
when  he  was  seized  with  fatal  illness,  and  died 
soon  afterward.  His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Caro- 
line Rose,  a  native  of  his  own  town,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Gad  Rose,  also  a  native  of  Suffleld,  where  he 
spent  his  entire  life,  with  the  exception  of  the  time 
in  which  he  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War. 

After  the  death  of  his  father,  Alexander  C.  King 
who  was  then  but  a  boy,  lived  with  a  neighboring 
farmer  in  Suffleld  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
had  improved  his  advantages  for  education,  and  at 


4* 


t 


,  .    420 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


this  time  had  taught  two  terms  of  school.  He 
afterward  attended  an  academy  at  Westfield  and 
Lenox,  Mass.  He  taught  and  studied  in  the  acad- 
emy alternately  as  his  means  would  allow  until 
twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  New 
Jersey,  where  he  taught  two  years,  and  thence  to 
Montgomery  County,  Md.,  where  he  followed  the 
same  occupation  two  years,  and  afterward  returned 
to  New  Jersey,  continuing  his  vocation  of  teaching. 
He  wag  one  of  the  fortunate  few  who  invested  in  a 
lottery  ticket  and  drew  a  prize  of  $3,750  in  cash, 
which  enabled  him  to  educate  his  sisters  and  start 
himself  in  business.  In  1830,  resolving  to  leave 
New  England  and  try  his  fortunes  in  the  West,  he 
removed  to  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business  until  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1846,  when  he  removed  to  Vermillion  County,  the 
same  State,  where  he  pursued  the  same  business  in 
Clinton  and  Toronto  until  1851. 

Mr.  King  then  came  to  Le  Roy,  this  county,  and 
renting  a  suitable  building,  opened  it  for  an  hotel. 
The  following  summer  he  put  up  a  building  and 
purchased  a  stock  of  groceries.  He  operated  the 
hotel  and  grocery  store  three  years,  then  sold  the 
former  and  devoted  his  time  exclusively  to  mer- 
chanising.  In  due  time  he  added  a  stocjc  of  dry- 
goods,  and  finally  abandoned  the  grocery  trade, 
continuing  the  dry-goods  business  until  1874,  when 
he  sold  out  and  is  now  living  in  retirement.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity, 
and  possessed  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  busi- 
ness associates  in  a  marked  degree.  In  early  times, 
before  large  scales  were  in  use  here,  he  was  the 
authority  in  measurements  of  wagon-loads  of  corn 
brought  to  town  to  sell.  He  possessed  a  fund  of 
general  information,  and  until  failing  eyesight  com- 
pelled him  to  abandon  it,  was  an  extensive  reader. 

Alexander  C.  King  was  three  times  married.  His 
first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  united  in  September, 
1831,  was  Miss  Emeline  F.  Stebbins,  who  was  born 
and  reared  in  Springfield,  Mass.  She  departed  this 
life  Oct.  21,  1842.  His  second  marriage  occurred 
in  1845,  with  Miss  Mary  Lyon,  who  was  born  in 
Newark,  N.  J.,  accompanied  her  husband  to  this 
State,  and  died  fit  Le  Roy  in  1870.  His  third  and 
last  marriage  was  on  June  8,  1 875,  with  Mrs.  Emeline 
(Booth)  Coekran,  the  widow  of  William  G'ockran. 


Of  the  first  marriage  there  were  born  three  children  : 
James,  now  a  practicing  physician  of  Decatur,  111.; 
Caroline  R.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Cole- 
man,  and  lives  in  Monticello,  Piatt  Co.,  111.,  and 
William  R.,  who  died  in  Toronto,  Ind.  Of  the 
second  marriage  there  were  two  children :  Ellen,  who 
became  the  wife  of  David  Simms,  and  died  Jan.  C, 
1881,  at  Watseka,  111.,  and  our  subject. 

Edward  W.  King  was  but  three  years  old  when 
he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents.  He  pursued 
his  primary  studies  in  the  schools  of  Le  Roy,  and 
later  attended  the  academy  at  Hillsdale,  Mich. 
After  graduating  from  there  he  became  a  clerk  in 
his  father's  store,  and  continued  with  him  until  the 
latter  sold  out.  He  remained  with  his  father's 
successor  two  years,  and  was  similarly  employed  in 
other  places  until  1 880.  He  then  purchased  a  one- 
half  interest  in  the  store  of  Robert  Murray,  and  a 
year  later  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner,  and 
soon  afterward  Mr.  Parks  became  associated  with 
him  in  business.  They  have  operated  together 
since  that  time,  and  carry  a  large  stock  of  groceries 
and  qneensware.  The  firm  is  wideawake  and  enter- 
prising, and  forms  a  prominent  factor  in  the  busi- 
ness element  of  this  community. 

The  marriage  of  Edward  W.  King  and  Miss  Nellie 
Smith  was  celebrated  Dec.  26,  1871.  Mrs.  K.  was 
born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  being  the  daughter 
of  Wesley  and  Mary  A.  (Evans)  Smith.  They  have 
three  children — Alpheus  C.,  Mary  and  Le  Gran. 
The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  located,  and  its 
inmates  are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life. 
Mr.  K  is  a  member  of  the  City  School  Board,  and 
uniformly  casts  his  vote  for  the  Republican  party. 


J"  AMES  P.  KNIGHT,  a  general  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Bloomington  Township,  re- 
sides on  the  old  Knight  homestead  on  scc- 
'    tion    19,   where   he  has   forty-five  acres  of 
land,  most  of  which  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion.    He  was  born  in  Jackson  Count}7,  Mo.,  Aug. 
9,  1845,  where  he  spent  his  earlier  years,  aside  from 
some    time   spent   in    Madison  County,  Ky.     His 
father  came   North   in    1863,  accompanied  by   his 
family,   on   account   of   troubles  incident   to   the 


i  • 

f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


423 


breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion.  James  P.  was  then 
nearly  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was  the  only  son 
and  the  second  of  three  children  born  to  his  par- 
ents. He  remained  with  his  parents  until  1864,  and 
then  resolved  to  become  a  soldier  of  the  Union 
army.  He  was  not  yet  of  age,  but  succeeded  in 
gaining  admission  to  the  ranks,  becoming  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  G,  146th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Capt. 
Williams.  This  regiment  was  not  called  upon  for 
active  service,  it  being  npr  the  close  of  the  war, 
but  was  detailed  to  provost  duty.  After  a  service  of 
eleven  months  our  subject  received  his  honorable 
discharge.  He  then  returned  home  to  his  father's 
farm,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits. 

Mr.  Knight  was  married  on  the  10th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1870,  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  to  Miss  Mil- 
dred G.  Stagner,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  John  S.  and 
Julia  A.  (Golden)  Stagner.  Her  parents  were  na- 
tives of  Madison  County,  Ky.,  and  coming  to  Illi- 
nois after  their  marriage  settled  in  Blue  Mound 
Township,  where  the  father  is  yet  living  with  his 
second  wife.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  K.  departed  this 
life  Nov.  10,  1872. 

Mrs.  King  was  the  third  child  of  a  family  often, 
all  of  .whom  lived  to  mature  years.  She  was  born 
in  Blue  Mound  Township,  this  county,  June  21, 
1853,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools,  remain- 
ing under  the  parental  roof  until  her  marriage  with 
our  subject.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  five 
children,  all  living — Mary,  Florence,  Loa  A., 
George  W.  and  Aldena.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  poli- 
tics Mr.  King  affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


-**-£•- 

OHN  F.  RUST,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Randolph 
Township,  is  now  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising  on  his  fine  homestead 
of  190  acres,  located  on  section  16.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  for  over  fifty- 
three  years,  coming  here  when  a  young  man  and 
unmarried.  He  first  came  to  Hamilton  County,  111., 
in  1828,  and  in  the  spring  of  1834  came  to  McLean 
County. 

Mr.  Rust  was  born  in  Maury  County,    Tenn., 


& 


Aug.  11,  1816.  His  father,  William  Rust,  was  a 
farmer  all  his  life  and  died  at  the  residence  of  his 
son,  our  subject,  in  August,  1873.  He  had  mar- 
ried, in  early  life,  Miss  Nancy  McGee,  who  was 
born  in  the  same  county  as  her  husband,  Granville 
County,  N.  C.  She  died  at  the  residence  of  her 
son,  George  Rust,  in  Randolph  Township,  in  Au- 
gust, 18C8. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Mathew  Rust, 
died  in  North  Carolina  in  the  prime  of  life  when 
his  son  William  was  a  small  boy.  His  grandfather 
McGee,  whose  name  was  Nathan  A.,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  after  his  retirement 
from  the  military  service  settled  in  North  Carolina, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  raised  his  family 
to  man  and  womanhood,  and  after  his  daughter 
married  William  Rust,  he  removed  with  them  to 
Tennessee,  living  there  for  a  time,  when  he  moved  to 
Smith  County,  Middle  Tennessee,  where  he  died. 

John  F.  Rust  lived  until  eight  years  of  age  on 
the  homestead  of  his  father  in  Middle  Tennessee. 
When  he  arrived  at  that  age  his  father,  who  was  of 
a  roaming  disposition,  went  to  Mississippi  for  a  few 
years,  then  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  later  emi- 
grated to  Illinois,  locating  in  Hamilton  County 
with  his  family  as  early  as  the  winter  of  1 828.  There 
our  subject  lived  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old, 
when  he  came  alone  to  McLean  County  and  settled 
in  Randolph  Township,  which  since  then  has  been 
his  home,  lie  employed  himself  at  whatever  his 
hands  could  find  to  do,  and  was  quite  prudent  in 
expending  his  money.  He  was  principally  engaged 
with  stock  dealers  and  from  them  learned  the  art 
of  buying  and  selling  and  feeding  live  stock.  In  a 
few  years  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  eighty  acres 
of  land,  which  he  began  to  stock,  and  profiting 
by  his  experience  purchased  and  sold  live  stock  to 
good  advantage.  His  land  was  unimproved  when 
it  came  into  his  possession,  but  he  worked  upon  it 
industriously  and  soon  brought  it  to  a  fine  state  of 
cultivation.  He  has  now  an  excellent  set  of  farm 
buildings  and  all  necessary  implements  and  machin- 
ery required  for  the  carrying  on  of  agriculture  and 
stock-raising  in  a  first-class  manner.  The  homestead 
presents  one  of  the  attractive  points  in  the  land- 
scape of  Randolph  Township. 

Mr.  Rust  was  married  in  Bloomington  Township, 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


Oct.  22,  1840,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Lindley,  who  was 
born  in  Christian  County,  Ky.,  Aug.  27,  1823,  and 
came  North  with  her  parents  in  1831  when  a  child 
of  seven  years,  and  they  settled  in  Blooming  Grove, 
which  remained  the  home  of  the  parents  until  their 
death.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Rust  was  John  Liudley 
by  name,  and  his  wife,  before  her  marriage,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Gray.  The  former  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  and  the  latter  in  East  Tennessee.  Their 
daughter,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  lived  with  her 
parents  until  her  marriage. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rust  became  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased.  Those  liv- 
ing are:  G.  W.,  of  Bloom ington,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  trade ;  Thomas  J.  and  J.  Lee 
are  carrying  on  agriculture  and  are  large  farmers 
of  Randolph  Township ;  Jennie  is  the  wife  of  Mar- 
tin L.  Bishop,  a  farmer  of  Randolph  Township; 
Alice  married  John  Kelley,  a  farmer,  also  of  Ran- 
dolph Township ;  William  D.  is  carrying  on  a  farm 
in  Greene  County,  Iowa,  and  also  merchandising; 
Minnie  married  John  Fitzpatrick  and  lives  in  Ran- 
dolph Township ;  B.  F.  remains  with  his  father  and 
assists  in  operating  the  farm.  Most  of  the  members 
of  the  family  are  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  all  are  regular  attendants. 
Mr.  Rust  in  politics  is  an  uncompromising  Jack- 
sonian  Democrat.  Mr.  Rust  during  his  life  has 
been  a  large  landholder,  but  has  reserved,  includ- 
ing his  timber,  190  acres  for  a  homestead.  A  litho- 
graphic portrait  of  Mr.  Rust  is  shown  on  another 
page. 


JAMES  H.    COX,  who  has  retired  from  an 
active   business   career,  has  resided  in  this 
county  for  upwards  of  thirty-six  years.     He 
is  now  living  at  Hudson,  where  he  is  highly 
respected.     He  was  born  at  Norway,  Oxford  Co., 
Me.,   April   21,   1822.     His  grandfather,  William 
Cox,  was  a  native   of    Wales,   and   our   subject's 
father,  William   Cox,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Massachu- 
setts, and  was  a  merchant  by  vocation,  and  as  such, 
met   with   signal   success.      He   died    in    Oxford 
County,  Me.,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  life, 
having  done  business  there  for  many  years.     Eliz- 


abeth  (Phipps)  Cox,  our  subject's  mother,  was  born 
at  Chatham,  N.  H.,  and  there  lived  until  her  mar- 
riage. She  also  died  in  Oxford  County,  Me.,  and 
was  seventy-two  years  old  at  the  date  of  her  de- 
mise. Fourteen  children  were  born  of  the  union 
of  our  subject's  parents,  twelve  of  whom  grew  to 
attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood,  and  six  are 
living  at  the  present  writing,  namely :  Caroline  E., 
widow  of  Capt.  W.  A.  Sweetzer,  resides  at  Bos- 
ton; Mary,  widow  of  A.  Sweetzer,  is  a  resident  of 
Bloomington ;  William  is  a  farmer  by  calling,  and 
a  resident  of  Oxford  County,  Me. ;  Samuel  P.  re- 
sides in  Bloomington ;  Rowena  C.  became  the  wife 
of  C.  A.  Noies,  and  they  are  living  in  Boston, 
Mass. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  twelfth  child 
born  to  his  parents,  and  next  to  the  youngest  of 
those  now  living.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  during  his  early  life 
worked  on  his  father's  farm,  preferring  such  labor 
rather  than  clerking  in  his  father's  store.  In  1851 
Mr.  Cox  came  to  Bloomington  where  some  of  the 
family  had  previously  made  a  settlement.  His  in- 
tention at  that  time  was  to  purchase  land  and  en- 
gage in  farming,  but,  in  accordance  with  the  ad- 
vice of  his  brothers,  he  abandoned  his  plans  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Hudson.  That 
place  was  then  without  a  store,  and  Mr.  Cox  pur- 
chased an  empty  building  in  the  village,  which  had 
been  previously  occupied  by  an  unsuccessful  mer- 
chant, and  in  it  placed  a  stock  of  general  merchan- 
dise and  was  the  only  merchant  in  that  place  for 
several  years.  His  motto  was  "  never  spend  more 
than  you  earn,"  and  by  fair  and  honest  dealing  he 
soon  established  a  well-paying  business.  He  soon 
associated  his  sons  with  himself,  and  continued  in 
active  business  until  Jan.  1,  1885.  Being  of  a 
nervous  temperament,  our  subject  found  that  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  be  idle  after  he  had 
turned  his  business  over  to  his  sons,  and  soon  there- 
after established  a  large  apiary,  to  which  he  attends 
for  his  own  amusement,  more  than  the  profit  he  de- 
rives therefrom,  although  the  latter  is  not  insignifi- 
cant. The  home  of  our  subject  is  one  of  the  most 
pleasant  within  the  boundary  of  McLean  County, 
and  it  is  a  great  comfort  to  Mr.  Cox  to  know  that 
his  children  have  all  grown  up  and  occupy  honor- 


• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


425 


able  positions  in  the  busy  world,  and  are  well-to-do 
financially. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Cox  was  an  old-line  Whig,  and 
continued  to  vote  for  the  success  of  that  party  until 
1856,  when  the  Republican  party  sprang  into  ex- 
istence, since  which  time  he  has  voted  and  worked 
for  its  success.  For  almost  thirty  years  he  held 
the  position  of  Postmaster  at  Hudson.  He  was 
also  the  first  Supervisor  of  Hudson  Township,  and 
was  the  incumbent  of  that  office  for  several  terms. 
Religiously  he  is  a  Baptist  and  has  been  a  Deacon 
in  a  congregation  of  that  denomination  at  Hudson, 
for  over  thirty  years,  and  has  also  done  good  work 
in  the  Sundaj'-school. 

Feb.  5,  1846,  at  Waterford,  Me.,  the  marriage  of 
our  subject  with  Miss  Mary  Chadbourn  was  solemn- 
ized. She  was  born  in  Oxford  County,  Me.,  Oct. 
16,  1824,  and  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Mercy 
(Scribner)  Chadbourn.  Their  union  has  been 
blest  by  the  birth  of  five  children:  Charles  E., 
Flora  S.,  wife  of  J.  W.  Aldrich,  and  Nettie,  wife 
of  Rev.  F.  M.  Smith,  a  resident  of  St.  James,  Minn., 
and  Harry  W.  and  Herbert  M.,  twins.  For  over 
forty -one  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  have  lived  to- 
gether as  man  and  wife.  Together  they  have  toiled 
and  struggled,  always  lending  an  attentive  ear  to 
true  charity,  and  doing  their  part  toward  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  cause  of  the  Master.  Now  in 
their  old  age  they  are  enabled  to  pass  their  lives  in 
peace  and  quiet,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  com- 
petency earned  through  3fears  of  honest  toil,  and, 
looking  back  over  the  record  of  the  history  of 
their  lives,  none  can  point  to  pages  darkened  with 
deeds  of  unkindness  or  wrong  to  their  fellowmen. 
Accompanying  this  brief  personal  history,  we  pre- 
sent the  portrait  of  Mr.  Cox,  as  that  of  a  leading 
and  representative  man  of  the  county. 


J"  OHN  H.  SALZMAN,    a   native   of   Butler 
County,  Ohio,  became  a  resident  of  Illinois 
in  1875,  and  is  now  located  on  a  good  farm 
in  Danvers  Township,  on  section  1 2.  He  was 
born  July  15,  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Christian  and 
Mary   (Imhoff)   Salzman,    natives   respectively   of 
France  and  Germany.      His  father  was  born  in  1 81 1 , 


and  his  mother  in  1806.  Christian  Salzman  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  left  his  native  land  in 
1831,  settling  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and 
cultivating  rented  land  until  1850.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  where  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  and  where  he  still  re- 
sides. Mrs.  S.  emigrated  from  Germany  to  the 
United  States  with  a  brother  and  sister.  They 
located  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  Mrs.  S.  removed 
to  Ohio,  and  was  there  married,  in  Butler  County, 
in  1837,  to  the  father  of  our  subject.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  six  children:  Melinda,  now 
Mrs.  Christopher  Haag;  Mary,  Mrs.  Christian 
Ehresman ;  Catherine,  Mrs.  John  B.  Zook ;  Elizabeth, 
Mrs.  John  Ummel;Anna,  Mrs.  Joseph  Ehresman, 
and  John  H.,  of  our  sketch.  Mr.  Salzman  was 
Democratic  in  politics,  and  both  parents  were  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 

John  H.  Salzman  remained  on  his  father's  farm 
and  attended  the  common  schools  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  crossed  over 
from  Indiana  to  Illinois,  and  coming  to  this 
county,  worked  on  a  farm  for  one  year.  He  was  then 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Magdalena  Strubhar, 
their  wedding  taking  place  in  the  spring  of  1870. 
They  located  on  a  rented  farm  for  three  years  and 
then  returned  to  Indiana,  and  our  subject  worked 
with  his  father  for  three  years.  He  then  returned 
to  this  county  and  rented  land  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship four  years,  where  he  purchased  200  acres  of  his 
present  homestead.  Upon  this  he  has  made  exten- 
sive improvements,  all  the  land  being  now  under 
good  cultivation  and  well  stocked  with  the  better 
grade  of  domestic  animals.  The  farm  dwelling,  barn 
and  out-buildings  are  fair  and  substantial  structures, 
and  everything  about  the  premises  indicates  the 
enterprising,  industrious  and  thrifty  agriculturist. 
Mrs.  Salzman  is  the  daughter  of  Valentine  and  Bar- 
bara Strubhar,  natives  of  France,  the  father  born 
in  1817,  and  the  mother  in  1828.  The  latter  was 
a  child  of  two  years  old  when  she  came  to  Amer- 
ica. Mr.  Strubhar  came  to  this  county  in 
early  youth,  and  located  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  followed  farming  until  1832,  when  here- 
moved  further  westward  and  located  in  this  county. 
Here  he  was  married,  in  1847,  to  Miss  Barbara  Gin- 
gerich,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  eleven 


v 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


children,  as  follows :  Joseph  died  when  a  young 
child;  Magdalena,  Mrs.  Salzman,  was  the  second  of 
the  family;  Mary  became  the  wife  of  John  Schaffer; 
John  W.  married  Miss  Catherine  Forney;  Valen- 
tine died  in  infancy ;  Peter  A.  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Augsberger;  Rosa  became  Mrs.  James  F. 
Tobias;  Elizabeth  A., Mrs.  Jacob  Ehresman;  Emile; 
JacobineC.  and  Ulysses.  Mr.  Strubhardied  Nov. 
29,1881.  The  mother  and  children  are  members 
of  the  Mennonite  Church  except  Emile,  and  the 
father  was  also  a  member  of  the  same  church. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Salzman  have  been  born  eight 
children — Sylvester,  Emanuel  E.,  Simon  R.,Newman 
A.,  Dora  Ma}-,  Ada  B.,  Azalia  M.,  and  Lulu  M. ;  Syl- 
vester, Newman  and  Dora  May  are  deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Salzman  are  members  of  the  Men- 
nonite Church,  and  Mr.  Salzman  is  in  politics  a  Pro- 
hibitionist. 


<ftl  OHN  T.  RUTLEDGE,  a  prominent  farmer 
of  Empire  Township,  owns  and  occupies  a 
fine  homestead  on  section  11,  township  21. 
He  is  a  native  of  this  township,  and  was 
born  Nov.  13,  1833.  His  father,  James  Rut- 
ledge,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  grandfather, 
Robert  Rutledge,  in  South  Carolina.  The  latter 
removed  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  period  in  its  set- 
tlement, and  in  1820  proceeded  north  to  Illinois, 
settling  first  in  White  County,  whence  he  removed 
to  that  part  of  Tazewell  now  in  McLean,  and  lo- 
cated at  Randolph  Grove.  With  his  brother 
Thomas  he  made  a  claim,  a  part  of  which  he  im- 
proved and  occupied  a  year  or  two,  and  then  made 
another  claim  on  sections  33  and  34,  on  what  after- 
ward became  Empire  Township.  There  he  erected 
two  log  cabins,  one  for  himself  and  one  for  his 
mother.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  settled  on 
his  claim  and  commenced  housekeeping.  There 
was  no  sawed  lumber  used  in  the  construction  of 
this  cabin,  the  floor  being  made  of  puncheon  and 
the  roof  of  clapboards  made  with  the  draw-shave, 
and  in  this  humble  abode  our  subject  was  born,  and 
the  father  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Dec.  15,  1863.  The  nearest  markets  at  that  early 
,day  were  Peoria  and  Chicago,  which  were  also  the 
'depots  for  supplies,  and  it  took  about  eleven  days 


to  make  the  round  trip  to  Chicago.  In  1845  the 
father  of  our  subject  took  a  load  of  wheat  to  Chi- 
cago, and  on  his  return  brought  back  a  load  of 
lumber,  with  which  he  finished  the  frame  house  in 
which  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  He,  how- 
ever, built  a  brick  addition  to  the  house  some  years 
before  his  death.  He  was  successful  in  his  agri- 
cultural and  business  operations,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  owned  over  500  acres  of  land.  He  was 
married,  in  McLean  County,  111.,  to  Miss  Prudie 
Vancleventer,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  John  Vandeventer,  an  early  pio- 
neer of  this  county.  Mrs.  Prudie  Rutledge  died  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter,  Melinda  Sageser,  at  Le 
Roy,  on  the  27th  of  November,  1881. 

John  T.  Rutledge  was  the  eldest  cl^ild  of  his  par- 
ents' family.  He  attended  school  in  the  pioneer 
log  cabin  with  puncheon  floor  and  benches,  and 
chimney  of  dirt  and  sticks,  built  up  on  the  outside. 
The  fireplace  occupied  nearly  the  entire  end  of  the 
cabin,  and  light  was  admitted  through  a  square 
hole  in  the  logs  and  covered  with  greased  paper. 
He  finished  his  education,  however,  in  a  frame 
school-house,  the  erection  of  which  was  considered 
quite  an  event.  Our  subject  assisted  his  parents 
on  the  farm,  and  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  his  marriage.  He  then  cultivated  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead  for  two  years,  whence  he  re- 
moved to  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies on  section  11.  At  the  time  of  taking  posses- 
sion of  this,  it  was  wild  prairie,  with  the  sod  yet  un- 
turned. He  labored  industriously  for  its  improve- 
ment and  cultivation,  and  now  has  a  fine  estate 
with  a  good  brick  house,  frame  barn  and  all  other 
necessary  and  convenient  out-buildings. 

The1  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Sarah  Gil- 
more  was  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  February, 
1855.  Mrs.  Rutledge  was  born  in  Harrison  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Phiwbe 
(West)  Gilmore.  Her  father  was  a  native  also  of 
Harrison  Count}',  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  to 
farming  pursuits.  In  1850  he  emigrated  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  111.,  first  settling  in  Downs  Town- 
ship, whence  he  removed  to  Empire  Township  and 
purchased  land  on  section  10.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  still  living  and  are  now  residents  of  West 
Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rutledge  became  the 


- 


•>-•-«« 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


parents  of  twelve  children,  seven  now  living,  the 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows :  Flora  Belle  married 
George  W.  Wilson,  and  lives  in  Empire  Town- 
ship; Cyntha,  Prudie,  Maggie,  Presley,  Bertha  and 
Joseph  are  at  homo  with  their  parents;  Belle,  Cyn- 
tha, Prudie  and  Maggie  are  highly  educated,  and 
are  all  teachers.  C3rnthn  will  graduate  from  the 
State  Normal  this  season ;  two  died  in  infancy ; 
James  William  when  six  weeks  old ;  Mary,  the  third 
child,  was  born  July  1,  I860,  and  died  March  7, 
1881;  Leila,  the  tenth  child,  was  born  Jan.  19, 
1875,  and  died  July  30,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rut- 
ledge  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  our  subject  politically  is  an  uncom- 
promising Prohibitionist. 


H.  F.  J.  PARKHURST,  one  of  the  fore- 
most practitioners  of  Danvers,  is  a  native 
of  Jefferson  County,  Wis.,  where  he  was 
born  on  the  13th  of  February,  1857.  His 
parents  were  Hiram  and  Lois  (Morgan)  Parkhurst, 
natives  of  Vermont,  who  came  to  Wisconsin  in 
about  1853.  Hiram  Parkhurst  was  a  blacksmith 
and  machinist,  skillful  in  his  profession,  a  man  of 
great  industry,  and  strictly  temperate  habits.  He 
followed  his  trade  in  this  section  of  country  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  passed  his  declining  years  in 
.  Watertown,  Wis.,  his  death  taking  place  in  Marph, 
1885,  in  Iowa,  while  there  on  a  visit.  The  mother 
is  still  living.  The  household,  by  two  marriages, 
included  the  following  children.  Of  the  first  mar- 
riage there  were :  Lucian,  Helen  and  Elizabeth. 
Of  the  second  there  were:  Daniel,  Hiram,  Lois, 
Fred  and  Frank  (twins). 

Dr.  Parkhurst  was  reared  in  the  city  of  Water- 
town,  Wis.,  and  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the 
common  schools.  After  becoming  of  suitable  age 
he  entered  the  Northwestern  University  at  Water- 
town,  and  after  spending  one  year  there,  com- 
menced teaching,  which  he  followed  for  some  years. 
He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  un- 
cle. Dr.  H.  Parkhurst,  of  Danvers,  with  whom  he 
remained  one  year.  He  then  entered  Chicago  Medi- 
cal College,  where  he  studied  for  three  years,  and 
gained  a  valuable  experience  in  the  college  and 


hospitals  of  Cook  County,  attending  clinical  lec- 
tures in  both,  and  graduated  at  the  head  of  his 
class.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession  in  Danvers  in  1880,  and  made  a  spe- 
cialty of  surgery.  In  this  comparatively  brief  time 
he  has  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  and 
is  now  classed  among  the  leading  physicians  of  Mc- 
Lean County.  He  is  a  close  student,  an  extensive 
reader,  and  ambitious  to  excel. 

Dr.  Parkhurst  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Abbott,  Oct.  27,  1881.  Mrs.  H.  is  the  only 
daughter  of  Ira  Abbott,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  has  become  the  mother  of  one  child, 
Arthur  A.,  who  was  born  May  29,  1883.  They 
occupy  a  pleasant  and  attractive  home,  and  enjoy 
the  society  of  the  first  residents  of  Danvers. 

Dr.  Parkhurst  has  been  a  member  since  1881  of 
the.  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Danvers  Lodge  No.  742,  of 
which  he  is  also  filling  the  position  of  Senior  War- 
den. He  has  been  connected  with  the  Congrega- 
tional Church  for  the  past  fourteen  years,  and  in 
politics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  holds  member- 
ship with  the  American  Medical  Association,  Illi- 
nois State  Medical  Society  and  McLean  County 
Medical  Society. 

ORGE  W.  PUMPHREY,  a  farmer  of  Ran- 
dolph  Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on 
section  30,  where  he  owns  160  acres  of  val- 
uable land,  which  is  finely  improved  and  supplied 
with  a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of  farm  build- 
ings. These  have  been  mainly  erected  by  our  sub- 
ject. He  took  possession  of  his  present  home  in 
1882,  and  since  then  has  been  industriously  en- 
gaged in  adding  to  its  attractions  and  increasing 
its  value.  Mr.  Pumphrey  was  born  in  Carroll 
County,  Ohio,  Feb.  20,  1 859,  and  was  four  years 
of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois. 
Of  his  father,  R.  Pumphrey,  a  sketch  will  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Our  subject  was  reared  in  Randolph  Township, 
improved  his  opportunities  at  school,  and  became 
possessed  of  a  first-class  education.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
Feb.  23,  1882,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents, 


428 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


near  Heyworth.  The  lady  of  his  choice  was  Miss 
J.,  eldest  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  E.  (Came- 
ron) Boyd,  both  of  Knox  County,  Ohio,  and  of  ex- 
cellent Scotch  and  Irish  ancestry.  They  were 
reared  in  Knox  County,  and  there  also  occurred 
their  marriage  and  the  birth  of  their  daughter,  Mrs. 
P.  This  latter  event  took  place  Aug.  26,  1862.  A 
few  years  thereafter  they  came  to  Illlinois  and  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  in  the  south  part  of  Randolph 
Township,  where  the  parents  are  now  living  and 
engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Pumphrey  received  a 
fair  education,  and  remained  with  her  parents  un- 
til her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject 
there  has  been  one  child — Mary  E. 

Soon  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  lo- 
cated on  their  present  homestead,  and  there  is 
every  indication  of  a  prosperous  and  happy  future 
before  them.  They  have  not  yet  reached  the  noon 
of  life  and  still  possess  the  courage  and  the  hope  of 
youth.  Mr.  Pumphrey  is  connected  with  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 


"  OHN  S.  POPPLE,  who  is  widely  and  favora- 
bly known  throughout  this  section  of  the 
State,  is  a  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life, 
and  has  already  distinguished  himself  as  one 
of  the  most  useful  citizens  of  Danvers,  having  been 
intimately  identified  with  its  business  and  industrial 
interests  since  1860.  Mr.  Popple  was  born  in  Bos- 
ton, England,  Jan  24,  1841,  and  when  a  lad  of  ten 
years  old  started  for  America  with  his  parents,  ar- 
riving here  in  August,  1851.  The  family  first  set- 
tled in  Oswego,  N.  Y.  The  father  of  our  subject, 
Rev.  Samuel  Popple,  was  a  minister  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  and  died  at  Watertown, 
N.  Y.,  in  1855.  John  S.,  a  bright  and  ambitious 
boy,  attended  school  at  Oswego  and  Watertown, 
and  secured  for  himself  a  good  English  education. 
He  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  in  1858,  whence  he 
removed  two  years  later  to  Danvers.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  the  milling  business  until  1870,  but  being 
possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  musical  talent,  was 
desirous  of  perfecting  himself  in  this  art,  and  ac- 
cordingly went  to  Chicago,  where  he  entered  the 
Normal  Musical  Academy,  conducted  by  Prof. 


Palmer.  Under  the  instruction  of  this  eminent 
musician  and  teacher,  he  devoted  himself  to  the 
study  of  music  for  five  years,  and  then  became  a 
teacher  of  the  same,  which  he  followed  with  success 
for  five  years.  In  1875,  in  connection  with  his 
brother,  M.  Luther  Popple,  he  bought  out  the  hard- 
ware stock  of  William  Estes  in  Danvers,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  this 
branch  of  trade. 

Soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  Bloomington 
Leader  Mr.  Popple  became  its  Danvers  correspond- 
ent, which  he  continued  without  the  intermission  of 
a  single  week  until  April  3,  1880.  The  Leader  fre- 
quently called  attention  to  him  as  a  model  for  all 
correspondence,  both  in  the  brevity  and  terseness  of 
his  style,  and  his  manuscript,  which,  distinct  and 
handsome  as  copper-plate,  was  the  delight  of  the 
composing-room.  Upon  severing  his  connection 
with  the  Leader  Mr.  Popple,  in  company  with  Prof. 
John  P.  Yoder,  established  the  Danvers  Dispatch, 
April  1,  1881,  which  at  once  commanded  public 
attention  and  invited  public  patronage.  At  the 
end  of  two  years,  Prof.  Yoder  withdrew,  and  Mr. 
Popple  has  since  been  sole  editor  and  proprietor. 
The  Dispatch  is  a  five-column  folio,  independent  in 
politics,  and  has  now  probably  the  largest  circula- 
tion of  any  paper  in  McLean  County,  outside  of 
Bloomington,  and  has  become  quite  indispensable 
in  this  locality.  Mr.  Popple  is  a  concise  and  inter- 
esting writer,  and  exhibits  more  than  ordinary 
ability  as  a  journalist  and  business  manager,  and 
receives  honorable  recognition  from  the  fraternity, 
which  largely  copies  from  the  interesting  matter  in 
the  Dispatch. 

In  addition  to  the  many  arduous  duties  of  his 
business  affairs  Mr.  Popple  has  been  pressed  into 
service  in  connection  with  many  important  enter- 
prises affecting  the  welfare  and  progress  of  Dan- 
vers and  vicinity.  His  clear  head  and  wise  judg- 
ment are  in  constant  requisition.  He  has  been 
elected  Secretary  of  the  Rock  Creek  Fair  Associa- 
tion for  ten  consecutive  years,  and  for  nine  years 
served  as  Secretary  of  the  Danvers  Mutual  Fire 
Insurance  Campany.  He  is  also  Agent  for  the 
^Etna,  Underwriters',  Hartford,  Phwnix,  Springfield 
and  Queen  Insurance  Companies. 

The  marriage  of  John  S.  Popple  and  Miss  Jennie 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


429 


E.  Franks,  a  native  of  Danvcrs,  was  celebrated  at  the 
home  of  the  bride's  parents,  Jane  4,  1868.  Of  their 
union  were  born  four  children  —  Edwin  G..  Mabel 
W.,  Ethel  F.  and  Park  W.  The  home  of  our  sub- 
ject and  his  family  is  pleasantly  located  on  Main 
street,  and  in  all  its  appointments  is  indicative  of 
cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 

Social!}'  Mr.  Popple  is  Secretary  of  Danvers 
Lodge  No.  742,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  honored 
office  he  has  held  since  its  organization,  March  10, 
1873.  He  is  an  efficient  Sabbath-school  worker, 
and  officiates  as  organist  for  the  Presbyterian  and 
Baptist  Sabbath-schools,  where  his  vocal  and  instru- 
mental talents  are  a  source  of  great  pleasure  and 
satisfaction  to  the  people  who  attend.  It  is  seldom 
that  in  one  individual  there  is  combined  extraordi- 
nary business  talent  and  the  most  cultivated  and 
refined  tastes,  but  Mr.  Popple  is  a  brilliant  excep- 
tion to  this  rule.  His  energy  and  industry  are  uni- 
formly exercised  in  all  departments  of  life,  and  he 
can  devote  himself  fully  as  closely  to  its  sober 
business  as  to  its  lighter  and  more  pleasing  tasks. 
He  is  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  great  things  are  ex- 
pected of  him.  At  his  home  in  Danvers  he  is  hon- 
ored and  esteemed  by  all,  and  possesses  that  genial 
disposition  which  is  careful  not  to  wound  a  friend 
and  avoids  creating  an  enemy. 


B.  MOORE,  one  of  the  old  and  honored 
residents  of  Bloom  ington  City,  in  earlier 
years  carried  on  the  granite,  marble  and 
stone  business,  which  is  now  operated  by  his  son, 
J.  K.  Moore,  at  No.  311  West  Washington  street. 
The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  near  Somerset,  Dec.  8,  1832,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  K.  and  Sarah  C.  (Ballon)  Moore, 
the  father  a  native  of  Westmoreland  County,  Pa., 
born  near  Greentburg,  in  April,  1803,  and  the 
mother  of  Rhode  Island,  born  the  same  year. 
They  were  married  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and 
settled  upon  a  farm  in  Perry  County,  where  the 
father  taught  school  in  the  winter  season. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Rev.  Thomas 
Moore,  was  a  gentleman  of  much  learning  and  fine 
abilities,  having  been  educated  at  Dartmouth  Col- 


lege, N.  II.,  and  took  the  degree  of  D.  D.  at  Yale. 
He  labored  as  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ohio,  and  was  a  Chaplain  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War,  being  with  Gen.  Washington  at  Val- 
ley Forge  in  1776.  He  also  considered  it  his  duty 
to  carry  a  musket,  and  be  ready  to  fight  if  it  was 
necessary.  After  the  independence  of  the  colonies 
had  been  established,  he  located  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  moved  to  Ohio  in  1811  with  his  family.  His 
children  were  four  in  number — Thomas,  James  P., 
Catharine  and  John  K.  Of  these,  only  one  is  liv- 
ing, Catharine,  Mrs.  Downey,  whose  home  is  in 
White  County,  Ind. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
Welcome  Ballou,  a  boot  and  shoe  maker  by  trade, 
who  removed  to  Ohio  prior  to  the  War  of  1812, 
where  he  purchased  land  near  Chandlersville,  where 
he  carried  on  agriculture  and  his  trade  alternately. 
His  famity  included  seven  children :  Sarah  C.,  Mrs. 
Moore,  now  deceased ;  Anrelius,  of  Newark,  Ohio ; 
Aurelia,  and  Welcome,  M.  D.,  both  deceased ;  Celia 
A.,  Mrs.  Foster,  living  in  Shirley,  111. ;  Lorinda, 
Mrs.  Wartenbee,  and  Leander,  M.  D.,  deceased. 

John  K.  Moore,  the  father  of  our  subject,  in 
early  manhood  moved  to  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
and  engaged  in  general  merchandise.  In  1843  he 
removed  to  White  County,  Ind.,  and  there  farmed 
and  taught  school  alternately,  finally  locating  in 
Monticello,  where  he  departed  this  life  in  March, 
1845.  The  mother  had  died  in  Warren  County, 
Ind.,  when  about  seventy  years  of  age.  Their  chil- 
dren were :  Thomas,  now  of  Santa  Fe,  N.  M. ;  Wel- 
come B.,  in  Bloomington;  John  K.,  of  Sumner 
County,  Kan. ;  Lorinda  B.,  of  Warren  County,  Ind. ; 
Matilda,  who  died  in  Kansas,  and  James  P.,  of  St. 
Paul,  Minn.  The  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  earlier  years,  John  K. 
Moore  commenced  studying  for  the  ministry,  but 
was  obliged  to  abandon  it  on  account  of  his  health. 

W.  B.  Moore  of  our  sketch  remained  at  home 
until  twenty-one  years  old,  in  the  meantime  re- 
ceiving his  education  principally  under  his  mother's 
instruction.  He  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry, 
and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  began  to  chop  wood 
and  split  rails,  and  with  the  money  thus  earned, 
secured  a  small  amount  of  live-stock.  Then,  in 
company  with  his  brother  John  K.,  he  purchased  a 


f 


430 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 


team,  and  they  began  to  farm  on  rented  land. 
They  operated  thus  the  following  three  years,  and 
then  our  subject  went  to  Covington,  Ind.,  and  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  learn  the  marble  business.  He 
soon  afterward  had  the  management  of  a  shop,  and 
in  1 863  came  to  Bloomington,  where  he  established 
the  present  business. 

The  marriage  of  W.  B.  Moore  and  Miss  Eliza  E. 
Lamb  was  celebrated  in  1855.  Mrs.  Moore  is  a 
native  of  Fountain  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born 
near  Newtown,  being  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Lucinda  Lamb.  Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  born  seven  children,  one  of  whom 
is  deceased :  Alice  A.,  Mrs.  Flanagan,  lives  in  Lo- 
gansport,  Ind. ;  the  others,  at  home,  are  John  K., 
William  L.,  Fannie  B.,  Sarah  C.  and  Grace. 

Mr.  Moore  has  also  operated  as  a  contractor  and 
builder,  and  has  superintended  the  construction  of 
some  of  the  most  important  buildings  in  the  city, 
among  them  being  the  Methodist  Church,  which  is 
a  model  of  architectural  beauty.  Eight  men  are 
employed  about  the  works,  and  their  patrons  are 
among  the  best  business  men  of  the  city  and 
cqunty.  Mr.  Moore  is  held  in  the  highest  respect 
by  his  fellow-citizens,  and  has  built  up  for  himself 
a  good  reputation  for  honor,  integrity,  and  straight- 
forward business  principles. 


;ILLIAM  L.  VOCK11ODT,  a  carpenter  and 
cabinet-maker,  now  living  in  the  village  of 
Danvers,  this  county,  was  born  in  Twin 
Grove,  Sept.  5,  1849.  His  parents,  John  C.  and 
Mary  (Deal)  Vockrodt,  were  natives  respectively 
of  Germany  and  Waynesboro,  Va.  John  Vockrodt 
was  born  in  1815,  and  came  to  America  when  a 
youth  of  eighteen  years,  landing  in  Baltimore  on 
the  night  made  memorable  by  a  great  fall  of  me- 
teors. He  soon  afterward  proceeded  to  Waynes- 
boro, where  he  worked  at  carpentering  and  cabinet- 
making  until  1848.  He  then  came  to  McLean 
County,  111.,  and  followed  the  same  vocation  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  this  village  on  the 
28th  of  July,  1873,  of  which  he  had  been  a  resident 
since  1852.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  mar- 
ried in  Virginia  in  July,  1844;  the  mother  was  born 
in  April,  1822,  and  is  still  living,  in  fair  health.  Of 


the  seven  children  born  to  the  household  three  are 
now  living.  The  record  is  as  follows:  John,  the 
eldest,  is  deceased ;  William  L.  of  our  sketch  is  the 
second  child;  Elinore  (1st)  is  now  deceased;  Eli- 
nore  (2d)  is  now  Mrs.  Culbertson,  and  resides  in 
Danvers;  Charles  E.  is  deceased;  Walter  L.  married 
Miss  Adelaide  Kauffman,  and  lives  in  Danvers; 
Susan  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Vockrodt  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  his  marriage.  On  the  20th  of  December, 
1876,  he  was  united  with  Miss  Margaret  Crist,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  was  born  in  Taze- 
well  County,  Oct.  28,  18U5.  Mrs.  V.  is  of  German 
and  English  ancestry,  being  the  daughter  of  Hiram 
and  Clarinda  (Brown)  Crist,  natives  of  Ohio  and 
New  York  respectively.  Hiram  Crist  was  born  May 
22,  1809,  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
spent  his  childhood  and  youth,  coming  to  Illinois 
in  1842.  He  located  in  Pekin,  but  after  a  few 
months  removed  to  Tremont,  in  Tazewell  County, 
where,  with  his  family,  he  remained  a  few  years, 
then  moved  to  Bloomington,  and  thereafter  to 
Danvers  Township,  where  he  died  in  1871.  Mrs. 
Crist  was  again  married  in  1879,  to  Mr.  Philo 
Washburn,  a  resident  of  this  township.  Mrs.  Crist 
Jby  her  first  husband  had  nine  children:  John  O. 
B. ;  Nathaniel;  Franklin,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
eleven  years ;  Abraham ;  Margaret  L. ;  Eliza  A.  and 
Mary  E.  (twins)  are  living;  Eliza  married  Mr. 
John  Ament,  and  lives  in  Bloomington,  111.;  Mary 
E.  married  James  H.  Deal,  a  farmer  near  Baxter 
Springs,  Kan. ;  Loyd  married  Miss  Annie  Dickin- 
son, and  Harriet  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Vockrodt  are  the  parents  of  two  children: 
Clara  M.,  born  Oct.  29,  1878,  and  John  C.,  July 
25,  1881.  The  father  of  our  subject  served  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  twenty  years  in  Danvers, 
holding  the  office  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Will- 
iam L.  was  thereafter  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
and  has  occupied  the  position  for  thirteen  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Town  Board,  of  which  he 
has  been  President  for  three  years,  has  been  No- 
tary Public  for  the  last  twelve  years,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1873  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors.  He  is  now  upon  two  committees,  one 
having  charge  of  the  paupers  in  Western  District, 
and  the  Committee  on  Education. 


RESIDENCE  OF  D.  F.  BIDOLE,  SEC.I.,TOWANDA  TOWNSHIP. 


.&&?•-  >:>••  '-^:.^.  -     -^ 

RESIDENCE  OF  ALBERT  OGDEN  ,  SEC. 9  .,MONEY  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 


"^ff  -  J>- — ; — '        • : -    .     — — 3B 

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RESIDENCE  OF  ELI  AS  B.  JOHNSON  }  SEC.  21.,  BLUE  MOUND  TOWN  SHI  p. 


f. 


Mi: LEAN    COUNTY. 


433, 


Mr.  Vockrodt  is  strictly  Republican  in  politics, 
and  Mrs.  V.,  taking  the  other  side  of  the  question, 
upholds  Democratic  principles.  The  latter  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  since  she 
was  fourteen  years  of  age.  Mr.  V.  is  not  con- 
nected with  any  church  organization.  Mrs.  Vock- 
rodt is  a  lady  of  good  musical  talent,  and  has  quite 
a  reputation  as  a  singer  in  this  community,  having 
occupied  the  leading  position  in  the  choir  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  She  recalls 
many  pleasant  incidents  of  her  childhood,  having 
been  an  especial  pet  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  used 
to  stop  at  her  father's  hotel,  which  he  carried  on  at 
Tremont,  and  where  Mr.  Lincoln  often  stopped. 
Mrs.  V.  was  then  a  child  of  three  or  four  years  old, 
and  used  to  dance  and  sing  for  "  Uncle  Abe,"  who 
trained  and  encouraged  her  in  these  accomplish- 
ments. 

Mr.  Vockrodt  became  a  resident  of  Danvers  in 
1852,  and  here  received  his  education.  He  has 
been  a  thorough-going  business  man,  and  by  his 
own  industry  has  accumulated  property  consisting 
of  three  lots  and  a  fine  dwelling-house.  His  at- 
tractive home  is  the  abode  of  peace  and  plenty, 
where  he  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  comforts 
of  life,  and  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 


R.  JAMES  McCANN  is  one  of  the  successful 
practitioners  of  Normal,  and  has  made 
that  his  home  since  1879.  He  was  born  in 
Connersville,  Fayette  Co.,  Ind.,  May  24, 
The  parents  of  our  subject,  James  and  Bar- 
bara (Dary)  McCann,  were  natives  of  Fayette 
County,  Pa.  In  1818,  the  parents,  accompanied  by 
Daniel  Yantes,  founder  of  Indianapolis,  took  pas 
sage  on  a  flatboat  down  the  Ohio  River  for  Cincin- 
nati, whence  they  removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ind., 
and  the  same  year,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Yantes 
and  twenty  other  men,  went  to  what  is  now  Indian- 
apolis. There,  all  except  Mr.  McCaun  were  taken 
down  with  the  ague,  and  as  soon  as  they  recovered 
he  (being  the  only  cook  and  nurse),  becoming  dis- 
pleased with  the  locality,  returned  to  Fayette 
County  to  his  family,  where  he  followed  farming 
and  stock-raising  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 


1832. 


He  was  very  successful  in  a  financial  point  of  view. 
Religiously,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  was  one  of  a  number  of  those  who 
organized  a  congregation  of  that  denomination  at 
Connersville. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCann  became  the  parents  of 
twelve  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and 
eleven  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  woman- 
hood, and  of  that  number  six  (all  the  younger)  are 
living  at  the  present  time.  Isaac  is  a  farmer  and 
lives  in  the  neighborhood  of  Connersville,  Ind. ; 
James,  our  subject,  was  the  seventh  in  order  of 
birth;  Sarah  is  the  widow  of  Lewis  Oliver,  and  is 
living  at  Connersville ;  Julia  is  the  wife  of  Andrew 
Fowler,  and  they  reside  at  Goshen,  Ind. ;  Mary 
and  Martin  Barker  were  married,  and  are  living  at 
Connersville,  Ind. ;  the  youngest  sister,  Ellen,  mar- 
ried Thaddeus  Scofield,  of  Connersville,  Ind.,  and 
they  are  now  residents  of  Bloomington,  111. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  lived  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  when  he  entered 
the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  was 
there  a  classmate  of  Judge  J.  Q.  Gresham.  He  re- 
mained in  the  University  for  four  years,  and 
then  going  to  Connersville,  the  same  State,  entered 
the  office  of  G.  R.  Chetwood,  and  under  his  pre- 
ceptorship  began  the  study  of  medicine.  Subse- 
quently, in  1856,  he  graduated  from  the  Medical 
College  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  He  then  located  in 
his  native  town,  and  after  a  few  weeks'  residence 
there  came  to  this  State  and  entered  upon  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Joliet,  where  he  resided  for 
ten  years.  At  the  commencement  of  the  late  Civil 
War  he  was  appointed  U.  S.  Examining  Surgeon 
of  Pensions,  and  stationed  at  Joliet.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  business  while  a  resident  of  Joliet,  built 
two  store  buildings,  and  was  looked  upon  as  one  of 
the  enterprising  young  men  of  that  place.  In  1866 
he  removed  to  El  Paso,  where  he  was  re-appointed  as 
U.  S.  Examining  Surgeon  for  that  locality,  and 
where  he  continued  to  practice  his  profession  un- 
til 1879,  holding  his  Government  appointment  for 
seventeen  consecutive  years. 

During  the  year  last  named  Dr.  McCann  came 
to  Normal,  where  he  succeeded  T.  S.  Mills  in  the 
drug  trade.  Subsequently,  in  1885,  he  purchased 
his  present  location,  paying  $1,000  for  the  ground, 


f 


•4* 


,  ,    434 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


which  is  22  x  75  feet,  and  on  which  he  has  erected  a 
two-story  brick  business  house,  22£  x  CO  feet  in 
dimensions,  the  lower  floor  being  used  for  the  drug 
business,  and  the  upper  one  for  a  residence.  The 
Doctor  was  Secretary  of  Will  County  Medical 
Society  four  years,  and  is  a  consistent  and  respect- 
ed member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics 
Republican,  lie  has  never  consented  to  be  a  can- 
didate for  any  political  office,  but  has  devoted  his 
entire  time  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  and 
his  drug  business. 

Dr.  McCann  was  married  at  Joliet,  Nov.  15,  1866, 
to  Martha  Isabel,  the  fourth  child  and  third  daugh- 
ter of  James  C.  Kercheval,  now  deceased.  She 
was  born  in  Will  County,  111.,  and  they  now  have 
three  children,  one  boy,  Berte  H.,  and  two  daugh- 
ters, Bessie  and  Emma.  In  1880  Dr.  McCann  was 
one  of  a  committee  of  five  on  organization  of  the 
Illinois  State  Pharmaceutical  Association,  and  this 
committee  memoralized  the  State  Legislature,  and 
had  the  present  Pharmacy  Law  enacted.  The  clause 
in  said  act  imposing  a  fine  of  $50  for  any  adulter- 
ation of  medicine  was  especially  commended  by  Dr. 
'  McCann,  and  no  part  of  the  law  has  been  more 
praised  than  this.  The  Doctor  is  an  exceedingly 
sociable  and  courteous  gentleman,  and  endowed 
with  the  happy  faculty  of  making  and  retaining 
friends,  and  by  honorable  dealing  and  true  manli- 
ness has  gained  a  front  rank  among  the  respected 
citizens  of  McLean  County. 


G.  RYBURN.  The  subject  of  this  history 
is  one  of  the  successful  breeders  of  fine 
stock  in  Randolph  Township.  His  home- 
stead is  located  on  section  2,  and  embraces 
200  acres,  and  is  watered  with  an  ever-flowing  min- 
eral spring.  The  farm  residence  and  out-buildings 
are  substantial.  Mr.  Ryburn  makes  a  specialty  of 
thoroughbred  Short-horn  cattle,  in  which  he  has 
had  an  experience  of  over  twenty  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  American  Short-horn  Breeders'  As- 
sociation, and  exhibits  the  register  of  400  calves, 
many  of  which  have  been  unexcelled  on  the  best 
stock  farms  of  the  State.  His  stock  for  sixteen 
successive  years,  has  been  on  exhibition  at  about 


eight  different  fairs  per  year,  and  at  each  fair  they 
have  carried  off  their  share  of  the  blue  ribbons. 
His  success  in  this  direction  has  been  phenomenal, 
and  his  cattle  have  been  disposed  of  at  large  prices 
in  five  different  States.  The  head  of  his  herd, 
"  Matchless  Prince "  No.  4657,  was  recently  sold 
at  a  large  price,  and  "Geneva,"  which  has  recently 
come  into  his  possession,  possesses  all  the  qualities 
of  the  highest  grade.  He  was  reared  by  Col.  J. 
W.  Judy,  of  Menard  County,  111.,  and  is  only  about 
eighteen  months  old.  Mr.  Ryburn,  with  two  ex- 
ceptions, has  raised  all  the  animals  of  his  present 
herd,  and  those  which  he  has  sold  have  commanded 
the  best  market  prices.  Mr.  Ryburn  established 
his  business  in  1866,  in  connection  with  his  brother, 
with  whom  he  operated  for  eight  years. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Harrison 
County,  Ohio,  Jan.  30,  1843.  His  father,  Jarnes 
Ryburn,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania, 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  After  his  marriage 
there  and  the  birth  of  several  children,  he  removed 
with  his  wife  to  Harrison  County,  Ohio.  His  wife, 
before  her  marriage,  was  Miss  Mary  Bigley,  who 
was  also  born  and  reared  in  the  Keystone  State. 
The  families  are  both  of  Scotch  descent.  All  came 
West  in  1853,  and  settled  in  Randolph  Township, 
this  county.  Our  subject  was  the  youngest  but 
one  of  a  family  of  eleven  children,  eight  sons  and 
three  daughters.  The  parents  both  died  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  the  father  in  1857,  and  the  mother 
in  1881.  In  former  years  the  father  was  possessed 
of  a  good  property,  but  met  with  misfortune  be- 
fore leaving  the  State  of  Ohio.  This  compelled 
the  boys  to  look  out  for  themselves,  and  to  begin 
at  the  foot  of  the  ladder.  They,  however,  had 
been  trained  to  habits  of  industry,  and  all  have  se- 
cured a  good  amount  of  property. 

After  the  death  of  his  parents,  our  subject  lived 
with  his  older  brothers  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  Army, 
in  May,  1862,  joining  the  three-months'  men,  Co. 
G,  68th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Capt.  Moore.  After  his  first 
term  of  service  had  expired,  he  re-enlisted  in  the 
three  years'  service,  becoming  this  time  a  member 
of  Co.  B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was  with  the  army 
of  the  southwest,  and  participated  in  several  active 
engagements,  being  at  Ft.  Morgan  and  Mobile.  In 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


435 


July,  1865,  be  was  transferred  to  the  37th  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  afterward  discharged  from  this  regi- 
ment at  Springfield,  111.,  after  having  been  in  serv- 
ice four  years.  He  then  returned  to  Randolph 
Township,  and  began  the  business  which  he  has 
since  followed.  • 

Mr.  Ryburn  was  married  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Randolph  Township,  to  Miss 
Iris  Karr.  She  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
March  6,  1852,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William 
Karr,  one  of  its  earliest  settlers  and  most  extensive 
landholders.  She  was  reared  and  educated  in  this 
township,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  her  marriage  with  our  subject.  Mrs.  Ryburn 
has  been  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
since  fourteen  years  of  age.  Our  subject,  in  poli- 
tics, is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Republican  party, 
with  which  he  uniformly  casts  his  vote. 


J~  ACOB  H.  RITCHIE,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of 
Martin  Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on 
section  35,  where  he  has  been  successfully 
1  engaged  in  farming  since  the  spring  of  1 865. 
He  is  a  native  of  Rockingham  County,  Va.,  and 
was  born  Dec.  24,  1838.  He  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Magdalena  (Fawley)  Ritchie,  both  natives  of 
the  Old  Dominion,  of  which  his  grandfather,  Jacob 
Ritchie,  Sr.,  was  also  a  native.  The  father  of  our 
subject,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  emigrated 
from  his  native  State  after  his  marriage,  and  ac- 
companied by  his  children,  came  to  this  county,  in 
the  fall  of  1855.  The  wife  and  mother  had  died 
in  Virginia  in  1854.  After  reaching  this  county, 
Mr.  Ritchie  located  in  Brown's  Grove,  west  of 
Bloomington,  where  he  continued  the  pursuit  of 
agriculture,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
his  decease  occurring  in  1860.  The  parental  house- 
hold included  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom 
only  two  sons  and  two  daughters  are  now  living. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  youngest 
of  his  parents'  family,  and  passed  his  childhood 
and  youth  in  his  native  State,  receiving  in  the 
meantime  a  common-school  education.  He  was 
married  in  this  county  when  twenty-one  years  of 
age  to  Miss  Sallie,  daughter  of  John  and  Casaudra 


(Casey)  Hurt,  who  descended  from  an  old  Ken- 
tucky family  and  were  among  the  earliest  pioneers 
of  this  section.  Mr.  Ritchie  settled  with  his  bride 
in  Brown's  Grove,  near  his  father's  farm,  where  he 
remained  until  1865,  then  removed  to  his  present 
homestead.  This  consists  of  160  acres  of  finely 
cultivated  land,  the  soil  of  which  is  naturally  very 
rich,  and  adapted  to  the  growth  of  all  farm  prod- 
ucts. Mr.  Ritchie  has  been  largely  engaged  of  late 
years  in  raising  and  shipping  hogs,  the  proceeds  of 
which  have  yielded  him  a  fine  income.  He  has  also 
raised  a  few  Norman  horses.  The  farm  buildings 
are  of  modern  style,  and  kept  in  good  repair,  and 
the  whole  premises  present  an  air  of  neatness  and 
thrift  which  is  delightful  to  the  eye.  The  ten  chil- 
dren of  our  subject  and  his  wife,  five  sons  and  five 
daughters,  are  all  living  except  one,  and  named  as 
follows:  Ida,  George,  Anna  B.,  Emma,  Addison, 
Jay,  Mary  A.,  Florence  A.  and  Grover  Cleveland; 
John  W.  was  the  eldest,  and  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Ritchie,  politically,  is  a  reliable  Democrat, 
and  a  strong  supporter  of  the  present  administra- 
tion. He  has  held  the  offices  of  Supervisor,  Col- 
lector and  School  Trustee,  filling  each  with  credit 
to  .himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  OvtAi 
he  and  his  wife  are  prominently  connected  with  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 


-*- 


NDREW  J.  JOHNSTONE,  Supervisor  of 
Dale  Township,  claims  it  as  the  place  of  his 
birth,  the  date  thereof  having  been  Oct. 
28,- 1850.  His  father,  Dr.  Andrew  John- 
stone,  was  a  native  of  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  born 
on  the  21st  of  May,  1800,  and  possessed  all  the 
substantial  and  worthy  traits  of  the  typical  Scot- 
tish character.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  edu- 
cated in  the  schools  of  Edinburgh,  and  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years  determined  to  emigrate  to  the 
New  World.  After  reaching  American  shores  he 
proceeded  directly  to  the  young  and  rapidly  grow- 
ing State  of  Ohio.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  abilities 
and  had  taken  a  scientific  course  of  study  in  his 
native  country,  which  he  had  afterward  reduced  to 
practice,  and  after  his  arrival  within  the  bounds  of 


t 


i 


A  ,      436 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  State  mentioned,  accepted  a  post  as  civil  engi- 
neer in  the  military  district  of  Ohio,  being  in  the 
employ  of  Gen.  McArthur,  a  large  landholder  in 
that  tract. 

After  two  or  three  years'  residence  in  this  coun- 
try Andrew  Johnstone  returned  to  his  native  Scot- 
land, and  decided  to  enter  upon  the  study  of  medi- 
cine. After  pursuing  a  three  years'  course  under 
the  best  of  instruction  he  returned  to  America, 
and  locating  near  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  became  asso- 
ciated in  partnership  with  Gen.  McArthur,  and 
while  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  gave  all 
his  leisure  time  to  the  pursuit  of  farming,  of  which 
he  was  very  fond,  and  took  great  pleasure  in  wit- 
nessing the  growing  and  ripening  of  grain,  the 
pleasant  sight  of  domestic  animals,  and  everything 
that  appertained  to  the  pursuits  of  agriculture. 

Dr.  Johnstone  lived  in  Ohio  until  1840,  and  then 
setting  his  face  further  westward,  came  to  the 
Prairie  State,  and  located  upon  the  site  of  what  is 
now  the  city  of  Bloom  ington.  Here  he  rented  a 
tract  of  land  which  is  now  included  within  the  city 
limits.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  break  the  sod  in 
that  vicinity,  and  carried  on  farming  and  stock- 
raising  for  about  five  years  thereafter.  He  then 
entered  a  tract  of  Government  land  in  Dale  Town- 
ship, on  section  14,  and  purchased  a  small  frame 
house  near  Hudson,  fifteen  miles  distant.  This  he 
removed  with  oxen  to  his  land,  and  moving  his 
family  into  it,  established  them  comfortably  and 
made  a  permanent  settlement,  where  he  remained 
the  balance  of  his  days,  departing  this  life  on  the 
31st  of  August,  1873.  He  did  not  resume  the 
practice  of  medicine  to  any  extent  after  coming  to 
Illinois,  but  was  considerably  engaged. in  civil  en- 
gineering and  surveyed  a  large  portion  of  the  land 
in  the  county.  He  superintended  the  improve- 
ments on  the  farm,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  had 
his  land  all  enclosed  and  under  a  good  state  of  cul- 
tivation. 

Dr.  Andrew  Johnstone,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  married  in  his  native  Scotland,  to  Miss  Jane 
Carlyle.  She  was  a  native  of  Dumfreisshire  County, 
in  Scotland,  and  was  born  on  the  17th  of  May, 
1804.  She,  with  her  husband,  is  still  living,  and 
retains  her  mental  faculties  to  a  remarkable  degree. 
The  parental  household  consisted  of  three  children, 


Jane  and  Andrew  J.,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  be- 
ing  the  only  ones  living;  Mary  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Johnstone  of  our  sketch  was  the  youngest 
child  of  his  parents,  and  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  childhood  and  youth  upon  the  homestead  farm. 
He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in  the  district 
school,  and  subsequcntlj'  attended  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity at  Bloomington.  Although  fond  of  study 
and  reading,  he  has  always  had  a  love  for  the 
peaceful  occupation  of  agriculture,  and  to  this  has 
devoted  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  is  also  en- 
gaged in  breeding  draft  horses,  and  cattle  feeding 
quite  extensively.  At  the  death  of  his  father,  he 
took  charge  of  the  homestead  which  he  now  owns 
and  occupies,  and  upon  which  he  has  made  all 
needed  improvements.  The  family  residence  is 
tasteful,  convenient  and  comfortable,  and  he  has  a 
good  barn,  with  all  necessary  out-buildings  and 
farm  machinery. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  on  the 
28th  of  October,  1875,  to  Miss  Dora  Karr,  also  a 
native  of  Dale  Township,  and  who  was  born  April 
16,  1858.  Mrs.  J.  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  J. 
and  Elizabeth  (Lowe)  Karr,  a  sketch  of  whom  ap- 
pears on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Johnstone  have  only  one  child  living,  a  son — 
Guy  Carlyle.  Lizzie,  the  only  daughter,  who  was 
born  March  15,  1877,  died  on  the  6th  of  January, 
1880.  Mr.  J.  is  Republican  in  politics,  is  highly 
respected  as  a  business  man,  neighbor  and  citizen, 
and  is  serving  his  second  year  as  Supervisor  of 
Dale  Township. 


HARLES  J.  NORTHRUP,  proprietor  of  the 
dry-goods  house  at  No.  1 1 8  N.  Center  street, 
and  208  West  Washington  street,  Blooming- 
ton,  was  born  in  Lisle,  Broome  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May 
20,  1847.  He  is  the  son  of  Solomon  J.  and  Annie 
Lavantia  (Buell)  Northrup,  natives  respectively  of 
Lenox,  Mass.,  and  Fairfield,  N.  Y.  The  father  was 
born  Dec.  6,  1811,  and  the  mother,  May  16,  1815. 
Both  were  deeply  religious  people,  and  contributed 
liberally  and  cheerfully  to  the  support  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  with  which  they  were  con- 
nected when  quite  young. 

Solomon   Northrup   was  Superintendent  of  the 


i- 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


437 


T 


Sabbath-school  for  many  years.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  and  removed  from  his  native  town 
to  Lisle,  N.  Y.,  in  1840,  where  he  remained  for  a 
period  of  thirty  years,  then  sold  out  and  engaged 
in  merchandising  in  the  same  town.  Thence  he.  re- 
moved to  Binghamton,  in  response  to  a  call  to  take 
charge  of  the  Susquehannah  Valley  Home  for  the 
Poor,  which  office  he  held  for  several  years.  He 
resigned  the  position  finally  on  account  of  failing 
health,  and  died  at  Long  Branch,  while  visiting 
there,  Aug.  1,  1882.  The  mother  departed  this 
life  on  the  21st  of  September,  1847.  The  record 
of  their  four  children  is  as  follows:  Julia,  Mrs.  G. 
W.  Livermore,  was  born  Sept.  4,  1837,  and  died 
May  4,  1883;  James  E.,  a  resident  of  Binghamton, 
during  the  late  war  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  89th  N.  Y. 
Vol.  Inf.,  of  which  he  was  made  First  Lieutenant, 
participated  in  many  battles,  and  was  wounded  at 
Antietam.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Sykes,  of 
Berkshire,  -N.  Y.,  and  they  have  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, Hattie  E.  They  belong  to  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  he  is  a  prominent  Mason,  having  taken 
all  the  degrees.  Ira  W.  enlisted  in  Co,  F,  89th 
N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.,  but  before  engaging  in  active 
service  was  taken  ill  from  exposure,  and  brought 
home  by  his  father,  dying  soon  afterward,  Feb.  22, 
1863,  when  not  quite  twenty-one  3rears  of  age,  his 
birth  occurring  Dec.  28,  1842.  C.  J.  of  our  sketch 
is  the  youngest  living. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Solomon  J. 
Northrup  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lucy 
E.  Carroll,  of  Springfield,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  10,  1849,  and 
of  this  union  there  were  born  two  children :  Emma 
L.,  Mrs.  B.  L.  Osborne,  of  Camden,  N.  Y».,  and 
Lydia  C.,  who  died  Feb.  24,  1862.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  essentially  a  self-made  man,  and 
started  out  in  life  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder.  He  was 
employed  first  as  a  farm  laborer,  and  received  his 
education  by  attending  school  during  the  winter 
seasons.  After  his  marriage  he  farmed  on  rented 
land,  his  first  purchase  being  in  Lisle,  N.  Y.  He 
became  prominent  in  the  political  affairs  of  that 
State,  and  a  citizen  greatly  respected  for  his  moral 
and  intellectual  worth.  Politically  he  was  a  strong 
Republican.  He  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  sev- 
eral years,  was  Deputy  Sheriff  of  the  county,  and 
Trustee  of  the  school  at  Lisle,  and  took  an  active 


part  in  all  measures  calculated  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  his  adopted  county  or  State.  He  put 
forth  every  effort  to  educate  his  children,  often  re- 
marking that  he  would  prefer  leaving  them  a  good 
education  rather  than  gold. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  a  log 
house,  on  his  father's  farm  in  Lisle,  and  remained 
there  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  attending  the 
common  schools.  He  studied  two  years  at  Owego 
Academy,  and  afterward  went  to  Springfield, 
N.  Y..  engaging  as  clerk  in  a  country  store  at  $5 
per  month,  for  one  year.  He  then  removed  with 
his  father  to  Canandaigua,  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y.  He 
attended  the  academy  there  under  the  tutorship  of 
Prof.  Clark,  and  in  the  spring  of  1867  entered  the 
dry-goods  store  of  William  Richardson  <fe  Co.  He 
remained  there  until  fall,  then  came  West  with  Mr. 
Richardson,  and  settled  at  Bloomington.  He  con- 
tinued with  his  former  employer,  who  had  asso- 
ciated himself  with  partners,  Messrs.  Wilcox  Bros., 
and  carried  on  the  dry -goods  business.  Our  sub- 
ject remained  with  the  firm  over  seven  years,  which 
then  became  Wilcox  Bros.,  by  the  withdrawal  of 
Mr.  Richardson. 

Mr.  Northrup  established  his  present  business 
Feb.  15,  1876,  on  the  spot  where  he  is  still  located. 
He  began  with  one  clerk  and  an  errand-boy,  and  was 
prospered  from  the  beginning.  His  business  in- 
creased each  year,  and  in  1882  he  secured  the  ex- 
tension of  his  store  to  Washington  street.  In  1885 
he  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  at  Lexington,  where 
he  established  a  branch  house.  In  1886  he  pur- 
chased another  stock,  in  the  same  place,  and  con- 
solidated the  two.  He  employs  from  ten  to  fifteen 
clerks  in  Bloomington,  and  from  five  to  seven  at 
Lexington. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married,  Sept.  27, 
1877,  to  Miss  Rose  Whipp,  of  Normal,  who  was 
born  in  1850,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  W.  and 
Elizabeth  (VanNess)  Whipp.  Her  father  was  a 
banker  for  many  years  at  Bloomington  City,  but  is 
now  in  Springfield,  employed  by  the  State  Board  of 
Charities.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  N.  have  three  children — 
Fred  W.,  Charles  B.  and  Julia  E.  They  occupy  an 
attractive  home  at  No.  510  East  Front  street,  and 
enjoy  the  association  and  friendship  of  the  cultured 
people  of  the  city.  Both  our  subject  and  his  wife 


438 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  of  which  Mr.  N.  has  been  Trustee 
for  the  last  six  years,  and  is  Assistant  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday-school.  He  contributes  liberally 
and  cheerfully  to  the  support  of  the  church,  and 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare  and  prosperity. 
He  is  in  all  respects  a  representative  citizen. 


IRA  MERCHANT,  a  civil  engineer  of  Blooming- 
ton,  is  the  son  of  Daniel  P.  and  Anna  E.  (Carey) 
Merchant,  and  was  born  in  Morris  County,  N. 
J.,  in  February,  1837.  His  father,  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, was  taken  by  his  parents  when  an  infant 
to  New  Jersey,  of  which  latter  State  the  mother 
was  a  native.  The  Merchant  family  are  of  En- 
glish ancestry,  and  the  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Ira  Merchant  were 
passed  on  his  father's  farm  in  New  Jersey,  while 
he  pursued  his  studies  in  the  district  school.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  left  his  native  State,  and 
going  across  the  Mississippi  River  into  Missouri, 
was  employed  as  an  engineer  on  the  North  Mis- 
souri Railroad,  under  James  P.  Lowe,  a  noted  en- 
gineer from  Massachusetts.  From  this  gentleman 
our  subject  obtained  most  of  his  knowledge  of 
surveying.  He  continued  with  Mr.  Lowe  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  and  then  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  Co.  C,  28th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving 
faithfully  for  two  and  one-half  years.  He  was 
wounded  at  Holly  Springs,  Miss.,  his  left  wrist 
being  pierced  by  a  ball  from  the  enemy.  He  also 
took  part  in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Henry,  Donelson, 
Shiloh,  the  advance  on  Corinth,  Hatchie  River,  and 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  After  receiving  his  honora- 
ble discharge  he  was  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of  1 863. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army  Mr.  Merchant 
came  into  Sangamon  County,  111.,  where  he  was 
soon  afterward  elected  County  Surveyor,  in  which 
position  he  served  for  a  term  of  two  years.  He 
was  then  employed  to  survey  what  at  that  time  was 
called  the  Burr  Oak  Farm,  owned  by  M.  L.  Sulli- 
van, of  Ford  County,  the  greatest  farm  at  that  time 
in  the  Western  States.  He  was  then  employed  to 
make  a  preliminary  survey  on  the  Peoria  &  Rock 


Island  Railroad  in  the  fall  of  1868.  After  com- 
pleting this  work  he  came  to  Bloomington,  being 
soon  afterward  employed  as  City  Engineer,  which 
position  he  has  held  nearly  ten  years.  He  was 
Superintendent  and  Engineer  when  the  water  works 
were  constructed,  and  has  been  connected  profes- 
sionally with  most  of  the  important  improvements 
in  the  city  since  coming  here.  Although  holding 
office  under  different  administrations  Mr.  Merchant 
never  directly  or  indirectly  solicited  any  appoint- 
ment to  the  office  he  filled.  He  is  also  engineer  of 
farm  drainage,  of  which  department  he  makes  a 
specialty,  laying  during  the  year  1886  over  sixty 
miles  of  tile. 

Mr.  Merchant  was  married  in  Cass  County,  111., 
to  Miss  Mary  Arenz,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  one  child,  a  daughter,  Ella,  born  in  1860,  and 
now  the  wife  of  Charles  H.  McWarter,  of  Mason 
City,  Iowa.  Politically  Mr.  Merchant  is  a  Mug- 
wump, and  socially  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  G.  A.  R. 


R.  CHARLES  T.  ORNER,  of  the  firm  of 
Barnes  &  Orner,  is  located  at  No.  220 
North  Center  street,  Bloomington.  He 
was  born  in  Reading,  Pa.,  Sept.  17,  1846, 
his  parents  being  Jesse  and  Eveline  P.  (Pettit)  Or- 
ner, both  natives  of  Chester  County,  Pa.  The 
father  was  Superintendent  of  the  Iron  Rolling  Mill 
of  Reading  until  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war,  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  50th  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  and 
was  made  Captain  and  chief  of  transportation  in 
the  9th  Army  Corps.  He  was  in  the  service  from 
the  capture  of  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  until  the  winter  of 
1864—65,  and  was  then  transferred  to  Chattanooga 
and  made  Superintendent  of  the  United  States 
Rolling  Mill,  which  he  retained  until  after  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  then  resumed  the  position  which 
he  had  left  in  the  rolling-mill  at  Reading,  Pa.,  and 
continued  until  his  death,  in  1873. 

Politically  the  father  of  our  subject  was  a  Re- 
publican, and  one  of  the  early  temperance  workers 
of  his  locality.  He  was  skilled  in  his  calling  and 
prominent  among  the  councils  of  his  craft,  and  oc- 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


439 


i 


cu  pied  the  office  of  National  Counselor  of  the 
United  American  Mechanics.  Religiously  he  was 
connected  with  the  Lutheran  Church.  The  mother 
is  still  living  at  the  old  homestead  at  Reading,  Pa. 
They  had  a  family  of  three  children.  One  daughter 
married  Rev.  W.  E.  Snyder,  and  went  with  him  as 
a  missionary  to  India,  where  he  died  in  1 859 ;  Mrs. 
S.  afterward  returned  to  her  old  home  in  Reading, 
Pa.,  where  she  still  lives.  The  other  sister  married 
Capt.  F.  M.  Yeager,  of  Reading. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  after  the  out- 
break of  the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  M, 
198th  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  appointed  Steward  of 
the  1st  Brigade  and  1st  Division,  5th  Corps,  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  position  he  held  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
battles  before  Petersburg  and  at  Hatches'  Run, 
Gravely  Run,  Five  Forks,  High  Bridge,  and  at  the 
surrender  of  Appomattox.  After  being  mustered 
out  he  returned  home  and  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  S.  D.  Gross, 
of  Philadelphia.  He  afterward  attended  lectures 
at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated on  the  9th  of  March,  1867.  He  soon  com- 
menced practice,  and  received  the  appointment  of 
Dispensary  Surgeon,  which  he  held  until  August, 
1868.  when  he  went  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  for  a 
year  following  spent  most  of  his  time  in  travel, 
afterward  resuming  practice  in  his  native  town, 
where  he  remained  until  May,  1871. 

In  the  year  last  mentioned  Dr.  Orner  came  to 
Illinois,  and  locating  in  Saybrook,  this  county,  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  Dr.  J.  L.  Ballard,  with 
whom  he  continued  one  year.  He  then  practiced 
alone  until  September,  1 884,  and  coming  to  Bloom- 
ington  City,  associated  himself  with  his  present 
partner,  Dr.  Barnes,  and  they  have  operated  to- 
gether since  that  time.  Dr.  Orner  stands  high  in 
his  profession  in  this  State,  being  connected  with 
the  National,  State,  Illinois  Central,  McLean 
County  and  DeWitt  County  Medical  Societies, 
and  for  a  time  was  President  and  is  now  Secretary 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Medical  Society.  He  was 
Pension  Surgeon  at  Saybrook  for  four  years  under 
President  Arthur's  adminstration,  and  is  a  corres- 


ponding member   of    the  Academy    of   National 
Science  at  Reading,  Pa. 

Dr.  Orner  was  married  in  1868,  to  Miss  Mattie 
E.,  the  daughter  of  William  L.  Crothers,  of  Spring- 
field, Ohio.  Their  residence  is  located  at  No.  7011 
North  Evans  street,  where  they  enjoy  the  societ3r  and 
friendship  of  the  most  cultured  people  of  the  city. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  support  of  which  they 
contribute  liberally  and  cheerfully,  and  are  deeply 
interested  in  its  prosperity.  Socially  the  Doctor 
belongs  to  the  G.  A.  11.,  of  which  he  is  Commander, 
the  United  American  Mechanics  and  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men.  He  is  also  Captain  of  the 
Sons  of  Veterans. 


S?  SAAC  McBEAN,  late  proprietor  of  the  Bloom- 
i  ington  omnibus,  carriage  and  transfer  line, 
/ii  whose  decease  occurred  March  31>  1887,  was 
one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  city,  full  of 
energy  and  enterprising,  and  conducted  his  business 
in  a  manner  profitable  to  himself  and  satisfactory 
to  his  patrons.  The  subject  of  this  biography  was 
a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  in  Frederick, 
(now  West)  Virginia,  Jan.  2,  1829.  When  quite 
young  he  removed  with  his  parents,  Charles  and 
Sarah  (Harrison)  McBean,  to  Newai'k,  Licking  Co., 
Ohio,  where  they  located  and  remained  until  1857. 
They  then  removed  further  westward  to  Canton, 
111.,  where  they  remained  until  the  close  of  their 
lives.  The  Me  Beans  were  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry, 
and  the  Harrisons  among  the  first  families  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

Isaac  McBean,  during  his  earlier  years,  attended 
the  city  schools  of  Newark,  Ohio,  and  after  remov- 
ing with  his  parents  to  Illinois,  became  employed 
in  the  marble  works  of  Peoria  for  three  years. 
Thence  he  went  to  Canton  and  engaged  in  the  liv- 
ery business  until  1857,  and  from  there  to  a  farm 
in  Fulton  County.  Here  he  was  successfully  en- 
gaged until  the  opening  of  the  late  war  when,  in 
August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  103d  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  his  regiment  being  assigned  to  the  Army  of 
West  Tennessee.  He  participated  with  his  com- 
rades in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  battles 


f 


<  ,440 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Black  River,  Mission  Ridge,  and  other  important 
engagements,  and  went  with  Sherman  on  the  march 
to  the  sea.  In  the  meantime  he  was  wounded  in 
the  head  by  bushwhackers,  and  was  subsequently 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant  and 
served  on  the  staff  of  Brevet  Brig.-Gen.  Pugh. 

Lieut.  McBean  finally  resigned  his  commission, 
and  in  June,  1864,  returned  to  Canton,  111.,  and  lo- 
cating in  Piatt  County  again  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  He  was  thus  occupied  until  1875, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  stock,  implements,  etc., 
and  coming  to  Bloomington  purchased  what  was 
known  at  that  time  as  the  McKissen  &  Page  Omni- 
bus Line,  to  which  he  added  carriages  and  mail- 
wagons,  and  by  this  means  acquired  control  of  the 
most  profitable  business  of  the  city,  carrying  and 
transferring  all  the  mail  coming  into  Bloomington 
since  187G.  In  this  latter  department  alone  he 
used  about  fifty-two  horses  during  the  twenty-four 
hours.  The  stables  are  constructed  of  brick,  66x 
100  feet  in  area  and  two  stories  in  height,  and  have 
two  divisions,  one  for  carriages  and  the  other  for 
horses.  There  is  also  a  private  barn  at  No.  605 
East  Front  street,  which  is  built  of  brick,  three 
stories  in  height  and  46x56  feet  in  area.  In  this 
stable  is  kept  the  blooded  stock,  roadsters  and  stal- 
lions, the  latter  for  speed  and  breeding  purposes. 
Of  the  latter  one  is  the  son  of  King  Alraont  and 
Wilkes,  the  son  of  the  great  George  Wilkes.  These 
beautiful  animals  will  bear  comparison  with  any 
others  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

Isaac  McBean  and  Miss  Mary  J.  Hall,  of  Canton, 
111.,  were  united  in  marriage  Dec.  24,  1866,  and  of 
the  union  there  is  one  child — Charles,  who  was 
born  July  7,  1869. 


EWIS  B.  THOMAS,  Mayor  of  Bloomington, 
born  within  the  precincts  of   the  city 
which  he  now  presides  over,  on  the  27th  of 
.September,  1838.     His  parents  were  William  and 
Catharine   (Haines)    Thomas,   natives   of    Xenia, 
Ohio,  who  removed  to  Bloomington  in  1835,  where 
William  Thomas  served  as  County  Treasurer  from 
1853  to  1866.     During  the  progress  of  the  Rebell- 
•  ion  he  was  also  agent  for  the  war  fund,  and  for  a 


: 


period  of  twenty  years  was  extensively  engaged  in 
buying  and  shipping  stock  and  pork-packing.  At 
the  commencement  of  the  building  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  he  took  a  heavy  contract  for  get- 
ting out  ties,  and  in  the  meantime  built  and 
equipped  two  steam  sawmills,  one  in  Lytlevillc  and 
one  in  Bloomington.  In  1872  he  went  to  Texas, 
and  starting  a  beef-packing  establishment  north  of 
Galveston,  for  two  years  transacted  an  extensive 
business.  He  then  went  into  Kansas  and  Missouri, 
and  was  engaged  in  money  loaning  for  Eastern  capi- 
talists for  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  McLean 
County,  and  was  elected  City  Treasurer  of  Bloom- 
ington, which  office  he  occupied  at  the  time  of  his 
death  in  1881,  being  seventy-five  years  of  age. 
Upon  first  coming  to  Illinois  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing on  ground  now  occupied  by  the  city  of  Bloom- 
ington. His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  is 
still  living  in  this  c;ty,  and  is  seventy-three  years 
of  age.  The  parental  family  .consisted  of  twelve 
children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living:  Lewis  B., 
our  subject;  Belle  M.,  Mrs.  Elder,  of  Randolph,  in 
this  county,  and  Joseph  A.,  engaged  in  life  insur- 
ance business  in  Iowa. 

Lewis  B.  Thomas  spent  his  earlier  years  under 
the  parental  roof  and  attended  the  city  schools  un- 
til fifteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  Jubilee 
College,  at  Eureka,  111.,  and  after  an  attendance 
there  of  one  year  took  a  course  in  Antioch  College, 
of  which  Horace  Maun  was  President.  He  thus 
spent  another  year,  and  then  returning  to  Bloom- 
ington was  soon  afterward  appointed  Deputy 
Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  which  office  he  occu- 
pied for  three  years  following.  He  then  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business,  and  now  represents  many 
of  the  best  companies  of  the  East  and  West. 

Our  subject  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  native  city  since  old  enough  to  fill  a  position  of 
trust  and  responsibility.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  from  1880  to  1886,  and  elected  Mayor 
during  the  latter  year.  In  1861  he  was  City  Treas- 
urer, and  also  held  the  same  office  in  the  Merchant's 
Association  for  three  years.  In  1879  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  being  still  con- 
nected therewith,  and  socially  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  the  Union  League,  being  Sec- 
retary of  the  latter. 


MoLEAN   COUNTS. 


The  marriage  of  Lewis  B.  Thomas  and  Miss 
Belle  M.  Moore  took  place  in  September,  1859. 
Mrs.  Thomas  was  born  in  Naples,  111.,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Moore,  of  Ohio. 
By  her  union  with  our  subject  she  has  become  the 
mother  of  two  children — Harry  M.  and  Wilbur  F. 
Mayor  Thomas  and  his  lady  are  among  the  most 
esteemed  residents  of  McLean  County.  He  is  the 
nominee  of  the  Republican  party  this  spring  for  re- 
election to  the  office  of  Mayor. 


J~  OHN  &  CHARLES  ELLSWORTH,  Bloom- 
ington  Township,  own   and    operate  one  of 
the  most  finely  improved  farms  of  this  sec- 
'    tion.    It  is  located  on  section    11,   and   em- 
braces 320  acres.    In  addition  to  this  they  also  own 
another  tract  of  equal  dimensions,  located  in  Old 
Town    Township,    and  also  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.     The    brothers   possess  all  the  appli- 
ances  of   modern  agriculture,  and  these,  coupled 
with    their    wise   judgment,    energy    and  industry 
make  them  the  leaders  in  this  department  of  indus- 
try in  this  section. 

John,  the  eldest  of  the  Ellsworth  brothers,  came 
to  this  township'  in  1838.  His  brother  Charles  had 
visited  this  section  two  years  before  and  made  a 
purchase  of  some  choice  land  which  embraces  the 
present  homestead,  and  upon  which  lie  has  re- 
mained since  that  time.  He  was  joined  in  his  pur- 
chase by  his  youngest  brother,  Oliver,  who  died 
Nov.  27,  1871,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  This 
brother  was  twice  married  and  lost  both  wives  be- 
fore his  own  death.  They  had  become  the  parents 
of  one  child,  a  daughter  who  died  in  girlhood, 

Gurdon  Ellsworth,  the  father  of  John  and  Charles, 
was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  born  near  Wind- 
sor, April  17,  1773.  Early  in  life  he  left  his  na- 
tive town  and  became  a  resident  of  Ellington,  where 
he  remained  until  he  came  to  years  of  manhood, 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Martha  Stoughton, 
Jan.  9,  1800;  she  was  a  native  of  the  same  State, 
and  was  born  in  the  3rear  1777.  Gurdon  Ellsworth 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life  on  his  homestead  near  Ellington.  His 
wife  came  to  reside  with  her  sons  in  McLean 


County  about  1854,  and  died  Nov.  1,  1857.  The 
father  of  Gurdon  E.,  Capt.  Daniel  Ellsworth,  in 
early  manhood  married  Miss  Lydia  Makepeace, 
and  it  is  supposed  they  were  descended  directly 
from  English  ancestry,  the  grandfather  having  ob- 
tained his  title  of  Captain  on  account  of  services 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  returned  home 
after  the  independence  of  the  colonies  had  been  es- 
tablished, and  died  in  1782,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-two  years.  The  early  partner  of  his  joys 
and  sorrows,  and  the  mother  of  his  children,  also 
attained  to  a  ripe  old  age,  and  died  in  Connecticut. 

To  the  parents  of  John  and  Charles  Ellsworth 
there  were  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  the  rec- 
ord is  as  follows:  Sophia  died,  unmarried,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1883;  Laura,  also  unmarried,  was  born 
March  25,  1802,  and  although  eighty-five  years  of 
age,  preserves  her  strength  of  body  and  mind  to  a 
remarkable  degree.  She  lives  with  her  brothers,  the 
subjects  of  our  sketch ;  Martha  became  the  wife  of 
George  E.  Kuapp.  deceased,  and  died  in  October, 
1882;  they  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  of 
whom  Charles  is  deceased;  the  survivors  are 
George  and  Carrie;  Minerva  married  Simon  Care w, 
and  they  are  both  deceased,  the  former  dying  in 
1882,  and  the  lattter  about  1874;  Lydia  became 
the  wife  of  Joseph  Spalding;  they  are  both  now  de- 
ceased, dying  at  a  ripe  old  age;  Gurdon,  Jr.,  died 
at  the  age  of  about  twenty  years,  in  Connecticut; 
John,  born  Feb.  6,  1809,  is  one  of  the  subjects  of 
our  sketch ;  Charles,  the  younger  brother,  was  born 
Feb.  9, 1811;  Oliver  died  in  1871,  as  before  stated; 
Eunice  S.  died  in  childhood;  Eunice,  the  younger, 
became  the  wife  of  Abe  Brokaw  and  resides  in 
Bloomington,  her  husband  being  one  of  the  wealth- 
iest men  in  McLean  County. 

The  Ellsworth  Brothers,  still  unmarried,  have 
mainly  been  the  architects  of  their  own  fortune, 
and  although  having  reached  an  advanced  age  are 
still  hale  and  hearty  and  capable  of  much  endur- 
ance. They  have  taken  good  care  of  their  health, 
have  been  strictly  temperate  in  all  things,  and  in 
their  later  days  are  leaping  the  just  reward  of 
blameless  lives.  The  property  which  they  possess 
has  mostly  been  accumulated  by  stock-raising  and 
general  farming,  and  their  straightforward  methods 
of  doing  business,  with  their  honesty  and  integrity 


1 


-  .  446 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


have  secured  for  them  the  profound  respect  and  es- 
teem of  their  associates  and  fellow-citizens.  They 
are  prominently  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  are  solid  Republicans,  as  have  been  all 
the  male  members  of  this  remarkable  family  since 
the  organization  of  that  party. 

The  homestead  of  the  Ellsworths  is  one  of  the 
finest  farm  estates  in  McLean  County,  and  invaria- 
bly attracts  the  eye  of  the  traveler  passing  through 
this  section.  The  residence,  barns  and  out-build- 
ings all  give  evidence  of  refined  tastes  and  ample 
means.  Their  farm  machinery  is  of  first-class 
description,  and  in  every  respect  the  homestead  is 
a  model  one  and  reflects  credit  upon  those  who 
have  built  it  and  brought  it  to  its  present  con- 
dition. The  portraits  of  John  and  Charles  Ells- 
worth, which  are  shown  in  connection  with  this 
brief  outline  of  their  lives,  will  be  gladly  welcomed 
by  a  host  of  friends  throughout  the  county.  It  is 
with  pleasure  that  we  also  present  the  portrait  of 
their  sister  Laura,  as  that  of  one  of  the  most  es- 
teemed ladies  in  McLean  County. 


OLOMON  STUTZMAN,  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  the  substantial  and  reliable 
Pennsylvania  farmer,  transferred  his  resi- 
dence from  the  Keystone  State  to  Illinois  in 
December,  1849.  while  he  was  yet  a  young  man, 
and  is  now  operating  as  a  successful  farmer  of  Dan- 
vers  Township,  on  section  2.  Mr.  Stutzman  was 
born  in  Juniata  County,  Pa.,  in  1829,  being  the  son 
of  Henry  and  Magdalena  (Lantz)  Stutzman,  both 
natives  of  the  same  State  and  born  in  1797  and 
1795,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  their 
native  State  in  1821,  and  followed  farming  there 
for  about  twelve  years  afterward.  They  then  re- 
moved to  Fail-field  County,  Ohio,  where  the  father  of 
our  subject  operated  on  rented  land  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Sept.  22,  1845.  The  mother  sur- 
vived him  a  number  of  years  and  died  about  the  1st 
of  March,  1SGG.  The  record  of  their  children  is  as 
follows:  Joel  is  married  and  residing  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio;  Samuel  married  Miss  Sarah  Lantz, 
and  they  are  now  living  in  Hudson,  in  this  county; 
Solomon  of  our  sketch  was  the  third  child  ;  Moses 


married  Miss  Garland,  and  lives  in  Christian 
County,  111. ;  Isaac  married  Miss  Catherine  Barnes, 
and  is  a  resident  of  this  county ;  David  married 
Miss  Belle  Wolf,  and  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington; 
Jonathan  married  Miss  Anna  Fray;  he  died  in 
about  187G,  leaving  a  wife  and  six  children  ;  Lydia 
became  the  wife  of  Eli  Lantz,  and  lives  in  Nebraska. 
The  parents  were  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church,  and  in  politics  Henry  Stutzman  was  an 
old-line  Whig. 

Solomon  Stutzman  remained  at  home  until  the 
death  of  his  father  and  then  served  four  years  in  a 
distillery.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  December,  1849, 
stopping  over  winter  in  Woodford  County,  and  in 
the  spring  came  to  McLean  County,  where  for  three 
years  following  he  farmed  on  rented  land,  lie  then 
purchased  1 20  acres,  to  which  he  subsequently  added, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  280  acres,  all  improved 
and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  His  atten- 
tion is  mostly  devoted  to  the  raising,  buying  and 
selling  of  -cattle.  The  family  residence  of  our  sub- 
ject is  a  conveinent  and  commodious  building, 
covering  an  area  of  18  x  22  feet,  with  an  L  20  feet 
square.  His  barn  and  out-buildings  are  substantial 
and  kept  in  good  repair,  and  everything  about  the 
premises  indicates  the  supervision  of  a  thorough 
and  intelligent  business  man.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stutz- 
man have  become  the  parents  of  five  children,  as 
follows:  Joshua  H.  married  Miss  Miller,  and  is  a 
resident  of  this  county ;  Simeon  married  Miss 
Tillie  Lantz;  Abraham  also  married  a  Miss  Lantz, 
and  Irene  is  the  wife  of  C.  C.  Habecker ;  Jonathan 
Y.,  whoalso  married  a  Miss  Lantz,  lives  in  McLean 
County,  111. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Jona- 
than and  Magdalena  (Wagoner)  Yoder,  both  natives 
of  Schuylkill  County,  Pa.  Jonathan  Yoder,  a 
carpenter,  followed  his  trade  for  a  number  of  years 
in  his  native  State,  and  later  purchased  a  large  farm, 
upon  which  he  removed  and  occupied  it  until  the 
spring  of  1852,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  land  in  Dry  Grove  Township, 
this  county,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  The  mother  departed  this  life  in  18G5,  and 
Mr.  Yoder  then  resided  with  one  of  his  daughters  un- 
til his  death,  in  1 8G8.  His  marriage  took  place  in 
1817,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children, 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


447 


as  follows:  Leah,  Joash,  Elias,  Elizabeth,  Sarah, 
Amos,  Jonathan  (who  died  Jan.  10,  1833),  Mag- 
dalena  (who  died  Dec.  17, 1832),  Asa,  Catherine  and 
Anna.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Y.  were  members  of  the 
Mennonite  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  minister  for 
many  years,  and  they  were  most  worthy  people,  who 
trained  their  children  to  lives  of  industry  and  vir- 
tue. In  politics  Mr.  Stutzman  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. 


OSEPH  F.  PANCAKE,  attorney-at-law  and 
I  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Bloornington,  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  born  in  Bloomington 
Township,  Aug.  7,  1841.  His  father,  Isaac 
Pancake,  who  is  still  living  in  McLean  County,  was 
born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  about  1811,  and 
there  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Steele,  of  Clarke 
County,  that  State,  and  daughter  of  William  Steele. 
Isaac  Pancake  left  Madison  County,  Ohio,  in  the 
fall  of  1837,  and  coming  to  this  State  and  county 
located  first  at  Lexington,  whence  after  one  year 
he  removed  to  Bloomington,  where  the  mother 
died  in  1873.  The  parental  household  included 
five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  the 
former  of  whom  still  survive.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  the  third  child  and  second  son. 

Joseph  F.  Pancake  passed  his  boyhood  in  the 
city  of  Bloomington,  where  his  father  was  engaged 
in  the  lumber  trade  and  milling.  This  gave  em- 
ployment to  the  bright  and  ambitious  boy,  while 
at  the  same  time  he  attended  the  city  schools  and 
supplemented  his  studies  by  a  later  attendance  at 
Wesleyan  University,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1864.  He  then  taught  school  two  terms,  after 
which  he  entered  the  office  of  Judge  O.  T.  Reeves 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law.  In  this  he  made 
good  progress  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1867. 
He  commenced  practice  at  once,  and  soon  became 
the  partner  of  C.  B.  Butler,  Esq.  After  operating 
together  one  year  the  firm  was  dissolved  and  Mr. 
P.  continued  his  business  singly  until  1870.  He 
was  then  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  to  which  of- 
fice he  has  been  continuously  elected  since  that 
time.  During  that  time  he  has  disposed  of  1,300 
cases  in  each  of  ten  dockets,  and  while  many  have 


been  appealed  to  higher  courts  his  decision  has 
usually  been  affirmed. 

Our  subject  was  first  married,  in  1867,  to  Miss 
Ella  A.  Campbell,  of  this  county,  who  became  the 
mother  of  three  children — Elmer,  Clara  and  Lloyd. 
The  wife  and  mother  departed  this  life  Feb.  5, 
1 883.  Mr.  P.  was  afterward  married  to  Mrs.  Ella 
T.  Schick,  who  was  at  the  time  of  marriage  Super- 
intendent of  Schools  in  Nemaha  County,  Neb. 
Her  former  husband  was  Theodore  Schick,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  two  children — Murray 
and  Jessie. 

Mr.  Pancake,  during  the  late  war  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Union  army,  having  enlisted  in  Co. 
G,  68th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  G.  A.  R.,  belongs  to  the  K.  of  H.  and  is 
connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Bloomington. 


RS.  EMILY  PREY,  widow  of  the  late  Le 
Roy  W.  Prey,  of  Empire  Township,  owns 
and  occupies  a  beautiful  farm  estate  of  540 
acres  on  sections  5,  7  and  8,  where  she  is 
surrounded  by  all  the  appliances  of  cultivated 
tastes  and  ample  means.  The  family  residence  is 
finely  located,  and  the  barns  and  out-buildings  are 
handsome  and  substantial  structures,  always  kept 
in  good  repair.  The  farm  forms  one  of  the  most 
attractive  spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County. 
Mrs.  Prey  is  the  second  daughter  of  James  and 
Margaret  (Cannaday)  Bishop  (see  sketch  of  J.  Q. 
Bishop.)  She  was  born  on  her  father's  homestead 
in  Empire  Township,  Aug.  30,  1843,  and  received 
careful  home  training  and  a  fair  education  in  the 
public  schools.  She  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  she  arrived  at  years  of  womanhood, 
and  on  the  6th  of  February,  1862,  was  married  to 
William  Evans,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  was 
born  in  1837,  and  the  son  of  Francis  M.  and  Mary 
Evans,  who  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  this 
region.  William  Evans  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  during  his 
lifetime.  His  death  occurred  in  Empire  Township, 
Jan.  4,  1865.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born 


'  -448 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


two  children — Mary  M.,  who  died  in  infancy,  and 
Josephine,  who  died  when  nearly  six  years  old. 

Mrs.  Emily  (Bishop)  Evans  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Le  Roy  W.  Prey  on  the  7th  of  August, 
1877.  Mr.  Prey  had  been  previously  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Gilbert,  Sept.  14,  1864.  She  departed 
this  life  June  14,  1876,  leaving  one  child,  John  H., 
who  at  present  is  living  in  Le  Roy.  Mr.  Prey  was 
born  in  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  21,  1840,  be- 
ing the  son  of  Daniel  and  Hannah  Prey.  When 
about  twelve  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in  Empire  Township,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood,  remaining  with  his  parents  until 
there  came  a  call  for  troops  to  assist  in  the  preserv- 
ation of  the  Union.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  an 
Illinois  regiment,  but  the  quota  in  this  county  be- 
ing full  he  repaired  to  St.  Louis,  and  joined  the 
Missouri  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  three  years. 
He  participated  in  many  of  the  battles  of  the  war, 
being  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Yicksburg,  Jacksou, 
Miss.,  Champion  Hills  and  Mission  Ridge.  With 
his  comrades  he  joined  the  command  of  Gen.  Sher- 
man at  Chattanooga,  and  participated  in  most  of 
the  engagements  between  that  point  and  Atlanta. 
On  the  17th  of  May,  1862,  he  was  wounded  in  a 
skirmish  before  Russell  House,  and  was  confined  for 
a  time  in  the  hospital  at  St.  Louis.  Beyond  this  he 
escaped  unharmed  and  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge after  the  surrender  of  Lee. 

After  his  return  to  civil  life  Mr.  Prey  resumed 
farming  for  a  few  years  in  Empire  Township.  In 
1873  he  went  to  Nebraska  and  entered  a  claim, 
which  he  occupied  for  two  years,  and  then  return- 
ing to  Empire  Township  located  upon  his  farm  and 
remained  a  resident  here  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  on  the  7th  of  July,  1884.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Prey  became  the  parents  of  one  child,  William  Le 
Roy.  Mr.  Prey  was  a  gentleman  of  more  than  or- 
dinary business  capacity,  was  enterprising  and  pos- 
sessed of  excellent  judgment,  and  was  uniformly 
presperous  in  his  undertakings.  He  took  a  genuine 
interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
his  county  and  community,  was  honest  in  his  trans- 
actions, prompt  to  meet  his  obligations,  and  in  all 
respects  a  praiseworthy  citizen  and  valued  member 
of  the  community.  Mrs.  Prey,  since  his  death,  has 
conducted  the  business  of  the  estate  with  rare  good 


judgment,  and  will  maintain  it  in  its  present  style 
by  her  wise  management  and  knowledge  of  its  re- 
quirements. 


-oto— 


GREENLEE,  one  of  the  prominent 
contractors  and  builders  of  Bloomington,  is 
li  vi\  of  stanch  Pennsylvania  birth  and  parentage, 
*^p  having  been  born  in  Crawford  County,  on 
the  12th  of  May,  1831.  His  parents  were  Owen 
and  Margaret  (Townley)  Greenlee,  natives  of  the 
Keystone  State,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  and  operated  a  sawmill  on 
his  farm  for  a  period  of  thirty  years.  This  home- 
stead he  occupied  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1875,  he  having  survived  the  partner  of  his 
youth  twenty-five  years,  the  wife  and  mother 
dying  in  1850.  They  had  a  family  of  fourteen 
children,  only  six  of  whom  are  living,  as  follows: 
Robert,  Sarah,  Cyrus,  Harrison,  Margaret  and 
Frances.  The  parents  were  members  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  and  descended  from  excellent 
Scottish  ancestry. 

Robert  Greenlee  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  was  twenty  years  old  and  then  set  out 
for  the  West  to  seek  his  fortune.  His  first  location 
was  in  Clay  County,  this  State,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  building  and  trestle  work  on  the  Ohio  & 
Mississippi  Railroad.  After  three  months  thus  em- 
ployed he  went  to  Hancock  County,  thence  to 
Jacksonville,  and  in  1856  came  to  Bloomington. 
In  the  meantime  he  followed  his  original  occupation, 
and  is  now  possessed  of  a  wide  experience  which 
has  become  a  source  of  profit  and  yields  him  a 
handsome  income.  His  business  office  is  located  at 
No.  409  North  East  street,  and  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  construction  of  some  of  the  best  buildings  in 
the  city,  among  them  being  the  residence  of  the 
late  Judge  David  Davis,  the  house  and  barn  of 
James  Robinson,  the  same  for  George  Davis,  and 
the  residences  of  Messrs.  William  Withers,  J->hn 
Cheney,  J.P.  Smith  and  other  handsome  structures, 
besides  the  McLean  County  Jail,  in  1882.  Besides 
several  large  business  houses  he  also  superintended 
the  erection  of  the  boiler  works  for  the  Orphans' 
Home  at  Normal,  and  has  had  as  man3'  as  thirty- 
five  men  in  his  employ. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


449  , 


The  subject  of  our  sketch,  in  1858,  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sallie  Carman  of  Kentucky, 
and  their  union  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of 
six  children,  viz.:  Frances  A.,  Adelia,  Theodore 
P.,  John  W.,  Ulysses  L.  and  Cora.  The  family 
residence  is  a  handsome  structure  located  at  No. 
806  North  Evans  street,  and  within  and  without  is 
indicative  of  the  skill  and  the  cultivated  tastes  of 
its  proprietor.  Mr.  Greenlee  is  a  Prohibitionist  in 
politics,  a  straightforward  business  man,  and  a  use- 
ful and  valued  citizen. 


=3  DWIN  C.  HEWETT,  LL.  D.,  President  of 
the  Illinois  State  Normal  University,  is  the 
i)  eldest  of  the  four  children  of  Timothy  and 
Levina  (Leonard)  Hewett.  He  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Sutton,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  on  the  1st 
of  November,  1828.  His  father  was  a  wheelwright 
by  trade,  and  owned  a  small  farm,  on  which  the 
family  resided.  Edwin  attended  the  district  school 
in  his  childhood,  afterward  studied  in  an  academy, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  engaged  as 
teacher  in  a  country  school  of  his  native  town 
(not  in  the  same  district)  where  he  gave  instruction 
for  two  terms  and  then,  being  pleased  with  the  work, 
decided  to  fit  himself  for  the  profession  of  a  teacher. 
He  accordingly  entered  the  Normal  School  at 
Bridgewater,  where  he  took  the  regular  course 
which  required  one  year,  and  graduated  in  1852. 
The  school  at  that  time  was  in  charge  of  the  well- 
known  educator,  Nicholas  Tilliughast. 

After  leaving  Bridgewater.  Mr.  Hewett  became 
the  assistant  of  Jonathan  Tenney  in  the  High  School 
of  Pittsfleld,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  time,  by  the  request  of  Mr.  Tilling- 
hast,  returned  to  Bridgewater  and  engaged  as 
a  teacher  in  the  Normal  School,  where  he  remained 
four  years.  In  the  fall  of  185G  Prof.  Hewett  took 
charge  of  the  Thomas  Grammar  School  at  Wor- 
cester, which  school  had  an  attendance  of  500 
pupils  and  employed  ten  teachers.  There  were,  at 
that  time,  only  two  grammar  schools  in  the  city. 

In  the  fall  of  1858  Prof.  Hewett  came  West  to 
become  a  teacher  in  the  Illinois  State  Normal  Uni- 
versity, which  was  then  entering  upon  the  second 


year  of  its  existence,  and  was  located  at  Blooming- 
ton,  the  present  building  not  being  completed.  Dr. 
Hewett  taught  various  subjects  at  different  inter- 
vals until  1876 — his  special  class  being  that  of  geog- 
raphy and  history — when  he  was  chosen  President, 
vice,  Dr.  Richard  Edwards,  resigned,  and  has  since 
occupied  the  Chair  of  Mental  Science  and  Didactics. 

This  school  has  now  grown  to  be  one  of  the  best 
in  the  country,  and  its  present  prosperity  is  due  in 
no  small  measure  to  the  efforts  of  its  present  able 
President.  The  degree  of  A.  M..  was  conferred 
upon  President  Hewett  by  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago in  1863,  and  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  by  Shurt- 
leff  College  in  1878.  He  has  contributed  some  valu- 
able literature  to  the  various  educational  periodicals 
of  the  day,  and  is  the  author  of  a  "Key  to  G  uyot's 
Wall  Maps"  and  "  Hewett's  Pedagogy."  In  politics 
our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  religiously  is 
a  Baptist,  and  has  given  much  time  and  attention  to 
the  progress  and  prosperity  of  the  Sabbath-school 
of  his  church. 

Edwin  C.  Hewett  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Angeline  N.  Bentou  in  August,  1857,  who 
was  born  in  Buckland,  Mass.,  and  married  in  Sub- 
lette,  111.  Of  this  union  there  were  two  children, 
one  of  whom,  Paul,  died  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  five 
months,  and  May,  who  graduated  at  Normal  in 
1880,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Prof.  Rudolph  R. 
Reeder,  of  Normal. 


RA  ROWELL,  a  prosperous  and  highly  respect- 
ed farmer  of  Danvers  Township,  has  been  for 
many  years  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  on 
section  36,  where  he  has  met  with  success.  He  is  a 
native  of  the  Old  Granite  State,  born  in  Grafton 
County,  May  20,  1831.  His  parents  were  Jonathan 
B.  and  Cynthia  (Abbott)  Rowell,  natives  of  the 
same  State  as  their  son.  Jonathan  Rowell  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He 
was  born  Feb.  3,  1800,  and  his  wife,  Cynthia,  March 
5,  1806.  They  were  married  Jan.  22,  1828,  in 
New  Hampshire,  and  resided  there,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years,  until  1849.  In  July  of  that 
year  they  started  for  the  West  and  located  in  Dry 
Grove  Township,  this  county,  where  the  father  de- 


450 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 


parted  this  life  Sept.  28,  1850.  The  mother  sur- 
vived her  husband  fifteen  years,  dying  in  Danvers, 
Feb.  5,  1866. 

Of  the  ten  children  of  Jonathan  and  Cynthia 
Rowell,  the  record  is  as  follows :  Mary  J.  was 
born  June  29,  1829,  and  died  Sept.  8,  1848;  Ira 
of  our  sketch  was  the  second  child ;  Jonathan  H., 
born  Feb.  10,  1833,  is  now  Member  of  Congress 
from  this  district,  and  married  Miss  Marie  Woods; 
Lucy  M.,  born  Jan.  27,  1835,  died  April  16,  1849; 
Charles  C.,  born  Dec.  11,  1836,  married  Miss  Mar- 
garet Rabern;  William  L.  was  born  Sept.  5,  1838, 
and  married  Miss  Belle  Dickinson;  Milo,  born 
Dec.  13,  1840,  married  Miss  Lou  Carver;  George 
B.,  born  Dec.  13,  1842,  married  Miss  Dellia  War- 
low;  Chester,  born  Oct.  7,  1844,  married  a  Mrs. 
Rowell;  Albert  A.,  born  May  30,  1846,  married 
Miss  Nellie  Booth.  The  mother  was  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  Church,  and  Jonathan  Rowell, 
politically,  was  an  uncompromising  Democrat. 

Ira  Rowell  received  a  good  common-school  ed- 
ucation, remaining  with  his  parents  until  eighteen 
years  of  age.  He  then  started  out  for  himself  and 
engaged  as  a  farm  laborer  at  $10  per  month.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lavina  Carlock 
Nov.  16,  1869,  having  already  secured  130  acres  of 
good  land,  and  being  able  to  offer  a  comfortable 
home  to  his  bride.  This  first  purchase  constitutes 
his  present  homestead.  He  has  industriously  cul- 
tivated the  land,  and  added  improvements  each 
year  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  good  farms  of  this 
section.  Besides  general  farming  he  is  giving 
much  attention  to  the  raising  of  cattle  and  horses. 
He  has  beautified  his  homestead  by  the  planting 
of  handsome  shade  and  fruit  trees,  and  has  sold 
from  time  to  time  numbers  of  evergreen  and  ap- 
ple trees. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham W.  and  Mary  (Goodpasture)  Carlock.  Mr. 
C.  was  born  April  7,  1800,  in  Hampshire  County, 
W.  Va.,  and  his  wife,  Jan.  24,  1804,  in  Overtoil 
County,  Tenn.,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Livingston, 
the  county  seat.  In  the  spring  of  1827  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Dry  Grove,  and  sub- 
sequently moved  to  White  Oak  Township.  Mr.  C. 
at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  1 ,000  acres  of  land, 
200  of  which  he  afterward  disposed  of.  Their 


twelve  children  were,  John  ('•.,  Madison  P.,  Sarah, 
Mahala,  Lavina,  William  B.,  Abraham  H.,  Margery, 
Martha,  Reuben,  Nancy  J.,  and  Mary.  The  four  last 
named  are  deceased.  Mr.  C'.  was  a  stanch  Dem- 
ocrat politically.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years;  his  widow  still  survives. 

After  the  death  of  his  father,  Ira  Rowell  took 
charge  of  the  estate,  straightened  up  the  business  of 
the  old  homestead,  and  took  his  mother  and  broth- 
ers into  his  own  household.  He  has  been  the 
architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and  what  he  possesses 
is  the  result  of  his  industry  and  economy.  He 
keeps  himself  well  posted  upon  matters  of  general 
interest.  Formerly  he  was  Democratic  in  politics 
but  is  now  mostly  independent,  aiming  to  cast  his 
vote  for  the  man  whom  he  deems  best  fitted  for  the 
various  offices.  He  has  been  School  Trustee  and 
Road  Supervisor  since  his  twenty-first  birthday, 
having  thus  early  in  life  established  himself  in  the 
good  opinion  of  his  townsmen. 

The  household  circle  of  our  subject  and  his  wife 
has  been  completed  by  the  birth  of  five  children, 
as  follows:  Lillie  was  born  Sept.  27,  1870;  Laura 
B.,  Dec.  20,  1871;  Lulu  J.,  Nov.  21,  1875;  Edith 
I.,  June  30,  1879;  Ira  II.,  Oct.  10,  1885. 


EDWARD  WILSON,  one  of  the  honored  pio- 
neers of  McLean  County,  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  fine  estate  in  Dale  Township,  on  sec- 
tions 14  and  15,  and   in  his  agricultural  and  stock- 
raising  operations  has  met  with  abundant  success. 
He  is  an  industrious  and  enterprising  business  man, 
conducts  his  farming  operations  with  discretion  and 
judgment,  and  is  strictly  honorable  and  reliable  in 
his  transactions  with  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citi- 
zens. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  born  on  the  6th  of  August,  1827. 
As  soon  as  old  enough  he  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  county,  and  during  the  sum- 
mer seasons  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  years  he  came  to  McLean  County 
with  his  parents,  and  often  recalls  the  incidents  of 
the  overland  journey.  The  family  stopped  a  few 
days  in  Chicago,  which  was  then  a  city  of  only  a 


T« 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


451 


t 


few  thousand  inhabitants,  with  muddy  streets  and 
cheap  frame  buildings.  From  Chicago  the  family 
proceeded  to  .Juliet,  where  they  were  obliged  to 
stay  until  the  fall  of  the  year  on  account  of  the 
high  water  and  absence  of  bridges.  In  the  fall 
they  resumed  their  journey  and  came  into  McLean 
County.  He  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until 
they  removed  to  Bloomington,  and  his  first  start  in 
life  was  like  that  of  Abe  Lincoln,  as  a  rail-splitter. 
Mr.  \V.  split  rails  at  fifty  cents  per  hundred,  and 
boarded  himself,  but  even  at  that  small  profit  he 
managed  to  save  something,  and  in  due  time  be- 
came a  landed  proprietor.  He  added  to  his  first 
purchase  as  time  and  means  permitted,  and  is  now 
the  possessor  of  375  acres,  all  of  which,  with  the 
exception  of  fifteen  acres,  is  in  Dale  Township  and 
all  in  one  body.  His  farm  is  enclosed  with  good 
fences,  the  soil  is  finely  cultivated,  and  the  whole 
presents  a  picture  of  a  first-class  farm  estate.  In 
1861  Mr.  Wilson  put  up  his  first  frame  building, 
and  in  1873  built  the  handsome  residence  in  which 
he  now  resides.  He  has  good  barns,  valuable  ma- 
chinery  and  implements,  and  all  the  appliances  of 
a  first-class  agriculturist. 

The  marriage  of  Edward  Wilson  and  Mrs.  Louisa 
(Perry)  McWhorter  took  place  June  2,  1864.  Mrs. 
Wilson  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  May 
29,  1832,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Charity 
Perry,  and  the  widow  of  Stephen  McWhorter.  Of 
her  first  marriage  there  was  born  one  son,  Stephen 
A.,  who  married  Miss  Dolly  Millikin,  and  is  now  a 
commission  merchant  in  Omaha,  Neb. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  have  become  the  parents 
of  four  children — William  L.,  Esther  M.,  John  and 
Walter  C. ;  the  latter  died  in  1872,  when  two  years 
and  four  months  old.  Mr.  W.  is  connected  with 
the  Baptist  and  his  wife  with  the  Christian  Church. 
He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  identified 
with  this  party  since  its  organization.  He  was 
formerly  a  Whig,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote 
for  Zachariah  Taylor. 

During  the  progress  of  the  Mexican  War  Mr.  W. 
enlisted  as  a  soldier,  and  also  proffered  his  services 
to  the  Union  Army  in  the  late  Civil  War,  but  was 
rejected  in  both  instances  on  account  of  physical 
disability.  He  has  been  called  to  fill  various  offices 
of  trust  in  his  township,  having  served  as  Assessor 


and  School  Director,  and  was  twice  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  still  holds.  He  has 
always  been  warmly  interested  in  educational  mat- 
ters, and  has  uniformly  given  his  support  to  the 
cause  of  morality,  sobriety  and  good  order,  and  in 
all  respects  is  esteemed  one  of  the  most  valued  citi- 
zens of  his  township.  He  has  lived  to  see  great 
changes  in  the  Prairie  State  since  he  first  chose  it 
for  his  home,  and  lias  contributed  his  full  quota  as 
opportunity  permitted  toward  the  establishment  of 
a  later  civilization  which  has  constituted  Illinois 
one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  prosperous  States  in 
the  Union. 


PUMPHREY,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  most 
successful  farmers  of  Randolph  Township. 
In  addition  to  the  pursuit  of  general  agri- 
)  culture,  he  gave  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  fine  stock.  In  all  his  transactions, 
whether  of  a  business  or  social  nature,  he  bore  the 
reputation  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 
He  had  been  a  resident  of  the  county  since  1863. 
During  his  early  manhood  he  was  one  of  the  most 
industrious  and  energetic  men  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship. These  qualities  in  due  time  were  amply  re- 
warded. From  a  limited  beginning,  he  became  the 
owner  of  1,000  acres  of  land,  part  of  which,  how- 
ever, he  afterward  disposed  of. 

The  Pumphrey  homestead  comprises  400  acres 
of  land,  and  a  handsome  and  commodious  set  of 
farm  buildings.  He  put  up  one  of  the  best  brick 
houses  in  this  part  of  the  county,  and  the  other 
buildings  on  the  premises  correspond  in  all  respects 
to  the  main  one.  There  was  also  other  valuable 
property  belonging  to  the  estate,  and  which  was 
divided  up  among  the  heirs. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Brooke  Co.,  W.  Va.,  Aug. 
23,  1810,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, May  11.1 884,  of  paralysis.  He  spent  three 
winters  in  Florida,  where  it  was  hoped  his  failing 
health  would  be  recovered,  but  in  vain.  Mr. 
Pumphrey  was  reared  in  Brooke  County,  W.  Va. 
His  parents,  Reason  and  Ann  (Boone)  Pumphrey, 
were  natives  of  Maryland,  but  of  Welsh  ancestry 
and  parentage.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  the 
daughter  of  Richard  Boone,  a  relative  of  the  well- 


i; 


-••-* 


,   452 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


known  Kentucky  hunter  and  pioneer,  Daniel  Boone. 
She  was  married  to  Reason  Pumphrey  in  Virginia 
whence  they  removed,  in  1828,  to  Ohio,  settling  in 
Harrison  County.  There  the  mother  died,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-five  and  one-half  years,  and  a  few 
years  later  the  father  passed  away  at  the  home  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Emily  Holmes,  in  Carroll  County, 
Ohio,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-live  years. 
While  in  Virginia  he  was  engaged  in  milling  and 
accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  was  also  success- 
ful in  his  farming  operations,  later,  in  Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  county  in  Vir- 
ginia and  after  arriving  to  suitable  years,  worked 
with  his  father  in  the  mill.  He  subsequently  went 
to  Fayette  County,  Pa.,  where  he  met  Miss  Ann  G., 
the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Ann  (Combs)  Griffin, 
to  whom  he  was  married  on  the  8th  of  December, 
1835.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Pumphrey  were  natives 
of  Delaware  and  Eastern  Pennsylvania  respectively. 
They  were  married  in  Fayette  County,  the  latter 
State,  and  soon  afterward  located  upon  a  farm  and 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  that  county,  and 
there  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The 
mother  departed  this  life  on  the  10th  of  August, 
1846.  aged  sixty  years.  The  father  survived  her 
several  years  and  died  the  latter  part  of  December, 
1862,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
five  years.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  Two  of  the 
sons  died  young  and  five  are  yet  living.  Mrs. 
Pumphrey  of  our  sketch  was  the  third  child  and 
second  daughter,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Pa.,  Aug.  1,  1816.  She  received  careful  home 
training  from  excellent  parents,  and  remained  with 
them  until  her  marriage,  having  also  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  good  education. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  there  were 
born  eight  children,  one  of  whom,  Mary  M.,  died 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  months.  Of  the  living,  all 
but  two  are  married.  One  is  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  having  charge  of  a  parish  at 
Armourdale,  Kan.  This  son  was  educated  at 
Bloomington,  Chicago,  and  Crawfordsville,  Ind., 
and  possesses  more  than  ordinary  ability  as  a  pas- 
tor and  orator.  Each  member  of  this  intelligent 
family  is  possessed  of  those  excellent  qualities  for 


which  their  parents  have  been  long  and  favorably 
known  in  this  section.  Soon  after  his  marriage 
.Mr.  Pumphrey  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
with  which  he  was  prominently  connected  after- 
ward, having  been  Deacon  for  many  3'ears.  Dur- 
ing the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  was  connected 
with  the  church  at  Hey  worth,  of  which  his  wife 
and  family  are  now  members  and  regular  attend- 
ants. Politically  Mr.  Pumphrey  was  a  Democrat. 


THOMAS  J.  STOREY.  The  history  of  our 
subject  presents  a  fine  illustration  of  what 
can  be  accomplished  by  a  course  of  perse- 
vering industry  and  the  determination  to  "get  on  in 
the  world."  He  commenced  life  at  the  foot  of  the 
ladder  without  means  or  influence,  and  by  his  own 
efforts  climbed  up  step  by  step  until  he  is  now  a 
prominent  and  honored  member  of  society  and  the 
owner  of  a  fine  property.  Thomas  J.  Storey  was  born 
in  Lincolnshire,  England,  July  27,  1843.  His  fa- 
ther, Thomas  Storey,  Sr.,  who  all  his  life  followed 
agricultural  pursuits,  was  accidentally  killed  while 
driving  a  fractious  horse  attached  to  a  cart.  The 
animal  became  frightened,  ran  away,  and  Mr.  Sto- 
rey was  thrown  to  the  ground  with  such  violence 
that  he  suffered  dislocation  of  the  neck,  and  only 
lived  thereafter  three  days.  Our  subject  was  then 
a  little  lad  of  about  ten  years  old.  The  mother 
was  left  with  eight  children,  the  family  having  in- 
cluded ten,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Storey  was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  character, 
and  intensely  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  her  chil- 
dren. Not  being  satisfied  with  their  condition  or 
prospects  in  their  own  country  she  determined  to 
emigrate  to  the  United  States.  They  first  located 
in  Delaware,  whither  she  had  been  preceded  by  her 
eldest  son.  In  less  than  a  year,  however,  they 
started  for  the  West,  and  coming  into  Illinois,  lo- 
cated at  Brimfield,  Peoria  County.  The  mother 
only  survived  about  ten  years,  dying  when  less 
than  fifty  years  of  age  from  cancer  in  the  breast. 
She  had  been  a  great  sufferer. aud  bore  her  afflic- 
tions with  courage  and  fortitude.  Of  the  eight 
children  who  survive  her  all  are  married ;  two  liv- 
ing in  McLean  County,  one  in  Livingston  County, 


:J, ..  ! 


RES. OF  ARTHUR  S.CATRON  ,  SEC.  SS.JOWANDA  TOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE  OF  PETER  H.  JANES  ,Stc.  22.,MoNEY  CREEKTOWNSHIP. 


** — - 

;•*» 


.G.HASTINGS ,5 EC .11., BLUE  MourcoTowNSH i p. 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


455   - 


one  in  Fulton  County,  Ohio,  two  in  Woodford 
County,  111.,  two  in  Nebraska.  Their  names  are 
Tunnard,  Joseph,  Elizabeth,  Thomas  J.,  Hannah, 
Jacob,  Mollie  and  .Sarah  J. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  made  his  home  with 
his  mother  until  her  death  and  then  lived  with  rela- 
tives until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  1863. 
The  lady  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Florida  D.  Rodg- 
ers,  who  was  born  in  Peoria  County,  June  12, 1845, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Rebecca  M. 
(Keyset)  Rodgers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They 
removed  to  Illinois  after  their  marriage  and  set- 
tled in  Peoria  County,  where  the  mother  now  lives, 
the  father  having  died  about  1871.  Mrs.  Rodgers 
makes  her  home  with  her  younger  son,  Napoleon 
B.,  who  is  married,  and  employed  on  a  railroad. 
The  wedding  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  took  place 
in  Eugene,  Knox  Co.,  111.  They  lived  in  Peoria 
County  for  two  years  afterward,  and  then  our  sub- 
ject purchased  eighty  acres  of  good  land  on  section 
1,  Padua  Township,  this  county,  where  he  has  made 
fine  improvements  and  established  a  permanent 
homestead.  He  possesses  all  the  elements  of  an 
honest  man  and  a  good  citizen,  and  has  been  re- 
markably successful  in  his  farming  and  business 
transactions.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  which 
he  has  been  prominent  as  a  Trustee  and  in  other 
official  positions.  Politically  he  is  a  solid  Repub- 
lican and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the 
pp.rty  in  which  he  believes.  The  two  living  chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Story  are  daughters,  Emma 
D.  and  Lizzie  B.  Their  little  son,  George  E.,  died 
when  two  years  of  age. 


J '"JACOB    STOREY,    an    enterprising    young 
farmer  of  Padua  Township,  where  he  is  also 
successfully  engaged  in  stock-raising,  owns 
and  occupies  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land 
on  section  2,  and  operates  another  eighty  acres  on 
section  1.     He  became  a  resident  of  this  county  in 
1866.     He  is  of  English  birth  and  parentage,  being 
the  son  of  Thomas  Storey,  who   was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  spent  his  entire  life   in   his  native 
England.     Jacob  was  born  Nov.  8,  1849,  and  was 


a  little  lad  of  five  years  when  his  father  died.  His 
mother  afterward  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
with  her  eight  children,  and  located  first  in  Dela- 
ware. They  only  lived  a  year  there,  however,  then 
started  for  the  West  and  coming  into  this  State 
settled  first  in  Peoria  County,  where  the  mother 
died  in  September,  1859. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother  our  subject  went 
to  live  with  his  guardian  in  Peoria  County,  with 
whom  he  remained  a  few  years,  and  then  started 
out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  When  but 
eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in 
Co.  I,  146th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  1864.  He  served 
eleven  months,  not  being  in  any  active  engage- 
ment. After  returning  from  the  army,  he  was  em- 
ployed as  a  farm  laborer  until  his  marriage,  which 
occurred  in  Arrowsmith  Township,  this  county. 
May  2,  1871.  His  wife,  who  was  formerly  Miss 
Isabella  Maurice,  was  born  and  reared  in  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  when  a  child,  re- 
maining in  this  county  until  her  marriage.  Of  this 
union  there  have  been  born  two  children — William 
A.  and  Charles  E.  Mr.  Storey  is  a  solid  Repub- 
lican, and  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  promi- 
nent farmers  and  citizens  of  McLean  County.  His 
energy  and  industry  are  surely  deserving  of  entire 
success. 


EBENEZER  WRIGHT,  of  Normal,  appren- 
ticing agent  of  the  New  York  Juvenile  Asy- 
lum, is  a  native  of  Hampden  County,  Mass., 
and  was  born  on  the  19th  of  September,  1830. 
His  father,  Rev.  E.  B.  Wright,  was  also  born  in 
the  Bay  State,  was  liberally  educated  and  at  the 
age  of  seventeen  years  graduated  from  Williams 
College.  He  then  entered  Andover,  graduating 
from  there  three  years  later,  receiving  a  ministerial 
education.  Upon  attaining  his  majority  he  became 
pastor  of  a  Congregational  Church  and  remained 
as  such  for  a  period  of  thirty  years  thereafter. 
Afterward  he  served  as  Chaplain  in  the  State  Prim- 
ary School  at  Palmer,  Mass.,  and  departed  this  life 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-six  years. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  Mrs.  Harriet  (Goodell) 
Wright,  was  a  native  of  the  same  State  as  her  hus- 
band and  sou,  spent  her  whole  life  in  New  England, 


t 


456 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


:in<l  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.  The  pa- 
rental family  consisted  of  three  children :  Eunice, 
the  wife  of  Rev.  W.  F.  Avery,  paster  of  a  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Huntingdon,  Mass.;  Theodore 
G.,  a  physician  of  1'lainville,  Conn.,  and  Ebenezer, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  the  second  of 
the  children. 

Ebenezer  Wright  entered  upon  his  primary  stud- 
ies in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  and 
received  his  preparatory  course  at  Easthampton, 
Mass.  He  then  entered  Williams  College,  where 
he  attended  several  years,  and  was  about  to  graduate 
when  he  accepted  the  position  of  Superintendent 
of  the  City  Department  of  the  New  York  Juvenile 
Asylum.  He  afterward  attended  the  Columbia  Law 
School,  where  he  took  the  full  course,  but  did  not 
graduate  on  account  of  irregular  attendance.  In 
1867  he  accepted  his  present  situation,  and  was  lo- 
cated at  Chicago  until  after  the  great  fire  of  1871, 
since  which  date  he  has  resided  at  Normal. 

The  New  York  Juvenile  Asylum  was  chartered 
in  1851.  It  receives  truant  and  disobedient  chil- 
dren, and  such  as  are  surrendered  by  their  parents 
and  friends,  between  the  ages  of  seven  and  four- 
teen years.  They  are  left  in  the  Asylum  about  two 
years,  during  which  time  the}'  attend  school  daily, 
and  are  after  ward  sent  to  the  apprenticing  agent  who 
finds  homes  for  them.  The  girls  are  apprenticed  until 
eighteen  years  old,  and  the  boys  until  twenty-one. 
Only  about  one-fourth  of  the  children  of  the  Asy- 
lum are  brought  West,  and  these  are  all  distributed 
in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  whole  number  brought 
thus  to  this  State  from  the  time  of  establishing  the 
agency,  in  1851,  to  Dec.  31,  1866,  is  4,557,  an  an- 
nual average  of  142.  The  important  work  of  pro- 
viding suitable  homes  for  these  waifs  of  humanity 
is  wholly  intrusted  to  Mr.  Wright,  and  it  is  sufficient 
to  state  that  he  has  performed  it  with  credit  to 
himself  and  the  institution  which  he  has  represented 
for  nearly  twenty  years.  He  is  a  gentleman  in  the 
fullestsense  of  the  term,  kind-hearted,  sympathetic, 
and  admirably  adapted  to  the  business  which  he  has 
in  hand. 

Mr.  Wright  was  married  in  November,  1860,  at 
Amherst,  Mass.,  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Cowles,  who  was 
,  ,   born  in  that  city  in  1839,  and   is  the  daughter  of 
L.   D.  Cowles,  of  Amherst.     Of  this  union  there 


T* 


were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  live  are  living — 
Charles S.,  Frederick  C.,  Mary  D.,  Robert  and  Harry. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  and  enjoy  the  friendship 
and  esteem  of  the  best  citizens  of  Normal. 


J"/OHN  USSELTON  LYONS,  who  became  a 
resident  of  the  Prairie  State  when  a  child 
four  years  of  age,  is  now  pleasantly  located 
in  Martin  Township  on  a  fine  farm  of  160 
acres.  Here  he  has  a  tasteful  and  substantial  resi- 
dence and  all  the  accessories  of  a  first-class  coun- 
try estate.  He  has  proven  himself  a  thorough  and 
progressive  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  has  brought 
his  homestead  to  its  present  position  by  the  exer- 
cise of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means.  In  the 
meantime  he  has  also  distinguished  himself  as  an 
honest  man  and  a  good  citizen,  and  for  many  years 
has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township 
and  county.  He  has  been  the  firm  friend  of  relig- 
ion, education  and  morality,  and  has  contributed 
generously  of  his  time  and  means  to  whatever  en- 
terprise was  set  on  foot  for  the  advancement  of  the 
interests  of  this  section. 

John  U.  Lyons  was  born  near  Frankfort,  Ky., 
Oct.  22,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Catha- 
rine (Eddings)  Lyons.  The  father  of  our  subject, 
whe  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  removed  to  the  Blue 
Grass  regions  when  a  young  man,  where  he  after- 
ward married.  After  a  few  years  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Indiana,  and  thence  to  Edgar  County, 
111.,  where  the  mother  died.  He  afterward  returned 
to  Indiana  and  died  in  Switzerland  County,  in  1860. 
A  short  time  before  the  death  of  his  father.  John 
U.,  our  subject,  came  again  to  the  Prairie  State  and 
purchased  a  farm  of  1 60  acres,  but  the  following  year 
rented  his  land,  taking  possession  of  his  farm  in 
1860.  This  latter  was  formerly  owned  by  Dr. 
Martin.  Mr.  Lyons,  on  the  8th  of  September, 
1853,  took  to  himself  a  wife  and  helpmeet  in  the 
person  of  Miss  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Thomas  R. 
and  Rhoda  (Smith)  Wiley.  Mrs.  Lyons  was  born 
in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  Oct.  24,  1837.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  her  mother  of 
Kentucky.  The  wedding  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lyons 


r 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


457 


took  place  in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.,  and  they 
settled  on  a  farm  near  the  Ohio  River,  opposite 
Warsaw,  Ky.,  where  they  remained  until  1860,  then 
removed  to  McLean  County,  111. 

When  Mr.  L.  purchased  his  farm  in  this  county 
he  could  pay  but  1400  down  and  gave  a  mortgage 
on  it  for  the  balance,  but  by  incessant  industry  and 
the  exercise  of  a  naturally  good  judgment  and 
rigid  economy,  in  due  time  he  succeeded  in  clear- 
ing himself  from  debt.  His  first  crop  consisted 
mainly  of  onions,  he  having  brought  a  large  quantity 
of  "  sets  "  from  Indiana,  from  which  he  raised  200 
bushels  and  which  repaid  him  handsomely  for  his 
labors.  As  time  progressed  he  branched  out  into 
the  various  products  of  the  farm,  and  in  his  grain 
raising  and  other  farm  operations  has  uniformly 
met  with  success.  He  has  been  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  his  township  and  has  served  as  Road 
Commissioner  two  terms.  Before  the  war  he  was 
Democratic  politically,  but  during  that  period  con- 
sidered that  he  had  reason  to  change  his  views  and 
cast  his  Presidential  vote  first  for  Lincoln  and  then 
for  Grant.  He  was  a  strong  Union  man  during  the 
war,  and  contributed  generously  of  his  means  in 
aid  of  its  preservation. 

The  record  of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lyons  is  as  follows :  Thomas  R.  was  born  Sept. 
17,  1854;  Rhoda  C.,  March  16,  1856,  and  is  liv- 
ing at  home  with  her  parents;  John  D.  was  born 
March  30,  1858;  William  A.,  March  14,  1860; 
Lytle  R.  W.,  now  deceased,  was  born  Nov.  15, 
1862;  Ulysses  S.  G.  was  born  Aug.  11,  1864;  Sarah 
C.,  now  the  wife  of  L.  W.  Baldwin,  of  Colfax,  was 
born  Aug.  31,  1866;  Mary  E.  was  born  March  26, 
186'J,and  is  living  at  home  with  her  parents;  Emma 
J.  was  born  Feb.  14,  1871;  Hannah  M.,  Jan.  1, 
1873,  and  E.  S.,  April  22,  1876. 

Mrs.  Lyons  is  prominently  connected  with  the 
Me"thodist  Church,  of  which  she  was  elected  a  Stew- 
ard in  1885,  and  both  she  and  onr  subject  have 
contributed  cheerfully  and  liberally  to  the  support 
of  the  Gospel  in  this  vicinity.  John  U.  Lyons  is 
a  forcible  illustration  of  the  self-  made  man,  having 
by  the  death  of  both  parents  been  thrown  upon  the 
world  at  the  tender  age  of  eleven  years.  He  pos- 
sessed more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  however, 
and  as  soon  as  old  enough  to  reflect  decided  to  ob- 


tain  a  good  education.  This  he  accomplished  by 
working  days  and  studying  nights,  and  possesses  a 
fund  of  practical  knowledge  which  has  proved  an 
invaluable  aid  to  his  business  transactions  and  has 
enabled  him  to  secure  and  main  tain  a  good  position 
as  a  member  of  the  community.  He  is  universally 
respected  wherever  known,  and  now  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  comfortable  home  is  receiving  the  reward 
of  his  early  toil  and  sacrifices. 


>ILLIAM  R.  PATTON.  The  gentleman 
whose  history  is  briefly  sketched  in  the 
following  lines,  is  an  active  and  practical 
farmer,  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  the  proprietor  of 
a  snug  homestead  in  Martin  Township,  on  section 
6.  He  is  a  native  of  this  State  and  county,  his 
birth  taking  place  on  the  llth  of  August,  1852.  He 
comes  of  a  good  family,  his  grandfather  being  John 
Patton,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  whence  he 
emigrated  in  earl}'  life  to  Switzerland  County,  Ind., 
and  thence  after  his  marriage,  to  McLean  County, 
taking  up  his  residence  here  in  1 838,  near  where 
Pleasant  Hill  is  now  located,  which  at  that  time  was 
an  Indian  town.  In  this  locality  he  in  due  time 
became  the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  and  re- 
mained there  until  his  death.  His  son,  William  W., 
the  father  of  our  subject,  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  when  a  boy.  He  was  here  reared  to 
manhood  and  received  a  limited  education  in  the 
pioneer  schools.  He  married  Miss  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Jesse  Cain,  and  a  native  of  Rush 
County,  Ind.  William  W.  Patton  was  born  in 
Switzerland  County,  Ind.  After  his  marriage  he 
settled  on  a  farm  in  McLean  County,  where  his 
son,  our  subject,  was  born,  and  which  farm  the  latter 
now  owns  and  occupies. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  only  one  living 
of  three  children  born  to  his  parents.  His  father 
died  when  he  was  but  two  years  of  age.  The 
mother  subsequently  married  Charles  Griffin  of 
Indiana.  Her  death  took  place  in  this  township,  in 
1868.  Mr.  Griffin  died  ten  years  later  in  1878. 
Young  Patton  remained  on  the  farm  with  his 
mother,  and  during  the  winter  season  pursued  his 
studies  in  the  district  schools.  Later  he  attended 


t 


458 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Wesleyau  University  for  eighteen  months,  and 
when  his  education  was  completed  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits.  He  was  married  in  the  twenty- 
third  year  of  his  age,  to  Miss  Anna  Woodard,  a 
unlive  of  this  county,  and  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Luanna  Woodard,  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. 
After  marriage  the  young  people  went  to  live  on 
the  old  homestead,  which  they  have  occupied  since 
that  time.  It  lies  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mack- 
inaw, and  comprises  200  acres  of  the  finest  farming 
land  in  the  county.  Mr.  Patton  has  given  much 
attention  to  the  growing  of  fine  stock,  and  has  also 
been  extensively  engaged  in  the  raising  of  corn  and 
hay.  The  homestead  presents  an  air  of  comfort  in 
all  its  appointments,  everything  about  the  place 
being  in  good  order  and  well  cared  for. 

Of  the  three  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pat- 
ton  there  is  only  one  living,  a  son,  Tilden ;  the  other 
two  died  in  infancy.  Our  subject  is  a  stanch  Dem- 
ocrat politically,  and  is  in  all  respects  regarded  as  a 
praiseworthy  and  reliable  citizen,  who  has  con- 
tributed his  full  share  toward  the  prosperity  and 
progress  of  his  native  county. 


>;1LLIAM  EVANS.  The  gentleman  whose 
name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch  has 
been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  for 
over  thirty  years.  His  first  location  was  in  this 
county,  six  miles  west  of  his  present  homestead, 
where  he  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  1  20  acres 
of  land,  which  he  operated  in  company  with  Thomas 
Rawlings  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  the 
interest  of  his  partner,  and  operated  the  whole  for 
the  thirteen  years  following,  in  the  meantime  add- 
ing forty  acres  adjoining  and  opening  up  a  good 
farm.  In  about  1872  he  exchanged  this  for  a  tract 
of  land  on  section  115,  which  comprises  a  part  of 
his  present  homestead.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
340  acres,  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and 
besides  general  farming  is  giving  much  attention  to 
the  breeding  of  high-grade  Short-horn  cattle  and 
Norman  horses.  The  homestead  of  Mr.  Evans  in 
all  its  appointments  indicates  the  supervision  of  the 
modern  and  progressive  farmer.  He  has  a  fine  resi- 
dence and  all  necessary  buildings  for  the  shelter  of 


stock  and  the  storage  of  grain.  His  fences  and  ma- 
chinery are  kept  in  good  repair,  and  his  farm  pre- 
sents one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the  land- 
scape of  McLean  County. 

William  Evans  was  born  in  Fleming  County, 
Ky.,  Nov.  26,  182!),  his  parents  being  Jesse  and 
Hannah  (Pitts)  Evans,  natives  respectively  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Kentucky.  Jesse  Evans  was  born  in 
17!);i,  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  which  he  followed 
the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  died  in  his  native 
county  in  Kentucky,  in  June,  1870.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  old  Whig  party,  and  with  his  wife 
prominently  connected  with  the 'Christian  Church. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  1800,  and 
departed  this  life  in  1879.  The  parental  family 
included  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  as  follows: 
Susan  became  the  wife  of  William  Hurst,  and  lives 
in  Kentucky ;  William  of  our  sketch  was  the  second 
child ;  Mary  was  united  in  marriage  with  James 
Dodds,  and  lives  in  Missouri;  Nancy,  Mrs.  Thomas 
Rawlings,-  is  deceased ;  Margaret  married  W  illiam 
Lewis,  of  Kentucky,  and  both  are  deceased ;  Lu- 
cinda  married  Jacob  Walk,  of  Kentucky;  he  died, 
and  she  was  again  married,  to  a  Mr.  Darnell ;  Helen 
became  the  wife  of  William  Pitts;  John  A.  married 
Miss  Amanda  Plumcr;  James  married  Miss  Lou 
Perkins. 

Mr.  Evans  after  coming  to  this  State  and  laying 
the  foundation  for  a  future  home,  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  T.  Ball,  in  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  on  the  25th  of  November,  1862. 
Mrs.  E.  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  Feb.  27, 
1844,  and  the  daughter  of  Hilleary  and  Calista 
(Hildreth)  Ball,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  New 
Y'ork  respectively.  Her  parents'  family  consisted 
of  six  children,  as  follows:  Henry,  the  eldest,  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  Harrison,  and  is  a  resident  of  this 
township;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Evans,  was  the  second 
child  ;  Julia  A.  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Gallagher ; 
Amos  married  Miss  Hannah  C.  Stephens;  Harriet 
became  the  wife  of  Robert  Means;  Alfred  died  in 
June,  1852,  when  fifteen  months  old. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Evans  there  have 
been  born  five  sons  and  four  daughters:  Jesse  is 
now  in  Florida;  Arthur  married  Miss  Hester  Coile; 
John  died  when  three  years  of  age;  Villa,  Charlie 
C.,  Julia,  Harry  C.,  Lelia  and  Matie  are  at  home 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


459 


with  their  parents.  The  family  are  all  members  of 
the  Christian  Church  at  Saybrook,  in  which  our 
subject  has  held  the  office  of  Elder  for  many  years. 
He  has  also  been  Trustee,  and  in  all  respects  promi- 
nently identified  with  its  maintenance  and  prosper- 
ity. He  and  his  wife  have  been  connected  with  this 
church  for  a  period  of  twenty-two  years,  and  Jesse, 
the  eldest  son,  is  following  closely  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father,  and  taking  a  lively  interest  in  Church 
matters.  Villa,  the  eldest  daughter,  is  organist  of 
the  church  at  Saybrook,  having  held  the  position 
for  the  last  three  years.  Jesse  and  Arthur  have  re- 
ceived a  particularly  good  education,  and  attended 
Eureka  College  several  years.  Mr.  Evans  is  a  thor- 
ough business  man,  prompt  to  meet  his  obligations, 
and  politically  an  uncompromising  Democrat. 


R.  CHARLES  R.  PARKE,  a  leading  phy- 
sician and  surgeon  of  Bloomington,  is 
prominently  connected  witb  the  State 
Medical  and  Central  Illinois  Medical  So- 
cieties, and  holds  the  position  of  Special  Pension 
Examiner  for  the  eye  and  ear.  His  office  is  located 
at  No.  13  West  Jefferson  street,  and  his  residence 
at  No.  306  East  Walnut.  Socially  he  is  surround- 
ed by  hosts  of  friends,  and  professionally  is  a 
favorite  member  of  the  fraternity  in  this  section. 

Dr.  Parke  was  born  in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  June 
26,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  George  W.  and  Mary 
(Ross)  Parke,  both  parents  having  been  born  and 
reared  in  Chester  County.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  Joseph  Parke,  whose  ancestors  were 
Scotch-Irish  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day,  locating 
in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  where  they  were  pioneers 
and  became  prominently  identified  with  the  history 
of  that  section  as  among  its  most  worthy  and  pros- 
perous citizens. 

George  W.  Parke,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
an  extensive  owner  of  farm  property,  and  built  a 
sawmill  and  plaster-mill,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  pros- 
pered in  his  undertakings  and  accumulated  a  fine 
property.  He  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  served 
1  as  Register  of  Wills  in  Chester  County  for  three 


years.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  they 
passed  their  declining  years  upon  the  farm  which 
had  remained  so  long  in  their  possession,  the  father 
dying  there  in  1860,  and  the  mother  in  1866. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  seventh  child 
of  his  parents'  family  and  remained  upon  the  home- 
stead until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  had  been 
fairly  educated,  and  at  this  time  went  into  the  city 
of  Westchester,  where  he  entered  upon  a  course  of 
study  in  Hoops'  Academy,  and  during  his  leisure 
hours  assisted  his  father  in  his  office  there.  He  soon 
afterward  entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine,  and 
after  taking  a  course  at  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  Philadelphia,  graduated  in  the  spring  of 
1847,  and  commenced  practice  in  Delaware  County, 
Pennsylvania. 

In  1848  Dr.  Parke  turned  his  face  toward  the 
Prairie  State,  and  coming  into  Whiteside  County 
located  in  Como.  The  following  spring  he  crossed 
the  plains  to  California  as  surgeon  for  a  Como 
company,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  returned 
by  the  way  of  Nicaraugua.  He  then  located  near 
Peoria  whence,  in  1852,  he  came  to  Bloomington 
where,  until  1855,  he  engaged  continuously  in 
practice  and  became  well  and  favorably  known  to 
the  people  of  this  section.  That  same  year  he 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  going  to  Russia  became  a 
surgeon  Of  the  Russian  army  during  the  Crimean 
War,  remaining  in  the  service  until  its  close.  He 
then  made  a  tour  of  Europe,  visiting  a  large  number 
of  hospitals  and  gaining  valuable  information.  In 
the  fall  of  1857  he  returned  to  the  United  States 
and  to  Bloomington,  where  he  practiced  until  1869, 
and  then,  on  account  of  the  failing  health  of  his 
wife,  went  South  to  Arkansas,  and  locating  on  a 
plantation,  engaged  in  the  culture  of  cotton  until 
1873.  He  then  returned  to  Bloomington,  and  has 
pursued  his  practice  continuously  since  that  time. 

Dr.  Parke  is  chief  of  the  medical  staff  of  St. 
Joseph's  Hospital,  Bloomington,  which  is  owned 
and  conducted  by  the  3d  Order  of  the  Sisters  of 
St.  Francis.  The  Doctor  was  instrumental  in  the 
establishment  of  this  institution. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Mrs.  Lucy 
Keith,  of  Winchester,  Ky.,  to  whom  he  was  married 
on  the  3d  of  October,  1805.  They  occupy  a 


f 


t 


4  CO 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


• 

• 


pleasant  home  on  Walnut  street,  and  enjoy  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  a  circle  of  acquaintances 
which  include  the  most  cultured  people  of  the  city. 
Dr.  Parke  is  a  close  student,  and  has  conducted  his 
practice  with  unqualified  skill  and  success. 


jKORGE  A.  RUSSELL,  a  native  of  the 
Prairie  State,  was  born  in  Newark,  Kendall 
Count}',  on  the  9th  of  September.  1858. 
He  is  now  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Bloomington 
and  successfully  engaged  as  a  contractor  and  builder. 
He  is  a  fine  representative  of  the  skillful  and  in- 
dustrious citizens  who  have  contributed  to  the 
prosperity  of  Bloomington  and  assisted  her  in  main- 
taining her  position  among  the  other  prominent 
towns  of  a  wealthy  and  populous  State.  The  par- 
ents of  our  subject  were,  Henry  E.  and  Sarah 
(Niblo)  Russell,  the  father  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  the  mother  of  Connecticut.  They  came 
to  Illinois  in  1853,  and  settled  in  Kendall  County, 
where  Henry  E.  Russell  engaged  as  a  contractor 
and  builder  until  1872.  He  then  moved  to  DeKalb 
County,  where  he  remained  three  years,  and  thence 
to  Livingston  County  in  1875,  which  is  still  his 
home.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  late  war  and  had  charge  of  a  commissary 
department.  The  parental  family  included  three 
children :  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  Enoch  Davis  of  Aurora, 
Minnie  E.,  living  in  D wight,  and  George  A.  of  our 
sketch. 

George  A.  Russell  remained  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  in  the  meantime 
receiving  a  practical  education.  When  a  lad  of 
thirteen  years  he  commenced  work  with  his  father 
and  assisted  him  in  his  building  and  business  oper- 
tions  for  five  years,  and  was  then  made  a  partner. 
He  came  to  Bloomington  in  1880,  and  first  engaged 
with  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  in  the  construction  of  water 
tanks,  and  then  on  passenger  coaches.  Afterward 
he  worked  in  a  planing-mill  for  eighteen  months, 
and  since  that  time  Mr.  Russell  has  carried 
on  business  by  himself  and  gives  employment  to 
several  men.  In  1884  he  purchased  the  lots  in- 
cluded in  his  present  homestead  and  erected  a 
comfortable  and  tasteful  residence,  which  he  has 


occupied    with   his    wife    and    their   only    child  — 
Edith  M. 

Mr.  Russell  was  married  in  July,  1879,  to  Miss 
May,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Amarilla  (Rockwell) 
\Vilks,  natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Ohio, 
Martin  Wilks  was  occupied  in  farming  pursuits,  and 
there  were  only  two  children  in  the  family  —  Lucius 
and  the  wife  of  our  subject.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russell 
are  connected  with  the  First  Congregational  Church 
of  Bloomington,  and  socially  Mr.  R.  belongs  to  the 
Modern  Woodmen.  He  is  Republican  in  politics, 
a  successful  business  man  and  in  all  respects  agood 
citizen.  His  headquarters  are  at  No.  910  Linden 
street  and  he  has  a  pleasant  family  residence. 


?ILLIAM  OLIVER,  a  pioneer  settler  and 
well-to-do  farmer  of  Empire  Township, 
owns  235  acres  of  valuable  land  on  section 
1,  all  of  which  with  the  exception  of  a  few  acres  of 
timber  is  finely  improved  and  under  good  cultiva- 
tion. Mr.  Oliver  is  of  Irish  ancestry,  his  grand- 
father, William  Oliver,  Sr.,  having  been  born  in 
County  Derry,  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  where  he 
married  Miss  Nancy  Jackson,  who  was  own  cousin 
to  Gen.  Jackson,  President  of  the  United  States. 
William  Oliver,  Sr.,  followed  the  pursuit  of  agri- 
culture, and  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native 
county,  arriving  at  the  advanced  age  of  nearly  one 
hundred  and  one  years.  In  the  meantime  he  had  made 
two  trips  to  the  United  States,  spending  altogether 
about  seven  years  in  this  country  before  his  mar- 
riage. His  son,  John  Oliver,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  also  born  in  County  Uerry,  where  he  re- 
mained until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States.  He  settled  near  Ha- 
gerstown,  Washington  Co.,  Md.,  and  seven  years 
later  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Bock. 
Mrs.  O.  was  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Md., 
as  also  were  her  parents.  After  the  birth  of  three 
children,  John  Oliver  and  his  wife  removed  from 
Maryland  to  Ross  County,  Ohio,  about  181  1,  where 
they  located  upon  a  farm  and  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  days,  the  father  being  seventy-seven,  and 
the  mother  sixty-two  years  old  at  the  time  of  de- 
cease. They  were  most  excellent  Christian  people, 


i  r 

f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


461 


and  John  Oliver  politically  was  a  stanch  Democrat. 
The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  eldest  of  five 
sons  and  four  daughters  born  to  his  parents.  His 
birthplace  was  near  Hagerstown,  Md.,  and  the  date 
thereof  June  30,  1808.  He  was  but  three  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  and  he  lived 
with  them  until  his  marriage.  This  event  occurred 
on  the  24th  of  April,  1834,  the  maiden  of  his 
choice  being  Miss  Mary  Cowgill.  She  was  born  in 
Ross  County,  Ohio,  May  14,  1805,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Eleazar  and  Jane  (McFarland)  Cow- 
gill,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Maine. 
They  settled  in  Ross  County  at  the  beginning  of 
the  present  century,  and  there  passed  the  remain- 
der of  their  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  O.  became  the 
parents  of  six  children,  three  now  deceased :  Mary 
became  the  wife  of  Benjamin  T.  Hall,  of  Empire 
Township,  to  which  he  removed  when  a  child  with 
his  father  from  Champaign  County,  Ohio.  He  died 
Dec.  4,  1884,  when  nearly  fifty-one  years  of  age. 
They  had  no  children.  Mrs.  H.  at  present  lives 
with  her  father,  our  subject;  John  Oliver  married 
Miss  Ruth  McDaniel,  of  Ross  County,  Ohio,  and 
they  reside  on  a  farm  in  Empire  Township,  this 
county ;  Henry  H.,  now  a  resident  of  Le  Roy,  was 
first  married  to  Miss  Dunlap,  who  died  about  1863, 
His  second  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Nancy  J.  Far- 
ver.  Those  deceased  are  Willie,  Jr.,  who  died 
when  twenty-one  years  old.  and  two  infants  un- 
named. Mrs.  Oliver  departed  this  life  at  her  home 
in  Empire  Township,  March  21,  1884,  aged  nearly 
eighty-one  years,  mourned  by  a  large  circle  of 
friends. 

The  paternal  grandmother  of  Mrs.  Oliver,  who. 
before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Martha  Curry,  was  a 
native  of  London,  England,  whence  she  emigrated 
to  this  country,  married  Mr.  Daniel  Cowgill,  and 
died  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
one  hundred  and  thirteen  years. 

Mr.  Oliver  became  a  resident  of  Empire  Town- 
ship in  the  fall  of  1853,  making  the  journey  from 
Ohio  to  this  county  overland  with  teams.  He  first 
purchased  200  acres  of  land,  which  was  in  its  orig- 
inal condition,  and  which  he  brought  to  a  fine  state 
of  cultivation,  adding  to  it  since  that  time  200  acres ; 
a  part  has  been  divided  among  his  children.  The 
farm  buildings  are  substantial  and  convenient 


structures,  and  the  out-buildings,  stock,  fences  and 
machinery  indicate  the  care  and  supervision  of  the 
intelligent  and  progressive  modern  farmer.  Mr. 
Oliver  has  contributed  his  full  quota  toward  the 
agricultural  interests  of  this  section,  and  is  held  in 
high  esteem  throughout  his  township  and  county. 


J"  OHN    J.  FOLLICK,  a  retired  farmer  now 
living   in  Saybrook,  this   county,  was  born 
in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  July  22,  1823. 
He  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Follick, 
the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  of  German  des- 
cent and  parentage,  and  who  followed   farming  all 
his  life.    Politically  he  was  a  Jacksonian  Democrat. 
He  departed  this  life  in  1837  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio.     The  mother  of  our   subject    was    born    in 
England,  and  died  in  Indiana  in  1854.    The  record 
of  their  children  is  as  follows:  Eliza  became  the 
wife  of  James  Marsh,  who  is  now  deceased ;  John 
J.,  our  subject,  was  the  second  child ;  one  died   in 
infancy;  the  remainder  were  Rachel,  Oliver  T.  and 
Isaac. 

After  the  removal  of  Isaac  Follick  and  his  family 
to  Ohio,  our  subject  pursued  his  studies  in  the  com- 
mon schools  for  a  brief  time  and  at  an  early  age  com- 
menced assisting  his  father  on  the  farm.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1854,  having  the  year  before  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land  in  Old  Town  Township. 
This  he  afterward  sold,  and  then  purchased  245 
acres  which  he  cultivated  and  improved  until  1881. 
He  tbeu  desired  to  retire  from  active  labor,  and 
purchasing  a  fine  dwelling  in  Saybrook,  removed 
thither,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 

John  J.  Follick  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Ann  M.  Stewart.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
four  children:  Sarah  J.  became  the- wife  of  Fred 
Snyder  and  lives  in  Saybrook;  Mary  E.  married 
Henry  Farris,  and  is  now  deceased ;  Laura  A. 
became  the  wife  of  John  Weakman,  and  is  deceased ; 
and  Francis  M.  is  carrying  on  the  hardware  trade 
in  Saybrook.  The  mother  of  these  children  died 
Jan.  15,  1870,  at  the  home  of  her  husband  near 
Saybrook.  She  was  a  faithful  wife  and  affectionate 
mother,  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  second 


-     462 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


marriage  of  Mr.  Follick  occurred  Oct.  19, 
with  Mrs.  Martha  (Maxwell)  Chambers.  The  Max- 
well family  located  in  Montgomery  County,  Ind., 
at  an  early  day,  where  they  became  widely  and 
favorably  known. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Follick  were  David  C.  and 
Betsey  (Hood)  Maxwell,  of  Irish  and  German  de- 
scent. Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ky., 
March  16,  1825.  The  following  year  her  parents 
came  to  Indiana,  settling  in  Montgomery  County, 
where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Of 
their  five  children,  Martha  M.  was  the  eldest: 
Zerilda  M.  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Philips,  and 
both  are  deceased;  Paradine  M.  married  Dennis 
Rusk  ;  she  is  now  deceased  ;  Ann  M.  is  the  widow 
of  Elisha  Pierce,  who  died  in  May,  188C;  Juliette 
is  the  widow  of  John  II.  Phillips,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren —  Albert  and  Ella;  Albert  is  now  living  in 
Kankakee,  111.;  Rosella,  Mrs.  McCauly,  has  one 
child—  Mabel  E.,  born  Oct.  6,  1886.  Miss  Martha 
Maxwell  was  married  Sept.  29,  1845,  to  Richard 
Chambers,  a  native  of  Delaware.  He  was  born 
Nov.  10,  1816,  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
died  in  Indiana.  Of  this  marriage  there  was  one 
child,  a  son,  William  II.,  who  died  when  thirteen 
months  old. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Follick  are  greatly  respected  wher- 
ever known,  and  bear  the  reputation  of  kindly 
Christian  people,  always  ready  to  lend  a  helping 
hand  to  those  in  need.  Mr.  F.  has  been  a  stanch 
Democrat  since  old  enough  to  know  the  differ- 
ence between  parties,  and  with  his  excellent  wife 
is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Saybrook.  Of  this  he  has 
been  Trustee  for  several  years,  and  has  in  all 
respects  proved  himself  worthy  to  be  classed  among 
the  honest  men  and  good  citizens  of  McLean 
County. 


1 


EVI  DEISINGER,  one  of  the  intelligent 
and  industrious  citizens  of  Cheney's  Grove 
Township,  formerly  a  miller  and  carpenter, 
is  now  engaged  in  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  and 
has  a  pleasant  homestead  located  on  section  3. 
comprises  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  which  is 


watered  by  three  fine  springs,  and  Mr.  I).,  beside 
his  other  employments  is  quite  extensively  engaged 
in  the  breeding  of  foreign  horses  and  cattle,  of 
which  he  makes  a  specialty,  and  in  which  he  takes 
great  pride.  His  horses  are  Morgan  and  Clydes- 
dale, and  his  cattle  graded  Short-horns.  Of  the 
latter  he  has  eleven  head,  and  also  fifty-one  head 
of  hogs. 

Mr.  Deisinger  may  be  properly  termed  a  self- 
made  man  in  every  respect.  He  was  but  fourteen 
years  old  when  he  was  obliged  to  look  out  for 
himself,  but  he  had  been  trained  to  habits  of  indus- 
try and  honesty,  and  found  friends  wherever  he 
made  his  home.  He  was  born  in  York  County, 
Pa.,  in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Lydia 
Deisiuger.  He  remained  in  his  native  State  until 
twenty  years  of  age,  then  proceeded  to  Dayton, 
Ohio,  where  he  worked  one  year  at  milling,  and 
then  came  to  this  county.  He  was  engaged  as  a 
carpenter  for  eight  years  following,  and  was  then 
enabled  to  purchase  forty  acres  of  land  in  Anchor 
Township,  which,  however,  he  sold  two  years  later. 
He  then  purchased  his  present  homestead,  and  since 
that  time  has  been  industriously  engaged  in  its 
improvement  and  cultivation.  He  has  performed 
faithfully  all  the  duties  of  a  good  citizen,  and  con- 
tributed his  share  toward  the  business  and  agricult- 
ural interests  of  his  township.  Mr.  Deisinger  has 
never  married.  He  has  been  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Saybrook  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  a  period  of  over  twenty  years,  and  has 
contributed  liberally  and  cheerfully  to  its  support. 


LFRE1)  FREEMAN,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
harness  and  saddlery  business  at  No.  215 
West  Jefferson  street,  Bloomington,  has 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  since 
1876.  He  is  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and 
was  born  on  the  14th  of  June,  1828.  He  is  the  son 
of  Matthias  and  Sarah  (Bowers)  Freeman,  natives 
of  New  Jersey.  Matthias  Freeman,  when  a  young 
man,  went  with  his  parents  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
and  there  worked  at  wagon-making  and  black- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


465  ^ 


smithing.     In    1826   be   moved  on   westward   into 
Indiana,    where,  to  his   former  business  he  added 
the  manufacture   of  plows.     He  then  took  up  204 
acres  of   land;  in   Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
permanently  located  and  remained  until   his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1851).   The  wife  and  mother  sur- 
vived  until     1875.     The    parental    household    in- 
cluded seven  children,  four  of  whom   are  now  liv- 
ing— George  W.,  Alfred,  Sarah  J.  and   Hannah  C. 
Alfred  Freeman  remained  on  the  farm  until  four- 
teen years  of  age,  and  then  learned  harness-making. 
After  ho  had  gained  a  good  knowledge  of  the  busi- 
ness  he  had  a  shop  erected  on  the  farm,  purchased 
a  team,  and   there  manufactured  the  articles  of  his 
trade,  and  when  he  had  secured  a  load  carried   it 
around   and  sold   it  to  the  people  in  that  vicinity. 
He   operated  thus  until  1849,  when  he  went  to  Ce- 
dar Rapids,  Iowa,  where  for  one  winter  he  operated 
a  shop,  then  returned  home,  and  until  1858  carried 
on  a  harness-shop  in   Franklin,  giving  employment 
to  eight   boys  and   six  men.     This  enterprise    he 
finally  abandoned,  and  for  two  years  afterward  en- 
gaged in  milling.     For  this  purpose  he  built  a  mill 
in  1858,  which  he  subsequently  moved  to  Texas, 
and  located  in  Cameron,  the  county  seat  of  Milam 
County.     There  he  took  in  two  partners,  and  they 
added  a  distillery  and  gristmill,  all  three  operating 
together  for  four  and  a  half  years.  While  in  Texas 
Mr.  Freeman  bought  sixty -six  acres  of  land,  which 
he  laid  out  in  town  lots  which  he  sold  at  good  fig- 
ures,  and   after  his  return  to  Franklin,   Ind.,  he 
also  made  purchases  of  land  and  platted  some  town 
lots,  which   were  also  disposed  of  to  a  good  ad- 
vantage.    Mr.  Freeman  then   sold   out   his   inter- 
est, went   first  to  Mexico  and   then,  returning  to 
Indiana,  engaged    in   mercantile   pursuits   for  two 
years,  and  afterward  built  a  sawmill,  which  he  op- 
erated for   over   four  years.     In   connection   with 
this  he  also  had  a  stave   factory.     He   then   aban- 
doned this  to  engage  in  farming  and  the  raising  of 
seeds  for  market.     He  was  particularly  fortunate  in 
the  raising  of  vegetables  also,  and  at  the  State  Fair 
of   1869  received  twenty-two  first  premiums  for  all 
kinds  of  vegetables  and  farm  produce,  and  in  1870 
received   nineteen    first    premiums.       After    seven 
years  thus  occupied  he  engaged  in  the  hardware 
trade  at  Martinsvillc,  and  also  resumed  his  harness 


and  saddlery  business,  which,  after  continuing  six 
years,  he  sold  to  remove  to  Indianapolis.  Thence 
he  went  to  Mt.  Carmel,  111.,  and  opened  up  a  har- 
ness and  saddlery  shop,  which,  with  other  property, 
was  swept  away  in  a  cyclone  in  1876.  He  then 
came  to  Bloomington,  where  he  established  his 
present  business,  at  which  he  has  continued  since 
that  time. 

Alfred  Freeman  and  Miss  Mary  W.  Candy  were 
married  in  1876,  at  Mt.  Carmel.  Mrs.  F.  is  a  native 
of  Maryland,  and  removed  with  her  parents  to 
Lexington,  Ky.,  when  a  small  child.  The  residence 
of  our  subject  and  his  wife  is  pleasantly  located  at 
No.  511  South  Madison  street,  and  they  enjoy  the 
society  and  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaint- 
ances. They  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Unitarian  Church,  and  Mr.  F.  politically  belongs 
to  the  Greenback  party,  and  is  a  strong  temperance 
man,  and  a  vigorous  advocate  of  woman  suffrage. 
A  lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Freeman  is  shown 
on  another  page  of  this  work. 


6ARVEY  BISHOP.     One  bows  almost  with 
*  reveren.ce  in  the  presence  of  a  pioneer  of 
over  half  a  century,  and  envies  him  what 
his  eyes  have  seen  and  ears  have   heard, 
of  the  sketches  and  incidents  of  his  early  days.  The 
gentleman  of  whom  we  now  write  has  witnessed  in 
the  fifty-four  years  of  bis  residence  here  wonderful 
changes.     When  he  came  there  were  no  school- 
houses,  churches,  costly  residences,  or  ample  barns; 
no  railroads,  telegraph  or  telephone  lines  spanned 
these  broad  acres,  and  in  fact  few  if  any  evidences  of 
civilization  existed,   while  now   the  prairies  blos- 
som !is  the  rose,  and  the  fertile  acres  yield  abund- 
ance and  to  spare. 

Our  subject,  of  whom  we  give  a  portrait  in  this 
connection,  is  respected  for  his  sterling  worth  and 
integrity,  and  the  honest  record  he  has  made  since 
his  long  residence  in  the  county  He  is  at  present 
living  on  section  32,  Old  Town  Township,  and  is 
retired  from  the  active  labor  of  life,  and  passing 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


its  sunset  in  peace,  and  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  a 
sufficiency  obtained  through  years  of  labor  and 
economy.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Will- 
iam and  Margaret  (Lake)  Bishop,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, where  they  spent  their  early  lives  and  where 
they  were  united  in  marriage.  Soon  after  this  event 
they  removed  to  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  where  the 
father  followed  farming  for  a  time,  and  in  Novem- 
ber, 1833,  disposing  of  his  interests  in  that  county, 
came  to  this,  and  made  settlement  in  Old  Town 
Township.  There  the  father  and  family  lived,  and 
there  he  died  in  1855.  The  wife  survives  him,  and 
has  attained  to  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 
Their  children  were  nine  in  number,  six  sons  and 
three  daughters.  The  subject  of  this  notice  is  the 
eldest  in  order  of  birth.  He  first  saw  light  in 
Clarke  County,  Ohio,  Aug.  2,  1821,  and  was  about 
twelve  years  old  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
this  county.  Here  he  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  lived  with  the  old  folk,  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  maintenance  of  the  family 
until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  He  then 
left  the  parental  home,  married  and  settled  down 
in  Old  Town  Township  with  his  bride,  and  there 
engaged  in  the  vocation  he  has  followed  thus  far 
in  life.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County, 
as  stated,  since  1833,  and  has  witnessed  the  won- 
derful advancement  it  has  made  during  the  past 
fifty-four  years. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Bloomington,  111., 
Feb.  21,  1850,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Depue,  who  bore 
him  one  child,  Margaret  A.,  who  died  when  about 
eleven  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Bishop  departed  this  life 
in  Old  town  Township,  Nov.  26,  1856,  and  Mr. 
Bishop  was  a  second  time  married,  in  the  same 
township,  Jan.  1,  1861,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Hart.  She 
is  the  (laughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Sharp) 
Hart,  natives  of  South  Carolina  and  Kentucky  re- 
spectively. Her  parents  after  their  marriage  set- 
tled in  Indiana,  whence  they  moved  to  Greene 
County,  this  State,  and  where  they  both  died. 
Their  children  were  nine  in  number,  seven  sons 
and  two  daughters,  of  whom  Mrs.  Bishop  was  the 
eighth  in  order  of  birth.  She  first  saw  light  in  In- 
diana, March  28,  1823,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  one  child,  William  II.,  was  born.  He  is  at 
present  agent  for  the  I.,  B.  &  W.  R.  R.  at  G ilium 


station.  Mr.  Bishop  has  held  the  office  of  Road 
Commissioner  and  other  minor  offices  of  his  town- 
ship. In  politics  he  claims  to  be  a  Democrat,  al- 
though he  is  inclined  to  vote  for  the  best  men  for 
the  office. 


J~  AMES  W.  QriNN,an  extensive  and  pros, 
perous  farmer  of  Dale  Township,  owns  and 
occupies  a  fine  estate  on  section  34,  and  is  one 
of  the  reliable  and  representative  citizens  of 
McLean  County.  He  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
Ky.,  May  10,  1827,  two  months  after  his  father's 
death,  and  was  the  youngest  son  of  Hiram  and 
Elizabeth  (Moberly)  Quinn. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  by  his 
mother  on  the  old  homestead  and  educated  in  the 
subscription  school.  He  remained  at  home  until 
his  marriage,  in  1849,  and  then  purchased  land  near 
by  upon  which  he  carried  on  agricultural  operations 
until  1854.  He  then,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
one  child,  started  overland  for  the  prairies  of  Illi- 
nois. Thej'  were  equipped  with  one  pair  of  horses, 
a  wagon  and  a  buggy,  and  after  stopping  a  few 
days  in  Indiana,  arrived  in  McLean  County,  111., 
on  the  9th  day  of  October  of  the  above  year.  They 
moved  into  the  house  with  his  brother,  II.  W.  Quinn, 
and  our  subject  purchased  160  acres  on  the  south- 
east quarter v  of  section  33,  in  Dale  Township. 
There  was  upon  it  a  frame  house  16x26  feet  in  di- 
mensions, a  log  stable,  and  fifty-five  acres  broken. 

The  following  spring  Mr.  Quiun  disposed  of  this 
property  and  removed  to  the  farm  which  he  now 
owns  and  occupies.  He  has  greatl}'  improved  the 
condition  of  this  since  it  came  into  his  posses- 
sion, and  now  has  all  the  land  well  improved  and 
fenced,  and  supplied  with  excellent  farm  buildings. 
He  purchased  the  quarter  section  adjoining  him  on 
the  east  and  also  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
30,  in  the  same  township,  these  latter  being  oper- 
ated by  tenants,  and  they  yield  to  their  owner  i 
handsome  income. 

The  marriage  of  James  W.  Quinn  and  Miss  Eliza- 
beth S.  Dozier  took  place  on  the  8th  of  November, 
1849.  Mrs.  Quinn  is  a  native  of  the  same  State 
and  county  as  her  husband,  and  was  born  Aug.  20, 
1833.  Her  parents  were  Yetman  and  Susan  (Mo- 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


467 


berty)  Doziei*,  of  Madison  County,  Ky.  Of  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Q.  there  have  been  born 
three  children :  Nancy  J.  became  the  wife  of  Fay- 
ette  Barclay,  and  lives  in  Dale  Township;  Leonard 
F.  married  Salley  Park,  of  Irvine,  Ky.,and  lives  on 
section  34,  Dale  Township;  Sidney  is  at  home.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Q.  and  all  their  children  are  connected  by 
membership  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  politi- 
cally our  subject  uniformly  votes  the  Democratic 
ticket. 

Mr.  Quinn  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  reliable 
business  men  of  this  county,  and  has  assisted  ma- 
terially in  the  development  of  its  resources  and  in 
the  inarch  of  civilization  and  progress.  The  home- 
stead is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county  and  invaria- 
bly attracts  the  eye  of  the  traveler  through  this 
section  by  its  air  of  comfort  on  all  sides.  The  resi- 
dence, within  and  without,  is  tastefully  finished  and 
furnished,  and  the  barns  and  out-buildings  possess 
all  the  conveniences  for  the  storing  of  grain  and 
the  shelter  of  stock.  Everything  about  the  place 
is  in  good  order  and  all  operations  are  carried  on 
in  a  systematic  manner,  which  denotes  the  exercise 
of  wise  judgment  and  ample  means. 


eHATHAM  H.  D.  HARRIS,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  the  Prairie  State,  came  from  the 
' 
Blue  Grass   regions  of  Kentucky  in  1857. 

He  now  owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable  home- 
stead in  Allin  Township  on  section  2,  where  he  is 
fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen,  and  car- 
rying on  the  peaceful  occupation  of  a  farmer  with 
fair  success. 

Our  subject  is  the  son  of  Rev.  William  and 
Nancy  Harris,  natives  of  Virginia.  The  former 
was  born  in  Rockbridge  County  in  1767,  and  the 
latter  in  1770.  They  were  married  in  Green 
County,  Ky.,  in  1797,  and  located  upon  a  farm 
there  for  a  short  time.  Thence  they  removed  to 
Warren  County,  and  in  about  1845  to  Simpson 
County,  Ky.  Here  the  father  died,  July  9,  1845; 
the  mother  survived  until  November,  18C3,  having 
spent  her  last  days  in  Warren  County.  Of  their 
family  of  twelve  sons  and  live  daughters  six  sons 
were  ministers;  the  names  of  the  seventeen  are  as 


follows :  James,  Sarah,  John,  Thomas  H.,  David  R., 
Rev.  Alexander  C.,  Anna,  Harvey,  Mary,  Susan, 
Rev.  William  B.,  Finis  E.,  Rev.  Josiah  (!.,  Chatham 
H.  D.  Nancy  L.,  Louie  L.  D.  and  Cyrus  L.  The 
parents  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyter- 
ian Church,  of  which  the  father  of  our  subject  was 
a  minister  for  fifty  years.  He  belonged  to  the 
Whig  party  politically,  and  was  a  man  of  sound 
judgment  and  great  force  of  character. 

The  subject  of  this  history  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  the  High  Seminary  in  Springfield,  Tenn., 
which  he  attended  for  over  three  years.  After 
he  had  completed  his  college  course,  which  had 
been  devoted  to  clerical  studies,  he  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  Simpson  County,  Ky.,  in  1842, 
becoming  a  pastor  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  which  he  still  continues  his  ministra- 
tions. After  coming  to  Illinois  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  J.  Johnson,  in  Dale 
Township,  this  county,  in  1858.  He  afterward 
preached  four  years  at  Danvers,  and  in  the  winter 
of  1860  held  a  large  revival,  during  which  the 
church  received  an  addition  of  ninety-six  members, 
beside  a  conversion  of  sixty -five,  who  went  else- 
where. The  membership  of  the  church  at  Danvers 
became  very  large  in  numbers,  and  there  were 
enough  withdrew  from  it  to  form  a  congregation 
of  Congregationalists,  who  have  a  good  house  for 
worship  in  Danvers,  and  are  prospering  in  the  good 
cause.  This  withdrawal  did  not  cripple  the  mother 
church  from  which  they  withdrew,  but  to  the  con- 
trary, as  both  churches  are  in  a  prosperous  condi- 
tion. Several  of  the  members  of  the  Danvers  con- 
gregation organized  a  church  near  Stanford,  built 
a  large  house  for  worship,  and  the  church  at  this 
point  numbers  over  200  members.  They  also  or- 
ganized a  church  west  of  Danvers,  and  it  is  in 
a  flourishing  condition.  There  were  also  a  num- 
ber of  families  went  from  Danvers  to  Gibson  City, 
and  established  a  church  there,  erected  a  fine  house 
of  worship,  and  are  prospering  in  the  good  cause. 

Mr.  Harris  now  preaches  in  Ilopedale,  Tazewell 
County,  where  he  has  conducted  a  large  meeting 
successfully.  He  has  also  assisted  at  revivals  in 
Lincoln,  Logan  County,  and  Le  Roy,  this  county. 

Mr.  Harris  is  the  owner  of  160  acres,  with  all 
modern  improvements,  the  family  residence  being 


t 


468 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


pleasantly  located  and  its  inmates  surrounded  by 
all  the  comforts  of  life.  He  is  an  earnest  Prohibi- 
tionist, and  served  as  Supervisor  of  his  township 
for  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  became  the  par- 
ents of  one  child  only,  Cora  A.,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. 


(UTTHRIE,  who  is  identified  with 
the  industrial  interests  of  Bloomington  as 
a  tobacconist,  is  located  at  the  corner  of 
Main  and  Jefferson  streets,  Northwest 
Mr.  Guthrie  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
his  birth  having  taken  place  in  Pickaway 
County,  March  10,  1825.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Catharine  (Spawr)  Guthrie,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  while  the  mother's  an- 
cestors were  from  Germany.  Robert  Guthrie  came 
to  Illinois  and.  settled  in  Funk's  Grove  in  Septem- 
ber, 1826.  He  took  up  a  Government  claim  of 
160  acres,  built  a  log  cabin  and  made  some  improve- 
ments, then  sold  it  and  made  another  claim  in 
Money  Creek  Township.  After  partially  improv- 
ing the  latter  claim  he  sold  this  to  the  Ogdens,  then 
in  1831,  with  his  family,  moved  on  land  belonging 
to  James  Allin,  which  is  now  in  the  city  limits  of 
Bloomington.  After  occupying  this  two  years, 
the  father  of  our  subject  moved  into  what  is  now 
the  city  and  built  a  house  of  split  boards  on  the 
comer  of  Lee  and  Front  streets.  The  floor  of  this 
structure  was  of  puncheon  and  the  weather  board- 
ing was  rived  and  shaved  by  hand.  A  door  was 
improvised  out  of  a  poplar  box,  which  Mr.  G.  had 
brought  with  him  from  Ohio,  full  of  goods.  Into 
this  house  the  family  removed,  where  the  father  re- 
mained until  his  death,  in  1846.  The  mother  sur- 
vived ten  years  and  died  in  1856. 

When  the  father  of  our  subject  first  moved  into 
Funk's  Grove  he  took  his  ax  on  his  shoulder  and 
went  out  to  work.  Not  far  away  he  found  two 
buck  deer,  which  haa  beei  fight.ng  and  were  locked 
together  by  their  horns.  He  slipped  up  to  them 
and  killed  them  with  an  ax  and  the  bodies  furnished 
his  family  with  meat  and  oil  for  light  during  that 
winter.  I 'pon  removing  to  Money  Creek,  Robert 
Guthrie,  in  company  with  Frederick  Trimmer, 
.*•— 


journeyed  to  St.  Louis  after  goods  for  James  Allen, 
being  equipped  with  one  ox-team  and  a  horse-team. 
After  they  had  secured  their  merchandise  and  ar- 
rived near  Edwardsville,  on  the  return  trip,  they 
were  obliged  to  stop  on  account  of  the  deep  snow. 
They  put  their  goods  under  shelter  and  turned  their 
oxen  into  a  corn-field  and  made  their  way  home 
laboriously  on  the  backs  of  the  horses.  In  the 
spring  they  went  back  and  got  their  goods  and 
oxen.  At  this  time  the  parental  family,  included 
seven  children,  who  remained  on  the  farm  and  lived 
on  hog  and  hominy  all  winter,  having  no  bread  in 
the  house.  Afterward  four  more  children  were  add- 
ed to  the  household  circle  and  of  the  eleven  which 
completed  the  family,  only  four  are  now  living: 
Rev.  Robert  E.,  of  Wichita,  Kan.;  Margaret,  Mrs. 
Steele,  of  Kansas  City;  Adam  of  our  sketch,  and 
Peter,  formerly  of  Normal  but  now  a  constable  in 
Bloomington  City.  Robert  Guthrie  was  a  steady 
and  energetic  man,  and  in  addition  to  his  farm  and 
other  business,  was  employed  as  a  contractor,  brick- 
layer and  plasterer.  Politically  he  affiliated  with 
the  Whig  party  and  was  a  great  admirer  of  Henry 
Clay.  Upon  first  coming  to  Illinois,  both  parents 
were  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  but 
after  the  older  children  joined  the  Methodists  the 
parents  went  with  the  latter  and  adhered  to  this 
denomination  the  balance  of  their  lives. 

Adam  Guthrie  remained  at  home  until  after  the 
death  of  his  parents,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a 
good  education  in  the  subscription  schools.  He 
then  worked  with  his  father  at  plastering  and  fol- 
lowed the  same  until  1862.  Then,  the  Civil  War 
being  in  progress,  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in 
Co.  A,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  where  he  soon  became 
Corporal  and  was  in  the  service  eight  months.  He 
engaged  with  the  enemy  at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  in 
December,  1862,  and  when  he  returned  home  was 
quite  content  with  his  experience  of  army  life. 
The  following  year  he  was  made  a  member  of  the 
police  force  of  the  city  of  Bloomington,  being 
thus  employed  for  two  years  and  then  resumed  his 
trade  until  1866.  In  that  year  he  was  elected 
Township  Assessor,  in  which  office  he  continued 
fifteen  years  and  then  established  his  present  busi- 
ness, in  which  he  has  been  engaged  since  that  time. 
Being  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  county  now 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


469 


i 


i 


living,  he  is  accorded  that  peculiar  deference  and 
respect  which  is  involuntarily  shown  toward  those 
who  saw  this  country  in  its  virgin  state  and  assisted 
materially  in  bringing  it  to  its  present  prosperous 
condition.  Our  subject  is  Republican  in  politics, 
and  with  his  wife,  is  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Adam  Guthrie  was  married  in  1849,  to  Miss  L. 
L.  Butler,  of  New  York,  daughter  of  Ira  and  Lydia 
(Thrasher)  Butler,  of  the  same  State.  Of  this  un- 
ion there  were  born  three  children :  Eva,  now 
.Mrs.  Kimball,  of  Bloomington,  has  three  children — 
Bernie,  Cora  and  Lucian;  Perineno  A.  married 
Miss  Anna  Noble,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  they 
have  two  sons,  Sydney  A.  and  Dudley ;  Permeno 
A.  is  Deputy  County  Clerk;  Oscar  F.  is  a  ticket 
broker,  having  his  office  at  the  corner  of  Main 
and  Jefferson  streets.  The  residence  of  Mr.  G.  is 
pleasantly  located  at  No.  802  North  Center  street. 


>IIOMAS  Z.  CHICK,  of  the  firm  of  Chick  <fe 
Covey,  grocers  of  Le  Roy,  was  born  in  Em- 
pire Township,  on  section  21,  Aug.  28,  1857. 
His  father,  Zachariah  Chick,  a  native  of  Somerset- 
shire, England,  was  born  June  6,  1826,  and  was  the 
son  of  John  and  Harriett  (Combs)  Chick,  both  na- 
tives of  Somersetshire.  The  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject,  Thomas  Chick,  was  a  native  of  Dor- 
setshire, where  he  carried  on  farming  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  and  later  removed  to  Somerset- 
shire, where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
His  son  John,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  and 
finally  became  a  contractor  and  builder,  and  spent 
his  entire  life  in  Somersetshire,  as  also  did  his  wife. 
The  former  died  in  1858,  and  the  latter  in  1884. 
Their  seven  children,  who  grew  to  become  men  and 
women,  were  named  Jane,  Thomas,  Harriett,  Mary, 
Zachariah,  John  and  Louisa  Ann.  Zachariah  and 
John  were  the  only  ones  who  came  to  America. 
The  latter  lives  in  Essex  County,  Ontario,  Canada. 
Zachariah  Chick,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
learned  his  trade  of  his  father,  and  lived  with  him 
until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  He  then  went  with 
a  cousin  to  the  Isle  of  Jersey,  where  he  worked  at 


his  trade  one  year,  and  then  volunteered  in  the 
( !  reat  Britain  naval  service,  and  was  assigned  to 
duty  as  carpenter  and  joiner  on  the  man-of-war 
Penelope.  They  set  sail  from  Portsmouth,  Jan.  9, 
1847,  and  went  via  the  Western  and  Cape  Verd 
Islands  to  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  the  mission  of 
the  vessel  being  to  suppress  the  African  slave  trade. 
After  fifteen  months'  service,  Zachariah  Chick  was 
sent  home  on  account  of  failing  health.  During 
this  trip  he  visited  the  Madeira  Islands,  Cape  Pal- 
mas  and  the  Island  of  Fernando  Po,  and  was  in- 
valided at  Ascension  Island.  After  his  return  to 
Portsmouth  he  was  discharged,  and  resumed  his 
trade,  being  employed  part  of  the  time  for  the 
Government. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1851,  Mr.  Chick  set  sail 
from  Plymouth,  bound  for  America,  and  landed  at 
Quebec  May  9.  He  went  thence  to  Montreal, 
where  he  worked  four  months  at  his  trade,  then 
proceeded  to  Chicago  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  and 
after  four  months  spent  there,  went  to  Griggsville, 
111.,  and  later  to  Maysville,  Pike  County,  where  he 
•worked  at  his  trade  until  September,  1854.  In  the 
meantime  there  had  been  waiting  in  England,  a 
lady  who  was  expecting  to  become  the  sharer  of 
his  home  and  fortunes.  Considering  now  that  his 
prospects  for  the  future  justified  the  step,  Zacha- 
riah Chick  returned  p]ast  to  New  Y ork  City,  from 
which  he  set  sail  on  the  5th  of  October,  for  his  na- 
tive England.  He  landed  at  Liverpool  on  the  16th 
of  November  following,  and  on  the  1 6th  of  Decem- 
ber was  united  in  marriage  with  the  maiden  of  his 
choice,  Miss  Caroline  Bond.  She  was  born  in  Bar- 
rington,  Somersetshire,  being  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Edith  (Swain)  Bond,  who  were  na- 
tives of  the  same  shire.  The  paternal  grandpar- 
ents of  Mrs.  Chick  were  Charles  and  Sarah  (Up- 
still)  Bond,  natives  of  Coventry  and  Shipton  re- 
spectively. Thomas  Bond  during  his  lifetime  was 
a  very  prominent  contractor  and  builder  in  South- 
ern England,  and  at  times  had  as  many  as  thirty 
men  in  his  employ. 

The  1st  day  of  March  following  their  marriage, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zachariah  Chick  set  sail  from  Liver- 
pool, and  landed  at  New  York  City  April  16. 
Thence  they  came  directly  to  Illinois,  locating  first 
at  Ottawa,  where  they  lived  until  June,  1856.  ' 


- 


470 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


They  then  removed  to  this  county,  which  Mr. 
Chick  hud  visited  the  fall  before,  and  had  pur- 
chased 120  acres  of  wild  prairie  land  in  West  Town- 
ship, on  section  24.  He  did  not  settle  upon  this 
at  once,  however,  but  located  at  Le  Roy  and 
worked  at  his  trade.  Two  years  later  he  traded 
his  land  for  eighty  acres  on  section  28,  of  AVest 
Township,  to  which  he  removed,  and  engaged  in 
farming  until  1863.  He  then  sold  and  returned  to 
Le  Roy,  where  he  opened  a  wagon-shop,  and  has 
been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  road  vehicles 
since  that  time.  He  has  a  pleasant  residence  on 
Center  avenue,  at  the  corner  of  Cherry  street,  own- 
ing the  entire  block  on  which  he  lives,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  lots  occupied  by  our  subject.  He 
erected  his  present  dwelling  in  1876.  It  is  a  hand- 
some and  tasteful  structure,  and  the  yard  is  planted 
with  choice  shrubs  and  ornamental  trees.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Chick  became  the  parents  of  six  children — 
Thomas  Z.  (our  subject),  John  B.,  Sarah  B.,  Carrie 
B. ;  William  L.,  the  youngest  child,  died  at  the  age 
of  one  year  and  six  months;  the  eldest  died  in  in- 
fancy unnamed.  The  parents  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  the  ninth  of 
eleven  children  born  to  her  parents,  and  the  only 
one  who  came  to  the  United  States.  Her  brother 
William  went  to  Australia  in  1848,  where  he  car- 
ried on  the  business  of  a  merchant  tailor  at  Sidney, 
New  South  Wales,  and  was  very  successful.  He 
died  there  in  March,  1885.  The  rest  of  the  family 
remained  in  England.  Zachariah  Chick  has  always 
been  Democratic  in  politics  and  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  this  locality  since  coming  here.  He 
served  one  term  as  Mayor  of  Le  Roy,  and  three 
terms  as  Alderman  and  Collector.  He  has  been 
an  Odd  Fellow  thirty-eight  years,  and  has  attended 
the  Grand  Lodge  in  this  State. 

Thomas  Z.  Chick  remained  with  his  parents  dur- 
ing his  childhood  and  youth,  and  received  a  fair 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Le  Roy.  At 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  commenced  clerking  for  N. 
I.  Umphrey  <fc  Son,  and  was  thus  employed  for 
this  and  other  firms  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
until  1880.  He  then  established  himself  in  the 
dry -goods  trade.  After  a  few  months  he  visited 
Dakota  with  a  view  of  removal  in  case  the  country 


suited  him,  but  not  being  satisfied  with  the  out- 
look, returned,  and  resuming  his  occupation  as  a 
clerk,  continued  until  December,  lKK.r>.  He  then, 
in  company  with  a  partner,  purchased  the  grocery 
store  of  N.  I.  Umphrey,  and  since  that  time  they 
have  operated  under  the  firm  name  of  Chick  & 
Covey.  They  carry  a  good  line  of  groceries, 
queensware  and  notions,  and  arc  building  up  a 
good  trade. 

Mr.  Chick  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Clara  Lackey,  Sept.  C,  1881.  Mrs.  Chick  is  the 
daughter  of  Richard  and  Matilda  (Kirby)  Lackey, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  two  children — Edith  B.  and  Edwin  Z. 
Mr.  Chick  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  belongs  to 
Le  Roy  Lodge  No.  149,  I.  O.  O.  F.,also  Legion  of 
Honor  of  Bloomington. 


eilARLES  R.  PARK,  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Normal  Township,  is  a  native  of  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  on  the 
24th  of  January,  1819.  His  father,  Daniel  R. 
Park,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation, and  died  on  the  farm  in  Tioga  County 
when  nearly  ninety  years  of  age.  The  mother, 
Elizabeth  (Dougherty)  Park,  was  of  Irish?  birth  and 
parentage,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with 
her  parents  when  a  child.  She  was  educated  in 
New  York  City,  whence  she  removed  to  Tioga 
County,  and  was  there  married  to  Daniel  R.  Park. 
She  became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  and  died 
at  the  old  homestead,  aged  about  seventy  years. 
Of  the  children,  three  are  now  living:  James  E., 
of  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  Charles  R.,  our  subject,  and 
George  W.,  a  resident  of  Owego,  N.  Y. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  fair  ed- 
ucation, and  remained  in  his  native  State  until 
about  twenty -five  years  of  age,  his  time  being  oc- 
cupied mainly  in  farming  pursuits.  He  also  car- 
ried on  a  grocery  business  at  No.  546  Grand  street, 
New  York  City.  In  1854  Mr.  Park  emigrated 
West,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State.  He  followed  railroading  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  for  a  few  years,  and  then  engaged  in 


I 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

471    ,  , 


the  commission  business  at  Chicago  until  the  open- 
ing of  the  Rebellion.  He  then  removed  to  Panola, 
and  engaged  in  general  merchandising,  whence  he 
removed  to  El  Paso  and  embarked  in  the  hardware 
business.  He  afterward  carried  on  a  trade  in  lum- 
ber, and  in  the  meantime  served  under  President 
Johnson  as  Deputy  Revenue  Collector  for  Wood- 
ford  County. 

In  about  1871  Mr.  Park  removed  to  Gilman,  111., 
and  for  eighteen  months  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness. He  then  went  to  Chicago  and  occupied  him- 
self in  the  grocery  business  until  December,  1874, 
when  he  came  to  Normal  which  has  since  been  his 
residence.  Here  he  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  eight  consecutive  years,  has  been  Notary  Public, 
and  also  carried  on  an  insurance  business  and  a 
real-estate  agency. 

In  politics  Mr.  Park  is  strongly  Democratic.  In 
1886  he  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for  County 
Treasurer,  but  was  defeated  with  the  balance  of  his 
ticket.  Previous  to  the  war  our  subject  was  con- 
nected with  the  State  Militia  of  New  York,  where 
he  held  the  rank  of  Captain,  Ensign  and  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel,  serving  with  the  military  for  a 
period  of  eight  years. 

Mr.  Park  was  married  in  1856,  to  Miss  Martha 
J.  Bennett,  their  wedding  taking  place  in  the  city 
of  Chicago.  Mrs.  Park  was  a  native  of  Wilkes 
Barre,  Pa.  She  died  on  the  19th  of  January,  1885. 
By  this  union  there  was  one  child,  a  daughter,  who 
died  in  infancy.  Fannie,  an  adopted  daughter,  is 
the  wife  of  L.  B.  Fuller,  of  Normal.  Mr.  Park  is  a 
member  of  Normal  Lodge  No.  673,  A.  F.  <fc  A.  M. 
having  been  connected  with  the  fraternity  since 
1860. 


IMON  CAVANAUGH,  a  leading  farmer  of 
Cheney's  Grove  Township,  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  fine  homestead  on  section  32.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since 
1856,  and  is  a  representative  of  the  warm-hearted 
Irish  nationality,  so  many  of  whom  have  emigrated 
to  this  county  and  assisted  in  its  development  and 
colonization.  The  birthplace  of  our  subject  was 
in  Wicklow  County,  Ireland,  where  he  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  on  the  9th  of  September,  1836. 


His  parents  were  Thomas  and  Mary  (Ryan)  Cava- 
naugh,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  They 
left  their  native  laud  in  1848,  and  after  a  safe  ocean 
voyage  landed  at  New  Orleans,  whence  they  at  once 
proceeded  to  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  they 
took  up  their  residence  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  Thomas  Cavanaugh  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  the  parental  household  was 
completed  by  the  birth  of  seven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living,  namely,  Mary,  Bridget,  John, 
Simon,  Annie  and  William.  Andrew  was  killed  by 
the  fall  of  a  tree,  in  Ohio,  when  twenty-three  years 
of  age. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-one  years  old,  receiving  a 
common-school  education  and  assisting  his  parents 
in  the  duties  around  the  farm.  Soon  after  attain- 
ing his  majority  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Julia  Stansbury,  on  the  10th  of  September. 
1857.  Mrs.  Cavanaugh  was  born  in  Tennessee  in 
1836,  her  parents  being  Isaac  and  Ruth  (Laeey) 
Stansbury.  They  removed  to  Kansas,  where  the 
father  died  in  1877;  the  mother  is  still  living.  Our 
subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  ten  children, 
of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Mollie  became 
the  wife  of  N.  MoCarty,  and  lives  in  Piatt  County, 
111. ;  William  H.  married  Miss  Mary  McCoy,  and 
they  are  residents  of  Nebraska;  Annie  became  the 
wife  of  William  McCoy ;  Ida,  Rosa,  Harry  and 
Maude  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  Three  died 
in  infancy. 

When  Mr.  Cavanaugh  first  came  to  this  county 
he  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  two  years.  He 
had  been  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy, 
and  at  the  end  of  this  time  found  himself  with  suf- 
ficient means  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land. 
This  he  cultivated,  improved,  and  added  to,  so  that 
he  now  has  a  fine  farm  of  1 20  acres  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation.  The  residence  is  a 
substantial  and  shapely  building.  He  has  a  good 
barn  and  all  other  buildings  necessary  for  the  suc- 
cessful prosecution  of  agriculture,  the  shelter  of 
stock  and  the  storage  of  grain.  Everything  about 
the  premises  is  kept  in  good  repair  and  denotes  the 
enterprise  of  its  proprieter.  He  has  been  upright 
and  methodical  in  his  business  transactions,  and  by 
this  course  has  secured  the  esteem  and  confidence 


T 


t72 


M.  LKAN   COCNTY. 


of  his  fellow-tuwnsmen,  who  have  from  time  to 
time  honored  him  with  the  various  township  offices, 
including  that  of  School  Directer. 

Politically  Mr.  Cavanaugh  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  his  family  are  members  and  regu- 
lar attendants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Serially  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being 
a  member  of  Saybrook  Lodge  No.  468,  in  which 
he  has  held  the  office  of  Junior  and  Senior  Deacon 
for  some  years.  He  is  a  great  admirer  of  the 
principles  of  the  fraternity,  which  he  upholds  with 
honest  zeal. 


AMUEL  WADDLE,  an  esteemed  resident 
of  Normal,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  (State, 
having  been  born  in  Monroe  County  on  the 
10th  of  August,  1835.  His  father,  James 
H.  Waddle,  of  Kentucky,  was  reared  in  his  native 
State  to  farming  pursuits,  and  after  arriving  at 
years  of  manhood,  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Mundy,  alsp  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  State. 
Soon  afterward,  in  1827,  they  emigrated  to  Illinois, 
and  were  thus  among  the  pioneer  settlers.  They 
located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  there 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Of  their  fam- 
ily of  twelve  children,  only  two  sons  and  two 
daughters  are  now  living,  and  three  of  the  children 
died  in  infancy. 

The  subject  of  this  narrative  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
school  of  forty  years  ago.  After  attaining  his 
majority,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Monroe  County, 
111.,  which  he  occupied  and  cultivated  until  1874. 
Then,  desiring  better  opportunities  for  the  educa- 
tion of  his  children,  he  removed  to  Bloomington, 
ami  one  year  later  to  Normal.  Since  residing  in 
McLean  County,  he  has  given  considerable  atten- 
tion to  the  buying  and  selling  of  stock,  which 
yields  him  a  handsome  income.  Mr.  Waddle  still 
owns  real  estate  to  the  extent  of  500  acres,  350  of 
which  are  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  The  land 
lies  near  old  Ft.  Charter,  on  the  American  Bottoms 
in  Monroe  County.  While  living  there  he  chiefly 
gave  his  attention  to  the  raising  of  wheat. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married   in  Sep- 


tember,  1857,  to  Miss  Christine  Cline,  who  died  in 
18C4,  leaving  three  children,  two  now  living:  .John 
A.,  book-keeper  of  a  wholesale  house  at  Portland, 
Ore.,  and  Wellington,  Assistant  Postmaster  at  Nor- 
mal. The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Waddle  occurred 
in  186a,  when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Jane  C. 
Morris,  who  bore  him  four  children,  of  whom  one 
daughter  died  in  infancy ;  James  is  a  book-keeper 
in  Chicago;  Herbert  C.  is  engaged  in  teaching,  and 
Leman  is  attending  the  Illinois  State  Normal  Uni- 
versity. 

Our  subject  and  his  family  occupy  a  handsome 
and  comfortable  home,  and  enjoy  the  friendship 
and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  Mr. 
Waddle  ranks  among  the  representative  citizens  of 
Normal,  and  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with  which  he  has 
been  connected  for  the  past  thirty  years.  Socially 
he  is  a  Knight  Templar,  and  politically  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  steadily 
declined  becoming  an  office-holder,  although  sev- 
eral times  solicited  to  take  the  responsibility.  He 
is  essentially  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and 
his  possessions  have  been  acquired  solely  by  his  in- 
dustry and  wise  management. 


;1LL1AM    L.  POLLOCK,    M.    D.,   one   of 

the  most  successful  physicians  and  surgeons 
of  McLean  County,  is  a  graduate  of  Jeffer- 
son Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  where  he  se- 
cured his  "sheepskin"  on  the  8th  of  March,  1871. 
He  commenced  practice  at  Normal,  in  this  county, 
whence,  in  1872,  he  came  to  He3'worth,  of  which 
he  has  since  been  a  resident,  and  has  built  up  an  ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  practice.  Dr.  Pollock  was 
born  in  Bellefontaine,  Logan  Co.,  Ohio,  on  the 
4th  of  May,  1850,  and  lived  in  his  native  town  un- 
til sixteen  years  of  age,  pursuing  his  early  studies 
in  the  primary  schools  and  graduating  from  the 
High  School.  Before  he  was  seventeen  years  old 
he  began  to  receive  special  instruction  under  Rev. 
Mr.  Shaw,  a  druggist  of  Bellefontaine,  and  not  long 
afterward  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  this  count}-. 
Here  he  entered  the  office  of  Drs.  Stephen  Noble, 
and  R.  D.  Bradley,  of  Bloomington,  eminent  and 


1 


•4* 


RESIDENCE     OF  HUGH    VAUGHAN  ,    5EC  .  36,    CHENOA    TP. 


RESIDENCE    OF    H.HORNEY,    SEC  .  29  .  LEXIN  GTON    TP  . 


•  -  - 

B&*. 


RESrDENCE     OF    JA5  .   5.    BLAN  D  ,  SEC  .  7.  Cs)      EMPIRE    TP 


Mr LEAN    COUNTY. 


17;") 


Ik 

n 


well-known  physicians,  and  before  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old,  had  graduated  from  Jefferson  College, 
Pennsylvania. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  John  Pollock,  was  a 
native  of  Richland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
educated  and  grew  to  manhood.  There,  also,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Furgeson  who, 
like  himself,  was  of  Scottish  ancestry.  After  his 
marriage,  John  Pollock  began  the  practice  of  law 
at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  where  he  resided  for  six- 
teen years.  In  1867  he  came  with  his  family  to 
Ford  County,  111.,  and  settled  at  Paxton,  the 
county  seat.  There,  also,  he  pursued  his  law  prac- 
tice until  1872,  when  the  Republicans  of  that 
county  elected  him  as  their  representative  to  the 
State  Legislature.  For  many  years  he  was  associa- 
ted in  partnership  with  Judge  Semple.  He  is  now 
retired  from  practice,  and  for  the  last  six  years  has 
been  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  early  labors  in  a 
comfortable  home  at  Paxton.  The  mother  is  also 
yet  living,  and  both  parents  are  over  seventy  years 
of  age. 

William  L.  Pollock  was  the  youngest  of  four 
children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  eldest 
son  is  now  deceased.  The  living  are:  John  E.,  an 
attorney  of  Bloomington;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  J. 
U.  Marlow,  of  Denver,  Col.,  who  is  engaged  as  a 
hotel-keeper  and  is  proprietor  of  one  of  the  finest 
houses  in  the  city,  and  our  subject.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1872,  on  the  24th  of  December,  at  Nor- 
mal, to  Miss  Lillie  Bingham.  Mrs.  P.  was  born 
March  24,  1851,  in  Vernon,  Ind.,  and  was  educated 
at  Eureka,  111.,  to  which  she  came  with  her  parents 
when  thirteen  years  of  age.  Her  father,  Lucius 
Bingham,  died  in  Indiana,  in  about  1864,  and  the 
mother,  Mary  A.  (Eldridge)  Bingham,  in  Kansas, 
in  1879.  Both  were  natives  of  New  York  State, 
and  Mrs.  B.  was  the  sister  of  Edwin  Eldridge, 
ownerof  Eldridge  ParkatEImira,  N.  Y.,  and  who,  at 
his  death,  bequeathed  this  to  the  city. 

Mrs.  Pollock  was  finely  educated,  and  was  for 
sometime  a  teacher  of  music,  in  which  she  possessed 
great  taste  and  skill.  She  is  in  all  respects  an  ac- 
complished lady  and  an  ornament  to  society.  She 
has  been  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
since  twelve  years  of  age,  in  whose  doctrines  our 
subject  was  also  reared  by  a  pious  and  devoted 


mother.  Since  coming  here,  Dr.  Pollock  has  been 
prominent  in  local  affairs,  his  intelligent  and  well- 
informed  mind  at  once  securing  him  a  passport  to 
public  favor.  He  has  been  President  of  the  Village 
Board  for  some  time,  and  is  one  of  the  solid  Repub- 
licans of  this  locality  who  has  been  of  great  assist- 
ance in  building  up  and  maintaining  the  local  stand- 
ing of  this  party.  He  is  also  connected  with  the 
A.  F.  &  A.  M..  having  been  Master  of  Blue  Lodge, 
and  one  of  the  most  earnest  workers  of  the  frater- 
nity. 


J"  OSEPH  G.  RANNEBARGER,  of  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on 
section  14,  where  he  is  successfully  engaged 
as  a  farmer  and  stock-breeder.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  1851,  first  locating  in  Cumberland 
County,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean 
County  since  1876.  His  birthplace  was  in  Franklin 
County,  Ohio,  and  the  date  thereof,  Feb.  27,  1844. 
He  is  the  son  of  Stephen -T.  and  Susan  (Michaels) 
Rannebarger,  both  natives  of  Maryland.  His 
father  was  born  in  1802,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Macon  County,  111.,  in  October,  1874.  lie  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  Republican  in  polities. 
The  mother  was  born  in  1801,  united  witli  the  Bap- 
tist Church  early  in  life,  and  died  in  Sangamon 
County,  111.,  in  1865.  Their  eleven  children  are  as 
follows:  Henry  W.,  Andrew  B.,  Adam,  Sarah. 
Harriett  J.,  Susan,  Phillip,  Mary,  Stephen  T.,  who 
died  in  infancy ;  Joseph,  of  our  sketch,  and  John. 

Mr.  R.  of  this  notice  was  but  seven  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  removed  from  Ohio  to  this  State. 
They  lived  in  Cumberland  County  six  years, 
thence  removed  to  Sajigamon  County,  and  after- 
ward to  DeWitt  County.  Joseph  G.  remained  un- 
der the  home  roof  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
late  war,  then  enlisted  in  the  130th  Illinois  Infantry. 
Six  weeks  later  he  was  taken  ill  and  compelled  to 
return  home,  where  he  remained  thirteen  months, 
lie  then  decided  to  try  again,  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  10th  Illinois  Cavalry,  with  which  he  re- 
mained two  years  and  four  months,  his  regiment 
being  assigned  to  the  Western  Division.  He  was 
in  the  battle  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  in  various 
other  engagements  and  skirmishes,  escaping  with- 


1 


f 


>    47fi 


MoLEAN    COUNTY. 


out  a  wound.  He  received  his  honorable  discharge 
in  January,  I860,  :it  SMII  Antonio,  Tex.,  and  at 
once  returned  to  his  home  in  this  State. 

Mr.  Hannebarger  made  his  home  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  A.  Conn,  which 
occurred  Nov.  30,  1H71.  Mrs.  II.  was  born  in  l)e 
Witt  County,  111.,  Aug.  19,  1851,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Bennett)  Conn, 
natives  respectively  of  Germany  and  Ohio.  The 
mother  died  in  DeWitt  County,  111.,  in  1853.  Their 
four  children  were  Lucy  A.,  Albert,  Sarah  A.  and 
.lames  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.  have  six  children  — 
Perry  F.,  Uosetta  A.,  Nora  L.,  Lula  M.,  Hoy  R. 
and  Lottie  B.  ;  the  latter  was  born  Nov.  15,  1886. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  includes  eighty 
acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  with  a  good  resi- 
dence, barn,  and  all  the  necessary  out-buildings  for 
the  shelter  of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grain.  His 
horses  and  cattle  are  of  the  best  grades,  and  models 
of  beauty  and  symmetry.  Mr.  R.  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the  County  Vigilance  Associa- 
tion organized  for  the  purpose  of  detecting  and 
punishing  horse  thieves.  He  has  held  the  offices  of 
Road  Commissioner  and  School  Director  for  many 
years,  and  politically  casts  his  vote  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 


J-  OIIN  W.  FUNK,  of  Randolph  Township,  is 
the  second  son  and  fourth  child  of  Jesse 
j  and  Fannie  U.  (Stringfield)  Funk,  his  mother 
^  '  being  the  sister  of  Capt.  A.  M.  Stringfield,  a 
sketch  of  whom  is  given  on  another  page  of  this 
work.  The  parental  household  included  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  Sarah  J.  is  the  widow  of  John  A. 
Brittonham;  he  was  formerly  a  farmer;  Mrs.  B.  is 
living  at  Monticello,  in  Piatt  County,  111.,  aged 
sixty-one  years;  John  W.  ;  Thomas  C.  married 
Miss  Julia  Childs,  and  is  now  a  live-stock  dealer  of 
Crawfordsville,  Kan.;  Delilah  is  the  wife  of  James 
F.  Brown,  now  living  in  Hey  worth,  this  county;  Ab- 
salom C.  resides  at  Bellettower;  lie  married  Miss 
Chloe  C.  Bishop,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising;  Nancy  A.,  now  deceased,  first  mar- 
ried John  Wilson,  who  died  of  smallpox  ;  she  after- 


ward married  John  Thompson,  who  now  lives  in 
Santa  Barbara,  Cal. ;  Adam  was  fatally  injured  by 
being  run  over  by  a  loaded  wagon,  when  eleven 
years  of  age;  he  was  a  promising  boy,  and  his 
death  was  a  great  atlliction  to  the  family. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Adam  Funk,  it 
i-  .-upposed  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean  while  his 
parents  were  crossing  from  Germany  to  the  United 
States,  his  mother,  it  appears,  having  died  on  the 
ocean,  probably  at  th'e  time  of  his  birth.  The 
father  after  landing  upon  American  shores  settled 
near  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  after  a  few  years  disap- 
peared from  the  knowledge  of  his  parents.  The 
child,  Adam,  was  placed  with  a  family  near  Phila- 
delphia, with  whom  be  lived  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  subsequently  went  to  Strasburg,  Va.,  where  he 
remained  until  his  marriage  with  Miss  Moore,  the 
daughter  of  an  old  pioneer  of  that  State,  who  lived 
at  Mooresville,  and  who  was  of  German  parentage 
and  ancestry.  Adam  Funk  and  his  young  bride 
after  marriage  removed  to  the  Blue  Grass  regions 
of  Kentucky,  where  was  born  their  son  Jesse,  the 
father  of  our  subject.  Later  the  family  came 
North  to  Ohio,  and  after  a  few  years'  residence 
there  removed  to  Illinois,  in  1824,  locating  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Funk's  Grove,  McLean  County, 
where  he  lived  with  his  brother  Isaac  a  few  months, 
and  there,  after  a  few  years  the  parents  died. 

Jesse  Funk,  after  arriving  at  years  of  manhood, 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Fannie  U.  String- 
fleld, Feb.  1C,  1825.  The  following  spring  they 
came  to  Randolph  Township,  where  Jesse  Funk  in 
time  secured  8,000  acres  of  the  best  land  in  this 
section,  and  improved  a  large  portion  of  this  before 
his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  6,  1865.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  survived  her  husband  a  few  days 
over  five  years,  dying  Feb.  21,  1870.  They  were 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  possessed  in  a  marked  degree 
those  admirable  traits  of  character  for  which  the 
entire  family  is  celebrated,  and  by  which  they  have 
obtained  their  reputation  as  among  the  best  citi- 
zens of  McLean  County.  Their  son,  John  W.,  per- 
formed his  filial  duties  in  the  most  praiseworthy 
manner.  He  lived  with  his  father  until  his  death, 
and  tenderly  cared  for  his  widowed  mother  until 
she  followed  her  husband  to  the  better  land. 


• 


McLKAN  COUNTY. 


477  -  • 


John  W.  Funk  was  reared  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, where  he  pursued  his  primary  studies.  Later 
he  entered  Wesleyan  University,  where  lie  attended 
three  years.  He  then  returned  to  the  farm,  and 
employed  his  time  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  July  30,  18G7,  at  the 
home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Lincoln,  Logan 
County,  this  State,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being 
Miss  Elizabeth  C.,  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Nancy  A.  (Glover)  Fryer.  Mrs.  Funk  had  two 
brothers  who  served  under  Gen.  Jackson  in  the 
War  of  1812.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ohio, 
and  of  German  and  English  descent;  They  re- 
moved to  Logan  County,  111.,  in  1865,  whence  the}' 
came  to  McLean  County,  and  settled  in  Randolph 
Township  on  one  of  the  farms  of  Mr.  Funk.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  F.  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  is 
now' about  seventy  years  of  age.  The  mother  is 
also  living,  being  sixty-six  years  old  on  the  7th  of 
February,  1887.  Both  are  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church. 

The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Funk,  Benjamin  Fryer, 
was  reared  by  the  Jefferson  family,  of  which 
Thomas,  the  President,  was  an  early  member,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Jefferson.  She  was 
a  cousin  of  President  Jefferson.  They  settled  in 
Portsmouth  County,  Ohio,  among  the  early  pio- 
neers of  that  section,  and  became  intimately  iden- 
tified with  its  welfare  and  progress,  aiding  by  every 
means  in  their  power  the  religious  and  educational 
element  which  was  struggling  for  recognition.  Ben- 
jamin Fryer  became  an  invalid  many  years  before 
his  death,  but  bore  his  sufferings  with  resignation 
and  patience,  and  closed  his  eyes  upon  the  scenes 
of  earth  in  1868,  when  about  eighty-five  years  old. 
He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Mrs.  Funk  was  the  eldest  of  her  father's  four 
children,  and  the  only  daughter  of  the  family,  all 
the  children  being  yet  alive;  Randolph  B.,  Sam- 
uel B.  and  John  F.  are  married  and  settled  in 
homes  of  their  own.  Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, Ohio,  Aug.  30,  1843,  and  received  her  edu- 
cation in  her  native  town.  She  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  when  she  came  to  this  State,  and  was 
employed  in  teaching  music  until  her  marriage  with 
our  subject.  Of  this  union  were  born  two  children, 
Jessie  A.  and  John  W.,  both  at  home.  All  the 


members  of  the  family  are  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  Mr.  F.  has 
been  Trustee  and  Steward  for  many  years.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mr.  Funk  is  largely 
engaged  in  stock-raising  (high  grades),  in  connec- 
tion with  his  farming  operations.  His  farm  com- 
prises 900  acres. 


J^  OSEPII  HABECKER,  an  intelligent  young 
farmer  of  Danvcrs  Township,  located  on  sec- 
tion 4,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  born 
'  in  1856.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mag- 
dalena  (Roth)  Habecker,  natives  of  France,  where 
the  father  was  born  in  1825,  and  the  mother  in 
1822.  The  father  of  our  subject  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1830,  with  his  parents.  They 
landed  in  New  Orleans,  whence  they  proceeded  to 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  their  son  remained 
until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  1845,  the 
lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Magdalena  Roth. 
After  marriage  they  located  upon  rented  land  in 
Ohio,  and  there  lived  until  1847.  John  Habecker 
then  decided  to  seek  the  farther  West,  and  coming 
into  the  Prairie  State  settled  near  Peoria,  Tazewell 
County,  and  cultivated  a  tract  of  rented  land. 
After  about  six  years  they  removed  to  McLean 
County,  where  Mr.  H.  purchased  eighty  acres,  to 
which  he  added  in  a  short  time  forty  acres  more. 
He  was  prospered  in  his  farming  and  business 
transactions,  and  in  due  time  found  himself  the 
owner  of  225  acres  of  valuable  land  and  a  comforta- 
ble home,  which  he  occupied  until  his  death  in 
1877.  The  mother  still  survives,  being  now  sixty- 
three  years  of  age  and  in  good  health.  The  house- 
hold circle  included  six  children,  three  deceased: 
Barbara  became  the  wife  of  Amos  Yoder,  and  died 
in  May,  1885;  Catherine  married  Peter  S.  Gerber, 
of  Oak  Grove ;  Christian  married  Miss  Irene  Stutz- 
man,  and  resides  in  this  county;  Joseph,  of  our 
sketch,  was  the  fourth  child;  Johnnie  and  Lena 
both  died  when  young.  The  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Mennonite  Church.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all  re- 
spects a  worthy  and  reliable  citizen. 

The  subject,  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his 


t  .  47i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


father's  farm,  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
Then,  by  the  death  of  his  father,  the  supervision 
and  operation  of  the  farm  fell  upon  him  for  about 
three  years.  He  was  soon  afterward  married  to 
Miss  Catherine  Burkey,  in  1880,  and  purchased  a 
farm  of  112  acres,  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  flue 
dwelling,  two  stories  in  height,  with  an  L,  hand- 
somely finished  and  furnished,  lie  also  has  a  good 
barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings,  and  if  appear- 
ances are  correct,  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  promi- 
nent .and  influential  farmers  of  this  section. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Habecker  were  Frederick 
and  Catherine  (Creek)  Burkey,  natives  of  Switzer- 
land, whence  her  father  emigrated  when  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  located  with  his  fam- 
ily near  Belleville,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  this 
State.  After  a  two  3-ears'  residence  there  they  re- 
moved to  Woodford  County,  and  in  1806  carne  to 
this  vicinity,  and  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of 
rented  land.  Frederick  Burkey  died  in  1871.  His 
wife  survived  him  until  May  18,  1885.  Their  re- 
mains lie  side  by  side  in  the  Imhoff  Cemetery  in 
this  county.  The  parental  household  included 
seven  children:  Frederick,  Catherine;  Johnnie, 
who  died  Oct.  1,  1870;  Mary,  who  died  in  1867; 
William,  Mary  (2d),  and  Christian.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
B.  were  formerly  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  B.  united 
with  the  Men non ites. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Habecker  have  two  children — Jes- 
sie, born  June  7,  1883,  and  Eddie,  Sept.  22,  1885. 
Mr.  H.  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church,  and  politically  our  subject  is  a  straight 
Republican. 


W.  ULBRICH,  manufacturer  of  harness  and 
saddlery,  is  located  at  No.  512  North  Main 
street,  Bloomington,  where  he  has  built  up 
a  good  trade,  and  established  himself  as  one 
of  the  first  business  men  of  the  city.  Our  subject 
was  born  in  the  Kingdom  of  Prussia,  on  the  26th 
of  June,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Frank  and  Theresa 
(Kaps)  Ulbrich,  natives  of  the  same  country  as 
their  son.  The  father  was  a  cabinet-maker  by 


trade,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1853,  landing 
on  our  shores  on  the  25th  of  .lime,  lie  located  in 
Chicago,  and  worked  at  his  trade  there  for  twelve 
years,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  with  his  son, 
our  subject,  in  Bloomington.  The  mother  died  in 
Chicago,  in  1879.  Their  family  consisted  of  four 
sons,  only  two  of  whom  are  living,  our  subject  and 
his  brother  August;  the  latter  is  a  furniture  finisher 
and  a  resident  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Ulbrich  lived  in  the  city  of  Chicago  from  the 
time  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  and  came  to  Bloom- 
ington in  1882.  He  attended  school  until  twelve 
years  old,  and  then  went  to  work  in  a  brickyard. 
He  was  thus  occupied  for  a  year,  and  thence  went 
into  a  shingle-mill  for  eighteen  months,  then  made 
brushes  for  six  months,  and  subsequently  worked 
in  a  furniture  factory  for  twelve  months.  He  was 
then  employed  in  a  sash  and  door  factory  for  fif- 
teen months,  and  then  served  an  apprenticeship 
with  his  brother,  Joseph  F.,  in  the  harness  busi- 
ness. In  1864  he  went  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where 
he  worked  in  the  harness-shops  of  the  Government 
for  ten  months.  The  war  being  then  in  progress 
he  established  a  sutler's  stand,  and  after  one 
month's  experience  at  this  was  quite  satisfied  with 
army  life,  and  returning  to  Chicago  purchased  the 
harness-shop  of  his  brother,  which  he  operated  for 
ten  months,  in  the  meantime  employing  three 
workmen.  He  then  went  to  Milwaukee  and  worked 
at  his  trade  for  two  months,  thence  to  Portage  City 
for  two  months,  and  from  there  to  Chicago  again, 
where  he  engaged  at  his  trade  for  fifteen  months, 
and  then  went  into  business,  which  he  continued 
until  1882,  employing  six  hands.  In  that  year  he 
came  to  Bloomington,  and  has  since  been  carrying 
on  his  business  successfully  and  employing  two 
workmen. 

Mr.  Ulbrich  was  married  in  1867,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Schnur,  who  was  born  in  New  York  City,  of 
German  parentage.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children :  Henry  A.  and  Frank  are  in  the  office  with 
their  father,  and  the  others  at  home  are  Annie, 
William,  Alphonso,  Anthony  and  Aloysius.  They 
are  comfortably  located  in  a  pleasant  residence  at 
No.  530  West  Grove  street,  the  property  of  our 
subject;  he  also  has  two  lots  on  West  Fourteenth 
street.  Chicago,  and  four  lots  in  the  suburbs  of  Des 


I 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


479  t 


Plaines.  Mr.  U.  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party, 
and  with  his  wife  and  children  is  connected  with 
the  German  Catholic  Church.  He  is  highly  es- 
teemed by  his  fellow-townsmen,  and  is  in  all  re- 
spects a  representative  German  citizen,  possessed  of 
the  honest}'  and  industry  characteristic  of  his  race. 


eHRISTIAN  GINGERICH,  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Allin  Township,  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  section  8,  where  he  is  following  his 
chosen  calling  in  an  intelligent  and  successful  man- 
ner, and  pursuing  the  life  of  a  peaceful  and  law- 
abiding  citizen.  He  is  a  representative  of  that  val- 
ued German  element  which  has  so  materially  as- 
sisted in  developing  the  resources  of  the  Great 
West,  being  a  native  of  the  German  Empire,  and 
born  Oct.  28,  1820.  His  parents  were  Michael  and 
Barbara  (Heinanan)  Gingerich,  natives  of  the  same 
country,  the  former  born  in  1789,  and  the  latter 
ten  years  later.  They  were  married  in  181C,  and 
the  father  followed  farming  pursuits  all  his  life. 
Both  parents  died  in  their  native  land,  Michael 
Gingerich  in  1854,  and  the  mother  thirteen  years 
previously,  in  1841.  They  were  members  of  the 
Mennonite  Church,  and  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, namely:  Jena,  Barbara,  Catharine,  Christian, 
Jacob  (deceased),  Margaret  and  Andrew. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  in  his  na- 
tive country  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  and 
sailed  for  America  in  the  spring  of  1850.  He 
landed  in  New  Orleans,  and  proceeded  at  once  to 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  employed  by 
the  month  on  a  farm.  Four  years  later,  on  the 
4th  of  March,  1854,  he  was  married  in  the  Buckeye 
State  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  they  imme- 
diately came  to  Illinois  and  located  upon  rented 
land  in  this  county.  In  1865  Mr.  G.  purchased 
120  acres,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  half  section, 
upon  which  he  has  made  fine  improvements  and 
which  has  become  valuable.  He  has  given  much 
attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  horses,  and  also  pur- 
chased and  sold  in  this  line,  which  business  has 
yielded  him  a  handsome  income.  Upon  first  com- 
ing to  Illinois  lie  was  without  means.  There  was 


little- market  for  produce,  and  this  was  far  away,  he 
having  to  haul  his  grain  to  Bloomington.  He  was, 
however,  blest  with  good  health,  and  in  due  time 
overcame  the  various  difficulties  which  beset  him. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gingerich  departed  this  life  on  the 
5J;h  of  September,  18C5,  leaving  two  children, 
John  and  Daniel;  one  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 
He  was  married  the  second  time,  Sept.  7,  186G,  to 
Miss  Catharine  Gingerich,  and  they  have  become 
the  parents  of  seven  children — Christian,  William, 
Ellen,  Edward,  Emma,  Bertha  and  Joseph  A.  The 
family  residence  is  a  substantial  two-story  build- 
ing, and  the  farm  is  supplied  with  a  good  barn  and 
all  other  modern  improvements.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G. 
are  connected  with  the  Mennonite  Church,  of  which 
our  subject  has  been  a  minister  for  the  last  thirty- 
two  years.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his 
ministrations,  and  still  preaches  every  Sunday.  Po- 
litically he  is  independent,  aiming  to  cast  his  vote 
for  the  best  man. 


m. 

with 


OHN  PETERS,  of  Hey  worth,  is  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Slagel  &  Peters,  manu- 
facturers of  all  kinds  of  farm  implements, 
repairing  the  same,  and  also  in  connection 
this,  operating  a  feed  in  ill.  The  firm  was 
established  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and  has  been 
successfully  engaged  since  that  time.  Mr.  Peters 
was  born  in  Shenancloah  County,  Va.,  Aug.  8,  1845. 
His  father,  Daniel  Peters,  was  formerly  a  shoemaker 
and  later  in  life  a  farmer.  He,  also,  was  a  native 
of  the  Old  Dominion,  and  descended  from  excellent 
Irish  and  German  ancestors.  He  was  married  in 
his  native  State  to  Miss  Rebecca  Blake,  a  Virginia 
lady,  whose  parents  were  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  that  region.  They  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  of  pure  German  descent.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  William  Peters,  lived  and  died  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade 
and  very  ingenious  with  the  use  of  tools. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  located  in  Virginia 
after  their  marriage,  and  the  father  died  there  in 
1859.  Seven  years  later  the  mother,  with  her 
family  of  seven  children,  emigrated  West,  and  com- 
ing into  McLean  County,  111,,  settled  in  Lexington 


i. 


t. 


'•  '  480 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Township.  There  the  mother  is  yet  living  :m<l 
there  our  subject  learned  his  trade  of  blacksmith, 
serving  his  apprenticeship  under  the  instruction  of 
his  uncle,  L.  C.  Blake.  After  working  five  years 
for  his  board,  clothes,  and  $1 50  in  money,  he  de- 
cided to  set  up  in  business  for  himself.  He  first 
located  in  Martin  Township  in  about  18G6,  and  the 
following  fall  came  to  Hey  worth,  where  he  worked 
as  a  "jour"  for  about  three  years.  In  1872  he 
became  associated  with  his  present  partner,  and 
they  have  since  operated  together  harmoniously 
and  successfully.  Mr.  Peters  has  a  record  as  a  shoe 
setter  on  horses  which  is  seldom  equaled  or  ex- 
celled. In  the  space  of  eight  hours  he  has  set  and 
finished  up  ninety-six  shoes,  and  in  all  departments 
of  his  business  is  equally  skillful  and  expeditious. 
He  has  been  industrious  and  made  a  wise  invest- 
ment of  his  profits.  Besides  his  half  interest  in 
their  large  shop  he  also  has  eighty  acres  of  land 
located  on  sections  34  and  17,  and  also  has  a  nice 
village  property. 

Mr.  Peters  was  married  in  Bloomington,  111., 
Aug.  23,  1871,  to  Miss  M.  K.  Slagel,  who  was 
born  in  Pendleton  County,  Va.,  Sept.  12,  1853. 
Mrs.  Peters  came  West  with  her  parents  while  yet 
an  infant,  and  they  first  located  in  Coles  County, 
this  State,  whence  they  removed  to  Randolph 
Township,  this  county.  Of  this  marriage  there 
is  one  child  only,  a  son — Herbert  J.  Mr.  P.  is  a 
member  and  chorister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been 
a  Councilman  in  the  village  government.  Mrs. 
Peters  is  an  amiable  and  accomplished  lady,  finely 
educated,  being  a  graduate  of  Wesleyan  University 
in  both  classics  and  music. 


'  ' 

1 


;ILLIAM  H.  H.  ADAMS,  President  of  the 
Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  at  Blooming- 
ton,  is  a  native  of  this  State,  having  been 
born  in  Efllngham  County,  March  30,  1840.  He  is 
the  son  of  Christopher  B.  and  Sarah  (Gannaway) 
Adams,  and  is  descended  from  English  ancestry, 
the  Adams  family  being  a  branch  of  that  from 
which  President  .John  Q.  Adams  sprang.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Eli  Adams,  of  London, 


Madison  Co.,  Ohio,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
the  Buckeye  State.  The  O  anna  way  family  settled 
in  Virginia  two  centuries  ago.  One  of  the  most 
prominent  representatives  in  this  country  was  John 
Gannaway,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, who  was  an  extensive  slaveholder  and  carried 
on  a  large  plantation  in  the  Old  Dominion.  Dur- 
ing the  early  years  of  his  life  he  removed  to  Illi- 
nois, where  he  liberated  his  slaves  and  departed 
this  life  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years. 
Eli  Adams  married  the  daughter  of  Christopher 
Beeks,  who  emigrated  from  England  during  the 
Revolutionary  War,  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the 
colonies,  and  fell  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  His 
son,  Christopher  B.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  Xenia,  Ohio,  and  was  principally  reared  in 
Madison  County,  whence  he  emigrated  to  Illinois 
in  1837.  He  was  married  the  following  year  to 
Miss  Sarah  Gannaway,  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  six  children. 

President  Adams  was  reared  principally  in  Coles 
Count}',  this  State,  and  entered  upon  his  primary 
education  in  the  pioneer  schools  conducted  in  the 
log  cabin.  After  having  attained  sufficient  prog- 
ress, he  entered  the  Northwestern  University,  at 
Evanston,  111.  He  began  his  theological  course  at 
Garrett  Biblical  Institute,  Evanston,  and  .was  li- 
censed to  preach  when  a  mere  youth  of  seventeen 
years,  being  placed  in  charge  of  North  Avenue 
Church,  at  Chicago,  111.,  a  position  which  he  held 
during  the  last  two  years  of  his  college  course. 
Soon  after  graduating,  in  1870,  he  joined  the  Illi- 
nois Conference,  his  first  appointment  being  at 
Monticello  for  two  years,  and  was  then  sent  to 
Clinton,  111.,  whence  after  three  years  he  was  called 
to  Wesleyan  University,  and  in  1875  became  its 
President  and  the  successor  to  Bishop  Fallows,  now 
of  Chicago. 

Dr.  Adams  was  united  in  marriage  in  18C7,  with 
Miss  Hannah  Concklin,  of  Plymouth,  Ohio,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  three 
daughters  and  one  son — Lula  May,  Grace,  Charles 
C.  and  Katie. 

During  the  late  war  Dr.  Adams  enlisted  as  a  pri- 
vate in  the  Union  service  in  Co.  A,  lllth  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  in  1803  he  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant 
and  served  as  such  until  near  the  expiration  of  his 


r 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


481 


term  of  enlistment,  when  he  was  brevetted,  first  as 
Captain  and  afterward  as  Major  of  the  regiment. 
As  Captain  he  commanded  the  4th  Battery, 
I'.  S.  Artillery.  Previous  to  this,  however,  he 
drilled  the  first  2,000  colored  troops,  formed  them 
into  companies,  and  turned  them  over  to  the  serv- 
ice. His  commission  as  Major  was  signed  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln.  He  was  stationed  for  a  time  at 
Columbus,  Ky.,  whence  he  went  to  Mobile,  and 
from  there  to  Little  Rock,  Ark.  He  was  in  the 
battle  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  under  Gen.  Thomas,  and 
took  part  in  several  minor  engagements  against  Gen. 
Forrest.  He  resigned  his  commission  July  4,  1865, 
and  returning  to  Evanston  completed  his  college 
course.  Early  in  life  he  identified  himself  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

When  Dr.  Adams  first  came  to  Bloomington  he 
had  received  no  information  of  the  honor  about  to 
be  conferred  upon  him.  Wesleyan  University  was 
then  in  debt  about  $60,000,  but  under  his  wise  and 
efficient  management,  the  most  of  this  has  been 
liquidated,  and  it  now  has  an  endowment  of  $85,000. 
In  1886  there  were  670  students  enrolled,  .and  its 
course  of  study  is  considered  the  most  thorough 
and  efficient  of  any  institution  in  the  State.  Dr. 
Adams  has  proved  himself  equally  able  as  an  in- 
structor and  an  executive,  and  is  rightly  regarded 
as  one  of  the  pillars  of  an  institution  in  which  the 
intelligent  people  of  McLean  County  are  vitally 
interested. 


\V.  TILLOTSON.  of  the  firm  of  Tillotson 
&  Fell,  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insur- 
ance  business,  also  examiners  of  abstracts 
and  titles,  with  their  office  at  the  northwest  corner 
of  the  court-house,  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of 
Delaware  County,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Tillotson  was  born 
Feb.  28,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Napoleon  and 
Annie  (<iuackenbush)  Tillotson,  natives  of  New 
York.  There  the  father  was  extensively  engaged 
in  fanning,  and  followed  that  calling  with  success 
until  his  death,  which  event  occurred  in  1850.  Six 
children  were  born  of  the  parental  union:  Julia, 
who  became  the  wife  of  L.  A.  Bodine,  and  lives  in 
Wellsburg,  Pa.;  Lucy,  now  Mrs.  Lloyd,  of  Bloss- 


burg,  Pa.;  Mary.  Mrs.  Drake,  of  Almira,  N.  Y. ; 
James  K.,  residing  at  Toledo,  Ohio;  E.  W.,  our 
subject,  and  Almira,  who  became  Mrs.  Dr.  Gam- 
mond,  and  is  residing  at  Corning,  N,  Y.  The 
mother  survives  her  husband,  and  is  yet  residing 
in  Blossburg,  Pa. 

E.  W.  Tillotson  followed  the  labor  common  to  a 
farmer's  son  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  old,  receiving  his  primary  education  in 
the  common  schools.  In  1864  he  went  to  Chicago, 
and  for  three  years  occupied  his  time  in  the  insur- 
ance business.  He  then  accepted  the  position  of 
State  Agent  for  the  North  American  Life  Insur- 
ance Company  for  Iowa,  and  moving  to  Burling- 
ton, that  State,  he  made  it  his  home  until  1870. 

Mr.  Tillotson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Cecelia  N.  Copp,Oct.  14, 1870.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Nathaniel  and  Fanny  (Foster)  Copp,  and  a  na- 
tive of  Fredonia,  N.  Y.  Her  father,  during  his 
younger  years,  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
but  later  in  life  occupied  his  time  in  locating  and 
developing  mines  in  Nevada,,  and  died  in  San  Fran- 
cisco in  1880.  He  had  a  family  of  nine  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living;  Fleta,  Mrs.  Stahl,  of 
Bloomington;  Andrew  J.,  a  manufacturer  of  furni- 
ture at  Chicago;  Cecelia  N.,  Mrs.  Tillotson,  and 
Frank  P.,  a  wholesale  grocer  of  Sun  Francisco,  Cal. 

After  the  marriage  of  our  subject  he  returned  to 
Chicago  and  accepted  the  position  as  General 
Agent  for  the  Western  States  of  the  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company  of  Chicago,  and  held  that  po- 
sition for  one  year.  In  1871  he  moved  to  Bloom- 
ington, this  State,  and  purchased  the  insurance 
business  of  T.  J.  Bunn,  and  in  1874  obtained  the 
financial  agency  of  the  Massachusetts  M  utual  Life  In- 
surance Company  of  Springfield.  Mass.  During  the 
year  1875,  Mr.  M.  C.  Wait  became  associated  with 
our  subject  as  an  equal  partner,  and  the  firm  name 
became  Tillotson  &  Wait.  This  relationship  con- 
tinued until  March  1,  1879,  when  Mr.  H.  C.  Fell 
purchased  Mr.  Wait's  interest,  and  the  firm  name 
was  changed  to  Tillotson  .  &  Fell.  The  new  firm 
purchased  the  abstract  books  of  Mr.  Larrimore, 
and  in  1880  the  firm  became  agents  for  Schroder's 
Opera  House,  and  in  1882  took  charge  of  the  Dur- 
ley  Theater,  which  they  still  conduct. 

In  addition  to  the  other   branches    of    business 


t. 


482 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


enumerated  Mr.  Tillotson  is  engaged  in  the  raising 
of  fine  trotting  stock,  and  is  owner  of  Kipton,  21)77 
of  Ilnmbletonian  stock.  He  had  the  management 
of  the  McLean  Fair  grounds  during  the  year  1886. 
His  residence  is  on  Franklin  avenue,  at  the  corner 
of  Second  street  and  Normal  avenue.  In  politics 
he  is  Republican,  and  in  religion  Presbyterian,  and 
is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of 
McLean  County. 


I  LIJAH  C.  BLISS,  formerly  a  prosperous 
farmer  of  McLean  County,  is  now  living  in 
ease  and  retirement  in  his  pleasant  home  in 
Bloomington.  His  earlier  years  were  passed  in  in- 
dustrious and  honorable  toil,  during  which  he  built 
up  for  himself  a  reputation  as  an  honest  man  and 
a  good  citizen.  He  comes  of  excellent  New  England 
parentage  and  was  born  in  Bristol  County,  Mass., 
Nov.  27,  1822.  His  parents  were  Elijah  and  Sarah 
(Perry)  Bliss,  also  of  Massachusetts,  and  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  their  entire  lives.  The 
household  circle  included  eleven  children,  six  now 
living,  viz.,  William  H.,  Frances,  Cornelius,  Zenus, 
Marshall  and  Elijah  C. 

Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and 
remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  receiving  careful  home  training  and 
a  common-school  education.  After  leaving  home 
he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he  worked 
in  his  native  State  until  1851.  He  then  came  to 
Illinois,  and  locating  in  Jacksonville  followed  his 
trade  there  for  five  years.  He  then  purchased  a 
farm,  which  he  cultivated  and  occupied  for  four 
years,  when  he  sold  out  and  came  to  McLean 
County,  becoming  a  resident  here  in  1861.  He 
purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship, upon  which  he  lived  and  labored  until  1883, 
then  purchased  the  five  acres  in  Bloomington  where 
he  now  lives,  and  which  constitutes  a  pleasant  and 
commodious  home. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Lucy  A. 
Harmon  took  place  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1852.  Mrs. 
Bliss  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  the  daughter 
of  Phineas  and  Mary  (Grosvenor)  Harmon,  natives 
of  the  same  State.  Her  father  was  also  a  builder 


and  contractor,  and  died  in  Suffleld,  Conn.,  in  1833. 
The  mother  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety  years,  and  makes  her  home  in  Blooiniiigton. 
Of  their  three  children  only  two  are  living — Lucy 
A.,  Mrs.  Bliss,  and  Sarah  G-.,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Reed,  of 
Bloomington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bliss  are  the  parents 
of  two  children:  Herbert  E.  married  Miss  Sadie 
Owens,  and  has  one  child — Emery;  Leonard  II.  is 
at  home;  Zenus  F.  Moody,  Governor  of  Oregon, 
is  a  step-brother  of  Mrs.  Bliss. 

Our  subject  is  a  strong  Prohibitionist,  and  with 
his  wife,  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  has  been  School  Director 
'and  occupied  other  prominent  positions  in  his 
township.  He  is  in  all  respects  a  representative 
citizen,  and  a  credit  to  the  county  which  has  been 
his  home  for  so  many  years. 


S.  DKPEW,  builder  and  contractor  at 
Bloomington,  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1835,  when,  a  child  of 
three  years,  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents. 
He  was  born  in  Indiana,  Aug.  12,  1832,  and  is  the 
son  of  James  and  Judah  (Hill)  DePew,  natives 
respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 

James  DePew  removed  from  his  native  State,  to 
Indiana  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  remained  a 
resident  of  that  State  until  April,  1835.  He  then 
came  to  Illinois,  and  settling  south  of  Bloomington 
Grove,  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  for  a  period 
of  over  thirty  years.  In  18G6  he  abandoned  active 
labor,  and  is  now  living  a  retired  life  in  the  city  of 
Bloomington.  The  parental  family  consisted  of 
six  children,  two  now  living,  W.  S.  and  James 
Albert,  the  latter  a  resident  of  Missouri.  The 
mother  died  a  few  years  after  coming  to  Illinois,  in 
1846.  James  DePew  is  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  since  1824,  his  wife  also  having  been  con- 
nected with  the«ame. 

The  subject  of  this  history  spent  his  younger 
days  in  school  until  eighteen  years  old,  and  then 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinet-making,  which  he 
followed  for  eight  years.  He  then  became  a  car- 
penter and  joiner,  and  in  186.'!  commenced  as  a 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


485 


contractor  and  builder,  and  was  soon  giving  em- 
ployment to  from  three  to  six  men.  He  has  fol- 
lowed this  continuously  up  to  the  present,  and  has 
been  very  successful  in  his  business  transactions. 

Mr.  DePew  was  married  on  the  4th  of  June,  1854, 
to  Miss  Fannie  M.  Schaum,  who  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana, and  was  the  daughter  of  Jacob  P.  Schaum, 
who  came  to  Illinois  in  1849,  and  settling  in 
Bloomington,  engaged  in  the  hatter's  trade.  His 
family  included  six  children,  five  now  living:  Fan- 
nie M.  is  the  wife  of  our  subject;  Henry  L.  is  a 
resident  of  Lawrence,  Kan. ;  Henrietta,  Mrs.  West, 
of  Bloomington;  John  J.,  of  St.  Paul,  and  Rosella, 
Mrs.  Worthsmith. 

Of  the  union  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  were 
born  four  children:  James  P.  married  Miss  Hesser, 
and  they  have  three  children — Mabel,  Ethel  M.  and 
Earle  R. ;  Ida  M.,  Mrs.  Heafer,  is  the  mother  of 
three  children — Stella  P.,  Edgar  M.  and  Roscoe  C. ; 
EttaM.  married  Mark  D.  Drum,  and  William  E.  is 
at  home.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  and  children 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  he  has  been  Class-Leader 
four  years.  The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated at  No.  803  West  Olive  street,  and  their 
friends  and  associates  are  numbered  among  the  best 
residents  of  the  city.  Mr.  DePew  is  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  valued  factor  in  the  business  and 
industrial  interests  of  the  city.  His  office  is  located 
at  No.  218  South  Main  Street. 


t 


J^~  OHN   TALLON,  an  industrious  and  enter- 
prising farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  is  what  may  properly  be  called  a 
self-made  man.     He  commenced  life  at  the 
foot  of  the  ladder,  and  by  the  exercise  of  his  own 
native  energy  and  perseverance  has  climbed  up  to 
a  good  position  among  his  fellowmen.  The  worldly 
goods  of  which  he  is  possessed  have  been  accumu- 
lated by  the  work  of  his  hands  and  the  sweat  of  his 
brow,  and  the  confidence  and  esteem  in  which  he  is 
held    by  his  fellow-citizens  are  the   result   of   hi 
straightforward  business  transactions  and   upright 
course  in  life. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native   of  West- 


morelandshire,  England,  and  was  born  Aug.  17, 
1833,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Jack- 
son) Tallon.  The  father  was  a  blacksmith,  of  sub- 
stantial English  ancestry  and  parentage,  and  fol- 
lowed his  trade  all  his  life  in  his  native  England, 
spending  his  last  days  in  Lancashire.  The  subject 
of  our  sketch  was  but  two  years  old  when  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Lancashire,  where  they  lived  for 
ten  years,  and  then  returned  to  Westmoreland, 
where  their  son  grew  to  manhood.  At  an  early 
age  he  commenced  working  with  his  father  in  the 
blacksmith-shop,  where  he  remained  for  three  years, 
and  subsequently  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
When  he  was  sixteen  years  old  he  received  $30  per 
year  for  his  services,  and  a  few  years  later  his 
wages  were  raised  to  $100  a  year  and  board. 

Not  being  satisfied  with  his  condition  or  pros- 
pects in  his  own  country,  Mr.  Tallon  resolved  to 
seek  the  New  World.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been 
married,  and  in  April,  1855,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  he  set  sail  from  Liverpool  and  landed  at  New 
Orleans   on   the    18th   of   May.     They  proceeded 
directly  up  the  river  to  Pekin,  111.,  reaching  there 
two  months  from  the  day  they  sailed  from  Liver- 
pool.    Upon  arriving  here  he   found  himself  pos- 
sessed of  $9  in  cash.     He  had  an  uncle  living  in 
Pekin,  who  kindly  employed  him  to  plow  corn  two 
or  three  days  so  that  he  might  replenish  his  slender 
exchequer,  and  he  subsequently  procured  a  job  in  a 
brickyard  at  the  munificent  wages  of  seventy-five 
cents  a  day  and  board.  He  was  thus  occupied  until 
August  of  that  year,  and  then  engaged  in  harvesting. 
From  this  time  until   1856,  our  subject  worked 
industriously  at  whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do, 
and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  rented  a  farm  in 
Tazewell  County,  which  he  occupied  and  cultivated 
until  the  fall  of  1870.     He  then  came  to  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section 
16,  and  has  been  a  resident  here  since  that  time. 
He  has  been  uniformly  successful  in  his  agricultural 
pursuits  and  business  transactions,  and  subsequently 
added  to  his  first  purchase  until  he  is  now  the  pos- 
sessor of  360  acres  of  some  of  the  finest  land  in 
McLean  County.     It  is  all  enclosed  and  improved, 
a  portion  of  it  being  devoted  to  pasture  and  grass. 
His  stock-raising  operations  have  yielded   him    a 
handsome  income,  and  he  exhibits  some  of  the  fin- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


\ 


est  animals  to  be  found  in  this  section  of  the  Prairie 
State.  In  1885  he  revisited  his  native  England 
and  while  there,  in  partnership  with  one  of  his 
neighbors,  purchased  four  English  draft  stallions  at 
a  great  price.  They  are  magnificent  animals,  mod- 
els of  symmetry  and  beauty.  Mr.  T.,  understanding 
fully  the  care  of  such  animals,  will  doubtless  utilize 
them  in  producing  some  of  the  finest  stock  along 
the  Mississippi  Valley.  He  is  a  good  judge  of 
horses,  and  takes  genuine  pride  in  his  skill  as  a 
breeder.  One  of  the  horses,  named  "  What's 
Wanted,"  he  keeps  at  his  home  farm;  he  is  a  mag- 
nificent black  animal  with  a  white  stripe  in  face, 
and  weighs  1,900  pounds. 

The  marriage  of  John  Tallon  and  Miss  Agnes 
Ell  wood  occurred  on  the  10th  of  March,  1855. 
Mrs.  T.  is  also  of  English  birth  and  parentage,  her 
native  place  being  Lancashire,  near  the  early  home 
of  Mr.  T.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  ten 
children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows :  Mary 
E.  became  the  wife  of  Andrew  Lucas,  and  lives  in 
Piatt  County,  111.;  Christina  R.  married  Charles 
Billion,  and  lives  in  Nebraska ;  Agnes  J.  is  deceased ; 
Charles  W.  is  a  resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township; 
Lillie  J.  became  the  wife  of  William  Tyson,  and 
lives  in  Mills  County,  Iowa ;  Margaret  A.  married 
Elmer  Ethel,  of  Mt.  Hope  Township ;  Cora  Idella, 
Ida  L.  and  Abigail  S.  are  at  home  with  their  par- 
ents ;  Georgiana  is  deceased. 

Mr.  Tallon  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  takes 
an  intelligent  interest  in  local  and  general  matters. 
He  is  well  read  and  informed,  and  is  the  encourager 
and  supporter  of  every  project  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  his  county  and  community. 
A  lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Tallon  is  shown  in 
connection  with  this  sketch. 


'  LFRED  B.  BOZARTH,  deceased,  formerly 
a  prosperous  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
Allin  Township,  located  on  section  26,  was 
a  worthy  member  of  a  well-known  family, 
being  the  son  of  John  and  Cynthia  (Taylor)  Bo- 
zarth.  He  was  born  in  Christian  County,  Ky., 
Feb.  25,  1837,  and  when  a  child  of  two  years  old 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  McLean  County, 


where  the  father  subsequently  became  the  owner  of 
2,300  acres  of  land.  He  departed  this  life  in  1859. 
The  mother  survived  him  for  over  twenty-five 
years,  and  died  Jan.  6,  1887,  when  over  eighty 
years  of  age.  Their  remains  are  interred  in  the  old 
homestead  cemetery,  side  by  side,  near  where  they 
first  settled. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  fair  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority. 
He  was  then  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Harriet 
Brooks,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  was  born  May 
7,  1840.  Mr.  Bozarth  purchased  675  acres  of  val- 
uable laud,  and  settled  upon  it  with  his  family. 
He  followed  farming  pursuits  and  stock-raising 
until  1871,  and  then,  on  account  of  failing  health, 
abandoned  active  labor  and  removed  into  the  vil- 
lage of  Stanford;  he  died  of  consumption  in  1872, 
while  traveling  for  his  health  in  Indiana.  His  re- 
mains were  followed  to  the  old  home  cemetery,  and 
were  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  of  his  parents.  He 
was  a  good  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and 
his  name  is  held  in  kindly  remembrance  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Mr.  Bozarth 
was  a  man  of  large  stature,  his  height  being  six 
feet  two  inches,  and  his  weight  was  over  200 
pounds.  His  eyes  and  hair  were  black.  He  left  a 
wife  and  six  children  to  mourn  their  loss,  and  two 
of  the  latter  have  since  joined  him  in  the  other 
life.  Their  son,  Charles  J.,  now  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  is  a  resident  of  this  countj- ;  Dora  J.  was 
born  June  12,  1864,  became  the  wife  of  H.  L.  Rus- 
missell,  and  lives  in  Stanford,  this  county;  Cynthia 
E.  married  Theodore  Caullin,  he  was  a  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Greene  County,  Ohio ;  George  Will- 
iam was  born  May  29,  1868;  Albert  W.  and  Alfred 
W.  (twins)  lived  less  than  one  year,  dying  in  No- 
vember, 1871. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Bozarth  were  Albert  and 
Elizabeth  Brooks,  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  date 
of  the  father's  birth  is  not  known,  but  the  mother 
was  born  in  1806.  After  their  marriage  they  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  this  county  in  about  1837, 
and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  until  the  death  of 
the  father,  which  occurred  about  1840.  His  wife, 
who  still  survives,  is  a  resident  of  Stanford.  Their 
children  were  Harriet,  Miles,  George,  William 


,1 

a 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


487 


Lucia  and  James.  To  the  parents  of  our  subject 
there  were  born  the  following  children:  Louvina, 
Aprils,  1829;  Addison,  March  1,  1830;  Milton, 
Jan.  1,  183-2;  George,  Jan.  9,  1834;  Isabella,  Feb. 
9,  1835;  Alfred,  Feb.  25,  1837;  John,  Jr.,  June  4, 
1839;  James,  July  15,  1841 ;  Josiah,  born  Jan.  28, 
1843,  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  died 
in  the  army  of  smallpox  in  1864;  William  was  born 
March  5,  1845;  Robert,  Oct.  23,  1847;  Hettie, 
Aug.  3,  1850.  When  the  funeral  sermon  of  his 
grandmother  was  preached,  George  William  handed 
the  Bible  to  the  minister,  Rev.  J.  G.  White. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Bozarth  is  shown  on  a  preced- 
ing page  of  this  work. 


J~~  OHN  J.  PEIRSON,a  prosperous  and  well-to- 
do  farmer  of   McLean  County,  residing  on 
section  12,  Old  Town  Township,  is  a  son  of 
Henry  J.  and  Ann  J.  (Brown)  Peirson,  na- 
tives of  New  York,  who,  after  a  residence  in  Col- 
umbia County  until  1857,  came  and  made  settle- 
ment in  Bloomington  Township,  this  county.     Dur- 
ing the  winter  of   1885  the  parents  removed  to  the 
thriving  city  of  Bloomington,   where  they  are  at 
present  residing  in  quiet  retirement,  having  accu- 
mulated a  sufficienc}'  to  keep  them  during  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.     Of  their  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,  John  J.  is  the  eldest. 

Mr.  Peirson  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Columbia 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  11,  1853,  and  was  but  four 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  brought  him  to  this 
county.  Here  he  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  here  he  has  lived  and  labored 
at  his  chosen  vocation,  farming,  until  the  present 
time.  Living  with  the  old  folk  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-one years  old,  he  then  engaged  with  his  father 
as  an  equal  partner  in  the  product  of  the  farm, 
which  relationship  continued  until  1881.  During 
that  year  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  located 
on  section  12,  Old  Town  Township,  and  on  which 
tract  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
240  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land,  and  is 
meeting  with  more  than  ordinary  success  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  vocation. 

Mr.  Peirson  was  married  in  Old  Town  Township, 


Oct.  28,  1875,  to  Gertrude  C.,  daughter  of  Edwin 
and  Saloma  Loomis.  She  departed  this  life  Sept. 
26,  1876,  in  Bloomington  Township.  Mr.  Peirson 
was  again  married,  at  Bloomington,  111.,  Oct.  18, 
1883,  to  Miss  Annie  K.,  daughter  of  Presley  and 
Mary  E.  (Robinson)  Saains,  natives  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. Her  parents  settled  in  Fayette  County,  that 
State,  after  their  marriage,  and  there  the  mother 
died.  The  father  afterward,  in  1868,  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Towanda  Township,  where 
he  died  in  1877.  Mrs.  Peirson  was  the  only  child 
born  to  her  parents,  and  first  saw  the  light  in  Fay- 
ette County,  Pa.,  April  3,  1864.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  two  children  have  been  born :  Nel- 
lie S.,  Oct.  7,  1884,  and  an  infant  daughter,  March 
2,  1887. 

Mr.  Peirson  has  held  the  office  of  Township  Col- 
lector and  also  that  of  School  Director.  Relig- 
iously he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  and  his  wife 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he 
is  Republican. 


ICHAEL  RUPP,  of  Danvers  Township,  lo- 
cated on  section  4  in  1871,  and  has  been  a 
resident  here  since  that  time.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  the  Buckeye  State,  having  been 
born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  in  1844.  His  parents, 
Christian  and  Phebe  (Rober)  Rupp,  were  natives 
of  Germany,  the  father  born  in  1817,  and  the 
mother  in  1820.  Christian  Rupp  came  to  the 
United  States  in  about  1831,  locating  first  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land 
and  carried  on  farming.  He  was  married  to  the 
mother  of  our  subject  in  1841,  and  they  resided  in 
Ohio  until  1858.  They  then  removed  westward 
to  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Rupp  rented  land  until  1865. 
He  then  purchased  160  acres,  which  he  improved 
and  cultivated,  and  which  remained  his  home  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1877.  The  mother 
was  afterward  married  to  Joseph  Augspurger,  who 
died  April  10,  1887,  and  she  now  lives  in  McLean 
County,  111.  Of  her  first  marriage  there  were  born 
six  children  :  Elizabeth  who  married  Nicholas  Stru- 
ber,  and  Christian,  Joseph,  Samuel  and  Michael; 


-  ,  488 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


one  died  unnamed  in  infancy.  The  parents  be- 
longed to  the  Mennonite  Church. 

Michael  Rupp  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  common  schools  until  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. He  was  married  in  1871,  to  Miss  Susan 
Zook,  and  that  same  year  purchased  130  acres  of 
land  in  Danvers  Township,  upon  which  he  removed 
and  has  since  resided.  He  was  prosperous  in  his 
farming  and  business  transactions  and  added  to  his 
original  purchase  so  that  now  he  is  the  owner  of 
218  acres,  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and 
provided  with  a  good  farm  residence  and  all  the 
necessary  out-buildings. 

Mrs.  Rupp  is  the  daughter  of  Bartholomew  and 
Barbara  (Stacker)  Zook,  natives  of  Germany  and 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church.  Of  the  union 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rupp  there  were  born  eight  chil- 
dren —  Magdalena,  Susan,  Joseph,  John,  Christian, 
Samuel,  Benjamin  and  Eli.  Mr.  R.  is  Republican  in 
politics,  and  in  all  respects  a  law-abiding  and 
worthy  citizen. 


SHOMAS  C.  KERRICK,  of  the  law  firm  of 
Kerrick,  Lucas  &  Spencer,  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Ind.,  April  24,  1848.  He 
attended  school  until  twelve  years  of  age  in  Indiana, 
and  after  coming  to  Illinois  with  his  parents, 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  in  summer  and  pur-. 
sued  his  studies  during  the  winter  season.  In  1868 
he  entered  Wesleyan  University,  where  he  took  a 
two  years'  course  and  afterward  read  law  in  the  of- 
fice of  McNulty  &  Aldrich.  He  received  his  di- 
ploma in  1875,  and  was  admitted  to  partnership 
with  his  former  instructors,  McNulty  &  Aldrich. 
The  following  year  the  firm  was  dissolved,  but 
Aldrich  &  Kerrick  continued  until  1878.  Mr.  K. 
then  practiced  alone  until  December,  1881,  when 
the  firm  became  Kerrick,  Lucas  &  Spencer. 

Mr.  Kerrick  was  elected  by  the  Council,  City  At- 
torney in  1878,  serving  two  terms.  Besides  his 
law  business  he  has  interested  himself  in  the  rich 
and  fertile  lands  of  Illinois,  having  a  fine  farm  four 
miles  north  of  Bloomington,  and  another  in  Ford 
County,  111.,  which  is  chiefly  devoted  to  stock-rais- 
ing. He  is  prominently  identified  with  the  business 


interests   of  the  city,  and  is  a  stockholder  in   the 
gas  company. 

Mr.  Kerrick  was  married  in  1871,  to  Miss  Tollie 
Armstrong,  who  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  Armstrong, 
formerly  residents  of  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K. 
are  the  parents  of  two  children  —  Leonidas  and 
Alice.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  324  East 
Locust  street,  and  they  number  among  their  friends 
and  associates  the  best  people  in  the  city.  Mr.  K. 
belongs  to  the  Republican  party,  and  is  in  all  re- 
spects fulfilling  the  obligations  of  an  enterprising 
citizen.  He  is  now  President  of  the  Business 
Men's  Club  of  this  city. 


GRACE  S.  WHITNEY,  a  resident  of  Mc- 
Lean County  since  1869,  is  now  living  a  re- 
tired life  in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  where 
he  owns  and  occupies  a  pleasant  and  com- 
fortable homestead,  having  retired  from  his  labors 
as  an  agriculturist  in  1  883.  Our  subject  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Horace 
and  Lucinda  (Cole)  Whitney,  the  father  a  nattve 
of  Vermont  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania. 
Horace  Whitney,  a  prominent  resident  of  Erie 
County,  Pa.,  was  there  engaged  as  a  lumber  dealer 
and  sheep  trader,  and  removed  from  the  Keystone 
State  to  Wisconsin  in  1843,  locating  upon  a  farm 
in  Dane  County,  where  he  engaged  in  agriculture. 
The  parental  household  consisted  of  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  our  subject  was  the  second  in  order 
of  birth.  During  the  progress  of  the  late  war  he 
enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  F,  36th  Wis. 
Vol.  Inf.,  and  was  in  the  service  twenty-two 
months.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  the  Wil- 
derness, Turner's  farm,  Weldon  Railroad,  and  many 
skirmishes,  and  escaped  comparatively  unharmed. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  parents 
in  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  until  1869.  He 
then  came  to  McLean  County,  and  located  in  Padua 
Township,  where  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
(Ganoe)  Baddeley,  the  daughter  of  Elijah  and 
Blender  (Evans)  Ganoe.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  W. 
were  natives  of  Ohio  and  early  settlers  of  Bloom- 
ington City.  Of  their  five  children,  four  are  still 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


489 


living,  Mrs.  Whitney  being  the  eldest.  Her  first 
husband,  William  II.  Bacldeley,  was  a  native  of 
England,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents 
when  a  lad  eight  years  of  age.  They  settled  in 
McLean  County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  merchandis- 
ing at  Le  Roy.  Their  son  William  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  married  when  twenty -five  years  of  age. 
After  this  event,  with  his  young  wife,  he  settled 
upon  a  farm  in  Padua  Township,  and  continued 
there  until  his  death  in  1863.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Badde- 
ley  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  two  now 
living:  Josephine,  Mrs.  Rodman,  is  the  mother  of 
two  children — Elmer  P.  and  George  S. ;  William  H. 
married  Miss  Virginia  Fulton,  and  they  have  one 
son,  named  after  his  father. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitney,  in  their  pleasant  home  at 
No. -506  South  Evans  street,  are  highly  respected  in 
their  community  and  number  as  their  friends  some 
of  the  best  people  of  Bloomington.  Our  subject  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  while  in  Padua  Town- 
ship served  as  School  Trustee  and  was  otherwise 
honored  with  positions  of  trust.  He  has  in  all 
respects  fulfilled  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen 
and  a  useful  member  of  society. 


•«*• 


i 


J""  ACOB  COOPER,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers 
of  McLean  County,  after  a  life  of  industry 
has  now  retired  from  active  labor,  and  is 
1  enjoying  a  competency  at  his  pleasant  home 
in~the  village  of  Danvers.  Mr.  Cooper  was  born  in 
Hardin  County,  Va.,  Jan.  12,  1828,  and  is  the  sou 
of  John  and  Eve  (Sites)  Cooper,  both  natives  of 
Virginia.  After  their  marriage  they  removed  to 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  in  1838,  where  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives  upon  a  farm,  the 
father  dying  in  about  1846,  and  the  mother  in 
1853.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight  children,  as 
follows :  John  married  Miss  Rachel  demons,  and  is 
now  deceased;  Susan,  Mrs.  Thomas,  lives  in  Ohio; 
Elizabeth  married  Mathias  Sparr,  and  they  removed 
to  Indiana ;  both  are  now  deceased.  Samuel  married 
Miss  Mary  Fudge,  and  Kane  married  Miss  Goris; 
Amos  took  to  wife  Miss  Sarah  A.  Maxwell;  Mar- 
garet E.  is  unmarried ;  one  child  died  at  the  age  of 
three  years. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 


with  Miss  Mary  J.  Pierce,  Oct.  16,  1848.  Mrs. 
Cooper  was  born  Aug.  22,  1829,  in  Greene  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret 
(Davids)  Pierce,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  whence  her 
father  removed  to  Indiana  in  1832,  and  died  there 
in  1838.  He  was  a  blacksmith.  His  widow  remained 
there  one  year  after  his  death,  and  then  returned  to 
Ohio,  where  the  wife  of  our  subject  was  reared  to 
womanhood,  remaining  with  her  mother  until  she 
was  married.  The  following  year  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cooper  came  to  this  county,  and  our  subject  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  land  in  Allin  and  Danvers 
Townships.  To  this  he  subsequently  added  until 
he  has  now  270  acres  about  six  miles  southwest  of 
Danvers,  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  with  a 
handsome  and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  two  good 
barns  and  machine  shed,  and  all  other  necessary 
out-buildings.  Here  he  successfully  carried  on  his 
agricultural  operations  until  1885,  and  then,  selling 
off  his  cattle  and  other  stock,  purchased  two  lots 
and  a  house  in  the  village  and  prepared  to  establish 
a  permanent  home.  He  improved  and  renovated 
the  old  house,  and  has  now  a  fine  two-story  resi- 
dence which,  with  its  surroundings,  makes  a  com- 
fortable and  attractive  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C. 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  with  which  they  have  been 
connected  since  1878.  Mr.  C.  has  been  an  Elder 
in  his  church  for  some  years,  and  most  of  their 
children  belong  to  the  same.  The  parents  of  both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  were  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  our  subject  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  and  in  all  respects  a  useful  and 
valued  member  of  society. 

The  household  circle  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooper 
was  completed  by  the  birth  of  five  children,  the 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows :  Charles  W.  married 
Miss  Martha  Dehart,  of  Iowa;  Margaret  E.  became 
the  wife  of  Emrnett  Williams,  who  died  on  the 
17th  of  December,  1883;  Louisa  B.  is  single  and 
at  home ;  Parrazaid  A.  is  also  unmarried,  and  resid- 
ing at  home ;  Henry  F.  was  married  to  Miss  Jane 
M.  Haynes  on  the  30th  of  December,  1 885.  These 
children  were  carefully  trained  and  educated,  and 
have  become  good  citizens  and  valued  members  of 
the  community. 

To  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Cooper  were  born  the 


f 


i  ,  490 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


following  children :  James  C.,  who  married  Mrs. 
Parthena  Mitchell;  Elizabeth  A.,  Mrs.  William 
Mitchell;  Parrazaid  A.,  who  married  Michael 
Cook;  John  A.,  who  married  Miss  Nancy  Mitchell, 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  our  subject,  and  Isabella  A.,  a 
half-sister  of  the  others,  who  married  George 
Waney,  and  died  in  1883. 


J~~?  B.  WHITE,  a  representative  citizen  of 
I  Bloomington,  is  successfully  engaged  as  a 
J  contractor  and  builder,  and  has  his  of- 
1  fice  at  No.  506  East  Graham  street.  Mr. 
J.  B.  White  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  and 
was  born  at  Smith  Grove,  this  county,  Sept. 
26,  1844.  His  parents  were  James  and  Lovina 
(Smith)  White,  his  father  a  native  of  New  York, 
and  his  mother  of  North  Carolina.  The  former 
came  to  Illinois  in  1830,  and  settled  in  McLean 
County,  where,  after  attaining  to  suitable  age  he 
engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  twenty  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm 
of  280  acres,  near  Holder,  this  county,  which  he 
has  since  occupied  and  been  industriously  engaged 
in  raising  stock  and  grain.  He  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neer Abolitionists  of  the  county,  and  since  the  war 
has  been  a  strong  Republican  in  politics.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  part  in  educational  and  re- 
ligious matters,  and  been  a  Class-Leader  and 
Trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for 
many  years.  His  family  included  three  children: 
Mary  C.,  Mi's.  Keeney.  of  Kansas;  J.  B.,  of  our 
sketch,  and  Asa  E.,  also  of  Bloomington. 

J.  B.  White  remained  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  seventeen  years  old,  and  upon  the  outbreak  of 
the  late  war  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  K, 
b9th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  With  the  exception  of  a  few 
months,  during  which  he  remained  at  home  on  ac- 
count of  a  crippled  knee,  he  served  from  Sept.  19, 
1861,  to  Dec.  16,  1865.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Winchester,  and  other  engagements  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley,  and  along  the  James  River, 
and  endured  bravely  and  faithfully  the  privations 
and  vicissitudes  of  war,  receiving  an  honorable  dis- 
charge at  the  close.  After  his  return  home  he 


worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in  1 869  en- 
gaged as  a  contractor  and  builder.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  H.  (Edwards) 
Coale.  of  Holder,  this  county.  Of  this  union  there 
have  been  born  five  children — AVilliam  Lloyd  (de- 
ceased), Elizabeth  H.,  James  L.,  Laura  A.  and  An- 
nie C. 

Mr.  White  became  a  resident  of  Bloomington  in 
1870,  and  at  once  established  his  present  business,- 
which  has  now  grown  to  large  proportions,  and 
gives  employment  to  thirty  men.  He  is  thoroughly 
skilled  as  an  artisan,  and  is  his  own  architect,  mak- 
ing his  drawings,  plans,  etc.  The  family  residence 
is  a  handsome  structure,  and  was  erected  in  1886, 
at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 

Politically  Mr.  White  is  a  Republican,  -and 
greatly  interested  in  the  cause  of  temperance.  He 
is  prominently  connected  with  the  First  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  Mrs.  W.  belongs  to  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends  at  Benjaminville.  Our  subject  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  both 
socially  and  as  a  business  man  occupies  an  enviable 
position  among  the  first  citizens  of  Bloomington. 


OBERT  SWAN,  of  White   Oak  Township, 
i  has  a  good  farm  of  120  acres  on  section  28. 

<*±  vl\  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Illinois  since  the 
\|||  spring  of  1854.  He  was  born  in  Millfield. 
Northumberland  Co.,  England,  in  1823,  being  the 
son  of  Robert  and  Elspeth  (Mitchell)  Swan.  His 
father  was  born  in  1790,  and  was  married  in  his  na- 
tive England,  where  he  spent  his  entire  life,  dying 
Aug.  22,  1859.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
died  in  about  1825,  and  Robert  Swan,  Sr.,  was  the 
second  time  married,  in  1833,  to  Mrs.  Donaldson. 
Of  the  first  marriage  there  were  born  three  chil- 
dren— Elizabeth  and  Andrew,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  our  subject,  the  only  one  living.  Of  the  second 
marriage  there  were  four  children — James,  Nicholas, 
Thomas  and  William.  The  second  wife  of  Robert 
Swan,  Sr.,  died  April  26,  1867,  when  sixty-two 
years  old. 

Mr.  Swan  of  our  sketch  remained  under  the  par- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


491 


ental  roof  until  he  attained  his  majority,  receiving 
a  common-school  education.  After  emigrating  to 
this  country  he  located  first  at  Otsego  County,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  for 
two  years.  He  then  went  into  Harrison  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  there  married,  Jan.  25,  1855,  to 
Miss  Martha  Hilton.  They  located  upon  rented 
land,  which  our  subject  cultivated  for  two  years, 
and  then  'came  to  Illinois,  working  again  by  the 
month  in  this  county.  This  was  one  year  prior  to 
his  marriage.  He  subsequently  rented  land  for  five 
or  six  years,  then  purchased  forty  acres  in  White  Oak 
Township,  which  constitutes  a  part  of  his  present 
homestead.  To  this  he  subsequently  added  eighty 
acres  more,  and  now  has  it  all  under  good  cultiva- 
tion, with  a  fine  residence,  good  barns  and  all  neces- 
sary out-buildings.  He  has  been  industrious  and 
economical,  and  richly  deserves  his  present  reward. 

Mrs.  Swan  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Agnes 
(Swan)  Hilton,  natives  of  England,  the  father  born 
July  17.  1790,  and  the  mother  in  Northumberland 
County,  in  1791.  After  their  marriage  they  came  to 
America  in  about  1818,  settling  in  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  where  they  remained  for  six  years. 
They  then  removed  to  West  Virginia,  and  in  1832 
to  Harrison  County,  Ohio.  The  mother  died  there 
in  1864,  and  the  father  in  the  fall  of  1866.  They 
were  most  worthy  and  excellent  people,  and  de- 
voted members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr,  Swan  is  engaged  in  general  farming,  in  which 
he  has  been  quite  successful.  He  is  greatly  respected 
in  the  community,  being  the  friend  of  law  and 
order,  and  has  contributed  his  full  share  towards  its 
growth  and  prosperity. 


F.  LOAR,  Postmaster  of  Cropsey, 
and  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Loar  &  Hay- 
ward,  druggists,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  born  in  Greene  County,  Oct.  5,  1858.  His  par- 
ents, John  and  Maria  (White)  Loar,  were  natives 
of  the  same  State,  whence  they  removed,  in  1867, 
to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Belle  Prairie  Township, 
Livingston  County,  where  they  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits.  The  homestead  upon  which  the  parents 
still  reside  contains  160  acres  of  land,  which  John 


Loar  during  his  earlier  and  active  years  redeemed 
from  an  unimproved  tract  and  converted  into  a  fine 
and  fertile  farm. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  included  nine 
children,  of  whom  George  was  the  fifth  in  order  of 
birth.  He  was  a  lad  of  nine  years  when  the  family 
came  to  Illinois.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Liv- 
ingston County,  pursued  his  studies  in  the  common 
schools,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  commenced 
teaching,  a  vocation  which  he  followed  for  five 
years.  In  the  meantime,  in  1881,  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  David  W.,  who  is  a  druggist,  he 
established  a  drug  business  at  Cropsey,  which  was 
continued  under  the  firm  style  of  Loar  Bros,  until 
December,  1885,  at  which  date  Dr.  C.  E.  Hay  ward 
purchased  the  interest  of  David  W.  Loar,  and  the 
firm  became  Loar  &  Hay  ward. 

Mr.  Loar  is  one  Of  the  active  and  enterprising 
business  men  of  this  section  and  is  reckoned  among 
its  substantial  young  citizens.  He  was  married, 
Nov.  20, 1884,  to  Miss  Clara  M.,  daughter  of  A.  G. 
and  Jane  (Moore)  Green.  Mrs.  L.  was  born  at 
Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  in  1861,  and  they  have  one  son, 
Lloyd  Alaire.  Mr.  Loar  was  appointed  Postmaster 
at  Cropsey  in  December,  1885,  vice  David  W.  Loar 
resigned,  and  is  fulfilling  the.  duties  of  his  position 
with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  con- 
cerned. 


BILLEARY  BALL.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
)  is  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout 
McLean  County  as  being  a  representative 
farmer  and  business  man  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability.  He  occupies  a  fine  homestead 
on  section  21,  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  and  since 
1831  has  been  identified  with  the  agricultural  in- 
terests of  the  Prairie  State.  He  was  born  in  Lewis 
County,  Ky.,  March  8,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of 
Richard  C.  and  Katie  (Clary)  Ball,  natives  of  Mary- 
land. His  father  was  killed  by  a  fall  from  a  tree  on 
the  25th  of  September,  1817;  the  mother  after- 
ward removed  to  Illinois,  and  died  in  this  county, 
Jan.  25, 1849.  They  were  not  connected  with  any 
church  but  lived  worthy  and  excellent  lives,  and 
were  greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew  them. 
Their  eleven  children  were  as  follows:  William, 


i 

7 


492 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


\ 


the  eldest  born,  died  in  infancy;  Mary  is  deceased, 
her  death  taking  place  at  the  home  of  our  subject, 
aged  nearly  eighty -six ;  Hilleary,  Elizabeth,  Annie, 
Eleanor,  Harriett,  Rhoda,  Henry,  David  and  Snow- 
den,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  except  our  subject. 

Hilleary  Ball  was  only  about  six  months  old  when 
his  father  met  his  death.  He  was  reared  by  his 
mother  and  remained  in  his  native  county  until 
1831,  then  came  with  her  to  Illinois,  and  has  been 
a  resident  of  this  county  since  that  time.  After 
arriving  at  years  of  manhood  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Calista  Hildreth,  Nov.  22,  1838, 
the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev.  Jonathan 
Cheney.  Mrs.  Ball  was  born  in  Lewis  County,  N. 
Y.,  May  27,  1817,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Aaron 
and  Betsey  (Macomber)  Hildreth,  both  natives  of 
Massachusetts,  born  near  the  city  of  Boston.  Some 
years  after  their  marriage  they  removed  West  to 
Illinois,  and  spent  their  last  days  in  this  county,  the 
mother  dying  in  February,  1860,  and  the  father  in 
September,  1867.  Mr.  H.  was  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  both  were  consistent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Their  five  children 
are  recorded  as  follows :  Calista,  Mrs.  Ball,  was  the 
eldest;  Julia  married  Abijah  Westover,  now  de- 
ceased, and  lives  in  this  county;  Amos  married 
Miss  Maria  Hartcastle, and  is  a  resident  of  Kansas; 
Charles  married  Miss  Polly  Owens,  and  is  now  de- 
ceased ;  Alfred  married  Miss  Annie  Render,  and  is 
living  in  Texas.  The  six  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hilleary  Ball  were  as  follows:  William  H.,  born 
Nov.  24,  1841;  Elizabeth  T.,Feb.  27,  1844;  Julia 
A.,  July  2,  1846;  Amos,  Feb.  12,  1849;  Alfred, 
born  March  9,  1851,  died  June  5,  1852;  Hattie 
was  born  Oct.  21,  1856.  Most  of  these  children 
are  married,  and  settled  in  comfortable  homes  of 
their  own,  and  Mr.  Ball  is  quite  proud  of  the  fact 
that  he  has  nineteen  grandchildren. 

The  farm  estate  of  our  subject  comprises  150 
acres  of  land  and  besides  this  he  has  given  his 
children  each  a  fine  setting  out.  He  has  seen  the 
time  when  his  taxes  were  less  than  $1 ,  and  also  when 
they  were  over  $300.  He  has  preserved  his  various 
land  warrants,  and  with  them  the  autographs  of 
several  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  which  he 
considers  beyond  any  value  in  dollars  and  cents. 
In  addition  to  general  farming  he  has  of  late  years 


given  much  of  his  attention  to  the  breeding  of 
Norman  and  Clydesdale  horses,  many  of  his  animals 
having  been  sold  at  the  high  price  of  $1,300.  He 
has  been  uniformly  prosperous  in  his  agricultural 
and  business  operations,  and  besides  his  fine  extent 
of  valuable  land  has  a  handsome  and  substantial 
dwelling,  good  barns  and  other  out-buildings,  and 
all  the  accessories  of  a  modern  country  gentleman, 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  'many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life.  He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
takes  a  lively  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to 
the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  county  and  com- 
munity. Mr.  Ball  has  a  remarkably  intelligent  face, 
is  in  stature  five  feet  and  eleven  inches,  and  weighs 
140  pounds. 


:  OBERT  MOORE,  deceased,  was  formerly  a 
w  resident  of  Old  Town  Township,  his  home 
A\  being  located  on  section  1  2.  He  was  a  pros- 
wp^perous  farmer  and  respected  as  a  citizen, 
and  left  no  dark  spot  upon  any  page  of  the  his- 
tory of  his  past.  His  parents  were  John  and  Jane 
(Williamson)  Moore,  natives  of  Virginia,  where 
they  settled  after  their  marriage,  and  where  they 
continued  to  reside  until  their  death.  The  parental 
union  was  blest  by  the  birth  of  ten  children,  our 
subject  being  the  youngest. 

Robert  Moore  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  Sept. 
21,  1813,  and  spent  upward  of  forty  years  of  his 
life  in  that  State,  engaged  the  while  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  In  1853,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
four  children,  he  came  to  McLean  County,  and  tak- 
ing up  his  residence  in  Normal  Township,  made 
that  his  home  for  thirteen  years.  He  then  traded 
the  farm  which  he  owned  in  Normal  Township 
for  one  located  on  section  12,  Old  Town  Township, 
to  which  he  removed  in  1866,  and  where  he  lived 
and  labored  at  his  chosen  calling  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Dec.  4,  1883.  At  the  date  of  his 
demise  he  was  the  owner  of  165  acres  of  good  land, 
which  he  left  to  his  family  free  of  all  incumbrances. 

Mr.  Moore  was  married  in  what  is  now  West 
Virginia,  May  6,  1840,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Wells.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Charles  and  Margaret  (Mun- 
sey)  Wells,  likewise  natives  of  West  Virginia.  Her 
father  was  a  farmer,  and  followed  his  calling  in  the  i 


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BLACKSMITH 


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RES.OFTHOMAS  HATFI  ELD  .  SEC.?.  Tow  AN  DA  TOWNSHIP. 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


495 


State  of  his  nativity  until  his  death  ;  his  good  wife 
also  died  there.  Of  the  three  children  born  to 
them  Mrs.  Moore  was  the  youngest,  the  date  of 
her  birth  being  Jan.  30,  1822.  By  her  marriage 
with  our  subject  eight  children  were  born,  the  rec- 
ord of  whom  is  as  follows:  Charles  \V.  married 
Miss  Emma  Dean,  and  they  are  living  at  Storm 
Lake,  Iowa;  Jane  is  living  at  home  with  her 
mother  ;  Martha  is  the  wife  of  A.  R.  Arbuckle,  and 
the"y  reside  in  Nebraska;  John  died  while  in  his 
eleventh  year;  George  lives  at  home;  Taylor  de- 
parted this  life  when  thirteen  years  old  ;  Arthur 
married  Miss  Alice  Craig,  and  resides  in  Nebraska, 
and  Edwin  L.  died  when  seven  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Moore  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  a  worthy  laborer  in  the 
cause  of  the  Master.  He  also  held  several  of  the 
minor  ofHces  of  his  township,  and  was  respected  and 
loved  for  his  straightforward  and  manly  dealings 
with  his  fellowmen,  as  well  as  for  his  sterling  worth 
and  integrity.  Mrs.  Moore  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  has  belonged  to  that  denom- 
ination for  upward  of  forty  years.  Her  husband 
was  immersed  by  Alexander  Campbell,  and  during 
his  lifetime  was  an  Elder  in  a  congregation  in  this 
county  ;  all  of  the  children  now  living  are  members 
•of  the  same  church. 


J~  OHN  D.  DOWNS  is  one  of  a  family  of  six 
brothers,  who  were  the  sons  of  Larson  and 
Sarah  Downs,  the  family  record  being  as 
follows:  William,  the  eldest,  is  married  and 
living  at  Hey  worth;  he  was  born  Oct.  18,  1837, 
reared  and  educated  in  Randolph  Township,  and 
followed  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife,  formerly 
Miss  Matilda  Scott,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born 
May  8,  1839,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents 
in  her  girlhood.  This  brother  served  as  a  soldier 
of  the  Union,  being  a  member  of  Co.  H,  39th  111. 
Vol.  Inf.,  which  was  known  as  the  Yates  Phalanx, 
and  was  commanded  by  Col.  Thomas  Osborne,  now 
of  Chicago.  This  gentleman  was  formerly  Minis- 
ter to  the  Argentine  Republic,  South  America. 
After  enlistment  this  brother  went  with  his  regi- 
ment to  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo.,  whence  he  pro- 


ceeded with  his  regiment  to  Williamsport,  Md.,  and 
thereafter  participated  in  about  seventeen  engage- 
ments, including  the  siege  of  Charleston.  He 
served  out  his  term  of  enlistment,  then  veteranized, 
and  endured  with  his  comrades,  bravely  and  faith- 
fully, their  later  hardships  and  privations.  He  was 
also  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff,  and  fol- 
lowed Grant  into  Richmond  at  the  final  surrender 
of  Lee.  After  his  discharge  he  returned  home,  and 
for  five  years  was  a  resident  of  Miami  County, 
Kan.  He  then  returned  to  this  State,  and'  since 
1873  has  made  his  home  in  this  count}'.  George 
W.  Downs,  the  second  son  of  the  family,  owns  180 
acres  of  valuable  land  in  Rand  and  Downs  Town- 
ships, upon  which  he  is  farming  successfully.  He 
also  was  in  the  army  th?ee  years. 

John  D.  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Downs  Town- 
ship, Nov.  11,  1845.  He  received  a  fair  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  lived  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  Cowden,  which 
took  place  in  Old  Town  Township,  Feb.  20,  18C8. 
Mrs.  Downs  was  born  in  the  latter-named  town- 
ship, March  10,  1850,  and  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  her  marriage.  Her  father  is  now 
deceased;  the  mother  is  still  a  resident  of  Old 
Town  Township.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  all  living  at  home, 
namely:  Frank  E.,  Mary  M.,  Albert  R.,  Frederick 
L.,  John  C.,  Fannie  G.  and  Blanche. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Downs  after  their  marriage  located 
in  Downs  Township,  where  they  remained  until 
1878,  in  which  year  they  removed  to  their  present 
home  in  Randolph  Township,  which  is  located  on 
section  12.  The  estate  includes  337  acres  of  finely 
cultivated  land,  and  in  all  its  appointments  indi- 
cates the  best  of  management. 

Solomon  F.  Downs,  a  younger  brother  of  our 
subject,  is  a  resident  of  Saybrook,  this  county,  and 
the  owner  of  1 90  acres  of  good  land ;  he  was  mar- 
ried in  early  manhood  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Reid.  An- 
other brother,  Albert  P.,  owns  160  acres  of  land  in 
Downs  Township ;  he  married  Miss  R.  Lemon.  Al- 
fred E.,  who  also  owns  a  quarter  section  of  land 
in  Downs  Township,  married  Miss  Ellen  A.  Miller. 

Larson  Downs,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  Tennessee,  April  30,  1808,  and  remained  in  his 
native  State  until  thirteen  years  of  age.  His  father 


t 


<  ,  496 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


died  while  he  was  still  in  his  childhood,  and  his 
mother  was  married  the  second  time,  becoming  the 
wife  of  William  McGee.  Afterward  the  family  all 
came  to  Illinois,  Larson  Downs  locating  in  what  is 
now  Downs  Township,  in  1829.  He  was  the  first 
permanent  settler  of  that  section,  the  township  be- 
ing named  after  him.  He  died  here  Sept.  7,  1860, 
in  the  fifty -second  year  of  his  age.  Politically  he 
was  a  Whig,  and  with  his  wife,  a  worthy  member 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  The  mother  of 
our  subject,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Sarah  Welch, 
died  at  the  old  homestead  in  Downs  Township,  in 
1866,  aged  forty-eight  years.  Five  sons  of  the 
parental  family  are  solid  Republicans,  and  with  the 
exception  of  Solomon  F.,  are  connected  with  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 


flj       EONARD  CHASE,   a  wealthy   farmer  and 

M  stock-raiser  of  Belleflower  Township,  is  aiso 
one  of  its  most  reliable  and  substantial  citi- 
zens. He  owns  a  beautiful  homestead  on  section 
9,  which  is  finely  improved,  under  a  good  state  of 
cultivation,  and  well  stocked  with  choice  grades  of 
cattle  and  other  farm  animals.  Our  subject  is  a 
native  of  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  the  date  of  his 
birth  being  Aug.  26,  1831.  His  father,  Leonard 
Chase,  Sr.,  and  his  grandfather,  Anthony  Chase, 
were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  the  latter  of  En- 
glish ancestry,  and  a  descendant  of  one  of  three 
brothers,  Thomas,  William  and  Acquilla,  who  emi- 
grated from  England.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  a  seafaring  man  and  died  in  Yarmouth, 
Mass.  His  son,  Leonard,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
commenced  life  as  a  sailor  with  his  father,  who  was 
commander  of  the  vessel,  and  followed  the  sea  un- 
til twenty-one  years  of  age.  At  this  time,  during 
the  War  of  1812,  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the 
British  and  released  after  six  weeks.  He  then 
started  West,  stopping  first  at  Cincinnati,  which 
was  then  a  small  place,  and  engaged  with  a  farmer 
by  the  name  of  John  Ferris.  While  there  he  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Mary  Lee,  and  they  were 
married.  He  then  went  into  Dearborn  County, 
Ind.,  and  entered  Government  land  in  what  is  now 


Lawrenceburg  Township,  five  miles  from  the  pres'- 
ent  town  of  that  name.  Here  he  built  a  log  cabin, 
and  commenced  housekeeping.  After  a  few  years 
this  was  replaced  by  a  larger  dwelling,  but  built  of 
logs  and  covered  with  clapboards  rived  by  hand. 
In  that  house  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born. 

Leonard  Chase,  Sr.,  cleared  a  good  farm,  upon 
which  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  October,  1841.  His  first  wife,  mother  of  our 
subject,  was  formerly  Miss  Mary  Lee,  and  of  this 
union  there  were  born  seven  children :  Reliance 
became  the  wife  of  Sherwood  Blasdel,  and  died  in 
Dearborn  County,  Ind.;  Louisa  became  the  second 
wife  of  Mr.  Blasdel,  and  died  in  Champaign,  111.; 
Catharine  married  Henry  Blasdel,  and  lives  in 
Dearborn  County ;  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Jede- 
diah  Scogin,  and  lives  in  Champaign  County,  111., 
which  is  also  the  residence  of  Maria,  Mrs.  William 
P.  Sweet;  Anthony  died  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind., 
while  on  a  visit  from  Champaign,  111.;  Leonard, 
our  subject,  was  the  youngest  child.  The  second 
marriage  of  Leonard  Chase,  Sr.,  was  Miss  Sallie 
Blasdel,  who  died  in  1878.  Of  this  marriage  there 
were  born  two  children — Jacob  B.,  a  resident  of 
Belleflower  Township,  and  Sallie,  who  married 
William  Curtis,  and  lives  in  Dearborn  Count}',  Ind. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  a  child  of  two 
years  when  his  mother  died  and  ten  jrears  old  when 
his  father  died.  He  lived  with  his  step-mother  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  became  an  inmate  of  the 
home  of  his  sister  Mary,  for  the  following  two 
years,  when  he  started  out  for  himself.  He  was 
employed  at  farm  pursuits  until  twenty  years  of 
age,  and  then  engaged  on  a  flatboat  and  made  two 
trips  down  the  river  as  far  as  New  Orleans.  One 
of  these  was  made  on  a  coaster,  which  traded  at 
different  points  along  the  Mississippi.  He  made 
his  home  in  Dearborn  County  until  January,  1855, 
and  then  started  on  horseback  for  Illinois.  When 
near  Indianapolis,  the  ground  being  covered  with 
snow,  he  stopped  and  built  a  cutter,  which  he  used 
in  conveying  him  to  Piatt  County,  this  State. 
After  two  weeks  spent  there  he  went  into  La  Salle 
County,  and  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land 
four  miles  north  of  Utica.  He  broke  a  few  acres 
of  the  land,  but  in  the  fall  sold  out  and  returned 
to  Dearborn  County.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he 


T 


• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 


497    t 


purchased  a  lot  of  horses,  which  he  drove  to  La 
Salic,  and  remained  in  that  place  until  the  follow- 
ing fall,  thence  returning  to  Dearborn  Count}', 

In  the  spring  of  1857,  accompanied  by  Enoch 
Nowlin,  Mr.  Chase  went  to  Kansas,  and  they  en- 
tered claims  in  Calhoun,  which  is  now  Jackson 
County.  Our  subject  built  a  log  house,  and  broke 
sixty  acres  and  fenced  the  entire  quarter  section. 
In  1860  he  went  to  Colorado  with  six  pairs  of  oxen, 
'and  with  goods  for  Central  City  700  miles  distant, 
the  trip  occupying  forty-five  days.  He  remained 
until  the  10th  of  January  following,  then  started 
back  to  Kansas,  arriving  in  Omaha  eighty  days 
later.  Soon  afterward  he  fitted  up  another  team, 
made  a  return  trip  to  Colorado,  and  engaged  in 
mining.  He  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1863, 
then  started  for  Montana,  where  he  engaged  in 
mining  until  1866,  when  he  started  eastward.  The 
first  1,000  miles  over  the  mountains  and  plains  was 
made  on  horseback,  200  miles  alone.  He  arrived 
in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  in  February,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  with  his  brother  on  the  old  home- 
stead. He  then  came  to  Illinois  and  traded  his 
Kansas  land  for  personal  property.  In  the  spring 
of  1868  he  located  on  the  farm  of  his  brother-in- 
law  in  Champaign  County,  whence,  after  two  years 
he  came  to  Belleflower  Township,  in  McLean 
County,  where  he  farmed  on  rented  land  for  two 
years  and  then  purchased  the  farm  which  he  now 
owns  and  occupies.  This  was  wild  prairie  when  it 
came  into  his  possession,  but  he  now  has  it  all  im- 
proved and  enclosed,  has  planted  fruit  and  shade 
trees,  and  erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings. 

The  marriage  of  Leonard  Chase  and  Miss  Jane 
E.  .Smith  took  place  on  the  25th  of  March,  1868. 
Mrs.  C.  was  born  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Tucker) 
Smith,  being  one  of  eleven  daughters  and  four  sons 
born  to  her  parents.  The  daughters  are  all  living 
and  with  one  exception  married  :  Sarah,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Shaw,  lives  at  Moore's  Hill,  Ind. ;  Eliza,  Mrs. 
Robert  Haddock,  lives  in  Harrison,  Ohio;  Jane  E. 
is  the  wife  of  our  subject;  Matilda  is  unmarried 
and  lives  with  her  father ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Amos  Lid- 
die,  lives  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind. ;  Adeline  H. 
married  Alonzo  Jackson,  and  lives  in  Champaign 
County,  this  State ;  Albina  E.,  the  wife  of  Dr.  John 


Spencer,  lives  at  Moore's  Hill,  Ind.,  also  Maria,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Jennings ;  Ellen  F.,  Mrs.  Martin  Ew- 
bank,  is  a  resident  of  De  Witt  County,  111. ;  Flora 
B.,  Mrs.  Ezra  Guard,  lives  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio;  Eva  B.  married  Charles  Ward  and  lives  in 
Dearborn  County,  Ind. ;  Mark,  the  only  son  now 
living,  married  Miss  Anna  Sutton,  and  resides  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Indiana.  Mrs.  C'.,  her  parents 
and  all  her  brothers  and  sisters,  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  male  members 
of  the  family  are  Republican  in  politics,  as  is  also 
our  subject. 


,URR  P.  HEREFORD.     The  subject  of  the 
following  history,  who  was  born  in  Culpeper, 

)  Va.,  March  22,  1826,  came  to  Illinois  with 
his  parents  when  a  boy  ten  years  of  age. 
They  first  located  in  Tazewell  County  in  1836,  and 
in  1837  moved  to  Clarke  County,  where  he  re- 
mained until  reaching  his  majority,  in  the  mean- 
time attending  the  subscription  school  in  winter 
and  working  on  his  brother's  farm  in  summer. 
He  was  the  youngest  child  of  his  parents,  and  in 
the  twenty-second  year  of  his  age  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Aseneth  Campbell,  Oct.  22, 
1848.  His  first  purchase  of  land  consisted  of  107 
acres  of  timber  in  Clarke  County,  upon  which  he 
labored  for  a  short  time,  and  then  lived  in  Wood- 
ford  County  for  twenty-four  years  following.  He 
became  a  resident  of  this  county  in  1875,  and  is 
now  pleasantly  located  in  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship, on  section  30.  He  has  brought  his  land  to  a 
good  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  provided  himself 
with  suitable  and  convenient  farm  buildings.  He 
has  in  all  respects  performed  the  part  of  a  good 
citizen,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  neighbors 
and  acquaintances. 

Our  subject  is  the  son  of  Ammon  and  Amelia  N. 
(Powell)  Hereford,  who  were  both  natives  of  Lou- 
doun  County,  Va.  Ammon  Hereford,  born  in 
1791,  followed  farming  as  an  occupation  all  his 
life,  and  died  near  Flint  Hill,  Va.,  Nov.  2,  1#25. 
He  was  a  man  of  strong  character  and  excellent 
principles,  and  endeavored  to  follow  out  the  pre- 
cepts of  the  Golden  Rule  in  his  dealings  with  his 
fellowman.  He  never  belonged  to  any  religious 


I 


498 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


organization.  He  became  connected  with  the  Ma- 
si  niic!  fraternity  at  Leesburg,  Va.,  of  whose  doctrines 
lie  was  a  great  admirer.  His  wife  Amelia  was  born 
in  1790,  and  by  natural  disposition  and  education 
was  well  fitted  to  become  the  companion  of  such  a 
man  as  her  husband.  She  possessed  a  more  than 
ordinarily  good  education,  and  was  a  lady  of  rare 
intelligence  and  kindness  of  heart.  Like  her  hus- 
band, she  descended  from  the  F.  F.  Vs.  Their 
five  children  included  four  sons  and  one  daughter, 
the  record  of  whose  births  is  as  follows :  William 
T.  vvas  born  Aug.  16,  1814;  Leven  P.,  Feb.  3, 
1816;  Thomas  A.,  Feb.  13,  1818;  Sidney  A.,  the 
daughter,  Feb.  23,  1821;  the  birth  of  our  subject 
has  already  been  given. 

Mrs.  Aseneth  C.  Hereford  was  born  Sept.  24, 
1827,  in  Cabell  County,  W.  Va.,and  is  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Susan  (Bradshaw)  Campbell,  natives 
of  Virginia.  Her  father  was  born  Aug.  25,  1805, 
and  the  mother  in  1815.  Both  parents  arc  still  liv- 
ing, and  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr. 
C.  has  followed  farming  all  his  life,  and  fulfilled  in 
all  respects  the  duties  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen.  He  is  Republican  in  politics.  Their  chil- 
dren were,  Aseneth,  James  O.,  Nancy  E.,  Mary, 
Hannah,  John  F.,  William  E.,  Zachariah  T.,  Oliver 
P.,  and  Elnora  (deceased).  James  O.  Campbell 
served  in  the  Union  army  three  years,  being  a 
member  of  Co.  E,  29th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  escaped 
unharmed  until  upon  his  journey  homeward,  when 
he  became  engaged  in  a  skirmish  and  was  instantly 
killed. 

The  twelve  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hereford 
are  as  follows:  William  T.,  who  was  born  May  26, 
1850,  married  Miss  Helen  F.  Camp,  a  lady  of  Ger- 
man extraction,  July  25,  1872;  Daniel  B.,  born 
Sept.  15,  1851,  married  Miss  Maggie  L.  Powell, 
Dec.  21,  1873;  Albert,  born  Dec.  14, 1 852, married 
Miss  Mary  J.  Mohr,  Dec.  21,  1873;  Eugene  W., 
born  March  2,  1855,  married  Miss  Sarah  Einmett, 
Aug.  1,  1876;  Cuthbert  P.,  born  May  7,  1858,  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth  Prather,  Sept.  4,  1879,  and 
died  March  18,  1881;  Abraham  L.,  born  April  29, 
1860,  died  December  21,  of  the  same  year;  Susan 
A.,  born  Oct.  4,  1862,  married  John  M.  Power, 
Sept.  2,  1885;  Aseneth  M.  was  born  April  10, 
1865;  Clara  E.,  born  Sept.  17,  1867,  became  the 


wife  of  Frank  J  I.  Bradshaw;  George  H.  was  born 
Oct.  4,  1869;  Edgar  L.,  April  4,  1872;  Maggie, 
born  May  3,  1874,  died  May  10  of  the  same  year. 
The  early  life  of  Mr.  Hereford  was  spent  in  hard 
labor  and  poor  fare.  He  started  out  for  himself 
early  in  life,  his  father  having  died  before  our  sub- 
ject was  born.  He  often  worked  for  thirty -seven 
and  one-half  cents  per  day,  and  when  grown  to 
manhood  received  $9  per  month.  He  knows  how 
every  dollar  of  his  present  possessions  was  obtained, 
and  has  learned  the  secret  of  contentment  with  hjs 
lot,  which  is  the  surest  guarantee  of  happiness. 
The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  were  reared  in 
Woodford  County  and  with  their  parents  are  con- 
nected with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  our  subject  has  been  Class-Leader  for  several 
years,  besides  Sunday-school  Superintendent  and 
Steward.  He  has  been  a  stanch  adherent  of  the 
Republican  party  since  its  organization,  and  has 
held  the  minor  offices  of  his  township. 


J"~  OHN  KLINE,  one  of  the  intelligent  citizens 
of  Le  Roy,  a  self-made  man  in  every  re- 
spect the  word  implies,  and  a  gentleman  who 
has  added  to  his  fund  of  knowledge  obtained 
in  early  years  in  the  public  schools,  by  continual 
reading,  was  born  in  Greene  Village,  Franklin  Co., 
Pa.,  Feb.  27,  1827.  His  father,  Nicholas  Kline, 
was  also  born  in  that  State  and  of  German  ances- 
try. The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  emi- 
grated from  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  to  Franklin 
County,  the  same  State,  in  an  early  day,  and  it  was 
in  the  latter  county  that  the  father  of  our  subject 
was  reared  to  manhood.  When  a  young  man  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  and  carried  on 
that  business  at  Greene  Village.  He  owned  a  small 
tract  of  land  adjoining  the  village,  and  during  the 
last  two  years  of  his  life  did  nothing  except  a  little 
gardening  on  this  place.  He  died  there  in  October, 
1849.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Elizabeth  Nafs- 
ger,  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.  She  was 
of  German  ancestry,  and  departed  this  life  at 
Greene  Village,  Franklin  County,  that  State,  in  1857. 
There  were  eight  children  born  to  the  parents: 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


499 


Jeremiah  died  in  Livingston  County,  111.,  in  1883; 
Rebecca  married  Peter  Kreighbaum,  and  as  his 
widow,  is  living  at  Chambersburg,  Pa. ;  Eliza  died 
in  youth;  Samuel  was  a  pioneer,  settled  in  Illinois, 
and  was  drowned  in  Spoon  River  about  1843;  our 
subject  was  next  in  order  of  birth ;  Nicholas  is  a 
resident  of  Kansas ;  Catherine  and  Sarah  were  twins ; 
the  former  became  the  wife  of  Norval  Dixon,  and 
they  are  living  in  Padua  Township,  this  county, 
and  Sarah  died  when  quite  young. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  fifth  in  order 
of  birth  of  his  parents'  children.  He  attended  the 
common  schools  during  the  winter  season,  and 
worked  on  a  farm  through  the  summer.  When 
twelve  years  old  he  engaged  in  working  on  a  farm 
for  a  neighbor  at  $3  per  month,  and  was  thus  oc- 
cupied for  nine  months.  The  two  following  sea- 
sons he  received  for  his  services  $4.50  per  month. 
This  was  only  during  the  summer  season,  and  in 
the  winters  he  went  home  and  attended  school. 
In  the  spring  of  1842  our  subject  commenced  work 
in  the  shop  with  his  father,  and  continued  to  work 
with  him  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  Then, 
in  company  with  another  gentleman,  he  bought  the 
shop  and  they  carried  on  the  business  for  two  years) 
when  Mr.  Kline  disposed  of  his  interest  by  sale,  to 
his  partner. 

In  1850  our  subject  made  a  visit  to  California, 
and  set  sail  from  New  York  City  April  25  of  that 
year.  While  on  the  way  the  vessel  ran  on  a  reef, 
and  they  were  compelled  to  abandon  it.  All  the 
passengers  escaped  and  reached  the  island  of  An- 
cachs,  where  they  hired  schooners  to  take  them  to 
Turk's  Island,  and  there  chartered  a  brig  to  take 
them  to  the  Isthmus.  They  reached  California 
without  any  further  accident,  on  the  13th  of  Au- 
gust, and  our  subject  found  employment  in  a  lum- 
ber-yard at  San  Francisco.  He  was  almost  out  of 
means,  and  worked  thereat  long  enough  to  replen- 
ish his  exchequer,  when  he  went  to  the  mines 
in  Calaveras  County,  where  he  was  engaged  for 
nearly  a  year  and  a  half.  After  this  he  engaged  in 
the  provision  business,  procuring  his  supplies  from 
Stockton,  about  forty-five  miles  distant,  and  was 
thus  occupied  until  1853.  He  then  started  on  his 
way  home,  via  the  Isthmus,  and  after  his  arrival 
came  to  this  county,  and  purchased  land  in  Downs 


Township.  He  only  remained  a  short  time  when 
he  went  to  Casey  ville,  St.  Clair  Co.,  111.,  and  worked 
at  blacksmithing  until  the  following  spring.  Then, 
returning  to  Pennsylvania  he  remained  there  until 
the  following  fall,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and 
located  at  Le  Ro}',  and  became  an  employe  of  Gil- 
mer  &  Wright,  blacksmiths.  He  worked  for  them 
a  few  months,  and  then  bought  Mr.  Gilmer's  inter- 
est, and  a  year  later  sold  out  and  bought  a  farm 
adjoining  the  village.  For  two  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  then  bought  a 
half  interest  in  the  shop  of  a  Mr.  Wright,  and  they 
continued  in  the  business  together  until  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  late  Civil  War.  They  then  sold 
out,  and  our  subject  resumed  farming,  which  voca- 
tion he  has  continued  to  follow  until  the  present 
time.  His  residence  and  part  of  his  farm  is  inside 
the  village  corporation,  and  he  is  meeting  with  sig- 
nal success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  vocation. 

Mr.  Kline  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Buck,  Jan. 
15,  1856.  She  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ind., 
Dec.  1,  1830.  Mrs.  Kline  is  the  daughter  of  Har- 
mon C.  and  Lusena  (King)  Buck,  natives  of  New 
York.  Her  father  was  born  March  1.  1795,  and 
died  in  Le  Roy,  111.,  Feb.  8,  1858.  The  mother 
was  born  Jan.  1,  1810.  and  departed  this  life  Nov. 
17,  1841.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buck  were  the  parents  of 
eight  children:  Ellen,  wife  of  our  subject,  is  the 
eldest;  Ann,  born  March  31,  1832;  Benson,  Oct. 
12,  1833;  Eliza  Emily,  May  10,  1835;  Napoleon 
B.,  Feb.  19,  1837;  Dudley,  Sept.  17,  1838;  Mer- 
rick  York,  July  12,  1840;  Martha,  Nov.  17,  1841. 
Harmon  C.  Buck  and  Lusena  King  were  united  in 
marriage,  Jan.  21,  1830,  in  the  city  of  Conners- 
ville,  Fayette  Co.,  Ind. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kline  was  blest  by 
the  birth  of  eight  children :  Lydia  E.  married  Dr. 
J.  A.  Tuthill,  and  they  are  living  at  Le  Roy ;  Le- 
onora is  the  wife  of  George  W.  Simpson,  also  a 
resident  of  Le  Roy ;  Clara  was  next  in  order  of 
birth ;  Charles  and  Grace  are  twins,  and  Harry  B. 
The  latter  four  are  living  at  home.  Clara  is  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  at  Urbana;  Charles 
has  a  ranch  in  Norton  County,  Kan.,  and  Grace  is 
teaching  in  the  schools  of  Mansfield,  Piatt  Co.,  111. ; 
Irvin,  the  second  child  born  to  our  subject  and 
wife,  first  saw  light  Jan.  1,  1858,  and  departed  this 


I 


f 


<<       500 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


life  April  4,  1879;  Irene,  born  Aug.  4,  18G9,  died 
Aug.  31,  1869;  she  was  a  twin  of  Harry  B. 

Mr.  Kline  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Zach- 
ary  Taylor,  and  on  the  formation  of  the  Repub- 
lican party  joined  it  and  voted  for  itsf success  until 
1872,  since  which  time  he  has  voted  with  the  Dem- 
ocratic party. 


KROME  B.  HENDERSON,  a  minister  of  the 
Baptist"  Church  in  Arrowsmith .  Township, 
but  who  lives  in  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship, where  he  also  owns  and  cultivates  a  val- 
uable farm,  is  a  native  of  Lewis  County,  Ky.,  and 
was  born  Oct.  30,  1821.  He-is  the  son  of  William 
P.  and  Elizabeth  (Hendrickson)  Henderson,  the 
former  a  native  of  Washington'County,  Pa.,  and 
the  latter  of  New  Jersey.  William  P.  Henderson  was 
born  Jan.  1,  1792,  and  in  early  life  removed  from 
his  native  State  to  Kentucky,  where  he  followed 
the  trade  of  gunsmith,  and  died  Sept.  15,  1841. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  born  Aug.  5,  1784,  and 
died  in  this  State  Oct.  11,  1858.  Both  parents 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  The  little 
household  included  five  children — Thomas  O.  (now 
deceased),  Richard  S.,  Eveline  B.,  Rebecca  J.  and 
Jerome  B. 

Mr.  Henderson  of  our  sketch  came  to  this  county 
in  November,  1 852,  and  located  on  a  quarter  sec- 
tion of  land  which  he  now  occupies.  Ten  years 
later  he  commenced  his  ministerial  labors,  having 
received  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  academies  of  Kentucky.  He  was  also  or- 
dained in  the  year  last  named,  and  has  occupied 
the  pulpit  since  that  time,  giving  his  leisure  hours 
to  the  occupation  of  farming,  of  which  he  has  al- 
ways been  very  fond.  For  his  Christian  labors  he 
has  never  accepted  any  salary,  and  has  probably 
officiated  at  more  funerals  and  marriages  than  any 
other  minister  in  McLean  County.  He  was  the 
first  Supervisor  of  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  and 
served  in  this  capacity  for  a  number  of  years,  with 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 
He  has  also  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  has  organized  several  church  so- 


cieties,  and  been  the  means  of  great  encouragement 
to  the  support  of  the  Gospel  in  this  locality.  He 
is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  valued  citizen, 
whose  influence  has  always  been  cast  on  the  side  of 
truth  and  justice. 

The  marriage  of  Jerome  B.  Henderson  and  Miss 
Mary  Means  was  celebrated  in  Lewis  County,  Ky., 
on  the  24th  of  July,  1845.  This  lady  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  born  Feb.  6,  1824,  and  died  at  the 
home  of  her  husband  April  27,  1881.  She  was 
prominently  connected  with  the  Baptist  Church,  a 
lady  greatly  respected  for  her  noble  qualities  of 
character,  and  became  the  mother  of  seven  children, 
as  follows:  Mary  J.,  born  May  2,  1846,  became  the 
wife  of  I.  T.  Miller;  William  E.,  also  a  minister, 
was  Chaplain  of  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry  during 
the  late  war;  Katie  O.,  born  Dec.  1.1,  1847,  mar- 
ried J.  L.  Arbogast;  Cora  B.,  born  June  17,  1849, 
became  the  wife  of  William  H.  Harris,  also  a  minis- 
ter; Willie  M.,  born  April  3, 1851,  married  Miss  Sa- 
rah Hall;  Emma  T.,  born  Nov.  29,  1853,  married 
Stephen  C.  Murphy;  Sarah  M.,  born  Nov.  il,  1855, 
died  when  seven  years  of  age;  Richard  P.,  born 
Aug.  9,  1861,  married  Miss  Jennie  Gillis.  The  sec- 
ond wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was  married 
Nov.  29,  1883,  was  Miss  Alice  M.  Murphy,  who 
was  born  June  11,  1852,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Annie  (Smith)  Murphy,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland.  Of  this 
latter  union  there  have  been  born  two  children — 
Thomas  O.,  Nov.  4,  1884,  and  Blanche  O.,  June 
16,  1886. 


RS.  ELIZABETH  STEPHENS,  who  is  the 
widow  of  Wesley  Stephens,  owns  and 
occupies  a  comfortable  homestead  of 
160  acres  in  White  Oak  Township,  on  sec- 
tion 4.  Mrs.  S.  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1856.  She  was  born  in  Brown  County, 
Ohio,  in  1822,  being  the  daughter  of  John  and  Jane 
Baird.  Her  father  was  born  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  died  in  White  Oak  Township  in  about  1870. 
The  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  died  at 
the  home  of  her  husband  in  Twin  Grove,  this 
county,  in  1866.  They  were  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Baird  in 

•» 


MuLEAN   COUNTY. 


politics  was  strongly  Republican.  Their  thirteen 
children  were  Jeremiah,  John,  Margaret,  pjlizabeth, 
Sophia,  Mary  J.,  James,  Joseph,  Maria,  Martha, 
Robert,  William  and  Lucinda. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  under  the 
home  roof,  and  became  the  wife  of  Wesley  Ste- 
phens in  March,  1853.  They  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  in  1856,  when  there  was  only  one  black- 
smith-shop, one  grocery-store  and  a  few  little 
houses  scattered  around.  Mr.  Stephens  was  a 
painter  by  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  time 
after  coming  to  Bloomington,  and  then  purchased 
1 60  acres  of  good  land,  which  is  still  the  home  of 
Mrs.  S.  and  one  of  her  sons.  Mr.  Stephens  was 
born  in  Ohio,  Ang.  3,  1820,  being  the  son  of  John 
and  Martha  Stephens.  He  was  in  all  respects  a 
good  husband  and  father,  and  a  worthy  citizen.  He 
departed  this  life  in  White  Oak  Township,  in  1863, 
and  his  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  Oak  Grove 
Cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  became  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Martha  J.  departed  this  life  in  1872; 
Alice  C.  became  the  wife  of  Wilson  Selders;  John 
married  Miss  Savilla  Webster,  and  resides  with  his 
mother  on  the  old  homestead ;  America  died  Aug. 
19,  1860.  Mrs.  Stephens  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  support  of 
which  she  has  contributed  cheerfully  and  liberally 
for  many  years.  The  church  edifice  stands  just 
across  the  road  from  her  home.  She  is  a  lady  of 
excellent  character,  and  greatly  esteemed  among 
her  neighbors  and  associates. 


ENRY  W.  ELLINGTON.  In  a  country 
which  was  originally  inclined  to  swamp  land 
the  manufacture  of  tile  has  been  one  of  its 
most  important  industries,  and  among  the 
firms  which  have  made  this  .a  specialty,  is  that  of 
Stoops  &  Ellington,  of  Colfax,  in  Martin  Township, 
this  county,  of  whom  the  junior  member  is  the 
gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch.  The  works  were  established  in  1880,  and 
have  been  carried  on  in  an  eminently  successful  and 
praiseworthy  manner.  It  is  probable  that  millions  of 
rods  of  the  products  of  this  manufactory  now  under- 
lie the  soil  of  McLean  County,  and  probably  as 


501 


many  more  will  be  laid  in  a  corresponding  number 
of  years. 

Mr.  Ellington  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  born  in  Randolph 
County  on  the  2d  of  July,  1848.  He  is  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Eubanks)  Ellington,  who 
emigrated  from  North  Carolina  to  Indiana  when 
their  son  Henry  was  five  years  of  age.  They  settled 
in  Shelby  County,  where  the  subject  of  our  sketch 
grew  to  manhood,  receiving  the  advantages  of  a 
common-school  education.  In  1872  Henry  Elling- 
ton started  out  in  life  for  himself,  and  desirkig  to 
see  something  of  the  Prairie  State,  came  into  this 
county,  and  locating  in  Blue  Mound  Township, 
turning  his  attention  to  farming.  He  pursued  this 
for  six  years  following  and  then  became  interested 
in  a  tile  manufactory,  after  perceiving  that  this  in- 
dustry would  probably  be  of  great  benefit  both  to 
the  farmers  around  and  to  himself. 

Mr.  Ellington  first  located  his  factory  in  Padua 
but  was  afterward  persuaded  that  Chenoa  would  be 
the  better  point  for  operations.  He  remained  in 
Padua  until  1879,  then  formed  a  partnership  with 
Justus  Castle,  and  with  him  established  the  Chenoa 
Tile  Works,  which  they  operated  together  for  two 
years.  Mr.  Ellington  then  disposed  of  his  interest 
in  the  business  and  established  a  livery  stable  in 
Chenoa,  which  he  carried  on  in  connection  with 
farming  until  the  fall  of  1884.  He  then  came  to 
Colfax,  and  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  tile 
works  with  which  he  is  at  present  connected.  These 
now  have  a  capacity  of  half  a  million  tile  annually 
Their  machinery  is  of  the  most  approved  pattern,  and 
6,000  feet  of  steam  pipe  assists  in  facilitating  the 
business.  The  boiler  and  engine  are  of  fifty-five 
horse  power,  and  in  short  everything  about  the 
factory  is  calculated  for  doing  the  best  work  in  the 
most  expeditious  manner.  They  have  a  good  home 
market  for  all  they  can  produce.  The  works  are 
conveniently  located  on  the  Kankakee  branch  of 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  which  affords  excellent 
shipping  "facilities. 

The  marriage  of  Henry  W.  Ellington  and  Miss 
Alice  Stoops,  of  McLean  County,  was  celebrated  at 
the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Blue  Mound 
Township,  in  1874.  Mrs.  E.  was  born  in  Fulton 
County,  111.,  June  22,  1856,  and  of  her  marriage 


T 


•4- 


t. 


502 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


with  our  subject  there  is  one  child,  Emma  Elleanor. 
born  Dec.  4,  1875.  The  pleasant  residence  of  the 
little  family  is  located  on  Grove  street,  and  they  en- 
joy the  society  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances. 


,EITBEN  L.  PORTER  is  favorably  known 
in  Arrowsmith  Township  as  an  intelligent 
and  industrious  farmer,  and  occupies  a  snug 
|  homestead  on  section  21.  He  comes  of 
substantial  ancestry,  and,  like  his  parents,  was  born 
in  Fayette  County,  Pa.,  the  date  thereof  being  July 
4,  1 825.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Eliza  (Lowrey) 
Porter.  The  first  representatives  of  the  family  in 
this  country  emigrated  from  England  and  Scotland 
respectively,  and  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  the 
reliable  characteristics  of  those  races.  John  Porter 
was  born  Aug.  16,  1800,  and  became  a  resident  of 
Iowa  while  in  the  prime  of  life.  He  followed  farm- 
ing, shoemaking  and  tanning,  and  died  in  Appa- 
noose  County,  Iowa,  in  1855.  His  wife,  Eliza  L.. 
was  born  in  1803,  and  died  in  the  latter-named 
county  the  same  year  as  her  husband.  The  chil- 
dren of  John  and  Eliza  Porter,  the  parents  of 
our  subject,  were,  Francis  M.,  Reuben  L.,  Sarah; 
Mary,  now  Mrs.  Payne;  Moses;  Eliza,  Mrs.  Gaily; 
Susan,  Mrs.  Dr.  Bunker ;  Catherine,  now  Mrs.  Mon- 
roe, and  all  live  in  Appanoose  County,  Iowa,  ex- 
cept Mrs.  Bunker,  who  lives  in  Missouri. 

Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until  their 
removal  to  the  West,  and  became  a  resident  of  this 
county  in  1852.  He  cultivated  rented  land  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  in  1853  purchased  eighty 
acres  in  Arrowsmith  Township  which  constitutes 
his  present  homestead.  This  he  has  brought  to  a 
good  state  of  cultivation  and  upon  it  has  a  sub- 
stantial and  convenient  set  of  buildings.  He  was 
married.  Sept.  2, 1851,  to  Miss  Susan  Young,  a  na- 
tive of  Butler  County,  Ohio,  who  was  born  April 
15,  1833.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Rebecca 
(Britton)  Young,  both  now  deceased.  Their  family 
of  five  children  is  recorded  as  follows :  Maria,  Mrs. 
Francis,  is  a  resident  of  Ohio ;  Hannah,  Mrs.  Arma- 
cost  lives  in  Ohio;  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Hollinger,  lives 
in  Ohio;  and  Benjamin  lives  in  Nebraska.  Mr. 


and  Mrs.  Porter  became  the  parents  often  children, 
of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Eliza  died  when 
one  year  old ;  Virtue,  Mrs.  Scott,  is  a  resident  of 
Nebraska:  Temperance,  who  married  William  John- 
son, is  deceased;  Patrick  H.  married  Miss  Esther 
Welch ;  the  remainder  are  William  O.,  Mary  E.,  John 
F.,  a  teacher,  Almeda,  Susie  and  Eunice.  Mr.  Por- 
ter is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  for  many  years  has 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  Class-Leader 
for  twenty  years,  has  been  teacher  in  the  Sunday- 
school  and  is  Trustee  of  the  church  and  parsonage 
property.  With  his  son,  John  F.,  he  is  at  present 
Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school. 


eAROLINE  M.  BRINING,  widow  of  Hamil- 
ton Brining,  is  the  possessor  of  a  fine  property 
consisting  of  three  farms,  the  main  one  be- 
ing located  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  and  which  con- 
stitutes the  present  homestead  of  the  subject  of  our 
sketch.  The  other  two  lie  in  Downs  Township  and 
consist  of  160  acres  each.  They  are  all  finely  im- 
proved and  cultivated,  and  bear  evidence  of  hav- 
ing been  superintended  by  an  intelligent  mind. 

Mrs.  Brining  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind., 
Dec.  25,  1833.  Her  father,  Eli  Jones,  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  and  her  grandfather,  Allen 
Jones,  a  native  of  the  same  State,  was  a  descendant 
of  English  and  Welsh  ancestry,  and  emigrated  from 
North  Carolina  to  Indiana  at  an  early  period  in 
the  history  of  that  section.  He  made  the  journey 
overland,  and  after  locating  in  Orange  County, 
followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker 
for  many  years,  and  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
there.  His  son  Eli,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
quite  young  when  his  parents  removed  from  his  na- 
tive State.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Indiana,  and 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Hannah  Snyder, 
the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Hawse)  Snyder. 

Mr.  Jones  learned  the  trade  of  his  father,  and  in 
addition  to  the  work  of  a  carpenter  and  joiner  also 
became  an  experienced  millwright.  In  1853  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Greene  County,  Ind., 
upon  which  he  lived  until  1862,  and  from  there  re- 
moved to  Owen  County,  whence  after  three  years 

'» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


505 


i 


he  proceeded  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Logan 
County.  From  there  he  moved  into  McLean  County, 
of  which  he  is  now  a  resident,  having  his  home  in 
Allin  Township.  He  is  now  in  his  seventy-ninth 
year. 

Mrs.  Brining  remained  with  her  parents  during 
her  childhood  and  youth,  receiving  careful  home 
training  and  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools.  On  the  6th  of  February,  18G1,  she  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Hamilton  Brining.  He 
was  a  native  of  Spencer  County,  Ky.,  and  the  son 
of  Jacob  F.  and  Barbara  (Hawse)  Brining.  He 
was  born  on  the  1 3th  of  June,  1 830,  and  was  but 
six  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  from  Ken- 
tucky to  Illinois.  The  entire  journey  was  made 
overland  with  wagons,  and  they  camped  and  cooked 
by  the  way.  They  were  among  the  first  to  make  set- 
tlement in  Logan  County,  and  there  Mr.  B.  grew 
to  manhood,  and  was  educated  in  the  pioneer 
schools.  He  lived  there  until  1867,  when  he  sold 
his  property  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  McLean  County,  on  section  8. 
This  land  was  wild  and  uncultivated,  but  he  was  a 
man  of  great  energy  and  industry,  and  in  due  time 
had  effected  a  remarkable  change  in  its  original 
condition.  He  erected  a  good  set  of  farm  build- 
ings, planted  fruit  and  shade  trees,  and  subse- 
quently added  to  his  possessions,  until  at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  the  possessor  of  320  acres  here, 
and  two  farms  of  160  acres  each  in  Downs  Town- 
ship. He  departed  from  the  scenes  of  his  earthly 
labors  on  the  16th  of  March,  1886,  while  still  act- 
ive and  little  past  his  prime. 

In  early  manhood  Mr.  Brining  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Mountjoy,  and  of  this  union  there  were 
three  children — Martha,  May  J.  and  Alice.  Of 
the  second  marriage  there  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren, viz.,  Charles  E.,  Imo  G.,  Minnie  M.,  Owen 
L.,  Leslie  C.  and  L3'inan  T.  (twins),  and  Luther  V. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  were  both  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  he  was 
an  uncompromising  Republican. 

Since  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Brining  has 
superintended  the  management  of  the  estate  with 
ability  and  success.  She  is  a  lady  of  rare  intelli- 
gence and  courage,  and  was  well  fitted  to  be  the  help- 
meet of  such  a  man  as  her  husband.  The  family  resi- 
le  


dence  and  the  entire  homestead  is  first-class  in  all  its 
appointments,  and  bears  evidence  of  the  thrift  and 
enterprise  which  first  established  it  and  by  which  it 
has  been  perpetuated.  It  is  one  of  the  attractive 
spots  of  McLean  County,  and  invariably  attracts 
the  eye  of  the  traveler  through  this  section. 

The  portrait  of  Mr.  Brining,  which  accompanies 
this  sketch,  will  be  recognized  by  all  as  that  of  a 
worthy  and  honored  representative  of  McLean 
County. 


AMES  H.  McGREGOR,  President  of  the 
Arctic  Ice  Company  of  Bloomington,  111., 
whose  portrait  is  shown  on  page  504,  ranks 
among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the 
city,  and  as  one  who  has  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  advancement  of  its  business  and  indus- 
trial interests.  Mr.  McGregor  was-  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  N.  Y.,  on  the  16th  of  March,  1830. 
His  father.  Peter  McGregor,  was  a  native  of  Scot- 
land. who  came  to  America  in  1828.  All  his  chil- 
dren except  James  II.  were  born  there.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  located  with  his 
family  near  the  city  of  Montreal,  Canada.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage,  was 
Miss  Mary  Stuart,  and  the  family  of  herself  and 
husband  consisted  of  seven  children,  five  sous  and 
two  daughters. 

In  August,  1853,  the  subject  of  this  history  left 
the  parental  roof  and  coming  into  the  States  located 
in  Bloomington,  111.,  and  engaged  at  the  brick- 
layer's trade,  which  he  had  previously  learned.  This 
he  followed  for  many  years,  and  is  still  engaged  as 
a  contractor  and  builder.  In  this  capacity  he  has 
superintended  the  erection  of  some  of  the  most 
important  buildings  of  this  locality  and  in  the  city 
of  Chicago.  In  18G3  he  associated  himself  in  part- 
nership with  N.  B.  Heafer,  of  this  city,  with  whom 
he  operated  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  During 
this  time  the  firm  was  interested  in  some  of  the 
best  improvements  in  this  city,  having  built  the 
C.  &  A.  R.  R.  shops,  and  afterward  the  McLean 
County  court-house,  which  latter  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  over  $300,000.  They  also  built  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  one  of  the  finest 
church  edifices  in  the  city,  and  afterward  laid 


test      ,  j 
the   ^ 

•frHf- 


JL 


t  .  506 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


street  pavements  and  built  the  water-works,  to- 
gether with  the  tower,  which  is  200  feet  in  height. 
At  the  same  time  they  were  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture and  laying  of  brick,  also  street  pavements. 
The  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1883,  by  mutual 
consent,  the  two  gentlemen  still  retaining  a  life- 
long esteem  for  each  other.  Mr.  McGregor  has 
been  since  that  time  carrying  on  the  same  business 
alone  and  was  elected  to  his  present  position  as 
President  of  the  Arctic  Ice  Company  in  1884. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1866,  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  Barnes,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  they  have  two 
children — Mary  and  Edith.  Mr.  McG.  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Remem- 
brance Lodge  No.  77.  The  family  occupy  a 
handsome  and  attractive  home  and  enjoy  the  so- 
ciety and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

Duncan  McGregor,  deceased,  a  brother  of  our 
subject,  was  one  of  the  most  active  railroad  men 
of  the  West.  He  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  after 
the  death  of  his  father  in  Canada,  he  and  his 
brother,  James  H..  went  to  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  where 
Duncan  had  charge  of  a  force  of  men  employed  in 
the  construction  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad, 
their  part  of  the  line  stretching  from  Michigan 
City,  Ind.,  to, Chicago,  and  employing  them  during 
the  summer  of  1852.  Duncan  McGregor  next  went 
to  LaSalle,  111.,  where  he  superintended  the  laying 
of  the  track  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  to 
Bloomington,  it  being  the  first  road  to  enter  the 
latter  city.  He  then  made  his  home  at  Blooming- 
ton  for  several  years,  holding  the  position  of  con- 
ductor  on  the  I.  C.  R.  R.  In  1858  he  went  to 
Texas  to  take  charge  of  the  track  laying  of  the 
Texas  Central  which  ran  to  Huston. 

During  the  Rebellion  Duncan  McGregor  assisted 
in  building  the  Brazos  River  Railroad.  While  in 
that  section  of  country  he  was  pressed  into  the  serv- 
ice of  the  Confederates  in  constructing  and  re- 
pairing railroads,  and  also  ran  a  locomotive  for 
them  over  different  roads  until  the  engine  was  so 
worn  and  the  boiler  so  leaky  that  he  was  compelled 
to  abandon  it.  At  this  the  Confederates  became 
enraged  and  were  going  to  hang  him,  but  by  deter- 
mined effort  he  made  his  escape  toward  the  Gulf, 
where  he  was  picked  up  by  a  Northern  vessel  and 
reached  a  place  of  safety.  He  then  came  North  to 


Logansport,  Ind.,  where  he  was  employed  as  an  en- 
gineer and  conductor  on  the  C.  C.  <fe  I.  C.  R.  R. 
for  several  years.  On  the  night  of  his  death  he 
had  taken  the  place  of  another  engineer  to  run  out 
an  extra.  When  Hearing  the  city  of  Columbus, 
Ohio,  an  obstruction  upon  the  track  threw  the  lo- 
comotive from  the  rails,  and  in  the  wreck  he  was 
instantly  killed.  This  terrible  accident  occurred 
in  1874.  Duncan  McGregor  was  classed  among 
the  best  railroad  men  of  the  West. 


RS.  MARY  C.  KIRKPATRICK,  widow  of 
Thomas  K.  Kirkpatrick,  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  good  home  in  White  Oak  Township, 
on  section  34,  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
the  Prairie-  State  for  nearly  forty  years.  She  was 
born  in  Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  Sept.  14,  1809, 
being  the  daughter  of  George  and  Ellen  (Lowry) 
Guylinger.  Her  father  was  born  in  New  York 
about  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  her 
mother,  a  native  of  Scotland,  was  about  six  years 
the  senior  of  her  husband.  They  were  married  in 
Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  in  1807,  and  remained 
there  until  1840,  when  they  removed  to  Ohio,  and 
rented  land  in  Adams  County,  where  Mr.  Guylin- 
ger died  in  the  seventy -second  year  of  his  age. 
The  mother  preceded  him  three  years,  living  to  be 
seventy-five  years  old.  They  were  members  of 
what  was  known  as  the  Seceders'  Church.  Mr. 
Guylinger  was  Republican  in  politics.  They  had  a 
family  of  three  children:  John  married  Miss 
Martha  Finley ;  Susan  became  Mrs.  Richard  Kirk- 
patrick, and  Mary  C.  of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest. 
Mrs.  K.  was  reared  under  the  home  roof  and  re- 
ceived a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools. 
She  was  married  to  Thomas  Kirkpatrick  in  Adams 
County.  Ohio,  Sept.  6,  1831,  and  they  remained  in 
Ohio  until  1849,  when  they  removed  to  this  State 
and  county,  and  located  on  the  farm  which  is  now 
the  home  of  Mrs.  K.  This  comprises  160  acres  of 
good  land,  with  substantial  farm  buildings. 

Mr.  K.  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  in 
1805,  and  departed  this  life  at  his  home  in  White 
Oak  Township,  Feb.  3,  1857.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
K.  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  of  whom 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


507 


only  four  are  living,  as  follows:  Ellen  J.  became 
the  wife  of  Adam  Kirkpatrick,  and  they  live  in 
Bloomington;  Adeline  married  John  Kirkpatrick; 
George  married  Miss  Catherine  Wright,  and  Robert 
W.,  Miss  Margaret  Hilton.  The  seven  deceased 
are  Samuel,  who  died  April  30,  1859;  James,  Nov. 
16,  1860;  Margaret  C..  Aug.  25,  1885;  John  died 
in  1862;  Thomas  M.  died  in  1863,  and  Sarah  M.  in 
1865;  Elvia  A.  was  born  Oct.  6,  1855,  and  died  in 
1873. 

Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  is  an  active  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  takes  much  in- 
terest in  missionary  work.  She  has  been  a  good 
mother,  a  kind  neighbor  and  friend,  and  enjoys  the 
esteem  and  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaint- 
ances. 


I  RAM  BUCK,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers 
of  McLean  County,  has  now  attained  to 
the  age  of  fourscore  years  and  six.  He  is 
a  hale  and  hearty  old  gentleman,  in  full 
possession  of  his  mental  facilities,  active  as  most 
men  at  sixty,  suffers  no  bodily  infirmities,  and  can 
still  hold  the  plow  and  ride  on  the  back  of  spirited 
horses.  His  form  has  been  a  familiar  one  upon  the 
streets  of  Empire  Township  for  many  years,  and  he 
is  held  in  that  peculiar  veneration  and  respect  tacit- 
ly accorded  those  who  first  pushed  their  way  into 
the  Western  wilds  and  marked  out  the  track  of  a 
later  civilization. 

Mr.  Buck  was  born  in  the  town  of  Ulysses,  N.  Y., 
which  was  then  in  Seneca  but  is  now  in  Tompkins 
County.  He  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  on 
the  20th  of  March,  1801.  His  father,  William 
Sherman  Buck,  was  born  in  New  Milford,  Litchfield 
Co.,  Conn.',  Feb.  17,  1764.  His  grandfather,  James 
Buck,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Nutmeg  State  and  of 
English  descent.  The  latter  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  State. 
He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Sherman,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  his  own  town  and  the  sister  of  Roger  Sher- 
man, who  was  famous  in  that  day  as  a  philosopher 
and  a  man  of  talents  and  learning. 

The  father  of  our  subject  learned  the  trade  of 
tanner  and  currier  in  New  Milford  and  worked 


there  until  after  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He 
then  went  into  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  remaining  there 
until  about  1798,  whence  he  removed  to  Phelpsand 
Graham's  Purchase  in  New  York,  and  settled  in 
the  part  now  included  in  the  township  of  Ulysses. 
The  removal  from  Pennsylvania  was  effected  with 
ox-teams,  part  of  the  route  lying  through  a  track- 
less wilderness.  He  purchased  timber  land  and  on 
a  part  of  his  first  purchase  now  stands  the  village  of 
Trumansburg.  He  had  been  there  but  a  short  time 
when,  after  clearing  a  part  of  his  land,  he  established 
a  tanyard  and  engaged  in  dressing  hides  and  in 
shoemaking.  For  twenty  years  he  did  business 
without  the  assistance  of  railroads  or  canals.  The 
only  way  of  reaching  market  was  to  go  overland 
along  the  rivers.  There  William  S.  Buck  remained 
until  1818,  and  then  selling  his  property  proceeded 
further  westward  to  Ohio.  The  journey  to  the  head- 
waters of  the  Alleghany  River  was  made  overland, 
and  he  arrived  there  the  1st  of  March,  1818. 
On  account  of  the  great  amount  of  ice  in  the  river 
his  journey  was  here  delayed  until  the  13th  of  April. 
While  thus  waiting  he  built  a  boat  and  as  soon  as  it 
could  be  launched,  moved  with  his  family  upon  it, 
down  to  North  Bend,  Ohio.  He  had  sold  his  land 
in  New  York  on  time,  and  was  obliged  to  rent  land 
in  order  to  pursue  his  further  operations.  He  locat- 
ed in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  rented  land  from 
President  Harrison,  until  he  could  get  pay  for  his 
own  in  New  York  State.  He  remained  there  eleven 
years,  and  then  pulled  up  stakes  again  and  started 
for  Indiana,  purchasing  a  farm  in  Switzerland  Coun- 
ty, where  he  located  and  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  his  decease  occurring  on  the  4th  of  Au- 
gust, 1844.  His  wife  died  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  in  October,  1827.  The  parental  family  con- 
sisted of  thirteen  children,  eleven  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

Hiram  Buck  was  the  eighth  child  and  seventh  son 
of  his  parents.  He  was  seventeen  years  old  when 
they  removed  from  New  York  to  Ohio.  He  assist- 
ed his  father  in  clearing  the  farm  and  tilling  the 
soil,  received  a  limited  education  in  the  subscription 
schools,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
1826.  He  had  inherited  much  of  the  energy  and 
enterprise  of  his  forefathers  and  at  this  time  had  en- 
gaged considerably  in  speculation  on  his  own  ac- 


-^•^ 


1 


508 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


count.  He  made  three  trips  down  the  river  with  a 
flatboat,  transporting  produce  to  various  points.  He 
had  improved  his  leisure  time  with  his  books,  and  in 
this  manner  had  become  well  fitted  for  a  teacher  of 
those  days,  and  employed  his  time  during  the  winter 
season  in  dispensing  knowledge  to  the  sons  of  the 
early  settlers,  in  the  log  school-house  of  those  days. 
He  possessed  considerable  musical  talents  and  also 
taught  singing  as  well  as  day  school.  In  1826  he 
bought  a  stock  of  goods  and  commenced  mer- 
chandising in  Switzerland  County,  Ind.  After  two 
years  thus  occupied  he  purchased  a  tract  of  timber 
land  and  found  a  ready  market  for  wood  which  was 
used  on  the  steamboats,  coal  not  then  having  been 
discovered  or  mined  in  that  region.  In  1833,  after 
having  considerably  enhanced  the  value  of  his  prop- 
erty he  sold  out,  and  started  for  Illinois,  via  the 
Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers.  Leaving  his 
family  in  Beardstown,  111.,  he  came  on  to  McLean 
County,  where  he  procured  two  teams  and  returned, 
for  his  family  and  household  goods.  His  means 
were  limited,  but  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
at  $1.50  per  acre  in  Randolph  Township,  and  after 
building  a  log  cabin,  removed  his  family,  and  raised 
a  crop  upon  rented  land  that  year.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  raised  his  first  crop  on  his  own  land  and 
proceeded  with  its  cultivation  and  improvement. 
In  1837  he  sold  out  and  came  to  Le  Roy,  where  he 
purchased  village  property  and  also  farm  land.  He 
built  the  first  hotel  in  the  place,  naming  it  after  the 
town.  He  soon  succeeded  in  securing  a  post-office 
and  officiated  as  the  first  Postmaster.  He  conduct- 
ed this  hotel  for  eight  years  and  was  remarkably 
successful  in  his  farming  and  business  operations. 
In  1851  he  removed  to  the  farm  he  now  owns  and 
occupies  and  on  which  he  has  been  a  continuous 
resident  since  that  time,  a  period  of  thirty-six  years. 
The  first  purchase  which  Mr.  Buck  made  in  this 
vicinity  consisted  of  172  acres,  to  which  he  added 
as  time  passed  until  he  became  the  owner  of  965 
acres,  all  in  Empire  and  Downs  Townships.  It  is 
now  all  improved  and  under  a  fine  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, being  operated  mostly  by  tenants,  but  Mr. 
Buck  has  always  exercised  a  general  oversight  of  the 
whole,  and  its  valuable  condition  to-day  is  owing  to 
his  remarkable  energy  and  foresight.  The  land  has 
been  devoted  to  mixed  husbandry  and  stock-raising 


and  has  yielded  its  owner  a  handsome  income.  It 
is  beautifully  located  and  its  broad  acres  stretch 
over  a  fine  tract  of  country,  forming  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  McLean  County. 

The  marriage  of  Hiram  Buck  and  Miss  Mercy 
Karr  was  celebrated  in  Ohio  on  the  5th  of  April, 
1827.  Mrs.  Buck  was  born  in  that  part  of  Sussex 
which  is  now  Warren  County,  N.  J.,  on  the  16th 
of  November,  1806,  being  the  daughter  of  Capt- 
John  and  Mary  (Lee)  Karr,  natives  of  Pennsylvania. 
Her  father  commanded  a  company  under  Wayne's 
Legion  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  after  his  re- 
tirement from  the  military  service  returned  to  New 
Jersey  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  His  death 
occurred  at  the  home  of  our  subject  in  Le  Roy  in 
1840.,  after  he  had  become  eighty-two  years  of  age. 

Mrs.  Mercy  Buck  died  at  the  home  of  her  hus- 
band in  Le  Roy  Township,  Aug.  6,  1886.  They 
had  become  the  parents  of  six  children,  five  now 
living:  Amanda  M.  married  James  Crumbaugh  and 
lives  in  Empire  Township,  which  is  also  the  residence 
of  Thomas  L;  Elizabeth  died  when  three  years  of 
age ;  Martha  E.  became  the  wife  of  John  McConnell 
and  lives  in  Downs  Township;  Nancy  J.  married 
Isaac  T.  Dawson  and  lives  in  Downs  Township; 
Charles  Albert  is  on  the  home  farm.  Mr.  Buck  has 
been  Postmaster  of  three  different  offices — of  Pat- 
riot, Ind.,  and  Randolph  and  Le  Roy.  in  McLean 
County.  He  received  his  first  appointment  from 
President  John  Q.  Adams,  and  served  in  this  ca- 
pacity under  Jackson,  Van  Buren,  Harrison,  Tyler 
and  Polk.  He  was  School  Trustee  in  Indiana,  and 
Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  the  Board  several  years. 
He  was  Deputy  County  Surveyor  and  School  Trustee 
under  the  Constitution  of  1 848,  and  elected  a  Coun- 
ty Judge  in  1851,  to  fill  a  vacancy.  Two  years 
later  he  was  elected  for  the  full  term  of  four  years, 
and  re-elected  in  1857.  He  joined  the  State  Militia 
in  Ohio,  and  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  was 
elected  Captain  of  the  first  company  of  the  1st 
Regiment,  1st  Brigade  and  1st  Division  of  the 
Militia  of  that  State.  The  same  year  he  came  to 
Illinois  he  joined  the  militia  of  this  State,  being 
soon  promoted  Adjutant,  and  'in  the  late  war  he 
endeavored  to  enlist  as  a  Union  soldier  but  was 
rejected  on  account  of  his  age. 

In 'politics  Mr.  Buck  was  formerly  identified  with 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

50!)  ,  , 


t 


the  Whig  party  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote 
for  John  Q.  Adams,  in  1824.  He  has  voted  at  six- 
teen presidential  elections,  and  continued  a  Whig 
until  the  abandonment  of  the  old  party  by  the 
organization  of  the  Republicans.  Then  he  cheer- 
fully indorsed  the  principles  of  the  latter  and  has 
since  cast  his  vote  with  that  party.  Mr.  Buck  was 
Supervisor  of  Empire  Township  four  years  and 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  eighteen  years.  In 
1874  he  was  appointed  a  Trustee  of  the  Industrial 
School  at  Urbana  by  Gov.  Beveridge,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  elected  a  Trustee  of  Lombard  University. 
The  mother  of  Mr.  Buck,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Berentha  York,  was  a  native  of 
Stonington,  Conn.,  and  born  Sept.  27,  1770.  Her 
father,  Amos  York,  also  a  native  of  Connecticut, 
afterward  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in 
Luzerne  County,  and  being  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  that  region,  when  the  country  was  peopled 
largely  by  Indians.  In  February,  1778,  the  Indians 
surrounded  his  house,  took  all  his  goods  and  cattle, 
made  him  prisoner  and  carried  him  to  Canada, 
where  he  was  held  in  captivity  for  two  years.  He 
was  then  released,  but  died  soon  after  his  return 
home.  His  wife  was  thus  left  a  widow  with  ten 
daughters  and  one  son,  the  youngest  a  babe  at  the 
breast.  She  removed  to  Wyoming  with  her  chil- 
dren and  was  there  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  mas- 
sacre, being  one  of  the  few  who  escaped  in  a  canoe 
down  the  Susquehanna  River.  She  afterward  made 
her  home  in  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  and  died  at  the 
age  of  ninety  years.  Mr.  Buck  is  a  devout  Uni- 
versalist  and  contributed  largely  toward  building 
the  chapel  in  Le  Roy ;  it  is  named  after  Mrs.  Buck, 
being  known  as  "Mercy  Chapel." 


/p^ARRIGUS  BROS.    Wilbur  C.  and  Joseph  C. 

(If  (— -,  Garrigus  are  conducting  a  livery,  boarding 
^y^(  and  sale  stable  at  Nos.  423  and  425  North 
Main  street,  Bloomington,  having  also  a  feed- 
yard  in  connection.  Although  comparatively  young 
in  business,  having  established  in  188G,  they 
have  been  successful  from  the  start.  Their  stock 
comprises  from  twelve  to  twenty  fine  horses,  and 
their  vehicles  are  of  first-class  description.  They 


also  condnct  an  undertaking  business,  having  a  line 
hearse  and  all  other  accessories. 

Wilbur  C.  and  Joseph  C.  Garrigus  were  born  in 
Marshall  County,  111.,  being  the  sons  of  Jacob  and 
Matilda  (Chandler)  Garrigus,  natives  of  New  Jer- 
sey, the  former  of  whom  came  to  Illinois  with  his 
parents  when  a  boy,  and  they  settled  in  Marshall 
County.  The  father  was  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising, and  became  County  Treasurer  and 
Postmaster.  He  resided  there  until  1872,  then 
removed  to  Chicago,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
was  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business.  Later  he 
was  appointed  United  States  Ganger,  which  office 
he  still  holds.  He  has  always  been  an  active  and 
prominent  business  man  and  takes  an  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  public  welfare. . 

The  two  brothers  received  a  fine  education  and 
bid  fair  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  their  father  as 
regards  business  talent  and  enterprise.  Their 
younger  brother,  Charles,  is  in  their  employ,  and 
the  firm  is  becoming  favorably  known  in  this  lo- 
cality as  reliable,  prompt  to  meet  its  obligations, 
and  in  all  respects  ranking  with  the  first-class  busi- 
ness interests  of  the  city.  One  of  the  brothers  is 
Democratic  in  politics,  one  Republican,  and  one  a 
Prohibitionist.  Wilbur  C.  married  Miss  Belle  Clark, 
of  Wisconsin,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  one  son — 
Roy.  Their  residence  is  at  No.  1104  North  Prairie 
street. 

-    f>  *==* -0*0. >t=^.  q— 


J""  AMES  COOPER,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
McLean  County,  respected  and  loved  by  all 
who  know  him,  and  a  progressive  farmer  of 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  is  a  resident  on 
section  1.  He  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
July  24, 1828,  and  his  father,  Michael  Cooper,  was 
a  native  of  Lancashire,  England.  The  latter  grew 
to  manhood  in  his  native  land,  was  there  married, 
and  came  to  this  country  about  1820.  He  had 
come  to  America  with  the  intention  of  seeking 
a  home  for  his  family,  but  while  here  his  good  wife 
died  in  the  old  country,  and  his  mother  took  charge 
of  the  children,  who  always  lived  in  England.  Mr. 
Cooper  was  again  married,  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
and  the  lady  selected  as  his  life  companion  was 
Mrs.  Ruhanna  Hickle.  She  was  born  in  Virginia, 


T 


,  510 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  was  the  daughter  of  Abraham   VanMeter  and 
the  widow  of  Jacob  Hickle. 

Michael  Cooper  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade, 
but  after  his  second  marriage  engaged  in  the  voca- 
tion of  a  farmer.  In  1830  he  bought  land  in 
Madison  County,  Ohio.  The  tract  contained  160 
acres  and  was  military  land  and  heavily  timbered. 
His  title  to  this  property  proved  to  be  worthless, 
and  after  clearing  quit*  a  portion  of  it  he  lost  the 
entire  property.  In  1837,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  five  children,  he  started  for  Illinois.  The 
journej'  was  made  overland  with  a  team  of  horses 
and  a  wagon,  occupying  three  or  four  weeks'  travel, 
and  terminated  at  Bloomington,  this  State.  Soon 
after  his  settlement  there  he  rented  land  of  Col. 
Gridley,  at  Lexington,  a  portion  of  which  is  now 
included  in  that  city.  This  he  worked  until  1841, 
when  he  moved  to  Towanda  Township  and  vented 
a  farm,  which  he  worked  for  three  years.  He  then 
went  to  Hudson  Township,  where  he  was  a  renter 
until  1847,  during  which  year  he  started  on  his 
return  to  England,  and  it  is  supposed  he  was  lost 
on  the  voyage  as  he  has  never  been  heard  from 
since.  His  wife  died  at  the  home  of  our  subject 
in  1872. 

Of  the  second  marriage  of  Michael  Cooper  five 
children  were  born,  the  subject  of  this  notice  being 
the  third  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  nine  years  old 
when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  and 
here  attended  the  pioneer  school  and  assisted  his 
father  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  After  his  father's 
death  he  worked  out,  receiving  $7.50  per  month 
for  his  services.  He  saved  his  earnings,  and  in 
time  was  enabled  to  carry  on  farming  on  rented 
land,  and  made  money  by  so  doing.  In  1867  he 
bought  210  acres  of  land  on  section  1,  Funk's 
Grove  Township.  There  were  no  buildings  on  the 
place  in  which  to  live,  and  he  rented  until  1873, 
when  he  moved  on  to  the  place  and  has  since  made 
it  his  home.  He  has  a  good  farm  under  an  advanced 
state  of  cultivation,  and  has  been  successful  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  labors.  In  1878  his  residence 
was  destroyed  by  fire  and  he  then  erected  the  one 
in  which  he  is  now  living.  The  place  at  present 
consists  of  about  300  acres,  all  of  which  is  enclosed 
and  well  improved. 

Mr.  Cooper  was  married,  Jan.  23,  1866,  to  Fran- 


ces  Veatch.  She  was  born  in  this  county  Nov.  18, 
1842.  Her  father,  Covington  Veatch,  was  a  native 
of  Indiana,  and  her  paternal  grandfather  was  born 
in  Tennessee  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  Mrs.  Coo- 
per's father  lived  in  Indiana  until  nineteen  years 
old,  and  then,  in  1836,  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  and  settled  with  them  in  Randolph 
Township.  His  father  entered  Government  land 
and  improved  several  farms.  He  was  a  carpenter 
by  trade,  and  he  would  build  a  house  on  a  small 
tract  of  land  and  then  dispose  of  the  place  and  buy 
another.  He  spent  the  last  days  of  his  life  in 
Quincy,  111.  He  was  also  a  Baptist  preacher,  and 
labored  in  the  pulpit  on  Sundays  for  the  conversion 
of  souls.  He  died  in  1878,  aged  eighty  years. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Cooper,  Eliza  Branton,  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1823,  and  came  to  this  Stnte 
with  her  parents  in  1834.  They  located  in  Cham- 
paign, where  their  demise  occurred.  Covington 
Veatch,  after  living  some  time  on  his  farm  in 
Randolph  Township,  sold  out  and  went  to  Kansas, 
settling  in  Kiugman  County,  where  he  lived  a 
retired  life. 

Socially  Mr.  Cooper  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
'fraternity,  and  holds  fellowship  with  Lodge  No. 
251,  of  Hey  worth.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Robert 
T.  Harvey  Post  No.  606,  G.  A.  R.  He  enlisted  in 
August,  1862,  in  Co.  B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
in  the  service  sixteen  months,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  and  several  other 
minor  engagements.  He  was  discharged  on  account 
of  an  affection  of  the  eyes,  from  which  he  never 
recovered,  and  has  lost  the  sight  of  one  of  them 
entirely. 


eAPT.  E.  C.  MYERS,  one  of  the  successful 
farmers  and  stock-growers  of  Randolph 
Township,  is  located  on  section  8.  His  farm 
estate  consists  of  160  acres  of  highly  improved  and 
valuable  land.  Mr.  Myers  is  the  eldest  son  of  Jo- 
seph and  Keziah  Myers,  the  former  now  living  at 
Loda,  Iroquois  Co.,  111.,  being  seventy-one  years  of 
age.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  many  years 
ago  in  McLean  County,  and  the  father  is  now  liv- 
ing with  his  second  wife.  He  became  a  settler  of 
this  count}'  in  1851,  and  at  one  time  was  a  large 


t 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


511 


property  holder  in   Randolph  Township,  most  of 
which  is  still  in  the  family. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  on  his  father's 
side  was  John  Myers,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  was  the  son  of  Casper  Myers,  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, who  with  six  other  brothers  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Five  of  the  brothers  engaged  in  that  memorable 
conflict,  and  the  two  younger  were  in  the  War  of 
1812,  one  of  whom  fell  mortally  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.  The  survivor  became 
the  ancestor  of  our  subject.  Casper  Myers,  after 
his  retirement  from  the  army,  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  and  died 
there  at  an  advanced  age.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  John  Myers,  was  born  and  reared  in  Penn- 
sylvania, his  birth  occurring  about  1790.  He  emi- 
grated from  his  native  State  to  Ohio,  being  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Licking  County,  where  he  se- 
cured a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable  home. 
He  afterward  came  to  Illinois,  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  His  son  Joseph,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
carried  in  the  arms  of  his  mother  to  their  home  in 
Licking  County,  Ohio.  This  lady  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Mary  <JosneIl,  who  was  of  English 
descent  and  born  in  Pennsylvania.  The  family 
came  to  Illinois  in  1855;  the  father  died  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  this  county,  June  1,  1869.  Her 
husband  followed  her  to  the  silent  land  in  Decem- 
ber of  the  same  year. 

Joseph  Myers,  the  father  of  our  subject,  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  he  had  attained  to 
years  of  manhood,  and  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Keziah  Barrick.  She  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  when  about  sixteen  years  of  age  removed 
with  her  parents  to  Licking  County,  Ohio.  She 
subsequently  came  with  her  family  to  Illinois,  and 
died  in  Randolph  Township,  this  county,  in  1875. 
Capt.  Myers  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
Feb.  27,  1838.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he 
was  brought  to  Illinois  by  his  parents  and  located 
in  this  county  with  them  in  1851.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  until  April,  1861,  in  the 
meantime  receiving  a  practical  business  education. 
In  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in 
Co.  C,  20th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  command  of  Capt. 


J.  O.  Pullen.  After  serving  his  term  of  three 
mouths,  he  re-enlisted,  becoming  a  member  of  Co. 
K,  39th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  Capt.  Joseph  Wood- 
ruff. The  company  was  organized  at  Chicago,  Aug. 
14,  1861,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Benton  Bar- 
racks, Mo.,  and  thence  to  join  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Their  first  engagement  with  the  enemy, 
who  were  led  by  Stonewall  Jackson,  was  at  Bath, 
Va.,  on  the  4th  of  January,  1862.  Our  subject 
with  his  comrades  participated  in  the  famous  march 
of  Gen.  Landers,  in  which  they  traveled  over  a 
mountain  road  of  forty  miles,  in  sixteen  hours.  He 
was  afterward  transferred  to  the  celebrated  Shields' 
Division,  which  assisted  in  the  battle  of  Winches- 
ter, where  the  enemy  was  routed.  They  afterward 
met  the  enemy  in  several  engagements  around  Suf- 
folk, Va.,  thence  going  to  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  in 
February,  1863,  where  our  subject  witnessed  the 
engagement  between  the  iron-clad  fleet  and  Ft. 
Sumter.  The  company  sustained  a  serious  loss  in 
the  death  of  its  Captain  (Woodruff),  who  fell  at 
the  entrance  of  Ft.  Gregg,  killed  by  a  bursting 
shell. 

A,t  that  time,  Jan.  1,  1864,  many  of  the  company 
re-enlisted  as  veterans  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 
Young  Myers  had  been  serving  as  First  Sergeant 
since  January,  1862,  and  on  the  24th  of  December, 
1864,  was  made  First  Lieutenant  and  the  following 
year  Captain.  He  afterward  took  an  active  part  in 
many  engagements  and  skirmishes,  and  was  always 
on  duty.  During  the  summer  of  1864,  the  killed, 
missing  and  captured  aggregated  653  men  of  their 
regiment.  Capt.  Myers  was  present  at  every  en- 
gagement of  the  regiment  from  the  time  Ft.  Sum- 
ter was  reduced  until  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  Ap- 
pomattox  Court-House.  Through  all  these  dangers 
he  escaped  unharmed  and  received  his  honorable 
discharge  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Capt.  Myers  was  married  in  McLean  County  on 
the  3d  of  March,  1864,  to  Miss  Martha  Crose,  their 
wedding  taking  place  at  the  home  of  the  bride  in 
Downs  Township.  Mrs.  Myers  was  born  in  Downs 
Township,  Oct.  27,  1844,  and  was  reared  on  her 
father's  farm,  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  Her  parents  came  to  this  county  at 
an  early  day,  and  assisted  with  their  fellow  pioneers 
in  its  growth  and  advancement. 


MrLKAN   COINTY. 


Capt.  and  Mrs.  Myers  became  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  of  whoi  .....  ie,  Leota,  is  deceased. 
Those  living,  and  all  at  home  are,  Ella  M.,  Kdith 
S.,  David,  Joseph  P.,  Thomas  E.,  John  J.,  Mabel 
and  George.  Capt.  Myers  is  a  member  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  although  in  political,  as  well  as  re- 
ligious views,  he  is  extremely  liberal. 


ffi  OSEPH  W.  ZOOK,  Postmaster  of  Oak  Grove, 
came  to  McLean  County  in  1849,  with  his 
parents,  and  spent  his  youth  and  childhood 
°n  his  father's  farm.  He  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  vicinity  since  that  time,  and  one  of  its  most 
valued  citizens.  Mr.  Z.  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  Feb.  7,  1837.  His  parents  were  Da- 
vid and  Barbara  (King)  Zook,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  father  born  Jan.  6,  1800,  and  the  mother, 
Nov.  24,  1814.  David  Zook  received  a  common- 
school  education,  and  when  a  young  man  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Fairfield  County,  Ohio.  He  was 
married  in  Wayne  County,  that  State,  in  1834,  and 
they  remained  in  Fairfield  County  until  the  fall  of 
1849.  The  family  then  came  to  Illinois  and  loca- 
ted in  McLean  County,  where  the  parents  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  days,  the  father  dying  in  1872, 
and  the  mother  in  1880.  David  Zook  in  early  life 
was  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Whig  party,  but  later 
became  a  strong  Republican.  Both  parents  were 
members  of  the  Omish  Mennonite  Church.  Their 
family  consisted  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
as  follows:  Nancy  died  in  infancy;  Joseph  W.  of 
our  sketch  was  the  second;  Rebecca  became  the 
wife  of  Christian  Kenagy  ;  Susan  E.  married  Henry 
Gephart;  John  K.  married  Miss  Mary  King;  Sarah 
A.  became  the  wife  of  Barton  W.  Stone;  David  A. 
married  Miss  Barbara  Kinzinger;  Levi  W.  married 
Miss  Emma  Reynolds  ;  Rebecca  and  Sarah  are  de- 
ceased. 

The  subject  of  this  history  resided  with  his  par- 
ents until  his  majority,  having  received  a  common- 
school  education.  He  was  studious  and  fond  of  his 
books,  and  engaged  one  term  in  teaching  school. 
The  state  of  his  health  prevented  him  from  working 
upon  the  farm,  and  he  started  the  first  store  of  gen- 
eral merchandise  in  Oak  Grove,  in  1864.  He  aft- 


ward  sold  this  and  engaged  in  teaching  writing  and 
painting  classes.  At  the  age  of  thirty-three  years  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Leah  E.  Plank,  of  Danvers,  111., 
who  has  been  a  true  and  devoted  wife  and  helpmeet 
in  all  his  prosperity  and  adversity.  After  marriage 
the  young  people  removed  to  Ford  County  and  lo- 
cated on  a  farm.  Our  subject  taught  penmanship, 
and  after  two  years  returned  to  Oak  Grove,  of 
which  he  was  subsequently  appointed  Postmaster, 
which  office  he  has  now  held  for  six  years.  He  is 
also  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Notary  Public,  Town- 
ship Clerk  and  Collector,  performing  the  duties  of 
each  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all 
concerned. 

Notwithstanding  he  has  been  attlicted  with  rheu- 
matism, and  his  health  is  otherwise  impaired,  Mr. 
Zook  has  lived  a  busy  life,  never  content  to  be  idle. 
He  has  been  afflicted  with  the  rheumatism  since 
fourteen  years  of  age,  being  compelled  to  use 
crutches  for  the  last  twenty-five  years.  He  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church.  They 
became  the  parents  of  four  daughters,  two  de- 
ceased: Lillian  Olive  was  born  July  21,  1871,  and 
died  Sept.  7,  1872;  Katie  Belle  was  born  Sept.  8, 
1873;  Barbara  May,  born  Jan  21,  1876,  died  Jan. 
20,  1877,  and  Lydia  Maude,  born  June  25, 1878. 


J"~  OHN  J.  MYERS,  a  native  of  McLean 
County,  is  now  one  of  its  most  promising 
young  farmers,  and  the  son  of  a  former  resi- 
'  dent  of  Randolph  Township.  The  latter, 
Joseph  Myers,  was  a  native  of  Penns3'lvania,  and 
when  an  infant  was  carried  by  his  parents  to  the 
home  which  they  had  selected  in  Ohio.  The  family 
were  of  German  ancestry  and  parentage.  Joseph 
Myers  was  reared  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  and 
after  arriving  at  years  of  manhood  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Kesiah  Barrick,  who  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  removed  to  Ohio  with  her  parents 
when  a  young  girl.  By  her  marriage  she  became 
the  mother  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  the  youngest  but  two.  Of  these 
there  were  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom 
five  sons  and  three  daughters  are  yet  living,  all  '  ' 


r 


RESIDENCE    OF      D  .  L  .WH  I  TE;  SEC  .  2  I  ,   BtOOMINGTON   TOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCE  OF  EDGAR     BLAI5DELL ,.COR..THIRD  &   OAK  5T5.WESTON,  llL5 


RESIDENCE,  MILL  &  TILE  WORKS  OF  JOSEPH     DORLAND.SEC  .21.  RANDOLPH    TP. 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


515   ^  , 


married  with  the  exception  of  two.  She  died  at 
the  home  of  her  husband  in  Randolph  Township, 
this  county,  in  1875.  The  father  is  now  living 
near  Loda,  Iroquois  Co.,  111.,  where  he  owns  a  com- 
fortable home.  He  and  his  sons  were  at  one  time 
proprietors  in  this  township  of  about  GOO  acres  of 
land. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John 
Myers,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  the  son 
of  Casper  Myers  of  Germany,  who,  with  six 
brothers,  emigrated  to  the  New  World  prior  to  the 
Revolutionary  War.  Five  of  the  brothers  engaged 
with  the  colonies  iu  the  struggle  for  independence, 
and  two  of  the  younger  ones  were  in  the  War  of  1 8 1 2, 
one  of  these  being  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Plattsburg,  N.  Y.  One  of  the  survivors  was  Casper 
Myers,  who,  after  his  retirement  from  a  military  life, 
became  a  farmer  in  Licking  County.  Ohio,  and  died 
there  at  an  advanced  age.  His  son  John,  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
about  1790.  He  remained  there  until  he  attained  to 
years  of  manhood  and  then  emigrated  to  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
that  region.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  and 
opened  up  a  farm,  upon  which  he  lived  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  but  finally  came  to  Illinois  and  spent 
his  last  days  in  McLean  County,  dying  in  Randolph 
Township  in  1869.  His  wife,  Miss  Mary  Gosnell, 
was  of  English  descent  and  born  in  Pennsylvania. 
She  also  died  in  Randolph  Township  before  her 
husband  but  in  the  same  year. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  seventh  of  a 
family  of  ten  children.  He  was  born  in  Randolph 
Township,  this  county,  May  17,  1853,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage.  This  event 
occurred  Sept.  24, 1879,  in  Normal,  the  lady  of  his 
choice  being  Miss  Tina  Hadley,  who  was  a  native 
of  Collinsville,  Madison  Co.,  111.  She  was -born 
Sept.  9,  185G,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Dempsey  and 
Martha  (Penney)  Hadley,  natives  respectively  of 
North  Carolina  and  Illinois.  They  removed  north- 
west while  young  and  were  married  in  Collinsville. 
where  they  afterward  located  upon  a  farm.  There 
the  father  died  in  1862.  Eleven  years  later  the 
mother  and  children  removed  to  Normal,  111., 
where  the  mother  died  iu  1876,  aged  fifty-four 
years.  Mrs.  Myers  completed  her  education  in 


the  Normal  University  and  began  teaching  when 
eighteen  years  of  age.  She  followed  this  five  years 
and  until  her  marriage.  Of  this  household  there 
were  three  children,  all  living,  Mrs.  M.  and  one 
brother  being  twins;  Charles  W.  is  married  and  a 
resident  of  Pocahontas,  111.  ;  John  J.  is  single  and  is 
a  teacher. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers  there  have 
been  born  three  children,  one  of  whom,  Claude  L., 
is  deceased.  Those  surviving  are  Clyde  H.  and 
Alpha  E.  The  homestead  of  our  subject  and  his 
family  is  finely  located  on  section  8  and  comprises 
160  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and  a  substantial 
set  of  frame  buildings.  Besides  the  home  farm  he 
also  cultivates  160  acres  on  section  7.  Of  late 
years  he  has  been  giving  considerable  attention  to 
the  breeding,  purchase  and  sale  of  fine  stock.  He  is 
in  all  respects  one  of  the  thrifty  and  enterprising 
agriculturists  of  Randolph  Township,  who  is  con- 
tributing his  full  quota  toward  the  advancement  of 
its  farming  and  industrial  interests.  Mrs.  Myers 
is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  in  politics  our  subject  affiliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 


years. 


ENRY  M.  MILLER,  for  many  years  a  prac- 
tical and  successful  farmer,  is  now  living 
within  the  limits  of  the  village  of  Hey  worth, 
where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  twenty 
He  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  on 
the  13th  of  March,  1830.  .Both  his  father  and 
grandfather  before  him  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, and  both  were  natives  of  the  same  State  and 
county  as  our  subject  and  spent  their  entire  lives 
there,  where  their  remains  are  laid  to  rest.  The 
father  was  William  Miller,  and  the  grandfather, 
Franklin  Miller;  the  family  were  of  German  de- 
scent. 

The  subject  of  this  history  grew  to  manhood  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Kentucky,  and  when  a  young 
man  came  to  the  Prairie  State,  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  of  sixty  acres  in  this  county,  and  began  its 
improvement  and  cultivation.  He  was  successful 
in  his  undertakings,  and  besides  his  farm,  which  has 
now  become  quite  valuable,  he  has  also  a  desirable 


t 


f 


516 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


village  lot  upon  which  are  good  improvements. 
Soon  after  coming  to  this  county  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Lydia  A.  llooton,  who  was 
born  and  reared  in  Madison  County,  Ky..and  came 
with  her  parents  to  Illinois  in  her  girlhood.  Her 
father,  Nicholas  Hooton,  is  still  living  in  Bloom- 
ington,  and  is  eighty-five  years  of  age.  The 
mother  died  in  Hey  worth  some  years  ago. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  there  were 
born  six  children,  two  now  deceased,  Eddie  and 
Mary ;  Smiley  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Rober- 
shaw,  who  operates  a  cabinet-shop  in  Hey  worth; 
Henry  is  out  West;  Callie  and  Hattie  are  at  home 
with  their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  are  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  politics  our  subject  is  a  reliable 
Democrat. 


OSEPH  M.  EASTERBROOK,  a  resident  of 
Belleflower,  and  one  of  its  most  solid  and 
substantial  citizens,  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
locality  since  1865  and  during  this  time  has 
fully  established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  the  people  of  this  county.  Mr.  E.  is  a 
native  of  Ross  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born 
June  3,  1830.  His  father,  George  W.  Easterbrook, 
was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean  while  his  parents 
were  on  their  journey  from  England  to  the  United 
States.  His  grandfather,  John  Easterbrook,  was 
born  in  the  city  of  London  and  was  a  leader  in 
Gen.  Proctor's  band  during  the  Irish  rebellion;  he 
also  figured  prominently  in  the  War  of  1812,  hav- 
ing come  to  the  United  States  during  its  progress. 
He  was  captured  by  the  troops  of  Gen.  Harrison 
during  the  battle  of  the  Thames.  He  had  been 
forced  into  the  English  army  when  quite  young, 
against  his  own  wishes,  and  after  his  capture  by  the 
Federals  he  foreswore  allegiance  to  the  King  and 
joined  the  colonists,  being  given  a  Captain's  com- 
mission by  Gen.  Harrison.  After  peace  was  de- 
clared he  located  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  followed 
the  profession  of  music  in  the  schools  of  that  citv 
for  a  number  of  years,  until  he  became  quite  aged. 
His  death  occurred  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  after 
he  had  attained  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six 


years.  His  son,  George  W.,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  reared  in  Cincinnati  and  Ross  County, 
and  having  received  a  good  education,  adopted 
school-teaching  as  a  profession,  which  he  followed 
nearly  all  his  life.  He  came  to  Illinois  and  this 
county  in  1867,  spending  the  last  years  of  his  life 
in  Belleflower  Township.  He  died  here  in  1875. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Elizabeth  Pursell,  was  born  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio.  She  became  the  mother  of  two 
children,  our  subject  au4  his  sister  Mary.  The 
latter  married  Rev.  Samuel  Middleton,  and  died  in 
Barnes ville,  Ohio.  Joseph  M.  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  assisted  in  the  labors  around  the 
homestead.  This  was  originally  a  tract  of  timber 
land  and  as  soon  as  our  subject  was  old  enough  he 
had  to  work  upon  the  land,  while  his  father  added 
to  the  family  income  by  teaching  school.  Our  sub- 
ject remained  on  the  homestead  until  nine  years 
after  his  marriage,  and  then,  in  1 865,  purchased  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies  in  Belleflower 
Township.  Upon  this  there  was  a  dilapidated  frame 
house,  and  a  part  of  the  sod  had  been  broken. 
The  old  house  has  now  been  replaced  by  a  hand- 
some and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  with  a  good 
barn  and  all  other  necessary  out-buildings.  He  has 
been  prospered  in  his  business  and  farming  trans- 
actions, and  has  added  to  his  first  purchase  until  he 
now  owns  240  acres,  all  finely  improved  and  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  a  fine  area  of  pas- 
ture. The  farm  and  its  belongings  constitute  one 
of  the  attractive  spots  of  the  township. 

Mr.  Easterbrook  was  married,  Oct.  5,  1854,  to 
Miss  Hannah  J.  Middleton,  who  is  the  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Rebecca  (Bathurst)  Middleton,  natives 
of  Center  County,  Pa.  Her  grandfather,  James 
Middleton,  of  Penns3'lvania,  descended  from  En- 
glish ancestry,  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Ross  County, 
Ohio.  Jacob  Middleton  was  reared  in  his  native 
State,  and  after  his  marriage  removed  to  Ohio,  in 
1821,  settling  in  Ross  County  upon  a  tract  of  tim- 
ber land.  He  cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness, 
where  he  remained  until  I860,  and  then  came  to 
McLean  Count}',  111.,  but  returned  to  Ohio  in  1873, 
and  there  died  two  years  later.  The  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Lawrence  Bathurst,  was 


I 


-t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


.517 


a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  grandfather,  Allan 
Bathurst,  a  native  of  England,  emigrated  to  the 
I'nited  States  and  located  in  Center  County,  Pa., 
where  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  school.  The 
mother  of  Mrs.  Easterbrook  is  still  living;  she 
makes  her  home  with  our  subject  and  his  wife,  and 
is  now  ninety-three  years  old. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  are  the  parents  of  five  children, 
as  follows:  Ada,  the  wife  of  John  T.  Brokaw,  lives 
in  Bellettower  Township;  Harry  is  at  home;  Carey 
and  George  W.  are  at  Saybrook,  and  Jacob  is  also 
at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  and  four  of  the  children 
are  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
In  politics  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Easterbrook  was  left  an 
orphan  when  quite  young  and  was  taken  in  charge 
by  his  uncle,  Rev.  Joseph  Easterbrook,  who  was  a 
minister  in  the  Church  of  England.  This  gentle- 
man gave  him  a  father's  care  and  sent  him  to  school. 
About  three  months  prior  to  his  graduation  he  was 
out  with  other  students  "  sky-larking  "  in  Lincoln, 
and  he  with  six  others  were  found  with  the  King 
George  sixpence  in  their  pockets,  and  were  forced 
to  leave  school  and  go  into  the  army. 


I 


11.  DAVID  A.  WHITE,  a  prominent  and 
successful  physician  of  McLean  County, 
residing  at  Oak  Grove,  White  Oak  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Jackson  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  born  March  22,  1847.  His  parents  were 
William  and  Anna  (Wade)  White,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  William 
White  was  born  in  1804,  and  Anna,  his  wife,  July 
4,  1812.  They  were  married  in  Beaver  County, 
Pa.,  Dec.  30,  1830,  and  resided  there  until  1845, 
when  they  removed  to  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  in 
company  with  the  family  of  Isaac  Scott  and  Nancy 
Bryan  and  her  father,  Elisha  Veasy.  They  came 
down  the  Ohio  River  on  a  flatboat.  The  water  was 
very  low,  and  they  spent  eleven  days  on  the  river 
from  Logstown  to  Gallipolis,  from  which  latter  place 
they  continued  their  journey  in  wagons. 

The  grandparents  of  our  subject,  Arthur  and 
Elizabeth  (Bell)  White,  were  natives  of  County 
Down,  Ireland,  where  they  were  reared,  and  mar- 


ried in  1799.  They  emigrated  to  America  early  in 
their  married  life,  and  became  the  parents  of  four- 
teen children,  as  follows:  Their  first  child  died 
while  crossing  the  ocean  but  was  buried  in  America; 
John  and  Johnson  (twins),  William,  Mary  A., 
James,  Alexander,  Arthur,  Ellen,  Andrew  (died  in 
childhood),  Samuel,  David,  Robert  and  Andrew. 
They  all  married  and  reared  large  families  except 
Johnson,  who  never  married.  John,  Johnson,  Will- 
iam and  Robert  are  deceased.  James,  Alexander, 
Arthur  and  Samuel  are  living  in  Pennsylvania. 
David,  Andrew  and  Ellen,  in  Ohio;  Mary  A.,  in 
Kansas.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in 
1827,  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  Arthur  White  set- 
tled in  Beaver  County,  Pa.,  in  an  early  day,  where 
he  followed  farming  and  weaving.  He  was  married 
three  times,  and  was  the  father  of  nineteen  chil- 
dren. His  second  marriage  was  with  Jenny  Ilor- 
ner  in  1831,  and  they  had  two  children;  the  first,  a 
daughter,  died  when  a  few  months  old,  and  the 
second  was  a  boy  (imbecile),  the  mother  dying  a 
few  days  after  his  birth.  The  third  wife  of  Arthur 
White  was  a  widow,  Mrs.  Brown,  with  five  children. 
The  first  birth  of  this  marriage  was  twin  boys,  one 
of  whom  died  when  a  few  months  old ;  the  other, 
Joseph,  grew  to  manhood  and  died  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Rebellion.  The  second  born, 
Elizabeth,  is  still  living  in  Pennsylvania.  His  third 
wife  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 
Arthur  White  died  in  1853,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four  years.  His  parents,  Arthur  and  Mollie  (In- 
gram) White,  were  natives  of  Ireland.  They  had 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  as  follows:  Henry, 
Mollie  and  Arthur. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  William  White,  died 
in  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  March  17,  1878;  the 
mother  is  still  living  in  that  State,  and  is  in  her 
seventy-fifth  year.  The  household  circle  included 
eleven  children,  eight  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Samuel  married 
Miss  Mary  R.  Ransom  in  1855;  they  are  now  liv- 
ing in  Jackson  County,  Ohio,  and  have  become  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  one  deceased.  James 
married  Miss  Amy  Groosman,  and  they  are  living 
in  Carroll  County,  Mo. ;  they  have  five  sons  and  one 
daughter,  two  boys  deceased..  Arthur  died  in  his 
youth;  John  W.  married  Miss  Margaret  Harper; 


518 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


they  had  seven  children,  one  deceased.  William 
W.  married  Miss  Millie  Keiser;  they  have  three 
sons  and  one  daughter.  Johnson  A.  married  Miss 
Margaret  Aeton,  and  they  have  six  sons  and  three 
daughters  living,  one  son  dead.  Alexander  L.  mar- 
ried Miss  Jenny  McDowell,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  one  now  deceased,  a  twin 
daughter.  Sarah  E.  and  Mary  E.  are  unmarried. 
Anna  M.  married  Albert  Kelley,  and  they  now  live 
in  Missouri.  The  parents  and  all  the  children  were 
at  one  time  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  William  White  was  a  ruling  Elder  in  the 
church.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  Republican,  as 
were  all  his  children. 

Dr.  White  of  this  notice  was  the  eighth  son  of 
his  parents'  children.  He  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  a  log  school-house  with  slab  benches  for 
seats.  It  was  his  father's  rule  that  his  boys  should 
stay  at  home  and  work  for  him  on  the  farm  until 
they  were  twenty  years  of  age,  that  they  might  in 
a  measure  pay  for  their  rearing,  and  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  stayed  on  the  farm  the  required  time. 
1  During  the  rebellion  his  brothers  were  all  in  the 
army,  in  consequence  of  which  fact  he  was  sub- 
jected to  unusual  exposure  on  the  farm,  which 
caused  an  abscess  of  the  liver,  from  which  trouble 
he  did  not  recover  for  a  year.  His  physicians  and 
friends  gave  him  up  to  die,  but  although  he  suf- 
fered a  great  deal  and  was  brought  to  the  verge  of 
the  grave,  he  recovered.  This  circumstance  inclined 
him  to  the  study  of  medicine.  From  this  time  on 
he  used  every  means  to  secure  a  knowledge  of  the 
healing  art.  After  leaving  the  farm  he  spent  eight 
months  as  clerk  in  his  brother's  store,  receiving  his 
board  and  clothes  as  wages.  Not  being  inclined  to 
the  mercantile  business,  and  realizing  that  teaching 
was  more  in  the  line  of  his  aspirations,  he  at  once 
commenced  teaching  school.  He  continued  teach- 
ing during  the  winter  and  attending  the  National 
Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  during  the  sum- 
mer, for  about  four  years.  He  had  by  this  time 
become  a  successful  teacher,  and  it  was  with  some 
difficulty  that  he  broke  off  from  this  calling  to  pur- 
sue his  higher  calling  of  a  physician.  Having  ac- 
cumulated some  money  by  teaching,  he  entered  the 
Ohio  University  and  took  a  preparatory  course  to  the 
study  of  medicine.  He  read  medicine  under  Dr 


A.  13.  MUII. -ill. -i ii.  of  Jackson,  Ohio,  and  entered  the 
Medical  College  of  Ohio  at  Cincinnati,  from  which 
institution  he  graduated  March  1,1875,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Jackson 
County,  Ohio.  From  there  he  removed  to  Scioto 
County,  and  after  a  residence  of  three  years  at 
each  place,  turned  his  steps  westward,  coming  to 
this  State  in  April,  1882,  and  locating  in  Oak 
Grove.  Here  he  has  become  a  prominent  and  val- 
ued citizen.  Having  to  rely  entirely  on  his  own 
resources,  not  having  a  dollar  excepting  as  he  earned 
it,  he  had  to  encounter  many  difficulties  in  life,  and 
therefore  did  not  graduate  until  he  was  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age. 

Dr.  White  was  married  in  Jackson  County,  Ohio, 
Sept.  10,  1874,  to  Miss  Eliza  E.  Vandervort.  Mrs. 
White  accompanied  her  husband  to  Illinois  in  1882, 
and  has  been  his  cheerful  and  faithful  assistant  in 
all  his  undertakings.  Both  are  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  enjoy  the  friend- 
ship and  association  of  the  most  cultured  people  of 
this  vicinity.  They  have  one  daughter,  Florence 
E.,  born  Aug.  28,  1875. 

James  Vandervort,  the  father  of  Mrs.  White  of 
our  sketch,  was  born  April  20,  1818,  and  married 
Sept.  22,  1846,  to  Miss  Eleanor  Glison,  who  was 
born  April  30,  1821.  Both  were  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  Mr.  Vandervort  followed  the  trade 
of  a  carpenter  and  farmer  until  about  the  year  1866, 
when  they  removed  to  Jackson  County,  Ohio, 
where  they  now  reside.  Their  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren were  named  as  follows:  John  G.,  Jane  Y. 
(deceased),  Robert  (died  in  infancy),  Robert  A., 
Eliza  E.,  James  M.,  Martin  (deceased),  Albert  A., 
Mary  R.  and  Benjamin  F.  Dr.  White  is  a  Repub- 
lican but  favors  prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic. 


EWTON  J.  BATTERSIIELL,  the  successful 
jeweler  of  Heyworth,  established  himself  in 
business  here  Nov.  15,  1877.  Since  that 
time  he  has  devoted  himself  actively  to  his  busi- 
ness and  has  met  with  deserved  success.  He  com- 
menced in  a  modest  manner,  but  by  industry  and 
close  attention  to  the  preferences  of  his  patrons, 
has  built  up  a  profitable  and  steadily  increasing 


T 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


519 


trade.  He  commenced  without  capital,  but  is  now 
the  owner  of  a  good  brick  building,  and  carries  a 
fine  line  of  first-class  goods. 

Mr.  Battershell  served  his  apprenticeship  under 
that  skillful  and  well-known  watchmaker,  Cyrus 
Stall,  of  Elgin,  111.,  remaining  with  him  three  years. 
Later  he  worked  as  a  "jour"  in  Hillsdale,  Mich., 
afterward  in  Chicago,  whence  he  came  to  Hey  worth, 
and  determined  to  establish  in  business  for  himself. 
He  came  here  without  money  and  comparatively 
without  friends,  in  fact  his  sole  possessions  consisted 
of  a  good  reputation  and  an  honest  purpose  to  deal 
fairly,  and  he  purposed  starting  in  a  business  at 
which  several  others  before  him  had  failed.  The 
result  has  shown  what  may  be  accomplished  by 
resolution  and  perseverance. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Bryan, 
Williams  Co.,  Ohio,  April  3,  1853.  His  father, 
Moses  Battershell,  was  a  shoemaker,  and  did  busi- 
ness in  Williams  Center,  Ohio,  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  died  while  still  a  young  man,  being  only 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  leaving  a  widow  and  two 
children.  The  mother  died  one  year  later.  On  the 
same  night  our  subject  was  born  his  brother  Edwin 
died.  The  sister  remaining,  whose  name  was  Mary, 
became  the  wife  of  Eli  Culbertson,  and  now  lives 
near  Grand  Rapids,  Ohio,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Maumee  River,  where  her  husband  is  successfully 
engaged  in  farming.  The  maiden  name  of  the 
mother  was  Cordelia  Beam,  and  by  her  death  our 
subject  was  left  an  orphan  in  early  childhood.  He 
was  taken  into  the  home  of  an  uncle,  John  N. 
Ryan,  of  Bryan,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  some 
years,  and  received  a  common-school  education. 
When  thirteen  years  old,  his  aunt  having  died,  he 
set  out  to  make  his  own  living,  and  was  variously 
engaged  until  seventeen,  when  he  entered  upon  an 
apprenticeship  at  his  present  trade. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  3d  of  May,  1883, 
in  Heyworth,  to  Mrs.  Alice  Battershell,  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  Wakefield,  of  Randolph  Township. 
Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  this  township,  Nov.  9,  1854, 
pursuing  her  early  studies  in  the  schools  of  Iley- 
worth,  and  completing  them  at  a  college  in  Ohio,  and 
made  her  home  with  her  parents  until  her  first  mar- 
riage to  W.  V.  Battershell,  a  cousin  of  our  subject. 
He  was  born  and  reared  in  Defiance  County,  Ohio, 


and  died  at  the  home  of  his  father  in  that  county, 
with  consumption,  on  the  1st  of  August,  1880.  He 
had  been  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  in  Hey- 
worth, and  was  a  successful  and  capable  business 
man.  Of  this  union  there  was  one  child,  a  daugh- 
ter, Grace,  who  died  a  few  months  after  her 
father.  Our  subject  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and 
with  his  wife,*is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church. 


JUDSON  WILSON,  Clerk  of  Dale  Town- 
ship, is  pleasantly  located  on  section  1 1 , 
and  is  well  known  and  highly  respected  as 
a  public-spirited  man  who  has  filled  many 
offices  of  trust  in  the  township,  and  has  fully  mer- 
ited the  confidence  which  his  fellow-citizens  have 
imposed  in  him.  He  comes  of  an  excellent  family, 
noted  for  their  enterprising  public  spirit,  their  edu- 
cation, intelligence  and  refinement.  The  subject 
of  our  sketch  is  a  native  of  Madison  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  born  on  the  26th  of  December,  1829.  His 
father,  William  Wilson,  was  of  English  birth  and 
ancestry,  having  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light 
in  Newcastle-upon-Tyne  in  1791,  being  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  Wilson,  of  the  same  country, 
and  descended  from  a  long  and  honorable  line. 

In  1801  Thomas  Wilson,  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  seven  children,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  locating  in  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  They  only 
remained  there  for  a  brief  period,  however,  and 
then,  boarding  a  flatboat  on  the  Mohawk  River,  pro- 
ceeded to  a  point  near  the  city  of  Utica,  that  State, 
which  was  then  called  Baggs  Tavern.  From  there 
Thomas  Wilson  went  into  the  wilderness  and  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  heavy  timber  land  near  what  has 
been  since  known  as  Fenner  Corners,  in  Madison 
County.  Here  he  cleared  a  farm,  cultivated  and 
improved  the  soil,  and  established  a  comfortable 
homestead,  upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1825.  His  son  William,  the  fa- 
ther of  our  subject,  there  grew  to  manhood  and  in- 
herited forty  acres  of  land  from  his  father's  estate. 
He  purchased  eight  acres  adjoining,  erected  a 
good  set  of  buildings,  and  lived  there  until  1844, 
when  he  decided  to  remove  to  the  West  where  he 
could  secure  a  larger  area  of  land.  He  started  via 


f 


t 


520 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


canal  to  Buffalo,  thence  by  the  lake  to  Chicago, 
where  he  purchased  a  span  of  horses  and  a  wagon 
and  then  proceeded  overland  to  McLean  County. 

After  arriving  here  William  Wilson  purchased 
160  acres  of  land  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 11.  Of  this  there  had  been  forty  acres  broken 
and  fenced,  and  a  good  frame  house  finished  with 
black  walnut  shingles,  and  sideboards  of  the  same 
within  and  without.  In  1858  he  practically  retired 
from  active  labor,  rented  his  farm  and  removed  to 
Bloom ington,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days,  his  death  occurring  in  1872.  The  wife  of  his 
youth  was  Miss  Lydia  Main,  who  was  born  in  Ash- 
ford,  Windham  Co.,  Conn.,  Aug.  6,  1799.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Lucy  (Tyler)  Main, 
and  the  grand-daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucy  (Fish) 
Tyler.  She  remained  the  faithful  and  affectionate 
companion  of  her  husband  through  many  years  of 
changes  and  labors,  and  survived  him  until  March 
20,  1884,  dying  in  Bloomington  at  the  advanced 
age  of  over  eighty-five  years.  Their  household 
circle  was  completed  by  the  birth  of  nine  children, 
of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows :  Mary  became  the 
wife  of  W.  H.  Holmes,  and  died  in  Bloomington, 
111. ;  Adelia  married  Samuel  Landor,  a  pioneer  of 
Bloomington,  and  they  now  live  in  Texas;  Lucy 
became  the  wife  of  Hiram  Hart,  of  Utica,  N.  Y. ; 
Lydia  was  married  to  Charles  W.  Godard,  and 
died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Walter  departed  this  life 
while  on  a  visit  to  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  and  his  remains 
were  interred  at  Bloomington;  Edward  is  a  resident 
of  Dale  Township;  A.  Judsou.  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  was  next  in  order  of  birth;  Elizabeth  be- 
came the  wife  of  C.  C.  Holmes,  and  died  in  Bloom- 
ton.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Holmes  were  among  the 
earliest  pioneers  of  Bloomington,  locating  there  in 
1835,  when  the  present  flourishing  city  was  but  an 
hnmble  hamlet  of  a  few  houses.  Mr.  H.  was  a 
carpenter  and  a  skilled  mechanic,  and  erected  the 
first  brick  house  in  the  town.  Henry  C.  Wilson  is 
a  resident  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  but  is  now  traveling 
in  Europe. 

A.  Judson  Wilson  of  our  sketch  was  the  third 
son  of  his  parents,  and  spent  his  early  years  under 
the  parental  roof.  He  attended  the  district  school 
and  assisted  his  father  in  the  lighter  duties  of  the 
homestead  until  1844,  when  he  went  to  live  with 


his  uncle,  Edward  Wilson,  of  Madison  County,  N. 
Y.,  with  whom  he  remained  for  six  years  following. 
Then  in  1850  he  turned  his  face  westward  and 
came  to  Illinois,  making  his  first  location  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  He  commenced  teaching  school  in 
Randolph  Township,  and  the  next  summer  taught 
in  Dale  Township.  In  the  fall  of  1.S51  he  entered 
the  employ  of  Robinson  &  Betts,  who  were  en- 
gaged in  general  merchandise  at  Bloomington 
while  the  town  was  yet  in  its  infancy.  Their 
stock  included  almost  everything  that  could  be 
named  for  use  about  the  farm  and  household,  and 
young  Wilson  remained  with  these  and  other  firms 
until  1862.  He  purchased  the  south  half  of  his  fa- 
ther's homestead  in  1866,  upon  which  he  located, 
and  has  been  engaged  in  farming  since  that  time. 
His  land  was  comparatively  uncultivated,  but  he 
set  himself  industriously  to  work  to  improve  its 
condition  and  raise  the  crops  upon  which  he  de- 
pended for  his  profits  and  livelihood.  He  was  soon 
rewarded  for  his  labors  by  the  picture  of  smiling 
fields  and  growing  grain,  and  as  time  passed  on  he 
added  beauty  to  utility,  erected  a  handsome  resi- 
dence and  good  out-buildings,  planted  fruit  and 
shade  trees,  and  is  now  possessed  of  one  of  the  pret- 
tiest homesteads  in  McLean  County.  The  land  is 
subdivided  by  green  and  handsome  hedges,  and  is 
well  stocked  with  good  breeds  of  domestic  animals. 
He  is  engaged  mostly  in  mixed  husbandry,  and  is 
supplied  with  all  the  implements  and  appliances 
for  carrying  on  agriculture  after  the  most  approved 
methods.  A  fine  view  of  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Wilson  is  shown  in  this  work. 

The  marriage  of  A.  Judson  Wilson  and  Miss  El- 
len Cornell  was  celebrated  in  September,  1860. 
The  wife  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Providence, 
R.  I.,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1839,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Serril  and  Elisa  (Hopkins)  Cornell. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  nine  children,  of 
whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Nellie  is  the  wife  of 
John  A.  Cobbs  and  lives  in  Olney,  Richland  Co., 
111. ;  Charles  W.  is  a  resident  of  Wichita,  Kan. ;  Ed- 
ward M.,  Elizabeth,  Abbie,  Mary,  Robert,  Frank 
and  Harry  are  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Soon  after  coming  to  this  county  the  natural 
abilities  of  our  subject  received  due  recognition, 
and  he  was  called  upon  to  fill  the  oflices  which  usu-  ' 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


521 


ally  devolved  upon  the  leading  and  best  qualified 
citizens.  For  nineteen  years  he  has  served  as 
School  Director,  was  Supervisor  for  a  period  of  six 
years,  and  has  held  the  position  of  Town  Clerk  for 
nearly  two  years.  He  is  giving  his  children  the 
advantages  of  a  good  education,  the  older  ones 
having  attended  the  Wesleyau  Academy  at  Bloora- 
ingtou  and  the  Normal  School  of  Valparaiso,  Ind., 
and  Libbie  is  at  the  High  School  in  Olney,  111.  The 
parents  and  four  of  their  children  are  connected 
witli  the  Baptist  Church  of  Bloomington.  Mr.  Wil- 
son is  Republican  in  politics,  uniformly  casting  his 
vote  in  support  of  the  principles  of  that  party,  and 
in  all  respects  is  fulfilling  the  duties  of  a  conscien- 
tious citizen. 

Kdward  M.  Wilson,  son  of  our  subject,  is  a  young 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  a  fine  scholar, 
and  possessed  of  literary  and  artistic  talent.  He 
has  compiled  a  history  of  Dale  Township  with  bio- 
graphical sketches  of  early  settlers,  having  printed 
it  with  a  pen  and  illustrated  it  with  lead  pencil 
drawings  of  the  pioneer  homes  and  those  of  the 
present  day.  The  whole  makes  a  remarkably  inter- 
esting volume,  and  is  admired  by  everyone  who 
has  seen  it.  It  not  only  shows  great  skill  with  the 
pen  and  pencil  but  is  a  marked  illustration  of  per- 
severing industry,  the  work  expended  upon  it  hav- 
ing consumed  many  weeks  of  careful  and  trying 
labor. 


ANIEL  ROSE.  Located  on  section  6, 
Cheney's  Grove  Township,  lies  one  of 
the  prettiest  homesteads  in  McLean  Coun- 
ty, the  property  of  the  gentleman  whose 
name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  It  consists 
of  220  acres  of  valuable  land  under  a  fine  state  of 
cultivation,  with  a  handsome  and  substantial  resi- 
dence^ good  barn,  and  all  necessary  out-buildings 
for  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock. 
The  fences  and  farm  machinery  are  kept  in  good 
repair,  and  everything  about  the  premises  indicates 
the  supervision  of  the  progressive  and  enterprising 
farmer  and  citizen. 

Mr.  Rose  is  a  native  of  this  State,  born  in  Clark 
County,  Sept.  6,  1846.  His  parents  were  Ira  B. 
and  Julia  (Martin)  Rose,  the  former  a  native  of 


New  York  State,  and  the  mother  of  Indiana.  Ira 
B.  Rose  was  born  Oct.  6,  1805,  spent  his  childhood 
and  youth  in  his  native  State  near  the  city  of 
Rochester,  and  when  about  twenty  years  of  age 
became  a  resident  of  Kentucky.  There  he  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  a  carpenter  until  1831,  then 
came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Clark  County.  Here 
he  followed  his  trade  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his 
death  occurring  Dec.  3,  1880.  The  mother  'was 
bora  Aug.  30,  1820,  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Rose 
in  1836.  She  departed  this  life  at  her  home  in 
Martinsville,  Clark  Co.,  111.,  on  the  10th  of  August, 
1 855.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Winebrenarian 
Church.  The  record  of  their  nine  children  is  as 
follows:  Elim  died  in  infancy;  Martha  J.,  born 
July  31, 1839,  became  the  wife  of  David  C.  Myers; 
John  N.,  born  Jan.  31,  1842,  married  Miss  Drury 
A.  Tudor;  William  H.,  born  April  25,  1844,  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  A.  Ashby;  Daniel  of  our  sketch 
was  the  fifth  child;  Didama,  born  April  15,  1849, 
became  the  wife  of  George  Harris;  David,  born 
April  20,  1851,  married  Miss  Ellen  Mclntire;  Eme- 
line  P.,  born  Dec.  22,  1854,  died  April  31,  1866. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  and  al- 
though only  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  enlisted  as 
a  soldier,  becoming  a  member  of  Co.  G,  1 23d  Illi- 
nois Mounted  Infantry.  He  was  mustered  into 
service  at  Martinsville,  Clark  County,  and  partici- 
pated with  his  comrades  in  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  and  many  other  engagements  and  skir- 
mishes. He  served  his  full  term  of  three  years  and 
received  his  honorable  discharge  at  Springfield  in 
1865.  He  again  took  up  his  residence  in  Clark 
County,  from  which  he  removed  in  1868  to  Mc- 
Lean County. 

Mr.  Rose  was  married,  on  the  7th  of  November, 
1876,  to  Miss  Rhoda  E.  Tudor,  who  is  a  native  of 
this  county,  born  April  4,  1858.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  H.  and  Sophia  (Hunter)  Tudor,  the 
former  a  native  of  Madison  County  and  the  latter 
of  Jessamine  County,  Ky.  Thomas  H.  Tudor  was 
born  July  4,  1828,  and  departed  this  life  at  the 
home  of  our  subject,  Sept.  14,  1885.  In  1846  he 
enlisted  in  the  regular  army  and  engaged  in  the 
Mexican  War,  being  a  member  of  the  1st  Kentucky 
Regiment.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Buena  Vista 


t 


'      522 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


and  Palo  Alto,  and  escaped  unharmed.  He  then 
returned  to  his  farming  pursuits  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  late  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
llth  Kentucky  Cavalry,  serving  three  years.  Al- 
though not  wounded  he  never  recovered  from  the 
hardships  which  he  endured  as  a  soldier,  his  health 
being  completely  undermined. 

The  mother  of  Mrs.  Rose  was  born  March  24, 
1833.  The  parental  family  included  six  children 
— Richard  P.,  Thursey,  Rhoda  E.,  Drury  A.,  and 
two  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Tudor  was  a  strict 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  McPherson 
Post  No.  79,  G.  A.  R..  at  Saybrook,  111. 

Daniel  Rose  came  to  McLean  County  in  18C8, 
first  locating  at  Funk's  Grove,  where  he  was  em- 
ploj'ed  as  a  farm  laborer  by  the  month  for  two 
years.  He  then  rented  a  farm  six  years,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time  purchased  160  acres  of  land, 
to  which  he  subsequently  added,  and  formed  his 
present  fine  homestead.  His  three  children  are  as  fol- 
lows: Frankie  was  born  Feb.  18,  1878,  and  died 
Jan.  19,  1879;  Lore  M.  was  born  Nov.  10,  1880, 
and  Charles  E.,  Oct.  25,  1882. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Clark  County,  this  State,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  and  laid  a  portion  of  it  off 
into  town  lots,  forming  a  village  which  was  after- 
ward named  Martinsville,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  was  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  was  widely  and  favorably  known  through- 
out that  section  as  a  man  who  generously  identified 
himself  with  its  interests  and  worked  for  its  pros- 
perity and  welfare.  The  beautiful  residence  of  Mr. 
Rose  is  handsomely  lithographed  on  another  page 
of  this  volume. 


J~1OSHUA  J.  GRAYSON.     This  gentleman  is 
I    closely  connected  with  the   industrial  inter- 
|    ests  of  Saybrook,  where  he  has  been  occu- 
'    pied  for  a  number  of  years  as  a  carpenter 
and  joiner.     He  is  a  native  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  born 
Jan.  2,  1836,  and  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Margaret 
(Mullen)  Grayson,  the  father  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  the  mother  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  ancestry. 
Joshua    Grayson    followed    the    occupation    of    a 


farmer  all  his  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  Democratic  in  politics  until 
during  the  progress  of  the  late  war,  when  he  con- 
sidered he  had  reason  to  change  his  views,  and  be- 
came a  zealous  Republican.  He  departed  this  life 
at  Maysville,  Ky.,  in  1878.  Mrs.  Margaret  Gray- 
son  survived  her  husband  until  the  fall  of  1883, 
and  also  died  in  Maysville,  having  been  a  member 
of  the  same  church  as  her  husband.  Their  five 
children  were  Joshua,  Joseph,  Mary,  Margaret  and 
Francis  M.  The  first  wife  of  Joshua  Grayson,  Sr., 
was  a  Miss  Cory,  who  lived  about  ten  years  after 
their  marriage,  and  they  had  three  children — John, 
Reason  and  Elizabeth. 

The  subject  of  this  history  learned  his  trade  in 
Kentucky,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  short  time 
spent  at  farming,  has  followed  it  up  to  the  present 
time.  lie  came  to  Illinois  in  1864,  and  is  consid- 
ered one  of  the  finest  workmen  in  McLean  County, 
besides  possessing  more  than  ordinary  business  abil- 
ity and  intelligence.  He  is  an  extensive  reader, 
well  posted  in  theology  and  politics,  and  possesses 
a  large  fund  of  general  information.  He  is  essen- 
tially a  self-made  man,  and  commenced  life  at  the 
foot  of  the  ladder,  without  a  cent  except  his  own 
earnings.  Through  the  exercise  of  the  strictest 
economy  and  untiring  industry  he  has  secured  a  fail- 
competency,  and  is  in  possession  of  a  good  home. 

Mr.  Grayson  was  married,  Feb.  9,  1865,  to  Miss 
Matilda  J.  Rigdou,  a  native  of  Lewis  County,  Ky., 
and  born  Dec.  5,  1842.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Eli  T.  and  Dicie  (Hurst)  Rigdon,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky.  Mr.  R.  is  still  living,  making  his  home 
in  Lewis  County,  Ky.,  where  he  is  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Christian  Church  as  one  of  its 
Elders.  He  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all 
respects  a  worthy  and  valued  citizen.  He  has  been 
twice  married.  The  children  of  his  first  wife,  the 
mother  of  Mrs.  Grayson,  were  James,  Matilda, 
William,  Malinda,  Clayborn,  Lewis  and  Sanford. 
Mrs.  Dicie  Rigdon  died,  and  Mr.  Rigdon  then  mar- 
ried Miss  Louisa  Plummer.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  five  children — Ida,  Taylor,  Hattie,  Jas- 
per and  Oscar;  the  latter  two  are  deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grayson  have  no  children  of  their 
Qwn,  but  adopted  a  niece,  Miss  Nora  C.  Rigdon,  a 
bright  and  interesting  girl  of  about  fourteen  years. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


525 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Saybrook,  of  which  our  subject 
is  a  Trustee,  and  has  contributed  liberally  toward  its 
support.  He  has  been  President  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil for  about  six  years,  and  served  as  School 
Trustee  three  years. 

During  the  progress  of  the  Rebellion  Mr.  Gray- 
son  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  10th  Ken- 
tucky Cavalry,  serving  one  year,  during  which  tim« 
he  participated  in  several  general  engagements,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Mt.  Sterling. 
His  exchange,  however,  was  effected  six  weeks  aft- 
erward ;  he  then  returned  to  his  command.  Mr. 
G.  was  Fourth  Sergeant  of  his  company.  Previous 
to  enlisting  in  the  volunteer  army  he  had  been  iden- 
tified with  the  Ho^ne  Guards  of  Fleming  County. 
He  has  always  been  a  stanch  Republican  HI  politics. 
A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Grayson's  residence  is 
shown  on  another  page. 


t 


YMAN  FERRE,  a  capitalist  of  Blooming- 
ton,  whose  portrait  is  shown  on  the  oppo- 
site  page,  is  one  of  its  most  highly  respect- 
ed citizens,  and  one  to  whom  its  intelligent  people  in- 
variably turn  in  all  matters  affecting  its  general 
interests.  His  has  been  a  busy  and  industrious  life, 
upon  which  he  can  look  back  with  satisfaction  as 
having  done  a  great  work  among  the  business  and 
industrial  interests  of  his  adopted  State,  and  con- 
tributed in  a  large  measure  to  her  wealth  and  pros- 
perity. 

Mr.  Ferre  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  1821. 
His  father,  Solomon  Ferre,  was  also  a  native  of  the 
Bay  State  and  a  descendant  of  ancestors  who  came 
from  the  South  of  France  and  settled  in  this  coun- 
try at  an  early  period  in  its  history.  His  father, 
Solomon  Ferre,  married  Miss  Margaret  Rumrill,  of 
Springfield,  Mass.,  who  descended  from  English 
stock,  and  whose  father's  people  were  among  those 
who  first  settled  in  Massachusetts.  Solomon  Ferre 
was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  became  on^  of  the 
most  skillful  manufacturers  in  that  locality,  his  busi- 
ness operations  extending  eventually  over  a  large 
territory.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  force 
of  character,  his  perseverance  being  proverbial, 


seldom  abandoning  anything  which  he  undertook. 
He  continued  in  business  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  for 
many  years  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  The  parental  household  included  eight 
children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  only  two  of 
whom  survive,  our  subject  and  his  brother  Good- 
man, now  a  resident  of  Bloomington.  He  was  born 
in  January,  1806,  and  was  for  many  years  a  manu- 
facturer of  carriages  and  wagons  in  this  city. 

Lyman  Ferre  was  the  seventh  child  of  his  parents' 
family.  He  passed  his  boyhood  in  his  native  State, 
and  in  later  years  went  to  Western  New  York. 
From  there,  in  1840,  he  turned  his  steps  westward, 
coming  into  Bloomingtou,  a  stranger  without  means 
or  friends.  He  was  willing  to  work  at  whatever  his 
hands  could  find  to  do,  and  this,  with  his  strong  arms 
and  honesty  of  purpose,  soon  secured  for  him  the 
friendship  of  all  honest  men.  He  was  variously 
employed  until  the  fall  of  1850,  when,  the  gold  ex- 
citment  being  at  its  height,  he  resolved  to  travel 
across  the  plains  to  California.  He  had  saved  what 
he  could  of  his  earnings  and  had  a  small  amount  of 
capital  when  starting  for  the  Pacific  slope.  After 
arriving  in  Sacramento  he  sought  the  mining  dis- 
tricts, and  spent  the  following  year  searching  for 
the  yellow  ore.  This  not  proving  as  remunerative 
as  he  hoped,  he  determined  to  make  a  change  and 
began  to  buy  cattle,  for  which  he  exchanged  a  por- 
tion of  gold  dust.  Some  of  these  lie  allowed  to  run 
on  the  range  and  fatten  on  the  grass,  then  sold 
to  freighters  at  a  good  price.  After  sufficient  ex- 
perience in  this  manner  of  living  he  concluded  to 
return  within  the  bounds  of  civilization,  and  started 
for  the  old  camping-grounds  in  Illinois,  via  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama  to  New  Orleans,  thence  by 
steamer  to  St.  Louis  where,  after  arriving,  the  crew 
were  not  allowed  to  land  under  twenty-four  hours 
on  account  of  cholera.  After  finally  reaching  terra 
firma,  our  subject  made  his  way  to  Pekin  and  thence  , 
to  Bloomington. 

Here,  in  1852,  Mr.  Ferre  opened  up  a  carriage 
and  wagon  shop,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  all  kinds  of  road  vehicles.  His  energy,  industry 
and  good  judgment  soon  placed  him  on  the  high 
road  to  prosperity,  and  it  was  not  long  before  he 
was  enabled  to  provide  twenty  men  with  employ- 
ment. His  first  shops  were  located  on  the  corner 


f 


I- 


t  .    526 


4 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


I 


of  Front  and  Center  streets.  In  August,  1856,  the 
stock  and  building  were  destroyed  by  fire  and  Mr. 
Ferre  lost  heavily.  He  did  not  sit  down  to  mourn, 
however,  but  immediately  erected  some  cheap  sheds, 
and  getting  together  stock  and  tools,  commenced 
again.  He  continued  in  this  manner  for  two  years, 
meeting  with  success,  and  then  commenced  build- 
ing a  brick  structure  which  was  to  be  three  stories 
in  height,  covering  an  area  of  22x66  feet.  Into 
this  he  removed  soon  after  its  completion.  His 
manufactures  increasing  steadily  in  numbers  and 
quality,  he  was  then  obliged  to  put  up  another 
building  of  the  same  size  in  which  to  accommodate 
his  extensive  business.  This  he  occupied  until 
1876,  and  then  put  up  the  structure  now  familiarly 
known  as  the  post-office  block,  which  is  three  stories 
in  height,  and  44x85  feet.  The  first  floor  of  this 
is  occupied  by  the  post-office  and  the  third  floor  is 
devoted  to  the  use  of  the  Masons.  Besides  these 
buildings  and  other  valuable  city  property  he  is  the 
proprietor  of  a  good  farm,  and  is  a  large  stock- 
holder in  the  People's  Bank  of  Bloomingtou,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  since  its  organization. 

In  1840  Mr.  Ferre  made  the  trip  by  wagon  and 
horse-team  from  Springfield,  Mass.,  to  Bloomington, 
111.,  camping  out.  In  1850  he  made  another  over- 
land trip,  from  Bloomington  to  California,  by 
horses  to  Salt  Lake,  thence  by  ox-team  the  remain- 
der of  the  way.  In  the  meantime  he  had  made  a 
round  trip  from  Bloomington  to  the  Genesee  Val- 
ley, N.  Y.,  camping  out  both  ways.  He  started 
out  with  a  good  team  and  wagon,  a  few  provisions, 
and  $12  in  money,  and  made  the  journey  on  that 
amount  to  Western  New  York. 

Mr.  Ferre  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jeanette  E.  Hayes,  of  Bloomington,  in  1841.  Mrs. 
F.,  like  her  husband,  comes  from  New  England, 
having  been  born  in  Connecticut  in  1823.  Of 
this  union  there  have  been  three  children,  two 
daughters  and  one  son:  Ada  died  when  about 
eighteen  years  of  age ;  Belle  is  the  wife  of  William 
G.  Taylor,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Cleveland,  Ohio ; 
the  son,  George,  died  in  infancy.  The  residence 
of  our  subject  is  a  handsome  and  convenient  struct- 
ure, finely  finished  and  furnished,  where  Mr.  F.  and 
his  family  dispense  a  generous  hospitality  to  scores 
of  friends,  embracing  the  most  cultured  people  of 


the  city.  Mr.  Ferre  is  a  member  of  Bloomington 
Lodge  No.  43,  A.  F.  <fe  A.  M.,  Chapter  No.  24,  and 
De  Molay  Commandery,  and  Chicago  Consistory, 
having  taken  the  32d  degree  in  Masonry.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  been 
since  the  organization  of  that  party. 


J~  OSEPH  A.  PITTS,  one  of  the  most  skillful 
and  intelligent  farmers  of  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, and  a  gentleman  of  more  than  ordinary 
capacity,  is  possessed  of  an  excellent  educa- 
tion, is  an  extensive  reader,  and  keeps  himself  well 
posted  in  regard  to  the  important  questions  of  the 
day.     He  has  made  a  science  of  his  farming  opera- 
tions, and  while  carrying  on  the  tillage  of  the  soil 
has  at  the  same  time  cultivated  his  intellect,  and  in 
this  vicinity  is  looked  upon  as  one  eminently  fitted 
to  be  a  leader  and  counselor  in  the  ordinary  affairs 
of  life. 

Mr.  Pitts  is  a  native  of  Bristol  County,  Mass., 
and  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  the  town 
of  Dighton  on  the  14th  of  November,  1823.  He 
comes  from  a  line  of  excellent  ancestry,  his  father 
having  been  Hon.  Joseph  Pitts,  who  was  also  •  born 
in  Dighton,  Mass.,  on  the  14th  of  July,  1794.  His 
grandfather,  Capt.  George  Pitts,  of  English  ances- 
try, was  a  native  of  the  same  locality,  and  of  sub- 
stantial English  ancestry.  He  was  a  ship  carpenter 
by  trade,  and  at  one  time  owned  a  vessel  which 
operated  in  the  merchant  service.  During  the 
struggles  of  the  colonies  for  their  independence,  he 
engaged  in  the  Revolutionary  War;  when  peace 
was  declared,  he  returned  home  and  died  in  his  na- 
tive town  of  Dighton,  on  the  31st  of  October,  1839. 
He  was  an  energetic  business  man.  and  established 
a  store  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  where  he  spent  a  part  of 
each  winter. 

Joseph  Pitts,  the  father  of  our  subject,  in  early 
life  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker,  but  aban- 
doned it  after  a  short  time.  Thereafter  he  spent 
his  winters  at  his  father's  store  in  Savannah  until 
1833.  Previous  to  this  he  had  been  appointed 
Collector  of  Customs  by  President  Jackson  for  the 
Fall  River  District,  and  served  until  the  election  of 
Gen.  Taylor  as  President,  when  he  returned  to  his 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-•*- 

527 


^  i 

I 


home  in  Dighton.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  small 
farm  there,  and  afterward  for  some  years  devoted 
his  time  to  the  culture  of  his  land.  He  served  a 
number  of  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  rep- 
resented his  district  in  the  State  Legislature  for 
four  term's.  In  18G8  he  came  to  McLean  County, 
111.,  and  the  following  year  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware trade,  until  1874,  when  he  retired  from  act- 
ive business,  and  lived  with  his  son,  our  subject, 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  30,  1878. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  twice  married,  his 
first  wife  being  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Slade,  who  was  born 
in  Somerset,  Bristol  Co.,  Mass.,  in  March,  1795. 
She  departed  this  life  on  the  20th  of  November, 
1839,  leaving  two  children :  John,  who  was  born 
May  20,  1820,  became  a  sailor,  and  died  at  sea  in 
1843;  Joseph  A.  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  The 
second  wife  of  Joseph  Pitts,  Sr.,  was  Miss  Harriet 
Briggs,  to  whom  he  was  married  Nov.  25,  1840; 
she  also  was  born  in  Dighton,  Mass.,  Nov.  22, 1809, 
and  after  becoming  the  mother  of  one  child,  died 
Nov.  10,  1886.  Her  son,  James  K.,  now  lives  in 
Topeka,  Kan.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  hardware 
business. 

Joseph  A.  Pitts  was  placed  in  school  at  an  early 
age,  and  continued  his  studies  uninterruptedly  until 
he  was  fifteen  years  old.  He  was  then  apprenticed 
to  the  blacksmith  trade  at  Dighton,  Mass.,  and  after 
one  year  of  service  met  with  an  accident  which  de- 
prived him  of  the  sight  of  one  eye,  the  ball  having 
been  pierced  by  a  piece  of  steel  which  flew  from 
the  anvil.  He  suspended  operations  one  year,  then 
went  back  to  his  trade,  this  time  at  Mansfield, 
Mass.,  for  two  years,  during  which  he  completed 
his  apprenticeship,  and  worked  as  a  journeyman 
for  the  three  years  following.  He  then  went  to 
Tauuton,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  locomo- 
tive shop  for  a  short  time,  and  was  afterward  placed 
in  charge  of  a  stationary  engine  at  Dighton,  where 
he  remained  until  1849.  Then,  in  company  with 
twenty-five  others,  he  purchased  a  sailing-vessel, 
organized  a  company,  and  on  the  9th  of  March 
started  for  California,  and  while  passing  the  Straits 
of  Magellan,  on  the  26th  of  June,  they  were  ship- 
wrecked and  their  vessel  destroyed.  The  crew  was 
picked  up  by  a  Boston  brig,  and  taken  to  Callao, 
Peru,  whence  the  American  Minister  sent  them  on 


to  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Pitts  there  entered  the 
mines,  and  spent  one  year  searching  for  the  yel- 
low ore,  and  then  with  the  assistance  of  twenty-one 
mules,  packed  goods  from  the  trading-posts  to  the 
mines.  He  remained  at  the  mines  selling  the  goods, 
and  his  partner  attended  to  the  transportation.  He 
was  thus  employed  until  February,  1 852,  and  then 
started  homeward  via  the  Isthmus  to  New  York, 
and  thence  by  rail  to  Dighton. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1852,  Mr.  Pitts  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  Betsey  V.  Briggs  (nee  Peck),  and  on 
the  24th  of  May  started  for  Chicago  where  he  ex- 
pected to  meet  his  partner  from  San  Francisco. 
Their  plan  had  been  to  purchase  horses  and  take 
them  across  the  plains,  but  his  partner  having  been 
taken  sick,  the  project  was  abandoned.  Mr.  Pitts 
then  came  to  Bloomington  to  look  at  the  country 
in  that  vicinity,  and  concluded  that  it  would  be  a 
good  place  in  which  to  locate.  There  was  some 
Government  land  and  a  great  many  unimproved 
claims  for  sale  at  from  $1.50  to  $3  per  acre,  much 
of  it  being  owned  by  FJastern  parties.  In  June,  Mr. 
Pitts  returned  to  the  East,  and  from  parties  there 
purchased  640  acres  of  land  lying  on  sections  27, 
28,  33  and  34,  of  what  is  now  Mt.  Hope  Township, 
and  in  October  he  returned  to  McLean  County,  ac- 
companied by  his  wife. 

The  land  which  Mr.  Pitts  had  purchased  was  un- 
improved, and  he  and  his  wife  set  up  housekeep- 
ing in  a  rented  dwelling,  which  they  occupied  for 
a  year,  Mr.  Pitts  in  the  meantime  erecting  a  frame 
house  16x26  feet  in  dimensions,  and  hauling  the 
lumber  from  Pekin,  forty  miles  distant.  In  1854, 
the  residence  being  completed,  Mr.  Pitts  and  his 
wife  moved  into  it  on  the  14th  of  March.  Mr. 
Pitts  then  engaged  vigorously  in  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  his  land,  and  established  the 
homestead  which  he  at  present  owns  and  occupies. 
It  is  now  all  improved  and  supplied  with  good 
buildings.  The  first  little  house  has  given  place  to 
a  handsome  and  commodious  farm  residence  which, 
within  and  without,  gives  evidence  of  cultivated 
tastes  and  ample  means.  The  barns  and  out-build- 
ings correspond  with  the  residence,  and  the  estate 
presents  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the 
landscape  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  It  is  espe- 
cially adapted  to  stock-raising,  and  to  this  Mr.  Pitts 


t 


528 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1 


has  given  considerable  attention.  The  farm  is  well 
watered  by  Sugar  Creek,  a  never-failing  stream 
which  passes  through  it.  It  is  supplied  with  the 
requisite  amount  of  timber,  and  adjacent  to  the 
residence  are  orchards  of  fine  fruit,  and  patches  of 
choice  shrubbery.  He  has  continued  to  add  to  his 
farm  estate  until  it  now  comprises  800  acres. 

Mr.  Pitts  was  deprived  of  the  partner  of  his 
youth,  by  death,  on  the  24th  of  November,  1867. 
They  had  become  the  parents  of  four  children,  as 
follows:  John  J.  is  a  practicing  attorney  of  Bloom- 
ington ;  Elizabeth  S.  is  an  invalid  and  remains  in 
her  father's  home;  Lemira  is  the  wife  of  Emmons 
Snow,  of  Mt.  Hope  Township;  Augustus  D.  is  en- 
gaged as  clerk  for  a  druggist  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Pitts  was  the  second  time  married,  on  the  1 6th 
of  May,  1876,  to  Miss  Augusta  A.  Starbuck,  who 
was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  111.,  in  1851.  Of 
this  union  there  have  been  born  five  children — 
Herbert  A.,  Sarah  A.,  Lewis  E.,  Ralph  L.  aud 
George  W. 

Mr.  Pitts  has  always  been  Democratic  in  politics, 
and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  James  K. 
Polk.  He  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  in  all  respects  is  fulfilling  the 
obligations  of  a  man  of  influence,  and  a  valued 
citizen.  A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Pitts  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


ffiOHN  CARLYLE,  widely  and  favorably 
known  as  the  proprietor  of  Pleasant  Park 
Farm,  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  the 
Prairie  State,  and  has  in  all  his  operations 
distinguished  himself  as  one  of  the  most  worthy 
representatives  of  his  excellent  Scottish  ancestry.  He 
was  born  in  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  Feb.  18, 1822, 
on  a  farm  named  "  Millbank,"  in  the  parish  of  St. 
Mungo.  His  father,  Walter  Carlyle,  and  his  grand- 
father, John  Carlyle,  were  natives  of  the  same  par- 
ish, the  latter  being  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  a 
man  of  note.  He  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native 
parish.  His  son  Walter  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
and  became  an  expert  plowman,  taking  the  prize  at 
several  county  fairs.  His  fame  became  so  great 


that  finally  no  one  would  compete  with  him,  and  he 
was  then  appointed  one  of  the  judges  at  these  trials. 
He  also  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  country. 
His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  formerly 
Miss  Jeanette  Bell,  a  native  of  his  own  parish,  her 
father,  Thomas  Bell,  being  formerly  the  owner  of 
Millbank  Farm.  This  lady  also  died  in  her  native 
parish.  The  parental  household  included  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the 
second,  and  the  only  one  of  the  family  who  came  to 
America. 

John  Carlyle  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and 
remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  1855,  when 
he  married,  rented  land,  and  commenced  farming 
on  his  own  account.  He  operated  thus  for  six  years, 
and  then,  in  May,  1861,  started  for  the  United 
States,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  three  children. 
After  a  voyage  of  four  weeks  thejr  landed  in  New 
York  City,  the  head  of  the  family  possessing  but  a 
few  dollars.  They  made  no  stay  there,  but  pro- 
ceeded directly  westward  to  Illinois,  and  located  in 
this  county,  where  the  husband  and  father  was  em- 
ployed as  a  farm  laborer  at  50  cents  per  day.  In 
1862  he  rented  land  in  Funk's  Grove  Township, 
and  his  first  crop  of  corn  yielded  him  15  cents  per 
bushel.  He  occupied  that  farm  five  years.  Corn 
in  the  meantime  had  advanced  in  price  till  it  was 
worth  $1.10  in  Bloomington.  Mr.  Carlyle,  how- 
ever, had  not  confined  his  operations  to  grain  grow- 
ing exclusively,  but  purchased  calves  and  fed  them 
until,  in  1867,  he  was  possessed  of  a  good  herd  of 
cattle.  The  most  of  these  he  sold  at  a  good  price, 
and  with  the  proceeds  purchased  a  tract  of  land 
in  Belleflower  Township,  which  included  the  north 
half  of  section  25.  There  was  a  small  frame  house 
on  the  place,  and  in  this  the  family  lived  for  a  time, 
and  then  Mr.  C.  erected  a  more  commodious  dwell- 
ing. He  has  also  a  good  barn  and  other  necessary 
out-buildings.  From  time  to  time  he  added  to  his 
landed  possessions  until  finally  he  became  the 
owner  of  560  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved,  and 
continued  its  cultivation  until  1885,  and  then  prac- 
tically retired  from  active  labor. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss  Mary 
Smith  was  celebrated  at  the  birthplace  of  the  bride, 
Linn  Hall  Farm,  in  the  parish  of  Tundergarth, 
Dumfriesshire,  March  6,  1855.  Mrs.  Carlyle  was 


MoLEAN   COUNTY. 


4 

529  ,  , 


born  Feb.  7,  1827.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
seven  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows : 
Ellen  B.,  who  married  Robert  Ritchie;  Walter, 
who  married  Miss  Edith  Warner,  and  John,  who 
married  Miss  Annie  Smith,  all  live  in  Belleflower 
Township;  Jane  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Pol- 
lock, and  they  reside  in  Foosland,  Champaign 
County,  this  State;  Margaret  died  Oct.  10,  1864, 
in  infancy;  Jemima  died  April  27, 18G5,  in  infancy, 
and  Mary  J.  M.  died  June  12,  1877,  at  the  age  of 
eleven  years.  Mrs.  Mary  Carlyle  departed  this  life 
on  the  17th  of  August,  1881,  deeply  mourned  by 
her  husband  and  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  connected  themselves  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  many  years  ago,  our  subject 
being  one  of  the  three  who  organized  the  Belle- 
flower  Church,  of  which  Rev.  J.  G.  Fairley  is  the 
pastor.  Politically  Mr.  Carlyle  is  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party. 


eUARLES  E.  BISHOP  owns  and  occupies  a 
beautiful  farm  of  160  acres  finely  located 
on  section  29.  Mr.  Bishop  is  a  native  of 
McLean  County  and  was  born  and  reared  on  the 
homestead  of  his  father,  where  the  latter  first  lo- 
cated after  becoming  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State. 
The  birth  of  our  subject  occurred  Jan.  23,  1841. 
His  childhood  and  youth  were  spent  after  the  man- 
ner of  most  farmers'  boys  until  he  had  attained  to 
years  of  manhood.  He  had  received  careful  home 
training  and  a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools. 
At  this  time,  the  war  coming  on,  he  was  one  of  the 
first  to  volunteer  his  services  to  aid  in  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Union.  In  common  with  hundreds  of 
others  he  responded  to  the  first  call  for  troops  but 
family  matters  prevented  his  entering  the  service 
until  August,  1862.  Mr.  Bishop  enlisted  in  the 
94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Co.  B,  under  command  of  Capt. 
McFarland.  The  regiment  first  proceeded  to  the 
southwest  and  from  there  to  the  Gulf  States.  Our 
subject  was  employed  in  detached  service  and  con- 
sequently did  not  come  in  direct  contact  with  the 
enemy.  Much  of  the  time  he  was  engaged  in  driv- 
ing the  ambulance,  and  at  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove,  Ark.,  received  the  body  of  the  first 


Union  man  who  was  wounded  at  that  point  who 
had  to  be  hauled  away,  and  the  first  one  shot  outside 
the  ranks.  Our  subject  left  his  wagon  and  ran 
through  the  thickest  of  the  fight  to  rescue  his  com- 
rade. He  also  transported  the  first  man  who  died,  of 
Company  A,  to  Rolla,  Mo.  Arrangements  had  been 
made  by  the  company  before  leaving  that  the  dead 
should  be  returned  to  their  homes,  and  in  accordance 
with  this  our  subject  accompanied  the  body  spoken 
of  from  Springfield  to  Rolla,  Mo.,  a  distance  of  120 
miles.  In  due  time  Mr.  Bishop  acted  as  Orderly. 
He  served  bravely  and  faithfully  until  the  close  of 
the  war  and  was  mustered  out  at  Galveston,  Tex., 
July  27,  1865.  Before  his  enlistment  his  younger 
brother,  William  J.,  had  entered  the  service,  and  at 
the  battle  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  was  wounded  by  a 
gunshot  which  passed  through  his  head  from  the 
side  of  the  nose  to  the  base  of  the  brain.  This 
wound,  however,  did  not  prove  fatal.  The  victim 
recovered,  returned  home,  and  is  now  Deputy  Sheriff 
of  this  county. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  our  subject  returned 
home  to  Randolph  Township,  and  on  Jan.  11, 1866, 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Frances  Lake,  at 
Heyworth,  this  county.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  San- 
gamon  County,  111.,  Sept.  2,  1841,  and  from  the 
time  she  was  fifteen  years  of  age  was  a  resident  of 
McLean  County.  Her  father,  John  Lake,  a  farmer, 
was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  removing  to  this 
county,  departed  this  life  in  1872.  The  mother,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  is  still  living  in  Heyworth  at 
the  advanced  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  Mrs. 
Bishop  is  a  careful  and  systematic  housewife  and 
takes  a  pardonable  pride  in  her  handsome  home, 
whose  neatness  and  attractiveness  within  is  due  to 
her  own  refined  tastes  and  industry.  By  her  mar- 
riage with  our  subject  she  became  the  mother  of 
eleven  children,  eight  living,  as  follows :  Netta, 
Edward,  Albert,  Frank,  Ella,  Jessie,  Ora  and  Ethel. 

The  parental  history  of  our  subject  is  closely 
identified  with  that  of  Randolph  Township.  His 
father,  M.  L.  Bishop,  who  is  now  spending  his  last 
days  in  Heyworth,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
years  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  since  1841. 
In  1883  he  made  a  trip  tcf  California.  He  at  one 
time  owned  a  large  body  of  land  in  this  township. 
The  mother,  formerly  Miss  Matilda  J.  McRoberts,  ^  ' 


530 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


J 


was  of  Scottish  ancestry  and  parentage  and  is  now 
deceased.  The  parental  household  included  four 
children;  William,  whom  we  have  before  spoken  of, 
shouldered  his  musket  at  seventeen  years  of  age 
and  went  to  fight  for  his  country ;  Kmeline,  Mrs. 
Merryman,  and  Mary,  Mrs.  I).  O.  Myers,  are  now 
deceased. 


RS.  SARAH  SLOANE.  This  lady  is  the 
widow  of  Ezra  Sloane,  and  occupies  the 
homestead  which  her  husband  established 
in  1854,  in  Danvers  Township.  Ezra 
Sloane  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and  was  born  Oct. 
18,  1816.  He  departed  this  life  in  the  above- 
named  township  on  the  5th  of  November,  1884. 
Mr.  Sloane  received  his  early  education  in  his  na- 
tive State,  and  remained  there  until  twenty  years 
old.  He  then  removed  westward  to  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  where  in  due  time  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Davidson,  their  wedding 
taking  place  in  March,  1840. 

Mrs.  Sarah  (Davidson)  Sloane  was  born  in  Picka- 
way County,  Ohio,  Sept.  26,  1816,  where  she  spent 
the  days  of  her  childhood  and  youth.  After  her 
marriage  to  Ezra  Sloane  and  the  birth  of  four  chil- 
dren they  emigrated  to  Illinois.  Mr.  S.  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Danvers  Township,  this 
county,  and  in  his  subsequent  farming  and  business 
transactions  was  greatly  prospered.  As  time  passed 
on  he  added  to  his  acreage,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  the  owner  of  320  acres  of  finely  culti- 
vated land,  with  residence,  barns  and  out-buildings, 
of  tasteful  and  substantial  character.  Mr.  Sloane, 
after  the  war,  took  no  part  in  politics,  although  he 
was  well  read  and  informed,  and  liberal  in  his  po- 
litical and  religious  views.  He  was  a  prominent 
and  useful  citizen,  and  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  building  up  of  the  various  interests  of 
this  section. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sloane  there  were 
born  four  children,  of  whom  one  died  unnamed  and 
another,  a  daughter,  Jane,  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years  and  five  months;  Magdalene,  now  Mrs.  David 
R.  Harris,  lives  in  Danvers  Township,  and  has 
two  children — P.  Eugenie  and  N.  Maud ;  George  N. 
was  the  youngest  of  the  family ,  and  was  born  May 


16,  1852.  He  married  Miss  Julia  A.  Smith,  Feb. 
15,  1877;  his  wife  was  born  in  Tazewell  County. 
Aug.  1,  1855,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Haybarger)  Smith,  natives  respectively 
of  Maryland  and  Illinois.  Her  parents  were  of 
German  parentage,  and  are  now  among  the  wealthy 
families  of  Tazewell  County.  Mr.  George  Sloane 
is  now  largely  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  Short- 
horn cattle,  of  which  he  has  a  herd  numbering 
sixty-three  fine  animals.  He  also  operates  in  draft 
horses,  of  which  he  has  some  fine  specimens.  He 
is  one  of  the  promising  citizens  of  this  section,  has 
held  the  offices  of  School  Director  and  Deacon  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  member  for  twenty  years,  and  with 
which  his  wife  and  mother  are  also  connected.  He 
is  Republican  in  politics,  and  thoroughly  interested 
in  everything  tending  to  the  welfare  of  his  com- 
munity. He  is  the  father  of  one  child,  Edwin, 
born  Nov.  30,  1882. 


J^~  AMES  M.  HALLETT,  deceased,  was  a  highly 
respected  resident  of  Bloomington.  enjoy- 
ing the  esteem  and  confidence  of  a  host  of 
friends.  Mr.  Hallett  was  a  native  of  En- 
gland, his  birth  taking  place  in  1814.  His  parents 
were  Joseph  and  Sophia  (Meech)  Hallett,  natives  of 
the  same  country,  the  father  being  a  baker  by 
trade,  which  business  he  followed  the  greater  part 
of  his  life.  They  had  a  family  of  three  children, 
all  of  whom  are  deceased.  Our  subject  attended 
school  until  nine  years  of  age,  and  then  began 
to  assist  his  father  in  the  bakery,  continuing  with 
him  until  twenty-five  years  of  age.  At  that  time 
his  father  died,  and  the  son  carried  on  the  business 
until  1852.  He  then  departed  from  his  native  land 
to  the  New  World,  first  locating  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  five  years  engaged  at  his 
trade.  In  1857  he  came  to  Bloomington,  still  pur- 
suing his  early  occupation.  In  1861  he  purchased 
the  home  where  his  family  now  reside;  he  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  business  operations,  and  made  for 
himself  a  good  reputation  as  a  thorough  business 
man  and  reliable  citizen. 

James  M.  Hallett  was  united  in   marriage   with 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


531 


Miss  Lydia  Davy  in  1837,  in  his  native  England. 
Mrs.  H.  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Lydia 
(Raindel)  Davy,  also  natives  of  England,  and  the 
father  a  tailor  by  trade.  The  parental  family  em- 
braced seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Hallet  is  the 
only  one  living.  By  her  union  with  our  subject  she 
became  the  mother  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
died  in  childhood;  the  record  is  as  follows:  Will- 
iam married  Miss  Emma  Hartley,  and  they  have 
four  children — Carrie,  William,  Harley  and  Ethel; 
Joseph,  a  physician,  married  Miss  Ella  Rodenbeek, 
and  they  have  two  children — James  and  Addison ; 
James  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Wilson,  and  they 
have  had  three  children — Eose  (deceased),  Edith 
and  Edna;  Lydia  is  a  teacher  in  the  McLean 
County  public  schools;  Elizabeth  is  at  home  with 
her  parents.  Mr.  Hallett  departed  this  life  Feb. 
21,  1887,  aged  seventy-two  years.  He  was  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  1.  O.  O.  F. 
Mrs.  H.  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


t 


ARQUIS  L.  QUINN,  one  of  the  progressive 
young  farmers  of  Bloomingtou  Township, 
is  successfully  engaged  in  cultivating  250 
acres  of  land,  and  has  a  handsome  farm 
residence  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
township  on  section  31.  Mr.  Quinnwas  born  upon 
the  homestead  where  he  now  resides,  April  17, 
1860.  He  received  his  primary  education  in  this 
township  and  completed  his  studies  in  the  High 
School  at  Shirley.  He  took  possession  of  the  farm 
in  the  spring  of  1882,  and  has  operated  it  success- 
fully since  that  time. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  married  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents  in  Funk's  Grove,  to  Miss  Addie,  the 
daughter  of  H.  L.  Jackson,  who  has  been  a  resident 
of  Funk's  Grove  Township  for  a  period  of  eighteen 
years.  Mr.  Jackson  came  from  Kentucky  to  this 
county  soon  after  his  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret 
Thomas,  who  became  the  mother  of  nine  children, 
of  whom  the  wife  of  our  subject  was  the  sixth  in 
order  of  birth.  Mrs.  Addie  Quinn  was  born  in 
Shirley,  this  county,  Oct.  1,  1863,  and  remained 


with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren— Lee,  who  died  when  eight  months  old,  and 
Georgia  L.,  born  Dec.  6,  1886. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  the  eighth  of  a  family  of  ten 
children.  His  parents,  Sidney  M.  and  Sallie  A.  Quinn, 
came  from  Kentucky  in  1851,  and  the  father  died 
at  his  home  in  this  township  in  1882,  having  been 
a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  for  a  period  of  thirty 
years.  The  mother  is  still  living,  making  her  home 
at  No.  907  West  Wood  street,  Bloomington. 

Since  his  marriage  Mr.  Quinn  has  been  conduct- 
ing the  affairs  of  his  mother's  large  farm,  and  has 
given  much  attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock. 
He  is  a  solid  Republican  in  politics,  and  with  his 
wife,  a  worthy  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


^  OHN  HAY,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  of 
the  Prairie  State,  came  to  Illinois  in  the 
spring  of  1834,  and  has  witnessed  with  keen 
interest  and  satisfaction  its  rapid  develop- 
ment and  prosperity.  During  a  long  residence  in 
Danvers  Township  he  has  become  widely  and  favor- 
ably known  as  one  of  its  most  reliable  and  valued 
citizens.  He  is  now  far  down  the  sunset  hill  of 
life  and  remembers  many  of  its  interesting  events 
with  vivid  distinctness,  possessing  all  his  faculties 
to  a  remarkable  degree.  He  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church  for  a  period  of  over  fifty- 
five  years.  He  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead 
of  120  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  is  an  ever  wel- 
come and  familiar  figure  in  the  vicinity  which  has 
known  him  so  long  and  known  nothing  of  him  but 
good. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Washing 
ton  County,  Va.,  March  18,  1797,  and  is  conse- 
quently now  over  ninety  years  of  age.  He  is  the 
son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Finley)  Hay,  natives 
respectively  of  Massachusetts  and  Virginia.  His 
mother  was  born  in  Augusta  County  in  the  latter 
State,  and  Peter  Hay,  in  Boston,  Mass.  The  latter, 
when  a  young  man,  went  to  Richmond,  Va.,  and 
there  followed  the  business  of  a  tinner,  with  which 
he  was  occupied  at  intervals  through  life,  in  the  i 


t 


532 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


meantime  also  being  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 
After  their  marriage  the  parents  removed  to  Logan 
County,  Ky.,  in  about  1801,  and  resided  there  for 
nearly  twenty  years.  Thence  they  removed  to 
Christian  County  in  the  same  State,  where  the 
father  died  in  1824,  and  the  mother  followed  him 
after  a  few  months.  They  were  both  connected 
with  the  old-school  Presbyterians.  Their  children 
were  named  as  follows:  Jane  B.,  Mary  F.,  Marcia 
S.,  Rachel,  Catharine,  John  and  George  F.,  the  two 
latter  being  the  only  representatives  of  the  family 
living. 

Mr.  Hay  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
after  attaining  his  majority,  receiving  a  common- 
school  education  and  learning  to  spell  from  the 
"  Old  Dill  worth."  In  the  spring  of  1834  he  came 
West,  in  the  meantime  having  been  married,  and 
purchased  a  section  of  land  near  his  present  home, 
to  which  he  removed  his  family  the  following 
spring.  His  marriage  occurred  in  October,  1821, 
when  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  the  maiden 
of  his  choice  being  Miss  Seley  Killebrew,  who  re- 
mained his  companion  for  a  period  of  nineteen 
years,  and  departed  this  life  on  the  9th  of  August, 
1840.  Their  children  were:  Samuel  S.,  Peter  G., 
Sarah  E.,  John  W.,  Mary  J.,  Susan  G..  Seley  E., 
Joseph  E.,  and  one  daughter  who  died  unnamed. 

Mr.  Hay  for  his  second  wife  married  Mrs.  Sarah 
Daniels,  of  South  Grove,  111.,  who  was  born 
Sept.  5,  1810.  This  lady  died  on  the  22d  of 
February,  1858,  leaving  one  child,  Alphia,  who 
was  born  March  5,  1843.  In  1860  our  subject 
married  Mrs.  Cynthia  Rowell,  the  mother  of  Hon. 
J.  H.  Rowell,  Member  of  Congress,  and  this  lady 
died  Nov.  4,  1867.  Of  the  four  children  of  Mr. 
Hay  living,  all  are  residents  of  Illinois.  Soon  after 
coming  here  John  Hay  became  actively  interested 
in  the  affairs  of  this  section.  At  the  time  of  his 
arrival,  the  township  was  not  organized,  although 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  was  required,  and  he  filled 
the  position  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction 
to  all  concerned.  He  was  also  School  Director  and 
Township  Trustee  for  a  number  of  years. 

Susan  G.  Hay,  a  daughter  of  our  subject,  who 
was  born  in  Illinois  in  1835,  became  the  wife  of 
George  Moe  on  the  5th  of  January,  1868;  the  latter 
was  born  in  Michigan  in  1837,  and  during  the  late 


war  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  4th  Michigan 
Cavalry.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Ken- 
nesaw  Mountain  and  afterward,  on  account  of  this, 
received  his  discharge  and  is  now  drawing  a  small 
pension  from  the  Government.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moe 
are  now  living  in  Colorado,  the  former  being  en- 
gaged in  mining.  Mr.  M.  is  Republican  in  politics 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a 
member  of  a  Bloomington  Lodge.  Mrs.  Moe  be- 
longs to  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  is  also  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church. 


ENJAMIN  F.  NICKERSON  is  engaged  in 
the  livery  business  and  as  a  breeder  of  fine 
horses.  He  owns  at  present  the  celebrated 
Almont  King,  a  roadster  stallion,  destined 
to  be  the  finest  specimen  of  his  kind  in  this  locality. 
He  was  sired  by  the  well-known  Mammoint,  dam 
by  Powers  Denmark,  and  was  foaled  June  9,  1881. 
This  animal  weighs  about  1,150  pounds,  is  a  bright, 
rich  bay  in  color  and  a  model  of  beauty  and  sym- 
metry. The  record  of  his  half-brother,  Louis  R.,  is 
2  :23£.  Mr.  N.  also  has  in  his  possession  the  beauti- 
ful horse,  Paul  Bego,  the  2d.  This  is  a  dark  bay, 
sixteen  and  one-half  hands  high,  eight  years  of  age, 
and  weighs  1,400  pounds,  with  the  kindest  disposi- 
tion of  the  breed  of  which  he  is  a  member.  The 
other  animals  in  the  stable  of  Mr.  Nickerson  are 
of  the  best  and  most  popular  breeds,  and  their  pro- 
prietor fully  understands  their  care  and  require- 
ments. He  has  a  genuine  love  for  his  business,  and 
is  fast  making  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation 
as  a  breeder  and  a  judge  of  fine  horses. 

Mr.  Nickerson  has  been  a  resident  of  Heyworth 
since  the  fall  of  1881,  when  he  established  his  busi- 
ness. He  had  previously  been  engaged  in  farming 
in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  on  section  31,  where 
he  located  in  March,  1875,  upon  a  tract  of  laud  of 
eighty-three  acres  which  he  had  purchased  and 
which  was  well  improved.  He  yet  retains  his  farm 
property,  and  has  other  real  estate  in  the  village  of 
Heyworth. 

Mr.  Nickersou  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
Sept.  8,  1851.  His  father,  Albert  N.,  was  one  of 
the  early  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  coming  here  ^  ' 


D 
. 


TILE  WORKS    OF    BARTEL5  Be  STOLL  -  LEXINGTO  N  ,    ILL5  . 


ftr    qOM     /BREEDERS    8c    DEALERS  OF    NOR  M  A  N  ,  GLYDE  \       CHENOA      ILLS 

fiC    5UN  ,^  BELSfAN        AND    TR  OTTrN  G    H  O  R5  E  5  f 


GENERALMERCHANT 


RESIDENCE  &   BUSINESS  PROPERTr   OF  A  .  E  .  SWA  P  ,  COR.  HAZEL  &5ECOND  STS.,WE5TOH  ,1U5 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


535 


nearly  half  a  century  ago,  and  establishing  him  self 
in  Randolph  Township.  He  had  previously  with 
his  family  spent  a  few  months  in  Missouri,  which 
was  then  an  unbroken  wilderness  through  which 
Indians  and  other  wild  game  roamed  in  plenty. 
The  family  lived  in  a  covered  wagon,  intending  at 
first  to  locate  there,  but  the  outlook  was  too  dis- 
couraging and  they  recrossed  the  river  to  this 
county.  There  were  then  only  a  few  settlers  in 
this  locality,  but  the  father  of  our  subject  believed 
that  it  would  develop  into  something  great  in  the 
future,  and  with  the  sturdy  resolution  common  to 
the  pioneers  of  that  day  resolved  to  make  his  lo- 
cation here.  lie  cultivated  and  improved  his  tract 
of  land  in  Randolph  Township  and  established  a 
comfortable  home  for  his  family,  remaining  there 
until  1871,  when  he  removed  to  Hey  worth  and 
lived  retired  from  active  labor  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  November,  1886,  when  he  was 
seventy-seven  years  old. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  one  of  the  most 
highly  respected  and  substantial  citizens  of  Ran- 
dolph Township,  an  Elder  in  the  Christian  Church, 
and  Democratic  in  politics.  His  wife,  formerly 
Miss  Ellen  Cook,  was  his  faithful  and  devoted  com- 
panion and  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  her 
children  in  Hey  worth.  She  was  the  sympathizer  of 
her  husband  in  all  his  undertakings,  and  with  him 
united  with  the  Christian  Church,  being  noted  for 
her  womanly  sympathies  and  kind  deeds. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  seventh  child 
and  youngest  son  of  a  family  of  ten,  seven  sons 
and  three  daughters.  Of  these  there  are  yet  six 
sons  living,  but  the  daughters  are  all  deceased.  Mr. 
N.  was  reared  in  the  manner  common  to  most  far- 
mers' boys,  and  received  only  three  months'  school- 
ing annually,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  He 
was  reared  to  habits  of  industry,  and  at  an  early 
age  commenced  to  work  upon  the  farm,  remaining 
under  the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage,  which 
occurred  Feb.  11,  1875,  the  maiden  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Fidelia  A..  Washburn,  who  was  a  native 
of  Hey  worth  and  born  Aug.  7,  1853.  Mrs.  N.  re- 
ceived her  education  in  her  native  village,  became 
a  teacher  of  music  before  her  marriage,  and  has 
since  occasionally  applied  herself  to  this  profession. 
She  possesses  much  talent  in  this  direction,  being  a 


skillful  performer  on  the  piano.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  N. 
have  become  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  now 
deceased — Maude,  Claude,  Homer  and  an  infant  un- 
named. Those  surviving  are  Lena  M.  and  John 
A.  Mrs.  Nickerson  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  N.  is  an  ener- 
getic and  straightforward  business  man;  politically 
he  is  a  reliable  Democrat. 


JESSE  OGDEN,  a  well-known  citizen  of  Mc- 
Lean County  and  a1  large  land-owner  and 
progressive  farmer  of  Money  Creek  Town- 
'ship,  and  also  Supervisor  of  that  township, 
resides  on  section  32,  where  he  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  and 
Sarah  Ogden,  the  former  born  in  what  was  known 
as  the  "  Pickaway  Claim,"  Ohio,  and  the  latter  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  parents  resided  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in 
farming,  and  whence  they  removed  to  Fayette 
County,  that  State,  and  there  resided  until  the 
fall  of  1830,  when  they  came  to  this  county,  mak- 
ing the  trip  overland.  They  settled  on  section  28, 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  there  the  father  con- 
tinued his  labor  as  a  farmer  until  his  death,  which 
event  took  place  Sept.  27,  1873.  The  mother  died 
in  the  same  township  in  the  latter  part  of  October, 
1883.  Six  of  their  ten  children  lived  to  attain  the 
age  of  maturity,  namely,  Maria,  Amanda,  Jesse, 
Margaret,  Elizabeth  and  Mary.  Maria  is  the  widow 
of  Dr.  Ethan  McAfferty,  who  died  in  Money 
Creek  Township  Nov.  27,  1884,  and  she  is  still 
living  in  that  township;  Amanda  is  the  widow  of 
Jonathan  McAfferty,  who  died  Dec.  11,  1863; 
Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Wade  Hay  worth,  a  resi- 
dent of  Money  Creek  Township;  Elizabeth  married 
J.  W.  Stover,  a  farmer  of  that  township,  and  Mary 
died  in  the  same  township. 

Jesse  Ogden  was  born  in  the  township  in  which 
he  at  present  resides,  July  26,  1834.  He  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  father  and 
received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  this  county. 
He  has  known  no  other  vocation  in  life  than  that 
of  a  farmer,  and  is  at  present  the  owner  of  500 
acres  o.f  valuable  land,  nearly  all  of  which  is  under 


j 


f 


t 


-       536 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


an  .advanced  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  Supervisor  of  Money  Creek  Township  for 
several  years,  and  has  also  been  Assessor  of  the 
township  for  two  terms.  Socially  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  in  politics  votes  the 
Republican  ticket. 


RS.  SARAH  B.  AYERS,  widow  of  Rev. 
Hiram  Ayers,  formerly  of  Bloomington 
City,  occupies  a  pleasant  and  comfortable 
home  at  No.  610  East  Mulberry  street,  and 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  city  since  1875.  Rev. 
Hiram  Ayers  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1840, 
being  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Lucinda  (Wass) 
Ayers,  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  State,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits.  They  came  to  Tazewell 
County,  111.,  in  1842,  and  located  upon  a  farm 
which  remained  their  permanent  home.  There  the 
father  departed  this  life  in  1880;  the  mother  is  still 
living  on  the  old  homestead. 

Hiram  Ayers  remained  an  inmate  of  his  father's 
house  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then  came 
to  Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of  attending  Wes- 
leyan  University.  From  this  institution  he  grad- 
uated in  1863,  and  soon  afterward  became  a  circuit 
preacher  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
was  devotedly  attached  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and 
continued  to  preach  and  labor  for  the  Master  until 
his  death,  in  1870.  He  was  a  man  possessed  of  the 
rare  faculty  of  making  and  retaining  friends,  and 
at  his  death  was  universally  lamented. 

The  marriage  of  Rev.  Hiram  Ayers  and  Miss 
Sarah  S.  Bishop  took  place  in  Bloomington,  Nov. 
17,  1864.  Mrs.  Ayers  was  born  in  1843,  in  Old 
Town  Township,  McLean  County,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Lake)  Bishop, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  They  came  to  Ohio  in 
1821,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1833.  They 
then  removed  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Old  Town 
Township,  which  remained  their  home  during  the 
lifetime  of  the, father,  his  death  having  occurred  in 
1855.  Mr.  Bishop  at  one  time  was  an  extensive 
land-holder,  and  purchased  in  all  about  2,000 
acres.  He  was  one  of  the  substantial  and  prosper- 
ous men  of  his  community,  and  in  all  respects  a 


useful  citizen.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Ayers,  after  the 
death  of  her  husband,  removed  to  Blooniington, 
where  she  now  lives  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three  years.  The  parental  family  of  eight  children 
are  all  living,  and  were  named  Harvey,  Ileury, 
Samuel,  George,  William,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Roop), 
Susan  (Mrs.  Rayburn),and  Sarah  B.,  our  subject. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ayers  became  the  parents  of  two 
children  —  Albert  E.,  born  in  1868,  and  Lottie  V., 
in  1869.  The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  most  es- 
timable lady,  greatly  esteemed  by  her  friends  and 
associates,  and  earnestly  devoted  to  her  children 
and  her  home. 


B.  IVES,  a  worthy  member  of  the  legal 
profession  in  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of 
the  Empire  State,  and  was  born  in  Chau- 
tauqua  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1816.  He  is  the 
son  of  Almond  and  Nancy  (Tombling)  Ives,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Vermont  and  New  York,  the 
father  being  engaged  in  farming  in  the  latter  State 
during  the  earlier  years  of  his  life.  He  came  with 
his  family  to  Illinois  in  1834,  settling  in  Kendall 
County,  near  Yorkville,  where  he  had  purchased 
300  acres  of  Government  land.  This  remained  the 
home  of  the  family  until  1854.  They  then  came 
to  this  county  and  lived  in  Bloomington  three 
years,  thence  removed  to  Arnboy,  Lee  County, 
where  the  mother  died  in  1861,  and  the  father  in 
1863.  Of  their  ten  children,  seven  are  now  living 
—  Almond  B.,  Simeon  P.,  William  E.,  Franklin  B., 
Enos  J.,  Sarah  M.  (Mrs.  Tooker),  and  Nancy  M. 
(Mrs.  Sears).  Mr.  Ives  was  County  Judge  of 
Kendall  County,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
thirty  years;  he  also  served  as  County  Surveyor 
and  Recorder.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  in  which  the  father  was  a  Deacon 
for  many  years.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1812,  as  also  did  the  maternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  the  latter  receiving  honorable  wounds. 
Mr.  Ives  of  our  sketch  descended  from  excel- 
lent English  ancestry,  the  first  representatives  of 
the  family  in  this  country  having  been  noted  for 
their  usefulness  as  citizens  and  their  energy  and 
enterprise  as  business  men.  Young  Ives  remained 


f. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


537  i  . 


on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years 
old,  then  came  westward  with  his  parents  to  Illi- 
nois. He  was  a  resident  of  Chicago  some  months 
in  1834,  and  in  1836  took  up  a  claim  in  Kendall 
County,  near  Piano,  which  he  cultivated  and  im- 
proved until  1848.  He  then  sold  out  and  removed 
to  Oswego,  the  county  seat,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law  five  years,  and  then  came  to 
Bloomington,  where  he  has  continued  his  practice 
since. 

Mr.  Ives  was  married  in  1835,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Ervin,  of  Kendall  County,  111.,  and  of  this  union 
there  were  born  six  children — Mary  P.  (Mrs. 
Gage),  Almira  S.  (Mrs.  Burnham),  William  W., 
Almond  T.,  Isaac  N.  and  Nellie  C.  Mrs.  Sarah 
Ives  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband,  in  Blooming- 
ton,  June  14,  1854.  He  was  subsequently  married 
to  Miss  Lucinda  Barber,  of  New  York,  of  which 
union  two  children  were  born,  only  one  of  whom  is 
now  living,  a  son,  Ellis  L.  Mr.  Ives  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics,  and  one  of  the  representative  busi- 
ness men  of  Bloomington,  respected  for  his  moral 
and  intellectual  worth. 


-*- 


JACOB  P.  JUNG,  one  of  the  prominent  busi- 
ness men  of  Bloomington  City,  is  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Higgins  <fe  Co.,  marble  and 
'  granite  manufacturers,  whose  place  of  busi- 
ness is  located  at  Nos.  227  and  229  East  Front 
street.  The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in 
Nauvoo,  Hancock  County,  this  State,  on  the  9th  of 
February,  1850.  He  is  the  son  of  Christian  and 
Elizabeth  (Brandenberger)  Jung,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Coblentz  and  Bergen,  Germany.  They 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  before  their  mar- 
riage, the  father  in  1 838.  He  first  located  in  New 
Orleans  whence,  after  a  brief  stay,  he  proceeded  to 
New  York  and  thence  southwestward  to  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  where  he  remained  until  the  Mormon  troubles 
of  1848.  Thence  he  removed  to  Nauvoo,  and  en- 
gaged as  a  contractor  for  plastering  and  stone- 
work, and  where  he  now  resides,  retired  from  the 
active  labors  of  life. 

The   parental   family  included   ten  children,  six 
now  living,  as  follows:     Julia,  Mrs.  John  Erb,  re- 


sides in  Keokuk,  Iowa;  Maggie,  Mrs.  Nifer,  in  Cali- 
fornia; Jacob  P.,  in  Bloomington;  Lizzie,  in  Keo- 
kuk, also  Mary  M.,  Mrs.  Carmichael;  Henrietta  is 
in  Chicago.  Christian  Jung  has  been  a  prominent 
man  in  his  community  since  coming  to  this  State, 
lie  was  President  of  the  City  Board  of  Nauvoo, 
and  has  also  served  as  Alderman.  He  built  the  first 
German  Lutheran  Church  there,  and  after  the  set- 
tlement of  the  Mormon  troubles  brought  the  first 
Lutheran  minister  from  St.  Louis  there  to  preach,  and 
kept  him  in  his  own  family  for  a  year.  He  early  be- 
came identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  to  settle  in  Nauvoo  after  the  Mor- 
mons had  practically  been  driven  out,  and  while 
engaged  with  others  in  armed  opposition  to  them, 
was  taken  prisoner  and  held  six  weeks  in  the  Tem- 
ple, whence  he.  finally  made  his  escape. 

Jacob  P.  Jung  left  the  parental  roof  at  thirteen 
years  of  age,  and  going  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  first  en- 
gaged with  H.  K.  Love,  a  banker.  After  two 
months  he  was  employed  to  ride  horses  across  the 
line  from  Missouri  into  Illinois  for  one  summer, 
the  Civil  War  then  being  in  progress.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Keokuk  for  a  short  time,  and  from  there 
went  to  Quincy,  111.,  and  served  an  apprenticeship 
in  the  drug  business  with  Dr.  John  W.  Hitter,  for 
two  years  and  five  months.  Thence  he  went  to  St. 
Louis  and  engaged  in  business  whence,  after  four 
months,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Nauvoo.  From 
there,  in  1869,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
engaged  with  Peter  Greenwalt  as  a  stone-cutter, 
with  whom  he  remained  five  months,  and  was 
variously  engaged  until  May  of  that  year,  when  he 
became  an  apprentice  to  a  marble  cutter,  at  which 
he  served  three  years.  Then,  after  a  short  time 
spent  at  each  of  the  cities  of  St.  Louis,  Indianapo- 
lis and  Cincinnati,  he  established  business  for  him- 
self in  Nauvoo,  where  he  remained  for  two  years 
and  until  1876,  when  he  went  to  South  Alabama, 
and  was  employed  in  the  Government  Works  in 
July,  1877.  He  then  came  to  Bloomington,  where, 
after  being  employed  at  his  trade  for  four  months, 
he  became  associated  with  his  present  partner  in 
September,  1878.  Eight  years  later  [1886]  they 
put  up  their  present  marble  front,  and  are  now  do- 
ing an  extensive  and  profitable  business. 

Mr.  Jung  was  married  in  1881,   to  Mrs.   Mary 


r 


t 


538 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


.t 


<  Minion,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  and  the  daughter  of 
Hugh  and  Mary  McLean.  By  her  former  husband 
Mrs.  J.  became  the  mother  of  two  sons — William 
and  John — and  of  her  union  with  our  subject  there 
have  been  born  a  son  and  daughter — Gracie  E.  and 
Jacob  P.  The  family  residence  is  located  at  No. 
713  East  Front  street,  where  its  inmates  are  enjoy- 
ing all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of 
life.  Mr.  Jung  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  so- 
cially is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  K.  of  P. 


HRISTIAN  UMMEL,  a  resident  of  Danvers, 
and  an  extensive  importer  of  fine  horses,  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  throughout 
this  section.  He  is  a  native  of  Switzerland,  bom 
in  the  Canton  of  Neuchatel,  Jan.  22,  1852,  being 
the  son  of  John  and  Mary  A.  (Slatter)  Ummel,  the 
father  a  native  of  Switzerland,  born  Feb.  7,  1801, 
and  the  mother  of  France,  born  June  13,  1811. 
John  Ummel  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and 
spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  land,  dying  there 
June  28,  1877.  The  decease  of  the  mother  had 
occurred  previously,  June  13,  1869.  The  parental 
household  included  nine  children,  as  follows :  Mary 
A.,  Mrs.  Christian  Ranseyer;  Anna,  Mrs.  John 
Ranseyer;  Rosina,  Mrs.  Abraham  Kohler;  Eliza- 
beth, Mrs.  Phillip  Kohler;  Susan,  Mrs.  David  Um- 
mel; David,  who  married  Anna  Kohler,  and  John, 
who  married  Elizabeth  Saltzman;  Henry  for  his 
first  wife  married  Miss  Anna  Ummel,  who  died, 
and  he  was  again  married,  to  Miss  Louise  Nussel; 
he  still  lives  in  Switzerland;  Christian,  of  our 
sketch,  was  the  youngest  of  the  family.  The  par- 
ents were  connected  with  the  Mennonite  Church, 
and  were  most  worthy  and  excellent  people,  and 
greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew  them. 

Christian  Ummel  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his 
native  land,  and  after  reaching  his  majority,  set 
sail  for  America  in  1870.  He  landed  in  New  Or- 
leans, and  from  there  went  to  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  employed  on  a  farm  by  the  month 
for  three  years  following.  He  then  came  to  Illi- 
nois, rented  land  in  this  county,  and  commenced 
farming  on  his  own  account.  In  1875  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Lydia  Kohler,  and  they  became  the 


parents  of  one  child,  which  died  when  but  seven 
months  old.  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Chris- 
tian and  Susanna  Kohler,  natives  of  Switzerland. 
She  departed  this  life  Nov.  22,  1878,  having  died 
of  consumption,  and  her  remains  were  laid  to  rest 
in  Imhoff  Cemetery.  She  was  a  lady  highly  es- 
teemed for  her  excellent  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart.  She  was  an  affectionate  wife  and  a  kind 
mother,  and  her  name  is  held  in  kindly  remem- 
brance by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1883,  was  Miss  Catherine,  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Barbara  (Slatter)  Slanaker,  natives  re- 
spectively of  France  and  Switzerland.  The  father 
was  born  April  19,  1809,  and  the  mother  May  22, 
1810.  They  were  married  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
in  1833,  each  having  come  to  this  country  early  in 
life,  the  father  in  1824.  Their  six  children  were, 
Mary,  Louisa,  Barbara,  Catherine,  John  and  Joseph. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ummel  continued  farm- 
ing until  1884,  when  he  removed  into  the  village 
of  Danvers,  having  purchased  there  a  good  resi- 
dence which  made  a  pleasant  and  convenient  home 
for  his  family.  He  is  dealing  principally  in  Nor- 
man stock,  and  has  two  especially  fine  animals,  be- 
sides a  black  Norman  which  he  prizes  very  highly, 
and  is  considered  by  those  well  posted,  one  of  the 
finest  that  has  ever  been  imported  into  this  coun- 
try. Mr.  Ummel,  formerly  Republican,  is  now  in- 
dependent in  politics. 


J  HUDSON  R.  MASON,  Secretary  and  General 
I    Manager  of  the  Bloom  ington   Mutual  Life 
]    Benefit  Association,  and    one   of   the   self- 
1    made  and  wealthy  men  of  Bloomington,  is  a 
native  of  New  York,  having  been  born  on  a  farm 
in  Oswego  County,  in  September,  1841.     His  par- 
ents were  Stephen   R.  and  Sallie  (Johnson)  Mason, 
both  of  whom  were  born  and   reared  in  Massachu- 
setts.    Stephen  R.  Mason  was  a  farmer  of  modest 
means,  with  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  youngest.     The  latter  remained  on 
the  farm  with  his  parents  until  he  had  nearly  reached 
his  majority,  having  pursued  his  primary  studies  in 


IB 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


539 


t 


the  common  schools  and  completing  them  in  the 
academy  at  Mexico  Village  near  his  home.  He  then 
went  to  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  where  he  became  book- 
keeper for  the  firm  of  Phelps  &  Chase,  manufactur- 
ers of  pianos  and  organs,  in  whose  employ  he  re- 
mained until  1865,  in  which  year  he  came  to  Bloom- 
ington.  He  still  continued  in  the  employ  of  the 
old  firm  after  reaching  this  city,  as  a  salesman  of 
their  pianos  and  organs. 

Mr.  Mason  was  afterward  employed  by  Gillett  & 
Steere,  and  in  1866  began  operating  in  local  fire 
insurance.  During  that  year  he  was  also  appointed 
State  Agent  for  the  Phoenix  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  in  this  capacity 
proved  himself  master  of  the  situation.  He  had 
charge  of  about  800  agents,  and  was  the  principal 
adjuster  in  case  of  loss.  The  insurance  business 
proved  very  remunerative,  and  Mr.  Mason  con- 
tinued in  it  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years.  The 
company  lost  heavily  in  the  great  Chicago  fire  of 
1871.  In  May,  1883,  Mr.  Mason  was  appointed 
General  Manager  of  the  Bloomington  Mutual  Life 
Benefit  Assocation,  which  is  fast  becoming  one  of 
the  substantial  institutions  of  the  city,  principally 
owing  to  the  discreet  and  wise  management  of  our 
subject.  The  company  operates  over  a  wide  ex- 
tent of  territory,  including  the  States  of  Illinois, 
Iowa,  Minnesota  and  Dakota. 

Judson  R.  Mason  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  E.  Rowan,  of  Bloomington,  in  1865.  Mrs. 
M.  is  the  daughter  of  Martin  B.  Rowan,  Esq.,  and 
grand-daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  Baker,  of  Blooming- 
ton.  Of  this  union  there  was  born  one  child — 
Harry  R. 

Mr.  Mason  has  served  in  many  important  posi- 
tions connected  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
has  held  all  of  the  offices  in  the  Sunday-School  Un- 
ion in  the  State  Sunday-School  Association,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Bloomington,  having  officiated  in  its 
Sabbath-school  as  Superintendent  for  the  past  ten 
years.  He  is  also  President  of  the  Board  of  Water 
Works,  and  at  present  acting  Mayor  of  the  city, 
also  Chairman  of  the  Financial  Committee  and  Al- 
derman of  the  First  Ward.  The  association  with 
which  Mr.  Mason  is  connected  has  grown  from  a  few 
members  to  the  number  of  9,000  and  is  represented 


by  nearly  1,000  agents.  Mr.  Mason  has  evinced 
financial  ability  equally  well  in  his  private  affairs, 
as  he  came  to  Bloomington  with  scanty  means  and 
is  now  the  possessor  of  a  fine  property,  including 
one  Of  the  finest  residences  in  the  city.  He  has  in 
contemplation  the  erection  of  a  fine  business  block 
the  coming  season,  and  is  accounted  one  of  the 
most  useful  and  enterprising  members  of  the  com- 
munity. 


\w?OHN  A.  MACE,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
|  Saybrook  Weekly  Gazette,  has  been  a  resident 
of  the  Prairie  State  since  1869,  in  which 
year,  when  a  youth  of  sixteen,  he  came  to 
this  county  with  his  parents.  His  birth  took  place 
in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  10,  1853,  and  he  is  the 
son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  E.  (Thornbury)  Mace,  na- 
tives of  the  same  county  and  State  as  their  son. 
Joseph  Mace  was  born  Feb.  12,  1829,  and  learned 
the  trade  of  a  miller  early  in  life,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed since  that  time.  Upon  coming  into  this 
State  he  located  first  in  Bloomington.  whence  after 
three  years  he  removed  to  Shirley,  and  subsequently 
to  Cheney's  Grove,  where  he  rented  a  farm  and  also 
purchased  120  acres,  operating  the  two  tracts  of 
land  for  two  years  thereafter.  He  then  sold  the 
farm  and  removed  to  Saybrook,  where  he  resided 
one  year.  In  1876  he  went  to  Michigan  and  located 
in  Durand,  Shiawassee  County,  whence  he  removed 
in  1886  to  Bancroft,  that  State,  of  which  he  is  still 
a  resident.  He  is  a  faithful  adherent  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  became  a  Mason  before  leaving 
Pennsylvania.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born 
April  17,  1834,  and  married  to  Joseph  Mace  in 
1850.  Her  parents  were  Yearsley  and  Elizabeth 
(Valentine)  Thornbury,  also  natives  of  the  Key- 
stone State,  and  of  English  ancestry.  Mrs.  Thorn- 
bury  is  still  living,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  -six  years;  her  husband  died  in  1886. 
Their  six  children  were  Thom'as,  John,  Mary  E., 
Phebe,  Pascal  and  Clara.  Joseph  and  Mary  E. 
Mace  became  the  parents  of  Benjamin  P.,  Marshall 
T.,  John  A.,  Sarah  Ella  B.  (deceased),  Mary  P., 
Joseph  C.,  Paul  V.,  Lizzie  I.,  Hanson  T.,  Clarence 
(deceased)  and  Nimrod. 

John  A.  Mace  commenced  business  for  himself  as 


r 


t 


h  t   540 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


clerk  in  ft  drug-store.  He  soon  afterward  took  up 
the  study  of  pharmacy,  and  was  employed  three 
years  in  the  drug-store  of  E.  H.  Shores,  Saybrook, 
111.,  during  which  time  he  gained  an  excellent  in- 
sight into  the  business,  and  was  registered  as  a  com- 
petent pharmacist.  He  was  afterward  connected 
with  the  drug  establishment  of  Creed  McDaniel,  of 
Saybrook,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1882.  His 
attention  in  the  meantime  had  been  directed  to 
journalistic  matters,  and  he  decided  to  change  his 
occupation  to  one  which  he  felt  was  more  suited  to 
his  taste.  He  accordingly  purchased  the  Saybrook 
Herald,  afterward  changing  it  to  its  present  title. 
He  is  a  clear  and  forcible  writer,  and  has  evinced 
rare  business  talent  in  the  management  of  the  Ga- 
zette, which  has  now  become  one  of  the  leading  pa- 
pers of  the  county.  He  is  of  that  happy  turn  by 
which  he  can  adapt  himself  to  almost  all  circum- 
stances, and  has  been  successful  in  his  various  under- 
takings, being  possessed  of  unusual  energy  and  the 
resolution  which  admits  of  no  such  word  as  "fail." 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married. to  Miss 
Mattie  S.  Crigler,  Feb.  20,  1884,  and  to  them  has 
been  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Ruth  E.,  the  date 
of  her  birth  being  Oct.  15,  1886.  Mr.  Mace  is 
what  is  called  a  genuine  mossback  Democrat,  and 
for  faithful  service  to  the  party  was  appointed 
Postmaster  at  Saybrook,  111.,  Aug.  11,  1885,  which 
position  he  still  holds,  and  is  proving  himself  a 
capable  and  efficient  public  servant. 


'/RANK  HENDER,  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the 


finest  farms  in  Belleflower  Township,  is  lo- 
cated on  sections  8  and  9,  where  he  has 
made  his  home  since  1871.  He  has  a  handsome 
and  substantial  residence,  a  good  barn  and  all  other 
necessary  out-buildings,  and  a  good  supply  of  fruit 
trees.  Around  the  dwelling  are  planted  handsome 
shade  and  ornamental  trees,  and  the  homestead  in 
all  respects  presents  one  of  the  most  attractive 
spots  in  the  landscape  of  this  section.  Mr.  Hender 
is  very  actively  engaged  in  stock-raising,  and  at 
present  has  eighty  head  of  cattle,  100  head  of  Cots- 
wold  and  Southdown  sheep,  besides  about  fourteen 
head  of  horses.  Owing  to  cholera  his  hog  crop  is 


rather  light  at  present,  he  having  only  about  twenty 
head. 

Mr.  Hender  is  an  Englishman  by  birth,  and 
possesses  in  a  marked  degree  the  reliable  and  sub- 
stantial elements  of  his  countrymen.  Misbirth  oc- 
curred in  Hull,  Yorkshire,  Feb.  13,  1831.  His  par- 
ents were  Matthew  and  Eleanor  (Holingsworth) 
Hender.  The  father  of  our  subject  followed  the 
sea  for  many  years  on  a  merchant  vessel,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  about  1854.  Coming  to  the 
vicinity  of  Quincy,  111.,  lie  purchased  a  small  farm, 
which  he  occupied  until  1859,  when  he  started  over- 
laud  for  Pike's  Peak,  Col.,  accompanied  by  his  son, 
Thomas.  There  they  purchased  claims  and  dug  for 
gold,  and  the  father  remained  there  the  greater  part 
of  the  time  for  three  years  following,  in  the  mean- 
time, however,  visiting  his  family  two  or  three 
times.  He  returned  to  this  State  during  the  war, 
and  removing  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  lived  there  for 
a  time,  and  thence  removed  to  De  Witt,  Clinton 
County,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life. 
His  widow  now  lives  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Fred 
P.  Kittenring,  at  De  Witt,  Clinton  County. 

The  parental  household  included  nine  children, 
of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows :  James,  the  eldest, 
is  a  resident  of  Washington  Territory ;  Frank,  our 
subject,  is  the  second  son;  Mary,  Mrs.  Dixon,  lives 
in  Washington  Territory,  and  Walter  in  Davenport, 
Iowa;  Thomas,  when  last  heard  from,  was  in  one  of 
the  Territories;  Matthew  during  the  late  war  served 
in  the  8th  Iowa  Infantry  and  was  wounded  and 
taken  prisoner  at  Shiloh;  he  died  at  his  home  in 
Davenport  about  1878;  Henry,  now  of  Washington 
Territory,  also  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  7th  Mis- 
souri Cavalry;  Holingsworth,  also  in  Washington 
Territory,  served  in  the  28th  Illinois  Infantry ; 
Eleanor,  Mrs.  Kittenring,  lives  in  De  Witt.  Iowa. 

Our  subject  commenced  the  life  of  a  sailor  on  a 
coaster  with  his  father  when  young,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  sixteen  years  old.  He  was  then  placed  in 
charge  of  five  small  vessels  called  "lighters"  and 
which  were  used  in  removing  the  cargos  from  large 
ships  to  the  land,  via  the  rivers.  He  was  thus  em- 
ployed till  1849, and  in  December  of  that  year  set  sail 
from  Liverpool  for  the  United  States,  landing  in  Ne'w 
York  City  after  a  voyage  of  forty-nine  days.  His 
first  business  there  was  in  assisting  to  dig  a  canal  at 


*-*-«. 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


541 


Bordentown,  N.  J.  Thence  he  soon  afterward 
went  to  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  and  was  employed  in  a 
warehouse,  of  which  he  had  charge  for  one  year, 
and  then  started  for  the  Southwest.  Arriving  at 
St.  Louis,  he  engaged  on  the  steamer  "Arizona," 
which  plied  between  St.  Louis  and  Memphis.  After 
making  four  trips,  winter  coming  on  the  steamer  be- 
came ice-bound  in  the  river,  and  he  with  others 
went  on  shore  and  chartered  an  ox-team  to  take 
them  to  St.  Louis.  This  mode  of  locomotion  being 
too  slow,  they  abandoned  the  team  and  pushed 
ahead  on  foot.  There  were  no  houses  on  the  road, 
and  one  night  they  were  obliged  to  lay  out  on  the 
ground  and  this  in  mid-winter.  The  second  night 
they  arrived  at  the  route  of  the  Iron  Mountain 
Railroad  then  in  process  of  construction,  and  there 
our  subject  engaged  to  superintend  the  cooking  for 
300  men.  He  was  thus  employed  for  six  months, 
and  then  returning  North  to  Quincy,  111.,  engaged 
with  Samuel  Holmes,  who  was  a  contractor,  and  with 
whom  he  remained  three  years. 

Mr.  Henden  then  engaged  with  Comstock  Bros., 
stove  manufacturers,  two  years,  after  which  his  em- 
ployers sent  him  to  Galesburg  in  charge  of  a  stock 
of  stoves  and  tinware,  and  he  there  opened  a  store, 
which  he  managed  for  the  firm  until  they  sold  out. 
He  then  engaged  with  another  firm,  with  whom  he 
continued  six  years  and  after  this,  in  company  with 
two  partners,  carried  on  the  same  business  four 
years,  the  firm  name  being  Hender,  Zigler  &  An- 
drews. At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  disposed 
of  his  interest  in  the  business  to  his  partners  and 
erected  a  building  in  connection  with  the  Union 
Hotel,  where  he  established  in  business  alone.  This 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1871,  and  he  then 
concluded  to  try  farming.  Coming  to  McLean 
County  he  purchased  140  acres,  to  which  he  has 
added  until  he  now  has  300  acres,  which  constitutes 
his  present  homestead,  and  upon  which  he  has  made 
great  improvements  since  taking  possession.  The 
history  of  our  subject  thus  briefly  told,  indicates 
him  as  a  man  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  abil- 
ity, with  a  remarkable  faculty  of  adapting  himself 
to  circumstances.  He  has  been  uniformly  prosper- 
ous in  his  business  transactions,  as  the  fine  proper- 
ty which  he  now  owns  amply  testifies. 
'  '  Mr.  Hender  was  married,  April  12,  1858,  to  Miss 


Lucretia  McCrary.  Mrs.  H.  was  born  in  Alabama, 
her  father,  Joseph  McCrary,  being  a  native  of  South 
Carolina  and  of  Scotch  descent.  He  removed  to 
Alabama  when  young,  where  he  was  married  and 
lived  until  1843.  He  then  removed  to  this  State 
and  settled  in  Jefferson  County,  where  he  lived  two 
years,  whence  he  removed  to  Peoria  County  and 
from  there  to  Galesburg,  where  he  spent  the  last 
years  of  his  life.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  H., 
also  died  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  five  chil- 
dren— Frank,  Albert  M.,  Lulu,  Mary  and  Gertrude. 
The  parents  and  three  of  the  children  are  members 
of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

The  mother  of  Mrs.  Hender,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Elizabeth  Carter,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  married  first  in  her  native  State  to 
Mr.  Philgo,  and  went  with  him  to  Alabama,  where 
he  died  about  six  months  later.  She  departed  this 
life  at  Galesburg  in  1884. 


R.  JAMES  F.  MYERS,  a  prominent  drug- 
gist and  practicing  physician  of  Saybrook> 
is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Licking  Coun- 
ty, Dec.  29,  1856.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry 
A.  and  Lovina  (Schechter)  Myers,  both  natives  of 
the  Buckeye  State.  Henry  Myers  in  his  prime  fol- 
lowed farming  pursuits,  and  at  one  time  officiated 
as  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
He  is  now  retired  from  active  labor,  and  pleasantly 
located  on  a  farm  in  Randolph  Township.  The 
wife  and  mother  still  survives,  and  continues  to  be 
the  faithful  companion  and  sympathizer  of  her  hus- 
band. She  shared  with  him  his  earlier  toils,  and  is 
now  enjoying  with  him  a  deserved  rest.  Their  ten 
children  are  recorded  as  follows:  Theodosia  A.  be- 
came the  wife  of  George  W.  Downs,  and  lives  in 
Downs  Township;  Henry  S.  went  to  Washington 
Territory  in  1 883,  and  is  now  Street  Commissioner 
of  Spokane  Falls ;  Margaret  C.  is  at  home  and  sin- 
gle; James  F.,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  fourth  child; 
William  A.  is  deceased ;  Rose  L.,  Mrs.  Kershaw,  is  a 
resident  of  Empire  Township ;  Otta  died  in  infancy ; 
Anna  J.,  Mrs.  Fisher,  resides  in  Fail-mount,  III.; 
Stanley,  the  youngest,  is  still  with  his  parents. 

Young  Myers  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  when  quite  young  evinced  a 


f 


.  .  542 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


decided  taste  for  music.  When  eighteen  years  old 
he  gave  close  study  to  this  art,  which  he  taught  at 
intervals  for  four  years  afterward,  meantime  attend- 
ing Westfield  College,  and  the  Evergreen  City 
Commercial  College  of  Bloomington.  After  leav- 
ing this  institution  he  began  the  study  of  medicine 
with  l)rs.  Hill  &  Barnes,  of  Bloomington,  the  two 
most  noted  physicians  of  the  country,  where  he 
studied  three  years,  and  in  the  meantime  taking 
lectures  in  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago.  He 
graduated  from  the  latter  institution  in  Februaiy, 
1883,  and  immediately  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Farmer  City,  De  Witt  Co., 
111.  The  third  year  he  took  in  a  partner,  with 
whom  he  operated  one  year,  then  disposed  of  his 
practice  to  his  partner  and  removed  to  Saybrook, 
which  has  since  been  his  home.  Here  he  has  one 
of  the  finest  drug-stores  in  the  county,  and  numbers 
among  his  friends  and  patrons  its  most  wealthy  and 
intelligent  people. 

Dr.  Myers  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Sarah  J.  Johnson,  March  15,  1882.  Mrs.  M.  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  the  daughter  of  J.  C.  and 
Elizabeth  (Hargitt)  Johnson,  and  was  born  Nov. 
11,1 800.  Her  father,  who  is  now  a  resident  of 
Hey  worth,  was  born  in  1822,  and  the  mother, 
March  3,  1827.  They  were  married  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  1858.  Their  eleven  children  are  recorded 
as  follows :  Malinda  is  now  Mrs.  G.  A.  Nickerson ; 
Thomas  A.  is  the  eldest  son;  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Pass- 
waters,  lives  in  Kansas;  George  S.,  Richard  M., 
William  R. ;  Sarah  J.,  wife  of  our  subject;  Charles 
W.,  Alfred  E.  and  Albert  W.  (twins),  and  James 
A.  complete  the  list.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Myers 
crossed  the  plains  several  times  to  California,  and 
was  richly  rewarded  for  his  labors  in  the  mines.  He 
has  been  a  great  traveler,  and  there  are  few  States 
in  the  Union  which  he  has  not  visited.  He  has  the 
faculty  of  observing  the  peculiarities  of  people  and 
sections,  and  in  this  manner  is  possessed  of  a  valua- 
ble fund  of  general  information.  His  father  before 
him  was  an  astronomer,  and  his  grandfather  a 
highly  educated  gentleman. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Myers  have  two  children:  Dacie 
L.,  born  Dec.  27,  1882,  and  Nettie  E.,  s'ept. 
14,  1885.  The  family  residence  of  our  subject  is 
pleasantly  located,  and  is  a  home  where  refinement 


and  cultivated  tastes  are  apparent  in  all  its  appoint- 
ments. The  Doctor  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
as  a  citizen,  neighbor  and  friend  is  highly  es- 
teemed among  his  townsmen. 

In  addition  to  his  regular  college  course  Dr. 
Myers  has  taken  great  pains  to  instruct  himself  in 
the  intricacies  of  his  profession  by  employing  pri- 
vate tutors.  He  has  received  certificates  from  the 
Central  Free  Dispensary  of  West  Chicago,  Illinois 
Charitable  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  and  for  a  special 
course  in  each  of  the  following:  Surgical  Anatomy, 
Clinic  Diagnosis,  Diseases  of  Women,  Venereal  and 
Skin  Diseases,  Diseases  of  Throat  and  Chest.  The 
same  are  framed  and  adorn  the  walls  of  his  office. 
His  hospital  practice  and  instruction  have  tended 
to  make  his  medical  education  and  proficiency  much 
above  the  average. 


JONATHAN  J.  LANTZ,  a  native  of  the 
Buckeye  State,  but  now  a  resident  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  is  carrying  on  farming  oper- 
ations  in  Danvers  Township,  on  section  3, 
where  he  has  uniformly  met  with  success.  His 
birth-place  was  Knox  County,  Ohio,  and  the  date 
thereof  1839.  His  parents,  Jonathan  and  Nancy 
Lantz,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  Jona- 
than Lantz,  Sr.,  was  born,  in  1804,  and  his  wife, 
Nancy,  four  years  later.  They  were  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits,  to  which  he  had  been  reared  from 
early  childhood.  He  left  his  native  State  with  his 
parents  when  about  three  years  of  age,  and  they  lo- 
cated in  Knox  County,  Ohio.  There,  after  attain- 
ing his  majority,  the  father  of  our  subject  pur- 
chased seventy  acres  of  land  and  was  soon  afterward 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Anna  Yoder,  the 
wedding  taking  place  in  Knox  County,  in  1827. 
Five  years  later  they  removed  westward  to  Illi- 
nois, and  located  in  White  Oak  Township,  McLean 
Count}-.  Here  Mrs.  Anna  Lantz  departed  this  life 
in  1847,  and  the  father  of  our  subject  made  his 
home  with  his  children  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Aug.  13,  1885.  The  parental  household 
consisted  of  the  following  children:  Gideon  mar- 
ried Miss  Catherine  Yoder  and  lives  in  Oregon; 
Benjamin  died  in  infancy;  Jonathan  of  our  sketch 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


545 


was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  ;  Jacob  married  Miss 
Rebecca  Yoder;  Lydia  became  the  wife  of  Jacob 
/ook;  Jeptha  married  Miss  Mary  Yoder;  John  died 
in  the  ninth  year  of  his  age. 

Jonathan  J.  Lantz,  Jr.,  remained  with  his  parents 
until  the  death  of  his  mother,  when  he  became  em- 
ploj'ed  on  a  farm  and  thus  continued  until  his  mar- 
riage. This  event  occurred  Nov.  9,  1862,  the  lady 
of  his  choice  being  Miss  Elizabeth  Ehrisman.  He 
then  purchased  128  acres  of  land  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship, on  section  4,  which  remained  their  home  for  a 
period  of  seventeen  years.  Mr.  L.  then  sold  out 
and  purchased  160  acres  upon  which  he  has  erected 
a  fine  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings. He  owns  a  half  interest  in  a  large  saw- 
mill, the  proceeds  of  which  yield  him  a  handsome 
income.  He  has  been  prominent  in  public  matters 
since  coming  to  this  vicinity  and  has  taken  a  gen- 
uine interest  in  the  growth  and  advancement  of  his 
township.  He  held  the  office  of  Road  Commissioner 
for  nine  years  and  is  holding  his  third  term  as 
Township  Assessor.  He  is  Republican  in  politics, 
and  with  his  wife,  a  worthy  member  of  the  Menno- 
nite  Church. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Lantz  were  Daniel  and 
Catherine  Ehrisman,  natives  of  Germany,  where 
they  were  married  in  1841.  Eleven  years  later 
they  sailed  for  the  United  States  and  New  York 
City,  whence  they  immediately  proceeded  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  Tazewell  County,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  Mr.  E.  dying  in 
1870,  and  his  wife  in  1872. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lantz  became  the  parents  of  one 
child  only,  a  son,  Christian,  who  was  born  Jan.  5, 
1864. 


GEORGE  BOHRER,  a   prominent  farmer  of 
McLean  County,  owns  and  occupies  a  com- 
fortable  homestead    on   section   10,  which 
comprises  165  acres,  an  attractive  farm  residence, 
a  good  barn  and  out-buildings,  and  all  the  appliances 
of  a  first-class  agriculturist. 

Mr.  Bohrer  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean 
County  since  he  was  a  child  of  eighteen  months 
old,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  from  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  on  the  26th  of 


December,  1854.  His  father  was  Frederick  C.  and 
his  mother,  Maria  (Ziegler)  Bohrer,  and  after  com- 
ing to  Illinois  they  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Normal 
Township,  this  county,  where  our  subject  was 
reared  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  un- 
til his  marriage,  which  took  place  on  the  26th  day 
of  December,  1878,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being 
Miss  Anna  E.  Bittner,  a  native  of  Builer  Count}', 
Ohio.  She  was  born  June  30,  1856,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Conrad  and  Catharine  (Lanz)  Bittner. 
They  removed  from  Ohio  to  McLean  County  when 
the  wife  of  our  subject  was  an  infant  ten  weeks  old. 
After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  settled  upon 
the  farm  which  constitutes  their  present  homestead. 
They  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children — 
Anna,  Hattie  and  Edwin.  Mr.  Bohrer  devotes 
much  of  his  time  to  stock-raising,  and  his  pens  and 
stables  are  supplied  with  some  of  the  finest  speci- 
mens of  farm  stock  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He 
has  in  all  respects  distinguished  himself  as  a  useful 
citizen,  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  lived  a 
quiet  and  unostentatious  life,  doing  good  as  he  had 
opportunity,  training  his  children  in  those  princi- 
ples which, will  constitute  them  an  honor  to  their* 
parents  and  to  society. 


OBERT  COLLINS,  one  of  the  honored 
pioneers  of  Downs  Township,  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Le  Roy,  where  he  lives  retired  from 
active  labor,  and  is  enjoying  the  comforts 
obtained  by  early  industry  and  economy.  He  has 
watched  with  deep  interest  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  his  adopted  county,  and  has  contributed 
his  full  share  toward  its  prosperity.  Mr.  Collins  is 
a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  having  been  born  in 
White  Water  Township,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan. 
25,  1819.  His  father,  Robert  Collins,  settled  in 
Hamilton  County  at  an  early  period  in  the  history 
of  that  section,  upon  a  tract  of  timber  land,  where 
he  cleared  a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable 
home,  which  he  occupied  with  his  family  until  his 
decease,  in  1826. 

After  the  death  of   the   father,  our  subject   was 
bound   out  to  a  shoemaker  in  Harrison  Township, 


»»•    •    "4* 


MoLEAK  COUNTY. 


with  whom  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  four 
years.  Then,  on  account  of  the  death  of  the  wife 
of  his  employer,  young  Collins  went  to  live  with  a 
brother  of  the  same  man,  who  was  a  farmer,  and  in 
company  with  him  and  his  family  came  to  Illinois. 
The  journey  was  made  overland,  and  after  sixteen 
days'  travel  they  arrived  in  this  county  on  the  16th 
day  of  October.  1836.  Our  subject  lived  with  his 
employer,  Atnos  A.  Miller,  one  year  after  their 
settlement  in  Randolph  Township,  and  the  two 
years  following  with  John  Mayberry.  He  then  en- 
gaged with  a  carpenter  in  Empire  Township,  with 
whom  he  worked  one  year,  and  then  purchased  a 
claim  of  forty  acres  on  section  25  of  what  is  now 
Downs  Township.  Upon  this  there  was  a  log  cabin, 
in  which  our  subject,  who  had  already  taken  unto 
himself  a  wife,  removed  and  they  commenced 
housekeeping.  He  had  no  money  with  which  to 
enter  the  land  at  this  time  and  was  obliged  to  earn 
it,  and  worked  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do. 
He  used  to  take  jobs  of  splitting  rails,  and  in  due 
time  by  close  economy  had  earned  enough  to  pay 
for  the  land.  Mrs.  Collins  had  a  spinning-wheel 
and  loom,  and  manufactured  the  cloth,  then  made 
•  the  clothing  for  her  family.  For  a  number  of 
years  they  kept  sheep  which  provided  them  with 
yarn  for  stockings,  and  they  raised  flax,  and  in  this 
manner  kept  the  household  supplied  with  linen. 
Mrs.  C.  also  did  considerable  weaving  for  her 
neighbors,  and  thus  earned  much  of  the  money  which 
served  to  support  the  family,  while  her  husband 
applied  his  toward  the  payment  of  their  land.  For 
a  number  of  years  the  nearest  market  was  Peoria, 
sixty  miles  away,  it  requiring  four  days  to  make 
the  trip,  and  they  carried  their  provisions  along  and 
cooked  and  camped  by  the  wayside.  Wheat  sold  at 
different  prices,  sometimes  as  low  as  35  cents  per 
bushel,  and  for  corn  at  times  they  would  only  re- 
ceive 15  cents  per  bushel.  Mr.  Collins  with  his 
family  remained  upon  their  first  purchase  for  a 
period  of  nearly  forty-six  years,  or  until  February, 
1886.  He  had  been  prospered  in  his  farming  and 
business  transactions,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  224 
acres,  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  fur- 
nished with  a  shapely  and  substantial  set  of  frame 
buildings.  Mr.  Collins,  in  1884,  purchased  the 
residence  he  now  owns  and  occupies  in  Le  Roy. 


In  connection  with  it  there  are  six  lots,  this  being 
in  block  137,  and  he  also  has  six  lots  in  block  135. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  June  25, 
1840.  Mrs.  C.  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Mir- 
anda Buckles,  and  she  was  born  Aug,  25,  1825, 
in  White  Connty,  111.  Her  father,  Abraham  Buckles, 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  her  grandfather, 
John  Buckles,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean 
County  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Em- 
pire Township,  where  also  his  son,  Abraham  Buckles, 
the  father  of  Mrs.  C.,  died.  His  wife,  formerly 
Miss  Mary  Williams,  departed  this  life  in  Empire 
Township. 

The  household  circle  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  was 
completed  by  the  birth  of  seventeen  children,  as 
-follows :  John  A.  is  a  resident  of  Empire  Town- 
ship ;  Andrew  J.  lives  in  Monroe  County,  Mo. ; 
Sarah  E.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Phillips,  is  a  resident 
of  Jefferson  County,  Mo. ;  Miranda  P.,  Mrs.  George 
W.  Johnson,  lives  in  Downs  Township;  Mahala 
L.  married  George  Mayberry,  and  they  live  in 
Gage  County,  Neb. ;  Clarissa  Bell  became  the  wife 
of  John  Vanhohenstien,  and  is  a  resident  of  Paxton, 
Ford  Co.,  Ill;  Barbara  F.,  Mrs.  Alvin  Carr,  lives 
in  Downs  Township,  this  county ;  Rosetta  lives  at 
home  with  her  parents;  Mary  A.,  the  third  child, 
was  born  Jan.  29,  1848,  and  died  April  20,  1879; 
TabithaJ.,  born  March  31,  1849,  died  July  20, 
1880;  Americus  E.,  born  May  31,  1850,  died  in 
March,  1 882 ;  William  R.,  born  March  26, 1 855,  died 
March  25,  1864;  Alfaretta,  born  Feb.  26,  1857, 
died  Jan.  20,  1880;  Ira,  born  Nov.  3,  1860,  died 
March  24,  1862;  George  E.,  born  Oct.  12,  1862, 
died  Aug.  16,  1863;  two  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  and  all  but  two  children,  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  which 
our  subject  joined  in  1838,  and  his  wife  in  1841. 
Mr.  Collins  has  been  Steward  and  Class-Leader 
thirty-eight  years,  and  has  contributed  liberally  and 
cheerefully  to  the  support  of  the  church  at  this 
place.  The  church  edifice,  called  Pleasant  Hill 
Chapel,  was  built  on  his  farm  in  Downs  Township 
in  1865;  services  were  held  in  his  own  house  prior 
to  the  building  of  the  church. 

For  many  years  Mrs.  Collins  cooked  by  a  fire- 
place and  her  wash-tub  was  a  trough  dug  out  of  a 
log  by  Mr.  Collins;  he  also  made  the  wash-board. 


|H 

I 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


547 


The  farm  implements  were  the  old-fashioned  wooden 
mold  board  plow,  and  the  harrow  was  likewise 
homemade.  Wolves  and  deer  came  near  enough 
to  be  distinctly  seen  by  the  inmates  of  the  cabin. 
The  family,  in  common  with  their  brother  pioneers, 
distinctly  remember  the  winter  of  1836,  which  was 
unusually  severe  and  opened  with  a  violent  change 
of  weather.  Mr.  C.  had  just  returned  from  a  rabbit 
hunt  at  the  time.  Ice  covered  the  ground  so  that  his 
horses  refused  to  travel,  and  for  days  he  was  obliged 
to  carry  corn  three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  feed  his 
stock.  He  then  thought  that  as  soon  as  he  could 
travel  he  would  leave  the  country  never  to  return, 
but  circumstances  would  not  permit  of  this,  and  he 
does  not  now  regret  that  he  was  compelled  to  stay. 

To  such  men  as  Robert  Collins  is  McLean  Coun- 
ty indebted  for  the  present  proud  position  which 
she  holds  in  the  Prairie  State.  The  energy  and 
perseverance  of  the  old  pioneers  can  scarcely  be 
realized  by  the  people  of  the  present  day  who  are 
surrounded  by  all  the  conveniences  and  comforts 
of  modern  life.  Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given 
to  those  old  heroes,  who,  with  their  lives  in  their 
hands,  as  it  were,  made  a  pathway  through  the 
forests  and  prepared  the  prairies  for  a  prosperous 
civilization.  Mr.  Collins  cast  his  first  presidential 
vote  for  Van  Buren  in  1840  and  since  that  has  been 
a  full-ttedged  Democrat. 

As  an  honored  pioneer  of  McLean  County,  and 
an  esteemed  and  worthy  citizen  of  Le  Roy,  the 
publishers  are  pleased  to  present  the  portrait  of  Mr. 
Collins  in  this  connection.  That  of  his  wife  is  also 
given  as  a  fitting  accompanying  picture. 


rl 


J-  OHN    NICKERSON,    who  first   opened  his 
eyes  to  the  light  on  a  farm  south  of  the  city 
limits  of  Bloomington,  111.,  on  the   1 6th  of 
March,  1839,  is  now  a  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of   Martin  Town- 
ship.    He  is  the  son  of  Albert  R.  and  Ellen  (Cook) 
Nickerson,   natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and 
Ohio.     The  former  removed  from  his  native  State 
with  his  parents  to  this  county  in   1834.     The  fa- 
ther of  Mrs.  Nickerson  died  in  Ohio  when  she  was 
a  young  child,  and  she  came  to  this  county   with 


her  mother.  After  their  marriage,  Albert  Nicker- 
son and  his  young  wife  first  located  in  Missouri, 
where  they  lived  five  years  and  then  returned  to 
McLean  County,  where  Mr.  Nickerson  engaged  in 
farming,  in  Randolph  Township,  and  where  he  de- 
parted this  life  in  November,  1886,  in  the  seventy- 
sixth  year  of  his  age.  The' wife  and  mother  is  still 
living,  is  a  resident  of  Heyworth,  and  has  now  ar- 
rived at  a  good  old  age.  The  parental  household 
included  ten  children,  seven  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, six  now  living.  Of  these,  our  subject,  John, 
was  the  eldest. 

John  Nickerson  passed  his  boyhood  days  on  the 
farm,  and  began  his  education  in  a  log  school-house 
in  Randolph  Township.  He  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  reaching  his  majority,  and  was  not 
quite  twenty-one  years  old  when  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Willis  Willhoite,  of 
this  county.  After  their  marriage  the  young  peo- 
ple remained  on  the  old  homestead  for  a  short  time, 
then  removed  to  their  present  farm  on  section  28, 
Martin  Township.  This  embraces  a  fine  body  of 
land  240  acres  in  extent,  all  improved  and  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation.  In  addition  to  the 
homestead,  he  has  an  interest  in  another  tract  of 
land  embracing  1,340  acres.  The  farm  is  well  sup- 
plied with  the  best  grades  of  domestic  animals,  but 
Mr.  Nickerson  has  made  a  specialty  of  the  Poland- 
China  hog,  and  has  been  remarkably  successful  in 
this  branch  of  business,  which  has  yielded  him  a 
fine  income  from  the  start.  He  put  up  his  hand- 
some and  convenient  dwelling  in  1885,  in  the  rear 
of  which  is  a  fine  barn  and  all  other  necessary  out- 
buildings. The  homestead  in  all  its  appointments 
forms  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the  land- 
scape of  this  section,  and  is  observed  with  admira- 
tion by  the  passing  traveler,  the  fine  grove  adja- 
cent to  the  residence  adding  greatly  to  its  other 
attractions. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nickerson,  six  in 
number,  are  as  follows:  Mary  C.,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Milton  Sharpless,  and  has  four  children; 
Luella,  the  wife  of  John  Arnold,  of  Fairbury,  111. ; 
Ida,  at  home;  William  II.,  James  II.  and  Georgia 
E.  The  parents  and  all  the  children  are  connected 
with  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  they  are  regu- 
lar attendants,  and  to  the  support  of  which  Mr. 


548 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


Nickerson  contributes  liberally  and  cheerfully. 
Politically  our  subject  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  has  a  genuine  admiration 
for  President  Cleveland,  and  the  manner  in  which 
he  is  conducting  National  affairs. 


ISAAC  B.  JACKSON,  a  representative  citizen 
of  Padua  Township,  and  a  valued  member  of 
the  community,  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 
28,  where  he  has  resided  for  over  thirty-five  years. 
His  farm  comprises  128  acres  of  valuable  land, 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  supplied 
with  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings.  Mr.  Jackson 
is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion,  born  in  Fauquier 
County  in  1824.  His  father,  William,  was  a  native 
of  the  same  State,  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  descended  from 
Welsh  ancestry,  and  met  and  married  a  Virginia 
lady,  Miss  P^lizabeth  Bishop.  They  settled  inLou- 
doun  County,  Va.,  for  a  few  years,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  Fauquier  County,  where  our  subject  was 
born  and  reared,  being  the  ninth  of  eleven  chil- 
dren which  completed  the  household  circle.  Of 
these,  five  are  sons.  Six  of  the  children  are  living, 
one  in  Missouri  and  five  in  Illinois.  The  latter  are 
all  residents  of  McLean  County. 

Isaac  B.  Jackson  was  seven  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  where  they  settled  in 
Warren  County.  In  1841  they  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Empire  Township,  this  county,  which 
remained  the  home  of  the  parents  the  remainder  of 
their  days.  The  mother  departed  this  life  in  1847, 
and  the  father  two  years  later,  in  1849,  both  being 
quite  aged.  Our  subject  remained  under  the  par- 
ental roof  until  he  reached  his  majority,  and  as- 
sisted his  father  in  the  duties  around  the  home- 
stead. On  the  12th  of  November,  1846,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Mrs.  Elizabeth  C.  (Bran- 
naman)  Dawson,  who  was  born  in  Augusta  County, 
Va.,  March  2,  1823.  She  was  the  second  daughter 
of  David  and  Mary  (Haldiman)  Brannaman,  also 
natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  descent.  They 
came  North  in  1837,  and  the  father  purchased  240 
acres  of  land  in  Padua  Township,  this  county, 
which  was  then  mostly  in  timber.  There  both  par- 


ents  died,  the  father  in'  1846,  and  the  mother  twen- 
ty-four years  later,  in  1870,  the  latter  having  ar- 
rived at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years. 

Mrs.  Jackson  remained  with  her  parents  until 
her  first  marriage,  of  which  there  was  born  one 
child,  a  daughter,  Calista,  now  the  wife  of  Henry 
Grim,  who  resides  in  Gibson,  Ford  Co.,  111.  Of 
her  marriage  with  our  subject  there  were  born 
eight  children,  one  of  '  whom  died  in  1876  at  the 
age  of  twenty-four  years.  Mary  became  the  wife 
of  John  M.  Newman  and  resides  in  Padua  Town- 
ship on  a  farm  ;  I.  Newton  married  Miss  Lina 
Gates,  and  lives  in  Topeka,  Kan.  ;  Charlie  married 
Miss  Emma  Hoysradt  and  lives  in  Bloomington 
Township;  George  W.  is  at  home  with  his  parents; 
Alpheus  married  Miss  Lillie  J.  Dunlap,  and  is  farm- 
ing in  Padua  Township;  Ella  and  Lucy  are  at 
home.  Mrs.  Jackson  and  her  daughters  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Sump- 
town.  Mr.  Jackson  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and 
has  served  as  Township  Trustee  and  Assessor  for 
three  or  four  years. 


A.  TRYNER,  of  the 

Pork  Packing  Company,  is  a  representative 
citizen  of  Bloomington,  and  intimately 
identified  with  its  business  and  industrial  interests. 
The  headquarters  of  this  company  are  on  the  I.-  B. 
<fe  W.  R.  R.,  corner  of  Gridley  street,  where  they 
are  transacting  an  extensive  business  with  profit 
and  success.  Mr.  Tryner  is  also  connected  with 
the  firm  of  Tryner  &  Richardson,  cigar  manufact- 
urers, located  on  East  Front  street,  and  delights  in 
nothing  more  than  to  have  his  head  and  hands  full 
of  business.  Our  subject  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  Nov.  13,  1836,  and  is  the  son  of  George  F. 
and  Elizabeth  (Roberts)  Tryner,  natives  of  En- 
gland. George  F.  Tryner  emigrated  to  America 
in  1833,  locating  in  New  York  City,  and  was  there 
engaged  in  merchant  tailoring  for  eleven  years  fol- 
lowing. He  then  began  in  the  clothing  and  furnish- 
ing business  and  was  thus  occupied  until  1857. 
Subsequently  he  came  to  Salem,  111.,  and  after  a 
residence  there  of  twenty  years  removed  to  Bloom- 
ington and  followed  mercantile  business  until  his 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


549 


T 


death,  which  occurred  in  1879.  The  parental  fam- 
ily included  five  children,  three  now  living — George 
A.;  Alice,  Mrs.  Kawson,  of  Bloomington,  and  James, 
engaged  in  the  jewelry  trade  in  Colorado.  The 
mother  died  in  1848,  at  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  her  hus- 
band of  the  Presbyterian. 

George  A.  Tryner  graduated  at  Perth  Amboy 
Seminary  in  New  Jersey  and  commenced  book- 
keeping in  New  York  City.  He  came  with  his 
parents  in  1857.  to  Salem,  111.,  and  there  began 
farming.  -This  he  abandoned  after  three  years, 
when  he  secured  a  clerkship  in  Salem  and  was  thus 
occupied  until  his  enlistment  in  the  army,  during 
the  late  Civil  War.  He  became  a  member  of  Co. 
G,  21st  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  was  commissioned  Sergeant, 
and  after  six  months  was  on  detached  service  with 
the  Adjutant-General's  department  for  three  years 
and  two  months.  He  participated  with  his  com- 
rades in  the  battles  of  Stone  River  and  Chickamau- 
gua,  and  was  with  Sherman  in  his  march  as  far  as 
Atlanta,  at  which  time  his  term  of  service  expired. 

After  retiring  from  the  army  Mr.  Tryner  en- 
gaged in  business  one  year  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
and  in  1866  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  business.  After  six  mouths  he 
sold  out  and  came  to  Bloomington  and  was  engaged 
in  the  grocery  trade  for  a  period  of  eight  years. 
He  then  began  building  the  packing-house  in  1873, 
and  has  since  had  charge  of  the  books  and  finances. 
The  company  gives  employment  to  about  seventy- 
five  men  in  Bloomington  and  has  three  men  on 
the  road.  In  1879  Mr.  Tryner  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Richardson,  and  under  the  -firm  name 
of  Tryner  &  Richardson  they  have  transacted  a 
good  business  in  cigars  and  tobacco,  giving  em- 
ployment to  about  thirty  men. 

The  marriage  of  George  A.  Tryner  and  Miss 
Jennie  Dunham  was  celebrated  in  1864.  Mrs. 
Tryner  was  born  in  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J.,  her  par- 
ents being  Edmund  and  Clarissa  (Ross)  Dunham, 
natives  of  the  same  State.  Of  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  there  were  born  three  children,  two  only 
living — Alice  and  Ethel.  Mr.  Tryner  is  one  of  the 
energetic  and  enterprising  men  of  this  section  who 
have  so  materially  aided  in  its  growth  and  develop- 
ment. He  has  held  various  local  offices,  is  now  a 


member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  the  City 
Board  of  Education,  Director  of  the  Third  National 
Bank,  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Bloomington  Build- 
ing and  Loan  Association,  being  also  one  of  the  Di- 
rectors of  the  latter.  He  was  an  unsuccessful  can- 
didate for  Mayor  in  1868. 

Mr.  Tryner  has  been  largely  interested  in  the 
purchase  and  sale  of  Kansas  lands.  As  may  he 
supposed  he  carries  a  level  head  to  be  able  to  man- 
age successfully  his  various  interests,  and  he  is  uni- 
formly successful.  In  politics  our  subject  affili- 
ates with  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  32d  Degree 
Mason.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  G.  A.  R.  The  handsome  and  substantial 
family  residence  is  located  at  No.  504  East  Front 
street,  where  our  subject  and  his  amiable  lady  dis- 
pense a  fine  hospitality  to  hosts  of  friends. 


J^~  AMES  T.  HULL,  a  native  of  the  Old  Do- 
minion, came  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1864, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a  worthy  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State.     He  was  born  in 
Hampshire  County,  W.  Va.,  June  16,  1843,  and  is 
the  son  of  Stephen  and  Catherine  (Utta)  Hull,  both 
natives  of  Virginia.    The  father  was  a  Whig  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  farmer  b}'  occupation.     He  died  at  his 
home  in  West  Virginia  in  about  1862,  when  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.    The  mother  died  in  April,  1884, 
in  Iowa.    Their  four  children'  were  Benjamin,  John 
H.,  Ann  G.  and  James  T.     By  a  former    marriage 
Stephen  Hull   became  the   father  of  six — Elmira, 
Polly,  Eliza  J.,  Nancy,  William  and  Betsey. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  under  the 
parental  roof  and  received  a  good  common-school 
education.  During  the  late  war  he  served  as  a 
soldier  in  Co.  K,  9th  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  being  with  the 
army  ten  months.  He  gained  a  good  insight  into 
the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  but  received  no 
wounds.  After  returning  from  the  army  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  in  De  Witt  County, 
which  he  sold  in  1879  and  removed  to  this  county. 
Here  he  has  now  120  acres,  finely  cultivated,  and 
supplied  with  all  conveniences  for  the  business  to 
which  of  late  years  he  has  turned  his  attention,  the 
breeding  of  Norman  and  Clydesdale  horses.  In 


t 


550 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


this  he  has  been  very  successful,  his  stables  contain- 
ing some  of  the  finest  animals  in  this  part  of  the 
State.  He  also  owns  sixty  acres  in  De  Witt  County, 
111. 

Mr.  Hull  was  married  in  De  Witt  County,  on  the 
25th  of  January,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter 
of  Peter  J.  and  Nancy  (Clagg)  Sutton,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Kentucky  and  Ohio.  Mr.  Sutton  was 
born  Aug.  14,  1816,  and  died  in  De  Witt  County 
on  the  -23d  of  February,  1  885.  He  was  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  gentleman  universally  respected 
for  his  excellent  traits  of  character.  The  wife  and 
mother,  who  was  born  Oct.  20,  1817,  is  still  living, 
and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  She  was 
married  to  Peter  J.  Sutton  on  the  2d  of  June,  1830. 
Their  seven  children  were,  William  C.,  Mary  E., 
George  R.,  Johnson  P.,  Jonathan  J.,  Henry  C.  and 
Malinda  J.  The  eldest  brother  of  Mrs.  Hull.  Will- 
iam C.,  served  as  a  soldier  in  Co.  B,  187th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  died  in  1864,  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Her 
youngest  brother,  Henry  Clay,  died  of  typhoid 
fever,  in  1873,  when  eighteen  years  of  age. 

Of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hull,  Clara  B. 
became  the  wife  of  William  Hinthorn,  and  lives  in 
Gibson  City;  Ella  N.,  May,  William  L.  and  Charles 
H.  are  at  home  with  their  parents  ;  Bertie  died  when 
five  months  old,  and  Lulu  in  early  infancy.  Mr. 
Hull  is  Republican  in  politics  and  a  strong  temper- 
ance man.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  in 
•good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church. 


• 


OHN  B.  SAVAGE,  one  of  the  self-made 
men  of  Le  Roy,  possesses  a  remarkable  busi- 
ness talent  and  delights  in  trading  and  mer- 
chandising. He  is  active  and  energetic  and 
an  excellent  judge  of  lands,  live-stock  and  dry- 
goods.  His  talents  extend  in  all  directions  wherever 
a  trade  ma}'  be  effected.  Mr.  Savage  was  born  in 
Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  10,  1844,  being  the 
son  of  Whalen  and  Jane  (McCullom)  Savage.  The 
father  of  our  subject  died  in  Tuscarawas  County 
in  about  1850.  The  mother  then  married  John  C. 
\\V.-t,  and  now  lives  in  Taylor  County,  Iowa. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  one  of  a  family  of 
seven  children  born  to  his  parents,  six  of   whom 


t 


are  still  living.  Sarah,  Mrs.  McGee,  is  a  resident 
of  Harrison  County,  Ohio;  James,  and  Ann,  Mrs. 
West,  live  in  Taylor  County,  Iowa;  Mary,  Mrs. 
Whitmer,  lives  in  Corning,  Iowa;  John  15.,  our  sub- 
ject, was  the  sixth,  and  Jacob  lives  in  Taylor  Coun- 
ty, Iowa.  John  B.  Savage  was  but  six  years  of  age 
when  his  father  died.  In  1858  his  mother  with 
four  of  her  children  came  to  this  State  and  county 
and  settled  in  what  is  now  Downs  Township.  The 
mother  and  her  two  daughters  kept  house  for  Den- 
ton  Young,  Sr.,  on  his  farm,  and  there  our  subject 
was  also  engaged  breaking  prairie.  The  second 
marriage  of  the  mother  occurred  in  the  fall  of  that 
year,  and  John  B.  made  his  home  with  her  two  or 
three  years  afterward.  He  then  commenced  to 
work  on  a  farm  by  the  month  at  a  salary  of  $20, 
and  was  employed  by  one  man  seven  years.  After 
this  he  became  manager  of  the  farm  and  had  a 
share  of  the  produce,  and  then  married  and  located 
on  a  rented  farm,  where  he  remained  three  years, 
and  in  the  meantime  served  as  Tax  Collector  in 
Downs  Township.  In  1872  he  moved  into  West 
Township,  upon  a  farm  which  his  wife  had  inherited 
from  her  grandfather,  Henry  West.  Two  years 
later  he  went  to  Le  Roy  and  took  charge  of  a  flour- 
mill,  which  he  operated  two  years  and  then  returned 
to  his  own  farm.  He  was  then  employed  by  the 
firm  of  Barnum  it  Keenan,  to  buy  grain  at  Sabina, 
being  the  first  grain  dealer  in  that  place  and  the 
first  Postmaster  in  what  was  then  Monarch.  He 
also  served  six  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  In 
1882  he  returned  to  Le  Roy  and  purchased  a  half 
interest  in  the  dry-goods  business  of  James  Kimler, 
which  he  conducted  in  company  with  A.  Whittaker 
eight  months.  He  then  purchased  the  interest  of 
his  partner  and  after  operating  one  year  sold  out, 
and  a  few  months  later  opened  a  clothing  store. 
This  he  also  disposed  of  after  one  year,  and  engaged 
in  the  real-estate  and  loan  business.  In  the  fall  of 
1886  he  traded  a  piece  of  land  for  a  stock  of  goods, 
and  his  business  now  is  to  close  out  these  in  the 
most  profitable  manner  that  lie  can.  His  real-estate 
transactions  extend  throughout  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Missouri  and  Kansas. 

Mr.  Savage  was  married,  Oct.  1,  1868,  to  Miss 
Sarah  L.  Grumbaugh,  who  was  born  in  Empire 
Township,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Montgomery  and  < 


r 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


551 


i 


Mary  (West)  Crumbaugh.  (See  sketch  of  H.  W. 
Crumbaugh.)  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
two  children  —  Herbert  and  Annie.  During  the  late 
war  Mr.  Savage  served  with  the  three  months'  men 
in  Co.  G,  68th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  Thomas  Riddle  Post  No.  230,  at  Le 
Roy,  and  in  all  respects  is  a  representative  citizen 
who  has  attained  a  good  position  by  the  exercise 
of  his  own  talent  and  industry. 


THOMAS  J.  NORTH,  of  Cheney's  Grove 
Township,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  State 
since  the  spring  of  1  860,  when  he  came  into 
McLean  County  from  Indiana  and  was  employed 
as  a  farm  laborer  for  the  following  seven  years. 
He  saved  what  he  could  of  his  earnings,  and  in 
that  year  purchased  forty  acres  of  prairie  land 
where  he  established  a  modest,  but  comfortable 
home  for  his  little  family. 

He  was  prospered  in  his  farming  and  business 
operations,  and  after  a  few  years  doubled  his  landed 
possessions,  and  in  1883  doubled  again,  so  that  he 
now  has  1  60  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  brought  to 
a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  upon  which  he  has 
erected  a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of  farm 
buildings.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  breeding  of 
Norman  draft  horses  in  which  he  has  been  remarka- 
bly successful,  and  is  acquiring  quite  a  reputation 
in  this  department  of  agriculture.  As  a  business 
man,  citizen  and  neighbor,  he  is  universally  re- 
spected, and  his  present  condition,  surrounded  as  he 
is  by  all  the  comforts  of  life,  is  only  the  just  reward 
of  his  industry  and  integrity. 

Mr.  North  was  born  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio, 
March  28,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Hannah  (Reed)  North,  natives  respectively  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Ohio.  Jonathan  North  was  born  in  1800, 
followed  farming  in  his  native  State  during  his  early 
life,  and  afterward  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he 
departed  this  life  in  1858.  The  mother  was  born 
in  1802,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband,  near 
LaFayette,  Ind.,  in  July,  1878.  Of  their  children 
all  are  now  deceased  except  our  subject,  Salem  and 
Richard 

Mr.  Norm  of  this  sketch   was  but  six  years  of 


age  when  his  parents  removed  from  his  native  State 
to  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.  He  remained  there 
until  1860,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  assisting  his  father 
on  the  farm.  He  was  married  in  December,  1863, 
to  Miss  Priscilla  Corn  well,  who  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1 842,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Martha  (Riggs)  Cornwell.  They  were  natives,  re- 
spectively, of  Kentucky  and  Maryland.  Her  fa- 
ther, a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  November, 
1855,  and  the  mother  survived  him  more  than 
twenty  years,  dying  in  1876.  The  latter  was  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Their  ten  children  were:  Samuel,  Louisa,  John, 
James,  Elizabeth,  George,  Thomas,  Martha,  Pris- 
cilla and  Cinderella.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  North  have  had 
thirteen  children,  as  follows:  George,  born  Sept. 
7,  1863,  died  July  16,  1868;  Anna,  born  Feb.  9, 

1865,  died  Nov.  5,  1885;  James  C.,  born  Oct.  28, 

1866,  died  April  14,  1884;  Martha,  born  Feb.  17, 
1869;  Mary,  born  Feb.   26.  1870,  died   Aug.  25, 
1883;  William,   born  Nov.   17,  1871;  Fran  key  S., 
born  April  3,  1873,  died  Aug.  28, 1874;  Magdalena, 
born     Aug.     27,    1874;    Elizabeth    J.,    Jan.     16, 
1877;  Alice  L.,  Oct.   12,  1878;  Elmira,  Sept.   10, 
1880;  Elmira  had  a  twin  brother  who  lived  only 
four  days,  and  Ivo,  born  Sept.  22,  1884. 


5ILLIAM  H.  NEWTON,  of  Blue  Mound 
Township,  is  the  fourth  child  of  Henry 
and  Martha  Newton,  natives  of  Virginia. 
After  marriage  they  removed  to  Kentucky,  where 
the  mother  died.  Henry  Newton  afterward,  in 
1 844,  came  to  Illinois,  and  took  up  his  residence 
in  Dale.Township,  this  county,  where  he  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded thirteen  children.  William  Newton  was 
born  in  Henderson  County,  Ky.,  Jan.  23,  1818. 
He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  remained 
in  his  native  State  until  about  seventeen  years  old. 
He  then  started  out  for  himself,  and  coming  to 
Illinois  located  first  in  Hancock  County,  where  he 
remained  until  1844.  He  then  came  to  this  county 
and  lived  in  Dale  Township  about  four  years.  He 
afterward  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Blue 


i 


I 
i 


McLKAN  COUNTY. 


I 


Mound  Township,  located  on  section  1 1 ,  which  he 
has  improved  and  cultivated,  and  which  has  been 
his  home  since  that  time,  although  having  parted 
with  half  of  his  original  purchase.  He  has  been 
prospered  in  his  undertaking,  and  is  now  retired 
from  active  labor. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Newton  and  Miss  Martha 
Routt  took  place  in  April,  1840,  in  the  city  of  Ma- 
comb,  McDonough  Co.,  111.  Mrs.  N.  comes  of 
a  good  family,  and  is  the  sister  of  ex-Gov. 
Routt  of  Colorado.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky  in 
1822,  and  of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  have 
been  six  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  William 
R'ussell,  is  a  resident  of  Kansas;  Alice,  Mrs.  Charles 
Speers,  lives  with  her  husband  in  Blue  Mound 
Township,  this  county;  Mattie  became  the  wife  of 
James  Wilson,  of  Cooksville;  John  married  Miss 
Julia  Smith;  Thomas  married  Miss  Eliza  Smith, 
and  is  a  resident  of  Colorado;  Richard  married 
Miss  Alice  Graham,  and  lives  in  Missouri.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Newton  are  members  in  good  standing  of 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Towanda.  Mr.  N.  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  has  held  the  various  minor 
offices  of  the  township  with  credit  to  himself  and 
satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 


J~]OHN  F.  TRIMMER,  importer  and  breeder 
i    of   French   draft   horses,  has  been   a  resi. 
i    dent    of    Normal    Township    since    1886, 
when   he    purchased    his   present   property, 
erected  a  large  barn,  and  made  preparations  to  in- 
augurate the   first  stock  farm  in   this   part  of  the 
county.     To  this  he  brought  a    number    of  high- 
grade  animals,  and  entered  upon  the  business  which 
has  yielded  him  a  handsome  income,  and  in  which 
he  has  established    for  himself  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion among  the  stock-growers  of  the  Prairie  State. 
The  subject  of  this  narration  is  the  son  of  Jesse 
and  Amanda  (Gilmore)  Trimmer,  and  was  born  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  this  county.  Jan.  17,  1845. 
He  was  reared  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  received 
a  common-school  education,  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  the    breaking  out   of  the  late 
Civil  War.    He  was  rather  young  for  a  soldier  at 


its  commencement,  but  as  time  passed  on  and  re- 
cruits were  constantly  in  demand  he  enlisted  in 
February,  1804,  in  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry,  serv- 
ing until  the  close,  being  mustered  out  in  June, 
18C6.  While  in  the  service  he  was  transferred  to  the 
37th  Regiment  and  went  to  Texas  with  his  comrades 
to  guard  the  Freedman's  Bureau. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Trimmer 
pursued  his  studies  in  the  Commercial  College  at 
Bloomington  for  a  period  of  three  months,  and  then 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  in  his  native 
township.  In  1874  he  sold  out,  with  the  intention 
of  going  further  West,  but  the  grasshopper  scare 
preventing,  he  gave  up  the  idea  and  purchased 
another  farm  in  Money  Creek  Township,  which  he 
still  owns.  This  contains  465  acres,  and  besides  this 
he  has  760  acres  in  Bates  and  Henry  Counties,  Mo. 
In  1879  he  removed  to  the  latter-named  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  operating  a  portable  sawmill, 
his  business  principally  being  the  cutting  of  walnut 
timber.  He  also  carried  on  a  farm  and  engaged  in 
stock-raising;  for  two  successive  years  he  gathered 
the  corn  from  400  acres,  and  had  enough  stock  to 
consume  it.  In  1884  he  returned  to  Illinois,  and 
in  1886  purchased  the  property  in  Normal  which 
he  now  owns,  and  has  devoted  his  entire  attention 
to  his  present  business.  He  now  has  some  of  the 
finest  thoroughbred  animals  in  McLean  County, 
having  in  1884  imported  nine  head  of  horses  from 
France,  and  in  1886,  eleven  more,  among  which  are 
six  mares,  so  that  his  stables  now  contain  twelve 
head  of  full-blood  horses. 

In  1869  Mr.  Trimmer  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Priscilla  Surface,  who  was  born  in  Illi- 
nois but  at  the  date  of  her  marriage  resided  in 
Dayton,  Ohio.  They  have  become  the  parents  of 
six  children,  of  whom  one,  Pearlie  (lene,  died  in 
childhood.  Those  living  are  Artie,  Daisy,  Willie, 
Myrtle  and  an  infant  son.  They  occupy  a  pleasant 
and  attractive  residence,  and  are  surrounded  by  all 
the  comforts  of  life,  besides  enjoying  the  esteem 
and  friendship  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 
Politically  Mr.  Trimmer  indorses  the  principles  of 
the  Republican  party,  but  is  more  interested  in  his 
business  pursuits  than  in  politics. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  Jesse  and  Amanda 
(Gilmore)  Trimmer,  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  of 


RESIDENCE      OP   W.  J  .  BARNES  ,ONE  HALF  MILE  EAST  OF  M?  LEAN  ,  ILLS. 


-->.---  • 

. 
•V-. 


BUSINESS    HOU5E   OT    JAMES    DODGE  ,  COfR.BUFOKDANDLINOENsrs.NORWIAI.,  ILLS  . 


RESIDENCE     OF    B  .  A  .  5TO  0  PS  ,  SEC.  32.BLUE     MOUND   TP. 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


555 


whom  the  record  is  as  follows  :  three  —  George,  Ada 
and  Charles  —  died  in  childhood;  William  enlisted 
as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  C,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
served  until  discharged  on  account  of  physical  dis- 
ability; returning  home  he  died  soon  afterward 
from  disease  contracted  in  the  army.  Eliza  became 
the  wife  of  T.  McNaught;  John  F.  is  our  subject; 
David  F.  resides  in  Lexington  ;'  Sarah  E.  married 
J.  A.  Scott,  and  Mary  became  Mrs.  Frank  Hobart; 
Enos  R.  is  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Money  Creek  Township. 


)  CKHART  WENDEROTH,  a  representative 
farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Danvers  Town- 
ship, owns  a  tract  of  valuable  land  on  sec- 
tion 31,  which  embraces  130  acres,  with  a  fine  two- 
story  dwelling  and  all  necessary  barns  and  out- 
houses for  the  carrying  on  of  farming  and  stock- 
raising  after  the  most  approved  methods.  Our 
subject  is  a  native  of  the  German  Empire  and  was 
born  in  Hesse-Cassel,  Sept.  6,  1833.  He  is  a  son  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Wenderoth)  Wenderoth, 
natives  of  the  same  Province.  His  father  was  born 
in  1783,  and  in  1839  was  instantly  killed  by  a  run- 
away team,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children 
—  Conrad,  Henry,  Elizabeth,  Eckhart  and  Phillip. 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  are  now  deceased. 

Mr.  Wenderoth  remained  in  his  native  country 
until  after  his  marriage.  His  wife  was  Miss  Elizabeth 
Maurer,  and  their  wedding  took  place  on  the 
29th  of  January,  1809.  Mrs.  W.  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Magdalena  (Schwartzentruber) 
Maurer,  and  was  born  Feb.  29,  1834.  She  came  to 
America  with  her  parents  in  1860,  and  they  located 
in  Bloomington.  They  are  both  now  deceased,  the 
father  dying  in  June,  1863,  at  his  home,  and  the 
mother  in  November,  1884.  Their  family  included 
eight  children  —  Phoebe,  Christian,  Peter,  Elizabeth, 
Jacob,  John,  Daniel  and  Catharine. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wenderoth  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  five  children  —  Samuel  P.,  Emil  D.,  Catharine 
L.,  Matilda  P.  and  Arthur  O.  After  landing 
upon  American  shores  Mr.  Wenderoth  spent  a  short 
time  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  afterward  going  to 
Ohio,  thence  to  Indiana,  where  he  spent  one  year, 


and  finally  came  into  McLean  County,  111.  He 
commenced  life  with  nothing  to  depend  upon  but 
his  own  labor,  and  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer 
for  some  years,  in  the  meantime  saving  what  he 
could  of  his  earnings.  In  1869  he  found  himself 
possessed  of  sufficient  means  to  purchase  eighty 
acres  of  land,  to  which  he  subsequently  added  as 
time  progressed  and  his  capital  increased.  He  has 
done  a  large  amount  of  hard  work  and  has  pursued 
a  straightforward  course  through  life.  In  his  later 
years  he  is  reaping  a  liberal  reward,  and  is  highly 
respected  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

Our  subject,  since  early  childhood,  has  been 
identified  with  the  Mennonite  Church,  which  em- 
braced the  religious  faith  of  his  parents,  and  Mrs. 
W.  and  two  of  their  children.  Samuel  P.  and  Emil 
D.,  are  also  connected  with  this  denomination.  In 
politics  our  subject  affiliates  with  the  Democratic 
party,  and  takes  an  intelligent  interest  in  whatever 
is  for  the  general  good  of  his  county  and  community. 


iiHOMAS  P.  GARRETT,  one  of  the  most 
skillful  photographers  of  Bloomington,  may 
be  found  in  a  handsome  studio  at  No.  221 
North  Main  street.  He  is  a  native  of  Delaware, 
and  was  born  in  Stanton,  July  10,  1846.  His  par- 
ents, Benjamin  and  Mary  (Haines)  Garrett,  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  they  removed  to 
Delaware  in  1841,  and  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1872  they  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  where  the  fa- 
ther retired  from  business  and  departed  this  life  in 
1884.  The  mother  lives  in  Pennsylvania,  making  her 
home  with  her  sons.  Of  these  they  had  three — David 
H.,  a  banker  of  Philadelphia;  Isaac  P.,  a  farmer  of 
Delaware  County,  Pa.,  and  Thomas  P.,  our  subject. 
Benjamin  Garrett  held  the  offices  of  County  Com- 
missioner and  School  Director,  and  with  his  wife 
belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends. 

Thomas  P.  Garrett  remained  at  home  with  his 
parents  until  sixteen  years  old,  his  earlier  years  be- 
ing spent  upon  the  farm.  After  completing  his 
primary  studies  he  attended  the  Normal  School  for 
three  years  and  then  went  to  Wilmington,  Del., 
and  learned  photography.  At  the  age  of  eighteen, 


f 


.t 


I 


556 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


July  10,  1864.  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  7th  Del.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  after  a  few  months  was  transferred  to  the 
1st  Delaware  Artillery,  being  in  service  one  year 
and  with  the  Army  of  the  West  in  Louisiana  and 
Arkansas. 

After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
army  young  Garrett  went  to  Kansas  and  resumed 
his  chosen  occupation,  remaining  there  for  six  years. 
He  then  returned  East  to  Philadelphia  and  pursued 
his  calling  in  the  Quaker  City  from  1871  until  1877. 
He  then  went  to  Harrisburg,  and  eighteen  months 
later  to  Illinois,  reaching  the  Prairie  State  in  1879, 
and  locating  in  Bloomington,  where  he  has  since  re- 
mained and  successfully  pursued  the  calling  of  his 
choice. 

Mr.  (Jarrett  was  married  in  1878,  to  Miss  C.  A. 
Etherington,  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  the 
daughter  of  William  G.  Etherington,  of  Cecilton. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  two  children — Elsie 
and  Marjorie.  The  pleasant  family  residence  is  lo- 
cated at  No.  608  East  Grove  street,  and  is  the  re- 
sort of  the  cultured  people  of  the  city.  Our  sub- 
ject is  Republican  in  politics  and  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,the  Seven  Wise  Men,  the  National  Union, 
the  Red  Men,  and  Royal  Arcanum. 


iILLIAM  SCHENCK,  a  prosperous  and 
highly  respected  farmer  of  Danvers  Town- 
ship, and  who  possesses  in  all  respects  the 
reliable  and  substantial  qualities  of  his  German  an- 
cestors, is  located  on  section  27,  where  he  has  a 
comfortable  home,  a  good  farm,  and  is  living  at 
peace  with  all  his  neighbors.  Mr.  Schenck  was  born 
in  Germany,  July  20,  1842,  being  the  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Mire)  Schenck,  also  natives  of  the 
Fatherland,  the  former  born  in  1812,  and  the  latter 
in  1820.  They  were  married  in  Germany,  and  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1880,  reaching  this  country  in 
October  of  that  year.  They  came  directly  West 
to  McLean  County,  to  the  home  of  our  subject, 
who  had  preceded  them  to  the  New  World  and 
was  then  located  in  Bloomington  City.  The  par- 
rents  afterward  removed  to  the  country  upon  land 


belonging  to  William,  where  they  are  still  living, 
although  not  engaged  in  active  labor. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  included  nine 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows :  Will- 
iam of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest;  Henry  died  when 
about  six  years  old;  Anna  became  the  wife  of  John 
Maurer;  Nicholas  died  in  infancy,  and  Henry  when 
seven  years  of  age;  the  next  one,  an  infant  girl, 
died  unnamed;  John  died  when  three  years  old: 
Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  William  Bassellman; 
Henry  is  traveling  for  a  cigar  manufactory.  The 
parents  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and 
in  politics  John  Schenck  is  strongly  Republican. 

William  Schenck  resided  with  his  parents  until 
1864,  when  he  was  about  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  He  then  emigrated  to  America,  and  proceed- 
ing westward,  came  into  this  State  and  county,  and 
engaged  for  a  short  time  as  a  farm  laborer.  He 
afterward  went  to  Bloomington,  where  he  lived  for 
seven  years  and  then  purchased  his  present  fine 
farm.  This  consists  of  160  acres  upon  which  is  a 
good  set  of  frame  buildings,  and  which  is  furnished 
with  all  the  requirements  of  a  first-class  agricult- 
urist. 

Mr.  S..was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Fanny 
Maurer  in  1875.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Christian 
and  Barbara  (Masimans)  Maurer,  and  was  born  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  26, 1847.  Mrs.  Maurer's 
parents  were  natives  of  France.  They  had  seven 
children,  five  living — John,  Joseph,  Christian,  Anna 
and  Fanny,  all  born  in  Ohio. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schenck  have  two  children — Ida, 
who  was  born  Feb.  5,  1876,  and  Elmer,  June  29, 
1879.  He  has  four  step-children :  Mary,  the  wife 
of  John  Meyers;  Elizabeth,  Mrs.  John  Imhoff; 
William  and  Frank.  Mr.  Schenck  formerly  was 
connected  with  the  Mennonite  Church  but  is  not 
now  a  member  of  any  religious  organization.  Mrs. 
S.  is  a  Baptist. 

When  coming  to  this  country  our  subject  was  on 
the  water  seven  weeks  and  three  days,  during  which 
time  there  were  thirty-three  deaths  on  board  the 
ship  and  three  births.  The  supply  of  drinking 
water  gave  out  and  they  were  obliged  to  resort 
to  salt  water,  which  was  a  poor  substitute  for 
quenching  thirst.  The  year  previous  Mr.  S.  had 
broken  his  leg  by  falling  from  a  horse,  from  which 


r 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


557 


accident  he  has  never  fully  recovered.  He  learned 
bricklaying  in  the  old  country  and  followed  it  for  a 
number  of  years  there.  In  1884  Mrs.  S.  had  her 
wrist  broken  while  rolling  a  barrel,  having  slipped 
and  fallen,  in  consequence  of  which  she  was  laid  up 
for  some  time. 


J ^AMES  W.  CAMPBELL,  a  native  of  Adams 
County,  Ohio,  owns  and  occupies  a  comfort- 
able homestead  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  on 
section  2.      His  birth   occurred  on  the  15th 
— ~ 

of  May,  1829,  and  his  parents  were  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Kerr)  Campbell,  natives  respectively  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  James  Kerr  departed 
this  life  iu  Ohio,  in  July,  1839;  the  mother  sur- 
vived him  eight  years  and  also  died  in  that  State. 
The  father  of  our  subject  followed  the  joint  occu- 
pations of  miller  and  farmer,  and  was  a  good  citi- 
zen and  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
parental  family  included  nine  children,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancj' ;  the  record  is  as  follows: 
Jane,  Mrs.  P.  D.  Smith,  is  now  deceased;  Robert 
K.  married  Miss  Elizabeth  McNeill,  and  lives 
in  Livingstone  County,  111.;  Nancy  E.  married 
John  Steen,  of  Adams  County,  Ohio,  who  is  de- 
ceased ;  Sarah  A.  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Mc- 
Neil, now  deceased ;  Samuel  married  Miss  Emma 
Van  Dieman  and  lives  in  Webster  City,  Iowa; 
Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  R.  C.  Morrison; 
James,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  eighth  child ;  Mary. 
Mrs.  Canada,  is  now  deceased. 

James  W.  Campbell  and  Miss  Sarah  J.  Kirkpat- 
rick  were  married  in  Ohio  on  the  6th  of  January, 
1853.  Mrs.  Campbell  became  the  mother  of  six 
children,  and  died  Feb.  13,  1876.  Their  children 
were  Mary  E.,  Bryce  M.,  Emma  A.,  now  Mrs.  W. 
L.  McNeill,  of  Dakota;  Nancy  E.,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Ben- 
son of  this  county ;  Anna  K.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  nine  years,  in  December,  1876,  and  Ollie  A. 
The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Mrs.  Nancy 
(Forbes)  Kirkpatrick,  to  whom  he  was  married 
Nov.  25,  1877.  Mrs.  Nancy  Campbell  is  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  was  born  Feb.  29,  1832.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Jamison)  Forbes, 
who  were  natives  respectively  of  Scotland  and 


Pennsylvania.  The  mother  was  born  in  1800,  and 
departed  this  life  in  McLean  County  in  1802;  the 
father  also  died  in  this  county.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children :  Andrew,  Alex.,  Samuel, 
Boyd,  Nancy,  Bartley  J.,  Mary  J.,  Isaac  and  Isa- 
bell. 

Mr.  Campbell  came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  and  pur- 
chasing 120  acres  of  wild  land  set  to  work  at  once 
to  improve  it.  He  subsequently  added  to  his  es- 
tate and  is  now  the  possessor  of  280  acres,  finely 
cultivated,  a  handsome  and  substantial  dwelling,  a 
good  barn  and  all  the  appliances  of  a  first-class 
agriculturist.  In  1871  he  began  the  raising  of 
fine  stock,  including  horses  and  cattle.  He  has  one 
fine  blooded  Norman  horse,  five  years  old,  which 
weighs  1,760  pounds,  and  is  a  model  of  symmetry 
and  strength.  Mr.  Campbell  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  stock  operations,  and  has  obtained 
quite  a  reputation  as  a  horseman  in  this  county. 

Our  subject  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  township  since  coming  here.  He  served  as 
Supervisor  four  terms;'  has  been  Road  Commis- 
sioner for  the  last  eighteen  years,  and  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  City  Incorporation.  In  politics 
he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  having  been  connected 
with  the  party  since  its  organization,  and  religious- 
ly is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 


HINEAS  M.  STUBBLEFIELD,  a  promi- 
nent farmer,  stock-raiser,  and  breeder  of 
Norman  horses,  is  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  a 
member  of  the  family  so  widely  and  favorably 
known  throughout  this  section.  He  owns  and  oc- 
cupies a  beautiful  home  on  section  9,  the  family 
residence  being  situated  on  a  rise  of  ground  and 
commanding  an  extensive  view  of  the  surrounding 
country.  A  view  of  the  place  is  presented  on  an- 
other page  of  this  volume. 

Mr.  Stubblefield  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township,  Oct.  25,  1851,  and  is  the  third  son  of 
John  and  Elisannah  (Houser)  Stubblefield  (see 
sketch.)  He  attended  the  district  schools,  and  re- 
mained under  the  home  roof  until  twenty  years  of 


| 

1 


t 


.t 


-       558 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


age.  Then,  wishing  to  further  pursue  his  studies  he 
entered  Wesleyan  University,  and  continued  four 
years,  improving  the  opportunity  thus  offered  and 
acquiring  a  store  of  useful  knowledge.  He  then 
returned  home  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  labors 
of  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he  located 
with  his  young  wife  upon  his  present  homestead. 
This  contains  1(50  acres,  all  enclosed  and  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  The  buildings  are 
shapely  and  substantial,  and  kept  in  good  repair, 
and  everything  about  the  place  denotes  the  intelli- 
gent and  progressive  farmer. 

Mr.  Stubblefield  was  married  on  the  27th  of 
February,  1879,  to  Miss  Mattie  B.  Willerton,  who 
was  born  in  Boston,  Lincolnshire,  England,  March 
24,  1854.  Her  father,  Christopher  Willerton,  also 
a  native  of  England,  was  reared  there  to  farming 
pursuits,  where  he  was  also  married  and  lived  until 
1857.  Then,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  three 
children,  he  emigrated  to  America,  settling  first  in 
Oswego,  N.  Y.,  until  1865,  and  then  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  111.  He  now  owns  a  good  farm  in 
Danvers  Township,  and  is  still  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  His  wife,  before  her  marriage,  was 
Miss  Harriet  Bald  wick,  a  native  of  his  own  coun- 
try. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stubblefield  have  no  children. 
They  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  Politically  our  subject  is 
Republican,  and  socially  belongs  to  McLean  Lodge 
No.  469,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


&HOMAS  W.  NEAL,  of  Allin  Township,  is 
jji  occupied  in  farming  pursuits  on  section  5, 
where  he  owns  410  acres  of  land,  which  he 
has  brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Mr. 
Neal  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  in  1835,  and  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Wilson)  Neal,  natives 
respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  The 
mother  was  born  near  Nashville  in  about  1798, 
and  Thomas  Neal  in  about  1 800.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  1826,  and  located  in  Indiana  on  a  tract  of 
timber  land  consisting  of  240  acres,  which  Mr.  Neal 
cleared  and  brought  to  a  state  of  cultivation,  and 
where  he  established  a  homestead,  which  he  occu- 
pied until  1851.  He  then  sold  out  and  came  into 


Allin  Township,  this  county,  where  he  purchased  u 
half  section  of  land,  which  constituted  a  part  of 
the  homestead  upon  which  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  He  subsequently  added  to  his  first 
purchase  and  before  his  death  was  the  owner  of  400 
acres.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  de- 
parted this  life  in  1883,  and  Thomas  Neal,  in  1884. 
Their  nine  children  were  as  follows :  Mary  J.,  John 
A.,  Sarah  A.,  Elizabeth,  Malinda,  Martha  and  Su- 
san (twins);  Thomas,  and  the  youngest  child  died 
unnamed.  The  parents  were  connected  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  worthy  members  of  the 
community. 

Mr.  Neal  of  our  sketch  attended  school  during 
his  youth  and  boyhood  and  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  after  he  had 
reached  his  majority,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being 
Miss  Cynthia  A.  Brown.  After  marriage  the  young 
people  removed  to  their  farm  of  1 60  acres,  which 
constitutes  a  part  of  their  present  homestead.  To 
this  Mr.  Neal  subsequently  added  until  he  is  now 
the  possessor  of  420  acres,  all  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation. 

The  farm  residence  is  a  commodious  and  sub- 
stantial building,  and  the  barns  and  outhouses 
fulfill  the  requirements  of  a  first-class  modern  agri- 
culturist. Mr.  Neal  is  giving  much  attention  to 
the  raising  of -fine  stock,  which  includes  Durham 
cattle  and  Poland-China  hogs. 

Mr.  Neal  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his 
township  since  coming  here,  holding  the  offices  of 
Trustee  for  about  nine  years,  and  has  also  been 
Path  Master  and  School  Director.  He  is  Demo- 
cratic in  politics,  and  his  wife  is  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  children,  twelve 
in  number,  are  Emily,  who  married  William  Ayers; 
Margaret,  deceased;  an  infant  boy  who  died  un- 
named ;  Oscar ;  Ida  Belle,  who  married  David 
Holmes ;  George,  Bertie,  Anna  May,  Marj'  H.,  de  • 
ceased,  another  infant  unnamed,  Frank  and  Ada. 

Mrs.  Neal  is  the  daughter  of  Joel  and  Margaret 
(Ayers)  Brown.  Her  father,  who  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee, died  in  Tazewell  County,  111.,  in  1855,  and 
the  mother,  a  native  of  Ohio,  died  of  cholera  in 
1854.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children, 
three  sons  and  one  daughter,  the  latter, -Mrs.  Neal, 
being  eleven  years  of  age  when  she  was  made  an 


IB 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


559 


orphan.  Her  brothers  were  Richard,  Edward  and 
James.  The  parents  were  worthy  and  consistent 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
carried  out  in  their  daily  lives  the  principles  which 
they  professed. 


t 


^ILLIAM  W.  OUTLAW,  who  is  familiarly 
known  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township  as 
one  of  its  most  successful  farmers  and 
stock-raisers,  has  a  fine  estate  of  480  acres  of  land, 
located  on  section  2,  which  he  took  possession  of 
in  1869.  On  this  farm  he  has  131  head  of  thorough- 
bred cattle  with  a  magnificent  full-blooded  bull, 
and  twenty-four  valuable  horses,  the  head  of  the 
stable  being  a  full-blooded  Clyde  which,  although 
only  two  years  old,  pulls  down  the  scales  at  1,360 
pounds.  This  fine  animal,  which  is  named  Marcus, 
is  a  model  of  symmetry  and  beauty  and  the  admira- 
tion of  that  section.  In  addition  to  his  horses  and 
cattle  Mr.  O.  feeds  annually  large  numbers  of  hogs, 
having  now  about  130  head,  and  this  branch  of 
business  has  proved  especially  profitable.  He  also 
has  112  head  of  sheep,  the  male  being  the  registered 
Shropshire,  about  three  years  old.  The  farmers  of 
Illinois  have  usually  been  a  little  careful  about 
attempting  sheep-raising,  but  Mr.  Outlaw  has 
proved  that  with  a  proper  understanding  of  the 
business,  it  may  be  made  as  successful  as  any  other 
branch  of  agriculture. 

Mr.  Outlaw  was  born  in  Posey  County,  Ind., 
Feb.  27.  1850,  and  two  years  later  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Illinois.  He  is  the  son  of  George 
W.  and  Lucinda  (McReyiiolds)  Outlaw,  the  father 
a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  Ken- 
tuck}-.  George  Outlaw  was  born  in  1827,  is  still 
living,  and  resides  in  Nebraska,  being  engaged  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  farming  and  milling.  His 
wife,  who  was  born  in  1  830,  departed  this  life  at 
the  home  of  her  husband  in  1873.  The  record  of 
their  nine  children  is  as  follows:  James  and  John 
died  in  their  youth  ;  Mary  A.  became  the  wife  of 
S.  D.  Reaugh;  William  W.  of  our  sketch  is  the 
fourth  child  ;  Robert  D.  married  Miss  McReynolds 
and  located  in  Colfax,  111.  ;  Thomas  married  Miss 
Endicott  and  they  are  living  in  Stanford,  this 


county ;  Sarah  became  the  wife  of  James  McReyn- 
olds; Lovina  married  George  Pollard;  George  W. 
is  the  youngest,  and  lives  in  Nebraska. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his  _ 
parents  at  their  home  until  after  he  attained  his 
majority,  and  was  then  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Cales,  Feb.  27,  1872.  This  lady 
was  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1844,  and  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Buchanan)  Cales, 
with  whom  she  lived  until  reaching  years  of  woman- 
hood. She  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  when 
a  maiden  of  seventeen  years  old.  Her  parents  were 
natives  of  ^7il•ginia;  the  father  born  July  15,  1818, 
and  is  still  living  and  resides  in  Kansas;  the  mother 
died  at  the  homestead  in  Tazewell  County,  111.,  in 
1866.  The  second  wife  of  James  Cales  was  Miss 
Gaines,  with  whom  he  lived  about  sixteen  years, 
and  she  departed  this  life  in  about  1884.  He  was 
married  the  third  time,  the  name  of  the  lady  not 
now  known.  His  ten  children  were  John  B.,  Sarah 
E.,  Mary  A.,  Margaret,  James  W.,  Martha  A., 
Eliza  E.,  Augusta  V.,  Elmira  E.,  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Outlaw 
there  were  also  ten  children,  as  follows:  Emma  J. 
and  James  D.  (twins)  were  born  June  7,  1873; 
Thomas  F.,  Oct.  13,1874;  Minnie  M.,  Feb.  14, 
1876;  Ibba  A.,  Sept.  26,  1877;  Bertha  A.,  Jan.  6, 
1879;  Joseph  O.,  July  16, 1880  ;  John,  July  3, 1882; 
Lewis,  Dec.  3,  1883;  Imo  A.,  Oct.  8,  1886.  James 
D.,  Thomas  F.  and  Ibba  A.  are  deceased,  having 
died  in  infancy. 


1ENRY  NAFZIGER,  one  of  the  intelligent 
farmers  of  Danvers  Township,  owns  and 
occupies  a  good  homestead  on  section  22. 
He  was  born  in  the  Kingdom  of  Wurtem- 
berg,  Germany,  Oct.  19,  1832,  being  the  son  of 
Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Rockey)  Nafziger.  The 
father  of  ou»  subject  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Aug.  12,  1800.  He  came  to  America  in  the  fall  of 
1847,  and  after  landing  in  New  York  City,  pro- 
ceeded directly  westward,  staying  in  Peoria  about 
a  month,  then  came  to  this  county,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  May, 
1 882.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Ba- 


'4 


• 


560 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


varia  and  was  the  second  wife  of  Jacob  Nafziger,  his 
•first  wife  having  been  Miss  Veronica  Rockey,  a  sister 
of  the  second  wife.  Of  the  first  marriage  there  were 
three  children — Jacob,  Christian  P.  and  Veronica. 
The  second  marriage  of  Jacob  Nafziger  occurred  in 
1828,  and  of  this  union  there  were  born,  Catherine, 
who  married  Christian  Nafziger;  Henry,  our  sub- 
ject; Peter  and  Frederick,  deceased;  and  Eliza,  un- 
married, and  who  lives  in  Danvers  Village. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  youth  of  fifteen 
years  when  his  parents  came  to  the  United  States. 
He  was  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy 
and  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  reaching 
manhood.  He  was  then  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Helen  Nafziger,  April  5,  1855.  Mrs.  N.  was 
born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Oct.  22,  1832, 
and  came  to  America  with  her  parents  when  a 
young  woman  twenty  years  of  age.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
three  now  deceased  :  Robert  W.  married  Miss  Mary 
Slabach;  Fredericka  died  when  eighteen  years  of 
age;  John  E.  is  farming  in  Tazewell  County,  this 
State;  Fred  is  at  home;  Emma  became  the  wife  of 
August  Habecker,  and  lives  in  Tazewell  County ; 
Henry  is  deceased ;  Albert  at  home ;  Annie  died 
when  young ;  Jacob  is  with  his  parents.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  N.  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Men- 
nonite  Church,  of  which  Mr.  N.  is  Trustee  and  has 
been  Treasurer  for  several  years.  He  has  been  a 
cheerful  and  liberal  contributor  to  the  support  .of 
the  church  and  was  one  of  the  building  committee 
at  the  time  their  house  of  worship  was  erected. 

Mr.  Nafziger  is  one  of  the  extensive  land-owners 
of  this  section,  having  230  acres  in  his  home  farm 
and  240  acres  in  Tazewell  County.  He  has  of  late 
years  been  turning  his  attention  to  the  breeding  of 
fine  stock,  including  both  cattle  and  horses.  He  has 
one  valuable  thoroughbred  Short-horn  bull,  three 
cows  and  two  heifers  and  several  high-grade  cattle, 
and  his  horses  will  compare  with  any  that  can  be 
exhibited  in  this  part  of  the  county*  The  career 
of  Mr.  Nafziger  is  a  striking  illustration  of  what 
may  be  accomplished  by  industry  and  resolution. 
After  leaving  his  native  land  and  coming  to  Ohio. 
he  worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month  in  Warren 
County,  receiving  the  first  year  18  per. month. 
The  second  year  he  received  $12  per  month.  He 


rented  his  father's  homestead  in  this  county  for  ten 
years,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  purchased  his 
present  homestead.  Every  dollar  of  this  he  has 
accumulated  honestly  by  hard  work  and  good 
management,  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his 
early  toil  and  industry. 


J~~  OHN  D.  LEWIS  is  the  owner  of  200  acres  of 
some  of  the  best  land  in  Cheney's  Grove 
Township,  of  which  he  became  a  resident  on 
the  1st  of  May,  1847.  He  first  purchased 
forty  acres  three  years  later,  which  comprises  a 
part  of  his  present  homestead,  but  to  which  he  has 
added  until  it  is  of  the  dimensions  above  given. 
His  farm  is  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  and 
for  a  few  years  he  was  quite  extensively  engaged 
in  buying  and  shipping  stock.  Of  late,  however,  he 
has  confined  himself  more  closely  to  the  raising  of 
grain  and  general  farming.  He  has  a  handsome 
and  comfortable  residence,  with  a  good  barn  and 
all  other  necessary  out-buildings,  and  he  and  his 
famity  are  enjoying  all  the  comforts  and  many  of 
the  luxuries  of  life. 

Mr.  Lewis  was  born  in  Fleming  County,  Ky., 
Nov.  5,  1823.  where  he  lived  until  he  reached  his 
majority,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for 
Henry  Clay.  His  father,  Peter  B.  .Lewis,  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  born  in 
Culpeper  County,  Va.,  June  21,  1789,  whence  he 
removed  to  Mason  County,  Ky.,  and  from  there  to 
Fleming  County,  where  he  departed  this  life  Nov. 
29,  1860.  He  was  married,  June  16,  1816,  to 
Miss  Catherine  B.  Ringo,  who  was  born  Feb.  24, 
1798,  and  died  at  the  home  of  our  subject  on  the 
21st  of  September,  1884.  Both  parents  were  prom- 
inently connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  the  mother  had  been  a  member 
since  her  girlhood.  Their  eleven  children  were, 
Emeline,  Nancy,  James  R.,  John  B.,  Hannah,  Rob- 
ert, Albert,  Alice  R.,  Melville  (who  died  when 
four  years  of  age),  William  F.  and  Bridget  A. 

After  coming  to  this  county,  John  D.  Lewis  was 
married  to  Miss  Margaret  P.  Riggs,  Aug.  17,  1848. 
Mrs.  L.,  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  Aug.  10, 
1832,  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  M.  and 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


561 


Nancy  (Pitts)  Riggs,  the  former  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, and  the  latter  of  Lewis  County,  Ky.  William 
Riggs  was  born  Sept.  7,  1803,  and  departed  this 
life  Jan.  28,  1887,  at  his  home  in  Say  brook.  The 
mother  was  born  Jan.  4,  1806,  and  died  Jan.  26, 
1881.  Their  six  children  were,  George  \V.,  Henry 
M.,  Margaret  P.,  William  H.,  Mary  J.  (now  Mrs. 
Hall),  and  Samuel  R.,  who  died  in  Texas,  June  8, 
1883. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  seven  now  living.  Nancy  C.  was  married 
to  Brice  N.  Read ;  William  A.  married  Miss  Laura 
Owens;  Mary  A.  married  William  C.  Means; Emma 
D.  became  the  wife  of  H.  McMackin ;  Katuria ; 
Samuel  G.  married  Miss  Emma  Miller;  Corla  H.  is 
at  home.  Mr.  Lewis  and  his  family  are  all  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  our 
subject  has  officiated  as  Class-Leader  for  a  period 
of  thirty  years  and  been  Steward  and  Sunday-school 
Superintendent  about  the  same  length  of  time.  In 
early  manhood,  during  the  existence  of  the  Whig 
party,  he  was  a  firm  adherent  of  its  principles,  but 
on  the  abandonment  of  the  old  party  by  the  organ- 
ization of  the  new  Republican  party  he  cheerfully 
endorsed  the  principles  of  the  latter,  with  which  he 
uniformly  casts  his  vote. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  on  his  mother's 
side,  Burtis  Ringo,  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  for  a  term  of  seven  years,  and  died  a  pensioner 
at  the  advanced  age  of  one  hundred  and  three  years. 


Ji  ACOB  SPEERS  owns   and  occupies  a  fine 
farm  of  160  acres  in  Blue  Mound  Township, 
on  section  24.     His  land  is  all  improved  and 
under  a  good  state  of   cultivation,  with  a 
tasteful  and  convenient  residence  and  all  necessary 
out-buildings  for  the  shelter  of  stock   and  storage 
of  grain.     Mr.  Speers  has  been  a  resident  of  Mc- 
Lean   County   since    1865,   and    of    Blue    Mound 
Township  since  1870.     He  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land County,  Pa.,  Dec.  15,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of 
Noah  and  Nancy  (Frye)  Speers,  also  natives  of  the 
Keystone  State,   where   they    passed   their   entire 
lives.     They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children, 


all  of  whom,  with  one  exception,  grew  to  mature 
years.  That  one  was  killed  when  quite  young,  by 
being  thrown  from  a  horse. 

Jacob  Speers  remained  in  his  native  county  until 
1846.  He  then  came  to  this  State,  locating  first  in 
Peoria  County  with  his  wife  and  six  children.  After 
a  residence  there  of  eight  years  they  removed  to 
Stark  County,  in  which  they  remained  eight  }rears, 
then  returned  to  Peoria  County  again  and  resided 
thereuntil  the  spring  of  1865.  Mr.  Speers  then 
came  into  this  county  and  lived  in  Chenoa  Town- 
ship until  the  spring  of  1868.  Thence  he  removed 
to  Towanda  Township  and  after  about  one  and 
one-half  3rears,  crossed  the  Mississippi  and  became  a 
resident  of  Kansas,  in  which  State  he  remained  until 
1870.  He  then  returned  to  this  county  and  settled 
in  Blue  Mound  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived. 
He  has  identified  himself  fully  with  the  interests  of 
the  county  and  community  since  coming  here  and 
is  reckoned  among  the  thrifty  and  well-to-do  far- 
mer residents  of  this  section. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  his 
native  county  of  Westmoreland,  Pa.,  May  10, 
1 836,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Margaret, 
daughter  of  John  F.  and  Mary  (Sterrett)  Power, 
who  were  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they 
spent  their  entire  lives  and  where  their  remains 
were  laid  to  rest.  Of  their  ten  children,  Mrs. 
Speers  was  the  sixth.  She  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land County,  Pa.,  March  4,  1820.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  were  thirteen  children,  ten 
now  living,  namely,  James  S.,  John  F.,  Noah  L., 
Nancy  J.,  Clarissa,  William  L.,  Harriett  A.,  Charles, 
Solomon  E.  and  Maggie  S.  The  three  deceased 
died  when  quite  young.  John  married  Miss  Eleanor 
Halstead  and  resides  in  Ford  County,  111. ;  Noah 
married  Miss  Maggie  Ellis  and  also  lives  in  Ford 
County;  Nancy  is  the  wife  of  John  Watt  of 
Chenoa;  Clarissa  married  M.  J.  Wilson  and  is  a 
resident  of  Scott  County,  Kan. ;  William  married 
Miss  Laura  Power  and  resides  in  Blue  Mound 
Township ;  Harriett  became  the  wife  of  F.  L.  Voor- 
hees,  and  they  are  located  at  St.  Jose,  C'al. ;.  Charles 
married  Miss  Ollie  Newton  and  is  farming  in  Blue 
Mound  Township;  Solomon  married  Miss  Irene 
Gay  and  is  a  resident  of  Blue  Mound  Township; 
Maggie  became  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Nichols  of  Ne- 


562 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1       T 


braska;  James  married  Miss  Mary  Davis;  she  died 
in  Blue  Mound  Township,  April  28,  1875. 

Mr.  Speers  is  Republican  in  politics  and  has  held 
some  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  township,  including 
that  of  Assessor,  in  which  he  has  served  several 
years.  He  also  served  as  Supervisor  in  Stark 
County,  and  was  twice  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace 
but  would  not  serve.  Both  our  subject  and  his 
wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  know 
them. 


OBERT    STEWART.     The    name   of   this 
gentleman    is    familiarly    known   in    Yates 


Township  where  he  has  a  snug  farm  home- 
;M)stead,  pleasantly  located  on  section  15.  He 
is  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  born  in  County 
Donegal,  in  December,  1833,  and  possesses  the 
generous  characteristics  of  the  warm-hearted  Celtic 
race.  His  parents,  John  and  Eliza  (Glenn)  Stewart, 
emigrated  from  their  native  country  with  their 
family  in  about  1850,  making  their  first  location  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Afterward  they 
removed  to  New  Jersey  and  in  1857,  to  Illinois,  lo- 
cating in  Peoria  County.  Later  they  removed  to 
this  county,  where  the  father  died  in  Yates  Town- 
ship, Sept.  22,  1884.  The  mother  had  passed  to 
her  long  home  nearly  eighteen  years  before,  at 
Chenoa,  111.  The  five  children  of  the  parental 
family  were  all  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  the 
United  States  with  their  parents;  Martha  became 
the  wife  of  John  Florida  and  resides  in  Peoria 
County,  111.;  Robert  is  living  in  Yates  Township; 
Elizabeth  married  Chester  Brown  and  resides  in 
this  county ;  Margaret,  Mrs.  Samuel  Baird,  lives  in 
Chenoa  Township,  and  John  in  Yates  Township. 

Robert  Stewart  was  seventeen  years  of  age  when 
he  came  with  his  father's  family  to  the  United 
States.  He  worked  first  in  a  cotton  factory  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  until  1857,  then 
started  westward  toward  the  Prairie  State.  His  first 
location  was  in  Peoria  County,  where  he  worked  as 
a  farm  laborer,  his  father  joining  him  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  and  the  balance  of  the  family  the  follow- 
ing spring.  The  second  year  of  his  residence  in 
Peoria  County  our  subject  rented  a  tract  of  land 


and  followed  farming  there  until  1864.  He  then 
removed  to  McLean  County,  and  in  company  with 
his  father  and  brother,  purchased  120  acres  of  land 
in  Chenoa'  Township,  all  of  which  was  wild  prairie. 
He  at  once  set  about  the  improvement  and  cultiva- 
tion of  the  new  farm,  which  he  occupied  until  1875, 
then  purchased  his  present  homestead  in  Yates 
Township.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  1  60  acres  of  land, 
which  he  has  placed  under  a  fine  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. Robert  Stewart  was  married  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1867,  to  Miss  Nancy,  a  sister  of  William 
Hanna  of  Yates  Township.  She  was  born  in  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
became  the  mother  of  two  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  Robert  J.,  born  Sept.  13,  1871,  is 
living  at  home  with  his  parents.  Mr.  Stewart  is 
Republican  in  polities,  and  religiously  coincides 
with  the  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


•1LLIAM  B.  KENT,  one  of  the  early  pio 
neers  of  Dale  Township,  and  whose  por- 
trait is  shown  in  this  connection,  became  a 
resident  of  McLean  County  in  1843,  and  during  a 
residence  of  over  forty  years,  has  been  an  inter- 
ested witness  of  the  various  changes  that  have  been 
taking  place  in  this  section  of  the  Prairie  State. 
During  this  time  he  has  fulfilled  his  obligations  as 
a  good  citizen,  and  has  contributed  his  full  quota 
toward  the  progress  and  prosperity  of  his  adopted 
township.  He  has  lived  honestly  and  uprightly, 
met  his  moral  and  legal  obligations  in  a  praise- 
worthy manner,  has  identified  himself  thoroughly 
with  the  business  and  industrial  interests  of  this 
section,  and,  as  a  valued  citizen,  enjoys  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  his  townsmen  in  a  marked  de- 
gree. 

William  B.  Kent  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  was 
born  in  Jones  Township,  Hancock  County,  April 
23,  1832.  His  father,  Nathaniel  Kent,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Mason  County,  Ky.,  and  his  grandfather, 
John  Kent,  died  there  in  1833.  Nathaniel  Kent 
learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  at  Lexington, 
whence  he  removed  to  Brown  County,  Ohio,  and 
renting  a  tract  of  land,  engaged  there  in  farming 
pursuits.  In  the  meantime,  however,  as  time  and 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


opportunity  permitted,  he  continued  at  his  trade, 
and  remained  a  resident  of  that  section  until  1831, 
when  he  moved  into  Indiana,  located  in  Hancock 
County,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  blacksmith- 
ing  alternately  for  the  following  twelve  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1 843  Nathaniel  Kent  decided  to  re- 
move to  the  Prairie  State.  He  accordingly  loaded 
his  household  goods  and  blacksmith  tools  into 
wagons,  together  with  his  wife  and  seven  children. 
The  entire  journey  was  made  overland,  and  Mr. 
Kent  employed  men  to  drive  the  teams.  They 
carried  their  provisions  with  them  and  cooked 
along  the  route,  making  their  beds  in  their  wagons 
at  night.  After  arriving  in  McLean  County  Mr. 
Kent  rented  one  room  in  a  house  in  Dry  Grove 
Township,  into  which  they  removed  and  lived  for 
a  time,  then  rented  a  house  of  Roswell  Munsell, 
and  also  a  tract  of  land.  Here  Mr.  Kent  pursued 
farming  operations,  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  the 
following  five  years.  He  then  purchased  forty 
acres  of  land  lying  on  sections  8  and  9  of  Dale 
Township,  upon  which  he  removed  in  the  fall  of 
1848.  He  was  prospered  in  his  labors,  and  in  due 
time  made  an  additional  purchase  of  160  acres  ad- 
joining, lying  on  sections  16  and  17.  As  soon  as 
his  sons  became  old  enough  to  manage  the  farm, 
he  turned  the  business  over  to  them  principally, 
and  applied  himself  most  of  the  time  to  his  trade 
for  twenty  years.  Here,  Mr.  Kent  established  a 
comfortable  home,  which  he  occupied  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  7th  of  July,  1884. 

Mr.  Kent  was  united  in  marriage  in  early  man- 
hood, witli  Miss  Annie  Hawk,  who  was  born  in 
Brown  County,  Ohio,  came  West  with  her  hus- 
band and  survived  him  over  one  year,  her  death 
taking  place  Dec.  19,  1885.  Their  family  included 
thirteen  children,  ten  of  whom  grew  to  years  of 
maturity,  having  been  carefully  trained  in  those 
principles  of  honor  and  honesty  which  had  been 
the  secret  of  Nathaniel  Kent's  success  in  life,  and 
of  the  respect  in  which  he  and  his  excellent  and 
worthy  helpmeet  were  held  during  the  period  of 
their  long  and  useful  lives.  ' 

William  B.  Kent  was  the  third  child  of  his  par- 
ents, and  was  eleven  years  old  when  he  came  with 
them  to  McLean  County.  Here  he  attended  the 
common  schools  and  assisted  his  father  around  the 


farm  and  in  the  shop.  He  remained  at  home  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  late  Civil  War,  and  then, 
on  the  8th  of  August,  1862,  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of 
the  Union,  in  Co.  L,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  served 
with  his  comrades  until  the  close,  having  been  in 
the  battles  of  Prairie  Grove,  the  siege  and  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  Ft.  Morgan  and  Spanish  Fort,  and 
participated  in  various  other  engagements  and  skir- 
mishes. He  marched  with  his  comrades  through 
the  States  of  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Kentucky,  Ten- 
nessee, Alabama,  Mississippi  and  Texas,  most  of 
the  time  being  upon  active  duty,  and  returned 
home  unharmed,  and  with  his  regiment  received 
his  honorable  discharge  at  Springfield,  111.,  on  the 
9th  of  August,  1865. 

After  his  return  from  the  army,  Mr.  Kent  re- 
sumed his  farming  operations  on  the  old  home- 
stead, upon  which  he  has  resided  since  that  time. 
Of  this  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  120  acres,  a 
good  set  of  frame  buildings,  and  all  the  necessary 
appliances  for  carrying  on  agriculture  after  the 
most  approved  methods.  Mr.  Kent  is  still  unmar- 
ried, having  for  his  housekeeper  his  sister,  Miss 
Susan.  Our  subject  is  Republican  in  politics,  lib- 
eral in  his  religious  beliefs,  and  for  his  honest  and 
upright  dealings  and  straightforward  business  meth- 
ods, enjoys  in  a  marked  degree  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  his  associates  and  fellow-townsmen. 


)ENJAMIN  H.  WEBB,  who  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  comfortable  farm  estate  on  section  15, 
Dry  Grove  Township,  is  a  native  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  was  born  March  3,  1832. 
His  parents,  Stephen  D.  and  Penina  (Hinshaw) 
Webb,  were  natives  respectively  of  South  Carolina 
and  Tennessee.  They  were  married  in  the  latter 
State,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1826,  locating  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  Stephen  Webb  was  born  May  8, 
1795,  and  died  in  this  county  April  11,  1886.  His 
wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  the  date  of  whose 
birth  is  not  known,  died  in  1870.  at  the  home  of  her 


• 

I 


I 


J. 


566 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


husband  in  Dry  Grove  Township.  They  were  mar- 
ried on  the  10th  of  December,  1824,  and  became 
the  parents  of  six  sons .  and  one  daughter.  The 
record  is  as  follows :  John  married  Miss  E.  Ruth 
of  Virginia;  Kelly  married  Miss  Amelia  JanePlatt, 
and  lives  in  Greene  County,  Iowa;  William  married 
Miss  Matilda  Barker,  who  died  in  about  1863; 
he  then  married  Miss  H.  Thomas,  who  died  a  few 
years  after  marriage,  and  his  third  wife  was  form- 
erly Mrs.  Malinda  Christ,  Mary  Jane  became  the 
wife  of  B.  F.  Martin,  of  Dry  Grove,  and  is  now  de- 
ceased ;  Benjamin  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth  child ; 
Thomas  married  Miss  Johnson,  and  lives  in  Mis- 
souri ;  Milton  8.  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Smith,  and 
is  engaged  in  farming  in  Dry  Grove. 

Benjamin  H.  Webb  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Dickens  on  the  3d  of  March,  1857.  Mrs.  W.  was 
born  in  McLean  County,  Oct.  9,  1837,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Cleveland) 
Dickens.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webb 
there  have  been  born  seven  children,  who  are 
recorded  as  follows :  Warren  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Johnson,  and  they  have  one  child,  Willie,  who  was 
born  in  February,  1885;  Jenetta,  now  Mrs.  John  D. 
Lamb,  has  four  children — Oliver,  Park,  Etta  and 
Warren ;  Hattie  is  now  Mrs.  Charles  Hatfield  ;  Char- 
lotte, Elizabeth,  Edith  and  Florence  are  at  home 
with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Webb  is  the  possessor  of  240  acres  of  fine 
farming  land,  and  has  given  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  fine  stock.  He  has  been  a  prominent 
man  in  the  township  and  has  served  the  people 
with  credit  in  the  various  offices  with  which  they 
have  intrusted  him.  He  was  elected  Supervisor  in 
1874,  and  politically  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party.  He  has  made  the  most  of  his 
opportunities  in  life,  and  his  well-informed  mind 
has  been  greatly  benefited  by  traveling  over  vari- 
ous portions  of  the  United  States  and  keeping  his 
eyes  open  to  what  is  going  on  around  him  in  the 
world  at  large.  He  is  not  identified  with  any 
church  organization  but  aims  to  make  the  Golden 
Rule  the  basis  of  his  daily  life,  lives  at  peace  with 
.his  fellow-men  and  as  becomes  a  law-abiding  and 
worthy  citizen. 

A  lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Webb  is  presented 
in  connection  with  this  sketch. 


AMUEL  A.  DEAL,  of  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship, is  engaged  as  a  fanner  and  stock- 
raiser  on  section  30,  where  he  is  the  pos- 
sessor of  a  comfortable  home.  Mr.  Deal 
is  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion,  having  been  born 
in  Augusta  Count}',  Va.,  the  date  thereof,  July  8, 
1841.  His  parents  were  Samuel  C.  and  Priscilla 
(Brown)  Deal,  who  were  born,  reared  and  married 
in  Virginia,  whence  they  removed  to  Illinois  in 
October,  1848.  They  located  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship, where  the  mother  departed  this  life  on  the 
5th  of  June,  1875.  She  was  a  most  worthy  and 
estimable  lady,  and  an  active  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church.  Samuel  C.  Deal  was 
born  Oct.  18,  1814,  and  is  still  a  hale  and  hearty 
old  man,  his  present  home  being  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship, about  a  mile  and  one-half  east  of  his  son's 
place.  The  parental  family  included  nine  children, 
as  follows:  John  B. ;  Samuel  A.;  Elizabeth  E.,  Mrs. 
Peter  Elkins;  Newton,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven 
years;  Mary  C.,  now  Mrs.  A.  K.  Rigens;  Jane  A., 
who  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  A.,  Mrs.  John  Wright, 
Emma  P.,  and  Virginia  V.  H.,  who  married  Ste- 
phen Staubus. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  lie  attained  to  years  of  manhood, 
and  on  the  27th  of  March,  1873,  wa§  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Mary  E.  Harris,  a  native  of 
Warren  County,  Ky.,  who  was  born  on  the  6th  of 
April,  1846.  Mrs.  Deal  is  the  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander C.  and  Mary  (Nortteete)  Harris,  both  natives 
of  the  Blue  Grass  State.  Her  father  was  born  Dec. 
27,  1808,  in  Kentucky,  and  her  mother  Sept.  18, 
1819,  in  the  town  of  Somerset.  The  mother  is 
still  living.  The  father  died  March  26,  1887. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children,  the  rec- 
ord of  whom  is  as  follows :  Amanda  J.  married  W. 

C.  Johnson;  William  II.  died  when  one  year  old; 

D.  M.  for  his  first  wife  married  Miss  H.  Bates,  who 
•died  after  a  few  years,  and  he  was  then  married  to 

Miss  Carrie  Metcalf,  of  Connecticut;  Dr.  II.  A., 
who  practiced  in  Menarcl  County,  Ky.,  died  on  the 
llth  of  June,  1877;  Mary  E.  is  the  wife  of  our 
subject;  Thomas  M.  died  at  the  age  of  three  years; 
James  W.  died  in  1873  at  fifteen  years  of  age. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  embraces  799£ 
acres  of  land,  with  a  fine  dwelling-house,  and  good 


^l 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


567 


barns  and  out-buildings,  among  which  is  the  finest 
hog-house  in  the  county.  This  is  30x80  feet  in 
area,  two  stories  in  height,  and  he  now  has  300  fine 
porkers,  besides  an  equal  number  of  cattle,  and  600 
head  of  sheep.  As  a  stock  breeder  he  is  familiarly 
known  all  over  the  county  as  one  of  the  best  and 
most  extensive.  He  has  sold  up  to  this  date  (1887) 
nine  car  loads  of  fat  cattle,  for  which  he  obtains 
the  highest  market  price.  His  property  is  estima- 
ted to  be  worth  at  least  $75,000,  a  portion  of  which 
he  inherited  from  his  father,  the  balance  has  been 
accumulated  through  his  own  industry  and  good 
judgment,  and  he  has  added  materially  to  the  in- 
dustrial and  business  interests  of  this  section,  while 
at  the  same  time  his  homestead  forms  one  of  the 
embellishments  of  McLean  County,  both  on  ac- 
count of  its  beauty  of  location  and  the  improve- 
ment which  Mr.  Deal  has  brought  about  in  addi- 
tion to  its  natural  advantages.  A  lithographic 
view  of  the  place  is  shown  in  this  work.  He  has 
been  in  all  respects  a  useful  and  valued  citizen,  is 
a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  is  an  uncom- 
promising Democrat. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Deal  have  been  born  the  chil- 
dren who  are  recorded  as  follows:  James  N.,  born 
Nov.  8,  1874,  died  Feb.  21,  1875;  Mary  P.,  born 
Nov.  21,  1875,  died  May  15,  1877;  Hattie  E.  was 
born  July  13,  1877,  and  lives  at  home  with  her 
parents;  Addie  P.,  born  March  28,  1878,  died  Jan. 
5,  1885;  Samuel  C.,  born  May  6,  1882,  died  Jan. 
21,  1885;  William  H.  was  born  Oct.  8,  1884,  and 
Carey,  Nov.  9,  1886. 


R.  OSCAR  WAKEFIELD,  proprietor  of 
the  Medicine  Laboratory,  is  located  at  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Evans  streets, 
Bloomiugton,  and  is  carrying  on  an  ex- 
tensive and  profitable  business.  This  establish- 
ment gives  employment  to  twenty-five  or  thirty- 
five  men,  besides  six  men  on  the  road,  and  has  be- 
come widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  this 
and  adjoining  States.  Dr.  Wakefield  is  a  native  of 
De  Witt  County,  111.,  and  was  born  April  7,  1846. 
His  parents  were  Dr.  Cyrenius  and  Harriet  (Rich- 


ardson) Wakefield,  natives  of  Watertown,  N.  Y., 
who  removed  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Blooming- 
ton  in  1837.  The  parental  history  will  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  work.  Oscar  Wakefield 
was  one  of  seven  children  born  to  his  parents,  and 
remained  with  them  during  his  childhood  and 
youth.  He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in  the 
common  schools,  and  later  attended  the  Commer- 
cial College  of  Bloomington.  He  afterward  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  College  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  upon  returning  to  Blooming- 
ton  became,  in  1871,  a  partner  with  his  father,  with 
whom  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time. 

Dr.  Wakefield  was  married  in  1868  to  Miss 
Agnes  Benchley,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  the 
daughter  of  Henry  A.  Benchley,  of  Willimantic, 
Conn.  Of  this  union  there  were  two  children — 
Herbert,  who  died  when  three  and  a  half  years  old, 
and  Bruce.  Dr.  Wakefield  is  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  prominent  as  a  useful  business  man  and 
a  worthy  citizen.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Peo- 
ple's Bank  and  the  Plow  Factory,  and  takes  an 
active  interest  in  all  matters  concerning  the  public 
welfare.  He  occupies,  with  his  family,  a  pleasant 
residence  at  No.  506  East  Washington  street,  and 
enjoys  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  best  citi- 
zens of  Bloomington. 


BRAHAM  H.  CARLOCK,  one  of  the  pros- 
perous farmers  of  White  Oak  Township,  is 
located  on  section  20,  where  he  has  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  homestead  and  built 
for  himself  a  reputation  as  an  honest  man  and  a 
good  citizen.  His  parents  were  Abraham  W.  and 
Mary  (Goodpasture),  Carlock,  natives  of  Overton 
County,  Tenn.,  the  father  born  April  7,  1800,  and 
the  mother,  Jan.  4,  1803.  Mrs.  Carlock,  on  her  fa- 
ther's side,  was  of  English  descent,  and  several  of 
her  brothers  became  prominent  men  of  the  State  of 
Tennessee.  One  of  them,  Judge  Winburn  Good- 
pasture,  was  Circuit  Judge  in  Tennessee  for  many 
years  and  presided  over  several  counties.  Dillard 
Goodpasture,  another  brother,  is  a  prominent 
banker  at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  John  and  McDonald  <  - 


.  >  568 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Good  pasture  are  both  prominent  physicians  in 
Nashville.  Abraham  Goodpasture  was  a  clergy- 
man of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Petersburg,  111.;  he  is  now  deceased.  William 
Goodpasture,  of  Elkhart,  Logan  Co.,  111.,  is  a 
prominent  farmer.  Mrs.  Carlock,  on  her  mother's 
side,  was  of  Scotch  descent. 

Abraham  Carlock  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
and  Jeft  his  native  State  while  yet  a  young  man,  in 
1829.  Coming  to  Morgan  County,  this  State,  he 
rented  land  for  two  years  and  then,  coming  into  this 
county,  purchased  360  acres  in  Kansas  Township, 
Woodford  County,  and  White  Oak  Township,  Mc- 
Lean County.  He  was  prospered  in  his  farming 
and  business  transactions,  and  added  to  his  landed 
possessions  until  he  became  the  owner  of  1,700 
acres,  700  of  which  he  disposed  of  before  his  death, 
but  retained  1,000,  which  since  his  death  .has  been 
subdivided.  He  was  here  during  the  winter  of  the 
deep  snow,  which  is  so  well  remembered  by  the 
early  settlers  who  were  confined  to  their  cabins  for 
several  weeks,  being  unable  to  communicate  with 
each  other.  At  one  time  he  saw  a  tribe  of  Tippe- 
canoe  Indians,  which  passed  about  sixty  rods  from 
his  house  on  their  way  to  Tippecanoe,  Ind.  There 
was  then  no  market  for  farm  produce,  and  for  sev- 
eral seasons  he  was  obliged  to  drive  his  hogs  to 
Chicago  to  sell,  and  frequently  after  his  toilsome 
journey  could  only  get  in  exchange  for  them  a 
small  stock  of  groceries,  but  in  common  with  the 
other  pioneers  he  was  made  of  stanch  stuff,  which 
permitted  no  thought  of  relinquishing  his  first  pro- 
ject of  establishing  a  home  in  the  West.  He  lived 
to  see  many. changes  in  the  face  of  the  country  and 
the  progress  of  civilization,  and  spent  his  last  days 
•where  he  had  toiled  the  most,  and  finally  reaped  an 
abundant  reward. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Kansas 
Township,  Woodford  County,  this  State,  Aug.  22, 
1847.  He  remained  on  the  homestead  during  his 
childhood  and  youth,  and,  after  an  attendance  of 
three  years  completed  his  studies  in  the  college  at 
Eureka.  The  home  circle  of  his  parents  included 
twelve  children,  four  now  deceased:  John  G.  mar- 
ried Miss  Lucinda  Music;  Madison  P.  married  for 
his  first  wife  Mrs.  Ewing;  his  second  wife  was  Miss 
Nancy  Judjr,  of  Logan  County,  111. ;  Nancy  became 


the  wife  of  Thomas  Brown,  of  McLean  County; 
Sarah  was  three  times  married,  her  first  husband 
being  William  Allen,  the  second  Squire  Marley,  of 
Tazewell  County,  and  the  third,  George  Cranson, 
of  Gibson,  111.;  William  B.  married  Miss  Missouri 
McCart,  of  Bloomington ;  Mahala  became  the  wife 
of  Benjamin  F.  Gaddis;  Abraham  H.  is  our  sub- 
ject; Margery  married  William  Pusey,  of  Bloom- 
ington ;  Lavina  became  the  wife  of  Ira  Rowell,  of 
Dimvers  Township. 

Mr.  Carlock  of  this  sketch  was  married,  in 
Bloomington,  to  Miss  Ida  Edwards.  Jan.  9,  1879. 
After  his  marriage  he  removed  to  the  farm  upon 
which  he  now  resides,  and  which  consists  of  205 
acres.  This  is  finely  improved  and  cultivated,  and 
upon  it  is  a  comfortable  and  commodious  residence, 
with  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  improvements. 
In  addition  to  general  farming  he  is  giving  much 
attention  to  the  raising  of  a  good  grade  of  stock. 
Our  subject  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen. 

Mrs.  Carlock  is  the  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Ce- 
lia (Hedges)  Edwards,  who  were  natives  of  Mor- 
gan County,  Ohio,  and  were  married  there  in  1856. 
They  came  to  Illinois  that  same  year  and  settled  in 
Le  Roy,  this  county,  where  Mr.  Edwards  engaged 
in  the  grocery  trade  for  five  or  six  years.  He  then 
purchased  160  acres  of  fine  farming  land,  and  en- 
gaged in  agriculture  for  three  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Bloomington,  and  is  now  living  retired 
from  active  labor.  He  was  an  Alderman  there  for 
about  ten  years,  and  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
several  years.  Mrs.  Celia  Edwards  was  born  Jan.  3, 
1840,  and  became  the  mother  of  two  children — 
Emeline  and  Orson.  By  the  second  marriage  there 
were  born  seven  children,  as  follows:  Mary  B., 
who  died  in  infancy :  Ida  I.,  Elmer,  Effle,  Edwin, 
Minnie  and  Myrtle,  twins;  Oscar  died  in  1873; 
Emeline  became  the  wife  of  Byron  Covey,  and  Ef- 
fie  became  Mrs.  George  Winchell. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  three  children — Lulu  E.,  born  Oct.  25, 
1879,  Pearl  L.,  Aug.  23,  1881,  and  Celia  Mabel, 
April  14,  1884.  Mrs.  Carlock  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  also  in  the  War  of 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


569   - 


1812,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans, 
one  of  the  hardest  fought  and  last  battles  of  that 
war.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carlock  was  a  suc- 
cessful physician  and  minister,  and  the  author  of  a 
medical  work  of  great  merit.  He  died  in  the  prime 
of  life,  when  but  fifty  years  of  age. 

A  view  of  Mr.  Carlock's  handsome  residence  will 
be  found  on  another  page. 


EYI  VINCENT,  M.  D.,  represents  in  a 
worthy  manner  the  medical  profession  at 
Western,  and  socially  is  regarded  as  one  of 
its  most  valued  citizens.  He  is  a  native  of  Albany 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  Jan.  24,  1826.  His 
parents,  Martin  and  Hannah  (Moore)  Vincent, 
were  natives  of  the  same  State,  where  the  father 
was  engaged  in  farming  the  greater  part  of  his  life, 
and  died  in  Albany  County,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  about  eighty-five  years.  The  mother  lived  to 
be  eighty  years  old.  The  household  circle  in- 
cluded seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  mature  years,  and  nine  are  still  living. 

Levi  Vincent,  the  ninth  child  of  his  parents,  was 
reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and  received  a  good 
literary  education  in  the  schools  and  academies  of 
Greenville  and  Chesterville,  in  his  native  State. 
He  was  fond  of  his  books,  ambitious  to  excel,  and 
attained  such  proficiency  that  at  twenty  years  of 
age  he  commenced  teaching,  which  he  followed 
during  the  winter  seasons  until  1870,  his  summers 
being  occupied  in  farm  pursuits.  In  the  mean- 
time, however,  in  1856,  he  came  westward  to  Illi- 
nois, and  for  a  time  was  a  resident  of  Marshall 
County.  From  his  boyhood,  however,  he  had  in- 
tended to  become  a  physician,  and  read  medicine 
whenever  time  and  opportunity  afforded.  In  the 
spring  of  1870,  he  determined  to  delay  no  longer 
fitting  himself  for  his  chosen  calling,  and  becom- 
ing the  partner  and  pupil  of  Dr.  E.  E.  Williams,  an 
old  physician  of  Streeter,  111.,  practiced  with  him 
until  the  fall  of  1871.  He  then  entered  upon  a 
course  of  study  in  Bennett  College,  Chicago,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1872.  After 
graduating,  he  practiced  in  Streeter  one  year,  then 
returned  to  Marshall  County,  where  he  owned  a 


farm,  and  upon  which  he  removed  on  account  of 
the  failing  health  of  his  wife.  He,  however,  gave 
his  attention  to  his  profession,  and  built  up  a  good 
practice  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  had  previ- 
ously resided  for  many  years.  In  the  spring  of 
1879,  he  sold  this  farm  and  removed  to  another 
near  Fairbury,  which  he  owned,  and  which  he 
wished  to  improve.  While  there,  the  citizens  of 
Weston,  in  this  county,  petitioned  him  to  locate  in 
their  midst.  In  response  to  this  he  sold  this  farm 
also,  and  in  November  of  the  year  named,  moved 
into  Weston,  where  he  has  since  given  his  entire 
attention  to  his  profession.  Dr.  Vincent,  however, 
believing  that  real  estate  was  the  best  investment 
for  surplus  funds,  purchased  in  1883,  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  10,  Yates  Township,  for 
which  he  paid  $5,000.  The  land  was  low,  and  not 
considered  valuable,  but  he  has  drained  and  im- 
proved it  so  that  it  is  now  considered  one  of  the 
finest  farms  in  this  part  of  McLean  County. 

The  first  marriage  of  Dr.  Vincent  took  place  on  the 
12th  of  January,  1850,  atDurhauiville,  OneidaCo., 
N.  Y.,  when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Harriett  Dor- 
man.  This  lady  was  born  in  Albany  County,  N. 
Y.,  and  was  one  of  the  playmates  of  his  early  child- 
hood. After  remaining  his  faithful  and  affection- 
ate companion  for  over  twenty  years,  she  departed 
this  life  at  her  home  in  Marshall  County,  111.,  May 
26,  1873,  leaving  one  daughter,  Cornelia  N.,  the 
wife  of  Rev.  George  M.  Weber,  a  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  Dec.  18,  1873,  was  Mrs.  Adaline  (Powell) 
Halstead,  who  had  also  been  an  acquaintance  of  his  , 
from  his  early  youth.  Mrs.  Vincent  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Joshua  and  Ann  (Smith)  Powell,  natives  of 
Greene  County,  N.  Y.  They  came  West  in  1846. 
and  settled  in  Peoria  County,  this  State,  where  the 
mother  died  at  the  age  of  forty-seven  years.  The 
second  wife  of  Mr.  Powell  was  Miss  Zilpha  Hal- 
stead.  His  death  occurred  at  Weston,  Oct.  14, 
]  885,  when  he  was  in  the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his 
age.  The  second  wife  died  in  January,  1885,  aged 
eighty-seven  years.  Mr.  Powell  when  first  coming 
West,  located  for  a  short  time  in  Peoria,  whence 
he  removed  to  Marshall  County,  being  among  the 
early  pioneers  of  that  section.  He  lived  there  un- 


IV 


-     570 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


til  1882,  then  removed  to  Weston  and  made  his 
home  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Vincent.  Mrs.  Vin- 
cent by  her  first  marriage  with  B.  W.  Halstead,  be- 
came the  mother  of  four  children  :  Joshua  P.,  now 
a  ganger  in  the  employ  of  the  Revenue  Depart- 
ment at  Peoria;  Finley  B.,  a  conductor  on  the  P., 
D.  &.E.  R.  R.  ;  Annie,  the  wife  of  Chancy  Myers,  a 
resident  of  Ellsworth,  Kan.,  and  Addie  died  in  in- 
fancy, aged  about  twenty-one  months. 

Dr.  Vincent  politically  was  formerly  an  uncom- 
promising Democrat,  but  has  now  arrayed  himself 
on  the  side  of  the  Prohibition  party.  He  has  been 
honored  with  the  local  offices  of  his  township,  and 
takes  a  great  interest  in  educational  matters  and 
everything  else  connected  with  the  welfare  and 
prosperity  of  his  community.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vincent  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


ZT.  STRAYER,  a  successful  and  influential 
farmer  of  Padua  Township,  is  a  native  of 
Logan  County,  Ohio,  born  Jan.  22,  1850, 
and  the  son  of  Nicholas  Strayer,  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  of  German  parentage.  The  latter,  after 
marriage,  removed  to  Ohio,  where  his  wife  died  not 
long  afterward.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss 
Esther  Kinnan,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
whence  she  removed  with  her  parents  to  Ohio.  Of 
this  union  there  were  born  eleven  children,  our  sub- 
ject being  the  youngest  of  the  family.  Nicholas 
Strayer  departed  this  life  in  Logan  County,  Ohio, 
Jan.  21,  1852,  when  his  son,  Z.  T.,  was  two  years 
old.  Two  years  later  the  mother  with  her  ten  liv- 
ing children,  started  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  and 
coming  to  this  county  located  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship, on  what  is  now  known  as  Money  Creek.  Two 
years  later  they  disposed  of  their  land  there  and  re- 
moved to  De  Witt  County,  settling  in  Turnbridge 
Township.  This  also  they  sold  not  long  after,  and 
the  mother  and  an  older  son  speculated  for  some 
time  in  hogs,  but  not  being  quite  satisfied  with  the 
result  of  their  operations,  the  mother  and  a  part  of 
the  family  then  went  across  the  Mississippi  to  Mills 
County,  Iowa,  where  she  is  now  living,  in  the  town 
of  Glenwood,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age 


of  seventy-five  years.  Mrs.  Strayer  has  been  a  re- 
markable woman  in  her  time,  with  more  than  ordi- 
nary business  capacity,  and  notwithstanding  her 
years,  still  retains  her  strength  and  activity,  and 
the  bright  mind  for  which  she  has  always  been 
noted. 

Mr.  Strayer  lived  with  his  widowed  mother  until 
he  attained  the  years  of  manhood,  and  was  then 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Adelade  Dickerson, 
the  wedding  taking  place  in  Empire  Township  :tt 
the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1875.  Mrs.  S.  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  C. 
Dickerson,  now  a  resident  of  Le  Roy,  and  was  born 
Sept.  8,  1855,  in  Empire  Township,  where  she  was 
reared  and  educated.  She  remained  under  the  par- 
ental roof  until  her  marriage  with  our  subject,  and 
became  the  mother  of  five  children,  as  follows: 
Libby  T.,  Harry  M.,  George,  Walter  S.  and  Henry, 
all  at  home. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  is  on  section  31, 
and  includes  115  acres  of  valuable  land,  with  fine 
farm  buildings,  and  all  the  accessories  of  the  mod- 
ern and  progressive  farmer.  He  took  possession  of 
this  place  in  February,  1882,  and  has  made  great 
improvements  since  that  time.  He  has  held  the 
various  offices  of  his  township,  and  politically  is  ac- 
counted a  first-class  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Strayer  are  regular  attendants  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


eHBISTIAN  STRUBHAR,  who  is  pleasantly 
located  on  Danvers  Township,  on  section  3, 
_  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  this 
section  who  is  meeting  with  success  and  contribut- 
ing his  share  to  the  agricultural  interests  of  this 
county.  Mr.  S.  is  a  native  of  the  township  where 
he  is  now  living,  and  was  born  June  13,  1844.  He 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Anna  (Schertz)  Strubhar, 
natives  of  Alsace  Lorraine  when  it  was  a  Province 
of  France.  The  father  operated  a  farm  in  his  na- 
tive country  until  1833,  then  emigrated  to  America 
and  located  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  distilling  for  about  six  years.  In  1839, 
after  having  come  to  this  county,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Anna  Schertz.  The  parents  of  Mrs. 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


S.  came  here  from  New  Orleans.  After  marriage 
John  Strubhar  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  to 
which  he  afterward  added  650  acres,  and  in  due 
time  became  proprietor  of  one  of  the  finest  farms 
in  this  section  of  the  country.  Upon  the  home- 
stead which  he  had  thus  established,  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  17,  1884,  when 
he  was  over  seventy-five  years  of  age,  being  born 
in  1809.  The  mother,  born  in  1820,  is  still  living. 
Their  ten  children  were  :  Mary ;  Christian,  of  our 
sketch ;  Anna ;  Magdalena,  who  became  the  wife  of 
C.  W.  Kinzinger,  and  they  reside  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship; Barbara  married  Peter  Kisser,  and  they  live 
in  Danvers;  Catherine  married  C.  R.  Stuckey,  and 
they  live  in  the  village  of  Danvers;  Maggie,  Phebe, 
and  Peter,  who  is  making  his  home  with  his  mother. 
Maggie,  Phebe  and  Mary  are  deceased.  The  par- 
ents were  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church ;  the 
father  was  a  Democrat  until  1856,  when  he  changed 
his  views  and  identified  himself  with  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  received  a  good  education  in  the 
common  schools.  He  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  twenty-one  years  old,  and  was  then  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Magdalena  Ehrisman.  Their  wedding 
occurred  in  this  county,  Feb.  22,  1865.  After 
marriage  Mr.  S.  cultivated  a  part  of  his  father's 
farm,  and  in  1877  became  the  owner  of  eighty  acres, 
and  has  added  to  his  homestead  until  it  now  con- 
sists of  200  acres,  and  is  finely  improved,  with  a 
handsome  and  substantial  dwelling,  a  good  barn, 
and  all  necessary  out-buildings.  Everything  about 
the  premises  is  neat  and  orderly  and  indicates  the 
supervision  of  an  intelligent  and  enterprising  man. 
In  connection  with  his  farm  Mr.  S.  owns  and  oper- 
ates a  large  sawmill  which,  in  the  sawing  of  lumber 
for  his  own  use,  proves  a  saving  of  hundreds  of 
dollars  during  the  year  and  in  sawing  for  his  neigh- 
bors yields  him  a  considerable  income. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Danvers 
Township,  McLean  County,  Jan.  22,  1845,  being 
the  daughter  of  Christian  and  Fannie  (Barrett) 
Ehrisman,  natives  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany.  They 
came  to  this  country  about  1 836 ;  the  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children — Magdalena,  Joseph,  Bar- 
bara, Catherine,  Susan,  Lydia,  Samuel,  Jacob  and 


Benjamin;  the  latter  died  in  1865.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Strubhar  have  three  children — Lydia,  Samuel  and 
Louis  A.,  all  at  home  with  their  parents.  Both 
parents  are  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and 
our  subject  in  politics  is  'strongly  Republican. 


eHRISTIAN  W.  KINZINGER,  a  gentleman 
in  the  prime  of  life,  owns  and  occupies  a 
fine  farm  of  160  acres  in  Danvers  Township, 
on  section  2.  He  has  a  fine  dwelling  and  good 
barn,  and  all  necessary  out-buildings  and  appliances 
for  the  carrying  on  of  agriculture  in  a  first-class 
manner.  The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of 
the  Prairie  State,  having  been  born  in  Woodford 
County,  in  1846.  His  parents  were  Michael  and 
Magdalena  (Nafziger)  Kinzinger.  They  were  na- 
tives of  Germany  and  came  to  this  country  in  an 
early  day,  locating  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where 
Michael  K.  followed  the  business  of  a  distiller.  He 
was  married  in  about  1845  to  the  mother  of  our 
subject,  and  coming  to  Illinois  they  located  in 
Woodford  County.  Here  the  father  rented  land 
the  first  year  and  in  1 848  entered  eighty  acres,  to 
which  he  soon  afterward  added  100  more.  He  was 
prospered  in  his  farming  and  business  transactions 
and  is  still  living  and  in  good  health.  He  and  his 
excellent  wife  became  the  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Catherine  became  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Fry;  Peter  married  Miss  Nafziger;  Daniel 
married  Miss  Mary  Schick;  Jacob  married  Miss 
Lena  Kerr ;  Christian  W.  of  our  sketch  was  the 
fifth  child ;  Barbara  >ecame  Mrs.  David  Zook,  and 
Magdalena,  Mrs.  Jacob  Gunda;  Anna  became  the 
wife  of  Peter  Strautz ;  Jacobina  B.  married  Joseph 
Strubhar;  Caroline  became  the  wife  of  George 
Kirckler ;  Killian  and  August  were  the  two  young- 
est and  are  living  in  Woodford  County,  111.  Both 
parents  have  been  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church 
for  many  years.  Mr.  K.  was  a  Democrat  until  the 
administration  of  Buchanan  when  he  left  the  party, 
casting  his  first  Republican  vote  for  John  C.  Fre- 
mont, and  has  affiliated  with  that  party  since  that 
time.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  the  daughter 
of  Peter  and  Barbara  (Beck)  Naffziger,  who  be- 
came the  parents  of  the  following  children :  Bar- 


f 


572 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


bara,  Magdalena,  Phebe,  Catherine,  Jacob,]_Peter 
and  Valentine. 

Christian  W.  Kinzinger  remained  with  his  father 
on  the  I'MMII.  attending  the  common  schools  and  as- 
sisting in  the  labVjrs  of  the  homestead  until  he 
reached  his  majority.  He  was  married,  Jan.  10, 
1871,  to  Miss  Magdalena  Strubhar.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  cultivated  rented  land  for  five  years,  and 
then  purchased  the  land  which  he  had  worked  and 
which  constitutes  his  present  homestead.  It  is  all 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  with  ten  acres  of 
choice  timber.  Of  late  years  he  has  been  giving 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock, 
including  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  roadsters  and  has  some  fine  specimens 
of  Norman  and  Clydesdales. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  have  become  the  parents  of  three 
children:  Edward,  born  in  1872;  Ophelia  in  1873, 
and  Urvina  in  1876.  Both  parents  are  members  of 
the  Mennonite  Church,  and  politically  our  subject 
is  a  straight  Republican.  He  has  held  th«  office  of 
Road  Commissioner  two  terms  and  was  elected  a 
School  Director  three  successive  years.  He  is  in  all 
respects  a  representative  citizen,  and  is  contributing 
his  full  share  toward  the  growth  and  prosperity  of 
his  township. 


eHARLES  J.  STRONG,  of  Danvers  Town- 
ship, is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  this 
vicinity,  and  is  prosecuting  his  agricultural 
pursuits  on  a  fine  homestead  located  on  section  26, 
a  view  of  which  is  shown  on  another  page.  Mr. 
Strong  was  born  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  Aug. 
27,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  Abel  and  Hannah  (Ber- 
dine)  Strong;  the  father  was  of  English  descent, 
and  the  mother  of  French  Huguenot  extraction.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Connecticut  in 
1795,  and  died  in  Ohio  in  1840.  He  was  a  mer- 
chant and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  the  Represent- 
ative of  Richland  County  to  the  Legislature,  be- 
ing elected  on  the  Whig  ticket.  Besides  a  large 
stock  of  general  merchandise,  in  which  he  enjoyed 
a  lucrative  trade,  he  owned  240  acres  of  fine  farm- 
ing land  which,  with  the  buildings  thereon,  consti- 
tuted a  valuable  homestead.  The  .wife  and  mother 


is  still  living  in  New  York  City,  and  enjoying  good 
health  for  a  lady  of  advanced  3rears. 

The  parental  household  included  seven  children, 
of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Jumes  died  at 
the  age  of  four  years,  and  Oiien  when  seventeen; 
Elizabeth,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  II.  J.  Hayes, 
of  Toledo,  Ohio,  who  is  now  a  commission  merchant 
and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade;  of  this  union 
there  were  born  three  children,  only  one  of  whom 
is  living;  Mrs.  Hayes  died  in  1846.  William  L. 
married  Miss  Mary  Aborn,  and  is  a  dry -goods  mer- 
chant of  New  York  City ;  he  was  born  in  Richland 
County,  Ohio,  March  22,  1827,  is  a  prominent  and 
useful  citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party;  Rhoda  married  Rev.  Benjamin  Thomas,  a 
Baptist  minister,  and  died  in  Bloomington,  111.,  in 
1856,  leaving  three  children;  her  husband  died  in 
Arkansas  in  1883;  Charles  J.  of  our  sketch  was  the 
sixth  child ;  Abel  died  when  two  years  of  age. 

Charles  J.  Strong  and  Miss  Mary  Simpkins  were 
married  on  the  3d  of  September,  1873,  in  McLean 
County,  111.  Mrs.  Strong  was  born  in  Highland 
County,  Ohio,  Aug.  28,  1846,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  and  Margaret  (Roads)  Simpkins,  na- 
tives respectively  of  New  Jersey  and  Ohio.  Her 
father  was  born  Jan.  22,  1823,  and  the  mother 
April  12,1827.  After  the  birth  of  five  children, 
the  latter  died  on  the  2d  of  July,  1857.  Mary, 
Mrs.  Strong,  was  the  eldest  of  the  family;  Morris 
was  born  in  1848;  Josephine  in  1851 ;  Ida,  now  de- 
ceased, was  born  in  1854,  and  Emma  in  1856.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  Simpkins  married  Miss  Sarah 
Jacoby,  in  1858.  She  was  a  native  of  Illinois, 
born  in  1835,  and  is  still  living.  Of  this  union 
there  were  nine  children,  four  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy. Those  living  are  Jeremiah,  born  in  1863; 
Daniel,  in  1867;  Julia,  in  1870;  Jennie,  in  1874, 
and  Jessie.  The  father  of  these  children  is  still 
living,  and  is  now  in  Kansas.  He  served  as  a  Union 
soldier  in  the  late  war,  in  the  94th  Illinois  Regiment 
for  three  years  as  a  private,  receiving  an  honorable 
discharge  at  the  close.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  in  politics  is  a 
strong  Republican. 

Mr.  Strong  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  and  after  re- 
maining in  Bloomington  two  years  went  back  to 
Ohio,  staid  there  with  his  mother  a  year,  and  then  ' 


I 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


575 


went  to  his  brother  in  New  York  City.  In  1859 
lie  enlisted  in  the  Regular  army  for  five  years,  be- 
ing quartered  at  Carlisle,  Pa.,  for  three  months, 
and  upon  the  opening  of  the  Rebellion  went  into 
active  service.  He  participated  in  the  seven  days' 
fight  at  Games'  Mills,  Va.,  at  Gettysburg  and  An- 
tietam,  and  at  various  other  general  engagements, 
At  Games'  Mills  he  was  wounded  by  a  bayonet 
thrust  through  the  right  hand,  but  not  so  seriously 
as  to  be  sent  to  the  hospital..  After  brave  and 
faithful  service  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge on  the  3d  of  March,  1864.  In  1880 
he  took  possession  of  his  present  farm  in  this 
county.  This  consists  of  160  acres  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation,  with  a  substantial  dwelling 
and  all  convenient  and  necessary  outhouses.  He 
is  a  straightforward  business  man,  greatly  respected 
by  his  fellow-townsmen,  and  in  politics  is  a  firm  ad- 
herent of  the  Republican  party. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  Captain  in  the 
War  of  1812,  having  command  of  a  company  of 
Connecticut  militia,  serving  throughout  the  con- 
flict until  the  treaty  of  peace  was  signed,  and  was 
among  the  sturdy  spirits  of  the  old  colonial  times. 


£>ILLIAM  L.  SMITH,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Smith  &  Warner,  merchants  at 
Cooksville,  has  been  a  resident  of  Blue 
Mound  Township  since  the  spring  of  1857.  When 
a  lad  of  fifteen  years  old  he  came  here  with  his  par- 
ents, Jacob  T.  and  Eliza  (Williams)  Smith.  The 
former  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  and 
the  latter  in  Clark  County,  Ind.  After  marriage 
they  settled  in  Floyd  County,  Ind.,  where  they 
lived  until  April,  1857,  then  came  to  this  county 
and  settled  in  Blue  Mound  Township.  Here  the 
father  died  in  the  spring  of  1863;  the  mother  is  still 
living,  and  resides  in  Cooksville.  Their  seven 
children  included  five  boys  and  two  girls. 

The  subject  of  this  history,  the  eldest  of  his  par- 
ents' family,  was  born  in  Floyd  County,  Ind.,  Aug. 
27,  1842.  He  attended  school  in  his  native 
county  until  the  time  his  parents  removed  to  Illi- 
nois. He  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
he  reached  his  majority  and  in  August,  1862,  the 


Civil  War  being  then  in  progress,  enlisted  as  a 
soldier  of  the  Union  in  Co.  E,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  in  the  mean- 
time being  promoted  Corporal.  After  leaving 
the  army  he  at  once  returned  to  Blue  Mound 
Township,  and  soon  afterward  commenced  taking 
the  census  of  Gridley,  Money  Creek  and  Towanda 
Townships. 

When  Mr.  Smith  was  taking  the  census  in  To- 
wanda Township  an  incident  occurred  which  is 
worthy  of  mention.  In  the  course  of  his  travels 
he  had  occasion  to  call  at  a  certain  house  where 
the  people  were  expecting  daily  the  return  of 
a  brother  who  had  been  recently  discharged  from 
the  army.  Mr.  Smith,  who  had  still  retained 
a  part  of  his  old  uniform,  was  taken  for  the  brother, 
and  as  he  approached  the  door  a  young  lady,  sister 
of  the  expected  wanderer,  rushed  out  to  meet  him 
ready  to  embrace  him  and  bestow  upon  him  the 
sisterly  tokens  of  affection.  Just  as  she  reached 
him,  however,  she  discovered  her  mistake,  and  to 
say  that  her  cheeks  were  suffused  with  blushes 
would  scarcely  describe  her  situation.  Mr.  Smith 
who  fully  appreciated  the  '•  joke,"  did  his  part  in 
easing  it  off,  and  was  cordially  invited  into  the 
house  by  the  father  of  the  young  lady,  who  had 
witnessed  the  occurrence  and  was  rolling  on  the 
floor  convulsed  with  laughter. 

He  afterward  engaged  in  farming  and  carpenter- 
ing and  also  dealt  considerably  in  live  stock,  until 
1883.  He  then  decided  to  change  his  occupation 
and  go  into  mercantile  business  in  Cooksville.  He 
formed  a  partnership  with  Hugh  W.  Warner,  and 
they  have  operated  since  that  time  under  the 
firm  style  of  Smith  &  Warner.  They  carry  a  com- 
plete stock  and  are  doing  a  profitable  and  steadily 
increasing  trade. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  in  Bloomington,  111.,  on 
the  10th  of  March,  1870.  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Powell, 
sister  of  the  wife  of  Hugh  W.  Warner,  of  whom 
a  sketch  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 
Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio, 
July  14,  1845.  Of  this  union  there  is  one  child, 
a  daughter,  Eliza,  who  was  born  March  20,  1871. 
Our  subject  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  Cooks- 
ville in  February,  1884,  which  office  he  held  until 
after  the  change  in  the  administration.  He  is  Re- 


576 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


publican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  G.  A.  R.  Post, 
No.  1 46,  and  also  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lexing- 
ton Lodge  No.  482.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
Township  Clerk,  and  is  a  gentleman  of  sound  judg- 
ment whose  opinion  is  uniformly  held  in  respect, 
and  one  who  takes  a  genuine  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  his  county  and  community. 


J.  LUCAS,  whose  parents  were  among  the 
early  pioneers  of  Illinois,  came  to  McLean 
County  with  his  parents  when  a  child  of 
three  years  old,  in  1823.  He  has  been  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  but  is  now  retired  from  active  labor  and  enjoy- 
ing the  comforts  of  a  pleasant  and  attractive  home, 
located  at  No*  615  East  Walnut  street,  Blooming- 
ton. 

Mr.  Lucas  was  born  in  White  County,  this  State, 
Nov.  7,  1818,  his  parents  being  William  and 
Gooden  (Hendrix)  Lucas,  natives  respectively  of 
Georgia  and  England.  His  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  became  a  resident  of  McLean 
County  in  1823,  settling  three  miles  south  of 
Bloom  ington.  He  there  purchased  240  acres  of 
land,  built  a  log  cabin  and  opened  up  a  fine  farm, 
upon  which,  with  his  wife  and  family,  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded ten  children,  three  now  living:  A.  J.,  our 
subject;  Benjamin  L.,  and  Dorcas,  Mrs.  Reeder. 

Young  Lucas  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  re- 
ceived a  fair  education,  and  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  twenty-one  years  old.  Four  years  later 
he  married,  and  was  given  forty  acres  of  the  old 
homestead.  He  occupied  this  two  years,  then  re- 
moved to  LaFayette,  Ind.,  where  he  stopped,  how- 
ever, but  a  short  time.  He  then  returned  and 
rented  land  three  years  in  McLean  County,  and 
afterward  purchased  forty  acres  four  miles  south  of 
Bloomington.  He  lived  upon  this  four  years,  and 
then  purchased  172  acres  in  Martin  Township;  this 
was  partly  improved.  After  two  years  he  sold  out 
and  rented  land  in  the  Grove  for  three  years.  He 
then  purchased  sixty-five  acres,  which  he  cultivated 
until  1879,  and  then  traded  it  for  220  acres  in  Ran- 


dolph and  Downs  Townships,  upon  which  he  lived 
until  188C,  when  he  practically  abandoned  fanning 
and  moved  into  the  city. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  28th  of  Decem- 
ber. 1843,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Simmons,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  the  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Eliza- 
beth (Galloway)  Simmons.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  six  children,  only  two  now  living:  Wil- 
bur  E.  married  Lydia  A.  Bay,  and  they  have  three 
children — Roy,  Pearl  and  Ira;  Benjamin  W.  mar- 
ried M.  B.  Rhodes,  and  they  have  five  children — 
Hugh,  Charles,  Abbie,  Evva  and  Edith;  W.  E. 
lives  with  his  father,  and  has  always  followed  farm- 
ing. 

Mr.  Lucas  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a  man 
whose  opinions  are  held  in  high  respect  in  his  com- 
munity. He  has  held  the  offices  of  Road  Commis- 
sioner and  School  Director,  and  his  sons  are  men 
of  note  and  reliable  and  valued  citizens,  also  hav- 
ing been  connected  with  the  School  Board. 


ORATIO  G.  BENT,  LL.  B.,  Professor  of 
Common  Law  and  Equity  Pleadings  and 
attorney  at  law,  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native 
of  Louisiana,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1859.  He  was  born  in  the  city 
of  New  Orleans,  Nov.  22,  1857,  being  the  son  of 
Horatio  and  Lucinda  (Grimes)  Bent,  the  former  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  of  Batavia, 
N.  Y.  Horatio  Bent,  Sr.,  left  his  native  State  when 
a  young  man,  and  going  South  to  New  Orleans,  en- 
gaged in  the  commission  business  and  remained 
there  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  when 
he  came  North,  locating  in  Bloomington  in  1859, 
but  only  lived  a  few  years  afterward,  his  death 
occurring  in  1 865.  His  wife,  with  her  two  children, 
our  subject  and  his  sister,  Nellie,  who  still  survive, 
are  all  now  residents  of  Bloomington,  the  sister 
having  married  James  S.  Neville,  a  prominent 
attorney  here. 

Horatio  Bent,  Jr.,  completed  his  primary  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Bloomington  and  then 
entered  Wesleyan  University,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1879.  He  then  studied  law  in  the  office  of 


t 


MoLEAN    COUNTY. 


577 


Stevenson  and  Kwing,  took  a  course  of  study  in  the 
law  department  of  the  Bloomington  Law  School, 
whence  he  graduated  in  1882,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  that  same  year.  He  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  but  re- 
turned to  Bloomington  in  the  fall  of  1883,  forming 
a  partnership  with  John  J.  Pitts.  Six  months  later 
Mr.  J.  P.  Liudley  was  taken  into  the  firm,  and  the 
three  have  operated  together  since  that  time.  This 
is  one  of  the  strongest  firms  in  the  city,  all  of  its 
members  being  ambitious  to  excell  in  their  chosen 
profession.  In  1886  Mr.  Bent  received  the  nomi- 
nation for  County  Judge  by  the  Democratic  party 
with  which  he  affiliates,  but  missed  the  election  on 
account  of  a  large  Republican  majority.  Aside  from 
his  professional  duties  Mr.  Bent  is  a  professor  in 
the  Law  School  of  Bloomington,  with  which  he  has 
been  connected  for  the  last  three  years,  and  at 
which  he  graduated  with  the  honors  of  his  class 
before  entering  upon  his  practice. 

The  marriage  of  Horatio  G.  Bent  and  Miss  Adah 
Crist,  of  Bloomington,  was  celebrated  at  the  home 
of  the  bride's  parents  in  1 880.  Mrs.  Bent  is  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  I.  W.  Crist,  and  by  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren— Horatio  C.  and  Lewis  G.  Our  subject  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
and  Mrs.  B.  is  connected  with  the  Grace  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


,EV.  GALEN  M.  GOODE,  pastor  of  the 
Christian  Church  of  Normal,  has  charge  of 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  congregations  in 
e  county,  and  is  performing  the  duties  of 
his  high  calling  conscientiously  and  satisfactorily  to 
all  concerned.  Mr.  Goode  is  a  native  of  Macoupin 
County,  111.,  and  was  born  July  4, 1842.  His  father, 
Dr.  John  W.  Goode,  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and 
came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of 
this  State,  in  about  1830.  He  located  in  Macoupin 
County  and  there  practiced  medicine  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Mrs.  Maria 
(Bush)  Goode,  was  a  native  of  Tennessee  and  came 
to  this  State  in  about  the  same  year  as  her  husband. 
She  is  still  living  and  resides  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo., 


aged  about  seventy  years.  The  parental  family 
included  four  children,  all  now  living:  Marshall  is 
pastor  of  the  Christian  Church  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.; 
Darwin  L.  is  the  Postmaster  of  Stirrup  Grove,  Ma- 
coupin County,  and  also  superintends  the  operations 
of  his  farm  there ;  Martha  is  the  wjfe  of  John  B. 
Corwin  and  resides  in  New  London,  Mo.;  Galen  M., 
our  subject,  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

Mr.  Goode  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and 
educated  in  the  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  the 
fall  of  1 859,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  became 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  he  at 
once  took  an  active  part,  and  as  his  services  were 
always  in  demand  he  found  himself  engaged  in 
preaching  before  he  fairly  realized  the  fact.  He  was 
employed  first  to  fill  various  appointments  until 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  was  then  chosen  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Palmyra,  III.,  near  his  birthplace, 
where  he  remained  until  1873.  He  was  then  re- 
moved to  Illiopolis,  Sangamon  Co.,  111.,  where  he 
remained  for  five  years,  was  afterward  located  at 
Harristown,  Macon  County,  and  thence,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1883,  came  to  Normal.  His  life  for  many 
years  has  been  wholly  devoted  to  the  Master's  serv- 
ice, and  aside  from  his  pastoral  duties  he  has  fre- 
quently held  protracted  meetings  in  different  States 
and  taken  part  in  many  public  discussions.  In  Pal- 
myra he  conducted  a  debate  with  a  Methodist  cir- 
cuit rider  by  the  name  of  Harlan  on  the  subject  of 
baptism,  and  two  with  the  Presiding  Elder  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  on  the  same  sub- 
ject. These  discussions  took  place  before  our  subject 
was  thirty  years  of  age,  and  he  was  then  known  as 
the  "  Macoupin  Boy." 

Mr.  Goode  is  a  strong  Temperance  man  and  an 
earnest  advocate  of  Prohibition,  having  devoted 
considerable  time  to  lectures  upon  this  subject 
throughout  Central  Illinois.  In  188G  he  was  the 
candidate  for  Congress  on  the  Prohibition  ticket  in 
the  14th  District.  His  early  education  was  quite 
limited  and  his  present  attainments  are  the  result 
of  his  own  industry  and  love  of  learning.  He  is 
now  not  only  finely  educated  in  the  English 
branches,  but  has  made  considerable  proficiency  in 
Greek  and  Latin. 

The  marriage  of  Rev.  Galen  M.  Goode  and  Miss 
Mary  Nevins  was  celebrated  Dec.  27,  1863,  at  the 


f 


t 


•  >    578 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Macoupin  County. 
Mrs.  G.  is  also  a  native  of  Maconpin  County  and 
the  daughter  of  Sinus  and  Margaret  (Steele)  Nev- 
ins,  and  by  her  marriage  with  our  subject  became 
the  mother  of  seven  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Those  living  are :  Carrie  B.,  Jennie  A., 
Walter  Scott,  Harry  Virgil,  Russell  E.  and  Lucille. 


MUNSON,  an  energetic  and  pro- 
gressive farmer  of  Randolph  Township, 
owns  and  occupies  a  flue  homestead  of  120 
acres  lying  on  a  part  of  sections  18  and  19.  The 
land  is  beautifully  located  and  finely  adapted  to 
purposes  of  general  farming.  Mr.  Munson  came 
into  possession  of  this  valuable  tract  of  land  in  the 
spring  of  1872.  It  had  then  been  much  neglected 
and  its  buildings  were  of  little  value,  but  with  that 
energy  and  enterprise  for  which  our  subject  is 
noted  all  over  this  section  of  country,  he  set  to 
work  to  improve  the  condition  of  his  purchase,  and 
the  results  have  been  most  satisfactory.'  He  now 
has  a  handsome  and  attractive  dwelling,  good  barns 
and  out-bnildings,  and  has  brought  the  land  to  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  His  example  is  well 
worthy  of  imitation  by  those  prone  to  give  way  to 
discouragement,  and  is  a  fine  illustration  of  what 
may  be  accomplished  by  steady  and  persistent 
labor. 

Mr.  Munson  was  born  on  his  father's  old  home- 
stead in  Randolph  Township  on  the  17th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1844.  His  father,  a  native  of  New  Jersey 
(see  sketch),  had  been  a  resident  of  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  having  left  his  native  State  when 
ten  years  of  age,  with  his  parents.  He  was  married 
in  Randolph  Township  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Noble,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  eight  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest  now  living  and  was 
the  eldest  but  two  of  the  family.  His  early  life 
was  spent  on  the  parental  homestead  until  his  mar- 
riage, which  took  place  Feb.  13,  1869.  The  maiden 
of  his  choice  was  Miss  Amanda  J.  Scogin,  and  their 
wedding  occurred  at  the  residence  of  William  Karr 
in  Randolph  Township.  Mrs.  Munson  was  born  in 
Do  Witt  County,  near  Wapella,  this  State,  Jan.  4, 


1845.  Her  parents  were  William  and  Margaret 
(Karr)  Scogin,  who  were  born  respectively  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  Warren  County,  N.  J. 
They  were  married  in  Ohio,  and  after  the  birth  of 
four  children  came  to  Illinois  in  about  1843,  set- 
tling near  what  is  now  Wapella,  and  engaging  in 
general  farming.  There  the  father  died  in  the 
spring  of  1881 ;  the  mother  had  passed  to  her  final 
rest  on  the  8th  of  November,  1860. 

For  his  second  wife  William  Scogin  married  Mrs. 
Ella  (Tattlinger)  Marshall.  She  is  now  living  with  her 
daughter  Emma  in  DC  Witt  County.  Of  this  latter 
union  there  were  born  four  children,  two  now  liv- 
ing. Anna  is  married  to  Charles  Buck  of  Vernon 
County,  Mo.;  Mrs.  Munson  of  our  sketch  was  reared 
at  home  until  after  the  death  of  her  mother,  when 
she  went  to  live  with  her  cousin,  William  Karr,  of 
Randolph  Township,  where  she  remained  until  her 
marriage. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munson  have  become  the  parents 
of  five  children,  three  now  living — Nellie  1 1., 
Frank  I.  and  Anna  E.  The  deceased  are  John  F. 
and  Minnie,  aged  eleven  and  eight  years,  respect- 
ively; both  died  of  scarlet  fever,  one  on  the  12th 
and  the  other  on  the  17th  of  December,  1880.  Our 
subject  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Munson 
casts  the  weight  of  his  influence  in  support  of  the 
principles  of  the  Republican  party. 


APT.  HIRAM  MCDOWELL  PHILLIPS, 

hero  of  the  Mexican  and  of  the  late  war, 
and  a  resident  of  the  thriving  city  of  Le 
Roy,  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  born  in  Pike- 
ton,  Pike  Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  1,  1822.  His  father, 
Thomas  Phillips,  and  his  grandfather,  also  Thomas 
by  name,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  en- 
gaged there  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Thomas 
Phillips,  Jr.,  removed  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  day 
and  settled  in  Harrison  County,  where  his  life  ter- 
minated. Thomas,  Jr.,  accompanied  his  father's 
family,  and  after  a  few  years  went  northward  into 
Ohio  and  located  in  Seioto  County.  He  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Mary  McDowell,  a  native  of  his 


^  ' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


own  State.  They  settled  in  Pike  County,  and  lived 
for  a  few  years,  then  removed  to  Scioto  and  from 
there,  in  1828,  to  Indiana.  They  spent  one  winter 
in  Wayne  County,  and  afterward  lived  in  Tippeca- 
noe  County  a  few  years,  then  selling  out  located  in 
Montgomery  County.  The  father  of  our  subject 
departed  this  life  Feb.  17, 1851,  at  the  homeof  our 
subject  near  Danville,  111.  The  mother  died  in 
1845.  The  parental  household  included  ten  chil- 
dren, eight  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years;  our 
subject  was  the  youngest. 

Young  Phillips  was  reared  to  farm  pursuits,  and 
pursued  his  studies  in  both  public  and  private 
schools.  He  was  a  bright  boy,  fond  of  his  books, 
and  at  fourteen  years  of  age  commenced  teaching, 
which  he  followed  for  many  years  in  Montgomery 
and  Boone  Counties,  Ind.  In  1848  he  came  to 
Vermilion  County,  this  State,  and  taught  there  and 
in  Champaign  County  until  1857.  He  then  came 
to  McLean  County,  and  locating  at  Le  Roy  en- 
gaged as  a  mechanic.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in 
May,  1846,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  G, 
1st  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  going  with 
his  comrades  to  Mexico  served  one  year,  or  until 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  under  Gen. 
Taylor.  During  the  late  war,  Oct.  11,  1861,  he 
raised  a  company  of  volunteers,  of  which  he  was 
appointed  Captain,  and  with  his  comrades  assigned 
to  the  39th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  which 
was  known  as  Yates  Phalanx.  He  served  three 
years  and  four  months,  and  during  that  time  par- 
ticipated in  thirty  battles,  among  them  being  that  of 
Winchester.  At  Drury's  Bluff  he  was  wounded  and 
captured,  and  confined  three  months  and  eight 
days  in  Libby  Prison.  He  was  then  paroled  and 
proceeded  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  was  dis- 
charged in  December,  1864,  on  account  of  disabil- 
ity, and  it  also  being  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
'  service. 

Mr.  Phillips  was  married,  Dec.  17,  1848,  to  Miss 
Christiana  W.  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Harrison 
County.  Ky.,  and  the  daughter  of  Edward  W.  and 
Sarah  A.  (Phillips)  Martin.  Her  father  was  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  and  her  grandfather,  John  Mar- 
tin, a  farmer  in  Harrison  County,  that  State,  spent 
his  last  days  there.  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  (Phillips)  Mar- 


tin  was  born  in  Ohio.  She  came  with  her  husband 
to  Illinois  in  1836,  and  they  located  in  Vermilion 
County,  near  Danville,  whence  they  removed  to 
Champaign  County,  where  the  mother  died.  Ed- 
ward W.  Martin  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of 
his  daughter  in  Le  Roy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips 
have  become  the  parents  of  three  children :  Thomas 
E.,  now  living  in  Jefferson  County,  Mo. ;  George 
W.,  at  home,  and  Sarah  A.,  the  wife  of  I.  N. 
Clarke,  of  Le  Roy. 


>1LLIAM  B.  CARLOCK,  attorney  at  law, 
Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State,  and  was  born  in  Woodford  County, 
March  15,  1842.  His  father,  Abraham  W.  Car- 
lock,  who  lived  in  Overtoil  County,  Tenn.,  until 
ai'riving  at  manhood,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
married  Miss  Mary  Goodpasture,  of  Tennessee. 
After  their  marriage  they  located  in  Overtoil 
County,  Tenn.,  where  they  remained  until  1826,  at 
which  time  they  came  to  Illinois  and  lived  for  a 
while  in  Morgan  County,  whence  they  removed  to 
McLean  County,  and  thereafter  to  Woodford, 
where  the  father  died,  Feb,  19,  1884,  being  eighty- 
four  years  of  age,  he  having  been  born  April  7, 
1800.  Of  the  twelve  children  who  completed  the 
household  circle,  one  died  in  infancy,  and  another 
lived  until  ten  years  of  age.  Ten  children  lived 
to  mature  years,  and  eight  still  survive,  four 
brothers  and  four  sisters,  all  being  married'  and 
having  families  of  their  own. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  eighth  child 
of  his  parents,  and  passed  his  childhood  and  youth 
on  the  farm.  He  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  was  reared  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  economy.  After  leaving  home  he  en- 
tered Lombard  University,  at  Galesburg,  111.,  where 
he  pursued  a  thorough  course  of  study,  and  grad- 
uated with  the  highest  honors  in  the  summer  of 
1867.  In  the  meantime  he  also  taught  a  select 
school  for  several  terms,  to  assist  in  defraying  his 
expenses  while  in  college.  Wishing  to  still  further 
perfect  himself  for  business  and  usefulness  in  life, 
he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor,  and  graduated 


580 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


from  that  institution  in  the  spring  of  1869.  He 
was  then  admitted  into  the  law  office  of  Will- 
iams <fe  Burr,  of  Bloomington,  where  he  studied 
until  December,  1869,  and  was  then  admitted  to 
the  bar.  He  soon  afterward  opened  an  office  of 
his  own,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
to  which  he  has  devoted  his  attention  closely  since 
that  time,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months 
spent  in  Dakota,  improving  a  tract  of  land,  which 
he  had  purchased  there.  In  this  practice  he  has 
succeeded  beyond  his  most  sanguine  expectations. 
He  had  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances 
in  both  McLean  and  adjoining  counties,  which 
added  to  his  success  in  the  beginning  of  his  career 
as  a  lawyer.  Mr.  Carlock  is  also  the  patentee  of  a 
wire  device  for  improving  the  acoustic  properties 
of  public  halls,  churches,  etc.,  from  which  he  de- 
rives a  handsome  sum. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Carlock  with  Miss  Missouri 
McCart  took  place  on  the  6th  of  October,  1870. 
Mrs.  Carlock  was  born  May  20,  1848,  being  the 
daughter  of  Robert  McCart,  Sr.,  a  prominent  con- 
tractor and  builder  of  Bloomington.  She  is  also  a 
sister  of  Robert  McCart,  Jr.,  an  attorney  at  law  at 
Ft.  Worth,  Tex.,  who  was  formerly  in  business  in 
this  city,  where  he  was  widely  and  favorably  known, 
but  is  now,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Texas  since 
1877.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  two  sous — 
Leslie  B.,  Sept.  14,  1871,  and  William  C.,  July  15, 
1877. 

In  politics  Mr.  Carlock  is  a  stanch  Democrat, 
though  frequently  in  local  matters  he  votes  for  the 
man  who  is  best  qualified  to  fill  the  office,  instead 
of  following  in  the  line  of  the  party  nomination ; 
and  while  he  has  been  an  active  and  influential 
leader,  he  has  never  had  any  desire  to  neglect  his 
business  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  office.  Though 
a  Democrat,  he  has  always  been  in  favor  of  accept- 
ing the  good  principles  inculcated  by  any  party. 

Mr.  Carlock  is  also  a  fluent  German  speaker,  and 
much  of  his  business  is  carried  on  in  that  language, 
and  perhaps  one-half  of  his  legal  and  loaning  busi- 
ness is  with  the  German  people.  As  a  loan  agent, 
he  is  considered  one  of  the  safest  and  most  trust- 
worthy that  can  be  found,  having  kept  himself 
well  posted  upon  the  valuation  of  property. 

Mr.  Carlock  is  a  member  of  the  Unitarian  Church, 


and  his  wife  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  has  held 
the  office  of  Trustee,  and  has  always  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  church  and  the 
spread  of  liberal  Christianity.  As  a  lawyer  he  has 
been  eminently  successful,  and  is  regarded  as  care- 
ful and  painstaking,  and  has  acquired  an  enviable 
reputation  for  his  legal  acumen,  among  his  fellow 
members  of  the  profession.  His  most  lucrative 
practice  is,  perhaps,  confined  to  cases  in  chancery, 
though  he  has  devoted  much  time  to  important 
common  law  and  criminal  cases.  As  a  special 
pleader,  and  in  preparing  and  arranging  the  evi- 
dence on  a  case  and  presenting  the  same  to  a  jury, 
he  undoubtedly  excels.  He  is  already  far  advanced 
in  the  ranks  of  first-class  Western  lawyers. 

Socially  Mr.  Carlock  is  polite  and  courteous  to 
all,  and  his  affabilit}'  and  bearing  to  his  clients  is 
such  that  he  wins  their  confidence.  He  is  much 
attached  to  his  home,  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  his  county. 


THOMAS  F.  KENNEDY,  Supervisor  of  Mai- 
tin  Township,  is  actively  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead, 
which  he  purchased  in  1882.  He  is  a  native  of 
Clark  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  near  the  town  of 
Winchester,  March  23,  1852.  He  is  the  son  of 
George  and  Nancy  E.  (Railsback)  Kennedy,  both 
natives  of  the  Blue  Grass  State,  and  both  born  in 
Clark  County.  They  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  the 
fall  of  1852,  first  locating  on  a  farm  two  miles  west 
of  Bloomington.  The  family  continued  to  reside 
there  until  the  fall  of  1860,  then  removed  onto  a 
tract  of  land  in  Martin  Township,  where  George 
Kennedy  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and  departed 
this  life  on  the  10th  of  March,  1865.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  until  1867.  Their  seven  children  in- 
cluded three  sous  and  four  daughters,  of  whom' 
only  four  survive.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
James  Kennedy,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  emigrated 
to  Illinois  and  located  in  this  county  in  1851 ;  he 
is  still  living,  and  a  resident  of  Martin  Township. 
(See  sketch  of  Capt.  James  Kennedy.) 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  second 
child  of  his  parents'  family,  who  removed  to  this 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


581 


county  when  he  was  but  six  months  old.  He  received 
a  fair  education  in  the  district  school,  and  remained 
under  the  home  roof  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
old.  He  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account. 
In  1886  he  took  unto  himself  a  helpmeet,  in  the  per- 
son of  Miss  Nancy  J.Wilson.  Mrs.  K.  is  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Clara  Wilson,  natives  of  Indiana,  but 
now  residents  of  this  county.  After  marriage  the 
young  people  settled  on  a  farm  in  Martin  Town- 
ship, where  our  subject  engaged  in  general  agri- 
culture, including  stock-raising.  He  is  still  in  the 
prime  of  life,  full  of  energy  and  ambition,  and  is 
recognized  by  all  as  a  skillful  and  intelligent 
farmer,  who  avails  himself  of  the  most  modern  and 
approved  methods  of  operating  his  land.  He  en- 
joys in  a  marked  degree  the  confidence  and  esteem 
of  his  fellow-citizens,  who  have  kept  him  in  the  po- 
sition of  School  Director  for  many  years,  and  have 
elected  him  Township  Collector  for  three  years  in 
succession  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
since  the  spring  of  1885,  which  office  he  still  holds. 
Politically  he  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to 
the  welfare  of  the  country  at  large.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kennedy  are  prominently  connected  witli  the 
Christian  Church,  our  subject  having  joined  when 
fourteen  years  of  age.  He  has  been  Clerk  of  the 
church  society  for  several  years. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of 
whom  are  living  and  at  home  with  their  parents  — 
Charles  O.,  Ord  C.,  George  F.,  Gertrude  F.  and 
Myrtle  Belle. 


ability 


RS.  CLARISSA  WALL,  a  pioneer  of  1839 
and  a  resident  of  Le  Roy,  is  a  highly  re- 
spected lady  of  good  education  and  rare 
intelligence,  and  of  more  than  ordinary 
in  conducting  business  affairs.  She  is  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  born  Nov.  30,  1807.  Her  father, 
Aaron  Garrison,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  left 
his  native  State  when  a  young  man  and  wended  his 
way  to  Ohio,  stopping  first  at  Cincinnati.  While 
there  he  met  and  married  Miss  Lucy  McColun,  who 
was  a  native  of  his  own  State,  and  whose  parents 


removed  to  Cincinnati  while  it  was  yet  an   infant 
village. 

After  marriage  Mr.  Garrison  located  across  the 
river  in  Kentucky,  where  he  remained  until  1811. 
lie  then  proceeded  to  Indiana  and  settled  nine 
miles  west  of  Lawrenceburg,  in  Dearborn  County, 
upon  a  tract  of  timber  land,  consisting  of  sixty 
acres,  where  he  put  up  a  hewn-log  house  and  cleared 
fifty  acres.  In  1824  he  disposed  of  this  and  pur- 
chased 248  acres  of  timber  land  in  Rush  Count}', 
where  he  put  up  another  hewn-log  house,  which  he 
occupied  with  his  family  until  1856.  In  the  mean- 
time he  also  cleared  a  large  portion  of  this  purchase. 
Then,  disposing  of  this  he  purchased  160  acres  in 
Brown  County.  This  was  partially  improved.  He 
was  then  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age  and 
lived  but  a  few  months  after  his  last  removal,  his 
death  occurring  in  December  of  that  year.  Mr. 
Garrison  was  three  times  married,  his  first  wife,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  dying  in  Rush  County,  Iiid., 
in  1829.  The  second  wife,  formerly  Miss  Elizabeth 
Scott,  also  died  in  Rush  County.  He  married  his 
third  wife  when  eighty  years  of  age.  His  children, 
nine  in  all,  were  by  the  first  marriage.  Of  these, 
four  sous  and  four  daughters  grew  to  years  of  ma- 
turity. 

The  subject  of  this  history  made  her  home  with 
her  parents  until  she  had  grown  to  womanhood, 
and  until  her  marriage,  Jan.  29,  1835,  to  Jacob 
Karr.  He  was  born  in  Essex  County,  N.  J.,  in 
July,  1799,  and  their  marriage  took  place  in  Law- 
renceburg, Ind.  They  located  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  Mr.  K.  purchasing  a  farm  sixteen  miles  from 
Cincinnati,  which  he  occupied  until  1839.  On  the 
12th  of  May  of  that  same  year  he  started  for  Illi- 
nois, which  he  had  previously  visited,  and  purchased 
487  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  Empire  Township, 
this  county.  There  was  a  log  house  and  barn  and 
sixty  acres  were  broken.  There  were  also  fifty 
bearing  apple-trees.  Mr.  K.  was  accompanied  by 
three  children  of  the  first  marriage.  Their  outfit 
consisted  of  two  loaded  wagons,  one  drawn  by 
horses  and  the  other  by  oxen.  Mrs.  K.  came  with 
her  father-in-law,  Capt.  John  Karr,  accompanied  by 
her  two  children  and  her  brotlier-in-law,  Thomas 
Karr,  with  a  two-horse  carriage.  In  the  latter  part 
of  January  of  the  year  following,  Mr.  Karr  re- 


f 


582 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


turned  to  Ohio  to  settle  unfinished  business  and 
collect  money  due  him.  He  started  for  the  West 
the  latter  part  of  February,  making  the  trip  on 
horseback.  He  caught  cold  from  exposure,  was 
quite  sick  when  he  reached  home  and  lived  but  a 
few  weeks  afterward,  his  death  occurring  April  1, 
1840. 

In  1 849  Mrs.  Karr  was  married  the  second  time, 
to  Elias  Henry  Wall,  who  was  a  native  of  Warren 
County,  Ky.,  whence  he  came  to  this  vicinity  at  an 
early  period  in  the  history  of  McLean  County. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  occupied  the  Karr  homestead  some 
time,  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Downs  Township, 
where  they  lived  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Wall,  which 
took  place  Jan.  18,1875.  After  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band Mrs.  W.  returned  to  the  Karr  homestead, 
which  she  still  owns,  and  occupies  a  part  of  the  time. 

By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Wall  became  the 
mother  of  three  children :  Mercy  J.  was  born  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  1,  1835,  became  the 
wife  of  Harrison  Barnett,  and  departed  this  life 
March  23,  1863;  Mr.  Barnett  died  October  9  of 
the  same  year,  leaving  one  son,  Asbury,  who  is 
now  a  resident  of  Le  Roy.  The  second  child  of 
our  subject,  James  Karr,  was  born  in  Hamilton 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  8,  1837,  and  died  Sept.  16, 

1838.  The   youngest,   Rachel,  was   born  Jan.  4, 

1839,  married  George   W.  Powts,  of  Le  Roy,  and 
died  Feb.  24,  1863.     Of  the  second  marriage  there 
was  born  one  spn,  George  A.  Wall,  who  died  March 
16,   1863,  aged  twelve  years  and  seven  months. 
Asbury  Barnett,  her  grandson,  is  the  only  survivor  of 
her  immediate  family.    He  was  born  in  West  Town- 
ship, this  county,  Sept.  25,  1854,  and  was  in  his 
ninth  year  when  his  parents  died.     He  then   went 
to  live  with  his  grandmother,   with  whom   he   re- 
mained until  his  marriage,  Sept.   25,  1873.     The 
maiden  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Mary  S.  Johnson, 
who  was  born  in   Downs   Township,  this  county, 
Dec.  15.  1853.     They  have  three  children — Nettie 
M.,  Fannie  B.  and  Marcy.     Mr.  Barnett  is  engaged 
in  the  livery  business  at  Le  Roy. 

Mrs.  Wall  through  many  trials  and  afflictions  has 
preserved  a  brave  and  courageous  spirit,  and  has 
proved  herself  equal  to  every  emergency.  She  has 
conducted  her  business  and  farming  affairs  intelli- 
gently and  successfully,  and  her  two  homesteads 


are  both  handsome  and  valuable.  She  is  greatly 
respected  in  her  community,  and  during  her  long 
residence  here  has  distinguished  herself  for  her 
womanly  virtues  and  kindness  of  heart. 


NTHONY  THAYER,  deceased,  was  for- 
merly a  highly  respected  resident  of  Yates 
Township,  where  he  settled  in  1867.  He 
was  born  in  the  village  of  Warren,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  Vt.,  being  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Esther 
(Field)  Thayer,  who  after  their  marriage  located  in 
Warren,  Vt.,  where  the  father  died  in  1863.  Three 
years  afterward  the  mother  emigrated  to  Illinois, 
and  after  living  one  year  in  Tazewell  County  re- 
moved to  McLean  County  and  settled  in  Yates 
Township,  where  she  died  July  13,1879.  Of  the 
ten  children  composing  the  parental  household  only 
two  are  now  living :  Erastus,  who  resides  at  Forest, 
111.,  and  Emeline,  the  wife  of  Robert  Hopkins,  of  this 
county. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  received  a  good 
common-school  education  and  assisted  in  the  lighter 
duties  about  the  small  farm  on  which  the  family 
resided  among  the  Green  Mountains.  He  was 
about  fourteen  years  of  age  when  his  father  died, 
and  being  the  youngest  of  the  children  his  mother 
naturally  looked  upon  him  as  her  future  support. 
He  accompanied  her  to  Illinois  and  soon  after  ar- 
riving in  McLean  County,  purchased  160  acres  of 
land  on  section  19,  in  Yates  Township,  in  which  the 
mother  retained  a  life  lease.  Young  Anthony  was 
industrious  and  soon  effected  numerous  improve- 
ments on  the  new  purchase,  having  in  view  the 
establishment  of  a  future  home  for  himself  as  well 
as  a  comfortable  abiding-place  for  his  mother.  On 
the  20th  of  December,  1870,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Maggie  Arnold,  who  proved  his 
faithful  and  affectionate  companion  during  his  life- 
time. Mr.  Thayer  died  April  28,  1884,  and  is 
mourned  as  one  who  was  a  good  citizen,  a  kind  hus- 
band and  father,  and  a  useful  member  of  the  com- 
munity. He  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  a  believer  in  the  Christian  religion,  and 
although  never  having  been  connected  with  any 
church  society  he  usually  worshiped  with  the 


•*•"  J 

Pres-     T 

-ijt 


J 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


585 


b3rterians.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thayer 
there  were  born  six  children,  two  of  whom,  George 
M.  and  Ella  M.,  died  in  childhood.  Those  surviv- 
ing are,  Clarence  E.,  born  Feb.  3,  1872;  Ida  L., 
March  6,  1873 ;  Frank  E.,  July  27,  1 874,  and  Minnie 
B.,  Jan.  2,  1883. 

Mrs.  Thayer  is  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  Ger- 
many, and  was  born  April  9.  1851.  Her  parents 
were  John  C.  and  Caroline  Arnold,  who  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  when  their  daughter,  Maggie, 
was  but  one  year  old.  Mrs.  T.  continues  to  reside 
on  the  homestead  purchased  by  her  husband  and 
which  now  consists  of  240  acres  of  choice  land, 
which  she  superintends  in  an  intelligent  and  highly 
successful  manner.  She  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  greatly  re- 
spected wherever  known. 


)BIAS  S.  STAUFFER  is  the  owner  of  a  fine 
farm  of  160  acres  of  land  on  section  15, 
Old  Town  Township,  and  has  been  pros- 
pered in  the  vocation  which  he  has  followed  thus 
far  in  life.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  To- 
bias and  Anna  (.Shank)  Stauffer,  natives  of  Lan- 
caster County,  Pa.,  and  of  Swiss  and  German  an- 
cestry. Their  married  lives  were  passed  in  Lan- 
caster County,  and  the  father  died  there  Sept. 
17,  1884,  in  his  eighty-first  year.  They  had  eight 
children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  Tobias 
S.  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Tobias  S.  Stauffer  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pa.,  April  21,  1836.  He  lived  at  home  until  he 
was  about  twenty-one  years  old,  having  received 
his  education  mostly  in  the  common  schools.  After 
attaining  man's  estate  he  taught  school  for  eight 
terms  in  his  native  county,  and  after  coming  to  this 
county  taught  one  term  in  Danvers  Township. 
After  leaving  the  parental  home  the  time  of  our 
subject  was  passed  in  teaching  and  clerking  in  a 
store,  and  also  in  working  out  on  a  farm  fora  num- 
ber of  years.  He  commenced  life  with  naught  but 
a  firm  determination  to  succeed,  and  his  first  pur- 
chase was  a  small  place  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa., 
where  he  continued  to  reside,  engaged  the  while  in 
farming,  until  the  spring  of  1867.  From  1862  to 


April,  1867,  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Lan- 
caster County,  and  was  also  Assessor  in  1865  in 
the  same  county.  He  then  came  to  Alton,  this 
State,  and  the  following  summer  moved  to  this 
county  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Stauffer's  means  were  limited  on  arriving  in 
the  county,  and  he  at  first  purchased  only  forty 
acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  until  1877,  when 
he  sold  his  place  and  purchased  an  eighty-acre  tract 
in  Normal  Township.  There  he  lived  for  six  years 
and  disposing  of  his  farm  by  sale,  bought  160  acres 
of  land  in  Old  Town  Township,  the  same  being 
that  on  which  he  is  at  present  residing.  All  his 
land  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  he  is 
succeeding  as  well  in  his  vocation  as  labor,  energy, 
good  judgment  and  economy  will  permit. 

Mr.  Stauffer  was  married  in  Lancaster,  Pa.,  Nov. 
20,  1860,  to  Miss  Mary  Bishop,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Catherine  (Shely)  Bishop,  natives  of  Lancas- 
ter County,  Pa.,  and  of  Scotch  lineage.  The  mother 
died  in  Madison  County,  111.,  and  the  father  in 
Sangamon  County,  this  State.  Their  children  were 
ten  in  number  and  Mrs.  Stauffer  was  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pa.,  Jan.  1,  1843,  and  of  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject seven  children  have  been  born — Lineas  B., 
Anna  M.  B..  David  M.,  Henry  B.,  Fannie  E.,  Ben- 
jamin F.  and  Albert  T.  Lineas  is  a  resident  of 
Kansas  and  a  farmer  by  calling;  Anna  M.  B.  died 
in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  in  infancy.  While  a 
resident  of  Dry  Grove  Township  our  subject  held 
the  office  of  Collector  and  was  also  Township 
Clerk  of  Old  Town  Township.  He  and  his  good 
wife  are  members  of  the  Protestant  Methodist 
Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 
The  publishers  are  pleased  to  present  a  portrait  of 
Mr.  Stauffer  in  this  work,  and  his  many  friends  and 
acquaintances  will  readily  recognize  it,  on  another 

page.  aca^to. 

fOSEPH  HAMILTON,  a  highly  respected 
resident  of  Yates  Township,  where  he  form- 
erly engaged  extensively  in  farming,  is  now 
retired  from  active  business,  and  occupies  a 
handsome  residence  in  the  village  of  Weston.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  December, 


|-  >  586 


t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1857,  and  has  witnessed  with  keen  interest  the  re- 
markable changes  which  have  transpired  within  a 
period  of  thirty  years.  He  has  also  contributed  his 
full  share  toward  the  progress  and  development  of 
his  adopted  county,  and  has  presented  an  example 
of  industry,  enterprise  and  success. 

Mr.  Hamilton  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ohio, 
Nov.  1C,  1817.  He  traces  his  descent  from  excel- 
lent Irish  ancestry,  his  grandfather,  Robert  Hamil- 
ton, being  one  of  the  first  representatives  of  the 
family  in  this  country.  The  grandfather  emigrated 
from  Ireland  to  the  United  States,  prior  to  the 
Revolutionary  War,  in  which  he  afterward  served 
as  a  brave  and  courageous  soldier.  His  son  Rob- 
ert, the  father  of  our  subject,  after  starting  out  in 
life  for  himself,  pursued  farming,  and  being  very 
handy  with  tools  frequently  worked  as  a  mechanic. 
He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence, 
and  through  his  own  efforts  became  fairly  educated 
and  informed.  During  the  last  years  of  his  life  he 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Brown  County, 
Ohio.  He  was  taken  from  his  earthly  labors  in  the 
prime  of  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1829,  when  he 
was  about  forty-three  years  of  age.  His  wife,  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  who  before  her  marriage 
was  Miss  Nancy  Parish,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  died  in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  about  1875, 
having  survived  her  first  husband  nearly  forty-six 
years,  and  living  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
three.  The  parental  household  included  seven 
daughters  and  two  sons,  four  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Joseph  Hamilton  was  only  twelve  years  old  at 
the  time  of  his  father's  death.  His  mother  subse- 
quently married  again,  and  the  family  being 
in  limited  circumstances,  our  subject  three  years 
later  engaged  as  an  apprentice  to  learn  the  sad- 
dlery and  harness-making  trade.  He  remained 
with  his  first  employer  three  and  one -half  years,  at- 
tending school  three  months  in  each  year,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  the  balance  of  his  time.  He 
afterward  worked  as  a  "jour"  for  nine  mouths,  the 
highest  wages  he  received  being  $12  per  month. 
Subsequently  he  varied  his  occupation  by  driving 
ox-teams,  for  which  he  received  $8  or  $9  per  month, 
and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  taught  school  at 
$8  per  month  and  board.  On  the  21st  of  Febru- 
ary, 1837,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 


Elizabeth  J.  Purdum,  who  was  born  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  in  1817.  After  his  marriage  our 
subject  taught  school  and  farmed  alternately,  and 
by  the  aid  of  his  faithful,  industrious  and  econom- 
ical wife,  in  time  managed  to  save  something  from 
his  scanty  earnings.  He  resided  in  his  native  State 
until  1855,  in  the  meantime  having  become  the 
possessor  of  seventy  acres  of  land.  Then,  believing 
that  he  could  better  himself  in  the  further  West,  he 
emigrated  to  Illinois,  first  locating  in  Putnam 
County,  where  he  resided  two  years.  He  then 
rented  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  at  $4.50  an  acre  in 
advance,  being  obliged  to  borrow  the  money 
to  pay  the  rent.  For  two  years  he  raised  2,000 
bushels  of  wheat  each  year,  and  in  due  time 
found  himself  on  the  road  to  prosperity.  In  1857 
he  traded  his  laud  in  Ohio  for  100  acres  in  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  this  county,  upon  which  he  settled 
and  commenced  to  cultivate  and  improve.  Then 
came  the  panic  of  1857-58,  and  Mr.  Hamilton  in 
common  with  hundreds  of  others,  suffered  on  ac- 
count of  poor  crops  and  other  misfortunes.  He 
had  no  thought  of  giving  up,  however,  but  kept  on 
in  the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  and  soon  recovered 
himself,  and  once  more  enjoyed  the  smiles  of  fort- 
une. In  due  time  he  was  enabled  to  add  to  his 
original  possessions,  and  besides  his  town  property 
is  now  the  owner  of  1 80  acres  of  land,  finely  im- 
proved and  furnished  with  all  necessary  buildings. 
He  occupied  this  farm  until  the  spring  of  1880, 
when  he  purchased  the  property  at  Weston  which 
he  now  occupies,  and  where  he  is  living  retired 
from  active  labor.  His  faithful  companion  and 
helpmeet  departed  this  life  Nov.  9,  1 884.  Of  their 
ten  children  two  died  in  infancy  and  one  after 
reaching  manhood.  The  seven  living  are  Sarepta 
Ann,  the  wife  of  John  Vawter;  Perry ;  Amanda, 
Mrs.  Peter  J.  Piester;  Theresa,  the  wife  of  John  M. 
White;  Robert,  William,  and  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
William  Castle. 

Mr.  Hamilton  has  been  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  from  boyhood.  Early  in  life 
he  became  a  strong  Abolitionist,  and  afterward 
identified  himself  with  the  Republican  party.  Of 
late  years  he  lias  watched  the  temperance  move- 
ment with  the  deepest  interest,  and  now  ranges 
himself  on  the  side  of  the  Prohibitionists. 
1 .» 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


587 


The  publishers  of  this  work  have  taken  consid- 
erable pains  in  engraving  a  fine  portrait  of  Mr. 
Hamilton,  which  may  be  found  on  another  page. 


J"~  OHN  E.  THOMAS,  one  of  the  important 
factors  in  the  architectural  department  of 
Bloomington,  111.,  is  prominently  engaged 
'  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  most  successful  and  skillful  of  the  craft. 
Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  born  July  3,  1833.  He  is  the  son  of 
Francis  F.  and  Jemima  (Rice)  Thomas,  the  father 
a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania. 
Francis  F.  Thomas,  in  early  manhood,  became  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Greene  County,  Ohio,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  was  a  prominent  farmer  of 
that  region.  In  1855  he  disposed  of  his  real 
estate  there  and  came  to  Bloomington,  111.  The 
following  year  he  purchased  232  acres  of  land  in 
Bloomington,  where  he  resumed  his  old  occupation, 
and  occupied  the  home  here  established  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  September, 
1862.  The  wife  and  mother  had  died  two  years 
previously,  on  the  12th  of  July,  1860.  They  were 
the  parents  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living:  John  E. ;  Leander,  a  farmer  of  McLean 
County,  and  Margaret,  Mrs.  Wilson,  of  Indiana. 

John  E.  Thomas  remained  with  his  parents  until 
he  was  nineteen  years  old,  and  then  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  served  a  three  years'  apprentice- 
ship at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  then  came  to 
Bloomington,  111.,  and  since  that  time  has  been  en- 
gaged in  his  present  calling  and  is  the  oldest  con- 
tractor and  builder  in  the  city  who  is  still  doing 
business.  He  gives  employment  to  from  five  to 
twenty  men,  and  has  superintended  the  erection  of 
some  of  the  most  important  structures  in  the  city, 
among  which  is  the  Second  Ward  school-house, 
which  is  the  pride  of  all  the  people  in  that  vicinity. 
He  built  the  Orphans'  Home  in  Indiana,  the  cost 
thereof  being  $80,000,  and  also  the  Methodist 
College  at  Greencastle,  Ind.,  which  cost  $40,000. 
Before  coining  to  Illinois  he  completed  some  im- 
portant contracts  in  Ohio,  and  has  proved  himself 
eminently  fitted  for  his  chosen  vocation.  He  will 


accept  none  but  the  best  work  from  the  most  skill- 
ful employes,  and  his  name  is  a  guarantee  of  the 
architectural  beauty  and  the  solidity  of  whatever 
building  he  undertakes.  • 

The  marriage  of  John  Thomas  and  Miss  Eliza  C. 
Carman  took  place,  on  the  21st  of  October,  1858, 
in  Bloomington.  Mrs.  Thomas  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  daughter  of  Archie  and  Eliza  (Grow) 
Carman,  also  of  Kentucky.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  have  been  born  four  children — Emma 
G.,  Mrs.  Miner;  Maude  P.,  Jeannette  A.  and  Car- 
rie L.  The  attractive  home  of  our  subject  and  his 
family  is  located  at  No.  1105  East  Jefferson  street, 
where  they  dispense  a  generous  hospitality  to  a  large 
number  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  The  family 
are  connected  with  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  in  politics  Mr.  Thomas  is  identified  with  the 
Democratic  party.  He  is  also  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Thomas'  residence  is 
shown  on  another  page  of  this  book. 


UGH  W.  WARNER,  of  the  firm  of  Smith 
&  Warner,  Cooksville,  is  a  native  of  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio,  and  the  fifth  child  of 
Levi  and  Ann  (Huffman)  Warner,  also  na- 
tives of  the  Buckeye  State,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried and  lived  until  the  spring  of  1850.  They 
then  removed  west  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Mar- 
tin Township,  this  county,  where  the  father  and 
mother  died.  Their  eight  children  included  three 
boys  and  five  girls.  Hugh  W.  was  born  Jan.  11, 
1839,  and  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  of  his  native  county  until  eleven  years 
old,  when  his  parents  made  the  removal  West. 

Mr.  Warner  remained  an  inmate  of  the  parental 
home  until  he  reached  his  majority.  In  August, 
1862,  after  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war.  he  enlist- 
ed as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry, 
remaining  in  the  service  three  years,  and  receiving 
his 'honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
After  leaving  the  army  he  returned  to  this  county 
and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  until  1883.  He 
then  went  into  the  lumber  trade  at  Cooksville,  in 
company  with  David  Horney,  with  whom  he  oper- 


*Ti 

I,  ,588 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ated  for  two  years  following.  They  then  sold  out 
and  Mr.  Warner  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in 
the  mercantile  business  of  William  L.  Smith,  and 
they  have  operated  since  then  under  the  style  of 
the  firm  as  above  given.  They  carry  an  ample 
stock  of  merchandise  and  enjoy  a  lucrative  trade. 
Both  members  of  the  firm  are  wide-awake,  enter- 
prising and  courteous  in  their  dealings  with  their 
patrons  and  friends,  and  occupy  an  important  posi- 
tion among  the  business  interests  of  the  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Warner  was  married  in  Chicago,  111.,  Oct. 
28,  1867,  to  Miss  Ann,  the  daughter  of  Harper  and 
Margaret  (Janes)  Powell.  Mrs.  W.  was  born  in 
Ohio,  Feb.  7, 1841,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject became  the  mother  of  two  children,  Minnie  M. 
and  Alonzo.  Mrs.  Warner  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Cooksville.  Mr.  Warner  is  Republican  in  politics 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lexington 
Lodge  No.  482. 


1EORGE  BUNNEY,  a  highly  respected  far- 
mer and  a  resident  of  Belleflower  Township, 
where  he  is  actively  and  intelligently  en- 
gaged in  the  prosecution  of  his  chosen  calling,  is  a 
native  of  Leicestershire,  England,  born  Aug.  29, 
1820.  His  father,  William  Bunney,  and  his  grand- 
father, George  Bunney,  Sr.,  were  born  on  the  same 
estate  in  Leicestershire.  William  Bunney,  while 
young,  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker,  which  he 
followed  in  his  native  shire,  and  there  spent  his 
entire  life.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Gill,  a 
native  of  the  same  county  as  himself  and  son,  and 
she  also  spent  her  life  there. 

The  subject  Of  this  history  was  reared  in  Leices- 
tershire and  commenced  to  earn  his  own  living 
at  the  early  age  of  ten  years,  in  the  meantime 
assisting  his  mother  in  the  support  of  the  younger 
children.  The  most  of  this  time  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits,  and  after  arriving  at  years  of 
manhood  was  married,  on  the  24th  of  June,  1845, 
to  Miss  Sarah  Tomblin.  •  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in 


Northamptonshire,  England,  Juno  -2,  1X26,  being 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  (Kady)  Tomblin. 

In  IHfiO  our  subject  set  sail  with  his  family  for 
the  United  States.  They  embarked  at  Liverpool 
on  the  2Gth  of  March,  and  after  a  voyage  of  about 
six  weeks,  landed  in  Philadelphia  on  the  14th  of 
May  following.  A  brother  of  Mr.  B.  had  assisted 
him  by  paying  his  passage.  From  Philadelphia 
they  proceeded  directly  to  Madison  County,  Ind., 
where  Mr.  Bunney  soon  secured  employment  and 
as  fast  as  he  earned  the  money  paid  over  all  he 
could  spare  to  liquidate  his  indebtedness,  which 
took  nearly  four  years.  In  1854  he  left  Indiana 
and  came  to  this  State,  via  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
Rivers  to  Alton,  thence  by  rail  to  Bloomington. 
He  was  accompanied  by  his  family  and  they  first 
stopped  at  Esquire  Wakefield's,  in  Randolph  Grove. 
He  was  employed  by  Mr.  W.  the  following  year, 
and  the  family  took  up  their  residence  in  a  log 
house  which  belonged  to  the  latter,  and  he  began 
to  cultivate  land  on  shares.  Mrs.  Bunney  was 
very  industrious  and  assisted  her  husband  in  the 
support  of  the  family  by  sewing  and  washing. 
After  working  land  on  shares  for  two  years,  in 
the  meantime  having  lived  economically  and  saved 
what  he  could,  Mr.  Bunney  was  enabled  to 
buy  a  team,  and  then  began  cultivating  land  which 
he  rented  from  Mr.  Wakefield.  He  operated  thus 
for  six  years,  then  removed  to  Bloomington  Town- 
ship and  rented  land  two  years  longer.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  purchased  forty  acres  of 
railroad  land,  in  what  was  then  Mosquito  Grove, 
but  now  Allin  Township,  and  buying  a  frame 
building  (the  first  engine  house  in  Bloomington) 
removed  it  to  his  little  farm  and  converted  it  into 
a  dwelling.  He  occupied  this  with  his  family  for 
sixteen  years  following,  then  removed  to  Belle - 
flower  Township,  and  in  1880  purchased  his  pres- 
ent homestead,  which,  however,  he  did  not  take 
possession  of  until  two  years  later. 

The  farm  of  our  subject  contains  160  acres,  all 
enclosed,  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  sup- 
plied with  a  good  set  of  buildings.  Mr.  Bunney 
has  proven  himself  a  first-class  farmer  and  citizen 
and  is  universally  respected  wherever  known.  The 
children  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  are  recorded 
as  follows:  Sarah,  the  eldest,  became  the  wife  of 


•:' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


591  i 


Jonathan  Tyas,  and  lives  in  Champaign  County, 
111. ;  Mr.  Tyas  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  early  in 
the  conflict  between  the  North  and  South,  afterward 
veteranized  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war; 
Elizabeth  married  Dr.  Elijah  Woolley,  a  practicing 
physician  of  Saybrook ;  George  W.  married  Laura 
Cochran  and  lives  in  Bclleflower  Township,  on  a 
farm;  James  T.  married  Malissa  Knox  and  they 
also  live  in  Belleflower  Township,  on  a  farm ;  John 
K.  married  Hester  Jane  Vreeland  and  lives  in  Belle- 
flower  Township;  AVakefield  E.  married  Alice 
Lyons  and  lives  in  the  same  township ;  Winfield  L., 
a  twin  brother  of  Wakefield  K,,  Mary  C.  and  Emma 
are  at  home.  The  second  child  died  while  on  the 
passage  from  England  and  received  an  ocean  burial, 
and  two  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bunney  have  been  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  many'  years, 
Mr.  B.  having  assisted  materially  in  the  erection  of 
the  church  at  Stanford  and  being  one  of  its  first 
Trustees  and  Stewards.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Conference  to  exhort  and  has 
preached  in  various  places  since  that  time,  doing 
excellent  service  in  the  cause.  Mr.  B.  is  essentially 
a  self-made  man  and  he  most  nobly  gives  his  excel- 
lent wife  due  credit  for  the  courage  and  faithful- 
ness with  which  she  has  performed  her  wifely  and 
motherly  duties.  He  claims  that  to  this  excellent 
lady  a  large  share  of  his  success  in  life  is  due,  and 
as  a  neighbor  and  friend  she  is  no  less  warmly  held 
in  respect  and  esteem  by  all  who  know  her.  Mr. 
Bunney,  in  August,  1845,  enlisted  in  the  Queen's 
army,  serving  in  the  73d  Infantry  until  April 
following,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of 
disability.  A  handsome  lithographic  portrait  of 
Mr.  Bunney  is  shown  in  this  work. 


EV.  WILLIAM  G.  ANDERSON,  of  Col- 
fax,  is  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  this 
county.  He  was  born  in  Jefferson  County, 
Ind.,  Oct.  12,  1818,  and  is  the  fourth  in 
order  of  birth  of  his  parents'  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren. The  parents  of  our  subject  were  William  G. 
and  Anna  (Whitaker)  Anderson,  and  the  latter 


was  a  daughter  of  Aquilla  Whitaker,  who  moved 
to  Kentucky  in  an  early  day,  and  settled  on  Bull- 
skin  Creek,  Shelby  County.  Mr.  Whitaker  was  a 
particular  friend  of  the  famous  hunter,  Daniel 
Boone,  and  lived  a  close  neighbor  to  him.  To- 
gether they  fought  the  redskins,  and  together  they 
passed  many  a  pleasant  day  hunting  over  the  unde- 
veloped portion  of  the  State  in  which  they  were 
located.  The  Whitakers  were  of  German  extrac- 
tion, and  the  Andersons  of  Irish  lineage. 

William  G.  Anderson,  Sr.,  was  an  early  settler 
in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  whence  he  removed  to  Jef- 
ferson County,  Ind.,  and  there  engaged  in  farming. 
He  continued  to  follow  his  calling  in  the  latter 
county,  meeting  with  varied,  success  until  his  de- 
mise. This  occurred  in  November,  1862.  Our 
subject's  mother  departed  this  life  in  the  fall  of 
the  following  year.  The  parental  family  comprised 
ten  children,  seven  sous  and  three  daughters,  only 
five  of  the  number  surviving  at  this  writing  [1887]. 
Rev.  AVilliam  G.  Anderson  passed  his  boyhood 
days  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  and  there  lived, 
engaged  the  while  in  farming  until  after  he  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  manhood.  When  in  his  twenty- 
second  year,  Mr.  Anderson  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Jane  Sheridan,  the  ceremony  being  per- 
formed in  the  county  of  his  nativity.  Miss  Sheri- 
dan was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Phoebe  (Rick- 
etts)  Sheridan,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Anderson 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth  of  her  parents' 
children,  and  after  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
they  located  on  a  farm  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind., 
and  he  there  successfully  followed  his  calling  until 
the  fall  of  1855. 

It  was  in  the  fall  of  the  latter  year  that  Mr. 
Anderson,  hoping  to  better  his  financial  condition, 
brought  his  family  to  this  State  and  located  in  this 
county.  In  the  spring  of  1858  he  moved  to  his 
present  location  in  Martin  Township,  on  section  3, 
near  the  Mackinaw  Creek.  The  fine  productive 
farm  on  which  he  lives  to  day  was  then  an  unim- 
proved tract  of  land,  having  upon  it  a  small  cabin, 
which  is  still  permitted  to  stand  as  a  relic  of  by- 
gone days.  Then  he  made  his  residence  in  it,  but 
to-day  he  utilizes  it  as  a  stable.  That  our  subject 
has  been  successful  as  an  agriculturist  is  evident 


i 

I 


51)2 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


from  the  fine  and  well-improved  farm  on  which  he 
lives  to-day,  and  which  has  been  brought  to  its 
present  high  state  of  productiveness  mainly  through 
his  own  labor.  Our  subject  has  devoted  consider- 
able of  his  time  to  the  feeding  and  raising  of  stock, 
and  some  years  has  fed  as  high  as  100  head  of  cat- 
tle and  200  head  of  hogs.  His  farm  consists  of  320 
acres,  160  being  located  on  section  3,  and  160 
on  section  2,  and  170  acres  of  his  land  is  inside  the 
corporation  of  the  thriving  little  village  of  Colfax. 
About  fifty  acres  of  this  has  been  sold  out  in  town 
lots. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  become  the  parents 
of  five  children,  namely,  William  H.,  of  Colfax ; 
Francis  M.,  now  in  Dakota;  Mary,  wife  of  B.  F. 
Payne,  of  Dakota;  Millard  F.,  also  of  Dakota,  and 
James  M.  The  latter  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war, 
and  a  member  of  the  8th  Illinois  Infantry.  He  served 
his  country  faithfully  and  well,  and  lost  his  life 
while  fighting  in  her  defense,  being  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Ft.  Blakesley.  Mr.  Anderson  has  served 
as  Supervisor  of  Martin  Township,  being  the  in- 
cumbent of  that  office  for  two  years,  1868-69.  He 
was  a  candidate  on  the  Prohibition  ticket,  at  the 
election  of  1886,  for  the  Legislature,  and  while  he 
was  defeated  he  received  a  handsome  vote,  and  in 
his  own  township  ran  away  ahead  of  his  ticket.  He 
and  his  good  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  for  twenty  years  our  subject  was  en- 
gaged in  preaching  for  that  denomination.  For 
five  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Missionary 
Board,  of  Illinois,  and  for  one  year  acted  as  its 
Chairman.  He  acted  as  financial  agent  of  Eureka 
College,  of  Woodford  County,  111.,  from  the  years 
1873  to  1877,  and  raised  more  money  for  the  time 
he  occupied  the  position  than  any  one  who  has  suc- 
ceeded him,  having  raised  on  an  average  of  $1,000 
per  month  while  thus  employed.  Mr.  Anderson  is 
a  self-made  man  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and 
although  his  educational  facilities  in  early  years 
were  exceedingly  limited,  he  has  improved  each 
shining  moment,  and  in  addition  to  being  a  good 
Bible  scholar,  and  posted  upon  the  issues  of  Nation, 
State  and  count}',  he  is  likewise  one  of  the  best 
farmers  and  one  of  the  most  honored  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  county.  A  lithographic  portrait  of 
,  ,  Mr.  Anderson  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


RIN  WATERS,  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1844,  and  now  engaged  as  book- 
keeper for  Dr.  C.  Wakefield  &  Co.,  ranks 
among  the  substantial  citizens,  and  has  a  thorough 
understanding  of  the  duties  of  his  position  as  an 
accountant,  for  which  he  has  become  well  fitted  by 
a  good  education  and  a  large  experience.  The 
subject  of  this  biography  was  born  in  Watertown, 
N.  Y.,  Oct.  3,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Betsey  (Wakefield)  Waters,  natives  of  the  same 
place.  William  Waters  was  an  official  of- his  native 
county  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  but  in  later 
years  removed  to  Illinois,  and  purchasing  a  farm 
in  De  Witt  County,  devoted  himself  to  agricultural 
pursuits  and  established  a  homestead  which  he  oc- 
cupied until  his  death,  July  4,  1848.  The  mother 
died  at  the  same  place  two  years  later,  in  1850. 
Their  four  children  were  as  follows:  Henry,  a 
resident  of  lola,  Kan. ;  Orin,  of  our  sketch ;  Dr. 
Zera,  of  Bloomington,  and  Susan,  Mrs.  Andrus,  of 
Bloomington,  whose  husband  is  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
stanch  adherent  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  be- 
longed to  the  Universalist  Church.  He  was  gener- 
ous and  warm-hearted  in  his  disposition,  upright 
and  honorable  in  his  business  transactions,  a  liberal 
supporter  of  schools  and  churches,  and  greatly  re- 
spected wherever  he  was  known. 

Orin  Waters  was  a  boy  of  thirteen  years  when 
he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents.  He  received 
his  education  principally  in  the  district  schools  un- 
til he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then  became 
a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Dr.  C.  Wakefield.  In  1849 
he  came  to  Bloomington  in  the  capacity  of  a  drug 
clerk  for  the  same  gentleman,  and  continued  five 
years,  after  which  he  established  in  business  for 
himself,  being  thus  occupied  for  four  years,  after 
which  he  sold  out  and  engaged  with  R.  Thompson 
&  Co.,  in  the  drug  trade,  until  1867.  He  then  as- 
sociated himself  in  partnership  with  J.  S.  Sibird, 
and  they  purchased  the  Bloomington  Pantograph, 
conducting  it  until  the  fall  of  1869,  and  then  sell- 
ing out  started  the  Leader,  which  they  sold  in  1874. 
Mr.  Waters  then  engaged  as  book-keeper  for  Dr. 
Wakefield,  which  position  he  has  occupied  since 
that  time. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the   1st  of   Decem- 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


5<J3 


ber,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Richardson,  of  Water- 
town,  N.  Y.,  and  the  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Cyn- 
thia (Toleman)  Richardson,  natives  respectively  of 
Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  and  her  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waters 
are  the  parents  of  three  children,  as  follows  :  Frank 
R.  married  Miss  Mamie  Heaton,  and  they  reside 
in  Bloom  ington;  Cynthia  B.  is  the  wife  of  Prof. 
George  Hastings,  of  Santa  Cruz,  Cal.  ;  Delia  is  the 
wife  of  Harry  N.  Woods,  engaged  in  the  dry  -goods 
trade  at  Bloomington,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Lottie  M. 

The  residence  of  our  subject  is  located  oh  East 
AVashington  street,  at  No.  517,  where  he  dispenses 
hospitality  to  numbers  of  friends  by  whom  himself 
and  excellent  lady  are  held  in  high  esteem.  They 
are  both  members  of  the  Unitarian  Church.  Mr. 
Waters  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially  be- 
longs to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 


tion 


ski 

L> 
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feo 

H-i-i 


AMUEL  S.  YODER.  a  native  of  Mifflin 
County,  Pa.,  now  makes  his  home  in  Dan- 
vers  Township,  McLean  Co.,  111.,  being 
pleasantly  and  comfortably  located  on  sec- 
36.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1851,  and  is  a  fine  representative  of  the 
intelligent  and  progressive  farmers  of  the  West. 
Mr.  Yoder  was  born  in  1816,  his  parents  being 
John  and  Susanna  (Stutzman)  Yoder,  also  natives 
of  the  Keystone  State,  the  father  born  in  1785,  and 
the  mother  in  1795.  They  were  married  in  Mifflin 
County,  Pa.,  in  1813,  and  remained  upon  a  farm 
in  that  State  until  1837.  He  then  removed  to 
Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  and  there  cultivated  rented 
land  until  1852,  when  he  removed  further  westward 
into  Indiana.  In  this  latter  State  he  made  his  home 
with  one  of  his  sons,  and  there  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  days,  dying  in  about  1874.  The  mother 
died  in  Pennsylvania  in  1836.  Two  of  their 
twelve  children  died  in  infancy  :  Catherine  became 
the  wife  of  Adam  Greeuawalt;  Samuel,  of  our 
sketch,  was  the  second  child;  Joel  married  Miss 
Lydia  Yoder;  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  Sam- 
uel Zook;  Joseph  married  Miss  Lydia  Kurtz;  Gid- 
eon married  Miss  Elizabeth  Hartze  ;  Lydia  be- 


came  Mrs.  Peter  Stutzman ;  John  married  Miss 
Catherine  Stahley ;  Adam  married  Miss  Susan 
Kurtz;  Susan  became  Mrs.  David  Kurtz.  The 
parents  were  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 
John  Yoder,  politically,  was  an  adherent  of  the 
old  Whig  party,  but  afterward  affiliated  with  the 
Republicans. 

Samuel  S.  Yoder  was  reared  by  his  parents  to 
farming  pursuits,  and  received  a  good  common- 
school  education.  After  attaining  his  majority  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Yoder,  in  1838,  in 
Ohio.  He  cultivated  rented  land  until  1851,  then 
removed  to  this  State  and  county,  purchasing  forty 
acres  in  Danvers  Township.  In  a  short  time  he 
doubled  his  landed  estate,  but  has  now  sold  out  and 
is  living  retired  from  the  active  business  of  life. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Polly  (Kinney)  Yoder,  both  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania. They  were  married  in  about  1806,  and 
removed  from  their  native  State  the  following 
year  to  Marion  County,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Yoder 
followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  where  both 
parents  died  some  years  ago.  Of  their  children, 
three  died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are  Nancy, 
Jonathan,  Lydia,  John,  Elizabeth,  Margaret  and 
Priscilla. 

Of  the  marriage  of  Samuel  S.  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Yoder  there  were  born  the  following-named  chil- 
dren :  Jonathan  married  Miss  Kittie  Ballaman ; 
Nancy  became  the  wife  of  Ferdinand  Holderly; 
Jacob  married  Miss  Lydia  King;  John  married 
Miss  Rosa  Zimmerman;  Samuel  P.  first  married 
Miss  Ura  Lantz,  now  deceased ;  his  second  wife  was 
Miss  Lucinda  Wallace.  Mr.  Yoder  is  Republican 
in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Mennonite  Church. 


J"  AMES    H.    SPRAGUE,    proprietor   of    the 
"Sprague  House,"  Bloomington,  is  also  en- 
gaged in  the  cigar  and  tobacco  trade   on 
'    Main  street,  where  the  hotel  is  located  and 
occupies    No.    605.      Mr.    Sprague     has    been    a 
resident  of  this  section  since  1857,  and  is  as  highly 
spoken  of  as  he  is  widely  known  throughout  both 
the  city  and  township  of  Bloomington.     His  birth 


4 


t 


.V.I  1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


place  was  Marysville,  Union  Co.,  Ohio,  and  the  date 
thereof  Aug.  15,  1846.  His  father,  Jackson  G. 
Sprague,  a  native  of  Essex  County,  N.  Y.,  was  a 
cabinet-maker  by  trade.  He  migrated  to  Ohio 
when  a  young  man,  where  he  met  and  married  M  i-- 
Sophronia  Rose,  a  native  of  Buffalo,  Y.  Y.  After 
his  marriage  he  located  in  Marysville,  Ohio,  where 
he  carried  on  an  extensive  furniture  business  until 
1856,  and  served  as  Sheriff  of  Union  County,  Ohio, 
for  a  period  of  seven  years.  He  then  removed 
with  his  family  to  Lexington,  111.  He  was  opposed 
to  slavery  and  a  strong  friend  of  the  Union  and 
thus,  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out,  his  patriotism 
was  moved  to  such  an  extent,  that  he,  in  1862,  al- 
though forty-seven  years  old,  volunteered  his  serv- 
ices to  the  Union  and  was  mustered  into  the  field 
of  action  as  a  member  of  Co.  G,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.. 
and  served  two  years  and  a  half,  and  was  then  dis- 
charged on  account  of  physical  disability.  The 
disease  which  he  contracted  while  in  the  army  still 
retains  its  hold  upon  him  and  there  is  no  doubt  but 
that  he  will  suffer  from  it  all  the  days  of  his  life. 
In  consequence  of  this  he  now  draws  a  pension. 
After  retiring  from  the  army  he  resumed  business 
a  few  years,  but  his  health  compelled  him  to  retire 
from  active  labor.  He  then  returned  to  Blooming- 
ton,  and  with  the  help  of  good  employes,  carried 
on  an  hotel  successfully  for  several  years.  The 
faithful  and  affectionate  wife  and  mother  departed 
this  life  in  1 885,  since  which  time  the  father  of  our 
subject  has  lived  retired  from  active  business.  The 
four  children  of  the  family  are  Cloa  A., deceased; 
James  H.,  Lucinda  R.  and  Freeman  R. 

James  H.  Sprague  was  but  ten  years  old  when 
the  family  removed  from  Ohio  and  settled  in  this 
county.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
schools  at  Lexington,  111.,  and  in  1864,  although 
not  having  attained  the  age  required  to  become  a 
soldier,  proffered  his  services  to  assist  in  the  preserv- 
ation of  the  Union  and  was  accepted  as  a  member 
of  Co.  G,  146th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  until 
honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
then  returned  to  Lexington,  where  he  owned  and 
operated  a  line  of  drays  until  1871.  He  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Chicago  <fe  Alton  Railway 
Company  as  a  machinist,  in  their  shops  at  Bloom- 
ington,  where  he  remained  for  a  period  of  fourteen 


years.  Subsequently  lie  engaged  as  a  traveling 
salesman  for  a  Bloomington  dg:ir  and  tobacco 
house,  and  Feb.  1,  1886,  succeeded  his  employ- 
ers in  the  business.  He  now  conducts  a  fine  retail 
trade,  having  one  of  the  finest  tobacco  stores  in  Cen- 
tral Illinois.  He  is  courteous  and  attentive  to  his 
patrons,  genial  and  pleasant  in  disposition,  and  lins 
gathered  around  him  a  host  of  friends  who  value 
him  as  much  for  his  excellent  personal  traits  as 
they  respect  him  for  a  thorough-going  and  upright 
business  man.  He  is  a  stanch  friend  of  the  temper- 
ance movement,  has  never  tasted  intoxicating 
liquors,  and  in  all  respects  is  a  law-abiding  citizen 
and  the  friend  of  system  and  good  order.  He  pos- 
sesses rare  social  qualities  and  takes  a  Jeep  interest 
in  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  his  county  and 
community.  In  about  1875,  Mr.  Sprague  became 
identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  is  now 
a  member  of  Damon  Lodge  No.  10,  having  passed 
all  the  chairs  from  the  outer  door  to  the  Grand 
Lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Custer  Division 
No.  22,  U.  R.  K.  of  P.,  and  belongs  to  John  A. 
Logan  Post  No.  146,  G.  A.  R.  Although  said 
Post  has  a  membership  of  over  400  there  is  but  one 
younger  in  years  than  our  subject.  He  possesses 
excellent  executive  ability  and  is  scarcely  to  be  ex- 
celled in  military  tactics,  being  a  good  commander, 
thorough  in  drill  and  possessing  the  qualities  requis- 
ite for  the  responsible  position  which  he  occupies. 
He  is  Chief  Captain  of  Ridgley  Temple  Patriarchal 
Circle  No.  4,  one  of  the  best  drilled  in  the  county. 
His  company  competed  for  a  prize  on  the  30th  of 
May,  1887,  and  the  Patriarchal  Circle  carried  off 
the  silver  cup.  Its  members  some  time  since  pre- 
sented Mr.  Sprague  with  an  elegant  watch  charm, 
valued  at  $30,  which,  however,  is  insignificant  in 
comparison  with  the  spirit  which  prompted  the  gift. 
Mr.  S.  is  also  a  member  of  Towanda  Tribe  No. 
48,  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  of  which 
he  is  the  highest  officer  as  well  as  Captain  of  the 
Team. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Sprague  occurred  on  the 
24th  of  December,  1868,  the  maiden  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Agnes  D.  Donovan.  Mrs.  S.  was  born 
in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  Donovan.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject 
there  has  been  one  son — Carl  R.,  born  Feb.  6,  1871. 


•    •    ;•' 

• 

'.; 


RESIDENCE  or  F.  A.  EYESTONE  ,  SEc,6.jT.21.J,  FUNKS  GROVETOWNSHIP 


RESIDENCE  or  Jos,T.  MARTiN,SEc.1.(T.2l.),RANDOLPHTowHSH!p. 


RESIDENCE  OF  EZRA  W.  KEN  YON  .Scc.S^NlT.  HOPE  TOWNSHIP. 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


597   < 


The  Spragiic  House  is  a  neat  little  hotel,  ably 
conducted,  and  furnishes  excellent  accommodations 
to  a  goodly  number  of  the  traveling  public.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.'  S.  are  lovers  of  music  and  aside  from  the 
gatherings  around  the  family  fireside  their  voices 
are  regularly  heard  in  the  choir  of  the  Independent 
Church  of  Bloomingtou.  Mrs.  S.  is,  and  has  been 
organist  of  the  Sunday-school  ever  since  its  organ- 
ization two  and  a  half  years  ago,  and  Mr.  S.  is, 
and  has  been  Superintendent  of  the  same  for  the 
same  length  of  time. 


ifp^ZRA  W.  KEN  YON,  of  Mt.  Hope  Township, 
is  an  honored  pioneer  of  the  Prairie  State, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  resident  since  he  was 
a  little  boy  four  years  old.  He  was  born  in  Plain- 
field,  AVindham  Co.,  Conn.,  on  the  21st  of  January, 
1836,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Ezra  T.  and  Susan* 
(Kathbone)  Kenyon;  a  sketch  of  his  parents  may 
be  found  in  the  biography  of  Dennis  Kenyon,  in 
another  part  of  this  volume. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  received  his  early 
education  in  the  subscription  school,  and  later  at- 
tended the  free  schools  after  their  establishment  in 
this  locality.  He  commenced  the  duties  of  life  at 
an  early  'age  by  assisting  his  parents  on  the  farm, 
and  made  his  home  with  them  until  after  his 
marriage.  He  then  settled  on  a  farm  in  wjiat  was 
known  as  New  Kentuekj-,  and  is  located  on  section 
20  of  Mt.  Hope  Township.  It  was  wild  prairie  land 
when  he  first  came  into  possession  of  it,  and  he  set 
himself  industriously  to  work,  breaking  the  sod, 
cultivating  the  soil  and  erecting  the  necessary  farm 
buildings.  He  occupied  this  until  1865,  and  then 
removed  to  his  present  homestead.  This  last  was 
also  uncultivated,  and  he  went  through  the  same 
processes  which  he  had  employed  on  his  first  pur- 
chase. It  consisted  originally  of  eighty  acres.  He 
persevered  in  his  operations  until  it  is  now  finely 
improved  and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
A  view  of  the  place  is  shown  on  another  page. 

The  landed  possessions  of  Mr.  Kenyon  now  ag- 
gregate 860  acres  of  land,  furnished  with  suitable 
farm  buildings.  The  family  residence  is  commo- 
dious and  convenient,  the  out-buildings  are  in  ex- 


cellent order  for  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shel- 
ter of  stock,  and  his  valuable  farm  machinery  is 
modeled  after  the  most  approved  plan.  In  short, 
all  the  appliances  of  the  homestead  give  indication 
of  the  direction  of  an  intelligent  mind  and  wise 
judgment,  and  the  farm,  with  its  appliances,  is  one 
of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the  landscape  of 
McLean  County. 

Mr.  Kenyon  was  married  on  the  25th  of  March, 
1858,  to  Miss  Margaret  A.  Leonard,  a  native  of 
Susquehanna  County,  Pa.,  who  was  born  on  the 
19th  of  May,  1837.  Mrs.  Kenyon  is  the  daughter 
of  Phillip  and  Eliza  (Prescott)  Leonard.  The 
household  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  includes  three  chil- 
dren-— Sarah  E.,  Emma  L.  and  Arthur  T.,  and  all, 
with  the  exception  of  the  son,  are  connected  by 
membership  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Kenyou  is  Republican  in  politics,  well  informed, 
and  takes  an  interest  in  all  matters  of  general  im- 
portance. He  has  been  intimately  connected  with 
the  business  and  industrial  interests  of  this  section, 
and  has  contributed  his  full  quota  toward  the 
building  up  of  his  adopted  town  and  county. 


J'~  OSEPH  DENNING,  a  substantial  and  re- 
spected resident  of  Bloomington,  located  at 
No.  808  East  Chestnut  street,  is  turning  his 
principal  attention  to  dairying,  having  a  fine 
herd  of  fourteen  cows,  and  carry  ing  on  a  successful 
trade  in  milk  and  cream.  Mr.  Denning  was  born  in 
Holmes  Count}7,  Ohio,  April  20,  1834,  being  the 
son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  A.  (AViley)  Denning,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania.  They  emigrated  from  the 
Keystone  State  and  located  in  Ohio,  in  June.  1833. 
There  the  father  was  engaged  in  boot  and  shoe 
making,  and  remained  a  resident  of  the  Buckeye 
State  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1857.  He 
was  a  zealous  member  of  the  Method  fst  Episcopal 
Church,  and  officiated  as  Class-Leader  for  many 
years;  the  mother  is  still  living  at  an  advanced  age, 
and  makes  her  home  with  one  of  her  children  in 
Dakota.  The  parental  household  of  our  subject 
included  eleven  children,  seven  now  living,  viz. : 
Joseph,  Thomas  F.,  Joshua  AV.,  Catharine,  Samuel 
R.,  Jacob  H.  and  Rev.  John  O. 

As  is  seen  our  subject  was  the  eldest  child  of  the 


t 


t 


598 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


family  household.  lie  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
attended  school  during  his  childhood  and  youth, 
remaining  with  his  parents  until  thirty  years  of  age. 
In  1859  he  came  to  Illinois  and  rented  a  farm  in 
Danvers  Township,  this  county,  which  he  occupied 
four  years.  He  then  rented  laud  in  Normal  Town- 
ship for  three  years  following,  coming  to  Blooming- 
tou  in  1870.  He  rented  here  until  1875,  and  then 
purchased  a  home  west  of  the  railroad,  which  he 
occupied  six  years,  and  in  1882  purchased  his  pres- 
ent home,  which  includes  four  lots  and  a  comforta- 
ble dwelling. 

Mr.  Denning  was  married  in  this  county  in  1863, 
to  Miss  Alcinda,  the  daughter  of  Asa  and  Elizabeth 
(Stewart)  Hall,  of  West  Virginia.  Her  father  was 
engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and  came  with  his 
family  to  Illinois  in  1857.  He  located  in  Danvers 
Township,  this  county,  upon  a  farm  of  170  acres, 
which  he  had  purchased,  and  which  remained  his 
home  until  his  death  in  1858.  The  mother  sur- 
vived until  1874.  Of  their  ten  children,  five  only 
are  now  living  —  Thomas  E.,  William  $.,  John  N., 
David  C.  and  Alcinda.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Den- 
ning were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  her  father  was  Deacon  and  Clerk. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
two  children  —  Charles  A.  and  Nellie  M.  Mr.  Den- 
ning is  Republican  in  politics,  and,  with  his  wife 
and  son,  a  member  of  Grace  Methodist  Church. 
He  at  one  time  occupied  a  position  on  the  police 
force  of  the  city.  He  has  all  his  life  been  a  man 
of  industry  and  enterprise,  and  is  a  peaceful  and 
law-abiding  citizen,  holding  the  respect  of  his 
neighbors  and  the  esteem  of  many  friends.  A  lith- 
ographic view  of  Mr.  Dcnning's  dairy  is  shown  on 
another  page  of  this  work. 


O.  UUTLEDGE,  one  of  the  honored  pio- 
neers of  McLean  County,  and  in  former 
days  one  of  its  most  useful  and  valued  cit- 
izens, having  now  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty  years,  is  spending  his  declining  days  in  com- 
fort and  retirement  at  the  home  of  his  son-in-law, 
William  W.  Elder,  of  Heyworth.  During  these 
long  years  he  has  built  up  for  himself  a  good  rec- 


ord, and  has  earned  the  good  will  of  all  with  whom 
he  has  come  in  contact.  His  familial-  form  upon 
the  streets  is  regarded  with  that  peculiar  veneration 
accorded  the  first  settlers  of  the  Prairie  State,  and 
there  are  none  who  do  not  wish  that  his  las|  days 
may  be  his  best. 

Mr.  Rutledge  was  born  near  Augusta.  Ga.,  Sept. 
18.  1806.  His  father,  Robert  Rutledge,  was  also  a 
native  of  the  same  State,  and  his  grandfather,  John 
Rutledge,  whose  birthplace  is  not  now  known,  died 
in  White  County,  111.  Both  the  father  and  grand- 
father of  our  subject  were  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits. Robert  Rutledge  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  State,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Otticer, 
who  was  reared  in  Georgia,  but  it  is  believed  was 
born  elsewhere.  They  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  all  born  in  the  latter-named  State,  and  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest.  The  family  re- 
moved to  Henderson  County,  Ky.,  in  about  1820, 
^ind  engaged  in  agriculture.  There  the  father  died 
a  few  years  later,  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  leaving  behind  him  a  good  record  as  a  cit- 
izen, neighbor,  father  and  friend. 

Shortly  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  the 
mother  of  our  subject  came  with  her  children  to 
White  County,  111.,  at  an  -early  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  that  State,  in  1820.  The  land  was  then 
mostly  wild  and  unbroken,  but  in  common  with 
the  other  pioneers  of  that  day  they  had  prepared 
themselves  to  meet  with  courage  the  difficulties 
which  might  beset  them.  They  engaged  in  farm- 
ing as  before,  but  in  1826  removed  to  what  is  now 
McLean  County,  111.,  and  located  south  of  Ran- 
dolph Grove,  in  what  is  now  Randolph  Township, 
on  section  36.  They  settled  on  a  squatter's  claim, 
and  when  the  land  came  into  market  secured  it  by 
purchase.  Mr.  R.  of  this  notice  first  secured  eighty 
acres,  and  afterward  added  to  his  landed  posses- 
sions until  he  finally  became  the  owner  of  1,000 
acres,  which  he  has  since  mostly  divided  among  his 
children.  He  has,  however,  retained  for  his  own 
use  one  fine  farm  of  240  acres,  the  proceeds  of 
which  yield  him  a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Rutledge  made  his  advent  into  McLean 
County,  driving  an  ox-team  with  a  small  wagon. 
After  coming  to  Illinois  the  family  lived  one  year 
in  Sangamon  County.  Our  subject  was  poor  in  •  ' 


t 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


509    t 


purse,  as  the  father  had  not  left  any  property,  but 
with  the  courage  of  youth  he  bravely  began  the 
struggle  of  life  and  set  about  the  establishment  of 
a  future  home.  He  was  remarkably  successful  in 
his  undertakings,  but  after  a  short  time  his  labors 
were  interrupted  by  a  call  for  troops  to  defend  the 
whites  from  the  dangers  which  ensued  on  account 
of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  Our  subject,  in  this  as 
in  all  other  respects,  bravely  armed  himself  for  his 
duty,  went  into  service  and  remained  until  the 
conflict  was  over,  escaping  unharmed.  He  was, 
however,  one  of  the  very  few  of  his  company  per- 
mitted to  return  to  their  home,  the  others  being 
carried  off  either  by  disease  or  the  missiles  of  the 
enemy.  Mr.  R.  was  in  the  fight  at  Dixon,  111.,  and 
his  company  was  commanded  by  Capt.  M.  L.  Co- 
vell,  of  Bloomington,  111. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1829,  Mr.  Rutledge  was 
married  in  Randolph  Township,  then  in  Tazewell 
County,  111.,  to  Miss  Cynthia  Rutledge,  a  native  of 
Henderson  Count}7,  Ky.  She  came  to  this  State  in 
1812,  when  a  very  small  child,  and  was  among  the 
earl}'  settlers  of  Randolph  Township.  She  depart- 
ed this  life  in  this  township  in  February,  1883,  and 
her  name  is  held  in  tender  remembrance  by  her 
family  and  a  large  circle  of  friends.  She  was  a  de- 
voted member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
was  possessed  of  all  womanly  virtues,  being  a  ten- 
der and  affectionate  wife  and  mother,  and  at  all 
times  a  faithful  friend  and  helper  of  the  afflicted 
and  distressed.  Mr.  Rutledge  has  also  been  con- 
nected with  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  many 
years,  and  officiated  as  Elder  for  a  long  period. 
In  politics,  he  has  always  been  an  uncompromising 
Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
Gen.  Jackson. 


LEXANDEK  J.  YANCEY,  formerly  a 
prosperous  farmer  of  this  count}'  but  now 
engaged  in  the  livery  business  at  McLean, 
has  been  a  resident  of  Illinois  since  1872, 
He  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Va.,  Aug.  3, 1845, 
being  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  Jane 
(Lee)  Yancey.  The  former  was  born  in  Madison 


County,  Va.,  and  the  latter  in  Orange  County, 
where  they  settled  after  their  marriage.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  and  slaveholder,  and 
afterward  became  overseer  of  a  plantation  in  the 
Old  Dominion.  He  died  in  Orange  County,  Va., 
Aug.  7,  1845,  one  day  before  the  birth  of  his  son, 
our  subject.  The  latter  was  the  third  child  of  his 
parents,  two  others  having  died  in  infancy.  He 
lived  with  his  mother  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age 
and  was  then  indentured  to  a  farmer  for  a  term  of 
five  years.  Being  unkindly  treated,  he  only  served 
two  of  these  and  then  went  to  live  with  an  uncle, 
witli  whom  he  remained  until  fourteen  years  of  age. 
Our  subject  then  joined  his  mother  in  Rockingham 
County,  Va.,  and  received  his  first  instruction  at  a 
school.  He  was  employed  upon  a  farm  during  the 
summer  seasons  and  pursued  his  studies  in  winter, 
thus  gaining  a  fair  education. 

In  the  fall  of  1860,  young  Yancey  entered  a 
printing-office  in  Harrisonburg.  but  not  liking  the 
trade  soon  retired  and  became  an  apprentice  to  a 
blacksmith,  with  whom  he  served  four  months.  The 
shop  was  then  closed  and  he  was  variously  employed 
until  the  summer  of  18(52.  The  war  being  then  in 
progress  he  was  conscripted  into  the  rebel  army  for 
detached  duty,  and  after  serving  six  months  en- 
tered Co.  C,  Cth  Va.  Vol.  Cav.,  which  rendezvoused 
at  Camp  Lee,  Richmond.  Young  Yancey,  with 
others,  was  obliged  to  furnish  his  own  horse,  to  pay 
for  which  he  borrowed  $500  of  his  uncle.  The 
first  horse  was  killed,  and  he  purchased  another. 
To  add  to  his  misfortunes  he  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Gaines'  Mills,  but  after  a  time  recovered 
sufficiently,  and  was  assigned  to  light  duty,  being 
placed  in  charge  of  the  cattle  of  the  commissary 
department.  He  was  in  the  valley  of  Virginia  upon 
the  surrender  of  Lee  and  soon  after  returned  to  his 
old  home. 

Out  subject  resumed  his  school  studies  for  six 
months,  and  then  commenced  to  learn  the  carpen- 
ter's trade.  After  serving  two  years  he  received 
journeyman's  wages  and  began  to  save  money.  He 
purchased  lots  in  Harrisonburg,  upon  which  he 
built  tenement  houses  and  later  became  a  contractor 
and  builder,  which  business  he  followed  until  1872. 
He  then  sold  his  interest  in  that  section,  and  com- 
ing West  to  Illinois,  purchased  fifty -three  acres  of 


600 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


land  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  this  county,  and  com- 
menced life  as  a  farmer,  continuing  in  agricultural 
pursuits  until  1884.  He  was  prospered  in  his  agri- 
cultural and  business  operations,  and  as  time  passed 
on  added  to  his  first  purchase  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
K;:>  acres,  finely  improved  and  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  Besides  this  property  he  owns 
twenty  lots  in  different  places  in  the  village  of  Mc- 
Lean. In  1884  he  rented  the  farm,  and  coming  to 
McLean  engaged  in  his  present  business. 

Mr.  Yancey  was  married  in  1869,  to  Miss  Susan 
C.  Rodeffer,  who  was  born  in  Shenandoah  County, 
Va.,  being  the  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Eliza- 
beth C.  (Sterling)  Rodeffer.  Of  this  union  there 
have  been  born  six  children:  Elizabeth  C.,  Mag- 
gie V.,  Arthur,  who  died  in  infancy,  Charles  H., 
Lulu  J.  and  Burt.  Thomas  Johnson,  ten  years  of 
age,  is  also  an  inmate  of  the  household.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Yancey  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  socially  our  sub- 
ject belongs  to  McLean  Lodge  No.  409,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M. 


^OHN  FEAHL,  a  worthy  and  successful  far- 
mer of  Allin  Township,  is  a  native  of  the 
Kingdom  of  Denmark,  where  he  was  born 
Jan.  20,  1841.  His  parents  were  Clarence 
and  Christina  (Manges)  Feahl,  natives  of  the  same 
country  as  their  son.  They  departed  this  life  in 
1859  and  1860,  respectively.  When  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  Mr.  Feahl  turned  his  face  toward  the 
New  World,  sailing  from  Bremen  in  1864,  and 
landing  in  New  York  City,  whence  he  proceeded 
directly  to  Illinois  and  McLean  County,  locating 
at  Danvers. 

Our  subject  was  married,  Jan.  28,  1808,  to  Mrs. 
Barbara  (Staker)  Schertz,  who  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  6,  1834,  of  German  ancestry 
and  parentage.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Bar- 
bara (Engle)  Staker,  natives  of  Germany,  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1826,  and  located  in 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  the  father  died  in  1862, 
and  the  mother,  July  11,1880.  Their  children 
were  five  in  number,  all  daughters :  Elizabeth  mar- 
ried Jacob  Ehresman ;  Barbara  of  our  sketch  was 
the  second;  Annie  is  now  Mrs.  Peter  Smith;  Mag- 


dalena,  Mrs.  Jacob    lleidell,   and    Catherine,   Mrs. 
William  Miller. 

Mr.  Feahl  learned  the  trade  of  photcring  and 
bricklaying  in  his  native  country,  in  which  he  be- 
came an  expert,  and  followed  his  trade  for  some 
years  there.  He  purchased,  in  1878,  eighty  acres 
of  land,  which  constitutes  his  present  homestead. 
Upon  this  he  has  a  handsome  and  substantial  resi- 
dence, with  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings. In  addition  to  general  agriculture  he 
is  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  Norman  horses,  the 
name  of  his  stallion  being  Robert  Prince  Imperial, 
who  is  six  years  old  and  weighs  1,850  pounds.  This 
is  a  fine  animal  in  all  respects  and  a  model  of 
strength  and  beauty.  He  has  also  several  fine 
broods  of  mares,  and  his  operations  in  this  depart- 
ment of  business  yield  him  a  handsome  income. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Feahl  are  two  in 
number — Elizabeth  B.,  Mrs.  E.  Mclleynolds,  and 
Annie  A.,  born  March  21,  1874.  Mrs.  Feahl  by  her 
first  marriage  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  as 
'follows:  John  E.  married  Miss  Barbara  Reser; 
Mary  E.  is  single  and  resides  with  her  parents; 
William  H.  married  Mary  J.  Small,  and  Joseph 
A.  married  Annie  E.  Nebb.  Mrs.  F.  belongs  to 
the  Mennonite  Church  and  our  subject  to  the  . 
Lutheran.  Mr.  F.  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and 
in  all  respects  is  a  law-abiding  and  worthy  citizen. 


J^  OHN  SHAVER,  of  Blue  Mound  Township, 
is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  born  in  Ful- 
ton County,  Aug.    12,    1850.      His  parents 
were    George   and   Margaret    (Mcllhaney) 
Shaver,  natives  of  Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  where 
they  were  married  and  settled  for  a  time,  but  later 
emigrated  to  this  State.     They  made  the  journey 
overland  with   team,  and  took  up  their  abode  in 
Fulton  County,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.     George  Shaver  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  the  parental  household   included  nine 
children,  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  as  follows: 
Henrietta,    Winfield,    Mary    C.,    Permelia,    Anna, 
John,    Melville,  Samuel,    and  Maggie;    Henrietta, 
Winfield  and  Melville  are  deceased. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  to  farming 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


601     t  \ 


pursuits  and  lived  at  home  with  his  parents  until 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  In  the  spring  of  1874 
he  started  out  for  himself,  and  coming  into  this 
county  rented  a  tract  of  land  in  Blue  Mound 
Township,  which  he  operated  for  about  five  years. 
He  was  prospered  in  his  farm  ing  and  business  tran- 
sactions and  at  the  expiration  of  this  time  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land.  This,  however,  he 
sold,  and  purchased  eighty-three  acres  on  section 
4,  which  constitutes  his  present  homstead.  He  has 
a  comfortable  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  other 
necessary  outhouses,  and  is  carrying  on  his  peace- 
ful occupation  with  fair  success. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Shaver  occurred  in  Lexing- 
ton Township,  this  county,  Nov.  28,  1878,  the 
maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of 
James  and  Luany  (Evans)  Woodard,  natives  of 
Indiana.  They  emigrated  from  Morgan  County, 
that  State,  to  McLean  County,  111.,  in  about  1862, 
settling  in  Lexington  Township,  where  they  still 
reside.  Their  five  children,  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  are  Anna,  Sarah,  Pierce,  Wesley  and 
Alexander  ;  Pierce  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Shaver  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  Dec.  23,  18.58,  and  remained  with 
her  parents  until  her  marriage.  She  is  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  our  subject,  politically,  affiliates  with 
the  Republican  party. 


WILLIAM  WILSON,  a  highly  esteemed 
farmer  of  Towanda  Township,  is  the  son 
of  Smith  and  Latta  (Corbett)  AVilson,  na- 
tives of  Ireland  and  Virginia  respectively.  Smith 
Wilson  emigrated  to  America  when  but  a  boy,  with 
his  parents,  who  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  and 
where  he  died.  Several  years  afterward  his  widow 
came  to  Bloomington  to  live  with  her  children,  her 
death  taking  place  in  that  city  in  May,  1864.  The 
parental  household  included  four  daughters  and 
eight  sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  history  was 
the  seventh  child.  He  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Pa.,  May  1,  1822,  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation, and  when  nineteen  years  of  age',  commenced 


to  learn  the  trade  of  bricklaying,  at  which  he  served 
an  apprenticeship  of  three  years,  and  which  he 
afterward  followed  in  connection  with  farming 
until  the  present  time.  He  lived  in  Fayette 
County,  Pa.,  until  the  summer  of  1859,  when  he 
came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  but  after  a  few 
months  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  again 
removed,  in  the  spring  of  I860,  this  time  with  his 
family,  to  Bloomington,  111.  There  he  followed  his 
trade  for  nearly  twelve  years,  and  then  purchased 
a  farm  in  Towanda  Township,  on  section  1$  where 
he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1883,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  section  6,  where  he  now  owns  ninety- 
nine  acres  of  valuable  land. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  first  married  in  Allegheny  County, 
Pa.,  to  Miss  Eliza  Corry,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  two  children: 
Lotta  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  W.  A.  Williams,  of  Santa 
Barbara,  Cal. ;  James  married  Miss  Mattie  Newton 
and  resides  in  Cooksville,  this  county.  Mrs.  Eliza 
C.  Wilson  departed  this  life  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  about  1857.  Mr.  Wilson,  aftercoming  to  Illi- 
nois, was  married  the  second  time,  on  the  23d  of 
November,  1864,  in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  to 
Mrs.  Louisa  (Newton)  Kennedy,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Martha  (Haggard)  Newton,  and  widow  of 
Thomas  Kennedy,  who  died  in  Kansas,  in  August, 
1855,  leaving  his  widow  and  one  daughter,  Annie, 
who  is  now  the  wife  of  Fred  A.  Church,  of  Texar- 
kana,  Ark.  Mrs.  Wilson's  parents  after  their  mar- 
riage, settled  in  Kentucky,  where  the  father  was 
engaged  in  farming.  In  the  fall  of  1836  they 
came  to  Hancock  County.  111.,  and  in  September, 
1844,  moved  to  McLean  County,  and  settled  in 
Dale  Township,  where  they  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Their  household  included  three 
children.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
Sept.  30,  1835,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
has  become  the  mother  of  two  children — Edwin 
M.  and  Grace  E.  While  living  in  Bloomington, 
Mr.  Wilson  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Alder- 
men, and  has  also  served  as  School  Trustee.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  politics  our  subject 
is  strongly  Republican. 

One  brother  and  three  half-brothers  of  Mrs.  Wil- 
son— David  Nathan,  Dawson  Newton  and  John  L. 


I 


f 


•*»• 


602 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


\ 


Rontt — served  as  soldiers  in  the  Union  army  during 
tin-  late  war.  John  Routt  was  Sheriff  of  McLean 
County  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  and  after- 
ward became  a  Captain  in  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry. 
He  was  afterward  Division  Quartermaster  with  the 
rank  of  Colonel. 


G^  EORGE  AGLE,  a  representative  business 
man  of  Bloomington,  is  successfully  engaged 
as  a  dealer  in  hides,  wool,  fur,  leather  and 
findings,  and  occupies  Nos.  207  and  209  South 
Center  street.  Mr.  Agle,  whose  name  is  spelled  by 
the  Germans  Egle,  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
in  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Laney 
(Henry)  Agle,  both  natives  of  Germany^he  fa- 
ther coming  to  America  with  his  parents  when  a 
boy  of  eleven  years.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, also  George  Agle  by  name,  after  reaching  the 
United  States,  settled  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  a  remarkable  man  in  many  respects.  He  never 
rode  in  a  wagon  or  on  horseback  to  the  knowledge 
of  our  subject,  and  when  past  eighty  years  of  age 
would  walk,  every  Sabbath,  five  miles  to  church. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven,  and  every  tooth 
was  as  perfect  as  when  a  child.  Before  coming  to 
America  he  served  as  a  soldier  under  the  first  Na- 
poleon for  a  period  of  eleven  years  and  six  months, 
during  which  time  he  was  at  the  memorable  siege 
and  burning  of  Moscow,  Russia,  and  was  the  hero 
of  many  other  thrilling  incidents  connected  with 
his  life  as  a  soldier. 

Frederick  Agle,  father  of  our  subject,  followed 
agricultural  pursuits  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  until 
1880,  when  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  and  has 
since  lived  a  retired  life.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject left  her  native  land  when  a  young  girl,  thir- 
teen years  old,  and  was  married  to  Frederick  Agle 
in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  They  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  third 
in  order  of  birth. 

George  Agle  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  sixteen 
years  of  age,  in  the  meantime  receiving  a  practical 
'  education.  He  then  went  to  Hamburg,  Erie  Co., 
N.  Y.,  and  engaged  to  learn  the  tanner  and  cur- 
rier's trade,  at  which  he  served  three  years,  and 


then,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  came  to  Illinois  and 
opened  up  the  business  he  now  carries  on.  He 
first  located  on  East  Front  street  for  eight  years. 
In  1881  he  purchased  the  grounds  which  he  now 
occupies,  and  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  fine 
brick  block,  three  stories  in  height,  and  occupying 
an  area  of  45x75  feet.  He  is  also  the  owner  of 
several  houses  and  lots  within  the  city  limits,  and 
a  finely  improved  farm  of  165  acres  in  Hudson 
Township,  which  is  operated  by  a  tenant. 

Mr.  Agle  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Carrie  W. 
Eckhardt,  who  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y., 
and  is  the  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  (Bley) 
Eckhardt,  also  of  the  Empire  State.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Agle  became  the  parents  of  three  children :  George 
F.  is  in  the  office  with  his  father;  Frank  W.  and 
Charles  F.  are  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Agle  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  German  Lutheran 
Church,  of  which  our  subject  has  been  a  Trustee 
for  the  last  eight  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  is  essentially  a  self-made  man,  to 
whom  all  credit  is  due  for  his  worthy  and  persever- 
ing efforts,  which  have  met  with  abundant  success. 


LBERT  STETSON,  A.  M.,  who  ably  fills 
the  chair  of  Language  and  Reading  in  the 
Illinois  State  Normal  University,  and  a 
resident  of  Normal,  was  born  in  Kingston, 
Mass.,  Aug.  6,  1834.  The  Stetsons  in  the  United 
States  are  direct  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims  who 
landed  on  our  shores  in  1820,  from  the  Mayflower. 
Albert  Stetson  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah 
(Bryant)  Stetson.  They  had  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren, of  whom  there  are  living  at  the  present  writ- 
ing— Emma  F.,  the  youngest,  anil  Albert,  our  sub- 
ject, the  eldest.  Our  subject's  father  was  a  harness- 
maker  by  trade  and  followed  the  same  in  Kingston, 
Mass. 

In  early  life  Albert  worked  at  shoemaking,  and 
afterward  in  a  tack  manufactory.  His  education, 
however,  was  not  neglected,  for  after  attending  the 
common  schools  at  Kingston  and  an  academy  at 
New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  for  a  while,  he  entered 
the  Bridgewater  Normal  School,  from  which 


jred 
*!' 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


603 


1 


graduated  at  the  expiration  of  a  year.  Soon  after 
leaving  the  Normal  School  he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  a  pedagogue  at  Provincetown,  Cape  Cod, 
having  charge  of  a  grammar  school  in  that  locality 
one  year.  After  this  he  entered  the  preparatory  de- 
partment of  Antioch  College  at  Yellow  Springs, 
Ohio,  where  he  remained  a  year.  He  then  returned 
to  New  England  and  accepted  a  position  as  assistant 
teacher  in  a  private  school  for  boys,  at  New  Bed- 
ford, Mass.,  and  was  there  one  year.  Leaving  the 
school-room  he  was  under  private  tutorship  for  a 
few  months,  and  then  matriculated  at  Phillips  Exe- 
ter Academy,  the  school  from  which  Daniel  Web- 
ster graduated,  and  followed  the  curriculum  of 
that  institution  for  one  year. 

In  1858  Prof.  Stetson  entered  the  Sophomore  class 
of  Harvard  University  and  graduated  therefrom 
with  honors  in  1861,  having  completed  the  entire 
course.  He  then  taught  for  one  year  the  High  School 
at  Provincetown,  Mass.,  the  same  town  where  he  had 
taught  just  ten  years  before.  In  the  fall  of  1 862  Prof. 
Stetson  came  West,  arriving  at  Normal,  October 
12,  and  accepted  a  postion  as  teacher  in  the  Illinois 
State  University,  which  position  he  is  filling  at 
the  present  time  with  credit  to  himself  and  honor 
to  the  institution.  Richard  Edwards,  long  Presi- 
dent of  the  State  Normal  University,  and  now 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  of  Illinois, 
was  one  of  Mr.  Stetson's  teachers  at  Bridgewater, 
and  it  was  at  his  request  that  our  subject  accepted 
the  position  he  now  holds. 

Prof.  Stetson  was  married,  June  29,  1864,  to 
Margaret  E.  Osband.  She  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Gideon  and 
Mary  Ann  Osband.  Their  family  consists  of  two 
children — Lillian  M.  and  Will  Stetson.  Mrs  Stet- 
son is  a  graduate  of  Macedon  Academy,  Wayne 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  a  teacher  for  many  years.  She 
camn  to  Normal  in  1861  to  accept  the  position  of 
Preceptress  of  the  State  Normal  School,  having 
been  the  first  to  hold  that  position,  and  continued 
as  such  for  three  years.  She  was  then  married 
to  the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  abandoned 
the  profession,  having  taught  altogether  for  up- 
ward of  twelve  years.  In  the  summer  of  1868 
Prof.  Stetson  went  to  Europe  and  was  absent  for 
about  four  months.  During  that  time  his  compe- 


tent wife  taught  several  of  his  classes.  Mrs.  Stet- 
son is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

The  brother  of  Mrs.  S.,  Gen.  E.  D.  Osband,  was 
a  resident  of  Chicago  prior  to  the  breaking  out  of 
the  late  Civil  War,  and  was  among  the  first  to  en- 
list in  the  Union  army  with  Barker's  Dragoons,  in 
which  he  held  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant.  This 
was  the  first  company  to  leave  Chicago  for  the  field 
of  conflict.  He  served  three  months  under  George 
B.  McClellan.and  then  came  to  Chicago  and  helped 
to  raise  the  4th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  elected 
Captain  of  Company  A ;  later  this  company  was 
detached,  becoming  Gen.  Grant's  escort,  its 
Captain  was  thus  on  very  intimate  terms  with 
the  General,  and  at  his  request  went  to  Missis- 
sippi and  raised  the  3d  United  States  Colored  Cav- 
elry,  of  which  he  became  Colonel,  and  was  finally 
brevetted  General.  He  died  in  1866  on  a  planta- 
tion in  Mississippi,  where  he  had  settled  at  the  close 
of  the  war. 


ATTHIAS  SUITER,  a  representative  Ger- 
man farmer  of  Blue  Mound  Township,  has 
been  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  since  the 
spring  of  1854,  emigrating  here  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  thirty-three  years  of  age.  He 
was  born  in  Germany,  Sept.  7,  1821,  where  he  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits.  In  accordance  with  the 
laws  and  customs  of  his  native  country  he  was 
placed  in  school  at  an  early  age,  and  received  a 
thorough  German  education  and  afterward  served 
in  the  army  for  a  period  of  twelve  years.  After 
landing  upon  American  shores  he  proceeded  at  once 
to  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  lived  three  months  and 
then  started  for  the  West.  Coming  into  Illinois  he 
located  in  McLean  County,  and  for  five  years  fol- 
lowing was  employed  in  the  lumber  yards  of  the 
C.  &  A.  R.  R.  at  Bloomington.  He  then  took  up 
his  abode  on  a  small  farm  adjoining  the  city  limits, 
where  he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1868,  then  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Blue  Mound  Township, 
settling  upon  section  19.  which  has  since  been 
his  home.  He  possesses  the  substantial  and  in- 
dustrious qualities  of  his  nationality  and  has  been 


f. 


(  ,  604 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


greatly  prospered  in  his  business  and  forming  trans- 
actions. He  is  now  the  owner  of  312  acres  of 
valuable  land,  with  good  stock  and  a  substantial  set 
of  frame  buildings. 

Mr.  Sutter  was  married  in  Bloomington  on  the 
2d  of  February,  1856,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Baldish- 
field,  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Sept.  10,  1833. 
Of  this  union  there  were  eight  children :  Samuel, 
the  eldest,  married  Miss  Otillie  Zable  and  resides  in 
Blue  Mound  Township;  Joseph,  Henry,  Edward  and 
William;  and  three — Louisa,  Mary  and  Frank— de- 
ceased. Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  stanch  ad- 
herents of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  politically  Mr. 
Sutter  casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party. 


f  AMES  J.  HASTINGS,  who  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State  since  1859,  was 
originally  a  plasterer  by  trade,  but  of  late 
years  has  been  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 
IleTis  now  the  owner  of  280  acres  of  valuable  land 
in  Dry  Grove  Township,  where  he  has  a  fine  resi- 
dence and  all  the  appliances  of  a  modern  country 
estate.  His  land  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
and  his  thrift  and  prosperity  are  the  result  of  his 
own  enterprise  and  industry.  He  has  lived  tem- 
perately and  economically,  has  invested  his  profits 
wisely,  and  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  prosperous 
and  representative  citizens  of  the  township.  The 
homestead  is  located  on  section  12,  and  commands 
the  attention  of  travelers  through  this  locality  as 
being  the  home  of  wealth  and  comfort. 

Mr.  Hastings  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Pa., 
on  the  25th  of  February,  1826.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Jane  (Carroll)  Hastings,  both  also  natives 
of  the  Keystone  State,  and  of  American  ancestry. 
John  Hastings  was  born  May  17,  1797,  passed  his 
entire  life  in  Pennsj'lvania,  and  died  upon  his  farm 
there  on  the  14th  of  December,  1832.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  old  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs. 
Jane  C.  Hastings  was  born  Nov.  6,  1796,  and  died 
in  Pennsylvania  Nov.  19,  1858.  She  was  an  earn- 
est Christian  lady,  a  member  of  the  same  church 
as  her  husband,  and  the  mother  of  five  children,  all 
of  whom  were  living  in  1886.  The  record  of  the 
parental  family  is  as  follows:  William  married  Miss 


Cooper  of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and  they 
are  living  in  Vinton  County,  that  State;  Mary  A. 
was  first  married  to  Moses  Hayes,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased ;  her  second  husband  was  Alex  Dougherty, 
and  they  live  in  Illinois.  James  J.  of -our  sketch 
was  the  third  child  of  the  family;  Thomas  C.  mar- 
ried Miss  Rachael  Hayes,  and  they  are  living  in 
McLean  County,  111. ;  Jane  became  the  wife  of 
James  H.  Beeks,  and  they  reside  in  this  State. 

The  marriage  of  James  J.  Hastings  and  Miss 
Ella  Lenliart  was  celebrated  on  the  25th  of  January, 
1854.  Mrs.  Hastings  was  born  in  Somerset  County, 
Pa.,  March  14,  1837,  and  is  the  daughter  of  George 
and  Mary  (Garey)  Lenhart,  natives  of  Louisiana 
and  Pennsylvania.  Both  are  now  deceased.  Of 
their  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  Catharine 
became  the  wife  of  Josiah  Wymer,  and  ie  now  de- 
ceased; Benjamin  married  Miss  Ella  Fleck;  Joseph 
and  Angeline  died  in  infancy;  Monroe  married 
Miss  Rosa  Coleman ;  Hannah,  Mrs.  B.  Waltor,  re- 
sides in  Pennsylvania;  Eucebie  married  Mr.  C. 
Shumaker;  Victoria  married  Miss  T.  Searberg; 
Mary  and  Ella  were  next  in  order  of  birth;  Eliza- 
beth, deceased,  was  the  wife  of  William  Goslin; 
George  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

Of  the  union  of  Mi:  and  Mrs.  Hastings  there 
were  born  ten  children,  all  but  one  living,  and  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Alice  J.  was  born  Oct.  25, 
1855;  Mary  F.,  Feb.  2,  1857;  John  B.  was  born 
Feb.  12,  1859,  and  married  Miss  Ida  Smith;  they 
are  living  in  this  county;  William  C.  was  born 
Oct.  5,  1860;  Thomas  J.,  born  Aug.  2,  1862,  died 
July  1,  1881 ;  Charles  G.  was  born  Aug.  25,  1864; 
Bertie  E.,  Aug.  2,  1868:  Mark  L.,  April  7,  1870; 
Stella  C.,  June  30,  1872;  James  J.,  Feb.  23,  1875. 

Mr.  Hastings  came  to  this  county  in  1859,  after 
working  at  his  trade  of  plasterer  in  Pennsylvania 
for  about  eighteen  years.  He  followed  the  same 
business  in  connection  with  farming  for  some  time 
after  coming  here,  and  previously  purchased  eight}- 
acres  of  land  in  Dry  Grove  Township.  He  then 
entered  upon  its  improvement  and  cultivation, 
and  subsequently  added  to  his  acreage  as  stated 
above.  While  not  connected  with  any  church  or- 
ganization he  is  a  believer  in  the  Scriptures,  and  en- 
deavors to  follow  the  teachings  of  the  Master  and 
do  unto  others  as  he  wishes  them  to  do  unto  him. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


607 


Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  always  taken 
an  active  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  his  township, 
and  has  contributed  liberally  to  the  erection  of 
churches  and  the  establishment  of  schools.  Although 
not  receiving  a  collegiate  education  he  is  a  gentle- 
man of  fine  attainments,  having  been  an  extensive 
reader  and  keeping  himself  well  posted  upon  mat- 
ters of  general  interest. 


t 


VSEEOME  T.  KEPNER,  one  of  the  represent- 
ative citizens  of  McLean  County  aiid  a 
successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  residing 
on  section  1 1 ,  Dry  Grove  Township,  was 
born  in  Juniata  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  20,  1830.  He  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Hattie  (Walker)  Kepner, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  of  German 
parentage  and  she  of  German  descent.  The  father 
was  born  in  1803,  and  is  yet  living,  having  attained 
the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  is  liv- 
ing on  the  farm  in  Pennsylvania  on  which  he  has 
labored  for  the  last  fifty  years.  The  place  consists 
of  200  acres  and  is  located  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
the  Juniata  River.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
born  in  1805,  and  died  in  September,  1883,  in  Penn- 
sylvania. The  father  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He  became 
the  head  of  a  family  of  nine  children.  Those  now 
living  are,  Jerome,  the  subject  of  this  notice;  Cal- 
vin; Samuel;  Mary  J.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Ritzman ;  William  W.  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Hittle,  and  Matilda,  now  Mrs.  Benjamin  Groni- 
ger. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  is  the  eldest  of  his 
father's  children  and  was  reared  to  farm  labor,  re- 
ceiving his  education  in  the  district  school,  and  con- 
tinued to  reside  with  the  old  folk  until  the  age  of 
manhood.  On  becoming  his  own  man  he  came 
West  in  1854,  and  located  in  Peoria  County,  where 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  improved  land.  On 
this  place  he  located  with  his  wife  and  two  children, 
and  at  once  engaged  in  its  improvement.  A  year 
and  a  half  passed  by  when  death  took  his  loved 
companion  from  him,  her  demise  being  caused  by 
consumption.  Our  subject  then  took  his  two  chil- 
dren and  returned  to  the  place  of  his  nativity, 


reaching  there  in  185C.  Remaining  with  friends 
until  the  following  spring,  he  returned  to  Peoria 
County  and  was  there  a  resident  for  about  three 
years.  He  then  went  back  East  and  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Rice  Stephens,  the  date  of  the  ceremony 
being  Aug.  11,  1864.  She  was  born  June  24, 
1838,  in  Juniata  County,  Pa.,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Kepner)  Rice,  of  German 
parentage.  Mr.  Rice  was  a  dry -goods  and  grocery 
merchant  at  Port  Royal,  Juniata  Co.,  Pa.  He  was 
born  in  1803,  and  departed  this  life  in  January, 
1859.  His  good  wife  was  born  in  1814,  and  died 
in  August,  1854.  They  had  ten  children,  the  first 
of  whom  died  in  infancy ;  Matilda  C.,  Martha  J. ; 
Sarah  E.,  wife  of  our  subject,  John  II.,  Mary  M., 
Margaret  E.,  Winfield  S.,  Zachariah  E.  and  Fran- 
ces A. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  moved  to  Livingston 
County.  111.,  in  1869,  and  was  there  engaged  in 
farming  for  fourteen  years.  He  then  came  to  this 
county  and  purchased  156  acres  of  valuable  and 
productive  land,  the  same  being  that  on  which  he  is 
at  present  residing.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the 
breeding  and  raising  of  fine  draft  horses  and  is 
meeting  with  signal  success  in  both  branches  of  his 
vocation.  He  has  held  the  various  offices  of  his 
township  while  a  resident  of  this  county  and  while 
living  in  Livingston  County  was  Commissioner  of 
Highways  for  ten  years.  He  is  at  present  one  of 
the  Board  of  School  Trustees  of  this  township.  In 
politics  he  is  Republican,  and  his  good  wife  and  five 
daughters  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Kepner  is  presented  on  another 
page  of  this  work. 


D.  CRUMBAUGH,  Police  Magis- 
trate  of  LeRoy,  was  born  in  Frederick 
County,  Md.,  Feb.  12,  1806.  His  father, 
Simon  Crumbaugh,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county, 
and  his  grandfather,  Conrad  Crumbaugh,  a  native 
of  Germany.  The  latter  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  when  a  young  man  and  located  in  Frederick 
County,  Md.,  being  among  its  earliest  settlers,  and 
there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  His  family 
included  eleven  children,  of  whom  the  father  of 


t 


'  608 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


our  subject  was  the  fourth  son.  Simon  Crumbaugh 
was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  with  the 
•  exception  of  a  short  time  spent  in  learning  the  pot- 
ter's trade,  was  occupied  in  agricultural  pursuits 
during  his  Entire  life  in  his  native  State.  His  farm 
was  about  ten  miles  northeast  of  Frederick  City, 
being  the  old  homestead  where  himself  and  all  his 
brothers  and  sisters  were  born.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Phd'be  Devilbiss,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
Frederick  County,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
husband  near  Woodsbury.  Simon  Crumbaugh  died 
in  November,  1843.  They  had  but  two  children, 
John  and  Gideon  D.  The  former  spent  his  entire 
life  in  Frederick  County. 

Gideon  D.  Crumbaugh  was  reared  to  farming 
pursuits,  and  lived  with  his  parents  until  1826.  He 
then  went  to  Frederick  City  and  engaged  as  clerk 
in  a  dry -goods  store,  and  afterward  followed  the 
same  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  for  twenty  months,  then  re- 
turned to  Maryland  and  worked  on  the  farm  which 
he  had  inherited  from  his  father  until  1854.  Again 
he  left  Maryland,  this  time  coming  to  Le  Roy  and 
engaged  in  clerking  for  three  years.  He  was  then 
elected  Police  Magistrate  and  has  continued  in  the 
office  since  that  time,  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years. 
In  1861  he  was  appointed  Postmaster,  holding  the 
office  until  1866.  He  was  re-appointed  in  1869, 
and  continued  until  1877.  Since  that  time  he  has 
confined  himself  to  his  duties  as  Police  Magistrate 
and  Collector.  Mr.  C.  has  [1887]  just  been  elected 
to  the  office  of  Police  Magistrate  for  four  years 
longer. 

Gideon  D.  Crumbaugh  was  married  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  iu  1829,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Reid,  who  was  a 
native  of  that  city.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  nine  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows : 
Simeon,  a  teacher  in  the  city  schools  at  Toledo, 
Ohio,  died  there  in  1884;  George  is  a  farmer  of 
Frederick  County,  Md. ;  Mary  J.  died  in  Paris, 
Edgar  Co.,  111. ;  Kate  became  the  wife  of  S.  L. 
Bishop,  and  lives  in  Empire  Township;  Margaret, 
who  married  Capt.  James  Cannaday,  lives  in  Martin 
Township;  Laura  died  in  Le  Roy  in  1863;  Charles 
enlisted  in  Co.  C,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  died  while 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  army ;  Fannie  married  W. 
H.  Bartlett,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind. ;  Emma  became 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Parks  and  died  at  Little  Rock, 


Ark.;  Scott  died  in  Le  Roy  in  1883.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Crumbaugh  departed  this  life  in  1877,  and 
Mr.  C.  was  married  in  1879,  to  Mrs.  Permelia 
Wiley.  The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  located 
and  our  subject  and  children  enjoy  in  a  marked  de- 
gree the  highest  respect  of  their  neighbors  and 
friends.  Mrs.  Permelia  (Wiley)  Crumbaugh  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  17th  of  April,  1887,  aged 
seventy-four  years. 

A  fine  likeness  of  Mr.  Crumbaugh  may  be  found 
on  another  page  of  this  work. 


<ftl  YTLE  R.  WILEY  most  emphatically  lives 
on  the  line  which  divides  Martin  and  Lawn- 
dale  Townships,  said  line  running  through 
his  kitchen,  but  for  certain  reasons  he  prefers  to  be 
called  a  resident  of  Martin.  Of  this  he  has  been 
one  of  its  most  useful  and  valued  citizens  and  has 
contributed  a  generous  share  toward  its  develop- 
ment. Mr.  Wiley  was  born  in  Garrett,  Meade  Co., 
Ky.,  Nov.  7,  1815.  When  but  six  mouths  old  his 
parents  removed  to  another  part  of  the  State,  and 
two  years  and  a  half  later  to  Switzerland  County, 
Ind.,  where  our  subject  lived  until  1835.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  came  into  McLean  County,  111., 
with  his  father,  and  lived  with  him  in  what  is  now 
Martin  Township  for  about  two  years,  having  in 
the  meantime  purchased  1 60  acres  of  laud  located 
partly  in  Lawndale  and  partly  iu  Martin  Township. 
To  this  Mr.  Wiley  subsequently  added  from  time 
to  time  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  1,050  acres  of 
land,  100  of  which  is  in  timber.  He  has  been  in- 
dustrious, economical  and  wise  in  his  disbursement 
of  funds,  and  is  now  reckoned  among  the  thorough- 
going and  prosperous  business  men  of  this  section. 
Mr.  Wiley  was  married  in  Switzerland  County, 
Ind.,  June  13,  1843,  to  Miss  Sarah  R.  Wiley,  a 
distant  relative,  who  was  born  in  Switzerland 
County,  Ind.,  Dec.  12,  1825.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  the  eldest. 
Thomas  R.,  married  Miss  Mattie  Reeves,  and  is  a 
successful  physician  of  Gibson  City ;  Rhoda  M.  and 
John  are  at  home;  Hannah  E.  and  William  -S.  are 
deceased;  Sarah  L.  became  the  wife  of  Henry  C. 
Henline,  and  resides  in  Lawndale  Township;  Lytle 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


609 


R.,  Jr.,  married  Miss  Mary  M.  Harpole,  and  is  a 
resident  of  Martin  Township;  Mary  C.,  Mrs.  Will- 
iam Hudson,  resides  in  Lawndale  Township.  The 
faithful  and  affectionate  wife  and  mother  departed 
this  life  Sept.  25,  1881,  having  been  a  lady  greatly 
respected  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. She  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Wiley  might  properly 
be  termed  an  Independent  Greenbacker  politically, 
and  in  the  casting  of  his  vote  endeavors  to  support 
those  men  whom  he  deems  best  fitted  for  office. 
He  is  a  man  whose  opinion  and  judgment  are  highly 
respected,  and  has  held  various  minor  offices  in  his 
township. 


ffi  UDGE  THOMAS  F.  TIPTON,  a  prominent 
attorney  of  Bloomington,  was  born  near 
Harrisburg,  Franklin  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  29, 
1  833.  His  father,  Hiram  Tipton,  came  to  this 
State  and  county  in  the  fall  of  1844,  and  died  March 
20  of  the  following  year.  The  latter  was  a  native  of 
the  same  county  as  his  son,  and  occupied  himself  in 
farming  pursuits  in  Ohio  during  the  earlier  years  of 
his  life.  There  also  he  was  married  to  Miss  De- 
borah, the  daughter  of  Albert  Ogden,  Esq.,  of  Fay- 
ette  County,  who  was  born  the  same  year  as  her 
husband.  After  marriage  they  located  in  Franklin 
County,  whence  they  removed  to  Pickaway 
County,  where  they  lived  until  they  started  for  the 
West.  After  reaching  this  county  they  settled 
upon  a  tract  of  land  northeast  of  Bloomington, 
where  the  family  resided  for  several  years  after  the 
death  of  the  father,  and  where  our  subject  grew  to 
manhood.  The  mother  afterward  married  Henry 
Stumpff. 

Thomas  F.  Tipton  started  out  early  in  life  on  his 
own  account,  his  first  step  being  to  still  further  per- 
fect his  studies  by  attendance  at  school  in  Lexing- 
ton, under  the  instruction  of  Col.  W.  N.  Coler.  He 
then  commenced  teaching  and  also  studying  law, 
and  after  a  time  thus  occupied  entered  upon  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  H.  N.  Keightley,  of 
Knoxville,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  his 
twenty-first  year,  in  June,  1854.  He  opened  an 
office  at  Lexington,  where  lie  lived  and  practiced 
for  seven  years  following,  and  then,  in  January, 


1862,  came  to  Bloomington  and  associated  himself 
in  partnership  with  Judge  R.  M.  Benjamin.  They 
operated  together  until  1870,  in  the  meantime  hav- 
ing taken  in  Judge  Weldon.  In  1870  Mr.  Tipton 
was  elected  Circuit  Judge,  the  circuit  being  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  McLean,  Logan  and  De 
Witt.  Three  years  later  the  district  was  changed 
so  that  McLean  and  Ford  Counties  constituted  the 
circuit,  and  he  was  re-elected  in  the  new  circuit. 
Judge  Tipton  continued  to  occupy  this  position 
until  the  1st  of  March,  1877,  when  he  resigned, 
having  in  the  meantime  been  elected  member  of 
the  Forty-fifth  Congress,  serving  two  j'ears. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  this  county  in  1856, 
to  Miss  Mary  J.  Strayer,  who  was  born  and  reared 
in  Logan  County,  Ohio,  being  the  daughter  of 
Nicholas  Strayer.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
seven  children,  five  now  living — Harry  V.,  Belle 
E.,  Helen  F.,  Laura  B.  and  Thomas  W.  In  early 
life  Judge  Tipton  was  what  was  known  as  a  Douglas 
Democrat,  but  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  be- 
came a  stanch  Republican,  and  has  always  been 
prominent  in  the  councils  of  his  party  in  this  State. 


ETER  D.  SPRINGER,  is  a  native  of  the 
Province  of  Alsace  Lorraine,  and  emigra- 
ted from  his  native  country  with  his  par- 
ents when  a  child  of  four  years  old,  and 
became  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  in  1854.  He 
was  born  Sept.  5,  1826,  being  the  son  of  Christian 
and  Magdalena  (Engle)  Springer,  a  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  in  the  biography  of  Andrew  J. 
Springer  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  in 
the  meantime  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  being  trained  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  economy.  Nov.  13,  1856,  our  sub- 
ject was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Elisa 
Brenaman,  in  Tazewell  County,  111.  The  young 
couple  soon  afterward  removed  to  the  farm  of  Mr. 
S.,  which  he  had  purchased  before  his  marriage, 
and  upon  which  they  still  reside,  and  which  con- 
sists of  390  acres  of  valuable  land.  Our  subject 
erected  a  fine  dwelling,  two  stories  in  height,  and 


f 


t 


'  •  610 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 


covering  an  area  of  20x34  feet,  with  an  L  18x16. 
His  barns  and  out-buildings  correspond  with  the 
residence,  and  the  whole  premises  indicate  the  su- 
pervision of  a  thorough-going  and  progressive 
fanner.  Mr.  Springer  makes  a  specialty  of  raising 
Poland-China  hogs,  of  which  he  has  one  of  the  finest 
herds  in  Allin  Township.  He  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  affairs  of  this  section  since  com- 
ing here,  and  takes  a  genuine  interest  in  the  welfare 
of  his  adopted  country.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Commissioner  of  Highways,  Town  Clerk, 
School  Trustee,  School  Director,  and  in  each  posi- 
tion has  acquitted  himself  with  great  credit.  So- 
cially he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  in 
which  he  has  been  Senior  Warden  and  Treasurer 
for  a  number  of  years. 

Mrs.  Springer  is  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  (lutze)  Brenamnn,  who  were 'natives  of 
Germany,  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  na- 
tive country.  Their  thirteen  children  were  named 
as  follows :  Jacob,  Mary,  Elisa,  Joseph,  Allen,  Anna, 
William,  Eunice,  Edward,  Phebe  and  Christian. 
Two  died  in  infancy  unnamed.  Both  parents  were 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 

The  six  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Springer  were 
Amelia  P.,  who  died  Oct.  17,  1857;  Mary  E.;  Ed- 
ward D.,  who  died  March  12,1 872 ;  Emma  A. ; 
George  B.,  who  died  May  5,  1867,  and  William  H. 
In  politics  Mr.  S.  affiliates  with  the  Democrats. 


LEXANDER  BRYANT,  a  prosperous  far- 
mer and  stockholder  in  the  coal  mines  of 
Blooraington  Township,  is  pleasantly  loca- 
ted on  section  6,  where  he  owns  170  acres 
of  valuable  land,  mostly  under  a  good  state  of  cul- 
tivation. Mr.  Bryant  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
above-named  township  since  1865.  He  formerly 
lived  in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  where  he  was 
connected  with  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  for  fourteen 
years  as  conductor. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Lenawee 
County,  Mich.,  Sept.  6,  1842.  His  father^  John 
Bryant,  was  a  native  of  England,  and  died  in  Len- 
awee County  in  1854,  when  our  subject  was  a  lad 
of  twelve  years.  The  mother,  Margaret  (Watson) 
•+. 


Bryant,  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  the 
above-named  county.  This  is  comprised  of  180 
acres,  which  her  husband  entered  from  the  Govern- 
ment more  than  fifty  years  ago.  She  is  now  well 
advanced  in  life,  being  in  the  eighty-second  year 
of  her  age.  The  parents  were  married  in  Genesee 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  their  family  included  nine 
children,  eight  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  living 
and  married,  with  families  of  their  own.  Alexan- 
der was  the  fifth  son  and  sixth  child,  and  remained 
at  home  after  the  deatli  of  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old.  Later  he  began  work  as  a 
farm  laborer,  and  in  August,  1865,  started  west 
and  landed  in  the  Prairie  State.  He  soon  after- 
ward engaged  as  a  brakeman  for  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R. 
and  was  thus  employed  just  two  years  to  a  day. 
He  was  then  promoted  to  conductor,  which  posi- 
tion he  occupied,  as  before  stated,  for  fourteen 
years.  He  took  possession  of  his  present  home- 
stead soon  afterward,  and  five  years  later  erected 
one  of  the  best  farm  residences  in  the  township. 
He  has  a  fine  barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings 
and  appliances  required  by  a  first-class  agricultur- 
ist. Everything  about  the  premises  denotes  the 
exercise  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  married  in  Bloomington,  April 
27,  1868,  to  Miss  Bessie  Holmes,  who  was  born  in 
the  Province  of  Ontario  on  the  Island  of  Knox, 
Feb.  21,  1844.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Susan  (Dunn)  Holmes,  both  natives  of  Cork,  Ire- 
land, where  they  were  reared  and  married,  and  soon 
afterward  emigrated  to  Canada.  The  father  was  a 
private  in  the  British  army,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  seven  sons  and  seven  daughters.  They 
afterward  removed  to  Macon  County,  111.,  where 
the  mother  died  in  November,  1861,  in  her  fiftieth 
year.  The  father  is  now  living  in  Dale  Township, 
this  county,  aged  eighty.  Mrs.  Bryant  was  educa- 
ted in  Canada,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Illi- 
nois in  1861.  After  the  death  of  the  mother,  the 
family  removed  to  the  city  of  Bloomington,  in 
1866. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryant  have  become  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  all  living  except  one,  Howard  C., 
who  died  Feb.  15,  1887;  the  others  are  Warren  S., 
Mary  Helen,  Harry  L.,  William  A.,  Joseph  B., 
Ralph  E.,  Charles  and  Bessie  L.  Mrs.  B.  and  all 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


611  , 


her  children  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  B.  is  Assistant  Supervisor  of  Bloomington 
Township;  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  in  politics  is  a  solid  Republican.  A  view  of 
the  beautiful  residence  and  surroundings  of  Mr. 
Bryant  is  presented  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


"flfjONAS  B.  MAURICE,  an  enterprising  young 
farmer  ajid  stock-breeder  of  Arrowsmith 
Township,  is  the  possessor  of  eighty  acres  of 
thoroughly  cultivated  land,  where  he  makes 
a  specialty  of  Poland-China  swine,  and  in  this 
branch  of  agriculture  has  been  remarkably  success- 
ful. He  came  with  his  father  to  Illinois  in  1856, 
and  the  latter  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  Peoria 
County,  where  he  followed  farming  and  teaching 
alternately,  having  received  a  fine  education  in  his 
youth.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Cumberland 
County,  Pa.,  and  is  the  son  of  T.  W.  and  Maria 
(Barr)  Maurice,  both  natives  of  the  Keystone  State, 
the  father  born  in  October,  1827,  and  the  mother 
in  November  following.  After  living  in  Peoria 
County,  111.,  for  a  number  of  years,  the  father  of 
our  subject  traded  his  land  there  for  property  in 
McLean  County,  of  which  he  is  now  a  prominent 
resident.  He  has  a  fine  homestead,  including  240 
acres  of  land,  with  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings, 
and  in  other  respects  is  surrounded  by  the  comforts 
of  life.  He  is  prominent  in  his  community,  highly 
respected,  and  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  been  Master  of  the 
Lodge  at  Arrowsmith  for  some  years.  The  mother 
died  in  May,  1864.  Their  five  children  were  Mar- 
garet J.;  Jonas  B.,  our  subject;  Henry  B.;  Maria 
B.,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Thompson;  Mary,  Mrs.  Allen  J. 
Major. 

Mr.  Maurice  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry, 
and  has  never  been  afraid  to  put  his  shoulder  to 
the  wheel.  He  labored  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  reached  manhood,  and  in  September,  1879,  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Katie  T.  Kerr,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia,  Sept.  17,  1857.  She  removed 
with  her  parents  to  Independence,  Mo.,  where  her 
marriage  to  our  subject  took  place.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Sarah  Jane  (Bumgardner) 


Kerr,  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  the  father 
born  Aug.  23,  1826,  and  the  mother,  March  14, 
1836.  Of  their  four  children  the  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: Florence  M.,  born  May  19,  1852,  became 
the  wife  of  William  Sullinger,  of  Missouri  ;  James 
P.  was  born  Feb.  14,  1855;  Katie  V.,  Mrs.  M.,  is 
the  third  child  ;  Parthenia  R.,  who  was  born  July 
27,  1861,  died  Nov.  8,  1883.  The  father  of  these 
children  died  in  Missouri,  Aug.  28,  1862.  His 
widow  afterward  married  William  Crute,  Nov.  24, 
1864.  Mr.  C.  was  of  English  birth  and  parentage. 
Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  three  children  — 
Sarah  J.,  Oct.  27,  1868;  William  J.,  July  20,  1870, 
and  Mary  A.,  Dec.  1,  1873.  Mr.  Crute  departed 
this  life  Feb.  28,  1879. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
three  children:  T.  Wilson,  born  Dec.  21,  1880; 
Sarah  E.,  Dec.  4,  1882,  and  Avis  L.,  Feb.  6,  1886. 
Through  his  own  efforts  Mr.  M.  obtained  a  fair  ed- 
ucation, and  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare and  progress  of  his  township.  He  possesses  a 
good  fund  of  information,  and  in  politics  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Republican  party. 


AGDALENA  M.  STUCKEY,  widow  of 
Christian  Stuckey,  is  living  on  a  fine  farm 
on  section  5,  Dauvers  Township,  where  she 
is  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life, 
and  enjoying  the  respect  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  Sept.  18, 
1827,  being  the  daughter  of  Michael  and  Magda- 
lena  (King)  Miller.  Her  father  was  bo:n  in  1795, 
and  her  mother  in  1800,  in  Germany,  and  they 
were  married  in  1825.  Nine  years  later  they  emi- 
grated to  America,  landing  in  New  Orleans. 
Thence  they  went  into  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where 
Michael  Miller  prosecuted  farming  on  rented  land 
until  1851.  He  then  came  to  Illinois,  and  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship, this  county.  To  this  he  soon  afterward  added 
120  acres,  and  this,  with  its  improvements,  consti- 
tuted a  permanent  and  comfortable  homestead, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  his  death 
occurring  in  1873.  The  mother  died  in  the  fall  of 
1882.  Their  nine  children  were  Christian,  Magda- 


612 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


lena,  Jacob,  Michael.  John,  Fannie,  Catherine,  Eliz- 
abeth and  Joseph.  Fannie,  Elizabeth  and  Kate  are 
deceased.  The  parents  were  members  of  the  Omish 
Mennonite  Church,  in  which  the  father  labored  as 
a  minister  for  a  period  of  twenty  3'ears. 

Mrs.  Stuckey  was  reared  by  her  parents,  and 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Christian  Stuckey, 
Oct.  27, -1850,  in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  Mr.  S.  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  directly  after  marriage 
they  came  to  this  county  and  located  on  rented 
land  near  Danvers.  After  a  few  years  Mr.  S.  en- 
tered forty  acres,  and  provided  a  house  into  which 
he  moved  his  family.  He  was  prospered,  in  his 
(arming  and  business  transactions,  and  in  time 
added  to  his  first  purchase,  so  that  at  the  time  of 
his  death  he  left  his  family  with  a  fine  estate  of 
179  acres,  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and 
supplied  with  modern  improvements.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  Eureka  Springs,  Ark.,  whither  he  had 
gone  for  his  health,  and  his  remains  were  laid  to 
rest  in  Park  Lane  Cemetery  in  Danvers.  The 
funeral  services  were  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Jona- 
than Schmoker,  of  Indiana,  and  Rev.  Sears,  of 
Danvers.  Mr.  Stuckey  was  a  kind  and  indulgent 
father  and  husband.  His  family  were  greatly 
attached  to  him,  and  his  death  was  to  them  an  ir- 
reparable loss.  When  he  started  for  Eureka 
Springs  it  was  the  hope  of  himself  and  his  friends 
that  the  change  would  be  beneficial.  He  remained 
about  three  months,  but  during  the  last  week,  how- 
ever, he  began  to  fail  and  his  wife  was  sent  for. 
He  died  a  few  days  after  her  arrival,  and  a  devoted 
wife  and  five  children  are  left  to  mourn  their  loss. 
The  latter  were  Joseph,  Catherine,  Mary,  Daniel, 
Samuel  and  Josephine.  Joseph  died  when  about 
three  years  of  age.  Mr.  Stuckey  was  a  stanch  Re- 
publican iu  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Omish 
Mennonite  Church. 

When  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuckey  took  possession  of 
the  present  homestead  it  was  in  a  wild  and  unim- 
proved condition,  and  its  cultivation  involved 
much  labor  and  perseverance.  The  residence  is  a 
tasteful  and  substantial  structure,  and  there  is  a 
good  barn  with  all  necessary  out-buildings.  Mrs. 
S.  has  proved  an  excellent  manager,  and  is  carrying 
on  the  farm  after  the  methods  adopted  and  estab- 
lished by  her  husband.  Her  two  sons,  Daniel  and 


Samuel,  are  still  at  home  with  their  mother;  the 
former  was  married,  Sept.  30,  1884,  to  Miss  Ella 
Pancake,  of  Danvers  Township,  and  they  have  one 
son  eighteen  months  old.  Her  daughter.  Mary,  be- 
came the  wife  of  John  Schertz,  and  lives  in  this 
county ;  she  has  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters. 


<*  ACOB  H.  ZOOK,  a  worthy  farmer  of  Dry 


Jl 
I    Grove  Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  com- 
fortable home  on  section  28.     He  was  born 
'    in  Mifflin  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  22,  1831.     His 

parents  on  both  sides  and  his  grandparents,  to- 
gether with  his  great-grandparents,  were  all  born 
in  the  same  county  and  State.  His  great-grand- 
father on  his  mother's  side  was  an  old  Indian 
fighter  by  the  name  of  Hostetter.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  Yost  Zook,  and  his  mother,  before 
her  marriage,  was  Susan  Hostetter.  The  former 
was  born  Aug.  21,  1803,  and  the  latter  in  De- 
cember, 1805.  Mr.  Yost  Zook  is  now  over 
eighty-four  years  old  and  his  wife  eighty-one. 
They  were  married  at  Lewistown,  Pa.,  Nov.  14, 
1827,  by  Rev.  Christian  Zook,  and  lived  there  until 
1850,  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  and  have  since 
resided  in  Dry  Grove  Township. 

The  parental  family  consisted  of  five  children, 
all  living  save  one,  and  all  in  Illinois  except  John, 
who  removed  to  Columbus.  Kan.,  in  1885.  Mrs. 
King,  the  only  daughter,  lives  in  North  Dry  Grove, 
and  is  the  owner  of  two  fine  eighty-acre  farms. 
Adam  Zook,  the  eldest  son,  is  the  possessor  of  a 
comfortable  fortune,  and  lives  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yost  Zook  have  twenty  grand- 
children and  three  great-grandchildren.  They  have 
a  fine  home,  and  in  their  declining  years  are  living 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  friendship  and  association 
of  those  who  have  known  them  for  over  thirty 
years. 

Jacob  H.  Zook  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  he  had  attained  to  years  of  manhood,  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits.  On  the  21st  of  December, 
1862,  he  was  married  to  Miss  LydiaLantz.  who  was 
born  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  March  28,  1843. 
Her  parents  were  Jonathan  and  Nancy  (Yoder) 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


613 


Lantz,  natives  of  Mifflin  County,  Pa.  They  came 
to  Illinois  in  1851,  and  located  in  White  Oak 
Township.  The  father  died  in  Danvers,  July  31, 
1885;  the  mother  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of 
her  husband  in  White  Oak  Township,  in  1853. 
They  had  become  the  parents  of  eight  children, 
four  sons  and  four  daughters  :  The  eldest  died  un- 
named ;  Ben  is  also  deceased  ;  Jonathan  was  the 
third;  Jacob  lives  in  Nebraska;  Gideon  became  a 
resident  of  Oregon  in  1876;  Jappha  lives  in  Dan- 
vers Township;  John  died  in  September,  18fil,  at 
the  age  of  seven  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zook  have  ten  children,  five  sons 
and  five  daughters,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: Elizabeth  A.  was  born  Nov.  19,  1863; 
Nancy  8..  Jan.  30,  1865;  Adeline  Nov.  13,  1866; 
Ulysses  A.,  Nov.  6,  1868;  Jappha,  April  29,  1870; 
Lydia  A.,  April  21,  1876;  Jacob  N.,  May  16,  1878; 
John  L.,  Jan.  14,  1880:  Mary  E.,  April  2,  1882; 
Christian  A.,  Sept.  20,  1884. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  and  his  family  con- 
sists of  108£  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  where 
he  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  swine  and  keeps  a 
herd  of  milch  cows.  He  has  been  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  his  township.  He  is  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  religiously  is  connected  with  the  Men- 
nonite  Church,  which  comprises  a  membership  of 
over  400. 


THA  OWEN.  This  gentleman,  familiarly 
known  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township  as  one 
of  its  prosperous  and  enterprising  business 
men  and  farmers,  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 
35,  where  he  has  been  a  resident  since  1853.  .  He 
came  to  this  county  in  September,  1834,  making  the 
journey  from  his  native  State  of  Ohio  in  a  two- 
horse  wagon  and  driving  two  cows.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  his  uncle's  family,  and  the  journey 
occupied  thirteen  days.  He  was  employed  on  the 
farm  of  his  uncle  for  six  years  following,  and  then 
worked  out  by  the  month  for  $8.33.  After  working 
thus  for  about  five  years  he  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land,  for  which  he  paid  11.25  per  acre,  and  aft- 
erward forty  acres,  much  of  which  was  a  swamp, 
and  none  had  ever  been  cultivated  ;  for  this  he  paid 


$5  per  acre.  He  proceeded  to  work  upon  and  im- 
prove it,  meeting  with  success  in  his  labors,  and  has 
since  added  to  it  until  now  he  is  the  owner  of 
nearly  148  acres,  all  enclosed  and  improved,  and 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

Mr.  Owen  was  born  in  Mechanicsburg,  Cham- 
paign Co.,  Ohio,  Oct.  5,  1823,  and  is  the- son  of 
Uriah  and  Keziah  (Jaco)  Owen,  both  natives  of 
Virginia.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  died  in  Ohio  when  Otha  was  a  lad  of  seven 
or  eight  years.  The  mother  died  a  few  years 
later,  so  that  our  subject  early  in  life  became  an 
orphan,  and  was  forced  practically  to  look  out  for 
himself.  The  parental  household  included  six  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  One  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  died 
March  15,  1882;  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Peckham,  and  died  in  1880;  Jonathan  married  a 
Miss  Hester  Shepard ;  Otha,  our  subject,  was  the 
fifth  child;  George  W.  married  Miss  Catharine 
Kline. 

Mr.  Owen  was  reared  to  manhood  in  this  county, 
and  on  the  20th  'of  November,  1845,  was  married 
to  Miss  Susan  Kline,  who  was  born  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  Oct.  5, 1827.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
George  and  Catherine  (Miller)  Kline,  both  natives 
of  Maryland.  George  Kline  was  born  in  1792,  and 
was  drafted  into  the  army  during  the  War  of  1812. 
His  brother  Jacob,  however,  served  in  his  place. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Owen  was  born  in  1 802,  and 
died  four  years  after  her  husband,  in  1884.  Both 
parents  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Their  ten  children  were — John,  Susan,  Mary,  Re- 
becca, Harrison,  Martin  V.,  Catherine,  Christina, 
Zarilda,  who  died  quite  young,  and  George. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owen  became  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  record 
is  as  follows:  George  was  born  Sept.  16,  1847, and 
died  June  3,  1864,  when  seventeen  years  of  age; 
Uriah,  born  Aug.  26,  1849,  married  Miss  Annie 
Lips,  and  has  one  child;  Elias,  born  July  2,  1851, 
married  Miss  Catherine  Murphy,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  de- 
ceased; Laura,  now  Mrs.  William  Lewis,  has  one 
child ;  Hannah  became  the  wife  of  Albert  Sprad- 
ling;  Jay  died  Nov.  12,  1858;  Lee  was  born  May 
8,  1860,  married  Miss  Linna  Chapman,  and  they 
have  one  child;  Charlie  was  born  July  2,  1863; 


I 


614 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


1 


Mary,  Feb.  7,  1866;  Kate,  April  11,  1868;  Albert 
was  born  May  5,  1871,  and  died  Feb.  9,  1872. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  and  his  family, 
besides  the  valuable  Land  already  spoken  of,  includes 
a  fine  residence,  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings, and  in  all  its  appointments  indicates  the 
supervision  of  an  enterprising  and  intelligent  busi- 
ness man  and  farmer.  Mr.  Owen  is  Democratic  in 
politics,  and  has  served  nine  years  as  constable  in 
his  township,  and  three  years  as  Commissioner  of 
Highways. 


I  RAM  C.  PURDY,  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising at  Weston,  is  contributing  his 
full  quota  to  the  business  interests  of  the 
town,  and  is  a  most  valued  and  enterprising 
citizen.  He  is  a  native  of  the  Empire  State,  born 
in  Clinton  County,  Feb.  8,  1824,  his  parents  being 
Stephen  and  Mary  (Chase)  Purdy,  natives  of  New 
York,  born  near  Plattsburg.  In  about  1829  the 
family,  with  the  exception  of  the  father,  who  died 
in  Clinton  County,  N.  Y.,  removed  to  Cattaraugus 
County,  and  about  three  years  later  to  Brown 
County,  Ohio.  The  mother,  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  was  married  to  Amos  Church,  who  re- 
moved with  the  family  to  Ohio.  They  came  to 
Illinois  in  1844,  where  the  mother  and  stepfather 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  children 
of  Stephen  and  Mary  C.  Purdy  were,  Henry,  who 
resides  in  Brooke  County,  Kan.,  and  Hiram  C.,  of 
our  sketch.  By  her  second  marriage  the  mother 
of  our  subject  had  five  children,  of  whom  only  one 
is  now  living,  Samantha,  the  wife  of  R.  R.  Gaskell, 
of  Topeka,  Kan. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the 
district  schools,  which  were  carried  on  in  a  manner 
widely  different  from  those  of  the  present  day.  He 
accompanied  the  family  to  Illinois,  in  1844,  and 
soon  afterward  entered  the  employ  of  the  Sweet  & 
Fogg  ^Plow  Manufactory,  where  he  learned  the 
blacksmith  trade,  and  where  he  remained  the  fol- 
lowing five  years.  •  He  then  went  to  Hennepin.and 
in  company  with  a  partner,  engaged  for  the  follow- 
ing two  years  in  the  manufacture  of  plows.  The 
firm  then  dissolved,  and  our  subject,  coming  into 
Bureau  County,  took  up  his  old  occupation  of 


blacksmithing,  which  he  followed  until  18.59.  Then, 
going  into  Woodford  County  he  decided  to  change 
his  occupation,  and  engaged  in  merchandising, 
which,  however,  he  followed  only  one  year  at  that 
time,  having  an  opportunity  to  buy  out  a  good 
blacksmithing  business,  which  he  merged  into  a 
wagon  manufactory,  and  carried  on  the  same  for 
four  years  following. 

From  this  place  Mr.  Purdy  removed  to  Fairbury, 
III.,  and  embarked  in  the  grocery  trade,  which  busi- 
ness he  caried  on  until  1871.  He  then  went  to 
Michigan,  and  locating  in  St.  Joseph  engaged  in 
lumbering  until  1876,  and  in  that  year  came  to  this 
county,  and  established  his  present  business.  He 
has  been  fairly  successful  in  his  operations,  and  by 
his  honest  and  upright  course  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  Soon  after 
coming  here  he  was  tendered  the  position  of  Dep- 
uty Postmaster,  and  was  appointed  Postmaster  in 
1877.  Politically  he  affiliates  witli  the  Republican 
party,  and  since  1858  has  been  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
and  his  wife  united  with  it  the  same  year. 

The  first  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in 
June,  1847,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Genevra  Ann  (DeCaster)  Lantz,  who  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  but  whom  he  met  in  Tazewell  County, 
this  State.  By  her  union  with  our  subject  she  be- 
came the  mother  of  five  children,  all  of  whom  died 
in  infancy.  She  departed  this  life  in  1855.  The 
second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  June,  1857,  was  Miss  Mary  Frances  Burson, 
a  native  of  Virginia.  Of  this  marriage  there  were 
born  three  children :  Edgar  S.,  a  resident  of  Chi- 
cago; Viola  Genevra,  the  wife  of  C.  R.  Bailey,  of 
Chenoa,  and  Wilbur,  who  died  when  five  j-ears  of 
age. 


J"    OEL  YODER,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1861,  is  comfortably  lo- 
cated on  section  4,  Danvers  Township,  where 
'    he  is  carrying  on  general  farming  with  suc- 
cess.    He  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in   Mif- 
flin  County,  Pa.,  in   1817,  being  the  son  of  John 
and  Susanna    (Stutzman)    Yoder,    natives    of   the 
same  State.     John  Yoder  was  born   in  1784,  and 


RESIDENCE  OF  DANIEL  ROSE, SEC.  G.,CHEENEY-SGROVETOWNSHIP. 


RESIDENCEOF  DAVID  W.  STANGER,  SEC. 14.,  ARROWSMITH  TOWNSHIP. 


. 


RESIDENCEOF  GEO.W. BLAND,SEC  35., 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


617 


his  wife,  Susanna,  in  1794.  They  were  married  in 
Mifflin  County,  Pa.,  in  1814,  and  located  upon  a 
farm  of  forty  acres,  which  was  their  home  until 
1837.  The  wife  and  mother  departed  this  life  in 
,1837,  then  Mr.  Yoder  with  his  children  removed 
to  Fail-field  County,  Ohio,  and  he  resided  with  one 
of  his  daughters  until  about  1852,  when  he  went  to 
Indiana,  and  died  in  that  State  about  ten  years 
later.  The  parental  household  included  twelve 
children,  as  follows :  Catherine  became  the  wife  of 
Adam  Greenwalt;  Samuel  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
Yoder;  Joel  of  our  sketch  was  the  third  child; 
Elizabeth  was  married  to  Samuel  Zook;  Joseph 
married  Miss  Lydia  Kurtz;  Gideon  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hartzler;  Lydia  became  the  wife  of 
Peter  Stutzman;  John  married  Miss  Staly;  Susan 
is  now  Mrs.  David  King,  and  Adam  married  Miss 
Susanna  Brown ;  two  infants,  twins,  died  unnamed. 
The  parents  were  members  of  the  Omish  Mennou- 
ite  Church. 

Joel  Yoder  was  reared  by  his  parents  until  he 
attained  his  majority,  and  received  a  fair  education 
in  the  common  schools.  He  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  the  weaver's  trade,  which  he  pursued  until 
1850.  He  was  married,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Lydia 
Yoder,  of  Fairfleld  County,  Ohio,  and  they  re- 
mained in  that  State  until  1851.  Our  subject  then 
determined  to  change  his  location  and  occupation, 
and  emigrating  to  Illinois,  came  into  this  county 
and  located  upon  rented  land  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship. In  1870  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his 
present  homestead,  where  he  is  carrying  on  gen- 
eral farming  witli  good  results.  .  He  has  been  School 
Director  for  a  number  of  years,  and  keeps  himself 
well  posted  on  matters  of  general  interest. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoder  became  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  deceased  :  Priscilla  died 
when  four  years  old,  and  two  infants  died  unnamed  ; 
Gideon  married  Miss  Hattie  Spots;  Elizabeth,  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Zhear,  is  a  resident  of  Tazewell 
County ;  Solomon  married  Miss  Catherine  Eicher, 
and  Nancy  is  the  wife  of  John  Amburg.  The  wife 
of  our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Polly 
(Kime)  Yoder,  natives  of  Juniata  County,  Pa, 
They  were  married  in  1804,  and  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  where  they  both 
died,  the  mother  in  1828,  and  the  father  in  1852. 


Their  children  were — Nancy,  Jonathan,  Lydia, 
John,  Elizabeth,  Barbara,  Priscilla,  Samuel  and  Re- 
becca. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yoder  were  members  of  the 
Omish  Mennonite  Church,  as  also  are  our  subject 
and  his  wife. 

Mr.  Yoder  formerly  belonged  to  the  old  Whig 
party,  but  upon  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
cheerfully  endorsed  the  principles  of  the  latter, 
with  which  he  has  since  affiliated.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  pleasantly  located,  and  its  inmates  are  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  of  life. 


J~~l  AMES  S.  WILEY.  The  subject  of  the  fol- 
lowing history,  one  of  the  prominent  busi- 
ness men  of  Martin  Township,  is  at  present 
quite  extensively  engaged  as  a  grain  dealer, 
having  his  headquarters  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  at  Colfax.  He  is  a  gentleman  in 
the  prime  of  life,  active,  energetic,  and  with  a  clear 
head  for  business,  and  has  for  many  years  been 
closely  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  this 
section.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was 
born  near  the  present  site  of  Colfax  on  the  8th  of 
November,  1852.  His  parents,  William  and  Nancy 
S.  (Hopkins)  Wiley,  were  natives  respectively  of 
Lexington,  Ivy.,  and  Spencer,  Ind.  William  Wiley 
was  born  in  1813,  and  the  mother  of  our  subject  in 
1824.  The  latter  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Hop- 
kins, one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  McLean  County, 
who  entered  the  land  which  is  now  occupied  by 
John  Gregory  in  Money  Creek  Township. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  R.  AViley, 
emigrated  to  Illinois  and  located  in  this  .county  in 
1 830,  the  winter  of  which  year  was  made  memor- 
able by  the  great  snow  which  occasioned  much  pri- 
vation and  suffering  among  the  early  settlers.  He 
located  in  Money  Creek  Township,  not  far  from 
the  present  site  of  Lexington,  and  died  about  the 
year  1854. 

James  S.  Wiley  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the 
district  schools  and  later  attended  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, where  he  took  a  two  years'  course,  and 
then  engaged  in  teaching.  Soon  after  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  town  of  Colfax  and  the  Kankakee 
&  Southwestern  Railroad,  which  was  a  branch  of 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  Illinois  Central,  Mr.  Wiley  removed  to  that 
place  and  entered  the  employ  of  E.  D.  Churchill  &, 
Son,  grain  buyers,  of  Chenoa,  where  he  received 
his  first  lessons  in  the  business  in  which  he  is  now 
engaged.  He  soon  afterward  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  the  Churchills  in  the  business,  and  forming  a 
partnership  with  J.  W.  Bechtel,  operated  with  him 
under  the  firm  name  of  Bechtel  &  Wiley,  until  the 
present  time.  In  addition  to  his  grain  dealings, 
Mr.  Wiley  is  operating  as  a  hardware  merchant, 
carrying  a  fine  stock  of  stoves,  tinware,  and  every- 
thing pertaining  to  that  branch  of  trade.  This  he 
established  in  1881.  Mr.  Bechtel  is  at  present  also 
a  partner  in  this  business. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Hattie 
Dennis,  of  Chatsworth,  111.,  took  place  at  the  home 
of  the  bride's  parents  in  August,  1 881 .  Mrs.  Wiley 
is  the  daughter  of  William  F.  and  Maggie  F.  Den- 
nis, and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become 
the  mother  of  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter — 
Charle-;  E.  and  Maggie.  Mr.  Wiley,  socially,  is 
connected  with  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Martin  Lodge  No. 
715.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Colfax,  is  connected  with  the  School  Board  and  is 
Treasurer  of  the  Colfax  Coal  Mining  Company. 


1LLIAM  II.  H.  ROSS,  a 'highly  esteemed 
resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  is  a  native 
of  McLean  County,  111.,  and  was  born  on 
the  30th  of  May,  1 840.  His  father,  John  W.  Ross, 
was  a  pioneer  settler  of  this  section  and  a  native  of 
Indiana,  and  his  grandfather,  Jacob  Ross  of  Penn- 
sylvania, emigrated  from  his  native  State  to  In- 
diana, where  he  lived  a  few  years,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  Madison  County,  111.,  where  he  opened  up 
a  farm.  He.  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that 
county,  and  established  a  homestead  there,  upon 
which  he  remained  until  the  close  of  his  life. 

John  W.  Ross,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
youth  of  seventeen  years  when  his  parents  came 
to  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  remained  with  them 
two  3-ears  and  then,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years, 
started  out  to  seek  his  fortune  and  make  his  own 
way.  He  first  came  into  McLean  County,  and  in 
due  time  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nancy 


Funk,  the  daughter  of  John  Funk.  He  purchased 
land  in  Dale  Township,  upon  which  he  located,  and 
industriously  cultivated  the  soil  until  he  retired 
from  the  active  labors  of  life,  folding  his  hands  for 
his  final  rest  in  the  year  1853.  His  wife  survived 
him  eleven  years,  and  departed  this  life  on  the 
home  farm  in  1864.  Of  their  union  there  had  been 
born  seven  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: Margaret  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Bra- 
zil!, and  lives  in  Oregon;  James  was  the  next  in 
order  of  birth;  Mary  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Thomas  Nicol,  and  lives  in  Allin  Township; 
W.  H.  H.,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  the  next 
son;  Francis  M.  is  a  resident  of  Arrowsmith  Town- 
ship; Ellen  became  the  wife  of  S.  Q.  Park,  and 
lives  in  Dale  Township;  John  W.  makes  his  home 
in  Mt.  Hope  Township. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fourth  child  of 
his  parents'  family,  and  was  but  fourteen  years  of 
age  when  deprived  of  the  care  and  protection  of 
his  father.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  mother 
and  assisted  in  the  duties  around  the  farm  for  the 
following  seven  years,  and  then,  at  the  age  of 
twenty,  rented  a  tract  of  land  and  began  farming 
on  his  own  account.  He  was  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  thereafter  until  1882,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies, 
and  which  is  pleasantly  located  on  section  1.  It 
comprises  160  acres,  under  good  cultivation,  and  is 
supplied  with  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings.  Be- 
fore making  this  purchase  he  had  rented  land  from 
Mr.  George  Funk,  a  cousin  of  his  mother,  «vho  was 
an  extensive  proprietor  and  engaged  largely  in  the 
breeding  of  fine  stock.  This  gentleman  took  a 
kindly  interest  in  young  Ross,  and  acted  as  his 
friend  and  counselor  for  many  years.  Mr.  Ross  is 
still  associated  with  Mr.  F.  in  the  raising  and  feed- 
ing of  farm  animals,  and  to  the  wise  counsel  and 
excellent  judgment  of  this  stanch  friend  and  ad- 
viser, is  largely  due  his  success  in  life  and  his  pres- 
ent position  in  the  community. 

William  H.  H.  Ross  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Pamley  Price,  on  the  13th  of  February,  1860. 
Mrs.  Ross  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Mary  (Decker)  Price.  They  re- 
moved from  Virginia  to  Illinois  in  1 847,  settling  in 
McLean  County,  and  spent  their  last  days  in  Mt. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


619 


Hope  Township,  where  they  had  established  a  home 
soon  after  coming  to  this  State. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ross  have  been 
born  four  children,  viz. :  Belle  is  the  wife  of  Will- 
iam Richardson,  who  lives  in  Ellsworth,  this 
county;  Charles  lives  in  Funk's  Grove  Township; 
Katie,  the  wife  of  George  Halane,  lives  in  Allin 
Township,  and  Lula  May  is  at  home  with  her  par- 
ents. Mr.  Ross  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  is 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  community  in 
which  he  resides. 


ERLE  H.  RAYBURN,  a  farmer  on  section 
35,  Money  Creek  Township,  is  a  son  of 
David  C.  and  Nancy  (Fulton)  Rayburn,  the 
former  a  native  of  Ross  County,  Ohio,  and 
the  latter  of  Madison  County,  that  State.  They 
located  after  their  marriage  in  Madison  County, 
Ohio,  and  there  lived  until  the  fall  of  1851,  he  en- 
gaged up  to  that  time  in  farming.  He  then  came  to 
Bloomington,  111.,  with  his  wife  and  four  children, 
and  made  that  his  home  during  the  following  win- 
ter and  then  moved  to  Money  Creek  Township  and 
located  on  section  35.  Remaining  there  until  the 
fall  of  1886,  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Towanda. 
His  good  wife  died  in  Money  Creek  Township  Nov. 
21,  1873,  and  he  was  again  married,  Miss  Rachel 
S.  Bowman  being  the  other  contracting  party. 
David  C.  Rayburn  became  the  father  of  nine  chil- 
dren, namely,  Merle  II.,  Quesnel,  Chalmers,  Craumer 
G.,  Pascal,  Duff,  Ztiingle  and  Melancthon  L.,  and 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  Quesnel  died  in  Novem- 
ber, 1876,  of  consumption;  Chalmers  is  married  to 
Miss  Isabell  Hutton  of  Normal,  this  countj',  and 
they  are  living  in  Butler  County,  Kan;  Cranmer  G. 
married  Miss  Susie  Stevenson  of  Towanda,  and  they 
are  living  in  Plymouth,  Iowa;  Pascal  married  Miss 
Julia  Geeding  of  Towanda,  and  they  are  living  in 
Marion  County,  Kan ;  Duff  and  Miss  Anna  Shaw 
were  united  in  marriage,  and  he  is  a  farmer  of  Money 
Creek  Township;  Zuingle  became  the  husband  of 
Miss  Susie  Price,  and  they  are  residents  of  Ply- 
mouth County,  Iowa. 

The  subject  of  this   notice  was  born    in  Madison 
County,    Ohio,    Jan.    22,    1845.     He    was    nearly 


seven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  brought  him 
to  this  county.  Here  he  supplemented  his  educa- 
tion received  in  the  common  schools  by  a  course  of 
two  years'  study  at  Normal.  He  has  always  occu- 
pied his  time  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  knows  no 
other  vocation,  and  has  been  a  resident  of  Money 
Creek  Township  ever  since  he  first  located  there 
with  his  parents.  Mr.  Rayburn  was  married  in 
Saline  County,  Neb.,  Oct.  26,  1872,  to  Miss  Emma 
Overman,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Dill) 
Overman,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
and  she  of  Rising  Sun,  Ind.  They  were  brought 
to  this  State  when  young  and  were  married  in 
Mercer  County,  whence  they  removed  to  Fulton 
County,  this  State,  and  there  lived  for  several 
years.  He  died  while  a  resident  of  that  county, 
his  demise  occurring  in  March,  1866.  The  widow 
and  her  children  continued  to  reside  in  Fulton 
County  until  1868,  when  they  removed  to  Lee  Coun- 
ty, and  in  1872  made  another  removal  still  further 
West  and  became  residents  of  Saline  County.  Neb. 
In  1877  the  mother  came  to  McLean  County, 
where  one  year  later,  at  Normal,  she  died.  By  her 
union  with  Mr.  Overman  six  children  were  born  — 
Sarah  J.,  Frank  E.,  Emma,  Clara,  Leigh  and  Isabell. 
Emma,  Mrs.  Rayburn,  was  born  in  Fulton  County 
III.,  May  15,  1852,  and  has  borne  our  subject  four 
children  —  Merle  I.,  David  Q.,  Emma  G.  and  Ray 
L.  Mr.  Rayburn  has  held  the  office  of  Township 
Clerk  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  145th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served 
five  months  during  the  late  Civil  War.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and 
he  has  been  a  Deacon  in  the  same  for  twelve  years, 
and  an  Elder  since  July,  1886. 


J-  OHN  W.  STOVER,  one  of  the  large  land- 
owners of  McLean  County,  and  one  of  her 
most  successful  and   progressive  farmers,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  his  fine  farm  on  section 
33,  Money  Creek  Township,  where  he  is  meeting 
with  far  more  than  ordinary  success  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  his  vocation.    Mr.  Stover  was  born  in  Pick- 
away  County,  Ohio,  May  15,  1833.     He  was  reared 
to  farm  labor,  and  received  but  a  limited  education 


t 


t 


,  .    620 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


*** 


in  his  early  youth,  which  he,  however,  supple- 
mented by  a  practical  one  in  later  years.  He  lived 
in  his  native  county  until  about  1852,  when  he  em- 
igrated to  Illinois  and  took  up  his  residence  in  this 
county.  For  about  five  years  he  worked  out  by 
the  month,  the  major  portion  of  the  time  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  Mr.  Stover  has  always  followed 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  a  self-made  man  in  every 
respect  the  word  implies.  In  18,r>7  he  settled  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  has  made  that  his 
home  until  the  present  time.  He  is  now  the  owner 
of  COO  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land,  and 
the  major  portion  of  it  is  under  an  advanced  state 
of  cultivation. 

John  W.  Stover  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Ogden  were 
united  in  marriage  in  Bloomington,  111.,  Aug.  20, 
1857.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah 
(Stretch)  Ogden,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania 
respectively.  Ten  children  were  born  to  the  par- 
ents, and  Mrs.  Stover  was  the  seventh  in  order  of 
birth.  She  first  saw  light  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Jan.  1C,  1839,  and  lived  with  her  parents 
until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  Mr.  Stover 
six  children  have  been  born,  and  named  Benjamin, 
W.,  Sarah  A.,  Cora,  Etta  M.,  Ida  B.,  who  died  when 
about  two  years  of  age,  and  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. Benjamin  married  Miss  Fannie  Heller,  and 
they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Township  and  have 
two  children — May  E.,  and  an  infant  unnamed; 
Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Ward  B.  Jones,  and  they  are 
living  in  Towanda  Township;  Cora  and  Etta  are 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Stover  has  held  the  office  of 
School  Director  of  his  township  for  many  years. 
Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in 
politics  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


A.  GREEN,  a  representative  farmer 
of  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  located  on 
section  28,  besides  the  ordinary  pursuits  of 
agriculture  is  also  engaged  in  breeding  fine  horses 
and  cattle.  He  is  the  possessor  of  366  acres  of  finely 
cultivated  land,  and  supplied  with  a  handsome  and 
substantial  set  of  farm  buildings.  His  herd  of 
Short-horns  includes  thirty-five  head  of  some  of 
the  finest  animals  to  be  found  in  this  'section,  and 


his  horses  of  the  Norman  stock  include  two  fine 
young  roadsters  which  he  holds  at  a  high  value. 
In  this  branch  of  agriculture  he  has  already  gained 
a  fine  reputation,  and  his  farm  in  all  respects  indi- 
cates .the  supervision  of  the  intelligent  and  pro- 
gressive fanner  and  business  man. 

Mr.  Green  was  born  in  Erie  County,  Pa.,  April 
28,  l.s:;i,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  A.  and  Sallie 
(Pettitt)  Green,  both  natives  of  Saratoga  County, 
N.  V.,  of  English  extraction,  and  both  living. 
Isaac  Green  during  the  earl}'  part  of  his  life  engaged 
in  farming  pursuits,  but  subsequently  became  a 
banker  and  after  a  few  years  thus  occupied,  retired 
from  active  labor.  Both  parents  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
of  which  the  father  has  been  Trustee  and  Steward 
for  a  number  of  years.  Politically  he  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party.  His 
wife,  Mrs.  Sallie  P.  Green,  was  born  May  5,  1809. 
The  first  representatives  of  both  families  emigrated 
from  England  over  200  years  ago,  landing  at  Prov- 
idence, R.  I.,  and  they  were  numbered  with  the 
twelve  persons  who  constituted  the  Baptist  Church 
at  that  place.  Phillip  Green,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1782,  and  married  Miss  Nancy  Adding- 
ton  in  1803.  They  were  members  of  the  first  class 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  which  was 
established  at  Galway,  N.  Y.  From  there  the 
family  removed  to  Illinois  in  1837.  One  of  the 
sons,  H.  A.  Green,  the  uncle  of  our  subject,  took 
part  in  the  Black  Hawk  War  in  1831. 

Isaac  Green,  the  father  of  our  subject,  removed 
from  his  native  State  to  Peoria  County,  111., 
in  about  1838,  where  he  lived  until  1854.  He 
afterward  became  a  resident  of  Marshall  County, 
where  he  lived  for  a  period  of  thirty  years  and 
whence  he  removed  to  McLean  County.  Isaac 
and  Sallie  P.  Green  became  the  parents  of  nine 
sons — George,  Oscar,  W.  Lloyd,  Henry,  Elisha  P., 
Howe,  Christie,  Lawton  and  Lorin. 

Oscar  A.  Green  was  the  second  son  of  the  family 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  Dec.  29,  1859.  The  lady 
of  his  choice  was  Miss  Eliza  Jane  Snyder,  a  native 
of  this  State  and  born  in  Marshall  County,  Nov. 
11,  1836.  Her  father  was  Col.  Henry  Snyder,  a 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


621 


Virginian,  who  was  born  April  24,  1790.  He  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  when  but  a  lad,  and 
engaged  in  farming  in  Morgan  County,  Ohio, 
where  his  marriage  occurred,  Jan.  18,  1816.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  born  Jan.  4,  1793,  and 
died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter  in  Marshall,  111., 
Aug.  17,  1873.  Col.  Snyder  had  died  in  1855. 
He  obtained  his  title  by  serving  in  the  State 
Militia,  and  was  a  Republican  in  politics.  Both 
parents  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Their  twelve  children  were — David  D., 
Emanuel,  John,  Sarah,  James  II.,  Samuel  P.,  Mary 
C.,  Amanda,  Oliver  P.,  Eliza  J.,  Elmina  M.  and 
Edwin  A. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  of  our  sketch  have  become 
the  parents  of  four  children.  The  eldest  daughter, 
Minerva  C.,  became  the  wife  of  Martin  Luther 
Riggs,  Nov..  21,  1883;  Edwin  P.,  Alonzo  O.  and 
Henry  W.  are  at  home.  While  living  in  Marshall 
County,  Mr.  Green  held  the  office  of  Highway 
Commissioner  for  five  terms,  and  was  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Sabbath-school  for  three  years.  He  is 
at  present  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  at  Saybrook,  of  which  he  has  been  Trustee 
and  Steward  for  several  years.  Politically  he  is  a 
strong  Republican. 


JOSEPH  RANKIN,  one  of  the  highly  re- 
spected citizens  of  Randolph  Township,  owns 
and  operates  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  one  half 
on  section  4,  in  Randolph  Township,  and  the 
other  half  within  the  limits  of  the  village  of  Hey- 
worth.  He  purchased  this  in  1875,  and  has  since 
made  it  his  home  and  is  carrying  on  mixed  hus- 
bandry. Mr.  Rankin  was  born  in  Indiana  County, 
Pa.,  Nov.  16,  1834.  His  father,  William  Rankin, 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  was  a  native  of  the  North 
of  Ireland,  of  Scottish  descent  and  Protestant  par- 
entage. His  grandfather,  also  by  name  William, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  locality,  reared  in  the 
Protestant  religion,  and  married  an  Irish  lady  of  his 
own  country,  where  she  died  in  a  few  years.  He 
was  then  married  to  a  lady  of  the  Presbyterian 


faith,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children, 
of  whom  William  Rankin,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  the  youngest  but  two.  When  he  was 
about  two  years  of  age  his  parents,  with  their  fam- 
ily, came  to  the  United  States  in  1785,  and  locating 
in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  remained  there  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits  until  the  close  of  their  lives. 

William  Rankin,  Jr.,  was  reared  in  Indiana 
County,  Pa.,  and  there  married  to  Miss  Eleanor  G. 
Turner,  whose  family  history  may  be  found  in  the 
sketch  of  John  E.  Wakefield  in  another  part  of  this 
work.  Mrs.  Rankin  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  whence  her  parents  removed  to  Indi- 
ana County,  that  State,  where  they  died,  as  did 
also  she  and  her  husband  in  the  same  house  in 
the  township  of  Wheatfteld.  The  father  at  the 
time  of  his  death  in  1 849  was  sixty-four  years  of 
age,  and  the  mother,  who  died  in  1 868,  was  seventy. 
Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
which  William  Rankin  was  Elder  for  many  years. 

Joseph  Rankin  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  four 
children  born  to  his  parents,  of  whom  only  two  are 
living,  himself  and  one  sister.  The  latter,  Marga- 
ret, is  the  wife  of  John  Irvin,  and  they  reside  on 
a  farm  in  Derry  Township,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa. 
Those  deceased  were,  'Isabella  and  Mary  E.,  neither 
of  whom  were  married.  Joseph  Rankin  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  was  there 
married,  June  6,  1865,  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Lintner, 
of  Indiana  County,  who  was  born  March  24,  1838. 
Her  parents  were  William  and  Maria  A.  (Hender- 
son) Lintner,  who  were  American  born  but  of 
English  and  Scotch  descent  and  Presbyterians  in 
religion.  Mrs.  Sarah  Rankin  departed  this  life  at 
the  home  of  her  husband  in  Randolph  Township, 
March  23,  1876,  leaving  a  family  of  four  children, 
one  having  died  in  infancy,  before  the  death  of  the 
mother.  The  others — Maggie  B.,  William  L.,Emma 
L.  and  Mary — are  at  home. 

After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rankin  located 
upon  a  farm  in  their  native  county  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, whence,  after  three  years  they  removed  to 
Johnstown,  Cambria  Co.,  Pa.,  where  Mr.  R.  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  for  five  years.  He  retired 
from  this  business  after  two  years,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1875  came  to  this  county  and  located 
upon  his  present  homestead.  He  is  a  straightfor- 


f. 


'  '     622 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


ward  business  man  and  enjoys  in  a  marked  degree 
the  respect  of  his  neighbors  and  associates.  The 
eldest  daughter  is  connected  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  our  subject  politically  is  a  solid  Re- 
publican. 


«|OHN  S.  HARPER,  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Le  Roy  Eagle,  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1840,  and  an  interested 
witness  of  its  growth  and  development.  He 
was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  Oct.  27,  1832,  and  is 
the  son  of  Cyrus  A.  Harper,  who  was  a  native  of 
Vanceburg,  Lewis  Co.,  Ky.  His  grandfather,  John 
Sterling  Harper,  of  Virginia,  removed  to  Kentucky 
while  a  young  man,  and  became  the  intimate  friend 
of  Daniel  Boone.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and 
carried  on  a  large  business  in  that  line. 

Cyrus  A.  Harper,  the  father  of  our  subject,  be- 
came a  merchant  of  Lexington  when  a  young  man, 
and  carried  on  business  there  until  1836.  He  then 
came  North  to  Galena,  111.,  where  he  opened  a  large 
store  and  also  established  a  smelting  furnace.  He  was 
joined  by  his  family  in  1840.  While  there  in  busi- 
ness he  also  started  a  store  in  Dubuqueand  another 
in  Potosi.  In  1838  he  shipped  the  first  boat  load 
of  flour  ever  sent  up  the  Mississippi  River,  and 
sold  it  at  Galena  at  120  per  barrel.  He  removed 
from  this  latter  place  to  Elizabeth,  111.-,  where  he 
carried  on  mercantile  business  and  mining  for  eight 
or  ten  years,  whence  he  went  to  Carroll  Co.,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  same  enterprise,  mining  near 
Mt.  Carroll.  He  lived  there  for  eight  or  nine  years, 
but  unwisely  went  security  for  different  parties, 
and  was  thereby  financially  ruined.  He  remem- 
bered that  a  few  years  previous  he  had  purchased 
land  in  Madison,  Wis.,  which  had  been  sold  for 
taxes.  This,  in  the  meantime,  had  become  valua- 
ble, and  he  took  steps  to  recover  it,  receiving  there- 
for $15,000.  He  then  went  to  Lyons,  Iowa,  and 
established  a  general  store,  which  he  operated  two 
years,  and  was  afterward  a  resident  of  Keokuk  and 
Davenport,  whence  he  returned  to  Lyons.  Upon 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  he  enlisted  in  an 
Illinois  regiment  and  seryed  three  years,  and  upon 
his  return  from  the  army,  settled  in  Amboy,  111., 


where  he  died  in  18(17,  from  disease  contracted  in 
the  army.  lie  left  a  wife  and  four  children;  the 
former  now  lives  in  Monroe,  Iowa.  The  mother 
of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage,  was  Miss  Har- 
riet Sterling,  of  Virginia,  who,  by  her  union  with 
Cyrus  A.  Harper,  became  the  mother  of  four  chil- 
dren, of  whom  John  S.  is  the  eldest;  Margaret, 
Mrs.  DeLare,  lives  at  Moberly,  Mo.;  Charles  is 
proprietor  of  the  Madison  House,  Chicago;  Mary, 
Mrs.  Brown,  lives  at  Glen  wood  Springs,  Col. 

John  S.  Harper  was  a  lad  of  eight  years  when  he 
removed  with  his  mother  to  Galena.  Three  years 
later  he  returned  to  Kentucky,  and  entered  the 
office  of  the  Louisville  Journal,  as  an  apprentice  to 
the  '•  art  preservative,"  under  the  instruction  of 
the  now  well-known  George  D.  Prentiss.  He  lived 
in  the  family  of  the  latter  for  three  years,  working 
at  his  trade,  and  then  returning  to  Illinois,  he  en- 
tered Mt.  Mprris  Seminary,  where  he  pursued  a 
thorough  course  of  study  for  another  three  years. 
Then,  going  to  Freeport,  he  set  type  in  the  Journal 
office  for  two  years,  and  since  that  time  has  been 
connected  with  various  newspapers  in  the  West, 
and  earned  the  distinction  of  being  the  founder 
of  more  newspapers  than  any  other  man  in  the 
world,  having  started  152  in  the  States  of  Iowa, 
Illinois,  Missouri,  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  Indiana. 
These  include  the  Freeport  Journal,  the  El  Paso 
Journal,  Virginia  Enquirer,  Columbus  Statesman, 
and  Farmer  City  Republican,  all  of  which  were 
small  offices  compared  with  others  now  running. 
Mr.  Harper  came  to  Le  Roy  in  the  summer  of  1886, 
and  in  his  management  of  the  Eagle  has  displayed 
excellent  judgment,  and  met  with  success.  He  is 
a  strong  and  forcible  writer,  with  a  good  command 
of  language,  and  both  in  his  supervision  of  the  me- 
chanical and  literary  departments  of  the  paper,  has 
indicated  rare  judgment  and  good  taste,  and  ac- 
cordingly the  paper  has  become  a  power  for  good 
in  the  community,  and  prospered. 

Mr.  Harper  was  married  in  November,  1860,  to 
Miss  Hannah  V.  Capper.  Mrs.  Harper  is  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  be- 
came the  mother  of  two  children,  of  whom  only 
one,  John  M.  C.,  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  born 
in  Marion,  Iowa,  Nov.  17,  1861,  and  died  at  Spring- 
field, 111.,  Oct.  29,  1883.  lie  was  a  young  man  of 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


623 


great  promise,  a  graduate  of  Virginia  Seminai'y  in 
Cass  County,  111.,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
local  editor  of  the  Springfield  Daily  Republican. 
He  was  a  worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  prominently  connected  with  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war,  Mr.  Harper 
enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  July,  1862,  becom- 
ing a  member  of  Co.  G,  72d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  mus- 
tered in  as  Sergeant,  and  had  been  in  the  service 
but  a  few  months  when  he  was  prostrated  by  sun- 
stroke and  confined  in  the  hospital  for  some  time. 
He  recovered  sufficiently  to  be  present  at  the  bat- 
tles of  Clarkesville,  Corinth,  Shiloh,  Stone  River, 
Mission  Ridge  and  minor  engagements.  During 
the  last  year  of  service,  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  he  was  given  the  position  of  Clerk  in  the 
Provost  Marshal's  office.  He  is  now  a  member  of 
Lemon  Post  No.  211,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Farmer  City. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harper  are  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


t 


<\|/OHN  PURDUM,  a  retired  farmer  and  highly 
respected  citizen  of  Weston,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  McLean  County  since  1857.  Dur- 
ing  his  thirty  years'  residence  here  he  has 
watched  the  growth  and  development  of  this  section 
with  the  deepest  interest  and  has  contributed  his 
share  towards  bringing  the  township  to  its  present 
condition.  He  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Allen 
County,  May  14,  1819,  being  the  son  of  John 
Purdum,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss  Sarah  Nevin, 
was  born  in  Maryland  and  departed  this  life  when 
her  son,  our  subject,  was  but  a  babe.  Besides 
himself  his  little  sister,  Elizabeth,  was  also  left 
motherless.  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  Joseph 
Hamilton  and  is  now  deceased.  After  the  death  of 
his  wife,  John  Purdum,  Sr.,  was  a  second  time  mar- 
ried, and  continued  to  live  in  Ohio,  where  he  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  when 
he  was  fifty-six  years  of  age. 

Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and 
remained  in  his  native  .State  until  1850.     He   then 


sought  the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  passed  his  first 
winter  in  Putnam  County,  whence  he  removed  the 
following  spring  to  this  county  and  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  unimproved  land  in  Yates  Town- 
ship. Here  he  followed  farming  with  fair  success 
until  1881,  when  on  account  of  failing  health  he 
abandoned  active  labor  and  moved  into  the  village 
of  Weston,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  Besides 
the  farm,  which  is  now  operated  by  a  tenant,  Mr. 
Culey,  he  owns  the  handsome  village  property 
which  he  now  occupies. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  in  1839, 
to  Miss  Nancy  Hamilton,  who  was  born  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  Jan.  24,  181C,  and  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy  Hamilton.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  eight  children,  two  of  whom 
died  in  infancy  and  one  daughter,  Samantha  Jane, 
when  twenty-three  years  of  age.  Those  living  are, 
John  Turner,  a  resident  of  Tulare  County,  Cal. ; 
Semiramis,  the  wife  of  Guy  Farr,  resides  in  Yates 
Township ;  Jonah  Wayland  is  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  in  Vernon  County,  Mo. ;  Robert  Edgar  is 
a  resident  of  Yates  Township ;  Mary  E.  became  the 
wife  of  Cal.  Wilson  and  they  are  residents  of  Liv- 
ingston County,  111. 

Mr.  Purdum  politically  is  a  stanch  Republican 
and  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  for  the  past  sixteen  years. 


ARRISON  MILLER,  a  resident  of  the  Prai- 
rie  State  for  the  last  twenty  years,  and  who 
in  early  life  was  engaged  in  farming  pursuits, 
is  now  retired  from  active  labor,  and  pass- 
ing his  later  days  quietly  at  his  home  in  Blooming- 
ton,  which  is  located  at  No.  205  Union  street.  Mr. 
Miller  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  on  the  8th 
of  August,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Jo- 
hanuah  (Smith)  Miller,  natives  respectively  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Ohio.  John  Miller  removed  from  the 
Old  Dominion  to  Ohio  when  a  young  man,  and 
opening  up  a  farm  in  the  wilderness  engaged  in  ag- 
ricultural pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1863.  The  mother  is  still  living  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  aged  eighty-one  years.  The  par- 


t 


624 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


J 


ental  household  included  twelve  children,  seven 
now  living,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  being  the  eld- 
est. 

Mr.  Miller  remained  under  the  parental  roof  un- 
til he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits.  He  received  a  practical  educa- 
tion, aud  assisted  his  parents  dutifully  while  he  re- 
mained with  them.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of 
100  acres  adjoining  the  old  homestead.  This  was 
only  partly  improved,  and  he  erected  a  frame  house 
and  proceeded  with  the  cultivation  of  his  land.  He 
remained  upon  this  farm  until  1867,  then  coming  to 
Illinois  settled  in  Hittle  Township,  Tazewell  County, 
where  he  had  purchased  1 60  acres  of  improved  land. 
He  occupied  this,  with  his  family,  until  1881,  and 
then  removed  to  Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  better  advantages  for  his-  children.  He 
owns  the  homestead  which  he  now  occupies,  and  is 
passing  his  days  surrounded  by  the  friends  who 
have  known  him  for  so  many  years,  and  by  whom 
he  is  held  in  the  greatest  esteem. 

The  marriage  of  Harrison  Miller  and  Miss  Sarah 
Wise  took  place  in  Ohio  in  18oO.  Mrs.  Miller  is 
the  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  (Zeigler)  Wise, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Ohio  and 
settled  in  Clarke  County  in  1840.  They  occupied 
the  farm  whereon  they  then  located  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Of  his  thirteen  children,  ten  by  a 
first  marriage,  four  are  now  living — Mary,  David, 
Sarah  and  Jacob.  Sarah  was  a  daughter  of  the  sec- 
ond marriage. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  John 
married  Miss  Cynthia  Hieronimous,  and  they  have 
three  children — Addie,  Carrie  and  Roy ;  Warren 
married  Miss  Carrie  Raney,  and  they  have  one 
child — Mabel;  Annie,  now  Mrs.  Jones,  has  four 
children — Harry,  Alma,  Myrtel  and  Orion;  Will- 
iam married  Miss  Ada  Darnell ;  Jessie  died  while 
a  student  of  the  Wesleyan  University;  George  is 
unmarried  and  living  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  Miller  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  keeps 
himself  well  posted  upon  matters  of  general  inter- 
set.  He  was  Supervisor  in  Ohio,  and  a  School  Di- 
rector in  Tazewell  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  are 
both  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  aud  are  held  in  the  highest  re- 


spect  by  the  community.  During  the  late  war  Mr. 
Miller  was  in  the  four  months'  service,  participated 
in  several  engagements,  and  was  on  guard  duty  in 
Company  G,  of  the  171st  Regiment.  He  was  also 
one  of  the  Government  Home  Guards,  called  out 
in  1864. 


T.  RUTLEDGE,  one  of  the  whoie- 

souled  and  genial  men  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship,  whose  faculties  are  well  balanced  and 
who  has  a  capacity  for  the  intelligent  enjoyment  of 
the  good  things  of  this  life,  owns  and  occupies  a 
fine  homestead  on  section  36,  which  by  his  own  in- 
dustry he  has  brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  also  erected  a  handsome  and  substantial 
farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings, and  possesses  all  the  implements  and  ma- 
chinery for  carrying  on  agriculture  in  a  first-class 
manner.  He  has  been  straightforward  and  upright 
in  his  business  methods  and  occupies  an  enviable 
position  among  the  reliable  men  of  his  community. 

Mr.  Rutledge  is  a  native  of  Randolph  Township 
and  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  father 
Aug.  26,  1834,  being  the  eldest  son  of  R.  H.  Rut- 
ledge,  a  native  of  South  Carolina.  He  was  the  eld- 
est son  and  third  child  of  a  family  of  twelve,  six 
sons  and  six  daughters,  three  of  each  now  being 
deceased.  George  T.  was  reared  to  farming  pur- 
suits, pursuing  his  primary  studies  in  the  common 
schools,  after  which  he  entered  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity at  Bloomington,  where  he  took  a  thorough 
course  of  study,  and  from  which  he  became  fully 
equipped  for  the  further  duties  of  life. 

Mr.  Rutledge  was  married,  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  on 
the  10th  of  July,  1860,  to  Miss  Ann  M.  AVagoner, 
the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Ross)  Wag- 
oner. Her  father  was  an  extensive  aud  well-to-do 
farmer  of  Downs  Township,  this  county.  Mrs. 
Rutledge  was  born  in  Center  County,  Pa.,  Nov.  6, 
1 842.  She  was  only  two  years  old  when  her  pai  - 
ents  removed  from  the  Keystone  State  to  Tippeca- 
noe  County,  Ind.,  where  they  lived  upon  a  farm 
for  twelve  years.  Thence,  in  1856  they  removed 
to  Illinois,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Downs  Town- 
ship, this  county,  which  the  father  had  purchased 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


627 


a  year  previously.  He  was  then  in  moderate  cir- 
cumstances but  became  very  successful  after  com- 
ing to  McLean  County,  and  is  now  one  of  the  in- 
dependent farmers  of  Downs  Township.  Mrs.  R. 
remained  under  the  home  roof  until  her  marriage 
with  our  subject.  She  has  become  the  mother  of 
ten  children,  one  deceased  and  one  married.  The 
latter,  Aldora,  is  the  wife  of  D.  H.  Morgan,  and 
resides  at  Bloomington  ;  Joseph  C.,  Laura  E.,  Mary 
F.,  Robt.  H.,  Jessie  M.,  Frank  M.,AddieE.  and  Her- 
rnon  H.  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife,  with  one  son  and  three  daughters,  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  which  Mr.  R.  is  Steward.  So- 
cially he  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  politically 
is  an  uncompromising  Democrat. 


eALEB  FREEMAN,  one  of  the  honored  pio- 
neers of  McLean  County,  is  a  gentleman 
possessed  of  fine  personal  traits  of  character, 
more  than  ordinary  ability,  a  deep  thinker  and  ex- 
tensive reader,  and  essentially  a  self-made  man. 
He  is  well  informed  upon  matters  of  general  inter- 
est, liberal  in  his  religious  views,  and  in  all  respects 
one  of  the  most  intelligent  citizens  of  this  locality. 
He  is  occupied  in  farming  pursuits,  and  is  pleas- 
antly located  in  Dale  Township,  on  section  8.  His 
home  farm  now  comprises  340  acres.  During  his 
long  residence  in  the  Prairie  State,  he  has  estab- 
lished for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  an  hon- 
est man  and  good  citizen,  and  one  who  has  con- 
tributed his  full  quota  toward  the  advancement 
and  development  of  one  of  the  wealthiest  States  in 
the  Union. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  on  the  llth  of  December,  1814. 
His  father,  John  Freeman,  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey, was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  Buckeye 
State.  His  son  Caleb  was  but  a  small  child  when 
both  the  parents  died,  and  the  orphan  boy  was 
taken  into  the  home  of  his  uncle,  then  living  in 
Butler  County.  The  latter  subsequently  removed 
to  Mercer  County,  and  left  Caleb  Freeman  and  his 
only  sister  in  charge  of  a  neighboring  farmer,  John 
Carter,  who  lived  a  few  miles  from  Wapakoneta. 


The  county  was  thinly  settled  at  the  time,  and 
wild  game  of  all  kinds  was  plenty,  and  our  subject 
well  remembers  his  wanderings  over  the/  hills  and 
through  the  forest,  and  the  lonely  feeling  which 
often  took  possession  of  him  as  he  thought  of  him- 
self and  his  sister  severed  from  home  ties  and  kin- 
dred by  a  Providence  which  they  were  too  young 
to  understand.  The  sister  grew  to  womanhood 
and  removed  to  Indiana,  where  she  died.  After 
living  with  Mr.  Carter  two  years,  the  Overseer  of 
the  Poor  removed  Caleb  Freeman  and  bound  him 
to  John  Holderman  in  Montgomery  County,  with 
whom  he  lived  until  old  enough  to  learn  a  trade. 
He  was  thus  employed  until  sixteen  years  of  age, 
and  then  served  three  years  for  his  board  and 
clothes  while  learning  the  trade  of  a  tanner  with 
Snyder  &  McPherson.  He  then  removed  to  Miami 
County,  and  was  employed  by  James  Hannah  for 
the  following  two  years.  He  followed  his  trade  in 
different  places  in  Ohio,  and  during  the  last  four 
years  of  his  residence  in  that  State  was  at  Franklin, 
Warren  County. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Freeman  had  been  married, 
and  in  February,  1840,  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  her  father's  family,  started  for  the  prairies  of 
Illinois.  Their  outfit  consisted  of  three  horses  and 
a  wagon,  and  they  carried  with  them  their  house- 
hold goods  and  provisions,  camping  and  cooking 
by  the  wayside,  and  sleeping  in  the  wagon  at  night. 
They  arrived  in  Dale  Township  on  the  28th  of  the 
same  month,  and  Mr.  Freeman  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  township  since  that  date,  embracing  a  period 
of  over  forty -seven  years. 

Mr.  Freeman,  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  here,  had 
not  a  dollar  in  cash  at  his  command.  He  and  his 
wife  moved  into  a  small  log  house  on  her  father's 
farm,  and  shortly  afterward  Mr.  Freeman  bor- 
rowed $100  and  commenced  business  by  purchas- 
ing hides  and  establishing  a  tannery.  As  soon  as 
he  had  leather  enough  prepared  for  further  opera- 
tions, he  hired  a  shoemaker  and  had  the  leather 
converted  into  boots  and  shoes.  His  tannery  was 
located  on  the  west  side  of  Twin  Grove  and  the 
middle  branch  of  Sugar  Creek.  He  operated  in  this 
manner  until  June  5,  1845,  then  took  the  balance 
of  his  stock  and  packed  it  ready  for  transportation 
to  St.  Louis.  He  loaded  it  onto  a  wagon  and  took 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


t 


it  by  team  to  Pekin,  thence  by  steamer  to  St. 
Louis,  where  he  sold  it.  He  had  been  prosperous 
in  his  leather  operations,  and  when  he  sold  out  he 
had  money  enough  to  pay  his  indebtedness  and 
start  in  farming.  He  had  previously  entered  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  8  of  what  is  now  Dale 
Township,  and  he  now  proceeded  to  the  erection 
of  a  farm  house.  He  put  up  a  one  story  and  a  half 
building,  twenty  feet  square,  on  the  open  prairie. 
As  there  was  great  danger  from  prairie  fires  he  al- 
ways kept  a  strip  burned  around  his  buildings  to 
prevent  their  being  destro3red.  and  even  with  this 
precaution  was  obliged  to  keep  a  close  watch  lest 
some  stray  spark  might  set  fire  to  his  little  property, 

The  nearest  markets  in  those  days  were  at  Pekin 
and  Peoria,  and  it  took  two  and  one-half  clays  to 
make  the  round  trip.  Wheat  only  brought  from 
fort}'  to  ninety-four  cents  per  bushel,  and  oats  ten 
cents.  The  pioneers  were  obliged  to  avail  them- 
selves of  every  shift  and  turn  in  order  to  make 
both  ends  meet,  provide  themselves  with  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  and  proceed  with  the  improvements 
on  their  new  homesteads.  But  they  all  "pulled 
together,"  each  one  helped  his  neighbor  whenever 
he  could  do  so,  and  in  due  time  success  began  to 
smile  upon  their  persevering  and  united  labor. 

The  marriage  of  Caleb  Freeman  and  Miss  Mar- 
tha Barnard  took  place  at  her  father's  farm,  nine 
miles  north  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  on  the  28th  of  No- 
vember, 1839.  Mrs.  Freeman  was  a  native  of 
Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born  Feb.  14, 
1819.  Her  parents  were  Samuel  and  Rebecca 
(Compton)  Barnard.  She  became  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  and  after  remaining  the  faithful  and 
affectionate  companion  of  her  husband  for  a  period 
of  forty-five  years,  departed  this  life  on  the  llth 
of  May,  1884.  The  children  born  of  this  mar- 
riage are  recorded  as  follows:  Rebecca  became  the 
wife  of  Josiah  Myers,  and  lives  at  Towanda,  111. ; 
Samuel  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington;  Eunice  mar- 
ried  Lucius  Rogers,  and  lives  near  Ellsworth,  this 
county ;  Victoria,  Mrs.  George  L.  Conkling,  lives 
in  Atlantic,  Iowa;  Clinton  D.  occupies  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead;  L.  Edward  is  now  farming  in 
York  County,  Neb. ;  Elizabeth  died  at  the  age  of 
ten  years  and  ten  months;  Abraham  L.  is  a  citizen 
of  Kansas. 


For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Freeman  married  Miss 
Mandana  G race  Thurman,  the  wedding  taking  place 
at  Charleston,  Coles  Co.,  111.,  on  the  1 4th  of  Jan- 
uary. 1885.  The  present  Mrs.  Freeman  was  born 
in  Knox  County,  111.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac 
and  Rebecca  (McGrew)  Thurman.  By  this  union 
they  have  one  daughter,  Jessie  Belle;  they  have 
also  an  adopted  daughter,  Jennie  May  Freeman. 

Mr.  Freeman  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  this  county  since  becoming  a  resident  here.  At 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  township,  he 
proposed  for  it  the  name  of  Dale,  which  was 
adopted  without  opposition.  He  has  done  what  he 
could  toward  its  moral  and  educational  advance- 
ment, and  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  his  fel- 
low-citizens. During  the  earlier  years  of  his  life 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Whig  party,  but  after  this 
party  was  abandoned,  and  the  Republicans  organ- 
ized, he  has  cheerfully  indorsed  the  principles  of 
the  latter,  and  with  them  uniformly  casts  his  vote. 

The  portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freeman  are 
shown  in  connection  with  this  sketch. 


EORGE  THOMPSON,  contractor  and  builder 
at  Bloomington,  has  his  business  office  at 
No.  601  East  North  street,  and  in  his  par- 
ticular department  is  considered  one  of  the  skilled 
artisans  of  this  section.  Mr.  T.  was  born  in  Can- 
nonsburg,  Pa.,  Nov.  1,  1854,  and  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Dorothy  (Maudlin)  Thompson,  natives 
of  England,  where  they  were  reared  and  married,  the 
latter  event  occurring  about  1840,  and  came  to 
America  some  nine  years  later.  They  settled  at 
once  in  Cannonsburg,  where  Thomas  Thompson 
engaged  in  mining,  at  which  he  is  employed  at  the 
present  time.  Of  the  parental  family  there  are 
four  children.living:  Robert  M.  is  operating  a  brick- 
yard at  Houston ville,  Pa. ;  Joseph  L.,  of  Kansas 
City,  is  engaged  as  a  contractor  and  builder;  Mary, 
Mrs.  Camp,  lives  in  Cannonsburg,  and  George  is 
our  subject. 

Mr.  Thompson  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  and  received  a 
practical  education.  After  leaving  home  he  learned 
the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner  and  worked  one 


^ 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


B29 


year  in  his  native  State.  In  the  fall  of  1878 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  at  Bloomington, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  five  years,  in  the 
meantime  associating  himself  with  a  partner,  and 
under  the  firm  name  of  Zeigler  &  Thompson,  they 
engaged  as  contractors  and  builders,  operating  to- 
gether for  four  years,  since  which  time  Mr.  T.  has 
carried  on  business  alone.  In  this  he  is  very  suc- 
cessful, and  gives  employment  to  three  men  besides 
himself. 

Our  subject  purchased  his  present  attractive 
residence  in  1885,  having  been  married  on  the  1st 
of  January,  that  year,  to  Miss  Mettie  J.  Dustin,  the 
daughter  of  Clement  and  Maryette  (Lasher)  Dustin. 
Mrs.  T.  was  born  in  Leaven  worth,  Kan.,  in  1868. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Vermont  and  Ohio  re- 
spectively, and  were  married  at  Janesville,  Wis.,  but 
are  now  living  at  Leavenworth,  Kan.  Their  family 
consisted  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living: 
Edward  C.  of  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  engaged  in  com- 
mission business;  Elmer  E.,  an  express  agent  at  the 
same  place;  Mettie  J.,  Mrs.  Thompson,  and  Emily 
C.,  of  Leavenworth.  Mr.  Dustin  moved  from  Wis- 
consin to  Kansas  in  1856,  and  is  now  retired  from 
active  business. 


i 

; 


J^/OHN  N.  KILGORE,  a  successful  agricult- 
I  urist  of  Lawndale  Township,  owns  a  good 
j  homestead  on  section  22,  and  is  numbered 
'  among  the  enterprising  young  farmers  of 
McLean  County.  He  is  a  native  of  Franklin 
County,  Ohio,  born  Nov.  12,  1859,  being  the 
youngest  of  a  family  of  four  children.  (See  his- 
tory of  parents  in  sketch  of  Thomas  Kilgore.)  He 
attended  the  common  schools  and  for  two  years 
pursued  a  thorough  course  of  study  in  the  Normal 
School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio.  He  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  twenty-four  years  of  age,  then 
started  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois.  He  arrived  in 
this  county  in  the  fall  of  1883,  and  in  the  spring 
following  located  on  his  present  homestead.  This 
now  comprises  240  acres  of  finely  improved  land, 
with  a  good  house,  barn,  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings. 

Mr.  Kilgore  was  married  in  Plain  City,  Madison 


Co.,  Ohio,  Dec.  31,  1884,  to  Miss  May  L.,  daughter 
of  Edmund  and  Lavinna  Smith,  natives  respectively 
of  Vermont  and  New  York.  Mrs.  K.  was  born  in 
Union  County,  Ohio,  May  19,  1864,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
one  child,  a  son,  Clyde  S.,  born  Dec.  13,  1885. 
Mr.  Kilgrove  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Repub- 
lican  party  and  socially  belongs  to  the  K.  of  P. 


>ILLIAM  ROCKEL.  The  subject  of  this 
biography  owns  a  comfortable  farm  home- 
stead on  section  18,  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship, and  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  1865.  Here  he  has  115  acres  of  valuable 
land,  all  improved  and  under  a  good  state  of 
cultivation  and  supplied  with  convenient  and  taste- 
ful farm  buildings.  Mr.  Rockel  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  born  in  Clarke  County,  Sept.  15,  1844,  and 
remained  a  resident  of  his  native  county  until 
1865.  His  parents  were  Adam  and  Mary  (Baker) 
Rockel,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
the  latter  of  Virginia.  After  their  marriage  they 
located  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  farming  pursuits  and  where  both  parents 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Adam  Rockel 
departed  this  life  May  18,  1884,  and  the  mother 
April  14,  1886.  Their  five  children  were  Peter, 
Harriett,  Henry,  Mary  and  William. 

Upon  first  coming  to  this  county,  being  then 
a  young  man  twenty  years  of  age,  William 
Rockel  worked  as  a  farmer  and  carpenter  for  three 
years.  In  1868  he  became  a  resident  of  Blue 
Mound  Township,  where  he  has  lived,  with  the 
exception  of  one  year,  since  that  time.  He  •  was 
married  in  Lexington,  111.,  Feb.  4, 1868,  to  Miss  Hes- 
ter A.  Heller,  daughter  of  Elias  and  Eliza  (Branstet- 
ter)  Heller,  who  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  removed,  soon  after  their  marriage,  to  Clarke 
County.  Ohio,  and  from  there  to  this  county  in 
about  1856,  settling  in  Towanda  Township.  They 
are  still  living,  making  their  home  in  the  village  of 
Towauda.  Their  household  circle  included  eight 
children,  viz:  Rebecca  J.,  Mary  E.,  Christian  M., 
Benjamin  F.,  Eliza  J.,  Hester  A.,  Squire  W.  and 
William  C.  Mrs.  Rockel  was  born  in  Clarke  County, 


f 


r>ao 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Ohio,  April  11,  1847,  and  remained  with  her  par- 
ents until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  have  been  born  three  children  —  Alice 
L.,  Clement  W.  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Rockel,  politi- 
cally, is  nn  adherent  of  the  Democratic  party. 
He  has  served  as  School  Director  in  his  township 
and  is  fully  entitled  to  be  classed  as  an  honest  man 
and  a  good  citizen. 


ALVIN  RAYBURN,  of  the  firm  of  Rayburn 
&  Barry,  attorneys  at  law,  and  occupying  a 
worthy  position  among  his  professional 
brethren  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  the  Buck- 
eye State,  having  been  born  in  London,  Madison 
Co.,  Ohio,  Dec.  20,  1  847.  His  father,  William  K. 
Rayburn,  was  a  native  of  Ross  County,  Ohio,  and 
his  grandfather  was  Judge  James  Rayburn,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia.  The  father  of  the  latter  was 
the  son  of  one  of  three  brothers  who  emigrated  to 
America  from  Scotland  prior  to  the  Revolutionary 
War,  in  which  two  of  the  brothers  took  part. 
William  K.  Rayburn,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  became  a  resident  of 
this  State  and  county  in  1851.  He  located  in 
Bloomington  Township,  where  he  lived  two  years, 
then  moved  into  Blue  Mound  Township,  remaining 
until  the  fall  of  1873.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  in 
Empire  Township,  where  the  family  removed  and 
where  he  lived  four  or  five  years  ;  thence  he  moved  to 
his  father's  farm,  where  he  remained  until  the  latter's 
death.  In  the  spring  of  1885  William  K.  Rayburn  re- 
moved to  El  Dorado,  Kan.,  where  he  now  lives.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss  Amanda  M. 
V.  Dungan,  of  Ohio,  was  the  daughter  of  Wilson 
Dungan,  a  prominent  merchant  of  London,  in  that 
State.  By  her  marriage  with  William  K.  Rayburn 
she  became  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  five  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  The  six  surviving  are  four 
sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  Calvin,  our  sub- 
ject, is  the  eldest. 

The  education  of  Calvin  Rayburn  was  first  con- 
ducted by  a  private  teacher  and  he  afterward  at- 
tended the  city  schools  of  Bloomington.  He  re- 
mained under  the  home  r6of  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  then  entered  Illinois  Wesleyan  College  from 


which  he  graduated  in  1876.  He  then  taught 
school  two  years  as  Principal  of  the  High  School  at 
Shelby  ville,  111.,  and  in  1878,  he  was  Superintendent 
of  Hillsboro  City  Schools.  Having  decided  upon 
the  study  of  law.  he  entered  the  office  of  Rowell 
&  Hamilton,  in  Bloomington,  under  whose  instruc- 
tion he  studied  one  year,  and  took  a  course  in  the 
Law  Department  of  Wesleyan  University.  From 
there  he  graduated  in  1879,  and  was  at  once  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar.  He  opened  an  office  in  July, 
1879,  and  entered  into  partnership  with  H.  H. 
Green,  who  withdrew  two  years  later,  since  which 
time  Mr.  Rayburn  has  conducted  his  practice  alone. 

Mr.  Rayburn  is  an  enterprising  and  useful  citi- 
zen who  has  fully  identified  himself  with  the  in- 
terests of  the  community.  He  is  one  of  the 
Directors,  and  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 
Electric  Light  Company,  and  local  attorney  for  the 
Thompson-Huston  Electric  Company  of  Boston, 
Mass. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  on  the  12th 
of  July,  1877,  when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Jennie 
Buttolph,  of  Bloomington,  and  they  have  one  child. 
a  son — William  B. 


J[  OHN  S.  ROUSH,  deceased,  was  the  head  of 
the  firm  of  J.  S.  Roush  &  Sons,   one  of  the 
I    important  factors  of  the  business  and  indust- 
rial elements  of  Bloomington,  and  was  pros- 
perously engaged  in    trade  as  a  wholesale  grocer, 
giving   much    attention   to  the    better   grade   of 
coffees  and  the  roasting'  thereof. 

John  S.  Roush  was  born  in  Highland  County, 
Ohio,  in  September,  1832.  His  mercantile  ex- 
perience commenced  when  he  was  seventeen  years 
of  age,  with  a  capital  of  $600  and  good  credit,  in 
Taylorville,  Ohio,  where  he  conducted  a  small  store 
consisting  of  a  stock  of  general  groceries  and  house- 
hold articles.  He  operated  there  until  1858,  and 
then  removed  to  Hillsboro,  the  county  seat  of 
Highland  Count}7,  where  he  first  engaged  as  dry- 
goods  clerk  and  then  associated  himself  in  partner- 
ship with  Henry  Strain,  in  the  grocery  business  for 
five  years  following,  when  he  purchased  the  interest 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


031 


1 

1 


of  his  partner  and  operated  alone  until  1869,  during 
which  year  he  removed  to  Bloomington. 

Here  he  entered  into  partnership  with  John 
McMillan,  in  the  wholesale  grocery  business,  under 
the  style  of  McMillan  <fe  Roush,  with  whom  he 
operated  for  eighteen  months  and  then  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  partner,  continuing  alone  for  nine 
months.  He  then  took  in  Joha  F.  Humphreys  and 
they  continued  together  until  1879.  under  the 
style  of  Roush  &  Humphreys,  when  our  subject 
disposed  of  his  interest  to  George  R.  Newton,  and 
then  went  into  business  with  his  two  sons,  Charles 
F.  and  Edwin  C.,  on  Front  street,  where  they 
operated  until  1880,  and  then  moved  into  their  own 
building  at  the  corner  of  Grove  and  Front  streets. 
This  is  40x90  feet  in  dimensions,  with  three  stories 
and  basement,  all  departments  being  occupied  in  the 
extensive  business  of  the  firm,  which  is  now  finely 
established  and  operates  extensively  throughout 
this  and  other  counties.  John  S.  Roush  came  to 
his  death  by  accident  in  September,  1884,  by  his 
horse  running  away.  He  was  an  enterprising  and 
useful  citizen  and  universally  respected.  The 
mother  is  still  living,  the  two  sons  now  in  business 
being  the  only  children  of  the  family,  and  who  are 
still  successfully  doing  the  large  and  lucrative  busi- 
ness of  their  father. 


MOS  YODER.  Among  the  agricultural 
element  of  McLean  County  who  have  met 
with  success  in  their  calling  and  who  are 
entitled  to  enjoy  the  accumulations  of  a 
handsome  competency,  acquired  mainly  through 
their  own  exertions  and  good  judgment,  Mr.  Yoder 
is  entitled  to  a  place.  He  is  busily  engaged  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  calling  on  his  fine  and  product- 
ive farm  on  section  8,  Money  Creek  Township. 
Amos  Yoder  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Magdalen 
(Wagner)  Yoder,  the  former  a  native  of  Berks 
County,  Pa.,  and  the  latter  of  Pottsville,  that  State. 
They  were  married  in  their  native  State,  and  soon 
thereafter  settled  in  MifHin  County,  whence  they 
removed  to  Center  County,  that  State, whence,  after 
a  nine  years'  residence,  they  removed  to  Juniata 
County,  Pa.  They  lived  in  the  latter  county  until 


the  spring  of  1851,  when,  hoping  to  better  their 
financial  condition  in  the  undeveloped  West,  they 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship. From  the  latter  township  they  removed  to 
Dry  Grove  Township,  where  the  good  wife  died  in 
February,  1866.  He  died  in  Woodford  County, 
111.,  in  the  winter  of  1869.  Twelve  children  were 
born  to  Jonathan  and  Magdalen  Yoder,  six  sons 
and  six  daughters,  and  the  subject  of  this  notice 
was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth. 

Amos  Yoder  was  born  in  MifHin  County,  Pa., 
Dec.  17,  1828.  He  received  as  good  schooling  as 
the  times  and  locality  afforded,  was  reared  to 
manhood  on  the  farm,  and  has  followed  that  call- 
ing all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  about  three 
years,  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits at  Normal.  Mr.  Yoder  came  to  this  county 
in  1848,  and  settled  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  where 
he  made  his  home  until  the  spring  of  1880.  He 
then  removed  to  Towanda  Township  and  lived 
there  two  years,  then  took  up  his  residence  at  Nor- 
mal. In  that  city  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  for  about  three  years,  meeting  with  only 
partial  success,  and  in  January,  1886,  he  moved  on 
to  his  place  in  Money  Creek  Township,  consisting 
of  320  acres,  nearly  all  of  which  was  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation,  and  on  which  he  has  a 
good  farm  residence  and  substantial  out-buildings. 

While  a  resident  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  Mr. 
Yoder  concluded  that  he  would  try  his  fortune  still 
farther  West.  He  consequently  sold  out  and  vis- 
ited some  of  the  Western  States  and  Territories, 
but  came  to  the  conclusion  that  no  country  excells 
McLean  County  for  productiveness,  and  after  an 
absence  of  about  two  months,  came  back  satisfied 
to  make  this  his  permanent  home.  Our  subject 
was  married  in  Dauvers  Township,  in  July,  1852, 
to  Catherine  Donner.  She  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  and  bore  our  subject  five  children — 
Millie,  Barbara,  Frank,  Anna  and  Charles.  Millie 
is  the  wife  of  D.  J.  Myers,  and  they  are  living  in 
Ashland,  Ohio;  Barbara  and  George  L.  Kirckner 
became  man  and  wife,  and  she  died  in  Buck  Horn 
Valley,  Col.,  April  28,  1883;  Frank  is  a  farmer  and 
follows  his  calling  in  Dakota;  Anna  is  the  wife  of 
D.  A.  Muse,  and  their  home  is  at  Denver,  Col. ; 
Charles  lives  at  home.  Mrs.  Yoder  died  in  Dry 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Grove  Township,  Sept.  20,  1864,  and  our  subject 
formed  a  second  matrimonial  alliance,  Mrs.  Cath- 
erine (Kistler)  Lantz  being  the  other  contracting 
party,  and  the  date  of  their  marriage  Dec.  11,1 864. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Naff- 
zinger)  Kistler,  and  widow  of  Joseph  P.  Lantz,  who 
died  in  Dry  Grove  Township.  June  30,  1861.  Of 
her  union  with  Mr.  Lantz  five  children  were  born, 
viz :  Thomas,  Mary,  Rebecca,  Horace  and  Joseph. 
Thomas  is  married  and  resides  in  Nebraska;  Mary 
is  living  at  Normal ;  Rebecca  is  the  wife  of  John 
P.  Yoder,  a  resident  of  La  Salle  County,  111. ;  Hor- 
ace is  a  farmer,  and  lives  in  1  [issouri ;  Joseph  is 
unmarried. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Catherine  Yoder  came  to 
this  county  from  Butler  County,  Ohio,  in  1838, 
and  settled  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  soon  thereaf- 
ter removing  to  Woodford  County,  111.,  whence 
they  returned  to  this  county,  and  several  years 
later  became  residents  of  La  Salle  County,  this 
State.  They  removed  from  the  latter  county  to 
Missouri,  where  the  father  died  in  October,  1876. 
The  mother  died  in  Iowa,  in  1880.  Eleven  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  and  all  lived  to  attain  the 
age  of  man  and  womanhood.  Mrs.  Yoder  of  this 
notice  was  the  eldest  of  her  parents'  children.  She 
was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  10,  1833, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  seven  children — Laura  B.,  Salina,  Leon- 
ard M.,  Elmer  G.,  Minnie  A.,  Henry  L.  and  Effle 
E.  While  a  resident  of  Towanda  Township,  Mr. 
Yoder  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a 
little  more  than  a  year.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Menuonite  Church,  and  in  politics  our 
subject  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


xR.  HENRY  A.  WINTER,  a  reliable  and 
successful  physician  of  Saybrook  Village, 
is  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  Cayuga 
County,  Nov.  9,  1843.  His  parents  were 
Herman  H.  and  Sabrina  A.  (Abbott)  Winter.  The 
mother  was  the  sister  of  Chancy  M.  Abbott,  who 
was  a  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly  of  his  State 
and  who  died  while  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness. 


The  Abbott  family  was  of  English  origin,  and  be- 
came widely  and  favorably  known  in  different  parts 
of  the  United  States.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
W.  during  the  old  Revolutionary  times,  was  Cap- 
tain of  a  company  of  scouts  and  a  brave  Indian 
fighter.  His  capture  was  greatly  desired  by  the 
British  Government  who  offered  ,£40  for  his 
scalp.  He  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  sons, 
all  of  whom  were  distinguished  for  their  energy  of 
character,  their  ambition,  and  the  activity  with 
which  they  engaged  in  whatever  they  were  inter- 
ested. 

After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Winter,  who 
remained  a  widow,  devoted  herself  to  the  care  of 
her  children  of  whom  there  were  only  two,  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  son,  Dr.  H.  A.  Winter. 
The  sister  of  our  subject,  Adelaide  J.,  became  the 
wife  of  Dr.  F.  M.  Hiett,  and  they  have  one  son, 
John.  This  lady  was  finely  educated,  having  pur- 
sued her  studies  at  Mt.  Holyoke  Female  Seminary, 
in  Massachusetts.  She  afterward  taught  school 
and  was  especially  proficient  in  music.  She  was 
of  amiable  and  excellent  character,  greatly  re- 
spected by  all  who  knew  her,  and  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  After  a  lin- 
gering illness  with  consumption  she  died  at  her 
home  in  Wisconsin,  Dec.  21,  1871. 

The  subject  of  this  history  commenced  attending 
school  in  his  native  county  when  he  was  four  years 
of  age,  and  when  of  suitable  years  and  attainments, 
entered  Cortland  Academy,  where  he  remained 
under  the  excellent  tutership  of  Prof.  Clarke  until 
April,  1861.  He  then  journeyed  westward  to  Wis- 
consin and  entering  the  High  School  at  Berlin,  in 
Green  Lake  County,  remained  until  October  of 
that  same  year.  Then,  the  Civil  War  being  in 
progress,  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  B, 
1 1th  Wis.  Vol  Inf.,  and  one  year  afterward  was  taken 
with  typhoid  fever  at  Helena,  Ark.,  and  compelled 
to  accept  his  honorable  discharge.  He  returned  to 
his  old  home  in  New  York  and  soon  afterward 
commenced  traveling  for  his  health,  going  through 
the  States  of  Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Indiana. 
He  was  still  interested  in  the  success  of  the  Union 
troops  and  after  arriving  in  Indianapolis,  resolved 
to  once  more  offer  his  assistance  to  preserve  the 
Union.  He  re-enlisted  in  Co.  B,  72d  Ind.  Vol.  Mtd. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


633 


Inf.,  and  joined  his  command  at  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.  On  the  24th  of  June  they  moved  out  on 
Hoover's  Gap,  where  occurred  a  lively  battle  and 
in  which  the  Union  troops,  by  the  aid  of  their 
Spencer  rifles,  came  out  victorious.  They  were 
afterward  engaged  at  the  battle  of  Chickamaugua 
and  our  subject  with  his  comrades  went  through  the 
Atlantic  campaign,  during  which  he  was  wounded 
with  a  spent  ball  in  the  right  leg.  He  had  the 
honor  of  being  one  of  the  division  which  assisted 
in  the  capture  of  Jefferson  Davis,  and  afterward, 
at  the  Lamar  House  in  Macon,  Ga.,  talked  face  to 
face  1vith  the  Confederate  chieftain.  Young  Win- 
ter was  afterward  transferred  to  Co.  B,  44th  Ind. 
Vol.  Inf.,  with  which  lie  was  mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  Sept.  14,  1865. 

After  returning  from  the  army  our  subject  lo- 
cated in  Williamsport,  Ind.,  where  he  took  up  the 
study  of  medicine  under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  F. 
M.  Hiett,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1867.  Dur- 
ing the  following  fall  and  winter  he  attended  Rush 
Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  and  until  1872,  taught 
school  and  practiced  medicine  alternately.  He  then 
purchased  a  share  in  the  business  of  Samuel  Rob- 
erts, but  wishing  to  perfect  himself  in  his  medical 
studies  returned  to  Chicago,  and  after  another 
thorough  course  in  Rush  Medical  College,  gradu- 
ated Feb.  19,  1873.  Removing  to  this  county,  Dr. 
Winter  engaged  in  practice  in  Saybrook,  and  has 
since  distinguished  himself  as  a  fine  practitioner, 
especially  of  surgery,  in  which  he  takes  great  pride 
and  has  always  been  ambitious  to  excel.  He  has 
been  remarkably  successful  in  his  practice,  and  by 
it  has  accumulated  a  fine  competency.  Both  as  a 
man  and  a  physician  he  is  held  in  the  highest  re- 
spect. His  property  in  Saybrook  consists  of  three 
dwelling-houses. 

Dr.  Winter  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Delia  Atkinson,  Sept.  25,  1867,  and  they  had  one 
child,  William  A.,  who  is  now  in  the  Freshman  class 
of  Wesleyan  University,  at  Bloomington.  Mrs. 
Delia  A.  Winter  departed  this  life  Feb.  24,  1885. 
She  was  a  lady  greatly  esteemed  by  a  large  circle 
of  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  are  also  her 
husband  and  son.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject 
to  whom  he  was  married  at  Saybrook,  this  county, 


was  Miss  Catherine  Cheney,  a  native  of  this 
county,  born  in  1848,  and  the  daughter  of  ex-Sena- 
tor W.  H.  Cheney,  a  pioneer  of  this  county. 

Dr.  Winter  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
being  a  member  of  Mt.  Olivet  Commandery,  and 
s  connected  with  the  K.  of  P.,  Hope  Lodge  No. 
140,  at  Saybrook.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  Saybrook  Lodge  No.  460,  and  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  McPherson  Post  No.  79. 


yH.  MILNER,  an  expert  architect  of  Bloom- 
ington, is  closely  identified  with  its  inter- 
ests, having  been  born  here  on  the  29th  of 
September,  1864,  and  spending  his  boyhood  and 
youth  mainly  within  its  limits.  He  is  one  of  the 
rising  young  business  men  of  McLean  County,  and 
for  some  time  has  given  evidence  of  more  than  or- 
dinary skill  and  genius  as  applied  to  the  business 
which  he  has  chosen  for  his  vocation  in  life. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  son  of  John 
V.  and  Angeline  (Baker)  Milner,  the  father  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  Massa- 
chusetts. J.  V.  Milner  and  wife  came  to  Blooming- 
ton  in  1854  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  most  extensive 
hardware  dealers  in  the  county.  They  have  a  family 
of  six  children. 

Warren  H.  Milner  received  his  earliest  instruc- 
tion from  his  mother,  until  ten  years  old,  then 
commenced  attending  a  ward  school  from  which  he 
graduated  in  four  years.  He  then  entered  the 
High  School  and  after  spending  a  like  season,  grad- 
uated from  there  also.  In  the  meantime  his  leisure 
time  had  been  occupied  in  the  study  of  architect- 
ure, under  the  instruction  of  H.  A.  Miner,  and 
during  vacations  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's 
trade  with  the  same  gentleman,  remaining  with 
him  eighteen  months.  In  1884  he  went  to  St. 
Paul,  Minn.,  and  engaged  as  a  draughtsman,  partly 
there  and  partly  in  Minneapolis,  for  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  then  returned  to  Bloomington  and 
opened  an  office  7x14  feet  in  dimensions,  and 
after  two  months  his  business  so  increased  he 
had  to  remove  to  larger  quarters.  He  then  fitted 
up  and  furnished  rooms  at  Nos.  306  and  308 
North  Main  street,  where  he  now  employs  two 


t. 


634 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


men  and  is  doing  a  fine  business.  His  reputa- 
tion as  a  skillful  architect  has  already  extended 
into  adjoining  States,  and  he  has  received  orders 
from  abroad  as  well  as  near  home.  Besides  this 
business  he  is  giving  much  attention  to  raising, 
and  dealing  in  blooded  road  and  saddle  horses, 
and  takes  great  delight  in  watching  the  develop- 
ment of  this  noblest  of  animals. 

Mr.  Milner  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all 
respects  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  substantial 
business  men  of  McLean  County. 


WEN  SCOTT,  publisher  and  proprietor  of 
the  Bloomington  Bulletin,  is  a  native  of  Ef- 
flngham  County,  111.,  and  was  born  in  Jack- 
son Township  on  the  6th  of  July,  1848.  He  is  a 
son  of  Dr.  John  O.  and  Martha  B.  (Parkhurst) 
Scott,  of  Tennessee.  Dr.  John  O.  Scott  is  still  liv- 
ing in  Effingham,  111.,  and  having  been  born  in 
1 805,  is  consequently  now  over  eighty-one  years  of 
age,  The  mother  was  born  one  year  later  and  is 
still  living.  The  parental  household  included  five 
children. 

Dr.  John  O.  Scott  came  to  Illinois  in  company 
with  his  father  in  1822,  when  a  young  man  of  sev- 
enteen years.  The  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  War 
of  1812.  After  his  term  of  military  service  had 
expired  he  resolved  to  occupy  himself  in  farming 
pursuits.  Dr.  Scott  became  a  highly  esteemed 
citizen  of  Effingham  County,  and  for  several  years 
was  School  Commissioner,  the  office  now  known  as 
County  Superintendent,  being  first  elected  in  1842. 
He  was  a  man  of  fine  abilities,  an  extensive  reader, 
and  during  the  winter  season,  among  other  things, 
applied  himself  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  be- 
came so  interested  in  this,  and  acquired  such  a 
good  knowledge  of  it  that  he  commenced  practice 
in  1850.  In  this  he  was  so  successful  that  he 
abandoned  the  farm  a  few  years  later  and  took  up 
his  residence  in  the  city  of  Effingham,  where  he  is 
now  living  in  ease  and  retirement. 

Owen  Scott  of  this  history  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  common  schools,  which  he  at- 
tended until  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  was  bright 
and  studious,  fond  of  his  books,  and  at  the  age  of 


sixteen  years  commenced  teaching,  his  first  school 
being  near  his  birthplace.  Here  he  taught  twelve 
months  in  succession,  the  latter  six  of  which  course 
of  instruction  was  carried  on  in  a  grove  out  of 
doors.  Whenever  a  rainstorm  came  on  he  and  his 
pupils  crawled  into  a  little  old  hut  which  stood 
near,  as  protection  from  the  rain.  His  journey  to 
and  from  the  school  lay  about  two  and  one-half 
miles  through  the  woods,  and  the  pioneer  peda- 
gogue carried  his  gun  along,  by  means  of  which 
he  supplied  game  to  families  at  both  ends  of  the 
route.  He  had  been  reared  to  habits  of  industry, 
and  his  parents,  in  common  with  other  settlers  of  a 
new  country,  had  very  little  "hard  cash."  At  one 
time  when  he  was  about  eleven  years  of  age,  and 
very  much  in  need  of  a  pair  of  boots,  he  took  a  va- 
cation from  school  of  one  week,  and  going  to  the 
woods  with  his  dog  caught  rabbits,  which  he  sold  at 
five  cents  apiece,  and  on  the  following  Monday 
morning,  bright  and  early,  was  in  his  place  proud 
of  the  new  boots. 

In  the  course  of  time  young  Scott  was  enabled 
to  realize  his  long-cherished  plan  of  attending  the 
State  Normal  University  at  Normal,  where  he  pur- 
sued a  thorough  course  of  study  and  then  resumed 
teaching.  He  soon  distinguished  himself  as  an  in- 
structor, and  in  1871  became  Superintendent  of  the 
Effingham  City  Schools,  which  position  he  finally 
resigned  to  enter  the  law  office  of  Judge  S.  F.  Gil- 
more,  and  under  whose  assistance  and  instruction 
he  became  ready  for  admission  to  the  bar  in  Janu- 
ary, 1874.  In  the  meantime,  on  the  6th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1$73,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nora  Miser,  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  On  Nov.  4,  1873,  he  became 
County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  served 
eight  years.  While  occupied  with  the  duties  of 
this  position  he  also  devoted  considerable  time  to 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  On  the  1st  of  Oc- 
tober, 1881,  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Ef- 
fingham Democrat,  and  in  a  short  time  became  sole 
proprietor.  He  conducted  the  paper  for  about 
four  years  and  then  sold  out. 

Mr.  Scott  served  three  years  as  Deputy  Treas- 
urer of  Effingham  County,  and  was  City  Attorney 
of  Effingham  during  1877-78.  In  1884  he  came 
to  Bloomington  and  purchased  the  Bulletin,  which 
was  formerly  edited  by  John  II.  Oberly. 


• 


ER,SXC  .11..CH  EENEY'S   Gff  0V  E  ToWNSH  I  P. 


RESIDENCE  OF  JOSHUA  GRAYSON ,  SAYBROOK. 


RESIDENCE  OF  O.A.  M  EANS  ;  SEC.IS.^CHEENEY'S  GROVETOWNSHIP. 


t. 


.t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


637 


The  daily  Bulletin  was  established  Feb.  8,  1881, 
as  a  daily  eight-column  folio  paper,  by  the  Bulletin 
Publishing  Company.  The  Bulletin  is-  a  strong 
Democratic  paper  of  the  Jacksonian  type,  and  its 
establishment  at  first  was  largely  due  to  the  exer- 
tions of  the  Democratic  leaders  of  Bloomington. 
It  was  conducted  by  Mathew  T.  Scott,  and  was 
published  as  a  morning  paper  until  1884,  when 
it  was  changed  to  an  evening  paper.  Sept.  8. 
1884,  Owen  Scott  purchased  the  entire  interest, 
and  has  since  been  sole  proprietor  and  editor.  A 
weekly  was  started  at  the  same  time  as  the  daily, 
and  is  is-sued  on  Friday.  It  is  a  six-column  quarto. 
The  daily  is  a  seven-column  folio;  circulation  of 
daily  about  2,100,  of  the  weekly  3,500.  It  has 
a  steam-power  press  and  a  good  job  and  binding 
office.  The  Bulletin  for  so  young  a  journal  has  de- 
veloped remarkable  vitality.  It  is  conducted  with 
ability,  and  is  the  leading  Democratic  newspaper  in 
this  section  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Scott  also  publishes  the  Illinois  Freemasun, 
a  paper  which  is  devoted  to  the  Masonic  interests 
of  the  State.  It  was  established  Sept.  15,  1885, 
and  is  a  four-column  quarto,  published  monthly, 
with  a  circulation  of  about  2,000.  It  is  a  well 
gotten  up  Masonic  journal,  and  a  credit  to  the  city. 

Mr.  Scott  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  with  his 
wife  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Of  the  union  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  there 
have  been  born  two  children — Henrietta  L.  and 
Nora  F. 


Mary 


| 


AMUEL  WEEKS,  reckoned  among  the  use- 
ful and  highly  respected  residents  of  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  is  descended  from  excellent, 
ancestry,  having  been  the  son  of  John  and 
(Brailey)  Weeks,  natives  of  England,  and 
who  became  the  parents  of  nine  children.  Of  these 
the  subject  of  this  history  was  the  second.  He  was 
also  born  in  England,  Aug.  2,  1832,  and  continued 
to  live  in  his  native  land  until  the  summer  of  1856, 
when  he  started  for  the  New  World.  After  reach- 
ing American  shores  he  located  in  Batavia.  N.  Y., 
where  he  worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month  for  nearly 
one  year  and  a  half,  then  came  westward  to  this  State. 


He  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  for  about  two 
years  in  this  county,  then  coming  to  Lawndale 
Township,  purchased  twenty  acres  on  section  13, 
which  comprises  a  part  of  his  present  homestead. 
He  was  prospered  in  his  farming  and  business  trans- 
actions, and  in  due  time  added  to  his  first  purchase, 
so  that  now  he  is  the  owner  of  604^  acres,  which  he 
has  brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  has 
also  erected  a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of 
fraipe  buildings,  second  to  none  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  He  keeps  a  herd  of  about  100  head  of 
|  Short-horn  cattle  and  twenty  head  of  fine  horses,  be- 
sides fattening  about  200  head  of  hogs  annually. 
Everything  about  the  premises  is  kept  in  the  finest 
order,  and  is  indicative  in  every  respect  of  the 
supervision  of  an  intelligent  man  possessing  more 
than  ordinary  good  judgment  and  taste.  The 
homestead  forms  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots 
in  this  section  of  the  county  and  its  inmates  are 
widely  and  favorably  known,  and  esteemed  among 
the  first  citizens. 

Samuel  Weeks  was  first  married  in  the  city  of 
Bloomington,  111.,  April  23,  1859,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Cooper,  who  was  also  a  native  of  England,  born  in 
1830.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  was  as  follows: 
George  H.,  Leafy  A.  and  William  A.  were  the 
three  eldest.  Mary  A.,  Maria  J.  and  Minnie  E.  are 
triplets.  The  first  is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Harris  of 
Cropsey  Township,  and  the  third,  Minnie,  is  Mrs. 
Robert  Abby,  and  resides  in  Belle  Prairie  Town- 
ship, Livingston  County.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  on  the  family  homestead,  Lawndale 
Township,  April  6,  1869. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  Fairbury,  111.,  Oct.  30,  1872,  was 
Elizabeth  J.,  daughter  of  John  and  Grace  (Jewel) 
Dart,  and  widow  of  Richard  Taylor,  who  died  in 
Devonshire,  England,  in  1870.  Of  the  first  mar- 
riage of  Mrs.  W.  there  were  born  six  children — 
William  T.,  Mary  J.,  Bessie  D.,  Richard,  Robert  S. 
and  Grace  D.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Weeks  was  born  in 
England,  June  2!(,  1829.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  is  one  child,  a  son,  Frederick  T.  Our 
subject  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  W.  is  a 
stanch  Republican  and  has  held  some  of  the  minor 
offices  of  his  township,  at  present  being  Township 


f 


638 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Commissioner.  He  is  public  spirited  and  liberal, 
and  one  interested  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his 
county  and  community. 


ILEY  MILLER, '.one  of  the  representative 
fr  business  men  and  mechanics  of  Saybrook, 
and  connected  with  the  firm  of  R.  Wirt  & 
)  Co.,  tile  manufacturers,  was  born  in  Ross 
County,  Ohio,  on  the  30th  of  May,  1854.  He  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  R.  (Dunlap)  Miller, 
natives  of  Ohio.  Both  parents  early  in  life  con- 
nected themselves  with  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
The  father  is  still  living  and  makes  his  home  in 
Saybrook. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  eldest  of  his  par- 
ents' three  children,  the  other  two  being  John  B. 
and  Emma  H.  Mr.  Miller  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  county  since  a  boy  of  ten  years,  in  1864,  at 
which  time  his  parents  located  in  Arrowsmith 
Township.  He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools. 
After  arriving  at  years.of  manhood  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Fannie  English  on  the  3d  of 
March,  1875.  Mrs.;  Miller j  was  born  in  Clark 
County,  111.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Abel  and 
Susan  (Hutchinson)  English,  both  natives  of  New 
Jersey.  Their  children  were  Henry,  Allen,  Morri- 
son, Fannie,  Florence,  Augusta  and  Belle.  Al- 
len and  Augusta  are  deceased. 

Mr.  Miller  was  trained  by  his  excellent  parents 
to  habits  of  industry,  and  since  early  youth  has 
been  employed  in  some  useful  calling.  In  1881  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  tile  in  this  city, 
where  he  worked  two  years,  and  one  year  in  Fair- 
bury,  then  returned  to  Saybrook  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  Rush,  Wirt  &  Co.,  with  whom  he 
has  been  connected  since  that  time.  They  are  do- 
ing an  extensive  business,  running  two  burning 
kilns,  each  with  a  capacity  of  8,000  per  week,  of  one 
foot  each  in  length  and  from  three  to  twelve  inches 
in  diameter.  They  are  enabled  to  obtain  a  very 
superior  clay,  and  the  product  of  their  kilns  is  of  a 
corresponding  quality.  They  give  employment  to 
about  ten  men,  and  in  connection  with  their  tile 
business  have  recently  put  in  operation  a  Penfleld 


plunge-mill,  which  was  manufactured  in  AVil- 
loughby,  Ohio,  at  a  cost  of  $1,250.  The  capacity 
of  this  machine  is  about  10,000  four-inch  tile  per 
day.  They  are  using  soft  coal  for  fuel.  The  tile 
from  this  factory  is  sent  all  over  the  State,  and 
yields  a  fine  income.  Each  member  of  the  firm 
possesses  good  business  ability,  and  all  are  honora- 
ble and  upright  in  their  transactions,  their  word 
being  considered  as  good  as  gold.  All  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Mr.  Yea- 
man  being  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school 
and  Messrs  Wirt  &  Yeaman  are  connected  with  the 
Official  Board.  The  former  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  the  K.  of  P.  Our  subject  and  Mr. 
Yearnan  are  members  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge  No. 
460,  at  Saybrook.  The  firm  unanimously  supports 
the  Republican  party. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Sylvia,  born  Dec.  5,  1875.  They  occupy  a  pleas- 
ant home  on  Main  street,  and  enjoy  the  friendship 
and  association  of  the  best  people  of  Say  brook. 


ALCOM  McNAB,  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State,  born  in  Livingston  County,  Aug. 
26,  1829,  is  now  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  this  county,  making  his  home  in 
Lawndale  Township,  on  section  13.  He  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Ann  (Mclntyre)  McNab,  both  natives 
of  Scotland,  who  emigrated  to  America  and  set- 
tling in  New  York  State,  died  in  Livingston 
County,  the  father  in  1862,  and  the  mother  in 
1876.  Of  their  children,  thirteen  in  number,  Mal- 
com  was  the  seventh. 

Malcom  McNab  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
remaining  under  the  home  roof  until  about  twenty 
years  old.  He  then  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store  in 
York,  his  native  county,  where  he  remained  three 
and  one-half  years.  Soon  afterward  he  purchased 
a  farm  which,  however,  he  only  cultivated  one 
year,  then  sold  out  and  afterward  operated  on 
rented  land  for  a  year.  After  harvesting  the 
season's  crops,  not  being  quite  satisfied  with  his 
condition  or  his  prospects  in  the  Empire  State,  he 
concluded  to  move  out  westward.  After  arriving 
in  Illinois  he  spent  the  first  winter  in  Livingston 


T     ' 

f 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


639 


County,  and  the  following  spring,  1858,  came  to 
McLean  County  and  for  four  years  thereafter  was 
engaged  in  breaking  prairie.  He  then  settled  down 
on  his  present  homestead  in  Lawndale  Township, 
upon  which  he  has  brought  about  great  changes 
since  it  came  into  his  possession.  This,  which  con- 
sisted of  200  acres,  he  has  since  added  to,  until  he 
now  has  a  valuable  estate  of  480  acres,  finely  im- 
proved, besides  thirty-four  acres  adjoining  Fair- 
bury.  Of  late  years  he  has  given  his  attention 
largely  to  stock-raising  and  has  been  uniformly 
successful  in  his  agricultural  and  business  transac- 
tions. One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the 
life  of  our  subject  occurred  on  the  1  9th  of  April, 
1866,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Elma 
G.,  daughter  of  Ransom  and  Mary  (Ricketson) 
Bedell,  and  widow  of  Daniel  Burt,  who  departed 
this  life  in  the  late  Civil  War.  Mrs.  McNab  was 
born  in  Clinton  County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  15,  1844.  Of 
her  marriage  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born 
five  children:  Christina,  Malcom  IX,  Mary  E.,  who 
died  in  infancy,  Alexander  B.  and  James  G.  Both 
our  subject  and  his  wife  are  prominent  and  useful 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  McNab 
belongs  to  the  Republican  party  and  has  served  as 
Assessor  of  this  Township. 


E  C.  GRAY.  The  hardware  interests 
of  Saybrook  are  most  worthily  represented 
by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  has  a 
complete  stock  of  everything  in  his  line,  and  is  one 
of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  kind  in  this  com- 
munity. His  business  was  established  in  1886.  In 
early  life  Mr.  Gray  followed  farming  in  this  county, 
having  come  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  when  a 
child,  in  1842.  In  early  manhood  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township, 
upon  which  he  operated  until  1856,  and  then  com- 
ing into  Saybrook  purchased  a  heavy  stock  of 
hardware,  in  which  trade  he  has  been  remarkably 
successful.  He  still  retains  his  farm  property.  In 
connection  with  his  town  business  he  carries  on  a 
tinshop,  and  his  agricultural  and  trade  interests 
contribute  to  make  his  life  a  busy  one,  with  little 
time  for  idleness.  He  is  still  in  the  prime  of  life, 


and  has  already  built  up  for  himself  a  reputation 
as  a  reliable  business  man  and  a  valued  factor  of 
the  community. 

Mr.  Grey  was  born  Sept.  27,  1840,  near  Akron, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Emma  (Lit- 
tle) Gray,  natives  respectively  of  Connecticut  and 
New  York.  His  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
which  he  followed  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in 
Ohio;  his  death  took  place  in  this  county  Dec.  15, 
1879,  when  seventy-one  years  of  age.  He  was  an 
excellent  citizen  and  business  man,  and  politically 
affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party.  The  mother 
was  born  in  1823  and  died  in  1867.  She  was  a 
most  excellent  and  worthy  lady,  and  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The 
parental  household  included  seven  children,  who 
are  recorded  as  follows:  Calista  was  first  married 
to  Daniel  Mathews,  who  died  in  Hennepin,  111.,  and 
she  then  married  A.  C.  Coles;  Cornelia  was  united 
to  A.  C.  Coles,  and  about  nine  years  later  Calista 
and  A.  C.  Coles  were  married,  Cornelia  having 
died;  Temperance  became  the  wife  of  Allen  Morse; 
John  married  Miss  Gulliford,  who  is  now  deceased  ; 
George  C.,  our  subject,  was  the  next  in  order  of 
birth;  Frances  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Wood, 
and  Julia  married  William  Hamilton. 

Young  Gray  remained  with  his  parents  during 
childhood  and  youth,  and  in  1872  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Crocker.  Mrs.  G.  is  of 
English  birth  and  parentage,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  her  father  and  mother  when  a  child. 
Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject  there  have  been 
born  a  son  and  daughter — William  J.  and  Alice  A. 
Mr.  G.  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


J~~  OHN  M.  STEPHENS,  one  of  the  prominent 
and    highly    respected  farmers    of  McLean 
County,  is  a  resident  on  section   9,  Hudson 
Township,  and  first  located  in  this  county  in 
1851,     He    was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio. 
Feb.   12,  1829.      His   parents,   Philip   and   Nancy 
(Meyers)  Stephens,  were  natives  of  Virginia,  but 
both  moved  with  their  respective  families  to  Ohio 
when  they  were  young.  John  Stephens  is  the  eldest 


f 


640 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


in  order  of  birth  of  his  parents'  children.  He  was 
reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  and  edu- 
cated in  the  district  school,  and  in  ISl'.i  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Eleanor  Kerns.  She  was  born  in 
Ross  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  30,  1 829.  Living  in  Ohio 
until  1851,  they  then  came  to  this  State,  making 
the  journey  overland  with  wagons,  and  settled  in 
White  Oak  Township,  this  county. 

In  1852  Mr.  Stephens  purchased  a  farm  of  fifty- 
five  acres  in  White  Oak  Township,  on  which  he  lived 
and  farmed  for  two  years  and  then  sold.  He  subse- 
quently owned  two  other  farms  in  that  township 
and  also  disposed  of  them  by  sale.  In  the  fall  of 
1854,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present 
farm,  together  with  twenty  acres  of  timbered  land, 
and  neither  of  the  tracts  were  much  improved. 
Mr.  Stephens  still  continues  to  reside  on  the  latter 
purchase  and  by  strict  economy,  good  judgment 
and  hard  labor,  he  has  added  to  his  landed  inter- 
ests until  he  is  now  the  proprietor  of  over  600  acres, 
over  400  of  which  is  in  cultivation.  His  place 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  Hudson  Township  and  in 
addition  to  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals,  our 
subject  has  and  is  devoting  considerable  of  his 
time  to  the  raising  of  stock.  He  deserves  great 
credit  for  the  competency  he  has  acquired,  consider- 
ing that  when  he  first  came  here  he  was  compara- 
tively a  poor  man,  having  only  $200  in  cash.  Dur- 
ing the  war  he  purchased  eight}'  acres  of  land  and 
putting  the  same  in  wheat,  realized  for  his  product 
an  amount  equal  to  $40  per  acre,  and  it  has  been  by 
taking  advantage  of  such  opportunities  and  labor- 
ing hard  to  accomplish  his  aims,  that  he  has  suc- 
ceeded. For  twenty  years  he  owned  and  operated 
threshing-machines  and  was  highly  successful  in 
that  business.  In  fact,  he  realized  his  start  in  life 
by  the  following  of  that  vocation.  In  politics  Mr. 
Stephens  is  Democratic  and  has  held  some  of  the 
local  offices  of  his  township.  In  religion  he  holds 
fellowship  with  the  Christian  Church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephens  have  become  the  parents 
of  eight  children.  Two  died  in  youth  and  six  are 
yet  living.  The  living  are,  William;  Ada.  wife  of 
William  A.  Hogaboom,  a  resident  of  Lincoln 
County,  Kan.;  Hulda  A.,  wife  of  Walter  Stotler 
of  Hudson  Township;  Rosa  J.,  who  was  united  in 
marriage  with  J.  Messer  and  now  resides  in  El 


Paso,  this  State;  Minerva,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Amos  P.  Johnston,  a  resident  of  Bloomington, 
and  Kery,  who  married  Mi*:-  Halinrla  Ulough,  and 
resides  in  Hudson  Township. 


1LLIAM  A.  GERKEN,  proprietor  of  the 
steam  bakery  of  Bloomington,  is  a  repre- 
sentative German  citizen,  and  was  born  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Hanover,  on  the  coast  of  the  North 
Sea,  June  25,  1835.  His  father.  Albert  Gerken, 
was  a  gentleman  of  good  education,  and  in  his 
younger  years  was  engaged  at  teaching  school.  He 
then  entered  the  army  of  Napoleon  as  a  musician 
and  soldier,  serving  six  years.  The  mother  of  our 
subject,  who  in  her  maidenhood  was  Miss  Catharine 
M.  Floater,  was  the  second  wife  of  Albert  Gerken, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  five  children. 

Our  subject  commenced  attending  school  at  the 
early  age  of  five  years,  and  continued  until  four- 
teen. He  then  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three 
years  at  the  baker's  trade,  and  when  seventeen 
years  old  started  for  America.  After  a  prosperous 
voyage  he  landed  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  Nov.  20, 
1853.  There  he  passed  the  winter  occupied  at 
his  trade  with  the  firm  of  Martin  Meyer  for  a 
time,  and  then  went  to  Aiken,  S.  C.,  engaging  in  a 
store  with  the  view  of  learning  the  English  lan- 
guage and  mercantile  pursuits.  Two  years  later  he 
started  for  the  Northwest,  and  landing  at  Milwau- 
kee, Wis.,  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  dry -goods  store. 
From  there  he  went  to  Kenosha,  and  forming  a 
partnership  with  Andrew  Clark  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade.  They  operated  together  for  eighteen 
months,  when  Mr.  Gerken  purchased  the  interest 
of  his  partner  and  continued  the  business  alone  for 
two  years  following.  He  then  took  Mr.  William 
Ernst  into  the  business,  which  they  conducted  to- 
gether for  five  years,  and  then  our  subject  sold  out 
to  his  partner  and  engaged  in  the  bakery  business 
at  Kenosha  for  twelve  months. 

In  1870  Mr.  Gerken  came  to  Bloomington,  111., 
and  opened  a  bakery  on  the  corner  of  East  and 
Front  streets,  where  the  present  business  is  located. 
He  began  on  a  small  scale  at  first,  but  was  pros- 
pered in  his  labors  and  now  has  the  largest  establish- 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


641  ,  ; 


ment  of  its  kind  in  the  city.  The  old  building  has 
been  replaced  by  a  large  and  handsomer  one,  which 
Mr.  Gerken  erected  in  1881.  It  is  65x115  feet  in 
area,  three  stories  in  height,  and  furnished  with  all 
modern  appliances  of  a  first-class  steam  bakery. 
The  entire  building  is  devoted  to  the  business, 
which  is  almost  exclusively  wholesale,  their  ship- 
ments being  to  neighboring  towns  and  cities.  Mr. 
Gerken  is  now  largely  interested  in  the  milling 
business,  having  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the 
Crown  Roller  Mills,  W.  H.  Wentz  being  the  owner 
of  the  other  half  interest. 

Mr.  Gerken  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Minnie  A.  Stemm,  at  Kenosha,  Wis.,  in  1863.  Of 
this  union  there  were  born  three  children,  of  whom 
one  only  is  living  —  Catharine  M.  Albert  F.  died 
when  an  interesting  youth  of  sixteen  years,  and  an 
infant  died  unnamed.  Mr.  Gerken  is  a  member  of 
Uhland  Lodge  No.  305,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  belongs  to  the 
Turners  Society,  and  is  a  regular  attendant  of  the 
Congregational  Church. 


M.  THORNBURY,  a  successful  farmer  and 
extensive  live-stock  dealer  of  Randolph 
Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  valuable 
country  estate  on  section  5.  He  took  possession 
of  his  present  home  in  the  spring  of  1875,  and  has 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  since  the  spring 
of  1862.  He  has  owned  land  in  different  parts  of 
the  county,  but  now  is  simply  the  owner  of  his 
homestead.  He  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bar- 
ber &  Thombury,  who  erected  the  Union  Mills  at 
Bloomington  in  1867,  which  enterprise  proved  of 
great  value  to  the  city.  Later,  Mr.  Thornbury 
abandoned  the  milling  business,  and  turned  his  at- 
tention to  farming,  stock-growing  and  operations 
in  real  estate. 

The  farm  homestead  of  our  subject  includes  166 
acres,  and  he  has  a  five  years'  lease  of  the  Stewart 
farm  of  320  acres.  Upon  this  large  area  he  oper- 
ates extensively,  and  has  met  with  success  in  his 
undertakings.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born 
in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  Aug.  17,  1829.  His  father, 
Yearsley  Thornbury,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
county  and  State,  where  he  was  reared  to  year's  of 


manhood,  and  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Phoebe 
P.  Valentine,  who  was  also  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  who,  surviving  her  husband,  is  now  living  with 
her  youngest  daughter,  Clara,  in  Chester  County, 
Pa.,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
seven  years.  She  is  still  quite  active  in  mind  and 
body,  and  enjoj's  a  fair  degree  of  good  health. 
The  father  died  in  Chester  County,  Pa.,  in  1885. 

Mr.  Thornbury  of  our  sketch  was  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources  early  in  life,  and  lived  for  a  time 
with  his  uncle,  Hanson  Thornbury,  in  Chester 
County.  He  then  went  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter, serving  his  apprenticeship  under  Joseph  M. 
Buflington,  of  Chester,  with  whom  he  worked  for 
about  four  years.  For  his  services  he  was  to  re- 
ceive his  working  clothes  and  his  board,  and  was 
given  two  weeks  in  harvest  time  in  which  to  earn 
his  spending  money.  He  followed  his  trade  for 
three  years  only,  and  later  engaged  in  marketing 
and  butchering,  meeting  with  fair  success.  He  af- 
terward turned  his  attention  to  farming,  which 
pleased  him  better  than  anything  he  had  ever  un- 
dertaken. 

T.  M.  Thornbury  was  married  in  his  native  coun- 
ty, Oct.  10,  1861,  to  Mrs.  Mary  (Price)  Preston, 
who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  reared  in  Ches- 
ter County.  Her  father,  Issachar  Price,  was  also  a 
native  of  the  Keystone  State,  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits  and  also  in  merchandising,  and  died  in 
Pennsylvania.  The  mother,  who  was  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Alexander,  is  still  living,  having  arrived  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  years,  and  makes 
her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Jane  P.  Fell, 
near  Normal,  in  this  county.  By  her  first  husband, 
the  wife  of  our  subject  became  the  mother  of  two 
sons,  Mahlou  and  Frederick,  who  are  both  success- 
ful physicians,  the  former  residing  in  Norristown, 
Pa.,  and  the  latter  in  Chester,  Pa.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  no  children,  but 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thornbnry  have  an  adopted  child, 
Jean  I.  Thornbury. 

After  his  marriage,  in  the  fall  of  1861,  Mr. 
Thornbury  disposed  of  his  business  interests  in  his 
native  county,  and  visiting  the  Prairie  State,  set- 
tled two  miles  east  of  Bloomington,  on  a  farm,  and 
removed  upon  it  with  his  family  the  following 
spring.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  reared  in  the 


<U2 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


i 


faith  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Thornbury 
has  held  the  minor  offices  of  Randolph  Township, 
and  in  politics  is  a  reliable  Republican. 


ILLIAM  KERBER,  an  enterprising  Ger- 
man citizen  of  Blue  Mound  Township, 
owns  320  acres  of  valuable  land  on  section 
30,  and'as  a  successful  fanner  and  stock-raiser  is 
contributing  his  full  quota  toward  the  agricultural 
interests  of  this  section.  He  was  born  in  Germany, 
Feb.  27,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
Kerber,  natives  respectively  of  France  and  Ger- 
many. Both  died  in  the  latter  country,  after  be- 
coming the  parents  of  thirteen  children. 

Mr.  Kerber  of  this  history  pursued  his  studies 
several  years  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
country,  and  then  entered  the  Prussian  army, 
where  he  served  three  years.  He  afterward  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits  in  his  native  Province, 
where  he  lived  until  1854,  and  then  set  sail  for  the 
United  States.  He  spent  his  first  winter  here  in 
Wisconsin,  then  came  to  Illinois,  making  his  home 
in  Bloomington  about  eight  years,  and  working  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do.  In  1867  he 
purchased  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  20,  Blue 
Mound  Township.  This  he  afterward  sold  and 
made  a  purchase  on  section  30,  which  comprises  a 
part  of  his  present  farm..  Here  he  has  made  good 
improvements  and  brought  the  land  to  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  By  his  upright  and  straightfor- 
ward business  methods  and  promptness  in  meeting 
his  obligations,  he  has  secured  the  esteem  and 
confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  has  occu- 
pied an  important  place  in  their  counsels.  He  is 
Democratic  in  politics,  and  has  served  as  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  are 
firm  adherents  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

After  living  two  and  one-half  years  in  this  coun- 
try, Mr.  Kerber  returned  to  the  land  of  his  birth 
and  visited  for  six  months  among  his  old  friends 
and  acquaintances.  Upon  the  return  voyage  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Elizabeth  Lorig, 
a  native  of  his  own  country.  The  acquaintance 
ripened  into  mutual  esteem,  and  on  the  14th  of 
March,  1857,  they  became  husband  and  wife.  Mrs. 


K.  was  born  in  Germany,  March  5,  1839,  and  of 
her  union  with  our  subject  there  were  born  four- 
teen children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased.  Those 
surviving  are  Nicholas,  John,  William,  Mathias, 
Mary,  Michael,  Frederick,  Peter,  Henry,  Anna, 
Elizabeth  and  Clara.  Nicholas  married  Miss  Annie 
Hutter,  and  resides  in  Blue  Mound  Township;  John 
married  Miss  Hoffman,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  An- 
chor Township;  William  married  Miss  Mary  Slit- 
ter, and  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Sutter. 
These  reside  in  Blue  Mound  Township. 


OBERT  H.  RUTLEDGE,  one  of  the  oldest 
settlers  of  Randolph  Township  and  McLean 
County,  came  into  this  section  while  Illi- 
nois was  yet  a  Territory,  in  1812,  and  the 
experiences  through  which  he  has  passed,  combined 
with  the  changes  which  he  has  witnessed  during  a 
period  of  seventy -five  years,  would  make  a  most  in- 
teresting volume. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Rutledge, 
was  born  and  reared  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  where  he 
was  married  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker. 
His  bride,  formerly  Miss  Jennie  Offise,  was  a  lady 
of  most  excellent  family,  of  pure  Irish  descent,  and 
highly  educated  and  accomplished.  They  became 
the  parents  of  several  children,  and  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  settling  in  Charleston,  S.  C., 
where  their  son  Thomas,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born,  being  the  first  child  born  to  them  in 
America.  Later  John  Rutledge  removed  North  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  afterward  to  White  County,  111., 
where  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  being  the  first  white  persons  who  were  laid 
in  the  virgin  soil  of  what  is  now  White  County, 
111.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  very  skill- 
ful at  his  trade  of  a  shoemaker,  and  a  man  of  the 
strictest  integrity,  and  universally  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him. 

Thomas  Rutledge,  the  father  of  our  subject,  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  after  he  had 
attained  his  majority.  He  then  went  South  to 
Georgia,  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Sallie 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  that  State  and  of  pure  En- 
glish parentage.  After  the  birth  of  one  child  they 


jm 


643      i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


started  North  to  Tennessee,  whence  they  proceeded 
to  Kentucky  and  afterward  to  Illinois,  arriving  in 
the  Territory,  as  before  stated,  in  1812.  Fourteen 
years  later  they  came  into  McLean  County,  and  at 
once  located  in  Randolph  Township,  of  which  they 
were  among  its  earliest  settlers.  Here  Thomas  Rut- 
ledge  died,  four  years  later,  Aug.  20,  1830,  and  be- 
ing born  Oct.  17,  1768,  was  consequently  a  little 
over  sixty- two  years  of  age.  The  mother.  Mrs.  Sal- 
lie  Rutledge,  who  was  born  Aug.  20,  1778,  survived 
her  husband  thirteen  years,  and  died  in  this  town- 
ship, Dec.  12,  1843,  being  sixty-five  years  old. 
Thomas  Rutledge  became  a  prominent  man  in  the 
affairs  of  this  locality,  being  made  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  having  jurisdiction  over  a  large  extent 
of  territory.  %He  performed  the  marriage  ceremony 
for  more  people  in  White  County,  111.,  than  any 
man  before  or  since,  as  is  shown  by  the  records.  He 
and  his  excellent  lady  had  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom  one  son 
and  one  daughter  died  in  infancy,  and  ten  lived  to 
be  married.  Of  this  number,  Robert  H.  of  our 
sketch  is  the  only  one  surviving. 

Robert  Rutledge  received  a  limited  education  in 
the  pioneer  schools  of  White  County,  111.  He  still 
remembers  when  the  soil  was  new  and  unbroken 
and  Indians  numerous,  and  it  was  often  necessary 
to  seek  a  barrack  or  fort,  which  served  as  a  protec- 
tion from  the  vengeance  or  cruelty  of  the  redmen. 
In  these  the  pioneers  would  frequently  spend  their 
nights,  some  sleeping,  while  others  acted  as  senti- 
nels. A  few  years  later  regular  block  houses  were 
constructed,  where  the  pioneers  dwelt  together  for 
mutual  protection.  The  first  corpse  of  a  white  man 
which  our  subject  ever  saw  was  that  of  a  Mr.  Mor- 
gan, who  had  been  killed  by  the  Indians.  The  lat- 
ter not  long  afterward,  on  account  of  their  depre- 
dations were  driven  off  by  the  whites  and  punished 
to  such  an  extent  that  they  never  returned. 

Our  subject  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
his  marriage,  the  license  for  which  was  the  first  one 
of  the  kind  issued  by  the  authorities  of  McLean 
County.  The  wedding  of  himself  and  Miss  Char- 
ity Weedman  occurred  on  the  9th  of  June,  1831. 
Mrs.  Rutledge  was  the  daughter  of  George  and 
Charlotte  (Huue)  Weedman.  Her  parents  were  both 
born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  they  came 


later  to  Perry  County,  Ohio,  where  their  daughter, 
Charlotte,  was  born  July  21,  1812.  Her  parents 
remained  in  the  Buckeye  State  until  the  fall  of 
1830,  when  they  started  for  the  farther  West,  and 
coming  into  McLean  County  settled  in  Randolph 
Township,  where  they  both  died  in  the  same  log 
cabin  which  had  first  become  their  home.  Of  this 
marriage  there  were  born  thirteen  children,  six  now 
deceased:  Mary  J.  is  the  widow  of  John  Halsey, 
and  resides  in  Boone  County,  Iowa;  Sarah  L.  mar- 
ried Joseph  T.  Martin,  a  farmer  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship ;  George  T.  married  Miss  Maria  Wagener,  and 
they  reside  on  a  farm  in  Randolph  Township; 
Nancy  E.,  Daniel  and  Leander  are  also  residents  of 
this  township;  the  latter  married  Miss  Mary  A. 
Tilghman ;  Marcius  Lafayette  resides  with  his  father 
on  the  "old  homestead ;  the  deceased  are  Harriett, 
Benjamin,  Charity  A.,  Robert  M.,  Americus  C. 
and  Martin  A.  Mrs.  Charity  Rutledge,  the  mother 
of  these  children,  died  at  her  home  in  this  township 
May  27,  1882.  She  was  in  early  life  connected 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  later 
identified  herself  with  the  Christian  Union  Church. 
Since  coming  to  this  county  Mr.  Rutledge  has 
been  identified  with  its  industrial  and  agricultural 
interests,  and  has  materially  aided  in  its  develop- 
ment and  progress.  He  has  been  a  friend  of  tem- 
perance, a  supporter  of  the  laws,  and  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Union  Church. 
Politically  he  coincides  with  the  principles  of  the 
Democratic  party,  with  which  he  has  uniformly 
cast  his  vote  since  exercising  the  right  of  suffrage. 


'if  AMES  RYBURN,  one  of  the  progressive 
farmers  of  McLean  County,  is  located  in 
Randolph  Township,  on  section  12,  of  which 
(KgM<  he  owns  half,  and  besides  this,  280  acres  in 
Wapello  Township,  De  Witt  County,  near  his  pres- 
ent homestead.  Mr.  Ryburn  is  rated  as  one  of  the 
best  farmers  and  most  successful  stock-breeders  of 
the  township.  He  keeps  only  a  good  grade  of  ani- 
mals, and  everything  in-  and  about  his  homestead 
denotes  the  supervision  of  an  intelligent  mind  and 
cultivated  taste.  The  farm  residence  is  a  modern 
structure,  handsome  and  substantial,  and  his  barns 


f 

I 


644 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


and  all  other  out-buildings  are  uf  first-class  de- 
scription. Everything  is  kept  in  good  order  and 
repair,  and  the  homestead,  with  its  beautiful  lo- 
cation, invariably  attracts  the  eye  of  the  trav- 
eler through  this  region. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  took  possession  of  his 
present  farm  in  1 872.  and  its  present  condition  is 
largely  due  to  his  own  industry  and  enterprise.  He 
is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  Washington 
County,  near  the  city  of  the  same  name,  Sept.  19, 
1826.  When  seven  years  of  age  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  where  they  re- 
mained until  1853,  and  coming  thence  to  the  Prai- 
rie State,  located  in  this  county.  James  was  the 
eldest  of  the  family  and  was  reared  to  habits  of 
industry,  receiving  the  advantages  of  but  a  limited 
education.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  in  Cadiz,  Har- 
rison Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  9,  1854,  the  maiden  of 
his  choice  being  Miss  Elizabeth  Hamilton,  who  was 
a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  and  born  April  5, 
1832.  The  wedding  took  place  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents,  Rev.  James  Forsythe  officiating. 
Mrs.  Ryburn  is  the  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Jane 
(Craig)  Hamilton,  natives  respectively  of  Fayette 
and  Washington  Counties,  Pa.  Her  grandfather, 
William  Hamilton,  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  of  American  parentage  and  Scottish  ancestry. 
Her  grandfather  Craig  was  born  in  the  North  of 
Ireland,  was  of  Scottish  descent,  and  a  Protestant 
iu  religion.  He  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
when  twenty-one  years  old,  and  was  afterward  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Johnson,  of  Washington 
Count3',  Pa.  Both  the  Craigs  and  Hamiltons  were 
prominent  families  in  Pennsylvania.  They  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits,  and  removed  to  Harri- 
son County,  Ohio,  at  an  early  period  in  the  history 
of  the  Buckeye  State.  John  Craig  died  when  fifty- 
five  years  old,  Aug.  22,  1825.  In  addition  to  his 
farming  pursuits  he  also  carried  on  a  dry-goods 
trade  in  Harrison  County,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
valued  citizens  of  the  town  of  Cadiz.  William 
Hamilton  spent  his  last  years  also  in  Cadiz,  and 
died  there  in  January,  1839,  after  reaching  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty  years.  His  sou,  Joshua,  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Ryburn  of  this  notice,  was  the  sec- 
ond child  of  his  parents'  family,  by  whom  he  was 


reared  and  educated  near  Cadiz,  Ohio,  and  re- 
mained with  hi>  parents  until  his  marriage  with 
Miss  Jane  Craig,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1819. 
He  then  located  on  a  farm  which  he  operated  suc- 
cessfully, and  the  union  thus  happily  begun  re- 
mained intact  for  a  period  of  over  fifty -one  years, 
when  Joshua  Hamilton,  who  was  born  Sept.  C, 
1793,  departed  this  life,  his  demise  taking  place 
Dec.  17,  1870,  at  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  The 
mother  is  still  living,  making  her  home  with  two 
unmarried  daughters  at  Springfield,  Ohio.  She  was 
born  June  14,  1802,  and  is  consequently  over 
eighty-five  years  of  age.  She  became  the  mother 
of  eleven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy 
unnamed.  Those  who  lived  to  years  of  maturitj' 
were  as  follows:  John  married  Miss  Rebecca 
Pritchard,  and  lives  in  this  county;  William  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth  Sellers,  and  is  farming  in  Knox 
County,  Ohio;  Craig  was  twice  married,  both  times 
to  ladies  by  the  name  of  McFadden,  the  last  one 
being  yet  living;  he  died  Oct.  5,  1880;  Alexander 
was  first  married  to  Miss  Martha  McFadden,  now 
deceased,  his  second  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Haver- 
field,  who  now  resides  in  Colorado;,  this,  son  died 
in  Colorado,  April  2,  1885;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
our  subject,  was  the  next  in  order  of  birth ;  Rachel 
married  Henry  Croskey,  and  resides  with  him  on  a 
farm  in  Empire  Township;  Margaret  married  Oscar 
Clark,  a  farmer  of  AValton,  Harvey  Co.,  Kan. ;  Re- 
becca and  Mary  are  both  unmarried.  Mary  holds 
the  position  of  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store  at  Spring- 
field, Ohio. 

Mrs.  Ryburn  was  reared  and  educated  at  Cadiz, 
Ohio,  and  remained  with  her  parents  until  her  mar- 
riage. She  is  a  lady  of  rare  intelligence,  having  a 
remarkable  memory  for  dates  of  important  events, 
and  carries  in  her  mind  a  perfect  encyclopedia  of 
interesting  happenings  all  over  the  world.  This 
valuable  gift,  possessed  by  few,  makes  her  a  most 
interesting  conversationalist,  and  she  is  considered 
one  of  the  brightest  ornaments  in  the  society  of  the 
communit}'  where  she  lives.  By  her  union  with 
our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of  nine 
children,  one  of  whom  died  unnamed,  in  infancy. 
John  H.  is  a  resident  of  Knickerbocker,  Tom  Green 
Co.,  Tex.,  being  a  stockholder  of  the  Stillson  <fe 
Case  cattle  ranch;  Belle  married  Rev.  S.  H.  Dunn 


•••' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


647 


of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Du- 
luth,  Minn.;  Jennie  M.  resides  in  Bloomington, 
111.;  Ingram  C.,  who  was  given  the  maiden  name 
of  his  great-great-grandmother  on  the  maternal 
side,  lives  at  home  with  his  parents ;  Frank  is  with 
his  brother.  John,  in  Texas ;  Lucy  resides  at  Bloom- 
ington, and  Harry  and  James  are  there  also,  attend- 
ing school.  Belle  graduated  at  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity in  1878,  and  Jennie  in  1880;  Lucy  is  also  a 
graduate  from  the  musical  department  of  that  in- 
stitution. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryburn  are  members  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  at  Bloomington, 
as  is  also  their  daughter  Jennie.  In  politics,  our 
subject  is  a  solid  Republican. 


f       ET* 

|f  Cc 

jLM>  tii 


\f?  EWIS  CASE.  The  early  settlers  of  McLean 
County  are  fast  passing  away  and  soon  the 
time  will  come  when  none  will  be  left  to 
tell  of  the  trials  and  difficulties  encountered  in  its 
early  settlement.  Mr.  Case  of  this  notice  is  one  of 
the  number  who  has  not  yet  crossed  the  river  to 
the  other  shore,  and  is  passing  the  sunset  of  life  on 
his  fine  farm  on  section  25,  Old  Town  Township, 
enjoying  the  accumulations  of  an  honorable  past. 
He  is  the  son  of  Abner  and  Alice  Olive  (Rowland) 
Case,  natives  of  Connecticut.  The  parents  after 
their  marriage  located  in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 
whence  they  removed  to  Huron  County,  Ohio,  and 
there  lived  until  1833,  when  they  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Old  Town  Township,  on  sec- 
tion 25.  The  parents  lived  there  for  several  years, 
when  they  removed  to  Madison,  Wis.,  and  there 
died,  the  demise  of  the  father  occurring  Jan.  5,  1854, 
and  that  of  the  mother  January  6  of  the  same 
year,  and  both  are  buried  side  by  side  in  one  grave. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  and  left  the 
plow  to  become  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
was  a  participant  in  the  battle  of  Lundy's  Lane, 
where  three  fingers  of  his  left  hand  were  shot  away. 
He  witnessed  the  burning  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and 
for  his  services  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812  re- 
ceived a  pension  from  the  Government.  Of  his 
union  with  Miss  Rowland,  seven  children,  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  were  born. 

Lewis  Case  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  of  his 


parents'  children  and  first  saw  light  in  Ontario 
County,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  27,  1809.  He  was  brought 
up  to  farm  labor  and  there  lived  until  1824,  when 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  Huron  County,  Ohio. 
He  lived  in  the  latter  county  until  1833,  when  he 
came  to  McLean  County  and  made  a  settlement  on 
section  25,  Old  Town  Township,  bringing  with  him 
from  Ohio  his  wife  and  one  child.  The  journey 
was  made  overland  with  an  ox-team  and  his  capital 
at  that  time  consisted  of  three  feather  beds  and  $50 
worth  of 'leather,  which  he  traded  for  a  cow,  one 
hog,  seven  pigs,  and  provisions  for  the  winter.  He 
managed  to  get  in  a  small  crop  of  corn,  but  in  the 
fall  he  lost  his  cow,  four  pigs  ar.d  one  ox,  which 
left  him  in  a  worse  condition  than  when  he  first 
located.  The  following  summer  he  made  a  short 
poke  and  plowed  his  corn  with  the  single  ox.  He 
was  possessed  of  that  determination  which  knows 
no  such  word  as  fail  and  succeeded  in  erecting  him- 
self a  log  house  and  soon  had  forty  acres  of  his  land 
fenced.  The  first  religious  meeting  held  in  Old 
Town  Township  was  held  in  the  log  house  of  our 
subject,  and  there  the  early  settlers  assembled 
from  a  distance  of  many  miles  and  worshiped  for 
some  thirteen  years. 

Mr.  Case  had  great  faith  in  the  future  develop- 
ment of  the  country,  and  from  his  first  settlement  in 
the  county  economized  with  a  view  of  increasing  his 
landed  interests  and  at  the  present  time  is  the  pro- 
prietor of  610  acres  of  valuable  land.  The  old  log 
honse  has  given  way  to  a  fine  residence  and  the 
taxes  of  our  subject  have  increased  from  twenty- 
five  cents  to  upward  of  $300  a  year.  Mr.  Case  was 
married  in  Huron  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Hendryx,  Oct.  13,  1831.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Flynn)  Hendryx,  the  former  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Ireland. 
Her  parents  settled  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  after 
their  marriage  and  there  lived  until  1817,  when 
they  moved  to  Richland  County,  Ohio,  and  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  ^county.  Subse- 
quently they  made  another  removal,  locating  in 
Huron  County,  the  same  State,  and  in  1833,  came 
to  this  county  and  settled  in  Old  Town  Township, 
where  they  lived  until  their  death.  They  had  six 
children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and 
womanhood,  of  whom  Mrs.  Case  was  the  eldest. 


I. 


648 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


She  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  14, 
1810,  and  was  seven  years  of  age  when  her  parents 
removed  to  Ohio,  and  continued  to  reside  in  that 
State  until  her  marriage.  She  bore  our  subject  five 
children — Mary  A.,  Olive,  Sarah  E.,  Hannah  E.  and 
Zerilda  I.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Peter  B.  Price,  and 
they  are  living  at  Hutchinson,  Kan;  Olive  married 
John  W.  Savidge,  and  they  reside  in  Danvers 
Township,  this  county;  Sarah  E.  and  Wesley 
Brown  were  united  in  marriage  and  are  living  in 
Arrowsmith  Township,  this  county;  Hannah  is  the 
wife  of  Sylvanus  Mikel,  a  farmer  of  Old  Town 
Township.  Mr.  Case  has  four  great-grandchildren 
now  living;  one  great-grandchild  is  deceased.  On 
the  13th  of  October,  1881,  Mr.  Case  and  wife  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding.  Mrs.  Case  departed 
this  life  at  the  old  homestead  in  Old  Town  Town- 
ship, on  the  4th  of  January,  1887,  at  the  ripe  old 
age  of  seventy-seven  years. 

Mr.  Case  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  his 
township.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  with  Which  his  wife  was  also  con- 
nected. In  politics  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, and  was  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  first 
County  Convention  ever  held  in  McLean  County. 

As  a  representative  and  honored  citizen  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  of  the  township  of  which  he  has 
so  long  been  a  resident,  we  present  the  portrait  of 
Mr.  Case  in  connection  with  this  sketch,  as  also 
that  of  his  deceased  wife. 


ENJAMIN  G.  TALKING  HAM,  a  dealer  in 
grain  at  Towanda,  and  one  of  her  promi- 
nent citizens  as  well  as  thorough-going 
business  men,  is  a  son  of  George  and  Eliza 
(Marsh)  Falkingham,  natives  of  England.  Soon 
after  their  marriage  the  parents  crossed  the  briny 
waters  to  make  their  home  in  the  free  Republic  of 
the  United  States,  and  made  their  way  direct  to 
this  county,  locating  in  Towauda,  where  the  father 
died  Feb.  28,  1878.  The  mother  survives.  They 
had  four  children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter. 
One  died  in  infancy,  and  those  living  are,  Benja- 
min G.,  John  H.  and  George  W. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  at  Towanda, 


111.,  June  14,  1858.  He  received  a  good  education 
in  the  schools  of  that  place,  and  when  old  enough 
became  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store.  He  continued 
to  act  in  that  capacity  until  about  eighteen  years 
old,  when  he  worked  at  farm  labor  for  about  four 
years.  He  was  then  occupied  in  running  a  corn- 
sheller  for  two  years,  and  since  1883  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  buying  and  shipping  of  grain  and 
stock,  in  which  he  has  met  with  more  than  ordinary 
success. 

Mr.  Falkingham  was  married  at  Bloomiugton, 
111.,  Oct.  13,  1879,  to  Miss  Mary  Burnes,  a  native 
of  Wisconsin.  Their  union  has  been  blest  by  the 
birth  of  two  children — Eliza  and  Clarence.  Our 
subject  has  held  the  offices  of  Town  Assessor,  Town- 
ship Trustee,  and  Street  Commissioner  of  Towanda, 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


J~1OHN  M.  WHITE,  of  Lawndale  Township, 
|  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  since 
I  a  boy  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  was  born  in 
'•  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  Aug.  17,  1837, 
being  the  son  of  George  C.  and  Julia  A.  (Noel) 
White,  the  father  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and 
the  mother  of  Ohio.  The  latter  died  in  Towanda 
Township,  March  25,  1865.  The  father  still  sur- 
vives and  lives  in  this  township.  The  subject  of 
this  history  was  the  seventh  of  twelve  children  born 
to  his  parents.  He  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  lived  under  the  home  roof 
until  he  was  twenty-five  years  old.  In  the  spring 
of  1862  he  left  Towanda  Township  and  settled  on 
a  tract  of  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  1 1 ,  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  has 
been  greatly  prospered  in  his  farming  operations, 
and  added  to  his  first  purchase  until  he  now  owns 
412  acres,  all  improved  and  under  good  cultiva- 
tion, with  a  fine  set  of  farm  buildings. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  Clin- 
ton, De  Witt  Co.,  111.,  March  10,  1864,  the  maiden 
of  his  choice  being  Miss  Emily  G.  Ham  pieman,  who 
was  born  in  Perry  County,  111.,  and  died  the 
same  night  on  which  Mr.  White's  mother  died, 
March  25,  1865.  Mr.  White  was  a  second  time 
married,  in  Lawndale  Township,  April  18,  1867,  to 


t 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


649 


I 

i 


Miss  Theresa  Hamilton,  who  was  born  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  June  J8,  1847.  Of  this  latter  mar- 
riage there  were  born  two  children — Clarence  M. 
and  Maurie  H.  Mr.  White  has  served  in  his  town- 
ship as  School  Director  and  Trustee,  and  Highway 
Commissioner.  Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  politically  is  an  earnest  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party. 

In  connection  with  his  farming  operations  Mr. 
White  makes  a  specialty  of  Norman  horses,  and  in 
company  with  his  brothers,  George  W.  and  Edward 
M.,  has  been  quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  im- 
portation of  these  from  Europe.  His  stables  con- 
tain about  thirty  head  of  these  fine  animals,  in 
addition  to  which  he  has  fifty  to  seventy  head  of 
cattle  and  fifty  to  100  head  of  hogs. 


<Ml  OHN  PAXTON,  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
J.  (Fitch)  Paxton,  and  now  a  resident  of 
Blue  Mound  Township,  was  born  in  Guern- 
(|3j/j  sey  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  17,  1832.  His  par- 
ents were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  after  their 
marriage  removed  to  the  State  and  county  where 
their  son  was  born,  and  where  they  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  John  Paxton,  Sr.,  was  a 
cooper  by  trade,  but  greatly  inclined  to  farming 
pursuits,  to  which  he  gave  most  of  his  attention. 
Of  the  two  sons  who  were  born  of  this  marriage, 
the  eldest,  Alexander,  died  in  Guernsey  County, 
Ohio. 

Our  subject  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  dur- 
ing his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  received  a  fair  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  and 
then  started  out  for  himself.  He  first  crossed  the 
Mississippi  into  Iowa,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
then  returned  to  Ohio  and  lived  there  until  the  fall 
of  1856.  He  then  came  westward  and  located  in 
this  county,  becoming  a  resident  of  Old  Town 
Township  in  the  spring  of  1857.  In  1866  he  came 
into  Blue  Mound  Township  and  purchased  a  tract 
of  eighty  acres  on  section  34,  which  has  since  re- 
mained his  home.  His  farm  is  finely  improved,  and 
upon  it  he  has  erected  a  handsome  and  substantial 
set  of  frame  buildings. 


His  marriage  took  place  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, in  the  spring  of  1857,  the  lady  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Nancy  J.  Scott,  who  was  born  in 
Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  July  4,  1840.  Mrs.  P.  is 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Nancy  (Britton) 
Scott,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  whence 
they  removed  to  Illinois  and  located  in  this  county 
in  about  1856,  on  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship. Subsequently  they  returned  to  their  old  home 
in  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
days.  Of  the  ten  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paxton, 
three  died  in  infancy.  Those  surviving  are  James 
A.,  Mary  E.,  Nancy  E.,  John  G.,  Charles  S.,  Frank- 
lin M.  and  Laura  B.  Charles  S.  and  Franklin  M. 
are  twins;  James  married  Miss  Lizzie  B.  Story  and 
lives  in  Padua  Township;  Nancy  E.  is  the  wife  of 
John  L.  Bunn.  and  resides  in  Martin  Township ;  they 
have  one  child,  a  son,  Charles  F.  Those  who  died 
in  infancy  were  William,  Alice  and  one  unnamed. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paxton  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  our  subject  uniformly  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Republican  party. 


J~;OHN  MOATS,  living  on  section   30,   Money 
Creek  Township,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Hinthorn)  Moats,  see  sketch  of  J.  I.  Moats 
elsewhere  in  this  work.     John  Moats  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family   of  nine  chil- 
dren.    He  first  saw  light  in  Linking  County,  Ohio, 
Sept.  16,  1812.     When  seventeen  years  old  he  came 
with  his  parents  overland  to  this  county.     This  was 
in   1829,  and  our  subject  is  therefore  one  of  the 
oldest  residents  of  Money   Creek  Township,  now 
living.     He  has  witnessed   its  wonderful  develop- 
ment, and  has  always  been  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.     He   is  now  the  owner  of  270  acres  on 
which  he  has  fair  improvements. 

Mr.  Moats  was  married  in  Knox  County,  Ohio, 
Oct.  22,  1874,  to  Louisa  (Zolman)  Donnell,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Catherine  (Passey)  Zolman  and 
widow  of  Joseph  Donnell,  who  died  in  Cass  County, 
Mo.,  in  1868.  By  her  union  with  Mr.  Donnell  she 
had  three  children — Joseph.  Josephine  and  Jesse. 
Joseph  and  Josephine  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Moats 
was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  and 


t  .650 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  18,  1828. 
Our  subject  has  held  the  office  of  Constable  for  one 
term,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
and  among  the  foremost  citizens  of  Money  Creek 
Township. 


1C  HARD  M.  BRITT,  a  prominent  and  enter- 
prising farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Mt. 
Hope  Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine 
homestead  on  section  18,  and  in  the  various 
departments  of  his  agricultural  pursuits  is  meeting 
with  success.  He  is  a  straightforward  business  man, 
honest  and  upright  in  his  transactions,  and  enjoys 
the  confidence  and  good-will  of  his  neighbors  and 
associates. 

Mr.  Britt  is  a  native  of  Tazewell  County,  111., 
and  was  born  in  Hill  Township  on  the  5th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1837.  His  father,  Jefferson  Britt,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  born  on  the  20th  of  March, 
1802.  His  grandfather,  William  Britt,  was  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Virginia,  a  man  of  great  indus- 
try and  enterprise,  and  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  community.  The  family  is  an  old  and  excel- 
lent one,  and  noted  for  their  high  moral  principles 
and  excellent  traits  of  character. 

Jefferson  Britt,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
lad  of  only  twelve  years  when  his  parents  removed 
from  his  native  State  to  Kentucky.  They  made  the 
journey  overland  and  located  in  Logan  County, 
being  among  the  earliest  settless  of  that  region. 
There  the  grandfather  died,  and  there  his  son  Jef- 
ferson grew  to  manhood  and  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mrs.  Mary  (North)  Dills.  She  was  a  na- 
tive of  Grant  County,  Va.,  was  born  near  Peters- 
burg, and  removed  to  Kentucky  with  her  parents 
when  a  child.  After  marriage  Jefferson  Britt  and 
wife  located  in  Logan  County,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  fall  of  1835,  and  then  started  with 
their  three  children  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois. 
They  made  the  journey  overland  with  teams,  and 
first  halted  in  what  is  now  Logan  County,  where 
they  rented  land  for  two  years  and  then,  in  the 


spring  of  1837,  removed  to  Tazewell  County. 
There  they  made  a  claim  in  township  22,  range  2 
west,  now  in  Hill  Township,  where  the  father  erected 
a  log  house,  having  a  puncheon  floor  and  doors, 
and  split  thatches  for  the  roof.  He  entered  laud 
from  the  Government,  when  it  came  into  market, 
improved  and  cultivated  his  purchase,  established 
a  comfortable  home,  and  remained  there  until  1853. 
He  then  removed  to  Atlanta,  where  he  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life,  and  departed  from  the  scenes 
of  his  earthly  labors  on  the  14th  of  October,  1885, 
at  an  advanced  age.  The  companion  of  his  youth 
and  the  mother  of  his  children  died  the  year  pre- 
vious, on  the  24th  of  January.  Their  union  had 
been  blest  by  the  birth  of  four  children,  who  are 
recorded  as  follows:  William  8.  lives  in  Normal; 
Martha  E.  married  Dr.  J.  B.  Tenney,  and  lives  in 
Atlanta;  Mary  H.  married  J.  H.  Burt,  and  lives  in 
Hill  Township;  Richard  M.  is  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Richard  M.  Britt  of  this  history  was  the  young- 
est child  of  his  parents'  family.  He  spent  the  first 
sixteen  years  of  his  life  on  the  farm,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  old  log  school-house.  This 
rude  structure  was  in  marked  contrast  to  the  ele- 
gant buildings  where  "  young  America  "  now  re- 
ceives his  first  lessons  in  expensive  and  scientific 
text-books.  The  floors  were  of  puncheon,  the  win- 
dow-panes of  greased  paper,  and  the  chimney  was 
built  upon  the  outside  with  dirt  and  sticks.  The 
fireplace  occupied  nearly  the  whole  of  one  end  of 
the  building,  and  would  take  in  a  large  log.  After 
a  few  seasons  spent  in  this  primitive  structure,  the 
family  of  young  Britt  removed  to  Atlanta  and  he 
attended  school  there,  being  esteemed  quite  profi- 
cient in  his  studies  for  those  days.  He  was  indeed 
fond  of  his  books  and  had  made  good  progress, 
and  after  leaving  school  officiated  as  a  pedagogue 
for  two  terms.  He  continued  to  make  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  and  for  a  period 
of  four  years  had  charge  of  the  farm,  and  boarded 
with  the  family  who  cultivated  the  farm  after  his 
father  had  removed  to  town. 

Young  Britt  remained  with  his  parents  until  his 
marriage,  and  then  located  upon  the  homestead 
which  he  now  owns  and  occupies,  and  which  his 
father  had  purchased  from  the  railroad  company. 


"• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


653-  > 


The  latter  had  made  some  improvement  in  its 
original  condition,  and  after  his  son,  our  subject, 
came  into  the  possession  of  it  he  continued  its  im- 
provement, and  cultivated  the  soil  with  uniform 
success.  He  is  now  the  possessor  of  240  acres,  all 
improved  and  supplied  with  a  good  set  of  frame 
buildings.  The  residence  is  a  model  of  convenience 
and  comfort,  and  gives  indications  in  all  respects  of 
cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means.  Besides  the 
home  farm  Mr.  Britt  owns  eighty  acres  in  Tazewell 
County,  besides  forty  of  pasture  in  the  same 
county  and  some  timber  land  in  Logan  County. 

The  marriage  of  Richard  M.  Britt  and  Miss 
Rhoda  C.  Medbery  was  celebrated  on  the  27th  of 
June,  1864.  Mrs.  Britt  was  born  at  Fonda's  Bush, 
Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.  Her  father,  Henry  Medbery, 
was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  and  her  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Julia  Lansing,  was  born  at 
Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  and  was  of  German  descent. 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  H.  removed  to  Michigan  in 
1844,  and  thence  to  Wisconsin  twelve  years  later, 
locating  in  Dodge  County.  Afterward  they  went 
into  Winnebago  County,  where  the  father  died  and 
where  her  mother  still  resides.  Mrs.  Britt  when  a 
young  lady  came  here  to  visit  a  brother  who  was 
teaching.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  and  Mrs.  B. 
took  charge  of  the  school. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Britt  there  have 
been  born  three  children — Hallie,  William  H.  and 
Bessie  L.  The  parents  and  two  of  the  children  are 
devoted  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Al- 
though the  immediate  descendants  of  the  old  pio- 
neers grew  up  with  but  little  opportunity  for  an 
education,  many  of  them,  yes  most  of  them,  are 
noble,  high-minded  men  and  women,  and  are  gener- 
ally among  the  foremost  to  make  sacrifices  to  se- 
cure for  their  children  a  substantial  education.  This 
rule  has  been  splendidly  exemplified  in  the  case  of 
our  subject,  who  has  given  his  children  the  benefits 
of  a  good  education. 

Mr.  B.  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  casts  his 
vote  in  support  of  the  principles  of  that  party.  He 
has  contributed  his  full  quota  toward  the  business 
and  industrial  interests  of  this  section,  and  in  all 
respects  is  entitled  to  be  classed  as  an  honest  man 
and  a  good  citizen,  and  as  such  we  present  his 
portrait  in  this  connection. 


BRAHAM  FRY,  one  of  the  honored  pio- 
neers of  Randolph  Township,  is  highly  re- 
spected as  a  citizen  and  thoroughly  trusted 
as  a  business  man.  He  is  now  living  re- 
tired from  active  labor  on  a  fine  homestead  which 
comprises  430  acres  of  highly  cultivated  land,  and 
a  handsome  and  commodious  residence  located  on 
section  4.  Mr.  Fry  came  to  McLean  County  in 
1854,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  partly  improved 
land  which  has  been  his  home  since  that  time.  He 
was  successful  from  the  beginning  in  his  farming 
and  business  operations,  and  as  time  passed  on,  in- 
creased his  facilities  for  agriculture  and  stock-rais- 
ing, and  added  to  his  landed  possessions  until  he 
now  has  one  of  the  finest  country  estates  in  Mc- 
Lean County. 

Mr.  Fry  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Pa.,  Jan. 
6,  1816,  and  in  1827  removed  with  his  mother  to 
Licking  County,  Ohio,  the  father  having  previously 
died  in  Pennsylvania.  Our  subject,  the  eldest  of 
seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  was 
only  ten  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  their  removal. 
The  mother  spent  the  remainder  of  her  days  in 
Ohio,  and  died  there  at  an  advanced  age.  The 
childhood  and  youth  of  Abraham  Fry  were  quickly 
passed,  and  he  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry, being  put  to  all  the  labor  he  could  accom- 
plish as  he  advanced  in  strength  and  size.  Being 
the  eldest  child  he  early  became  acquainted  with 
the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  caring  for  a  fam- 
ily, and  was  the  true  and  faithful  sympathizer  and 
friend  of  his  mother  in  her  widowhood.  He  re- 
mained with  her  until  fully  developed  into  man- 
hood, and  until  some  of  the  younger  members  of 
the  family  could  fill  his  place,  and  was  then  mar- 
ried in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Sarah  Myers, 
who  was  there  born  and  reared  and  remained  until 
her  marriage.  They  located  in  that  county  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1854. 
Airs.  Sarah  Fry  departed  this  life  in  Randolph 
Township,  April  22.  1863.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  two  children:  Perry  A.,  during  the  late 
war,  enlisted  in  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  had 
only  been  in  service  about  two  months,  when  he 


654 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I    for 
T  for 

"T 


was  attacked  with  camp  diarrha-a,  and  died  at 
Springfield,  Mo.;  John  B.  is  yet  living:  he  married 
Miss  Pauline  Stewart,  and  resides  in  Bloonnngton, 
retired  from  active  business. 

For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Fry  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Bishop  on  the  3d  of  November,  1 864.  Mrs. 
Fry  was  born  in  Randolph  Township,  Oct.  1, 1832, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  A.  (Weed- 
man)  Bishop,  the  mother  now  deceased.  They  were 
natives  of  Perry  County,  Ohio,  where  they  were 
reared,  educated,  and  married.  Mr.  Bishop  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  witli  his  family  removed 
to  Illinois  in  1831,  settling  in  Randolph  Township. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  became  one  of 
its  most  valued  citizens.  He  is  yet  living,  having 
arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  nearly  ninety  years, 
making  his  home  in  East  Heyworth,  on  the  farm 
which  he  first  occupied  with  his  family.  The  house- 
hold circle  included  thirteen  children,  six  sons  and 
seven  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living  and  mar- 
ried except  one,  and  are  established  in  comfortable 
homes,  most  of  them  being  residents  of  this  county, 
Mrs.  Fry  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof,  and 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  public  schools.  Of 
her  union  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born 
two  children:  Mary,  Sept.  30,  1867,  and  Laura,  iu 
1873,  died  when  less  than  a  year  old. 

The  Fry  family  are  descended  from  pure  Ger- 
man ancestry,  and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  the  Keystone  State.  There  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject  died,  and  his  son  Abraham,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Becken- 
baugh.  He  died  when  his  son  Abraham  was  ten 
years  of  age.  He  and  his  wife  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject  has 
been  a  Deacon  of  the  Christian  Church  for  twenty 
years.  Mrs.  Fry  has  held  the  same  office  in  the 
church  since  1883. 

In  politics  Mr.  Fry  is  a  solid  Democrat,  and  has 
been  Assessor  of  Randolph  Township  for  five  years. 
In  all  his  transactions  in  life  he  has  nothing  to  be 
ashamed  of  or  to  conceal,  having  steadily  followed 
the  honorable  principles  to  which  he  was  trained  by 
his  excellent  and  honored  mother.  The  family, 
wherever  they  have  been  known,  have  been  noted 
their  honest  dealings  with  their  fellow-men  and 
their  observance  of  the  Golden  Rule,  which  has 


impelled  them  to  do  unto  others  as  they  would  be 
done  by.  A  lithographic  portrait  of  Mr.  Fry  is 
shown  in  connection  with  this  sketch. 


Jl  ACOB  BISHOP,  of  Randolph  Township,   is 
I    probably  the  oldest  man  living  in  the  town- 
i    ship,  and  during  his  long  residence  here  has 
•    secured  for  himself  the  profound  respect  of 
his    fellow-citizens.     Our   subject    is  a    native    of 
Frederick   County,  Md.,  and  was   born  June   25, 
1797.     He  is  the  only  surviving  son  of  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  and  has   two  sisters  yet  living: 
Catherine,  the    widow   of   Jacob    Weed  man,  aged 
ninety-two,  and  now  living  in  FarmerCity,  De  Witt 
Co.,  111. ;  Elizabeth  married  John  Young,  now  de- 
ceased, and  is  residing  at  Monmouth,  111.,  at  an  ad- 
vanced age. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  John  Bishop,  was  a 
native  of  Maryland  and  of  English  and  Irish  de- 
scent. He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  in  early 
life  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah  Cooper,  a  German 
lady,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  thirteen 
children.  In  1812  the  family  all  removed  to  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  where  the  parents  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  life,  the  father  dying  when  sixty- 
five  years  of  age;  the  mother  died  some  years  after- 
ward and  was  about  the  same  age.  They  were 
people  highly  respected  in  their  community,  and 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

Jacob  Bishop  remained  on  the  homestead  of  his 
parents  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  May  10,  1820,  the  maiden  of  his 
choice  being  Miss  Mary  A.  Weedman.  She  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  Dec.  15,  1799,  being  the 
daughter  of  George  and  Charlotte  (Huen)  Weed- 
man,  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  They 
were  of  German  parentage  and  descent,  and  re- 
moved .to  Perry  County,  Ohio,  when  Mrs.  B.  was 
but  a  child.  Afterward  they  came  to  Illinois  and 
died  in  Randolph  Township,  this  county,  some 
years  ago.  They  also  belonged  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop  there  were 
born  thirteen  children,  all  living,  and  of  whom  the 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


655 


record  is  as  follows:  Sarah  became  the  wife  of 
Phillip  Hand,  a  farmer  of  De^Vitt  County,  111.;  of 
George,  the  second  child,  there  will  be  found  a 
sketch  elsewhere  in  this  ALBUM;  Hannah  married 
John  Cusey,  and  lives  with  her  husband  in  Farmer 
City,  111.  ;  Charity  married  W.  Adams,  now  de- 
ceased, and  lives  in  Downs  Township;  Jacob  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Mary  H.  Little,  who  is  now  deceased, 
and  he  lives  in  Hey  worth  ;  Charlotte  became  the 
wife  of  Andrew  J.  Stringfield,  who  served  as  a 
Union  soldier  in  the  late  war  and  contracted 
the  disease  in  the  army  from  which  he  died  at  his 
home  Aug.  30,  1861;  Mrs.  8.  resides  with  her 
father;  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of  Abraham  Fry  (see 
sketch)  ;  William  Fletcher  married  Miss  Margaret 
Walmsley,  and  is  a  farmer  of  Downs  Tp.  ;  Mary 
Emma  became  the  wife  of  James  Fulton  (see 
sketch)  ;  Harriett  (Mrs.  George  Wilson)  resides  in 
Normal,  her  husband  having  retired  from  active 
labor;  John  St.  Clair  Married  Miss  Harriett  Ches- 
ney,  and  is  a  farmer  in  Randolph  Township;  Asbury 
M.  owns  and  operates  forty-six  acres  of  the  old 
homestead;  on  the  loth  of  October,  1872,  he  lost 
his  right  arm  by  means  of  a  threshing-machine,  but 
has  acquired  such  skill  iu  the  use  of  the  left  that  he 
is  still  able  to  do  the  work  of  an  ordinary  man  ; 
Joseph  A.  married  Jane  Ellsworth,  and  is  farming 
near  Hey  worth.  Mrs.  Margaret  'W.  Bishop,  the 
mother  of  these  children,  departed  this  life  at  her 
home  in  Randolph  Township,  Jan.  23,  1873.  She 
was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  our  subject  has  been  connected  with 
that  denomination  since  a  youth  of  nineteen  years. 
Several  of  the  children  are  also  following  the  foot- 
steps of  their  parents  in  their  religious  faith.  Mr. 
Bishop  and  his  sons  are  all  Republican  in  politics. 


ICHAEL  KINZINGER,   a  retired  farmer 
of     Montgomery     Township,     Woodford 
County,  is  one  of  its  pioneer  settlers,  and 
a  fine  representative  of  the  well-to-do  and 
substantial  German  citizen.     His  birth  took  place 
in  Germany  Oct.   10,  1814,  and   he  emigrated    to 
the  United  States  in   1K37,  becoming  a  citizen   of 
'  McLean  County   the   following  year.     His  parents 


were  Daniel  and  Catherine  (Swartztrober)  Kinzin- 
ger,  natives  of  the  German  Empire.  Daniel  K. 
was  born  in  1765,  and  Catherine,  his  wife,  in  1771. 
He  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  which  he  followed  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1828,  in  his  native 
land.  The  mother  survived  six  years,  dying  in 
1834.  Their  marriage  took  place  in  1805,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  four  sons 
and  one  daughter,  as  follows:  Jacob  married  Miss 
Catherine  Peachy ;  Daniel  died  when  seventy-five 
years  of  age;  Michael  of  our  sketch  was  the  third 
child;  Peter  married  Catherine  Kneage,  and  Anna 
became  the  wife  of  Henry  Fatten.  The  parents 
were  members  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 

After  the  death  of  his  father  Michael  Kinzinger 
was  comparatively  homeless.  He  went  to  live  with 
a  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Gingve,  near  the  town 
of  Morborg,  where  he  remained  for  ten  years  fol- 
lowing. When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  commenced 
to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade,  at  which  he  worked 
two  years.  He  then  abandoned  this  and  engaged 
in  distilling,  being  thus  occupied  fourteen  years. 
After  spending  one  year  in  Bavaria  he  set  sail  for 
the  United  States,  first  landing  in  New  York  City, 
whence  he  went  into  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and  fol- 
lowed his  former  business  as  a  distiller. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  1837,  to  Miss  Mag- 
dalena  Naffziger,  in  Butler  County,  and  in  1838 
came  with  his  family  to  McLean  County.  They 
•remained  in  Bloomington  for  a  short  time,  and 
Mr.  K.  rented  a  tract  of  land  and  was  occupied  in 
its  cultivation  for  six  years  following.  In  1 844  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  and  soon  afterward  doubled 
this  amount.  He  soon  afterward  erected  a  log 
house,  16x18  feet  in  area.  This  he  divided  into 
two  rooms,  and  their  floor  was  the  ground  in  its  na- 
tive state.  In  this  humble  abode  there  were  born 
the  twelve  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.,  namely : 
Catherine  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Fry,  of  Stout's 
Grove;  Peter  was  first  married  to  Miss  Naffzinger; 
his  second  wife  was  Miss  Pauline  Rust;  Daniel 
was  first  married  to  Miss  Mary  Schick;  his  sec- 
ond wife  was  Miss  Mary  Blank;  Jacob  married 
Miss  Magdalena  Keen;  Christian  married  Miss 
Lena  Strubar;  Barbara  became  the  wife  of  David 
Zook;  Magdalena  married  Jacob  Grundy;  Anna  be- 
came Mrs.  Peter  Schantz ;  Phebe,  Mrs.  Joseph  Stru- 


656 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


bar;  Caroline,  Mrs.  George  Kirchner;  Kileon  and 
August  are  unmarried.  All  are  living  at  this  writ- 
ing, March,  1887. 

In  due  time  the  log  cabin  was  replaced  by  a 
handsome  frame  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  nec- 
essary and  convenient  out-buildings.  The  land  has 
been  finely  cultivated  and  everything  about  the 
premises  denotes  the  supervision  of  a  thorough  and 
intelligent  business  man.  Mr.  Kinzinger  spent  year 
after  year  industriously  and  economically,  and 
now,  resting  from  his  toils,  is  passing  his  last  years 
in  the  comfort  and  quiet  which  he  has  so  fairly 
earned. 

Mrs.  Kinzinger  is  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Bar- 
bara (Beck)  Naffzinger,  natives  of  Bavaria,  where 
they  were  married  and  became  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  Jacob,  John, 
Magdalena,  Barbara,  Phebe,  Peter,  Valentine, 
Catherine,  Christian  and  John  (2d).  •  Mr.  K.  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Mennonite 
Church,  in  which  Mr.  K.  has  been  a  minister  for 
twenty-three  years. 


^EORGE  S.  JOHNSTON,  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  McLean  County  since  the  24th 
of  March,  1856,  came  to  this  State  from 
Harrison  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  born  July 
12,  1832.  His  parents  were  Andrew  and  Margaret 
(Humphreys)  Johnston,  who  are  still  living,  and 
reside  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  having  attained 
an  advanced  age.  Their  family  consists  of  four 
sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  George  S.  was 
the  eldest.  The  subject  of  this  history  remained 
under  the  home  roof  and  pursued  his  studies  in  the 
common  schools  until  seventeen  years  old.  He  then 
entered  Mt.  Union  Seminary,  in  Stark  County, 
Ohio,  and  after  completing  his  studies  there,  en- 
gaged in  teaching  for  five  years  following.  After 
coming  into  Illinois  he  taught  one  year  in  Pike 
County,  and  then  took  up  his  residence  in  Blooni- 
ington,  where  he  engaged  in  operating  a  ditching 
machine.  He  removed  from  Bloomington  to  Dela- 
vnn.  111.,  where  he  cultivated  rented  land  for  six 
years  and  then  moved  to  Yates  Township,  this 


county,  where  he  remained  twelve  years.  In  1878 
Mr.  Johnston  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived.  This  is 
all  improved,  with  a  fine  residence,  a  barn  to  cor- 
respond, and  all  the  other  requirements  of  a  first- 
class  modern  agriculturist.  He  is  engaged  mostly 
in  stock-raising  and  exhibits  some  very  fine  speci- 
mens of  cattle  and  horses. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  in  his  native  county 
in  the  Buckeye  State,  March  20,  1860.  to  Miss  Mary 
McFadden,  also  a  native  of  Harrison  County,  Ohio, 
born  in  1836.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  three 
sons — William,  Oscar  and  James.  Mrs.  Mary  John- 
ton  departed  this  life  in  Lawndale  Township,  Aug. 
31,  1866.  The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  also 
took  place  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  March  24, 
1868,  when  he  was  united  with  Miss  Belle  Biruey, 
a  native  of  that  State  and  county.  The  result  of 
this  marriage  was  eight  children,  of  whom  five  are 
living — Maggie,  Rosa,  Liaeie,  Ada,  and  Rosco. 
Those  deceased  are  Birney,  Jane  and  one  who  died 
unnamed  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  are  worthy  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  politically 
our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  held 
the  offices  of  Township  Assessor  and  Road  -Com- 
missiouer,  and  takes  a  genuine  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  his  community. 


ETER  HOIERMAN,  a  fair  representative 
of  the  grocery  trade  in  Bloomiugton,  is  lo- 
cated at  No.  107  East  Front  street,  where 
he  is  operating  profitably  and  successfully. 
Mr.  Hoierman  is  a  native  of  Germany,  and  was  born 
July  24,  1853.  He  received  his  education  parity 
in  the  schools  of  Oldenburg,  and  later  attended  the 
University  of  Leipzic,  where  he  completed  his  stud- 
ies when  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  began  his  mer- 
cantile experience  as  a  clerk  for  a  firm  in  Bremen, 
where  he  served  until  1870  and  then  enlisted  in  the 
German  army.  He  served  as  a  soldier  fifteen 
months,  then  received  his  honorable  discharge,  re- 
turned home,  and  in  October  of  the  following  year 
set  sail  for  the  New  World  on  the  steamer  Maine. 
After  arriving  in  New  York  City  he  secured  a 


t 


RESIDENCE      OF     MILTON      H  E  N  LI  N  E  ,  5  E  C  .  1 ,  TOWANDA  TP. 


RESIDENCE  OF    WASHINGTON  DAWSON  ,  EEC.  29,  CHENOA.TP.. 


CHENOA  TILE  WORKS  -CHENOAJLLS..  PIKE  &.  CASTLE  ,  PROPR^S  ., 
HEADQUARTERS    NEW  DISCO  VE.  RV  KI  L  N 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


659 


clerkship  in  the  tea  store  of  Phillip  Stiller  &  Co., 
with  whom  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1872. 
He  then  went  as  a  coffee  sampler  to  Rio  Janeiro, 
S.  A.,  where  he  spent  three  years,  returning  to  New 
York  City  in  May,  1876.  Soon  afterward  he 
started  West,  and  arriving  in  Bloomington,  111., 
was  soon  engaged  as  book-keeper  for  Reinhold 
Graff,  in  which  capacity  he  served  acceptably  fora 
period  of  nine  years.  He  then  became  associated 
in  partnership  with  E.  Meyer,  and  they 'have  oper- 
ated under  the  name  and  style  of  Hoierman  & 
Meyer  since  December,  1884.  They  have  a  good 
trade,  and  the  house  is  supplied  with  every  article 
required  in  their  line. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married,  Nov.  4, 
1886,  to  Miss  Minnie  Balke,  of  Bloomington,  and 
they  occupy  a  pleasant  home  at  No.  608  West 
Washington  street,  where  they  are  surrounded  by 
many  warm  friends.  When  Mr.  H.  began  life  on 
his  own  account  in  Bloomington  he  had  but  $1.75 
in  cash.  He  learned  book-keeping,  both  the  Ger- 
man and  English  system,  of  the  American  Consul 
in  Oldenburg,  and  soon  acquired  a  good  knowl- 
edge of  the  English  language.  He  is  thorough  and 
methodical  in  his  business  transactions,  and  in  all 
respects  is  considered  a  good  business  man  and  a 
useful  member  of  the  community.  Socially  he  be- 
longs to  Mozart  Lodge  No.  656,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Uh- 
land  Lodge  No.  305,  and  the  Turners  Society,  of 
which  he  is  Financial  Secretary  and  teacher  of  gym- 
nastics. He  is  also  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Dis- 
trict of  Turner  Societies,  and  occupies  the  same  po- 
sition in  Mozart  and  Uhland  Lodges.  He  is  also 
Treasurer  of  the  German  Benevolent  Society.  After 
this  record  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  he 
enjoys  in  a  marked  degree  the  confidence  of  his 
fellQw-townsmen. 


ENRY  G.  REEVES,  attorney  at  law,  Bloom- 
ington, is  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State, 
having  been  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  June 
13,  1845.  His  father,  Barnes  C.  Reeves,  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
and  his  mother,  before  her  marriage,  was  Miss 
Mary  M.  Gray.  After  their  marriage  they  settled 


in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  lived  until  the  fall  of 
1855,  when  they  started  for  the  West,  and  coming 
into  Illinois,  settled  in  Old  Town  Township,  this 
count}',  where  Mr.  Reeves  died  the  following  year. 
His  widow,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  thus 
left  with  several  children,  of  whom  Henry  G.,  our 
subject,  was  the  eldest.  The  mother  died  in  1884, 
upon  the  farm  where  they  first  settled.  Two 
brothers  still  reside  in  Old  Town  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  and  received  his  early  rudimentary  education 
in  the  log-cabin  school-houses,  this  being  princi- 
pally in  the  winter  season,  the  boy's  assistance  be- 
ing required  on  the  farm  during  the  summer.  He 
was  fond  of  his  books,  and  made  the  most  of  his 
opportunities,  in  the  meantime  keeping  his  eyes 
open  to  what  was  going  on  around  him  in  the  world. 
In  the  fall  of  1861  he  entered  Wesleyan  University, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1866,  in  the  meantime 
having  done  service  in  the  army.  In  June,  1862, 
the  war  being  then  in  progress,  many  of  his  fellow 
students  enlisted  in  the  Union  service,  our  subject 
among  them,  becoming  a  member  of  Co.  G,  68th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  serving  six  months.  The  regi- 
ment was  first  sent  to  Washington,  thence  to  Alex- 
andria, where  our  subject  assisted  in  provost  duty. 
He  was  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of  1862.  After 
his  retirement  from  the  army,  Mr.  Reeves  returned 
to  Bloomington  and  completed  his  college  course. 
He  commenced  reading  law  under  the  instruction 
of  Judge  Reeves  of  Bloomington,  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  in  this  city  in  1867,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  with  fair  success. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  in  Bloom- 
ington, Dec.  25,  1866,  to  Miss  Hattie  Niccolls,  and 
in  the  spring  they  went  to  housekeeping  on  North 
Main  street,  where  they  reside  to-day.  They  have 
one  daughter — Lettie  N.  The  family  residence  is 
the  abode  of  peace  and  plenty,  and  its  inmates  are 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life,  and  among 
those  whom  they  most  value  have  hosts  of  friends. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reeves  have  been  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Bloomington  since 
its  organization,  and  have  contributed  to  its  sup- 
port liberally  of  their  means.  Mr.  Reeves  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for  six  years, 
and  has  served  as  Sunday-school  Superintendent 


-4* 


t 


A     660 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


for  seven  years.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R.,  belonging  to  Bloomington  Lodge  No. 
43.  Mr.  Reeves  is  in  possession  of  the  commission 
which  \\.-is  issued  to  Abner  Reeves  when  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolutionary  War,  who  was  the  great-great- 
grandfather of  our  subject.  In  politics  Mr.  Reeves 
is  a  stanch'  Republican. 


II.  NEAVTON,  County  Recorder,  is  a  rest- 
dent  of  Bloomington,  where  he  enjoys  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
He  was  born  in  Hancock  County,  this 
State,  on  the  23<1  of  May,  1838,  being  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Martha  (Haggard)  Newton,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  They  were 
married  in  the  latter  State,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1836,  locating  in  Hancock  County,  where  they  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  lived  until  the  fall  of  1844. 
They  then  came  into  this  county,  and  the  father 
took  up  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Dale  Township. 
He  erected  a  large  log  house,  planted  fruit  and 
shade  trees,  and  broke  the  prairie  sod,  remaining 
there  until  the  fall  of  1857.  Then,  selling  out,  he 
purchased  property  in  Bloomington,  where  the  par- 
ents took  up  their  abode,  and  the  father  retired 
from  active  labor.  The  latter  years  of  their  lives 
were  spent  with  their  children  in  Dale  Township. 
The  mother  died  in  1871,  when  seventy-six  years 
old,  and  the  father,  in  1875,  aged  eighty-five.  Both 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which 
Henry  Newton  was  a  Deacon  for  a  number  of 
years.  Their  three  children  were  Dtvson  and 
Louise,  twins,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
•  Mr.  Newton  of  this  biography  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  took  up  his  first  studies  in  the  district 
school,  and  in  the  winter  of  1857-58,  attended  the 
High  School  in  Bloomington.  For  two  winters  after 
that  he  taught  school  in  McLean  County,  and  when 
not  teaching  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the 
spring  of  1876.  He  then  engaged  as  a  traveling 
salesman  for  the  nurseryman,  AV".  H.  Mann,  of 
Gilman,  111.,  but  abandoned  the  road  in  a  short 
time  on  account  of  sickness  in  his  family.  Jan.  1, 
1*77.  he  became  Assistant  Circuit  Clerk  for  J.  C. 


McFarland,  which  position  he  occupied  four  years, 
and  in  1880  was  elected  County  Recorder,  being 
re-elected  in  1884.  Mr.  Newton  was  married,  in 
1862,  to  .Miss  Martha  A.  Hoover,  who  is  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of  Samuel  J.  and  Christie 
A.  Hoover,  natives  respectively  of  Ohio  and  Scot- 
land. Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  four 
children,  AVilliam  D.  being  the  only  one  now  liv- 
ing, and  is  Deputy  Clerk  and  Recorder,  having 
been  connected  with  the  office  since  1882.  The 
family  residence  is  located  at  No.  309  West  Market 
street.  Mr.  Newton  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
with  his  wife  and  son  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  holds  the  office  of 
Steward.  Before  coming  to  Bloomington  he  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  Township  Trustee  and  School 
Director. 


Vi?SAAC  K.  BUNN,  of  Blue  Mound  Township, 
who  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  Feb. 
j|\  11,  1832,  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents 
when  a  lad  of  seven  years,  and  has  since  made  his 
home  within  its  boundaries.  He  moved  to  Blue 
Mound  Township  in  the  spring  of  1884  and  located 
upon  his  fine  farm  of  160  acres,  where  he  also  has 
a  handsome  and  substantial  residence,  good  barn 
and  all  other  necessary  out-buildings.  His  entire 
property  consists  of  720  acres,  part  of  which  is  sit- 
uated in  Martin  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  son  of  Henry 
C.  and  Mary  E.  (Moser)  Bunn,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  excellent  German  ancestry.  They 
lived  in  Pennsylvania  a  few  years  after  their  mar- 
riage, then  removed  to  Ohio,  and  made  their 
home  in  Fayette  until  1839.  Thence  they  came  to 
Illinois,  and  locating  in  Empire  Township,  this 
county,  there  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days. 
Their  children,  eleven  in  number,  included  five  sons 
and  six  daughters,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the 
eighth. 

Isaac  Bunn  was  less,  than  twenty  years  old  when 
he  started  out  for  himself,  and  was  employed  as  a 
farm  laborer  for  one  year.  He  afterward  rented 
land  in  Empire  and  Blue  Mound  Townships  for  six 
years,  and  then  purchased  forty  acres  in  Martin 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


661 


Township,  where  he  lived  with  his  family  until  the 
spring  of  1884,  when  he  became  a  permanent  resi- 
dent of  Blue  Mound  Township,  as  before  stated. 

The  marriage  of  Isaac  K.  Bunn  and  Miss  Ruth 
A.  Waldon  took  place  in  Empire  Township,  Dec. 
28,  1851.  Mrs.  B.  is  the  daughter  of  Edward 
Thomas  and  Charity  (Blue)  Waldon,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Virginia  and  Ohio:  the  mother  was 
of  Irish  descent.  After  their  marriage  they  settled 
in  Sangamon  County,  111.,  whence,  in  1835,  they 
removed  to  Empire  Township,  this  county,  where 
the  father  died  in  1847.  The  mother  still  survives, 
and  is  at  present  in  Martin  Township.  Of  their  ten 
children  six  lived  to  mature  years. 

Mrs.  Bunn  was  born  in  Sangamon  County,  111., 
Aug.  11,  1831.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject 
there  were  born  eleven  children,  two  of  whom  died 
in  infancy :  Minor  K.  married  Miss  Emma  Davison, 
and  resides  in  Livingston  County,  111. ;  Francis  M. 
married  Miss  Mary  C.  Homan,  and  is  a  resident 
of  Dakota;  John  L.  married  Miss  Nancy  E. 
Paxton,  Jerry  I.  married  Miss  Tillie  C.  Rieke, 
and  Hugh  W.  married  Miss  Nellie  M.  Lane, 
all  live  in  Martin  Township;  Eva  J.,  Mary  A.  and 
Abraham  M.  are  at  home  with  their  parents;  Ge- 
nevra  is  the  wife  of  Lewis  Hetland,  and  resides  in 
Dakota.  Mr.  Bunn  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
is  a  gentleman  highly  esteemed  by  the  community. 


BARNARD,  capitalist,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  abstract  and  loan  broker,  is  a  native 
of  this  county,  and  was  born  in  June,  1860; 
he  is  the  seventh  son  of  Amos  and  Averstia  C. 
(Moulton)  Barnard.  The  former  was  an  Ohioau 
by  birth,  in  which  State  he  was  reared  and  educated 
and  spent  his  youth  upon  a  farm.  He  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1846,  and  located  west  of  the  city  of 
Bloomington,  whence  he  afterward  removed  into 
the  city,  in  1867.  After  leaving  the  farm  our  sub- 
ject's father  turned  his  attention  to  brokerage  and 
loans,  in  which  he  was  eminently  successful  and  ac- 
cumulated a  fine  property.  He  departed  this  life 
April  20,  1880,  leaving  to  his  family  a  large  estate. 
The  mother  is  still  living.  Their  seven  children 


included  four  boys  and  three  girls,  all  living,  and 
of  whom  Frank,  our  subject,  was  the  second  in 
order  of  birth. 

Mr.  Barnard  completed  his  studies  at  Normal 
University  and  upon  leaving  school,  took  a  trip  to 
California  where  he  remained  two  years,  then  re- 
turning to  Bloomington  engaged  in  abstracting 
three  years,  and  subsequently  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  J.  W.  Compton  &  Co.,  which  he  conducted 
with  success  and  profit.  He  now  owns  a  half  in- 
terest in  the  abstract  books  of  the  firm  of  Tillotson 
&  Fell,  from  which  business  he  derives  a  fine  in- 
come. Considering  that  our  subject  is  still  a  young 
man,  he  has  already  gained  a  good  position  in  the 
business  world.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  Wade 
Barney  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


>ILLIAM  M.  FLESHER,  a  farmer  residing 
on  section  3,  Money  Creek  Township,  is 
the  owner  of  117  acres  of  valuable  and 
productive  land,  on  which  he  has  good  and  sub- 
stantial improvements  and  where  he  is  meeting 
with  signal  success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  chosen 
vocation.  Mr.  Flesher  was  born  in  Pendleton 
County,  West  Va.,  Oct.  19,  1827.  He  lived  in  his 
native  county  until  seven  years  old,  when  his  par- 
ents emigrated  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  taking 
William  with  them.  There  he  made  his  home  until 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county.  Living 
here  until  1857,  engaged  the  while  in  farming,  he 
went  to  Kansas  and  followed  the  same  vocation  in 
that  State  for  three  years.  He  then  came  back  to 
this  county  and  has  made  this  his  home  until  the 
present  time.  Since  living  here  he  has  spent  a 
year  and  a  half  of  his  time  in  Lexington,  and  aside 
from  that,  has  always  lived  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Flesher,  as  stated,  has  a  fine  farm  of  117 
acres  on  section  3,  Money  Creek  Township,  acquired 
mainly  through  his  own  exertions,  economy  and 
good  judgment.  He  was  married  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  Dec.  29,  1§W,  to  Rebecca  A.  Pirtle, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Jones)  Pirtle.  Her 
parents  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  settling  in 


f. 


•    662 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


that  State,  made  that  their  home  until  their  removal 
to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  where  they  lived  until  the 
death  of  the  mother.  The  father  died  in  Greene 
County,  that  State.  Ten  children  were  born  of  the 
parental  union,  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  and 
Mrs.  Flesher  was  the  youngest.  She  was  born  in 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  Dec.  14,  1831,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
eight  children — Andrew  M.,  John  H.,  James  A.  S., 
Lizzie,  Eddie  L.,  Charles  S.,  George  E.  and  Benja- 
min E.  Andrew  married  Miss  Lucy  Fultz  and 
the}7  are  living  in  Gridley  Township,  this  county ; 
John  and  Miss  Amanda  Henline  became  man  and 
wife  and  are  residents  of  Lexington  Township,  this 
county ;  James  married  Miss  Hattie  Drury  and  they 
are  living  in  Woodford  County;  Lizzie  is  the  wife 
of  William  Curry,  a  resident  of  Money  Creek 
Township;  Eddie  and  Miss  Minnie  Punke  were 
united  in  marriage  and  live  in  Gridley  Township; 
Charles,  George  and  Benjamin  are  living  at  home. 
Mr.  Flesher  has  held  the  office  of  Township 
Assessor  for  two  years  and  has  been  the  incumbent 
of  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  about  six  years. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Flesher  have  had  their  trials  and  troubles  in  life, 
and  sickness  has  often  attended  their  household, 
but  a  kind  providence  has  smiled  tipofi  and  pre- 
served them  a  united  and  happy  family,  and  now 
in  the  sunset  of  life,  in  their  pleasant  little  home 
in  Monej'  Creek  Township,  they  are  enjoying  the 
accumulations  of  an  honorable  past  with  no  dark 
spots  upon  their  record  to  trouble  them. 


J^lAMES  LARKIN   is  one   of  the  large  land- 
I    owners  of  Money   Creek  Township,  and  a 
j    gentleman  possessing  considerable  agricult- 
'    ural  information,  as  his  success  in  that  voca- 
tion indicates.    He  is  pleasantly  located  on  his  fine 
farm  on  section  36,  where  he  is  surrounded  with  all 
the  comforts  and  pleasures  of  a  farm  life,  together 
with  a  happy  and  contented  family.    Mr.  Larkin  was 
born  in  Ireland  iri  1835.      Coming  to  the  United 
States  when  twenty  years  of  age,  in  1855,  he  for 
six  months  made  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  his  home.     He 


then  came  to  Pontiac,  Livingston  Co.,  111.,  and  hav- 
ing no  means  with  which  to  engage  in  business  or 
to  purchase  land,  he  worked  out  on  a  farm  by  the 
month  for  about  a  year  and  a  half.  After  that  he 
came  to  McLean  County,  where  he  continued  to 
labor  by  the  month  at  the  same  vocation  for  about 
two  years.  He  then  rented  land  of  one  Peter  Hef- 
ner. in  Money  Creek  Township,  and  for  six  years 
was  engaged  in  farming  in  this  manner. 

The  first  purchase  of  our  subject  was  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Money  Creek  Township,  located  on  sec- 
tion 36.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  that  township 
since  1860,  and  has  added  to  his  acreage  until  he 
is  at  present  the  proprietor  of  410  acres  of  valua- 
ble and  productive  land.  Mr.  Larkin  was  married 
in  Chicago,  Sept.  18,  1859,  to  Miss  Julia  Hogan, 
born  in  Ireland  in  1837.  Of  this  union  seven  chil- 
dren have  been  born  who  are  yet  living,  viz.,  James 
M.,  Mary,  John  D.,  Margaret,  Sarah,  William  and 
Julia.  Michael  and  Edward  A.  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larkin  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
Church.  In  politics  our  subject  is  independent. 


ACOB  I.  MOATS,  residing  on  section  29, 
Money  Creek  Township,  has  been  a  resident 
of  McLean  County  since  1829,  and  has 
made  his  home  continuously  in  the  above 
township.  His  father,  Jacob  Moats,  was  born  in 
Maryland,  and  when  four  years  old  was  sent  into 
Pennsylvania  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood  on 
a  farm.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Hinthorn, 
a  native  of  West  Virginia,  and  they  took  up  their 
residence  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  whence  they 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1829,  and  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Money  Creek  Township, 
locating  on  the  same  section  on  which  our  subject 
now  is.  The  father  continued  to  reside  on  that 
section,  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  his  vocation 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  Feb.  1.  1844.  His 
good  wife  crossed  the  river  to  meet  him  on  the 
other  shore,  July  16,  1873.  They  were  blest  by 
the  birth  of  nine  children  —  Henry,  John,  Margaret, 
William,  Jane,  Mary  A.,  Rebecca  P.,  Sarah  P.  and 
Jacob  I.  Henry  and  John  are  farmers  of  Money 
Creek  Township  ;  Margaret  is  the  widow  of  Albert 


f 


T 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


663 


Phillipps  and  also  lives  in  Money  Creek  Township; 
William  died  in  that  township  in  September,  1840, 
and  Jane  died  there  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  as 
likewise  did  Mary  A.  and  Rebecca  P.;  Sarah  de- 
parted this  life  in  the  fall  of  1848. 

Jacob  I.  Moats  was  the  youngest  of  his  parents' 
children  and  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
April  14,  1828.  When  less  than  two  years  of  age, 
in  1829,  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  the  one  on  which  he  is 
living,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  that  locality.  He  has  devoted  all  his 
years  to  agriculture  and  has  witnessed  the  growth, 
not  only  of  Money  Creek  Township,  but  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  the  wonderful  development  it 
has  made  from  1829  until  the  present  time.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  210  acres  of  good  land,  on 
which  he  has  substantial  improvements  and  is  meet- 
ing with  more  than  ordinary  success  in  his  vocation. 

Mr.  Moats  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Nov.  3,  1850,  to  Miss  Mary  J.,  daughter  of 
William  M.  and  Martha  (Kinnan)  Dodson.  Her 
father  was  born  in  Kentucky  and*  her  mother  in 
New  Jersey,  and  they  came  to  this  county  in  1847, 
from  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and  settling  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  there  lived  until  their 
death,  his  taking  place  March  27,  1863,  and  hers 
Dec.  21,1 880.  Eleven  children  were  born  of  their 
union,  namely,  Joseph  K.,  Maryette,  Jesse,  Abner 
N.,  Mary  J.,  Martha,  William  R..  Elizabeth,  Esther 
A.,  Daniel  D.  and  Naomi  E.  'Joseph  K.  is  a  far- 
mer and  resides  in  Kansas ;  Maryette  was  the  wife 
of  William  Hamilton  and  died  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship in  1851 ;  Jesse  died  in  infancy;  Abuer  N.  is  a 
resident  of  Money  Creek  Township;  Martha  is  the 
wife  of  Lewis  Sailor  and  they  are  living  in  Hudson 
Township;  William  R.  is  a  farmer  and  lives  in  Kan- 
sas; Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  James  Allen,  and  they 
live  in  Missouri;  Esther  A.  married  F.  A.  Bishop,  a 
farmer  of  Money  Creek  Township;  Daniel  D.  was  a 
member  of  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry  and  died  in  the 
hospital  at  New  Orleans;  Naomi  and  Rev.  Yeakle 
were  united  in  marriage  and  are  living  in  Kansas. 
Mrs.  Moats  was  born  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio, 
Feb.  10,  1830,  and  was  about  eighteen  years  old 
when  she  accompanied  her  parents  to  this  county. 
By  her  union  with  our  subject  four  children  have 


been  born — John  W.,  Martha  J.,  Sarah  O.  and  one 
died  in  infancy.  John  W.  married  Miss  N.  L. 
Rowe  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Martha  is  the  wife  of  H.  P.  Sachs,  a  farmer  of 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  Sarah  O.  lives  at  home. 
Mr.  Moats  has  held  the  office  of  Road  Commissioner 
for  many  years  and  also  that  of  School  Director. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 


EONARD  REDDICK,  a  prominent  grain- 
buyer  of  Saybrook,  is  a  native  of  Musking- 
urn  County,  Ohio,  born  June  19,  1822,  and 
the  son  of  Phillip  and  Mary  (Bartlett)  Reddick, 
the  former  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of 
Vermont.  Phillip  Reddick  was  born  in  December, 
1796,  and  departed  this  life  in  Ohio  in  1873.  The 
mother,  born  in  1806,  died  at  her  home  in  1871. 
Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Their  twelve  children  were  Leonard,  Mary  A., 
Elijah,  Elizabeth,  Samuel,  Eliza  J.,  Margaret,  John, 
George,  Abraham,  Amanda  and  Clara. 

Our  subject  was  the  eldest  member  of  his  father's 
family  and  remained  under  the  home  roof  receiv- 
ing careful  training  and  a  common-school  educa- 
tion. After  reaching  manhood  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Moore,  June  12,  1849. 
This  lady  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1824,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Claypole) 
Moore,  who  are  both  deceased.  They  were  most 
worthy  and  excellent  people  and  members  in  good 
standing  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Their  children 
were  Mary,  Harriet,  Sarah,  John,  Jane,  Eliza,  Mason, 
Daniel,  Catherine  and  Joseph.  By  this  marriage 
Mr.  Reddick  became  the  father  of  two  children — 
Mary  J.  and  Harriet.  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Reddick  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  12th  of  April,  1852,  after 
their  removal  to  Hamilton  County,  Ind.  She  was 
a  highly  respected  lady  and  a  worthy  and  consist- 
ent member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1854,  was  Miss  Rebecca  Galloway,  a  na- 
tive of  Indiana.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
four  children — Sanford,  Alvin,  Fremont  and  Jos- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


cph  G.,  all  living.  -Mrs.  Uebecca  G.  Reddick  died 
Sept.  12,  1864.  The  following  year  our  subject 
came  to  Illinois,  arriving  in  this  county  on  the  2d 
of  November.  In  early  life  he  had  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  period 
of  thirty-two  years,  and  superintended  the  erection 
of  some  of  the  most  prominent  buildings,  including 
several  large  churches  in  and  around  Saybrook. 
He  abandoned  his  trade  in  1875,  to  engage  in 
^rain-buying,  in  which  he  has  been  remarkably 
successful,  being  the  leader  in  this  business  at  Say- 
brook.  In  1873  he  commenced  dealing  in  lumber, 
but  sold  out  to  engage  in  his  present  business. 

Prior  to,  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion  Mr.  Red- 
dick was  a  stanch  Democrat,  but  the  first  gun  that 
was  fired  upon  Ft.  Su  niter  also  knocked  the  democ- 
racy out  of  him  and  he  went  over  without  delay  to 
the  Republican  party,  whose  principles  since  that 
time  he  has  vigorously  supported.  He  has  been 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township,  holding 
its  various  offices  and  also  being  prominent  in  the 
local  affairs  of  Saybrook.  Religiously  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
which  he  has  been  Steward  and  Trustee  and  greatly 
interested  in  Sunday-school  work,  to  which  he  has 
contributed  generously  of  his  time  and  means. 


\f=^)  LI  BARNARD,  who  has  always  been  occu- 
pied in  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  at  pres- 
ent engaged  in  that  vocation  on  his  fine  farm 
on  section  21,  Money  Creek  Township,  is  a  son  of 
Mel  man  N.  Barnard,  whose  sketch  is  given  in  con- 
nection with  that  of  S.  F.  Barnard  in  another  por- 
tion of  this  work.  Our  subject  was  a  twin  brother 
of  Levi  Barnard  and  was  born  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  Sept.  1,  1843.  He  was  reared  to  man- 
hood on  his  father's  farm  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  pioneer  log  school-house  of  this  county. 
All  his  years  thus  far  in  life,  with  the  exception  of 
about  three  months,  have  been  spent  in  the  bound- 
aries of  the  township  in  which  he  was  born. 

Air.  Barnard  is  at  present  the  owner  of  a  fine 
farm  consisting  of  240  acres,  and  located  on  sections 
20  and  21,  Money  Creek  Township.  He  thoroughly 
understands  the  vocation  at  which  he  labors  and  is 


meeting  with  success  in  the  conducting  of  his  place. 
Our  subject  was  married  in  Champaign  Count}',  111., 
Jan.  1,  1867,  to  Miss  Sarilda,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Eleanor  G.  (Beaty)  Shaw.  Joseph  Shaw  was 
horn  in  Fairfleld  County,  Ohio,  and  his  wife  was  a 
native  of  the  same  county.  They  were  married  and 
settled  in  that  county,  whence  they  removed  to 
Pickaway  County,  same  State,  and  then,  in  1862, 
came  to  this  county  and  located  in  Money  Creek 
Township.  He  died  there  Feb.  4,  1868.  Twelve 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaw  and  Mrs. 
Barnard  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  She  was 
born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  15,  1843,  and 
by  her  union  with  our  subject  seven  children  have 
been  born — Nettie,  Sinia,  Josie,  Leslie,  Anna,  Grace 
and  Alta.  Nettie  died  when  three  years  old. 
Socially  Mr.  Barnard  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  and  his  wife  hold  fellowship  with 
the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 


WILLIAM    WIRT  RANDOLPH   is  one  of 

the  merchants  of  Towanda.  The  ancestry 
of  the  Randolph  family  in  the  United  States 
dates  back  to  an  early  day.  Edward  Fitz  Randolph 
and  Elizabeth  Blossom  came  with  their  parents  from 
Northampton,  England,  to  escape  religious  persecu- 
tion in  that  country.  Miss  Blossom  came  in  the 
Mayflower  Ln  1620,  and  Edward  arrived  here  in 
1630.  They  were  married  in  this  country,  May  10, 
1646,  and  settled  at  Barnstable,  Barnstable  Co., 
Mass.,  and  became  the  parents  of  eight  children. 
Joseph,  the  fifth  child,  was  born  in  1656,  married 
Sarah  Congdon  in  1687,  and  they  had  twelve  chil- 
dren ;  Joseph,  the  second  of  these,  was  born  in  1690, 
married,  and  became  the  father  of  twelve  children. 
Joseph,  the  fifth  of  these,  was  born  in  1722,  mar- 
ried Esther  Broderick,  and  the}'  had  eleven  chil- 
dren ;  John,  their  sixth  child,  was  born  in  1752,  mar- 
ried Phebe  Steele  by  whom  he  had  eight  children, 
and  died  in  1826.  Steele,  the  sixth  son  of  John 
and  Phebe  (Steele)  Randolph,  and  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  at  Piscataway,  N.  J..  Oct.  22,  1786, 
and  was  married  Jan.  25,  1810,  to  Harriett  Runy on, 
of  French  extraction.  She  was  born  in  Middlesex 
County,  N.  J.,  Jan.  14,  1793.  They  first  settled 


665  4' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


\ 


in  Somerset  County,  N.  J.,  after  their  marriage, 
where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  miller  and 
which  vocation  he  continued  until  his  death.  He 
died  March  6,  1855,  in  Somerset  County,  after  a 
residence  there  of  upward  of  forty-five  years. 
After  his  death  his  wife  came  to  Blooming-ton,  111., 
where  she  lived  for  some  eight  years  and  then,  re- 
turning to  New  Jersey,  departed  this  life  at  Bound- 
brook,  Somerset  County,  Nov.  25,  1874.  They 
had  seven  children — Esther  R.,  John  S.,  Phebe  A., 
Reune  R.,  Asa  R.,  William  Wirt  and  one  who  died 
in  infancy.  Esther  became  the  wife  of  Peter 
Kline  and  departed  this  life  in  Macon  County,  111., 
Oct.  4,  1865;  John  S.  is  living  at  Boundbrook,  N. 
J. ;  Phebe  A.  was  the  second  wife  of  Peter  Kline 
and  died  at  Bloomi.ugton,  111.,  July  10,  1868; 
Reune  R.  is  living  at  Bloomington,  111.,  and  Asa  is  a 
resident  of  Summit,  N.  J. 

William  Wirt  Randolph  was  born  in  Somerset 
County,  N.  J.,  Jan.  8,  1834,  and  lived  at  home 
until  he  was  of  age.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  Quaker  schools  and  upon  the  death  of  his  father 
came  west  to  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  about  six  months.  He  then  went 
to  Decatur,  111.,  and  there  worked  at  the  same 
trade  for  something  over  a  year,  when  he  came  to 
Bloomington,  this  county.  Arriving  here  in  1856, 
he  began  working  at  his  trade  and  was  thus  occu- 
pied for  about  sixteen  years.  During  that  time, 
however,  he  became  infatuated  with  the  idea  of  be- 
coming suddenly  rich  and  the  novelty  of  digging  a 
fortune  out  of  the  ground,  and  went  to  Pike's  Peak, 
in  the  spring  of  1860.  He  soon  satisfied  himself 
that  the  precious  metal  was  not  to  be  had  in  such  an 
abundance  as  to  make  him  a  Croesus,  and  in  Jan- 
uary of  the  following  year  he  returned  to  this  coun- 
ty, having  made  the  journey  overland.  In  1871 
our  subject  traded  for  a  farm  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship, on  which  he  moved  and  lived  for  two  years 
engaged  the  while  in  its  cultivation.  He  then  sold 
it,  and  in  1873  moved  to  Towanda  and  worked  at 
his  trade  for  two  or  three  years,  after  which  he 
opened  a  restaurant  and  gradually  merged  it  into  a 
mercantile  business.  In  May,  1878.  our  subject 
bought  the  stock  of  goods  owned  by  Morrison  and 
Moats  of  Towanda,  and  embarking  in  that  business 
has  thus  been  engaged  until  the  present  time.  Of 


course,  he  increased  his  stock  as  the  requirements  of 
his  patrons  demanded,  and  by  honest  and  fair  deal- 
ing built  up  a  good  and  lucrative  trade.  He  now  car- 
ries a  general  assortment  of  all  kinds  of  goods. 
The  dry-goods  department  of  his  business  is  under 
the  immediate  charge  of  Mrs.  Randolph.  In  ad- 
dition to  his  mercantile  interests,  Mr.  Randolph  is 
the  owner  of  valuable  village  property  in  Towanda, 
and  has  succeeded  in  life  by  following  the  dictates 
of  his  own  judgment  and  bringing  to  bear  that  en- 
ergy and  perseverance  with  which  he  is  so  happily 
endowed. 

Mr.  Randolph  was  married  in  Bouudbrook,  N.  J., 
Oct.  18,  1856,  to  Miss  Angeline  B.,  daughter  of 
Andrew  and  Hannah  (Dunham)  Drake,  natives  of 
New  Jersey.  Her  father  died  in  Dunellen,  Mid- 
dlesex County,  that  State,  Jan.  14,  1873.  His 
widow,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Randolph,  survives  and 
is  at  present  residing  in  New  Jersey.  They  had 
three  children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
maturity :  Jonathan,  a  resident  of  Wisconsin ;  Ange- 
line B.,  wife  of  our  subject,  and  Barzilla,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Baltimore.  Mrs. 
Randolph  was  born  in  New  Market,  Middlesex  Co., 
N.  J.,  Aug.  17,  1835,  and  has  borne  our  subject  six 
children — Lillie  II.,  Emma  D.,  Etta  D.,  Asa  R.,  Ella 
D.  and  Hattie  B.  Lillie  H.  died  May  11.  1864; 
Emma  departed  this  life  Oct.  6,  1859;  Etta  died 
April  23,  1864;  Asa  R.  is  Station  Agent  at  Ster- 
ling, Col.;  Ella  B.  died  in  March,  1870;  and 
Hattie  B.  is  Jiving  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  R.  is  a  stanch  Republican  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  in  1 856,  and 
has  voted  for  every  Republican  nominee  for  Presi- 
dent since  that  time  with  the  exception  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  first  time,  when  he  was  absent  from  the 
State.  Mr.  Randolph  became  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  in  March,  1854,  in  his  native  State. 
He  has  been  connected  with  the  First  Baptist  Church 
of  Chicago,  First  Baptist  Church  of  Decatur,  111., 
and  First  Baptist  Church  of  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
since  becoming  a  citizen  of  Towauda,  has  held  fel- 
lowship with  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  that  place. 
He  has  been  a  constant  worker  in  the  Sunday- 
school  since  1857.  He  was  instrumental  in  organiz- 
ing a  colored  Baptist  Church  and  was  the  first 
Superintendent  of  the  Baptist  South  Mission  at 


t. 


t  ,  666 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


Bloomington.  He  was  also  the  first  Superintendent 
of  the  Baptist  West  Mission,  now  the  German 
Church.  Since  leaving  Bloomington,  he  has  helped 
to  organize,  and  was  the  first  Superintendent  of  the 
first  Baptist  Sunday-school  at  Lexington.  In  1871 
he  organized  a  Baptist  Sunday-school  at  Towanda 
and  has  been  its  Superintendent  until  the  present 
time.  His  entire  family  are  earnest  workers  in  the 
Church  and  Sunday-school.  When  the  contrabands 
first  came  to  Bloomington,  Mr.  Randolph  and  his 
sister,  Mrs.  Phebe  A.  Kline,  with  others,  got  them 
together  and  organized  a  night  school,  for  Mr. 
Randolph  claimed  that  while  the  question  of  suffer- 
age  was  being  agitated  the  colored  man  should 
be  taught  to  read  and  write  that  he  might  know  how 
to  vote.  Mrs.  Phebe  A.  Kline  was  a  lady  of  con- 
siderable attainments,  and  for  ten  years  taught  a 
private  school  at  Bloomington  with  marked  success. 


JLLIAM  H.  BRIGGS,  ESQ.,  a  prominent 
and  influential  farmer  of  Yates  Township, 
is  the  proprietor  of  a  beautiful  homestead 
on  section  4,  where  he  has  resided  since  1868.  He 
was  born  in  Troy  Grove,  La  Salle  Co.,  111.,  April  17, 
1841,  being  the  son  of  Phillip  Briggs,  a  native  of 
New  York.  The  latter  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  State,  whence  he  journeyed  westward  and 
coming  into  Illinois,  located  first  near  Peoria.  There 
he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Hannah  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  due  time 
selected  her  as  his  life  companion.  After  marriage 
they  settled  in  Troy  Grove,  La  Salle  County,  and 
occupied  a  prominent  position  among  the  pioneers 
of  that  section.  Mr.  Briggs,  although  a  carpenter 
by  trade,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  and  engaged  in 
farming,  employing  himself  at  his  trade  whenever 
time  and  opportunity  afforded.  Many  of  the  early 
dwellings  and  other  buildings  in  that  section  were 
the  result  of  his  handiwork.  After  a  time  he  re- 
moved within  the  city  limits  of  La  Salle,  where  he 
lived  about  two  years  and  until  the  cholera  com- 
menced its  ravages  in  that  portion  of  the  State.  He 
then  returned  East  with  his  family  and  resided  in 
his  native  State  for  five  or  six  years  following. 
Thence  they  removed  to  Huron  County,  Ohio 


where  Phillip  Briggs  departed  this  life  in  about 
1855,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven  years.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  force  of  character,  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  Whig  part}',  and  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mrs.  Briggs  after 
the  death  of  her  husband  resided  in  Ohio  until  1861, 
then  returned  to  Illinois.  She  is  still  living  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  daughter  in  Winona,  111., 
having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy 
years.  The  parental  household  included  eight 
children,  six  of  whom  are  yet  living — William  H., 
Daniel  B.,  James  Franklin,  Junius  .T.,  Marilla  A. 
and  Elnora. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  a  common- 
school  education  and  being  the  eldest  of  the  family, 
after  the  death  of  his  father,  was  the  chief  supporter 
and  advisor  of  his  widowed  mother.  The  elder 
Briggs  had  met  with  reverses  and  lost  his  health 
and  property  at  about  the  same  time.  The  family 
were  thus  left  in  straightened  circumstances  and  it 
required  the  utmost  care  and  good  judgment  on 
he  part  of  the  mother  and  son  to  keep  the  children 
together  and  minister  to  their  necessities.  William 
H.  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  twenty- 
six  years  old  and  until  his  brothers  and  sisters  had 
grown  to  be  of  an  age  when  they  could  take  care  of 
themselves.  In  the  fall  of  1867,  he  purchased 
eighty-nine  acres  of  his  present  farm  which  was  then 
uncultivated  prairie.  He  set  about  its  improve- 
ment industriously  and  energetically  and  in  time  re- 
ceived the  reward  of  his  labors.  He  now  has  a 
good  homestead  of  160  acres  under  excellent  culti- 
vation, supplied  with  a  shapely  and  convenient  set 
of  frame  buildings.  Besides  the  homestead  he  also 
has- 120  acres  in  Iroquois  County,  and  devotes  his 
time  and  attention  to  mixed  husbandry. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  1872,  Mr.  Briggs  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Rebecca  Eckert,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  La  Salle  County,  111.,  and  born 
Nov.  11,  1848.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Jonas  and 
Nancy  (Erb)  Eckert,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  there  were 
born  four  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows : 
The  eldest,  a  son,  Jay  Henry,  born  June  15,  1874, 
died  Aug.  20,  1874;  Those  living  are,  Stella  H., 
who  was  born  March  4,  1876;  Josie  Perl,  June  1, 
1878,  and  Viola  N.,  Dec.  14,  1880.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


669 


B.  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  in  the  .Sunday-school  of  which  our  subject 
has  been  Superintendent  for  several  years.  He  has 
held  many  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  township,  and 
at  present  is  Justice  of  the  Peace,  having  been 
elected  in  1885.  Politically  he  is  a  strong  Re- 
publican and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support 
of  the  principles  of  that  party. 


-*- 


J~~  AMES  THOMPSON,  a  gentleman  who  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  in  McLean 
County,  and  a  resident  of  Cheney's  Grove 
'  Township,  which  he  represents  in  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  is  a  native  of  Summit  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  Jan.  2.  1840.  He  is  the  son 
of  Bowman  and  Elizabeth  (Cannon)  Thompson, 
natives  respectively  of  England  and  Pennsylvania. 
His  father  was  born  in  Northumberland  County, 
Jan.  5,  1811.  He  remained  in  his  native  county 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  then  emigrated 
alone  to  the  United  States  and,  locating  in  Stark 
County,  Ohio,  followed  farming  pursuits.  Thence 
he  went  into  Maumee  County,  where  he  purchased 
a  farm  but  remained  there  only  a  short  time.  On 
account  of  the  fever  and  ague  in  that  region  he 
then  removed  to  Summit  County  and  purchased  a 
farm.  On  the  2d  of  September,  1834,  he  was  mar- 
ried, near  Massillon,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Can- 
non, who  was  born  near  Carlisle,  Pa.,  March  13, 
1813.  Mrs.  T.  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Gilchrist)  Cannon.  Her  father  for  a  number  of 
years  before  the  war  was  a  slave-owner,  but  finally 
liberated  his  slaves  of  his  own  free  will.  The  grand- 
father of  Mrs.  T.  was  a  Major  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  serving  directly  under  Gen.  Washington, 
and  came  out  of  the  conflict  without  a  wound.  The 
Gilchrist  family,  in  years  gone  by,  was  widely  rep- 
resented throughout  the  Southern  States. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  orphaned  at  an 
early  age,  and  Bowman  Thompson,  in  his  early  life, 
probably  acquired  those  habits  of  persistence  and 
industry  which  proved  the  secret  of  his  success. 
He  departed  this  life  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township, 
Oct.  13,  1865.  His  wife  survived  until  May  2, 
1876,  nearly  eleven  years.  Their  five  sons  and  two 


daughters  were  John,  George,  James,  our  subject, 
Robert,  Sarah  C.,  Harry  B.  and  Jane  E.  James 
passed  his  childhood  and  youth  upon  the  farm  in 
Summit  County,  Ohio,  receiving  a  common-school 
education.  After  arriving  at  years  of  manhood  he 
was  united  in  marriage,  Jan.  2,  1861,  with  Miss 
Charlotte  S.  Cliver,  who  was  born  Feb.  23,  1843, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Richard  and  Ann  (Brit- 
nell)  Cliver,  both  natives  of  England.  Richard 
Cliver  was  born  Nov.  28,  1816,  and  departed  this 
life  in  Tazevvell  County,  111.,  in  1881.  The  mother 
died  in  1854.  They  were  married  in  England, 
came  to  America  in  1837,  and  located  in  Tremont, 
Tazewell  County,  where  they  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Of  their  seven  children  three  are 
now  living — John,  Thomas  and  Charlotte  S. ; 
Thomas  H.,  Lucy  A.,  and  two  unnamed,  died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  Cliver  was  a  painter  and  cabinet-maker 
by  trade,  and  carried  on  a  good  business  in  the  gro- 
cery line.  He  was  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
for  many  years,  belonged  to  the  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, and  during  his  early  life  had  connected  him- 
self with  the  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Thompson  became  the  parents  of  six  children — 
James  R.,  who  married  Miss  Ida  Newland  and  has 
two  children;  Albert  B.,  Lucy  C.,  Elizabeth  C., 
John  R.  W.  and  Harry  G. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  T.  became  a  member 
of  Co.  L,  4th  111.  Vol.  Cav.  He  participated  with 
his  comrades  in  the  fight  at  Fts.  Henry,  Donel- 
son  and  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  being  among  the 
first  on  the  scene  of  conflict.  Thence  he  went  with 
his  regiment  to  Corinth.  Miss.,  and  after  the  cap- 
ture of  Island  No.  10,  moved  upon  Memphis^ 
thence  to  Trenton,  and  in  February  was  with  his 
regiment  at  the  battle  of  Coffeeville,  where  the  fa- 
mous Col.  McCullough  was  killed,  being  pierced 
again  and  again  witli  the  enemy's  bullets.  There 
our  subject  was  taken  prisoner  but  escaped  within 
an  hour  on  account  of  the  friendly  darkness  which 
aided  him.  lie  then  proceeded  to  Vicksburg  and 
from  there  to  Natchez,  Miss.  This  was  in  1864, 
and  in  October  of  that  year,  having  completed  his 
term  of  enlistment  he  was  mustered  out,  receiving 
his  honorable  discharge  at  Springfield,  111.  He  had 
determined  to  aid  in  the  conflict  to  the  end  and  re- 
tired with  the  comforting  assurance  that  he  had 


'  •   670 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


T 


performed  his  part  bravely  and  faithfully.  He  en- 
tered the  service  as  a  private  and  was  promoted 
Commissary  Sergeant.  After  retiring  from  the 
army  he  resumed  his  occupation  as  a  farmer,  and 
has  distinguished  himself  as  an  intelligent  and  val- 
uable member  of  the  community.  He  served  as 
Collector  of  his  township  three  years,  was  Super- 
visor four  years  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  has 
held  other  prominent  positions  among  the  counsels 
of  his  townsmen,  and  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  having  held  the  various  offices  of 
Lodge  No.  4C8  at  Cheney's  Grove.  He  gives 
close  attention  to  his  business,  is  prudent  in  the 
management  of  his  affairs,  and  strictly  honorable 
in  his  dealings,  and  is  a  man  who  enjoys  to  the  full- 
est degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  friends. 

The  farm  estate  of  our  subject  comprises  167 
acres  of  finely  cultivated  land  with  a  -good  resi- 
dence, barn  and  out-buildings,  and  in  fact  all  the 
accessories  of  the  skilled  and  intelligent  agricultur- 
ist. Mr.  Thompson  since  1872  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Republican  County  Central  Committee,  and 
has  upheld  the  principles  of  his  party  to  the  best  of 
his  ability.  Both  he  and  the  various  .members  of 
his  family  are  prominently  connected  with  the 
Christian  Church. 

As  one  of  the  leading  representative  men  of  the 
county  we  take  pleasure  in  presenting  the  portrait 
of  Mr.  Thompson  in  this  volume. 


ABVEY  B.  KARR,  a  resident  of  Dale  Town- 
ship, and  the  son  of  an  honored  pioneer  of 
McLean  County,  seems  to  be  in  possession 
of  the  enterprise  and  energy  which  so  char- 
acterized his  ancestors  in  a  remarkable  manner,  and 
is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  and  in 
the  breeding  of  draft  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  He 
is  a  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness  and  activity,  and  presents 
the  happy  spectacle  of  an  energetic,  thorough-going 
business  man,  with  encouraging  prospects  in  view, 
and  enjoying  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  as- 
sociates and  fellow-citizens. 

Mr.  Karr  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been 
born  in  Randolph  Township,  Oct.  26,  1843.     His 


father,  Thomas  Jefferson  Karr,  was  a  native  of 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  born  on  the  10th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1820,  and  his  grandfather,  Dr.  Thomas  Karr, 
was  born  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  on  the  23d  of 
April,  1793.  The  father  of  the  latter  and  the  great- 
grandfather of  our  subject,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionaiy  War  and  held  a  Captain's  commis- 
sion. After  the  colonies  had  established  their  in- 
dependence Capt.  Karr  removed  from  his  native 
State  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  in  1810,  and  was 
among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  that  region.  He 
subsequently  removed  to  the  Territory  of  Illinois 
and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  McLean 
County,  dying  in  the  town  of  Randolph,  and  his 
remains  were  interred  in  Heyworth. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  youth  of 
seventeen  years  when  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio. 
He  was  married  at  North  Bend,  White  Water 
Township,  Hamilton  County,  in  that  State.  In 
1835  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Randolph  Township,  this  county,  where 
he  had  previously  purchased  a  tract  of  land.  Upon 
this  he  now  built  a  log  cabin,  and  removed  into  it 
with  his  family,  occupying  it  for  two  years,  after 
which  he  erected  a  comfortable  frame  house.  He 
engaged  industriously  in  the  improvement  and  cul- 
tivation of  his  farm,  was  rewarded  with  abundant 
success,  and  lived  to  see  the  country  well  devel- 
oped. 

-  Thomas  Jefferson  Karr,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  the  third  child  and  eldest  son  of  his  parents. 
He  came  to  McLean  County  with  his  father  and 
mother,  and  made  his  home  with  them  until  he  had 
grown  to  manhood.  He  possessed  a  great  amount 
of  energy  and  ambition,  and  early  in  life  com- 
menced to  do  business  for  himself.  He  engaged  as  a 
dealer  in  live  stock,  which  he  purchased  in  this  sec- 
tion and  sold  in  Milwaukee.  He  also  purchased 
considerable  timber  land,  and  sold  wood  and  lumber 
to  the  railroads.  At  the  same  time  he  engaged  ex- 
tensively in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  met 
with  success  in  the  various  departments  of  his 
business.  He  was  removed  from  the  scenes  of  his 
earthly  labors  while  in  the  prime  of  life,  on  the 
17th  of  February,  1866,  his  death  being  the  result 
of  a  railroad  accident.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
the  father  of  our  subject  was  the  owner  of  800 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


671 


acres  of  land,  forty  of  which  he  had  entered  from 
the  Government,  and  for  the  greater  part  of  the 
remainder  he  paid  $30  and  $50  an  acre. 

He  was  married  in  December,  1843,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Low,  and  soon  after  his  marriage  settled 
upon  the  farm  which  is  now  occupied  by  his 
widow,  and  is  pleasantly  located  on  section  13  of 
Dale  Township.  The  parental  household  consisted 
of  five  children:  Harvey  B.,  of  our  sketch,  was 
the  eldest;  Lizzie  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Bradley, 
of  Pekin,  111. ;  Gu}'  is  manager  of  the  homestead ; 
Martha,  who  was  bora  Dec.  9,  1853,  died  July  2, 
185G;  Dora,  born  April  16,  1857,  married  A.  J. 
Jolmstone,  of  Dale  Township,  and  of  whom  a 
sketch  appears  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Harvey  B.  Karr  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
youthful  days  in  attendance  at  the  district  schools 
in  Dale  Township.  In  1858  he  entered  the  Model 
Department  of  Normal  University,  and  in  1860  at- 
tended the  Wesleyan  University  of  Bloomington, 
where  he  entered  upon  a  scientific  course,  and  re- 
mained at  this  institution  for  a  period  of  three 
years.  In  the  winter  of  the  year  last  mentioned  he 
went  to  Chicago,  111.,  and  studied  in  the  Business 
College  of  Bryant  &  Stratton,  and  thus  fitted  him- 
self for  the  later  and  practical  duties  of  a  business 
and  farming  life.  After  he  had  completed  his  stud- 
ies Mr.  Karr  returned  to  his  father's  farm  in  Dale 
Township,  where  he  remained  until  the  death  of 
the  latter,  and  then  administered  upon  the  estate. 
When  this  had  been  settled  he  turned  his  attention 
to  the  buying  of  live-stock,  which  he  shipped  to 
Chicago  and  the  Eastern  markets,  and  was  thus 
successfully  engaged  until  1870.  He  then  located 
upon  his  present  homestead,  where  he  was  princi- 
pally occupied  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  four 
years  following.  In  1874  he  again  began  his  opera- 
tions as  a  stock-dealer,  operating  thus  for  two 
years,  and  then  resumed  farming. 

Mr.  Karr  was  the  first  time  married  in  1870,  to 
Miss  Irene  Shannon,  a  native  of  Newport,'  Ky. 
This  lady  only  remained  the  companion  of  her  hus- 
band four  short  years,  dying  on  the  21st  of  No- 
vember, 1874.  She  became  the  mother  of  one 
child,  a  daughter,  Theresa,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
seven  years.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was 
Miss  Emily  K.  Jackson,  to  whom  he  was  married  on 


the  17th  of  December,  1879.  Mrs.  Emily  Karr  is  a 
native  of  Madison  County,  Ky.,  and  the  daughter 
of  Henry  L.  and  Margaret  (Rice)  Jackson.  Of  this 
union  there  have  been  born  three  children — Harvey 
L.,  Kitty  and  Thomas  J.  Mr.  K.  and  his  family 
occupy  a  handsome  residence,  which,  within  and 
without,  is  indicative  of  refined  tastes  and  am- 
ple means.  They  are  held  in  the  highest  respect 
in  the  community,  and  Mr.  K.  enjoys  in  a  marked 
degree  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow- 
townsmen. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  whose 
name  was  Nathan  Low,  was  one  of  the  earliest  pio- 
neers of  McLean  County,  having  settled  in  Dale 
Township  in  1829.  He  was  born  in  Maryland  on 
the  6th  of  January,  1791,  and  was  the  son  of  Na- 
than and  Nancy  (Wright)  Low.  In  1805  he  emi- 
grated from  his  native  State  to  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  there  married,  in  1814,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Brooks.  After  this  event  he  was  occupied 
as  a  cattle  dealer,  purchasing  stock  in  Ohio  and 
driving  it  through  over  the  mountains  to  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.  In  June,  1821,  he  started  with  his  fam- 
ily for  an  overland  journey  to  Illinois,  and  arrived 
in  McLean  County  in  July  following.  His  means 
at  the  time  were  limited,  and  his  pioneer  house  or 
shanty,  as  it  would  now  be  called,  contained  but 
one  room,  was  only  12x14  feet  in  dimensions,  and 
became  the  home  of  ten  persons.  Mr.  Low,  how- 
ever, made  the  best  of  circumstances,  was  enter- 
prising and  ambitious,  and  soon  established  a  more 
comfortable  home.  His  energy,  however,  out- 
weighed his  physical  strength,  and  his  health  was 
broken  while  he  was  comparatively  a  young  man. 
He  died  in  1844;  his  widow  survived  him  until 
1879,  and  departed  this  life  in  Dale  Township. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  publishers  of  this  work 
present  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Karr,  as  being  that  of  a 
worthy  and  honored  representative  of  Dale  Town- 
ship. 

J~l  AMES  CORRY  WILSON,  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  firm  of  Wilson  &  Wilson,  engaged 
in  general  merchandise  business  at  Cooks- 
ville,    is  a  native  of  Fayette  County,  Pa., 
and  was  born  May  10, 1856.    His  parents  were  Will- 
iam   and    Elizabeth    (Corry)    Wilson,    natives 


6?2 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


the  Keystone  State,  the  father  at  present  a  resident 
of  Towanda  Township,  and  a  sketch  of  whom  will  be 
found  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
removed  from  his  native  State  to  Illinois  and  lo- 
cated in  Bloomington.  He  received  a  good  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  under 
the  home  roof  until  the  spring  of  1879.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in  Colo- 
rado. He  lived  in  Boulder,  Col.,  three  years,  re- 
turning to  McLean  County  in  the  fall  of  1882. 
Soon  afterward  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Ben- 
jamin L.  Anderson,  and  they  operated  together  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Anderson  &  Wilson,  which 
lasted  until  November,  1886.  Mr.  Anderson  then 
sold  out  his  interest  to  James  Corbett  Wilson,  and 
the  firm  is  now  known  as  Wilson  &  Wilson.  The 
firm  holds  a  good  position  among  the  other  thriving 
business  houses  of  Cooksville,  both  its  members  be- 
ing gentlemen  of  integrity,  prompt  to  meet  their 
obligations  and  valued  members  of  society. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship, June  21,  1883,  to  Miss  Mattie  V.  Newton, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Routt)  New- 
ton, the  mother  being  a  sister  of  ex-Gov.  Routt, 
of  Colorado.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  born  in  Blue 
Mound  Township,  Feb.  14,  1864,  and  of  this  union 
there  was  born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Florence  B. 
Mr.  Wilson  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Republican 
party. 


f  ta 

1= 


JEORGE  A.  ROSS,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of  this 
county,  residing  on  section  2,  township  21, 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  is  a  native  of  Sara- 
toga "County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  April  19,  1828. 
His  father,  John  B.  Ross,  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
and  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  born 
in  Scotland.  The  latter  came  to  the  United  States 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  was  a  soldier 
in  the  same  on  the  side  of  the  colonists,  and  spent 
the  last  years  of  his  life  in  New  Jersey.  The  father 
of  our  subject,  early  in  life,  learned  the  trade  of  a 
blacksmith  in  New  Jersey,  and  after  following  the 
same  in  that  State  for  a  time  removed  to  Schenec- 
tady,  N.  Y.  He  labored  at  his  trade  in  the  latter 


county  for  a  few  years  and  then  went  to  Niagara 
County,  same  State,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Royalton,  where  he  still  continued  at  blacksmith- 
ing,  and  where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death, 
in  July,  1883.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was 
Eliza  Stewart,  and  she  was  born  near  Schenectady, 
N.  Y.,  and  departed  this  life  in  1830.  There  were 
but  two  children  born  of  this  union,  our  subject 
and  his  sister,  Mary  Elizabeth,  who  married  Charles 
Jackson,  and  is  living  at  Royalton,  N.  Y. 

George  A.  Ross  was  only  a  year  and  ten  months 
old  when  his  mother  died,  and  was  reared  to  man- 
hood under  the  care  of  a  step-mother.  At  fourteen 
years  of  age  he  commenced  working  in  his  father's 
blacksmith-shop,  attending  school  part  of  the  time. 
He  continued  to  work  in  the  shop  until  he  was 
twenty  years  old,  when  his  father  assisted  him  to 
start  a  shop  of  his  own  at  Jeddo,  Orleans  Co., 
N.  Y.  This  he  conducted  with  partial  success  for 
fourteen  mouths,  when  he  sold  it  with  the  intention 
of  going  to  California.  His  many  relatives  and 
friends,  however,  talked  him  out  of  the  notion,  and 
he  came  to  Illinois  instead.  This  was  in  the  fall 
of  1852,  and  on  arrival  in  this  State  he  first  located 
at  Decatur;  remaining  there  during  the  winter  he  re- 
turned East,  and  then  came  back  to  Illinois.  He  was 
there  employed  on  railroad  work  for  a  short  time, 
and  then  became  section  foreman  for  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  and  moved  his  residence  to  Hud- 
son, 111.  We  next  hear  of  him  at  Heyworth,  this 
county,  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  railroad 
company  at  that  place  until  1856.  During  that 
year  he  abandoned  railroading,  and  for  six  years 
farmed  on  rented  land.  By  this  time  he  had  econo- 
mized sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  purchase  a  tract 
of  land,  which  he  did  and  began  farming  on  his 
own  property.  He  bought  his  present  farm  in  the 
fall  of  1861.  There  was  a  small  frame  house  on 
the  place  when  he  bought  it,  which  in  1866  gave 
way  to  the  substantial  residence  in  which  our  sub- 
ject now  resides.  In  1876  he  erected  a  commodious 
barn  on  his  place.  He  has  251  acres  of  land  in  a 
body  and  also  nine  acres  of  timber,  and  is  meeting 
with  success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  calling. 

Mr.  Ross  and  Miss  Ellen  Jackson  were  married 
Nov.  27,  1853.  She  was  born  in  Batavia,  Genesee 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  5,  1838.  Her  father,  Charles  ' 


1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


673 


Jackson,  was  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and  her 
mother,  Julia  Phillo,  was  also  born  in  that  State. 
Charles  Jackson  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and 
spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life  in  Orleans  County, 
N.  Y.,  his  demise  occurring  in  1874.  His  wife  is 
still  living,  and  resides  in  Orleans  County,  N.  Y., 
with  her  brother.  Mr.  Ross  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  and  has  voted 
for  the  success  of  the  Republican  party  ever  since 
its  birth.  On  the  thirtieth  anniversary  of  the  wed- 
ding of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ross  they  were  agreeably  sur- 
prised by  their .  neighbors  and  friends,  who  took 
possession  of  their  house  and  setting  the  table  pre- 
pared a  sumptuous  repast.  After  the  meal  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ross  were  the  recipients  of  a  beautiful  silver 
pitcher.  They  will  long  remember  the  pleasant 
countenances  whom  they  met  in  their  home  on  that 
occasion. 


^ILLIAM  SHANNON,  the  only  harness- 
maker  in  the  town  of  Hey  worth,  is  located 
on  West  Main  street  where  he  has  carried 
on  his  business  since  the  spring  of  1870.  He  has 
a  permanent  and  finely  established  trade,  and  by 
his  straightforward  business  methods  has  secured 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  community.  He  was 
formerly  a  resident  of  Bloomington,  where  he  lo- 
cated in  1849,  and  followed  his  trade  for  a  period 
of  twenty  years. 

Mr.  Shannon  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,, 
Feb.  7.  1813.  His  father,  Hugh  Shannon,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland  and  came  to  the  United  States  when 
a  young  man  and  settled  in  Virginia.  He  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Kendall,  whose  father  was  a 
fanner,  and  who  became  a  resident  of  Shelby 
County,  Ky.,  which  afterward  remained  the  home 
of  both  our  subject's  parents  during  their  life- 
time. At  the  time  of  their  decease  both  were  well 
stricken  in  years,  and  had  built  up  a  good  record 
by  their  honest  lives  and  kindly  deeds.  Of  their 
eleven  children  our  subject  was  the  third  in  order 
of  birth.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county, 
and  there  learned  his  trade  under  the  instruction 
of  Harris  Hickman.  After  serving  an  apprentice- 
ship of  three  years  he  set  out  as  "jour"  and  in  due 
time  took  unto  himself  a  partner  and  helpmeet  in 


the  person  of  Miss  Nancy  B.  Ritchey,  their  union 
occurring  on  the  2d  of  April,  1835. 

Mrs.  Shannon  was  born  and  reared  in  Scott 
County,  Ky.,  of  parents  who  were  born,  reared  and 
married  in  Virginia,  her  father  being  engaged  iu 
farming  pursuits.  Later  they  removed  to  Owen 
County,  Ky.,  where  the  father  died  about  1836. 
The  mother,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Catharine 
Bronson,  after  the  death  of  her  husband  came  to 
Illinois  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  grand-daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Sarah  Chase,  when  seventy-seven  years 
old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shannon  of  this  notice  became 
the  parents  of  seven  children,  of  whom  George  F. 
and  Mary  C.  are  deceased.  Those  living  are  Sa- 
rah, Samuel  R.,  John  T.,  Irene  and  William  B., 
all  married  and  settled  in  comfortable  homes. 

Mr.  Shannon  followed  his  trade  in  Owen  County 
and  Covington,  Ky..  for  some  time  after  his  mar- 
riage. Thence  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  111., 
where  he  established  a  good  business  and  was  suc- 
cessful. In  Hey  worth  he  has  been  President  of  the 
Village  Board,  and  is  Democratic  in  politics.  He 
is  greatly  interested  in  the  cause  of  temperance,  and 
of  late  years  has  identified  himself  with  the  Prohi- 
bition movement.  All  the  family  are  members  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  are  recognized  in  this  com- 
munity as  law-abiding  and  useful  citizens. 


J"*  OHN  RYAN,  a  farmer  by  calling,  and  the 
owner  of  163  acres  of  valuable  land  on  sec- 
j  tion  I,  Towanda  Township,  where  he  resides, 
'  is  meeting  with  signal  success  in  the  con- 
ducting of  his  vocation.  Mr.  Ryan  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Curboy)  Ryan,  natives  of  Ire- 
land. They  had  nine  children  and  John  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  born  on  the 
Emerald  Isle  in  1824.  When  twenty -five  years  of 
age.  in  1849,  he  emigrated  to  this  country,  and 
taking  up  his  home  in  Kane  County,  111.,  continued 
to  reside  there  for  two  years.  In  1851  he  came  to 
this  county,  and  settling  in  Bloomington  was  there 
variously  occupied  until  1878.  During  that  year 
he  removed  to  Blue  Mound  Township,  and  subse- 
quently to  Towanda  Township,  where  he  has  made 
his  home  until  the  present  time. 

While  a  resident  of  Bloomington,  Mr.  Ryan  was  a 


" 


t. 


f 


t 


674 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


portion  of  his  time  engaged  as  an  employe  of  the  C.  & 
A.  R.R.  Since  leaving  Bloomington  he  has  devoted 
his  time  exclusively  to  farming.  He  is  now  the  owner 
of  163  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation,  and  on  which  he  lias 
erected  good  and  substantial  improvements.  Mr. 
Ryan  was  married,  in  Bloomington,  111.,  June  9, 
1856,  to  Miss  Julia,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Fitzgerald)  Dwyer,  natives  of  Ireland.  Her  par- 
ents had  eleven  children,  and  Mrs.  Ryan  was  the 
fifth  in  order  of  birth.  She  first  saw  the  light  in 
the  Laud  of  the  Shamrock,  March  24,  1835. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryan  has  been  pro- 
ductive of  the  birth  of  five  children — Margaret, 
John,  Edward,  Matthew  and  Mary  A.  Margaret 
is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ryan,  as  well  as  their 
children,  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject departed  this  life  in  her  native  land,  and  the 
father  died  at  Bloomington,  this  State.  In  addition 
to  the  fine  farm  which  is  the  property  of  our  sub- 
ject, he  is  also  the  owner  of  considerable  city  prop- 
erty in  Bloomington.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  and 
what  he  has  of  this  world's  goods  he  has  accumu- 
lated through  his  own  energy  and  good  judgment, 
and  not  as  the  recipient  of  any  legac}'  whatsoever. 


P 


OBERT  CLARK.  Among  the  farmers  of 
Towanda  Township  possessing  enterprise 
and  push,  and  a  gentleman  whose  success  is 
attributable  to  his  own  energy  and  good 
judgment,  we  take  pleasure  in  relating  a  few  facts 
connected  with  the  history  of  Robert  Clark.  He  is 
living  on  his  fine  farm  on  section  9,  and  is  meeting 
with  success  as  a  tiller  of  the  soil.  The  parents  of 
our  subject  were  Robert  and  Jeannette  (Paxton) 
Clark,  of  Irish  and  Scotch  ancestry.  The  occupa- 
tion of  the  father  was  that  of  a  farmer,  and  he  was 
also  a  wagon-maker  by  trade.  After  his  marriage 
%to  Miss  Paxton  he  settled  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until  their  de- 
mise. Eleven  children,  five  sons  and  six  daughters, 
were  born  of  their  union,  our  subject  being  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Robert  Clark  was  born  in  Washington  County, 


Pa.,  Feb.  22,  1812.  He  lived  with  the  old  folk 
until  twenty-four  years  old,  when  he  started  out  to 
do  for  himself.  His  education  was  received  in  the 
common  schools,  and  in  early  years  he  studied  civil 
engineering,  which  he  mastered,  but  which  in  after 
life  he  never  followed."  He  also  learned  the  trade 
of  a  wagon-maker  under  the  instruction  of  his 
father,  and  on  leaving  tte  parental  household  he 
engaged  in  working  for  a  brother-in-law  in  the 
same  county,  and  was  in  his  employ  for  seven  and 
a  half  years,  engaged  the  while  in  farming.  He  then 
went  to  Mercer  County,  Pa.,  and  .there  purchased 
a  farm  of  1 1 8  acres,  and  for  twenty-one  years  lived 
upon  the  place  and  was  occupied  in  its  cultivation 
and  improvement. 

Selling  his  farm  in  Mercer  County,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1865,  our  subject  came  to  this  county  and 
purchased  160  acres,  located  on  sections  9  and  16, 
Towanda  Township.  He  settled  on  section  9,  and 
has  made  that  his  home  until  the  present  time.  By 
hard  labor,  economy,  industry  and  good  judgment 
he  has  succeeded  in  adding  to  his  original  purchase, 
and  at  the  present  time  is  the  proprietor  of  360 
acres  of  valuable  land.  He  has  on  his  farm  a  fine 
set  of  buildings,  including  residence,  barn,  and 
other  necessary  out-buildings,  and  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  progressive  farmers  of  McLean  County. 

Mr.  Clark  was  married  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  May  28,  1844,  to  Margaret  Mcllvain.  She 
is  a  cousin  of  George  Mcllvain,  one  of  the  Supreme 
Court  Judges  of  Ohio.  Her  parents  were  Greer 
and  Jane  (Campbell)  Mcllvain,  both  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry. They  were  born  in  Pennsylvania,  married, 
and  settled  in  Washington  County,  their  native 
State,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  and 
where  the  mother  died.  He  is  yet  living,  and  has 
attained  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-four  years. 
They  had  seven  children,  five  daughters  and  two 
sons,  and  Mrs.  Clark  was  the  third  daughter  born 
to  them.  She  first  saw  light  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  April  19,  1823.  Of  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject seven  children  have  been  born,  three  of  whom 
are  yet  living.  The  deceased  are  Robert  E.,  whose 
demise  occurred  when  five  years  old ;  Maggie  E., 
who  departed  this  life  when  two  and  a  half  years 
of  age;  Martha  J.,  who  died  in  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  at  the  residence  of  her  grandfather, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


675 


while  on  a  visit  there,  March  6,  1874.  and  Greer 
Mcllvaine,  who  died  March  6,  1877,  while  in  the 
twenty-seventh  year  of  his  life.  The  three  living 
children  are  Andrew  T.,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and 
a  resident  of  Manitou,  Col.;  Oren,  living  at  Leoti, 
Kan.,  and  Lizzie,  at  present  in  Colorado  for  her 
health.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  are  both  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  our  sub- 
ject is  Republican. 


S.  MEARS,  a  worthy  citizen  and  substan- 
tial farmer  of  Yates  Township,  is  finely  lo- 
cated on  section  20,  where  he  owns  and 
operates  a  beautiful  farm,  and  has  built  up 
for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  an  honest  man 
and  a  good  citizen.  Mr.  Mears  is  a  native  of  Scot- 
land, born  on  the  3d  of  March,  1834,  and  the  son  of 
John  and  Mary  (Dunn)  Mears,  who  were  natives 
of  the  same  country  as  their  son.  In  1849  the  par- 
ents and  six  children  emigrated  from  their  native 
land,  and  after  a  very  tedious  voyage  in  a  sailing- 
vessel  landed  at  New  York  City,  and  soon  after- 
ward made  their  way  to  Syracuse,  that  State,  near 
which  city  they  settled.  There  the  parents  passed 
the  remainder  of  their  days ;  their  six  children — 
James,  William,  Thomas,  D.  S.,  Mary  and  Mar- 
garet— are  all  living,  some  in  the  East  and  some  in 
the  West. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  a  boy  of 
fifteen  years  when  he  arrived  with  his  parents'  fam- 
ily in  the  United  States.  The  latter  were  in  very 
straightened  circumstances,  it  having  taken  all  their 
money  to  pay  the  expense  of  crossing  the  "  briny 
deep."  It  was  thus  necessary  that  each  member  of 
the  family  should  take  care  of  himself  as  far  as  pos- 
sible. Under  these  circumstances  our  subject 
bound  himself  out  to  a  farmer,  who  gave  him  his 
board  and  clothes.  He  served  this  man  faithfully 
for  eighteen  months,  during  which  time  he  re- 
ceived harsh  treatment,  and  finally  ran  away,  start- 
ing westward,  and  not  knowing  where  he  was  to 
land.  He  finally  found  himself  in  the  city  of  Buf- 
falo, where  he  took  passage  on  a  boat  for  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  and  in  the  latter  State  soon  became  em- 


ployed  as  a  farm  hand,  in  the  harvest  fields  of 
Northern  Ohio,  receiving  as  compensation  fifteen 
cents  per  day.  From  there  he  drifted  into  Indiana, 
where  he  worked  by  the  month  for  farmers  at  $13 
and  $14  until  1855.  In  that  State  he  was  so  greatly 
afflicted  with  fever  and  ague  that  his  physician  ad- 
vised him  to  change  his  location,  which  he  did 
effectually,  making  his  way  to  New  Orleans.  La., 
where  he  passed  the  winter  of  1855-56.  He  then 
took  passage  up  the  Mississippi  River  to  Alton,  111., 
whence  he  proceeded  by  rail  to  Chicago,  and  found 
work  there  in  a  brickyard.  Early  in  July  of  the  latter 
year  he  met  a  Will  County  farmer,  who  had  gone 
into  the  city  to  celebrate  the  National  holiday,  and 
as  the  farmer  wanted  to  hire  a  hand,  our  subject  ac- 
companied him  to  his  home  near  Joliet,  and  worked 
for  him  until  the  winter  of  1858. 

During  the  latter  year  our  subject  came  to  McLean 
County,  and  after  working  one  season  near  Bloom- 
ington,  entered  the  employ  of  Nathaniel  Suther- 
land, an  extensive  farmer  near  Towanda,  with  whom 
he  remained  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1861  he 
decided  that  henceforth  in  life  he  would  be  his  own 
employer.  He  accordingly  rented  land  near  Che- 
noa,  which  he  operated  until  1865,  then  purchased 
the  northwest  quarter  of  section  20,  which  forms 
his  present  farm.  When  he  purchased  this  land  it 
was  raw  prairie  and  rather  wet.  He  has  now 
brought  the  whole  to  a  fine  and  fertile  condition, 
having  put  in  750  rods  of  tile  draining,  which  has 
changed  the  low  wet  portions  into  productive  fields. 
In  due  time  he  erected  a  good  set  of  farm  build- 
ings, and  now  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
valuable  homesteads  in  Yates  Township.  He  makes 
a  specialty  of  grain  raising. 

Mr.  Mears  was  married  in  1862,  to  Miss  Anna  M. 
Witherow,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  April 
29,  1839,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of 
eight  children — Mary  J.,  James,  Walker,  Joseph, 
Scott,  Flora,  Cora,  and  Robert,  deceased.  Our  sub- 
ject and  his  family  are  among  the  most  highly  es- 
teemed residents  of  their  community,  and  the  fam- 
ily mansion  is  the  home  of  hospitality  and  good 
cheer.  As  a  citizen  Mr.  Mears  is  one  of  that  class 
possessing  the  peculiar  characteristics  of  his  Scot- 
tish ancestry,  and  his  word  is  as  good  as  his  bond. 
Socially  he  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  being  a  mem- 


676 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


her  of  Chenoa  Blue  Lodge  No.  292,  and  Chenoa 
Chapter  No.  143.  Politically  he  casts  his  vote  in 
support  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 


S.  EDDY,  Cashier  of  the  People's  Bank, 
Bloomington,  111.,  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  State  for  a  period  of  over  thirty  years, 
and  most  of  the  time  since  1855,  a  resi- 
dent of  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Scipio,  Ca3'uga 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  12,  1837,  his  parents  being  Rev. 
H.  J.  and  Abigail  (Bull)  Eddy,  also  natives  of  the 
Empire  State.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
Baptist  clergyman.  After  a  college  education,  in 
1836,  he  entered  the  ministry  and  presided  over  a 
parish  until  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war,  and  then 
officiated  as  Chaplain  in  the  army  from  1861  to 
1864,  being  with  the  33d  Illinois  Infantry.  He 
came  to  Bloomington  in  1855,  and  labored  for  the 
Baptist  Church  there  a  number  of  years,  and  in 
1867  removed  to  Belvidere,  where  he  remained  five 
years  and  afterward  labored  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  for 
six  years.  He  then  went  to  New  York  City,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  having  retired  from  the  min- 
istry some  years  since.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
died  in  1843,  leaving  her  husband  with  three  chil- 
dren: Jerome  H.,  who  is  now  in  the  newspaper 
business  in  New  York  City;  A.  S.,  and  Herman  J., 
engaged  in  the  tobacco  and  cigar  trade. 

A.  S.  Eddy  remained  at  home  until  fourteen 
years  old,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  New  York  City.  At  the  age 
named  he  became  employed  as  messenger  boy  in 
the  Bank  of  North  America,  of  New  York  City,  and 
after  remaining  two  years  was  Assistant  Teller  for 
the  same  length  of  time.  In  1855  he  came  with 
his  parents  to  Bloomington,  and  was  soon  after- 
ward engaged  as  a  clerk  in  the  McLean  County 
Bank,  where  he  remained  until  1859.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Deputy  Circuit  Clerk  under  William  Mc- 
Cullough,  and  filled  the  duties  of  this  office  until 
1861.  The  war  then  coming  on  he  enlisted  in  Co. 
K,  8th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  the  "  Oglesby  Regiment,"  at 
the  three  months'  call.  After  this  term  of  service 
had  expired,  he  re-enlisted  in  the  4th  New  York 
Heavy  Artillery,  serving  altogether  from  1861  to 


1864.  He  was  first  made  Orderly  Sergeant,  then 
First  Lieutenant,  and  during  the  Wilderness  cam- 
paign received  the  commission  of  Captain. 

Mr.  Eddy  retired  from  the  army  in  1864,  and 
returning  to  Bloomington  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Emma,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  C.  and  Har- 
riet H.  (Richardson)  Wakefield,  of  this  county. 
He  was  then  employed  as  book-keeper  for  Dr. 
Wakefield,  and  after  three  years  thus  occupied  be- 
came a  member  of  the  firm,  where  he  remained  six 
years.  He  then  sold  out  his  interest,  and  engaged 
in  merchandising  for  eight  years  following.  The 
next  seven  years  he  was  occupied  as  Teller  in  the 
Peoples'  Bank,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been 
Cashier,  likewise  a  stockholder  since  1878. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eddy  have  become  the  parents  of 
five  children — Emma  A.,  Florence  G.,  Adelbert  C., 
Louis  O.  and  Maxwell.  Our  subject  in  'politics  is 
independent.  He  at  one  time  served  as  City 
Treasurer  of  Bloomington,  and  ranks  among  its 
most  prominent  and  enterprising  business  men. 
He  belongs  to  the  Knights  Templar  and  the  G.  A. 
R.  The  family  residence  at  No.  406  East  Wash- 
ington street,  is  replete  with  all  the  comforts  and 
many  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  and  Mr.  Eddy  with 
his  family,  enjoys  the  esteem  and  friendship  of  a 
large  circle  of  acquaintances. 


J~~j  AMES  S.  VANSCOYOC.  a  gentleman  in  the 
prime  of  life  and  in  the  midst  of  his  useful- 
ness, is  one  of  the  valued  citizens  of  Che- 
'  ney's  Grove  Township,  where  he  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  20,  and  prosperously  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county 
and  was  born  in  Padua  Township,  Dec.  28,  1834. 
Mr.  Vanscoyoc  is  the  son  of  James  and  Drusilla 
(Lewis)  Vanscoyoc,  the  former  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  latter  of  Virginia.  The  father 
of  our  subject  was  born  Feb.  20,  1798,  followed 
farming  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  died  in 
Cheney's  Grove  Township  on  the  22d  of  February, 
1877.  The  mother  was  born  Feb.  7,  1801,  and  de- 
parted this  life  at  the  home  of  her  husband,  in  the 
same  township  as  her  husband,  Feb.  20,  1869.  She 
was  a  lady  greatly  respected  for  her  personal  worth, 


••>  <  v-  i     :      -•»•     ••  --••  •  -»-., 


RESIDENCE  OFJ.NV.M?   GlNNIS,SEC.I5.,LAWNDAL£ToWNSHIP 


RES. OF  MRS. MARY  A.NESwiiTH,SEc.2l.,  LAVYNDALE  TOWNSHIP. 


RES. OF  IRA  C.  PRATT,  CROPSEY,  ILL. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


679 


and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  The  record  of  their  seven  chil- 
dren is  as  follows:  Oliver  H.  P.  was  born  April  17, 
1820,  and  married  Miss  Mary  Newcomb;  Isaac 
died  in  infancy ;  Rebecca  was  born  Feb.  7,  1 825, 
and  became  the  wife  of  Marks  Banks ;  Rachel,  born 
Aug.  29,  1828,  married  John  Newcomb;  Walter, 
born  Sept.  10,  1831,  married  Miss  Mary  Banks; 
James  S.  of  our  sketch  was  the  sixth  child  ;  Hannah 
was  born  Feb.  12,  1840,  and  died  when  six  years 
old. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  to  man- 
hood on  his  father's  farm,  and  on  the  7th  of  De- 
cember, 1854,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Margaret  P.  Means,  who  was  born  on  the  farm 
where  they  now  live,  Oct.  13,  1835.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Rumsey)  Means, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  removed  to  Kentucky  in 
their  youth,  and  were  there  married.  Mr.  Means 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1830,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days.  He  was  born  in  1785,  and  departed  this 
life  Aug.  1,  1835.  Mrs.  Means  was  born  Nov.  10, 
1795,  and  survived  her  husband  nearly  forty  years, 
dying  March  1,  1875.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  became  the 
mother  of  ten  children,  as  follows:  America  P.  was 
born  in  1820,  and  died  in  1885;  Katurah;  Jemima 
and  John  were  twins;  the  latter  died  when  twelve 
years  old;  James  R.  was  born  March  22,  1825. 
The  balance  were  David  D.,  Joseph  K.,  Owen  A., 
Elizabeth  M.  and  Margaret  P. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vanscoyoc  became  the  parents  of 
eight  children:  Theodore  L.,  born  Sept.  20,  1855, 
died  Sept.  22,  1856;  Almarelta  was  born  Aug.  1, 
1857;  Sarah  H.,  Feb.  11,  1860;  Mary  D.,  Nov.  18, 
1862;  Harry  A.,  born  Sept.  30,  1865,  and  married 
Miss  L.  L.  Hiatt;  Walter  M.,  born  June  24,  1869; 
Charlie  C.,  March  13,  1876;  Guy  P.,  March  16, 
1879.  The  homestead  of  our  subject  consists  of 
265  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  he  has  of  late  years 
been  quite  extensively  engaged  in  the  breeding  of 
fine  stock.  He  is  independent  in  politics,  and  has 
held  the  various  offices  of  his  township,  being  a 
man  of  sound  judgment,  whose  opinion  is  uniformly 
held  in  respect.  He  is  prominently  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  has 


been  Steward  for  a  number  of  years,  and  has  con- 
tributed liberally  and  cheerfully  to  its  support. 
He  has  in  all  respects  fulfilled  his  obligations  as  a 
good  citizen,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  impor- 
tant factors  in  the  business  and  agricultural  com- 
munity. 


JOSEPH  P.  JANES,  living  on  section  14. 
Money  Creek  Township,  is  a  farmer  by  call- 
ing, and  successful  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
labors.  John  S.  Janes  and  his  wife,  Sarah 
(Dunkle)  Janes,  parents  of  our  subject,  were  natives 
of  Virginia.  They  moved  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio, 
after  their  marriage  and  were  there  resident  until 
the  fall  of  1851,  when  they  came  here  and  made 
their  home  in  Money  Creek  Township.  The  father 
died  in  Indiana,  Feb.  20,  1854,  while  there  on 
business,  and  his  remains  were  brought  back  and 
interred  at  Lexington,  this  county.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  until  Feb.  13,  1887,  dying  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  They  had  eight  children — Peter 
H.,  Martha,  Laura,  Jacinta,  Joseph  P.,  Elizabeth, 
Lorenaand  Barbara  E. 

Joseph  P.  Janes  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  Oct.  28,  1844,  and  was  seven  years  old  when 
his  parents  came  to  this  county,  and  has  made 
Money  Creek  Township  his  home  since  that  time. 
He  knows  no  other  calling  than  that  of  farming, 
having  followed  that  vocation  all  his  life,  and  at 
present  is  the  owner  of  180  acres  of  valuable  land, 
located  as  stated.  Mr.  Janes  was  married  to  Miss 
Jennie  Arbogast,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  departed 
this  life  in  Money  Creek  Township,  and  July  8, 
1875,  at  Bloomington,  our  subject  formed  a  second 
matrimonial  alliance,  Miss  Charlotte  Foster  being 
the  other  contracting  party.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Harrison  and  Ann  (Chance)  Foster,  the  former  a 
native  of  Kentucky.  Her  parents  came  to  this 
county  in  1851,  and  settled  in  Gridley  Township, 
where  they  lived  happily  together  as  man  and  wife 
until  1872,  the  date  of  the  demise  of  the  mother. 
Seven  children  were  born  of  their  union,  five 
daughters  and  two  sons,  and  Mrs.  Janes  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth.  She  first  saw  light  in 
Wapello  County,  Iowa,  June  23,  1855,  and  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  been  blest  by  the  birth 


t 


1 


680 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  one  child — Allie.  Mr.  Janes  has  held  the  office 
of  School  Director  and  Overseer  of  Highways,  and 
in  politics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mrs.  Janes  holds 
fellowship  with  the  United  Brethren  Church. 


(,-ILLIAM  H.  MACY,  druggist  at  Towanda 
and  also  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  one  of  the 
recognized  business  men  of  that  place,  pos- 
sessing the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  townsmen. 
William  W.  Macy,  father  of  our  subject,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Nantucket,  Mass.,  and  Mariuin  P.  (Hough- 
ton)  Macy,  our  subject's  mother,  was  born  in  L^ynn, 
Mass.  From  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  where  they  had 
settled  after  marriage,  the  parents  of  our  subject 
removed  to  New  York  City,  in  which  metropolis 
the  father  died  in  1838.  Soon  after  his  demise  the 
mother  removed  to  Nnntucket,  Mass.,  where  she 
died  Jan.  25,  1839.  Two  children  were  born  of 
their  union ;  one  of  these  died  in  infancy,  and  our 
subject,  the  other,  is  the  only  one  of  the  famity 
living. 

William  H.  Macy  was  born  in  New  Bedford, 
Mass.,  Jan.  25,  1834.  He  lost  his  parents  when 
quite  young,  and  was  brought  up  by  relatives.  He 
lived  with  Hezekiah  Barnard,  State  Treasurer  of 
Massachusetts,  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  re- 
ceiving a  good  education  in  a  Quaker  school,  and 
at  this  age  was  sent  to  West  Town  Boarding  School, 
near  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  where  he  pursued  his  studies 
about  two  years.  He  then  returned  to  Massachu- 
setts, and  after  attending  school  for  another  year, 
went  to  Fall  River,  that  State,  where  he  served  an 
apprenticeship  of  something  over  three  years  in 
learning  the  cabinet-maker's  trade. 

In  the  spring  of  1856,  Mr.  Macy  came  to  this 
State  and  located  at  Loda,  Iroquois  County,  and 
was  there  engaged  at  carpenters'  work  for  about 
two  years.  We  next  hear  of  him  at  Tremont, 
Tazewell  Co.,  111.,  where  he  is  working  at  i>is  trade 
and  where  he  continued  to  reside  for  about  a  year. 
Next  he  became  a  citizen  of  Fairbury,  Livingston 
Co.,  111.,  whence  he  removed  to  Pontiac,  that 
county,  and  there  lived  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  late  Civil  War.  In  August,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  K,  3d  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  as  a  private,  and  served 


for  three  years  and  one  month.  For  nearly  two 
and  a  half  years  he  was  detailed  as  Hospital  Stew- 
ard. While  near  Memphis,  Tenn.,  he  came  near 
being  captured  by  Forrest's  troops,  but  succeeded 
in  making  his  escape.  Receiving  his  discharge  he 
went  to  Attica,  Ind.,  and  in  June,  1865,  came  to 
Towanda,  this  county,  where  he  bought  out  a  small 
stock  of  drugs.  He  has  continued  to  make  that 
his  home  until  the  present  writing,  and  during  his 
residence  there  has  been  identified  with  every  in- 
terest calculated  to  benefit  the  place,  and  has  met 
with  success  in  his  business  adventures. 

Mr.  Macy  was  married  at  Fairbury,  111.,  Sept. 
22,  1863,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Walden,  daughter  of 
Theophilus  and  Nancy  (Oppy)  Walden,  natives' of 
Ohio.  They  emigrated  from  their  native  State  to 
Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  where  he  died.  She 
afterward  lived  wkh  her  children,  and  died  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Macy,  in  Towanda, 
July  24,  1880.  Mrs.  Macy  was  the  youngest  of 
her  parents'  children,  and  was  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  Oct.  17,  1837.  Her  union  with  our 
subject  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  two  children 
— Mary  B.  and  William  D.  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
Dr.  William  C.  Girtin,  a  resident  of  Towanda. 
Mr.  Macy  has  held  the  office  of  School  Trustee  for 
about  nineteen  years,  also  Village  Trustee  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  years,  and  is  the 
present  incumbent  of  the  latter  office.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  in  politics 
a  Republican,  having  voted  with  that  party  since 
its  formation.  He  and  his  wife,  together  with 
their  two  children,  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 


ARTIN  BATTKRTON,  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  McLean  County,  came  here 
as  early  as  January,  1834.  The  journey 
from  his  home  in  Madison  County,  Ky., 
was  made  on  horseback.  He  rode  up  through  the 
State  of  Indiana  and  then  westward  into  Sanga- 
mon  County,  111.,  afterward  coming  into  McLean 
County  and  here  joining  his  mother's  brothers  who 
had  preceded  him.  He  at  once  purchased  a  claim 
in  Lawndale  Township  which  he  began  to  improve, 


I 


f 


— \N 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY 


683 


and  has  been  a  resident  of  this  vicinity  since  that 
time,  making  for  himself  a  most  honorable  record 
as  an  honest  and  upright  man  and  a  useful  member 
of  the  community. 

Mr.  Batterton  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ky., 
Sept.  29,  1  807.  His  father,  Abraham  Batterton,  of 
Virginia,  was  born  in  about  1775.  and  died  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1858,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three 
years.  His  grandfather,  Henry  Batterton,  was  of 
English  birth  and  parentage  and  emigrated  with  his 
brother  to  America,  but  after  their  arrival  became 
separated  and  the  brother  was  lost  to  his  relatives. 

Abraham  Batterton  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812,  having  volunteered  under  Gen.  Hopkins,  and 
was  sent  to  the  frontier  to  look  after  the  In- 
dians who  were  creating  disturbances.  SVhen  he 
went  to  Kentucky  he  was  a  young  man  still  living 
with  his  parents,  and  he  was  there  married  to  Miss 
Susanna  Hainlain,  of  Madison  County.  Her  fa- 
ther was  George  Hainlain,  who  was  of  German  an- 
cestry. After  marriage  they  settled  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father  in  Madison  County,  buying  out 
the  interest  of  the  other  heirs,  and  continued  to  re- 
side there  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  in  1858. 
He  left  a  wife  and  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  mature  years  and  all  remained  in  Ken- 
tucky except  one  brother,  Curtis,  who  settled  in 
McLean  County,  111.,  and  of  whom  a  sketch  is 
given  in  this  volume. 

Martin  Batterton  passed  the  days  of  his  boyhood 
and  youth  in  his  native  State,  and  received  a  com- 
mon-school education.  He  was  a  natural  mechanic, 
and  without  serving  an  apprenticeship  became  car- 
penter, cooper  and  shoemaker,  so  that  when  he 
moved  to  McLean  County  he  made  his  own  boots 
and  shoes,  and  after  settling  down  upon  his  home- 
stead saved  many  a  dollar  by  his  skill  in  the  use  of 
tools. 

After  locating  upon  his  claim  as  above  stated 
Mr.  Batterton,  in  October,  1836,  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  America,  the  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Taylor,  of  Knox  County,  to  which  he  had  re- 
moved from  Boone  County,  Ky.,  in  about  1835. 
Mr.  Batterton,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  had 
about  $400  in  cash  and  in  due  time  he  added  to  his 
landed  possessions  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  280 
acres  of  choice  land,  finely  improved  and  under  a 


good  state  of  cultivation.  The  farm  residence  is  a 
shapely  and  substantial  structure  and  the  barn  and 
out-buildings  of  first-class  description.  The  home- 
stead invariably  attracts  the  attention  of  the  pass- 
ing traveler  and  marks  one  of  the  attractive  spots 
of  McLean  County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  became  the  parents  of  three 
children — Ira  A.,  Mary  E.  and  Zerilda.  After  the 
war  Ira  edited  a  paper  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  it 
was  reported  was  accidentally  shot,  although  there 
are  grave  doubts  in  regard  to  the  matter;  he  was  a 
stanch  Union  man  and  enlisted  for  a  term  of  three 
years  in  Co.  K,  8th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  which  he  served 
until  being  mustered  out,  in  April,  1863,  to  take 
the  rank  of  Adjutant  in  another  regiment.  Owing 
to  some  misunderstanding,  however,  he  found  the 
place  occupied  by  another  man.  and  returning  to 
his  regiment  remained  with  his  comrades,  sharing 
their  fortunes  and  the  vicissitudes  of  war  until 
after  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg.  He  after- 
ward remained  in  that  city  as  a  private  citizen,  and 
clerked  in  the  office  with  which  he  subsequently  be- 
came connected  as  editor.  After  the  capture  of 
the  city  by  Union  troops  the  Government  took 
possession  of  the  printing  press  and  during  the  ex- 
citement of  that  occasion  Ira  Batterton  was  killed 
as  above  stated,  in  July,  .1865,  and  his  father  re- 
moved his  remains  to  this  vicinity  for  burial.  Mary 
E.  Batterton  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  B.  Kilgore, 
a  resident  of  Lawndale  Township ;  Zerilda  J.  mar- 
ried A.  J.  Moon,  of  Lexington. 

Mrs.  America  T.  Batterton  departed  this  life  in 
March,  1883,  and  since  her  death  our  subject  has 
made  his  home  part  of  the  time  on  the  farm  and 
part  of  the  time  with  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Moon. 
He  still  looks  after  the  affairs  of  the  old  homestead, 
although  eighty  years  old.  He  enjoys  remarkably 
good  health  and  is  active  for  one  of  his  years.  In 
earlier  years  he  was  quite  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  the  township,  and  served  as  Assessor  and  Col- 
lector. He  always  took  a  deep  interest  in  its  pros- 
perity and  welfare.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  over  forty  years; 
his  wife  also  belonged  to  that  church,  having  made 
a  profession  of  religion  when  a  girl.  In  politics 
Mr.  B.  is  an  ardent  Republican. 

In   the  portrait  of   this  venerable  and  revered 


f 


684 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


pioneer  of  McLean  County,  many  of  the  old  resi- 
dents with  their  children  will  recognize  the  features 
of  one  of  those  dauntless  and  courageous  charac- 
ters who  assisted  to  make  permanent  in  this  region 
the  institutions  which  were  inaugurated  in  this  coun- 
try by  the  sturdy  spirits  of  '76,  whose  children 
have  just  cause  for  revering  their  memory  and 
their  deeds,  and  helping  to  cherish  and  preserve  the 
history  of  their  lives.  There  sprang  upon  the  soil 
of  Kentucky  many  of  the  resolute  men,  who  in 
early  life  looked  toward  the  Northwestern  Territory 
as  a  desirable  field  for  their  future  operations  and 
who,  coming  here,  have  played  no  unimportant  part 
in  its  prosperity,  both  as  agriculturists  and  financiers. 
Among  these  Martin  Batterton  occupies  a  con- 
spicious  and  honorable  position,  and  no  better  monu- 
ment to  his  virtues  can  be  erected  than  the  history 
of  his  life,  although  briefly  given,  which  may  be 
handed  down  to  his  children  who  will  peruse  it  and 
in  turn  teach  the  lesson  of  his  worth  to  their  de- 
scendants. 


J-~|UDGE    C.  D.    MYERS,  who  presides  over 
|    the  County  Court  at  Bloomington,  is  filling 
I    the  duties  of  his  responsible  position  intelli- 
'    gently  and    acceptably,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  McLean  County. 
Judge  Myers  was  born  in  Meigs  County,  Ohio,  on 
the  7th  of  May,  1847.     His  parents  were  Benjamin 
and  Serena  (Elliott)  Myers,  natives  respectively  of 
Virginia  and  Ohio. 

Benjamin  Myers  was  an  experienced  and  skill- 
ful builder,  contractor  and  pattern-maker.  He  em- 
igrated from  his  native  State  to  Ohio  when  a  young 
man,  and  was  employed  in  the  Pomeroy  found- 
ries for  many  years,  as  designer  and  pattern-maker. 
He  was  stricken  down  in  the  prime  of  life  and  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness  as  a  citizen  and  the 
father  of  a  family,  at  the  age  of  forty  -three  years. 
His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  afterward  re- 
moved to  West  Virginia,  and  is  still  living  there. 
Their  household  included  six  children,  two  of  whom 
are  deceased  :  William  P.  is  engaged  as  a  whole- 
sale grocer  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Thornton  B.  is  en- 
gaged in  the  loan  and  abstract  business  at  Winfield, 
Kan.  ;  the  next  son  living  is  the  subject  of  our 


sketch;  Serena  E.,  Mrs.  Holman,  lives  in  Lorain 
County,  Ohio. 

Judge  Myers,  from  the  time  he  was  eight  until 
sixteen  years  old,  lived  on  the  homestead  in  Vir- 
ginia with  his  mother,  and  then  returning  to  Pom- 
eroy,  engaged  first  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store, 
and  then,  during  the  progress  of  the  kte  war,  en- 
listed in  Co.  B,  32d  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served 
until  the  close.  He  participated  with  his  comrades 
in  the  battle  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  was  taken 
prisoner  at  Rock  Hill  Station,  Ky.,  during  the  trans- 
portation of  troops  and  prisoners  on  the  Louisville 
&  Nashville  Railroad.  The  bushwhackers  had  dis- 
placed the  rails  so  that  the  train  went  down  a  steep 
embankment,  where  the  Union  soldiers  were  sur- 
rounded and  captured.  They  were  liberated,  how- 
ever, the  following  day,  but  in  the  meantime  their 
watches,  money  and  valuables  were  carried  off  by 
the  "chivalry." 

After  his  term  of  service  had  expired,  our  sub- 
ject returned  to  West  Virginia,  and  for  the  follow- 
ing year  worked  on  a  farm  near  the  little  city  of 
Fairmont.  He  then  proceeded  again  to  Ohio, 
where  he  entered  the  Normal  National  School  at 
Lebanon,  and  after  a  six  months'  course  in  this  in- 
stitution, returned  to  West  Virginia,  where,  for 
two  years  following,  he  worked  on  a  farm  in  sum- 
mer and  taught  school  in  winter.  In  1868  he  re- 
sumed his  studies  in  Ohio  for  another  year,  which 
were  then  once  more  interrupted,  to  resume  in  1870, 
for  two  years,  after  which  he  graduated  and  en- 
tered the  law  department  of  Michigan  University, 
from  which  institution  he  received  his  degree  after 
a  two  years'  course,  in  1874. 

Thus  armed  with  the  requisite  credentials,  Judge 
Myers  soon  afterward  came  to  Bloomington  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession.  After 
a  few  months  he  associated  himself  in  partnership 
with  Albert  Bushnell,  and  they  operated  together 
for  three  years.  Judge  Myers  then  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Isaac  W.  Stroud,  which  continued  two 
years,  and  then  Mr.  S.  retired  on  account  of  fail- 
ing health,  and  since  that  time  he  has  practiced 
alone.  His  talents  and  ability  received  early  recog- 
nition in  this  county,  and  after  filling  other  posi- 
tions of  responsibility  and  trust,  he  was  elected 
Judge  of  the  County  Court,  in  1886.  He  has  been 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


685 


Chairman  of  the  Republican  Central  Committee 
for  the  last  six  years,  and  has  been  attorney  for 
the  Bloomington  Building  and  Loan  Association, 
and  also  one  of  its  Directors  and  stockholders  since 
its  organization.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Third 
National  Bank,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 
Bloomington  Iron-Piling  Bridge  Company,  and 
Vice  President  of  the  Bloomington  Law  Library 
Association.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  the  G.  A.  R.,and  is  Grand  Chancellor  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias. 

The  marriage  of  Judge  Myers  and  Miss  Dora 
Yeager  took  place  in  the  spring  of  1872,  in  Leba- 
non, Ohio.  Mrs.  Myers  is  the  daughter  of  Benja- 
min and  Mary  (Lucas)  Yeager,  who  were  both 
natives  of  Jackson,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  is  still  liv- 
ing. The  Judge  and  Mrs.  M.  occupy  a  handsome 
residence  at  No.  603  Taylor  street,  surrounded  by 
the  refinements  of  life,  and  enjoying  the  friendship 
and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 
Judge  Myers  has  attained  to  his  present  position 
among  his  fellow-citizens  solely  by  his  own  efforts 
and  his  resolution  of  character.  He  is  essentially 
a  self-made  man,  obtaining  his  education  through 
his  own  earnest  efforts  and  perseverance,  and  his 
property  through  his  industry  and  good  judgment 
in  the  place  of  capital  and  the  disbursement  of 
funds.  He  is  noted  for  his  kindness  of  heart,  his 
simple  and  unostentatious  habits,  and  the  elevation 
of  character  which  scorns  an  ignoble  thought  or 
cowardly  action. 


JOSEPH  DENISON,  Treasurer  of 
McLean  County,  and  a  resident  of  Bloom- 
ington, came  with  his  parents  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  the  Prairie  State  in  1851.  He  was  born 
in  December,  1832,  in  Baxter  County,  Pa.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Andrew  and  Susanna  (Herr)  Denison, 
also  natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  Andrew  Deni- 
son was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  after  a  resi- 
dence of  two  years  in  this  State,  in  the  meantime 
having  been  visited  by  a  sad  affliction  in  the  death 
of  his  wife,  which  occurred  in  1853,  he  returned 
to  Pennsylvania  and  lived  there  until  1857.  He 
then  came  back  to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  en- 


gaged  in  farming  near  Bloomington,  being  thus 
occupied  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1865. 
He  belonged  to  the  Dunkard  Church.  The  parental 
household  consisted  of  three  children,  two  only  of 
whom  are  living — Joseph  and  Noah  W..  a  resident 
of  Freeport. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm,  receiving  careful  home  train- 
ing and  a  practical  education,  until  sixteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  engaged  'as  clerk  in  a  store  of 
general  merchandise  for  the  four  years  following. 
After  coming  with  his  parents  to  Bloomington  he 
engaged  in  the  marble  business  for  four  years  and 
then  operated  a  grocery  and  bakery  until  1857, 
when  he  resumed  his  former  occupation  of  clerk, 
and  thus  labored  until  1862.  The  late  war  being 
then  in  progress  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in 
Co.  F,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  as  First  Lieutenant.  After 
six  months  he  received  a  Captain's  commission, 
which  he  retained  until  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  service  in  1865.  Mr.  Denison  with  his  comrades 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Ark., 
the  sieges  of  Vicksburg,  Ft.  Morgan  and  Spanish 
Fort,  and  was  in  many  other  engagements  and 
skirmishes,  escaping  without  serious  injury.  After 
his  honorable  discharge  from  the  army  Capt.  Deni- 
son returned  to  Bloomington  City  and  subsequently 
engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  at  Lexington.  In 
1868  he  was  appointed  United  States  Storekeeper 
at  Bloomington,  and  after  six  months- was  promoted 
United  States  Gauger  at  Bloomington  and  Pekin, 
and  was  thus  occupied  until  the  summer  of  1870, 
when  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer,  holding  the 
office  four  years.  In  1876  he  was  re-elected,  and 
has  held  the  office  continuously  since  that  time. 

Capt.  Joseph  Denison  and  Miss  Sarah  J.  Strain 
were  united  in  marriage  in  1854.  Mrs.  Denison  is 
the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  Strain,  natives  of 
Ohio,  and  of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  are 
five  children,  as  follows :  Herbert  L.  married  Miss 
Florence  Downey,  of  Bloomington,  and  they  have 
two  children — Edith  and  a  babe  unnamed ;  Adella, 
residing  in  Bloomington,  married  Edward  L.  Blair, 
and  they  have  one  child — Earl  B. ;  Josephine, 
Noah  B.  and  Isaac  P.  are  with  their  parents  at 
home.  Capt.  Denison  and  his  family  occupy  a 
comfortable  and  attractive  residence  at  No.  609 


t 


686 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


West  Washington  street,  and  enjoy  the  friendship 
and  society  of  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends.  Our 
subject  is  prominently  connected  with  the  Repub- 
lican party  and  socially  belongs  to  the  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.  and  the  G.  A.  R.  He  is  in  all  respects  a  worthy 
and  valued  citizen,  and  both  socially  and  as  a  busi- 
ness man  is  a  representative  citizen  of  McLean 

County. 

>    -.<•/•*  -• 

•*~e-«'I — l—ej&i    . — >*--~"- 


tATHEW  G.  HAUGHEY,  an  esteemed  citi- 
zen of  McLean,  is  at  present  engaged  as  a 
stock-dealer,  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  vicinity  since  a  child  eight  years  of 
age,  when  he  removed  from  his  native  State  to  this 
county.  His  birth  occurred  in  Greene  County,  Ohio, 
on  the  8th  of  April,  1840.  His  father,  Joseph 
Haughey,  was  born  in  the  Old  Dominion,  where  he 
was  reared  and  grew  to  manhood.  He  was  also 
married  in  Virginia,  his  wife  being  Miss  Esther 
White,  a  native  of  that  State.  Soon  after  marriage 
the  young  couple  removed  to  Ohio,  settling  in 
Greene  County  on  a  tract  of  timber  land  of  100 
acres,  from  which  Joseph  Haughey  improved  a 
farm,  which  he  occupied  until  1848.  He  then  sold 
out  and  started  for  the  West,  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  nine  children.  The  journey  was  made 
overland  and  their  outfit  consisted  of  six  horses, 
two  wagons  and  a  carriage.  After  about  thirty 
days'  travel  they  landed  in  Logan  County,  111., 
where  the  father  of  our  subject  rented  land  for 
two  years  following. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  H.  had  entered  160  acres 
on  sections  1  and  12  of  what  is  now  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  where  he  soon  afterward  built  a  house, 
into  which  he  removed  his  family  in  the  fall  of 
1850.  He  remained  there  until  a  few  years  before 
his  death,  and  spent  his  last  daj's  in  McLean,  re- 
tired from  active  labor.  His  death  occurred  in 
1869,  when  he  was  fifty-nine  years  of  age;  his 
widow  still  lives  in  McLean.  The  children  now 
living  are  as  follows:  Henry  is  a  resident  of  Ava, 
Douglas  Co.,  Mo.;  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of 
Lewis  Harley,  who  is  now  deceased  (see  sketch) ; 
Lorenzo  Dow  lives  in  Arkansas;  John,  in  Kansas; 
Mathew  G.,  in  McLean,  and  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Samuel 
Bevans,  in  Mt.  Hope  Township. 


The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing pursuits,  and  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  August,  1862.  The  Rebellion  being  then  in 
progress  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  A, 
117th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  until  March,  1863,  when 
he  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  disa- 
bility and  returned  home.  As  soon  as  his  health 
would  permit  he  resumed  farming  pursuits  until 
1866.  Then,  coming  to  McLean,  he  began  dealing 
in  grain  and  stock  and  later  purchased  a  one-half 
interest  in  a  drug-store.  He  subsequently  sold  this 
and  purchased  an  elevator,  and  continued  operat- 
ing in  grain  until  1884,  also  in  buying  and  shipping 
stock. 

Mr.  Haughey  was  married  in  McLean  County, 
111.,  in  September,  1872,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Snow,  who 
was  a  native  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  and  born  Jan. 
14,  1847.  Her  parents  were  Daniel  C.  and  Louisa 
D.  (Rice)  Snow,  whose  sketch  appears  in  this  work. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  two  children  —  Frank 
M.  and  Daniel  Max.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haughey  are 
greatly  respected  wherever  known.  Our  subject  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
socially  belongs  to  Harrison  W.  Wood  Post,  G.  A. 
R.  Mrs.  Haughey  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  Congregational  Church. 


ABINA  SACKETT.  This  highly  respected 
citizen  of  Arrowsmith  Township  owns  and 
occupies  a  fine  homestead  on  section  17, 
consisting  of  160  acres  of  highly  improved 
land,  with  a  handsome  two-story  dwelling,  a  good 
barn,  and  all  necessary  buildings  adapted  to  the 
storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock.  He  has 
made  the  breeding  of  the  latter  a  specialty,  and  in 
this,  as  well  as  in  other  farming  operations,  has 
met  with  remarkable  success. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio, 
March  22,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Elijah  G.  and 
Malinda  (Lee)  Sackett,  natives  respectively  of  Ohio 
and  New  York.  Elijah  Sackett  was  born  in  1804, 
and  died  July  5,  1880.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1856,  whence  he  removed  to  Iowa  in  1875,  and 
was  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  all  his  life.  He 
was  a  good  man  in  every  sense  the  term  implies, 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


687 


and  with  his  wife  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  mother  of  our 
subject  was  born  in  1804,  and  departed  this  life  at 
her  home  in  Adair  County,  Iowa,  in  1880.  The 
children  born  to  them  were,  Sabina,  Nancy  A.,  who 
died  in  childhood,  Hiram  H.,  Francis,  Josephine, 
Maria,  Lyman,  Charles  D.,  Martha,  Sarah  E.,  Cath- 
erine and  Lydia.  Charles  D.  during  the  late  war 
served  four  years  in  the  3d  Illinois  Cavalry. 

Mr.  Sackett  came  to  this  county  in  1853,  and 
was  employed  one  year  by  David  Lewis  of  Dale 
Township,  for  the  sum  of  $150.  He  was  variously 
occupied  for  about  eighteen  years  afterward.  His 
first  purchase  of  land  was  120  acres  near  Farmer 
City,  which  he  finally  sold  and  purchased  a  part  of 
his  present  homestead.  He  is  a  thorough-going 
and  enterprising  business  man,  with  decided  opin- 
ions, and  fearless  in  the  expression  of  them,  and 
glories  in  the  fact  that  he  is  a  "  true  blue  "  Repub- 
lican, ready  upon  every  occasion  to  defend  the 
principles  of  his  party,  which  he  believes  to  be  the 
best  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 


B.  STOCKDALE,  of  the  firm  of  Brown  & 
Stockdale,  of  Heyworth,  this  county,  is, 
with  his  partner,  carrying  on  an  extensive 
and  lucrative  trade  in  hardware,  tinware,  pumps, 
paints,  oils,  glass,  etc.  They  also  sell  farming  im- 
plements of  all  kinds.  Mr.  Stockdale  established 
the  present  business  in  1874,  with  his  partner,  Mr. 
Mann,  but  after  two  years  sold  out  to  Mr.  Mann. 
Our  subject  then  started  in  for  himself,  in  another 
location,  and  after  two  years  took  in  his  present 
partner,  Mr.  Brown,  and  they  have  operated  to- 
gether successfully  since  that  time.  They  carry  a 
good  stock  and  have  among  their  customers  the 
best  people  in  this  locality. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton, Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  near  Monongahela  City, 
on  the  river  of  the  same  name,  Dec.  28,  1 847,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Corry)  Stock- 
dale,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  in  another  part 
of  this  work.  He  is  the  eldest  of  the  three  chil- 
dren of  his  parents,  all  now  living,  viz.,  James  C. 
and  Alice  V.,  who  still  live  with  their  parents. 
«•  


Our  subject  was  married  near  Heyworth,  Jan.  30, 
1873,  to  Miss  Anna  B.  Wakefield,  whose  father, 
William  W.,  is  a  retired  farmer  and  lives  in  the  vil- 
lage. Mrs.  S.  was  born  near  Ft.  Wayne,  Ind., 
Sept.  5,  1852,  and  was  ten  years  of  age  when  her 
father  came  to  Randolph  Township.  She  was 
reared  by  her  parents,  receiving  a  fair  education, 
and  remained  with  them  until  her  marriage.  Of 
her  union  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born 
three  children  —  James  E.,  Porter  and  Blanche.  Mr. 
S.  is  Republican  in  politics  and  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  upholding  the  principles  of  his  party.  He 
is  also,  with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 


ON.  REUBEN  M.  BENJAMIN,  the  young- 
est son  of  Darius  and  Martha  (Rogers) 
Benjamin,  was  born  at  Chatham  Center, 
Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  29,  1833.  His 
father  was  a  private  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  his 
grandfather,  Ebenezer  Benjamin,  was  a  Captain  in 
the  Revolutionary  War.  He  is  descended  from 
English  and  Welsh  ancestry,  who  in  the  colonial 
days  lived  in  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  Mr. 
Benjamin  of  this  notice  lived  on  a  farm  until  he 
was  fourteen  years  old  and  was  prepared  for  col- 
lege at  Kinderhook  Academy,  N.  Y.,  whence  he  en- 
tered Amherst  College,  Mass.,  and  was  graduated 
in  1853,  receiving  the  third  honor  of  his  class.  He 
soon  afterward  became  Principal  of  Hopkins  Acad- 
emy at  Hadley,  near  Amherst,  and  in  1854  entered 
the  Law  Department  of  Harvard  University.  In 
1855-56  he  was  tutor  in  Amherst  College.  In 
April  of  the  year  last  named  he  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  and  in  September  following  was  licensed 
to  practice  law,  his  examination  certificate  being 
signed  by  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Shortly  after  his  admission  to  the  bar  Mr.  Benja- 
min became  a  partner  with  Gen.  A.  Gridley  and 
Col.  J.  II.  Wickider,  and  remained  with  them  as 
long  as  they  continued  to  practice  law.  In  1863 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Hon.  Thomas  F.  Tip- 
ton,  afterward  Circuit  Judge  and  Member  of  Con- 
gress, and  since  then,  at  different  times,  has  been  as- 
sociated with  Hon.  J.  H.  Rowel],  Member  of  Con- 
gress, and  Hon.  Lawrence  Weldon,  Judge  of  the 


f. 


fis* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


Court  of  Claims  at  Washington.  In  1869  Mr.  Benja- 
min was  chosen  a  member  of  the  convention  that 
framed  the  present  constitution  of  the  State.  He 
served  on  the  committees  of  Bill  of  Rights,  Mu- 
nicipal Corporations,  State  Institutions  and  Sched- 
ule. He  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  efficient 
members  of  the  convention,  and  during  the  session 
and  after  its  close  was  the  recipient  of  highly 
complimentary  remarks  by  his  co-laborers  and  by 
the  press. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  the  counsel  for  the  peo- 
ple in  the  celebrated  Lexington  case  (C.  &  A.  R. 
R.  Co.  vs.  The  people,  67  111.  Rep.),  a  case  involv- 
ing the  question  as  to  the  right  of  railroad  corpora- 
tions to  charge  more  for  a  less  than  for  a  greater 
distance.  He  was  subsequently  employed  as  spe- 
cial counsel  for  the  State  Board  of  Railroad  and 
Warehouse  Commissioners,  assisting  also  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  Warehouse  case,  Munn  vs. 
The  People,  69  111.  Rep.  80,  which  was  taken  to 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  being 
there  affirmed  Munn  vs.  111.  94  U.  S.  Rep.,  and 
became  the  leading  case  in  the  series  familiarly 
known  in  1876  as  the  "Granger  cases."  These 
cases  established  the  constitutional  power  of  the 
Legislature  to  regulate  railroad  and  warehouse 
charges,  and  thereby  protect  the  public  against  im- 
position. In  the  latter  case,  Ruggles  vs.  The  peo- 
ple, 91  111.  Rep.,  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State 
declared  broadly  that  the  Legislature  has  the  power 
to  fix  the  maximum  rates  of  charges  by  corpora- 
tions or  individuals  exercising  a  calling  or  business 
public  in  its  character,  or  in  which  the  public  have 
a  right  to  be  protected  against  extortion  or  oppres- 
sion. In  commenting  on  this  case  the  Western 
Jurist  says :  "It  is  probable  that  the  people  of  the 
State  are  indebted  for  the  results  of  this  agitation 
as  given  in  the  above  decision  to  Hon.  R.  M.  Ben- 
jamin, of  Bloom  ington,  in  a  greater  degree  than  to 
any  other  single  individual.  As  a  member  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention,  he  made  the  clearest 
and  most  convincing  argument  in  favor  of  the 
rights  of  the  people  which  was  delivered  in  that 
body,  and  as  special  counsel  for  the  people  in  the 
cases  of  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  Co.  us.  The  People,  and 
Munn  vs  The  People,  has  very  materially  contrib- 
uted in  establishing  the  principle  contended  for  by 


him  before  the  convention  and  established  in  the 
above  cases." 

In  1873  Mr.  Benjamin  was  elected  without  op- 
position to  the  office  of  County  Judge  of  McLean 
County.  He  was  re-elected  in  1877  and  also  in 
1882.  He  soon  won,  and  ever  afterward  retained 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  bar  and  of  the 
people  by  his  judicial  aptitude,  the  soundness  of 
his  decisions  and  the  quiet  ease  with  which  he  dis- 
patched business.  He  preferred  not  to  be  a  candi- 
date again  for  the  office  and  accordingly  retired 
from  the  bench  at  the  close  of  his  third  term,  in 
December,  1886.  Shortly  afterward  he  resumed 
his  law  practice  in  partnership  with  Mr.  John  J. 
Morrissey.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  Law 
Department  of  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University, 
in  1874,  Judge  Benjamin  was  appointed  Dean  of 
the  Law  Faculty  and  still  holds  that  position.  In 
1879  he  published  a  work  entitled  "Student's 
Guide  to  Elementary  Law,"  which  has  proved 
of  great  assistance  to  those  for  whom  it  was  ap- 
pointed. 

Judge  Benjamin  was  married  at  Chatham,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  15,  1856,  to  Miss  Laura  E.,  daughter  of 
David  G.  Woodin,  who  for  many  years  was  County 
Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Columbia  County,  N. 
Y".  The  family  residence  in  Bloomington  is  finely 
located,  and  in  all  its  appointments  indicates  the 
exercise  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means.  Its 
hospitable  doors  admit  the  best  people  of  the  city, 
whose  society  is  enjoyed  by  our  subject  and  his 
wife,  who  are  greatly  respected  as  cultured  and 
useful  members  of  society. 


EV.  JAMES  SHAW,  agent  of  the  Preacher's 
Aid  Society,  of  Illinois,  Conference  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  is  located  at  Bloom- 
ington  and  performing  his  varied  duties  in 
a  successful  manner.  He  was  born  in  Longford 
County,  Ireland,  near  Goldsmith's  "Sweet  Au- 
burn." His  parents,  James  and  Bedelia  (Mcln- 
tyre)  Shaw,  were  of  Scotch  descent.  His  brothers, 
Henry  and  Alexander  Shaw,  merchants,  live  in 
Montreal,  Canada.  William  Shaw  resides  in  Bloom- 
ington,  111.,  where  also  are  his  sisters,  Mrs.  William 


j 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


••*- 

691 


Tanner  and  Mrs.  John  Dean.  His  youngest 
brother,  the  late  Dr.  8.  M.  Shaw,  carried  the  colors 
of  his  regiment,  33d  Illinois  Volunteers,  at  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  as  Lieutenant  led  his  com- 
pany at  the  storming  of  Ft.  Blakely  in  the  late 
Civil  War. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  while  a  student  at  the 
Wesleyan  Seminary,  Dublin,  was  called  to  take 
charge  of  a  similar  institution  in  the  southwest  of 
Ireland,  from  which  he  entered  the  Irish  Wesleyan 
Conference.  He  followed  his  parents  and  their  family 
to  America  in  1854,  and  was  received  into  the  Illi- 
nois Conference  in  1855;  he  has  been  stationed  in 
the  following  places :  Old  Town,  Bloornington,  Pe- 
tersburg, Decatur  (circuit),  Clinton,  Rushville,  At- 
lanta, Tuscola,  Urbana,  Pana,  Charleston,  Farmer 
City,  Rossville,  Griggsville,  Quincy  and  Beards- 
town. 

In  the  late  war  Mr.  Shaw  actively  aided  the 
Union  cause,  presenting  flags  and  addressing  Union 
soldiers,  and  during  the  Irish  famine  he  was  en- 
trusted with  $30,000,  American  funds  for  the  re- 
lief of  the  suffering.  He  was  also  entrusted  with  a 
large  amount  of  American  funds  for  the  building 
and  endowment  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Col- 
leges in  Belfast  and  Dublin,  Ireland.  He  has  en- 
tered the  field  of  literature,  publishing  works  on 
America,  Romanism,  and  Temperance,  that  hare 
had  an  extensive  sale. 

Mr.  Shaw  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Mary  B. 
Coley,  eldest  daughter  of  the  late  Edward  Coley, 
Esq.,  of  Lucan,  Ireland.  Of  the  three  children 
that  came  to  brighten  their  home,  two  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  one  is  yet  living,  James  Henry  Shaw,  a 
graduate  of  the  Illinois  Wesleyan  University,  and 
now  editor  of  the  Bloomington  Lancet. 


ISRAEL  D.  JANES,  a  wealthy  aud  prosperous 
farmer  of  Danvers  Township,  has  one  of  the 
finest  homesteads  in  this  section,  consisting  of 
310  acres,  finely  cultivated  and  tilled,  furnished  with 
a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of  frame  buildings, 
and  stocked  with  good  grades  of  domestic  animals. 
He   first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  among  the 
New  England  hills,  March  8,  1812,  being  born  in 
Lebanon,  New  London  Co.,  Conn.,  and  is  the  son 


of  Ezra  and  Mary  (Haynes)  Janes.  His  father  was 
born  in  Brimfield,  Mass.,  in  1782,  and  the  mother 
on  Long  Island,  just  two  weeks  after  her  husband. 
Ezra  Janes  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  after  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  in  1810,  he  removed  to 
Connecticut,  where  he  rented  a  farm,  and  for  four- 
teen years  following  was  engaged  in  cultivating  it. 
He  then  went  to  the  State  of  New  York  aud  pur- 
chased 100  acres  of  choice  land,  in  Genesee  Coun- 
ty, where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred March  7,  1869.  The  mother  had  died  five 
years  previously,  in  1864.  Their  family  included 
five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  of 
whom  Israel  of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest  born; 
Ryland  married  Miss  Salina  Loomis;  Ezra  S.  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  Kinnej' ;  Elizabeth  became  the 
wife  of  Leman  Bishop;  Mary  died  when  about 
twelve  years  old.  The  parents  were  both  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  politically  Ezra  Janes 
was  formerly  a  Whig,  but  later  identified  himself 
with  the  Republican  party. 

The  Janes  family  trace  their  ancestors  back  to 
the  twelfth  century  in  England  where  they  were, 
even  at  that  early  period,  closely  connected  with 
the  history  and  government  of  the  Kingdom,  and 
in  all  measures  for  the  public  good  their  influence 
was  potential,  as  the  following  will  indicate.  The 
writer  was  shown  an  engraving  of  a  coat  of  arms 
presented  to  the  Janes  family,  and  inscribed  as 
follows:  "Janes  famijy  coat  of  arms,  given  to 
Guido  de  Janes  by  Henry  II.  King  of  England,  for 
distinguished  military  prowess  and  leading  in  three 
successful  expeditions  to  the  Holy  Land,  A.  D. 
1200."  The  first  representative  of  the  Janes  fam- 
iry  in  America  was  William  Janes,  who,  in  company 
with  Davenport  and  Eaton,  established  the  colony 
of  Connecticut.  They  came  over  a  short  time 
after  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  with  which  they 
were  not  fully  satisfied,  and  went  from  there  to 
Connecticut.  The  father  of  our  subject  served  in 
the  War  of  1812.  The  family  was  noted  for  its  en- 
terprise and  intelligence,  and  for  the  excellent  in- 
fluence its  various  members  exerted  in  whatever 
community  they  chanced  to  reside. 

Israel  B.  Janes  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  in  the  meantime 
receiving  a  good  common-school  education.  Like 


I 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


t 


all  the  young  men  of  that  period  who  were  physi- 
cally able,  he  was  obliged  to  do  military  duty,  and 
be  enrolled  in  the  State  militia.  On  the  first  day 
of  his  attendance  he  was  elected  into  the  list  of 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  the  third  year  re- 
ceived from  Gov.  Marcey,  of  New  York,  the  com- 
mission of  Captain,  which  he  held  until  coming 
West.  When  about  twenty-one  years  old  he  com- 
menced learning  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  cabi- 
net-maker. He  was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  be- 
came very  skillful  in  the  use  of  tools.  To  this  he 
added  the  study  of  architecture,  in  which  he  also 
became  skilled,  being  possessed  of  a  correct  eye,  in 
regard  to  symmetry  of  proportion.  In  1838  he 
emigrated  to  Illinois  and  purchased  eighty-eight 
acres  of  land  in  Danvers  Township.  This  he  soon 
doubled,  and  afterward  added  to  until  he  became 
the  owner  of  1 ,000  acres.  He  disposed  of  a  part  of 
this,  but  kept  for  his  homestead  the  313  acres  al- 
ready mentioned.  He  was  chief  builder,  architect 
and  carpenter  of  his  present  residence,  superintend- 
ing it  from  the  first,  and  doing  much  other  work 
with  his  own  hands.  He  hauled  the  logs  which  he 
sawed  into  lumber,  and  his  taste  and  skill  are  ap- 
parent in  the  whole. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  the  daughter  of 
Elizur  and  Olive  M.  (Dowd)  Hinsdale,  who  were 
natives  of  Connecticut,  whence  they  removed 
to  New  York  State  in  1822.  Mr.  H.  was  a  skillful 
ax  manufacturer,  which  business  he  followed  all  his 
life.  He  died  in  the  latter-named  State  in  1871 ; 
the  mother  survived  her  husband  only  a  short  time. 
The  children  were  Morris,  Mary,  Olive  M.  and 
Charlotte  M.,  by  the  first  wife;  and  by  the  second 
and  third  wives  there  were  Harriett,  Caroline, 
Eliza,  William,  Anna  and  Jane;  one  died  in  in- 
fancy unnamed. 

Mrs.  Olive  M.  Janes  departed  this  life  Jan.  31, 
1883.  She  was  a  faithful  and  affectionate  wife,  and 
a  sincere  and  earnest  Christian,  devoted  to  Church 
work  and  to  the  cause  of  temperance.  She  pre- 
sented to  the  society  in  this  place  a  fine  organ,  and 
otherwise  contributed  liberally  and  cheerfully  to 
the  support  of  the  Church  and  Sunday-school.  She 
was  also  greatly  interested  in  the  Missionary  and 
Bible  Societies,  to  which  she  gave  much  of  her 
time  and  means.  Her  name  is  held  in  tender  re- 


membrance by  her  family  and  a  large  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances. 

Mr.  Janes  has  been  a  prominent  and  useful  mem- 
ber of  the  community  since  coining  here.  He  is  a 
straight  Republican  in  politics,  has  held  the  office 
of  School  Director  for  a  number  of  years,  and  or- 
ganized the  first  Sunday-school  in  McLean  County, 
which  is  still  in  operation.  He  was  Superintendent 
of  this  school  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  and  fulfilled 
his  duties  in  a  manner  reflecting  great  credit  upon 
himself  and  those  by  whom  he  was  retained  in 
the  office.  He  built  at  his  own  expense  a  hand- 
some little  chapel  an  annex  to  the  church,  24x32 
feet,  furnished  it  with  chairs,  a  handsome  chande- 
lier, etc.  This,  when  completed,  he  gave  to  the  sO- 
ciety.  On  account  of  the  pro-slavery  sentiments  of 
the  pastor,  Mr.  Janes,  with  his  wife  and  others,  left 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  by  letter, 
and  in  1861  organized  the  Congregational  Church 
of  Danvers. 

Mr.  Janes  has  been  a  man  of  benevolent  and 
philanthropic  impulses,  and  among  other  good 
works  is  pledged  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Danvers  Li- 
brary Association  for  11,000,  to  be  kept  as  a  per- 
manent loanable  fund,  the  yearly  interest  of  which 
is  to  be  used  in  keeping  up  the  Library.  A  part  of 
the  sum  is  already  in  the  hands  of  said  Trustees, 
and  the  balance  will  be  paid  over  as  soon  as  the 
preliminaries  can  be  arranged.  It  is  also  the  inten- 
tion of  Mr.  Janes  to  place  in  the  Library,  from  his 
own  private  collection  of  books,  over  100  selected 
volumes,  which  include  the  productions  of  some  of 
the  best  minds  of  the  age  in  this  and  other  coun- 
tries. An  accompanying  page  is  embellished  with 
lithographic  portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Janes. 


J"~  OHN  T.  TANNER,  an  extensive  dealer  in 
grain,  lumber,  tile,  coal,  live  stock,  etc.,  is 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  and 
a   resident   of   Anchor.     He    was    born    in 
Tazewell  County,  this  State,  May   24,  1837.     His 
father,  Joseph  Tanner,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  but 
in  earl}7  life  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois.  They 
settled  in  Tazewell  County  in  about  1829,  being 
among  the  early  pioneers  of  that  region.    Joseph 


ii 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


693 


Tanner  took  up  a  tract  of  land  and  engaged  in 
farming  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
dying  in  about  1839.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Jane  Brown,  also  a 
native  of  Tennessee.  By  her  marriage  with  Joseph 
Tanner  she  became  the  mother  of  two  children, 
John  T.,  and  another  son,  who  died  when  young. 
The  mother,  after  becoming  a  widow,  married  Elijah 
Smith,  and  her  later  home  was  near  Danvers,  this 
county. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  a  small  boy  when 
the  family  came  to  Tazewell  County.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
remained  an  inmate  of  his  mother's  house  until  he 
attained  to  years  of  manhood,  although  at  different 
times  he  was  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer  in  that 
vicinity.  When  twenty  years  old  he  started  out 
for  himself,  beginning  by  farming  on  rented  land, 
he  having  previously  paid  his  stepfather  for  the 
privilege  of  leaving  home  and  becoming  his  own 
master.  The  land  which  he  cultivated  belonged  to 
J.  C.  Chrisom  and  this  he  operated  for  several  years, 
then  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land  in  the  edge 
of  Woodford  County,  a  part  of  which  lie  cleared 
and  upon  which  he  resided  for  three  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time,  in  March,  1869,  he  returned  to 
McLean  County  and  purchased  1 60  acres  on  section 
8,  in  Anchor  Township,  which  he  cultivated  until 
March,  1886,  and  in  the  meantime  he  worked  a 
wonderful  change  upon  it  from  its  original  con- 
dition, and  erected  a  handsome  and.  substantial 
set  of  frame  buildings.  He  then  removed  to  An- 
chor Station,  where  he  had  previously  established 
a  store,  of  general  merchandise.  This  business  in- 
creased to  such  an  extent  that  be  judged  it  best  to 
give  it  his  entire  attention.  Accordingly,  renting 
his  farm,  he  moved  into  town  and  in  due  time  ex- 
tended his  operations  so  as  to  include  the  com- 
modities in  which  he  deals  at  present.  He  is  finely 
adapted  to  his  present  employment,  of  which  he  is 
making  a  success  and  which  yields  him  annually  a 
handsome  income. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  in  this 
county  in  March,  1859,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being 
Miss  Sarah  C.,  the  daughter  of  Absalom  and  Mary 
Bailey.  Mrs.  T.  was  born  in  Indiana,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  became  the  mother  of  ten 


children,  three  of  whom  died  young.  Of  the  seven 
living  the  record  is  as  follows :  Eliza  became  the 
wife  of  O.  T.  Larson  and  lives  in  Anchor  Town- 
ship; James  is  a  resident  of  Cropsy  Township; 
Lucy  married  Charles  Hudson  of  Anchor  Town- 
ship; Mary,  Walter,  Dora  and  Lois  are  at  home 
with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Tanner  politically  is  independent.  He  cast 
his  first  ballot  with  the  Republican  party,  with 
which  he  affiliated  until  during  the  late  war,  and 
since  the  close  of  that  conflict,  has  voted  for  the 
men  he  esteemed  best  qualified  for  office,  regard- 
less of  party.  He  is  well  read  and  informed  and 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  eleven  years,  besides 
holding  many  of  the  local  offices  of  his  township. 
He  has  been  connected  with  the  Christian  Church 
for  thirty-five  years,  being  one  of  its  most  earnest 
supporters  and  contributing  cheerfully  and  liberally 
of  his  means  to  its  maintenance  and  welfare.  He  is 
a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  belongs  to  Coif  ax  Lodge  No.  61,  also 
Martin  Lodge  No.  652,  I.  O.  O.  F. 


eHARLES  LAMP,  of  the  firm  of  E.  H.  Rood 
&  Co.,  proprietors  of  the  Bloomington  ele- 
vator, has  been  a  resident  of  this  city  for 
many  years,  and  is  a  fine  representative  of  the 
reliable  and  substantial  German  nationality.  He 
was  born  near  Kiel,  Germany,  an  important  port 
on  the  Baltic  Sea,  the  date  thereof  being  April  1, 
1834.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Silke  (Wiese) 
Lamp,  had  a  family  of  eight  children.  Our  subject 
commenced  attending  school  at  an  early  age  and 
continued  until  sixteen  years  old.  After  that  he 
was  variously  engaged  for  three  years,  when  he  set 
sail  for  the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York 
City,  whence  he  came  to  Bloomington  in  June, 
1853.  Here  he  first  engaged  in  assisting  to  con- 
struct the  road  bed  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
at  the  wages  of  $1.25  per  day.  After  the  road  was 
completed,  he  became  a  baggageman  at  Winona, 
111.,  and  continued  in  the  employ  of  the  company 
until  1857.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  late  war. 

In  July,   1 862,  Mr.  Lamp  enlisted  as  a   Union 

•» 


f. 


694 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


f 


soldier  in  Co.  I,  104th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  until 
the  close  of  the  war  in  the  1 4th  Army  Corps,  under 
Gen.  Thomas.  He  participated  with  his  comrades 
in  the  battles  of  Chickamaugua,  Lookout  Mountain, 
Mission  Ridge,  and  marched  with  Sherman  in  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  which  lasted  1 25  days,  and  after- 
ward to  the  sea  under  Gen.  Sherman.  Soon  after 
entering  the  service  he  was  captured  with  the 
whole  brigade  by  Morgan's  Raiders,  and  held  as  a 
prisoner  several  days,  being  then  exchanged.  He 
served  through  the  war  without  receiving  a  scratch 
and  was  honorably  discharged  in  June,  1865.  He 
then  returned  to  Bloomington  and  engaged  with 
the  commission  firm  of  Ludington  &  Rood,  with 
whom  he  remained  through  its  various  changes 
until  he  became  a  partner,  and  is  engaged  with 
them  successfully  and  extensively  as  a  grain  dealer, 
their  elevator  being  located  on  the  Indiana,  Bloom- 
ington &  "Western  Railroad. 

Mr.  Lamp  was  married  in  1855,  to  Miss  Eliza 
Rice  of  Bloomington,  and  they  have  eight  children, 
four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mr.  Lamp  is  a 
straightforward  and  thorough-going  business  man, 
highly  esteemed  among  his  friends  and  fellow- 
citizens,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  0.  F.,  Uhland 
Lodge  No.  305,  also  to  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  146. 


ENJAMIN  STRETCH.  As  a  representative 
of  the  agricultural  class  of  McLean  County 

I  who  have  made  that  vocation  a  success  in 
life,  by  energetic  effort,  economy  and  good 
judgment,  we  take  pleasure  in  mentioning  the 
name  of  the  subject  of  this  notice.  He  has  a  fine 
farm  on  section  5,  Towanda  Township,  on  which  he 
resides,  and  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  labors,  and  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  sig- 
nal success.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  Jesse, 
and  the  mother  Elizabeth  (Vandolah)  Stretch,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  was  chiefly  en- 
gaged in  working  at  the  same  during  his  life.  After 
his  marriage  he  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  he 
removed  to  Ohio  and  lived  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Dayton  until  the  fall  of  1830.  During  that  year 
he  came  to  this  county  overland,  accompanied  by 


his  wife  and  nine  children,  and  settled  in  what  is 
now  known  as  Money  Creek  Township.  There  the 
old  folk  lived  and  labored,  with  but  one  interest  in 
common,  until  their  death.  They  had  a  large  family, 
fourteen  children,  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
man  and  womanhood,  eight  of  them  being  daugh- 
ters and  six  of  them  sons.  The  father  was  born 
Feb.  15,  1795,  and  died  Dec.  29,  1852.  His  wife 
was  born  March  6, 1790,  and  departed  this  life  May 
9,  1868.  They  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in 
McLean  County,  and  passed  through  all  the  trials 
incident  to  a  settlement  in  a  new  country. 

Benjamin  Stretch  was  the  thirteenth  in  order  of 
birth  of  his  parents'  children,  and  first  saw  light  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  this  county,  Nov.  28, 
1830.  His  school  privileges  were  exceedingly  lim- 
ited, and  the  knowledge  he  possesses  has  been  ac- 
quired through  years  of  constant  observation,  read- 
ing and  practice.  He  lived  with  the  old  folk  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  thus  far  in  life  his 
years  have  been  devoted  mostly  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  For  two  or  three  years  our  subject  was, 
in  company  with  Cornelius  Gatliff  and  E.  M.  B. 
Stretch,  under  the  firm  name  of  Stretch  &  Gatliff, 
in  mercantile  business  at  Towanda.  After  leaving 
the  parental  household  our  subject  farmed  on 
rented  land  for  two  years,  when  he  was  enabled  to 
purchase  eighty  acres  in  Money  Creek  Township. 
On  this  tract  he  settled  and  continued  at  farm  la- 
bor for  several  years,  when  he  removed  to  Lexing- 
ton, 111.,  and  there  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
and  was  thus  employed  for  about  four  years.  Dis- 
posing of  his  business  at  Lexington  he  returned 
to  his  farm  and  there  resided  until  1861.  During 
that  year  he  removed  to  Towanda  Township  and 
located  where  he  is  at  present  residing.  He  is  the 
owner  of  540  acres  of  valuable  land,  on  which  he 
has  good  improvements.  He  also  handles  stock 
quite  extensively,  and  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser 
stands  among  the  foremost  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Stretch  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Jan.  16,  1851,  to  Miss  Maranda  Kerr,  daugh- 
ter of  Peter  and  Jane  (Filphot)  Kerr,  natives  of 
Tennessee.  Her  parents  settled  in  their  native 
State  after  their  marriage,  and  there  lived  until 
1848,  when  they  emigrated  to  Macoupin  County, 
this  State,  and  thence  to  this  county  and  settled  in 

•» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


697 


Money  Creek  Township.  There  the  father  en- 
gaged in  fanning.  He  was  born  Sept.  29,  1807, 
and  died  at  the  residence  of  our  subject  Feb.  23, 
1861.  His  wife  was  born  Feb.  15,  1808,  and  de- 
parted this  life  Jan.  1  9,  1  864.  They  had  ten  children, 
two  sons  and  eight  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Stretch  of 
this  notice  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  She 
first  saw  light  in  Overtoil  County,  Tenn.,  Oct.  21, 
1832,  and  her  union  with  our  subject  has  been 
blest  by  the  birth  of  three  children  living—  Ethan  M. 
B.,  Isabella  A.  and  Winf  rod  J.  P.  Ethan  married  Miss 
Ella  Rogers,  and  by  her  had  one  child,  named 
Harry  L.  Ethan  was  a  physician  by  profession 
and  practiced  at  Shirley,  111.,  for  some  three  years, 
when  his  health  failed  him  and  he  was  compelled 
to  give  up  his  practice  and  return  to  the  farm  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  where  he  died  Oct.  13, 
1881.  Isabella  A.  Stretch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Cornelius  Gatliff,  and  they  are  living  in  To- 
wanda  Township.  Winfrod  J.  P.  was  married  to 
Miss  Stella  McMullon,  and  they  are  also  living  in 
Towanda  Township.  Our  subject  and  wife  have 
also  buried  two  children,  who  died  in  infancy,  and 
also  a  daughter,  Edith.  Mr.  Stretch  has  held  the 
office  of  Road  Commissioner  for  several  terms. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


J'"]  OHN  H.  CLIFT,  a  prominent  and  prosper- 
ous farmer  of  Yates  Township,  owns  and 
I  occupies  a  fine  homestead  on  section  27, 
'  and  is  a  good  representative  of  the  enter- 
prise, intelligence  and  industry  of  this  section  of 
the  Prairie  State.  He  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  April  15,  1843,  being  the  son  of  Henry  and 
Harriett  (Latham)  Clift,  natives  of  England,  and 
who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1842  and 
settled  in  New  York,  which  remained  their  home 
until  1853.  They  then  disposed  of  their  interests 
in  the  Empire  State  and  starting  for  the  farther 
West,  came  into  Illinois  and  located  on  a  farm  in 
Marshall  County.  There,  by  the  exercise  of  indus- 
try and  good  management,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject accumulated  sufficient  of  this  world's  goods  to 


enable  him  and  his  excellent  companion  to  pass 
their  later  years  in  peace  and  comfort,  retired  from 
active  labor.  They  removed  from  the  farm  into 
the  city  of  Henry,  where  they  are  now  residing  and 
enjoying  the  association  of  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances.  The  parental  family  included 
five  children,  of  whom  John  H.  is  the  eldest. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  ten  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  removed  with  their  family  from 
New  York  to  Illinois.  He  received  careful  home 
training,  a  good  common-school  education,  and  as- 
sisted his  father  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  remained 
under  the  home  roof,  in  Marshall  County,  until  the 
spring  of  1869,  and  then,  desirous  of  establishing  a 
homestead  of  his  own,  came  to  this  county  and  set- 
tled upon  a  part  of  the  farm  which  he  now  owns. 
His  first  purchase  consisted  of  eighty  acres  of  raw 
prairie,  which  amount  he  subsequently  doubled,  so 
that  now  he  is  the  owner  of  a  quarter  section  which 
he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Upon 
the  farm  which  he  has  thus  opened  and  improved 
he  erected  a  shapely  and  substantial  residence,  a 
good  barn  and  all  other  necessary  out-buildings. 
The  farm  is  well  stocked  with  good  grades  of  the 
domestic  animals  and  the  machinery  and  implements 
for  carrying  on  agriculture  are  of  the  latest  im- 
proved pattern.  Mr.  Clift  is  a  thorough-going 
business  man,  prompt  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  obli- 
gations and  ever  ready  to  assist  in  every  worthy 
public  enterprise.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  Republican  party  but  has  steadily  de- 
clined to  become  an  office-seeker.  He  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  member  of  Fairbury 
Lodge  No.  351. 

Probably  the  most  important  event  in  the  life  of 
John  H.  Clift  occurred  on  the  26th  of  November, 
1868,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Arabella,  daughter  of  John  T.  and  Ann  Smith. 
Mrs.  Clift  is  a  native  of  Illinois  and  was  born  in 
Peoria  County,  March  27,  1849.  Her  parents  now 
reside  in  the  little  city  of  Henry,  111.,  and  the  fa- 
ther is  numbered  among  the  substantial  men  of 
Marshall  County.  Of  this  genial  union  there  are 
three  interesting  daughters:  Grace,  born  Aug.  23, 
1870;  Jennie,  Jan.  11,  1879,  and  Edna,  Feb.  22, 
1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clift  are  devoted  members  of 
the  Evangelical  Methodist  Church,  to  the  support  - 

•ft 


t. 


698 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 

T 


of  which  they  contribute  liberally  and  cheerfully, 
and  are  among  the  first  to  encourage  works  of  charity 
and  benevolence.  They  are  numbered  among  the 
useful  members  of  the  community  and  in  their  daily 
lives  present  examples  worthy  of  imitation. 


J"  OHN  N.  WHEELER  represents  the  oldest 
family  now  residing  in  Belleflower  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Kalamazoo  County, 
i  Mich.,  Sept.  9,  1853,  and  is  the  son  of 
George  W.  Wheeler,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut, 
near  the  city  of  Hartford.  William  Wheeler,  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  who  followed  shoe- 
making  and  farming  combined,  spent  the  last  years 
of  his  life  near  Hartford,  and  was  a  gentleman 
highly  respected  in  his  community  for  his  upright 
character  and  straightforward  business  transactions. 
George  W.  Wheeler,  the  father  of  our  subject,  in- 
herited the  business  capacities  of  his  father,  and  at 
the  early  age  of  ten  years  went  out  from  under  the 
home  roof,  ambitious  to  do  for  himself.  He  car- 
ried with  him  a  pack  containing  light  dry-goods 
and  Yankee  notions,  which  he  peddled  through  the 
country,  following  this  occupation  successful!}-  for 
a  number  of  years.  George  W.  Wheeler  was  the 
seventh  of  seven  sons  who  were  born  to  his  par- 
ents. When  he  had  become  tired  of  peddling,  he 
went  into  Kentucky  and  engaged  in  a  plow  shop, 
and  thence,  after  a  few  years,  journeyed  to  Michi- 
gan. He  there  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  a 
part  of  which  he  cleared,  and  on  which  he  erected 
a  set  of  farm  buildings.  After  providing  a  com- 
fortable home  for  his  bride  he  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky and  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Helen 
M.  Wilson,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  The  young 
couple  immediately  started  to  their  new  home  and 
were  residents  of  Michigan  until  1856.  Thence 
they  removed  to  Illinois,  and  after  two  years  spent 
in  Bureau  County,  came,  in  1858,  to  McLean 
County.  Mr.  Wheeler  had  purchased  320  acres  of 
wild  land  in  Belleflower  Township,  which  comprised 
the  southwest  quarter  of  section  23,  and  for  a  part 
of  which  he  paid  $3  per  acre,  and  for  the  balance 
lying  on  sections  23  and  24,  he  paid  $2.50  per  acre. 
He  drew  lumber  from  Ludlow,  twenty-four  miles 


distant,  to  erect  a  house,  first,  however,  building  a 
small  stable,  which  the  family  occupied  before  the 
house  was  completed.  lie  improved  a  large  part 
of  his  land,  and  lived  to  see  the  country,  where  the 
deer  and  wolves  roamed  wild  when  he  first  came  to 
it,  develop  into  prosperous  farms.  For  some  years 
there  was  no  school  accessible,  and  Mr.  Wheeler 
employed  a  tutor  for  his  children  at  his  own  house, 
believing  a  good  education  to  be  the  best  legacy 
he  could  leave  them.  After  a  well-spent  life,  he 
looked  his  last  upon  the  scenes  of  earth,  Oct.  26, 
1877.  Mrs.  W.  survived  her  husband  until  June 
28,  1882.  The  parental  family  included  ten  chil- 
dren, nine  now  living,  as  follows:  Amina,  the 
widow  of  J.  H.  Dean,  is  a  resident  of  Belleflower; 
Allie  M.  became  the  wife  of  F.  M.  Doxsee,  and 
lives  at  Bloomington;  John  N.  of  our  sketch  was 
the  third  child ;  Thomas  M.  lives  in  Belleflower 
Township ;  Alida  V.,  the  wife  of  W.  Q.  Garst,  and 
Nettie  I.,  the  wife  of  D.  F.  Sill,  live  in  Bellettower; 
George  W.  lives  in  Belleflower  Township;  Frank 
W.  is  pursuing  his  studies  in  Wesleyan  University, 
at  Bloomington,  and  Nellie  is  a  student  of  the  High 
School  in  that  city. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  eldest  son  of 
his  parents,  and  received  his  early  education  at 
home,  as  stated.  He.  afterward  attended  a  district 
school  and  completed  his  studies  in  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity. When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  com- 
menced teaching,  and  was  thus  employed  during 
the  winters  for  three  years  following,  working  on 
the  farm  during  the  summer  season.  In  1876  he 
went  to  Chicago  and  was  employed  on  a  street-ear 
as  conductor.  He  afterward  entered  the  employ  of 
J.  V.  Farwell  &  Co.,  as  department  salesman.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  his  father  died,  and  our  subject, 
resigning  his  position,  returned  home  and  took 
charge  of  the  farm  for  one  year.  The  following 
year  he  operated  on  rented  land,  and  then  pur- 
chased the  lurnber-yard  in  Belleflower,  conducting 
this  for  nine  months,  then  selling  out  at  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  and  purchasing  a  one-half  inter- 
est in  a  dry-goods  store.  He  was  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising one  and  one-half  years,  then  sold  his 
interest  in  the  business,  and  purchased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  on  section  22,  Belleflower  Township. 
This  he  sold  in  1883,  and  then  purchased  the  farm 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


699  t  , 


he  now  owns  and  occupies.  This  comprises  160 
acres  of  good  land,  all  enclosed  and  in  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  The  farm  dwelling  is  a  shapely  and 
substantial  structure,  and  the  barns  and  out-build- 
ings in  all  respects  fulfill  the  requirements  of  the 
modern  and  progressive  farmer. 
.  The  marriage  of  John  N.  Wheeler  and  Miss  Jen- 
nie Conrad  was  celebrated  at  her  home  in  West 
Township,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1879.  Mrs.  W.  is 
a  native  of  Marion  County,  Iowa,  being  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  Conrad,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  was 
the  son  of  Adam  Conrad,  born  in  Maryland.  The 
latter  removed  from  his  native  State  to  Ohio,  thence 
to  Indiana,  and  afterward  to  this  county,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  father  of  Mrs. 
W.  was  married  in  Indiana,  and  after  his  removal 
from  that  State,  settled  in  Marion  County,  Iowa, 
where  he  remained  until  about  1860.  He  now  lives 
in  Washington  County,  Kan.  Mr.  and  Mr. Wheeler 
have  two  children, — Delia  Gracie  and  George  W. 
Our  subject  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  gentle- 
man always  interested  in  the  progress  of  education 
and  everything  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his 
adopted  State. 


STOCK  DALE,  a  well-known  citizen  of 
Randolph  Township,  owns  ,and  occupies  a 
valuable  homestead  located  on  section  32. 
It  comprises  150  acres  of  land  and  he  has 
occupied  it  since  1856.  In  addition  to  other  natural 
advantages  possessed  by  this  beautiful  country-seat, 
there  is  a  spring  of  mineral  water,  besides  a  creek 
which  provides  an  unfailing  supply  for  the  farm 
stock  and  other  needful  purposes.  The  family  resi- 
dence and  the  buildings  adjoining  are  tasteful 
structures. 

John  Stockdale  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  and 
Jane  (McNown)  Stockdale,  who  came  from  County 
Down,  Ireland,  having  been  married  there  before 
their  emigration  to  this  country.  They  were  of 
pure  Irish  ancestry  and  parentage.  The  parents  of 
our  subject,  immediately  after  their  marriage,  which 
occurred  in  1810,  started  for  the  New  World. 
They  located  in  Allegheny  County,  Pa.,  on  a  farm 
of  120  acres,  which  remained  their  home  for  a 


period  of  sixteen  years.  They  then  sold  out  and 
removed  into  Washington  County,  just  across  the 
river  from  their  old  home.  The  father  here  pur- 
chased 226  acres  upon  which  they  remained  the 
balance  of  their  lives,  the  mother  dying  in  1833, 
when  forty  years  of  age,  and  the  father  in  1851, 
aged  fifty-eight  years.  Their  family  consisted  of 
ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  two  of 
the  younger  sons  being  deceased.  The  others  are 
all  married  and  comfortably  established  in  homes 
of  their  own. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Stockdale, 
Sr.,  was  also  a  native  of  County  Down,  Ireland, 
where  he  spent  his  entire  life,  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  Philps,  a  native 
of  his  own  country,  and  they  reared  a  family  of 
three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Of  these  the  father 
of  our  subject  was  the  youngest  son.  While  yet  a 
young  man  and  when  crossing  the  English  Channel, 
he  was  pressed  into  the  British  service  and  com- 
pelled to  follow  the  fortunes  of  a  soldier  for  two 
years,  although  they  were  usually  held  for  seven. 
He  possessed  a  good  education  and  obtained  his 
release  through  his  own  efforts,  and  assisted  by 
friends.  He  soon  afterward  came  to  America  and 
became  prominent  in  the  political  affairs  of  his 
adopted  State.  He  was  identified  with  the  Whig 
party  and  was  a  man  whose  opinions  were  greatly 
respected,  both  upon  political  and  general  matters. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Pa.,  and  at  an  early  age  labored 
hard  around  the  homestead  and  in  the  grain  fields 
of  his  father.  The  harvest  was  then  gathered  by 
the  sickle  and  later  with  the  cradle,  the  convenient 
machinery  of  to-day  being  unknown,  and  the  la- 
bors of  the  farmer  were  arduous  and  almost  endless. 
Our  subject  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage,  which 
occurred  on  the  same  farm  where  he  was  born,  but 
in  a  house  which  was  erected  later.  The  maiden 
of  his  choice  was  Miss  Margaret  Corry,  and  their 
wedding  took  place  Feb.  26,  1847.  Mrs.  S.  was 
born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  in  October,  about  1820, 
her  parents  being  James  and  Isabell  (Stockdale) 
Corry,  who  were  also  born,  reared  and  married  in 
County  Down,  Ireland.  They  also  soon  afterward 
came  to  this  country  and  located  in  Pittsburgh, 
her  father  being  connected  with  the  iron  works  of 


t 


,700 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 


that  city.  He  afterward  purchased  the  first  tract 
of  land  upon  which  a  farm  was  opened  up  in  Al- 
legheny County,  this  being  owned  by  William 
Stockdale,  the  father  of  our  subject.  There  he  es- 
tablished a  comfortable  home  and  there  the  mother 
died  while  yet  in  the  prime  of  life,  leaving  her 
husband  with  eleven  children  to  mourn  their  irrep- 
arable loss.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was  the  eld- 
est daughter  but  one  of  these  and  only  two  be- 
sides herself  are  living.  The  father  came  to  Iowa 
in  1862.  and  died  in  Van  Buren  County,  that  State, 
in  1879,  having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- 
six  years.  His  father  before  him,  Frank  Corry, 
lived  and  died  in  Ireland,  and  was  one  hundred  and 
one  years  of  age. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stockdale  of  this  sketch  became 
the  parents  of  three  children:  William  B.,  a  hard- 
ware merchant  of  Heyworth,  married  Miss  Anna 
Wakefleld;  James  C.  is  manager  of  the  home  farm, 
and  Alice  B.  also  lives  with  her  parents.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  S.  soon  after  their  marriage  located  upon  the 
farm  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  about  1855  came  to 
Sangamon  County,  111.,  where  they  purchased  a  farm 
and  after  living  upon  it  a  few  months  became 
homesick  and  selling  out  went  back  to  that  State. 
The  year  following  they  tried  coming  West  again, 
and  after  coming  to  this  State  and  county  resolved 
to  endure  a  little  homesickness  and  have  succeeded 
admirably.  They,  with  their  son  William  B.  and 
their  daughter  Alice,  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  Mr.  Stockdale  is 
a  Republican  and  a  citizen  who  has  gained  the  es- 
teem of  his  neighbors.  The  grandparents  ou  the 
maternal  side  were  John  and  Miss  (Hunter)  Mc- 
Nown  and  the  names  of  the  grandparents  of  Mrs. 
Stockdale  of  our  sketch  were  William  and  Miss 
(Hastings)  Stockdale. 


J~  AMES  KIMLER.   The  name  of  this  honored 
pioneer,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  McLean, 
is  familiar  throughout  the  greater  part  of  this 
^      county   as   being  a  synonym  of  goodness, 
perseverance  and  integrity,  and  it  is  with  pleasure 
that  we  present  his  portrait  in  this  volume.     He 
r  came  to  this  section  when  the  country   was  wild 


and  uncultivated,  and  in  common  with  the  early 
settlers  of  that  period,  experienced  the  trials  and 
privations  incident  to  life  in  a  new  country. 
With  them  he  bravely  and  cheerfully  labored,  and 
with  them  will  leave  his  footprints  where  genera- 
tions shall  follow  with  far  less  toil  and  many  more 
of  the  comforts  and  luxuries  of  life. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Loudoun 
County,  Va..  Aug.  16,  1811.  His  father,  Moses 
Kimler,  was  a  native  of  the  same  State,  and  his 
grandfather,  John  Kimler,  a  native  of  Germany, 
emigrated  to  America  after  his  marriage  and  settled 
in  Virginia,  where  all  his  children  were  born.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  by  occupation  and  followed  his 
trade  in  Loudoun  County  the  greater  part  of  his 
life.  The  family  consisted  of  eight  sons  and  two 
daughters,  as  follows:  Moses,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  the  eldest  born ;  Evan  died  in  Fulton 
County,  111. ;  Daniel  spent  his  last  years  in  Missouri ; 
John  died  in  Bloomington,  111.;  Benjamin  died  in 
Fulton  County,  111.,  and  Israel  in  Tazewell  County ; 
Bailey  and  Caleb  both  died  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, this  county ;  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Alexander 
Montgomerj-,  died  in  Indiana;  Eliza  married  Sam- 
uel Schooley,  and  died  in  l)e  Witt  County,  111. 

Moses  Kimler,  the  father  of  our  subject,  learned 
the  blacksmith's  trade  from  his  father  and  worked 
at  it  in  his  native  county  until  about  1815.  A  few 
years  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Kentucky 
by  means  of  a  large  wagon  and  five  horses.  He 
took  with  him  his  wife  and  three  children,  and 
they  were  accompanied  by  his  brother  John,  and 
another  family.  At  Wheeling,  they  loaded  their 
effects  and  their  families  onto  a  flatboat  and  went 
down  the  Ohio  River  to  Maysville.  Mr.  K.  was 
out  of  money  and  stopped  two  weeks  to  earn 
enough  to  take  himself  and  family  into  Bourbon 
County.  After  arriving  there  he  followed  his  trade 
until  1824.  He  then  determined  to  seek  a  home  in 
Indiana,  and  started  overland  with  a  pair  of  horses 
and  a  wagon,  our  subject  being  one  of  the  members 
of  the  family.  They  visited  the  present  site  of  In- 
dianapolis, which  was  then  a  very  small  village  of 
a  few  log  cabins,  in  one  of  which  was  kept  a  hotel. 
Mr.  K.  then  looked  around  for  a  location  and  con- 
cluded to  settle  near  Crawfordsville,  Montgomery 
Co.,  Ind.  He  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


703 


- 


land  and  built  a  hewed-log  house  near  the  road 
which  led  from  Crawfordsville  to  Indianapolis. 
This  structure  was  considered  quite  an  imposing 
one  for  those  days,  having  four  rooms,  two  on  the 
ground  floor  and  two  "  upstairs."  Into  this,  when 
finished,  he  removed  his  family  and  opened  a 
hotel.  In  the  meantime  he  also  worked  at  his 
trade,  and  remained  a  resident  of  the  Hoosier  State 
until  1834.  He  then  came  to  this  county  and 
settled  in  the  grove  about  one  mile  south  of  the 
present  site  of  Le  Roy.  There  John  W.  Baddeley 
had  laid  out  a  town,  and  Mr.  K.  purchased  a  lot 
and  put  up  a  log  house  and  a  blacksmith-shop.  The 
village,  however,  did  not  flourish,  and  after  Le  Roy 
was  started  he  removed  there,  and  established  the 
first  blacksmith-shop  in  the  town.  He  continued  - 
here  at  his  trade  as  long  as  able  to  work,  but  re- 
tired from  active  labor  in  1847;  his  death  occurred 
in  1850. 

The  niother  of  our  subject,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Mary  Akers,  was^born  in  Virginia,  of 
Welsh  descent,  and  by  her  marriage  with  Moses 
Kimler  became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  tjie 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows:  John  died  in  Indiana 
in  1826;  Richard  died  in  Marion  County,  Iowa; 
James,  our  subject,  was  the  third  child ;  Mary  A. 
died  in  Virginia  when  a  young  child ;  Robert  died 
in  McLean  County,  111. ;  Elizabeth  became  the  wife 
of  Thomas  Buckles,  and  lives  in  Empire  Town- 
ship, this  county ;  William  died  at  Le  Roy ;  Jeffer- 
son served  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  94th  Illinois 
Infantry  and  died  in  the  service  at  Springfield, 
Mo.,  in  1862;  Benjamin  lives  in  Missouri,  and 
Franklin  in  Farmer  City,  111. 

James  Kimler  was  but  four  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  removed  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky, 
and  fourteen  when  they  went  to  Indiana.  He  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  1832,  in  which  year 
he  attained  his  majority,  then  came  to  this  county, 
and  worked  for  his  uncle,  John  Kimler,  for  the  two 
years  following.  In  1834  he  went  to  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  in  company  with  three  Orendorff  brothers. 
They  had  one  horse  among  them  and  "  rode  and 
tied,"  that  is,  one  of  the  party  would  ride  ahead 
and  at  some  convenient  place  would  tie  the  horse 
and  walk  along,  and  when  the  others  caught  up 
'  '  with  the  horse,  another  would  do-  the  same.  The 


northern  part  of  the  State  was  thinly  settled  at 
that  time  and  houses  were  frequently  twenty-five 
to  thirty  miles  apart.  Milwaukee  then  had  but 
three  stores  and  Indians  were  a  very  common 
sight.  Alfred  Orendorff  had  been  there  before  and 
made  a  claim,  upon  which  he  built  a  log  cabin  on 
land  now  included  within  the  city  limits  of  Mil- 
waukee. There  the  party  kept  bachelors'  hall.  The 
land  had  not  then  come  into  market  but  settlers 
were  rapidly  arriving  and  making  claims,  and  our 
subject  was  employed  by  them  to  show  land  and 
build  cabins,  and  he  made  and  purchased  claims  to 
a  tract  now  included  in  the  city  limits  of  Mil- 
waukee. In  the  fall  of  1836  Mr.  Kimler  returned 
to  Le  Roy  and  spent  the  winter,  and  the  spring 
following  commenced  to  purchase  cattle  and  drive 
them  to  the  Milwaukee  market,  in  which  business 
he  made  money,  and  which  he  followed  for  two  or 
three  years.  In  1839  the  land  came  into  market, 
and  in  company  with  Benjamin  Cox,  our  subject 
entered  about  800  acres,  now  also  included  in  the 
city.  They  soon  afterward  divided  the  land  and  Mr. 
K.  remained  upon  and  improved  a  part  of  his  pos- 
sessions. The  following  year  he  returned  to  Le 
Roy  and  purchased  land  adjoining  the  town  on  the 
Northwest,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1846,  then  partially  abandoned  agriculture  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  business,  which  he  carried 
on  for  about  five  years.  He  then  sold  his  interests 
in  merchandise  and  returned  to  farming,  which  he 
continued  until  1883.  He  then  sold  his  farm  and 
removed  into  Le  Roy,  where  he  entered  an  elevator 
and  engaged  in  the  grain  trade.  Two  years  later 
the  elevator  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  since  that 
time  Mr.  Kimler  has  not  been  engaged  in  any 
active  business,  having  accumulated  a  handsome 
competency  for  himself  and  family. 

The  marriage  of  James  Kimler  and  Miss  Cas- 
sandraTClearwaters  took  place  Jan.  28,  1838.  Mrs. 
K.  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Reuben  and  Jane  (Miller)  Clearwaters, 
who  were  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina 
and  Pennsylvania.  Of  this  union  have  been  born 
six  children :  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  .Lewis  Stout, 
lives  at  Le  Roy ;  Harriett  B.,  Mrs.  James  L.  Silvers, 
lives  in  Fairmount;  Martha  and  her  husband, 
Joseph  Neal,  live  in  Farmer  City;  Cassandra  be- 


t 


*=* 


704 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


came  the  wife  of  Preston  Bishop,  of  West  Town- 
ship; Elizabeth,  Mrs.  John  Love,  also  lives  in  that 
township;  Lina  became  the  wife  of  L.  H.  Dela- 
plain,  of  Rush  County,  Kan. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  united  with  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  in  1840,  of  which  he  has  been 
Trustee,  Steward  and  Class- Leader  almost  since  the 
beginning.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for 
Andrew  Jackson  and  his  second  for  Gen.  Harrison. 
He  voted  with  the  Whigs  until  the  abandonment 
of  the  old  party  in  1856,  and  then  identified  him- 
self with  the  new  Republican  party.  Mr.  Kimler 
has  taken  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  the  tem- 
perance movement  and  has  now  arrayed  himself  in 
the  cause  of  prohibition.  He  has  in  all  respects 
fulfilled  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen,  and  has 
his  reward  in  the  profound  respect  and  esteem  of 
all  who  know  him. 


FRANCIS  M.  HALL,  a  skillful  farmer  and 


breeder  of  Short-horn  cattle,  is  located  on 
section  24,  Danvers  Township,  where  for 
many  years  he  has  carried  on  the  different  depart- 
ments of  his  calling  with  success.  Mr.  Hall  was 
born  in  Todd  County,  Ky.,  March  25,  1833,  and 
is  the  son  of  Young  and  Rachel  F.  (Hay)  Hall,  also 
natives  of  the  Blue  Grass  State.  They  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  McLean  County  in  the  spring 
of  1835,  since  which  time  they  have  been  residents 
here.  Their  family  included  nine  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Henry  P.;  Francis  M. ;  John  R.,  who  lives  in 
Iowa;  Young,  who  died  in  Kansas  ten  years  ago; 
Isaac  is  a  resident  of  McLean  County ;  George,  now 
in  Iowa;  James,  in  Chicago; and  Susan  and  Mary 
both  died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  died  in  this  county  in  October,  1883, 
Mr.  Hall  is  still  living  at  the  venerable  age  of 
eighty  years. 

Francis  M.  Hall  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  had  reached  years  of  maturity,  and 
was  then  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  E. 
Barnard,  on  the  19th  of  August,  1855,  the  cere- 
mony being  performed  by  Elder  G.  W.  Manear,  of 
the  Christian  Church.  Mrs.  Hall  was  born  in  Mc- 
Lean County,  June  22, 1838.  Her  parents,  James  0. 


and  Lydia  (Swallow)  Barnard,  were  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  Ohio  respectively.  James  O.  Barnard 
removed  from  his  native  State  to  Illinois  in  March, 
1828,  and  located  in  Dry  Grove  Township  upon  a 
small  tract  of  land,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1873.  The  mother  died 
in  1847.  Their  children  were  Nancy  A.,  now  Mrs. 
John  A.  Artis,  and  the  wife  of  our  subject.  The  chil- 
dren of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  are:  James  F.,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Fiirman,  and  is  residing  in  Dry  Grove; 
Lydia  R.,  now  Mrs.  Bennett  Suavely,  residing  near 
Kearney,  Neb, ;  Willie  died  in  infancy ;  Young  M. 
married  Miss  Mary  Lamb,  and  is  living  near  Kear- 
ney, Neb. ;  George  E.  died  when  one  year  old ;  Jes- 
sie died  in  infancy ;  Ellen  died  at  the  age  of  two 
and  one-half  years;  Eva  J.,  the  youngest  of  the 
family,  was  born  Sept.  '21,  1877,  and  is  residing  at 
home. 

Mr.  Hall  came  to  Dry  Grove  Township  with  his 
parents  in  August,  1835,  and  remained  there  until 
the  fall  of  1858,  when  he  settled  at  his  present 
home  in  Danvers  Township,  which  is  only  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  his  first.  In  1874  he  began 
the  breeding  of  Shorn-horn  cattle,  and  in  1885 
went  to  Kentucky  and  purchased  twenty-two  head 
of  choice  families,  including  the  Oxford,  Bar- 
rington  and  others  obtained  from  Col.  Sims,  of 
Paris,  Ky.  Besides  two  males  he  has  twenty  cows 
from  different  families,  and  among  his  transactions 
since  that  time  one  public  sale  of  eighteen  calves 
six  months  old  yielded  him  an  average  of  $50  per 
head. 

The  farm  of  Mr.  Hall  embraces  570  acres  of 
finely  improved  land.  In  the  spring  of  1882  he 
erected  a  handsome  residence,  34x53  feet  in  area, 
with  two  stories  and  basement,  containing  twelve 
rooms.  It  is  situated  upon  a  rise  of  ground  and 
commands  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding  country 
for  many  miles  each  way.  His  barns,  outhouses 
and  other  accommodations  for  stock  are  all  first 
class,  and  his  business  is  conducted  in  that  system- 
atic manner  which  is  the  sure  forerunner  of  success. 

Mr.  Hall  has  been  quite  a  traveler,  visiting  the 
principal  cities  of  the  United  States.  He  was  at 
the  Centennial  in  1 876,  has  traveled  from  Washing- 
ton City  to  San  Francisco,  and  visited  the  World's 
Fair  at  New  Orleans  in  1885.  Our  subject  is  the 


f 

1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


705 


only  representative  of  the  Knights  Templar  in  this 
township.  He  is  an  active  and  earnest  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  with  which  he  became  iden- 
tified in  1874,  first  in  Allin  Lodge  No.  685;  he  is  a 
Royal  Arch  Mason  of  Chapter  No.  26,  at  Blooni- 
ington,  111.,  and  also  belongs  to  DeMolay  Com- 
mandery  No.  24,  K.  T.  Accompanied  by  his  wife 
he  attended  the  Triennial  Conclave  at  Chicago  in 
1880.  Three  years  later  they  went  to  California, 
and  in  1886  to  St.  Louis  to  attend  the  twenty-third 
conclave.  Mr.  Hall  has  been  Master  in  the  Blue 
Lodge  in  Danvers  for  one  year.  He  was  a  charter 
member  in  Danvers  Lodge  No.  742,  and  has  given 
much  time  as  well  as  means  in  assisting  to  main- 
tain the  principles  of  the  order,  of  which  he  is  a 
great  admirer. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hall  is  a  Douglas  Democrat.  He 
has  been  connected  with  the  Christian  Church  for 
the  last  thirty-five  years,  Mrs.  H.  also  being  a 
member  of  the  same.  Our  subject  is  in  all  respects 
a  worthy  representative  of  the  enterprise,  industry 
and  intelligence  of  this  county,  and  presents  a  fine 
example  of  the  valued  citizen  and  worthy  member 
of  society.  In  the  galaxy  of  portraits  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  the  county  given  in  this  volume  may 
very  properly  be  found  that  of  Mr.  Hall. 


bHOMAS  H.  BOUNDS,  a  highly  respected 
farmer  of  Gridley  Township,  of  which  he 
became  a  resident  in  1857,  is  the  owner  of 
160  acres  of  good  land,  and  in  a  comfortable  home- 
stead, enjoys  the  reward  of  earlier  toil  and  industry. 
His  parents  were  Henry  and  Hannah  (Rhoads) 
Bounds,  the  father  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  the 
mother  of  Pennsylvania.  After  their  marriage  the 
parents  settled  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  whence 
they  afterward  removed  to  Licking  County,  same 
State,  where  the  mother  died  in  1842.  Henry 
Bounds  afterward  removed  to  Michigan,  in  1875, 
and  died  in  1880. 

Our  subject  was  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren. He  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  Aug. 
6,  1834,  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  re- 
mained in  his  native  State  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  vears  old.  He  then  came  to  this  State  and 


county,  settling  in  Gridley  Township,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  Here  he  was  married,  on  the  27th  of 
May,  1860,  to  Miss  Mary  Messer,  who  was  born  in 
Gridley  Township,  Oct.  8,  1841.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  J.  B.  and  Susan  (Estey)  Messer,  who  arc 
mentioned  in  the  sketch  of  J.  P.  Messer,  whose 
biography  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
work,  J.  P.  Messer  being  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Bounds. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  five 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Maria 
E.,  the  eldest,  died  when  three  years  old:  Henry 
E.  married  Miss  Mary  B^'ant,  and  lives  in  Gridley 
Township;  Thomas  died  when  quite  young;  Will- 
iam A.  and  Margaret  E.  are  at  home. 

Mr.  Bounds  has  held  the  office  of  School  Direc- 
tor and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  politically  our  subject  is  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  Democratic  party. 


R.  HENRY  PARKHURST,  a  highly  es- 
teemed resident  of  the  village  of  Danvers, 
this  county,  is  a  skillful  physician  and  also 
a  dealer  in  drugs  and  medicines,  having 
his  store  and  office  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Exchange  streets.  Dr.  Parkhurst  was  born  in 
Sharon,  Vt.,  Feb.  20, 1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Elisha 
and  Hannah  (Huntington)  Parkhurst.  Both  par- 
ents were  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  both  came  to 
Vermont  in  their  childhood.  They  were  married 
in  the  Green  Mountain  State,  where  the  father  died 
in  1840,  and  the  mother  some  years  later  upon  the 
farm  which  constituted  their  homestead.  Of  the 
nine  children  born  to  them,  the  record  is  as  fol- 
lows: Harriet,  Lydia  and  a  babe  unnamed  died  in 
infancy;  Hiram,  Hannah,  Sarah,  Phineas,  Harvey 
and  Araunah  lived  to  reach  their  majority,  and 
three  are  now  living.  The  Parkhurst  family  are  of 
English  origin,  as  also  were  the  Huntingtons,  and 
both  families  were  remarkable  as  being  long-lived 
and  possessing  those  principles  which  constituted 
them  useful  and  honored  citizens. 

Henry  Parkhurst  was  reared  upon  his  father's 
farm,  receiving  his  primary  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  was  seventeen  years  of  age  when 


,   706 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


his  father  died.  He  afterward  attended  the  Orange 
County  Grammar  School  and  a  select  school,  and 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  Davis  & 
Jones,  in  Manchester,  N.  H.  After  closely  apply- 
ing himself  for  two  years  he  attended  Berkshire 
Medical  College  one  term,  the  Medical  College  at 
Woodstock,  Vt.,  for  one  term,  and  afterward  en- 
tered Buffalo  University,  from  which  he  graduated 
on  the  26th  of  February,  1851.  That  same  year 
young  Parkhurst  put  out  his  shingle  in  Prairieville, 
Mich.,  where  he  followed  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession  successfully  for  three  years.  He  then 
came  to  Danvers,  this  county,  in  1854,  and  has 
continued  since  that  time  engaged  in  his  practice 
and  the  trade  in  drugs.  That  same  year,  on  the  1st 
of  January,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine 
L.  Skillman,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1832, 
and  came  to  Illinois  several  years  before  her  mar- 
riage. They  became  the  parents  of  three  children, 
all  now  deceased :  Mary  F.  died  at  the  age  of  four 
years;  Katie,  when  an  infant,  and  Julia  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two. 

Dr.  Parkhurst  owns  the  building  in  which  he  has 
his  store,  and  resides  with  his  family  in  a  handsome 
residence  located  on  Exchange  street.  He  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  of  which  he  has  been  a  Trustee  for  a  num- 
'ber  of  years.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party.  He  belongs  to  Danvers 
Lodge  No.  742,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  has  held 
various  offices  in  connection  therewith.  He  identi- 
fied himself  with  the  Masons  over  thirty  years  ago. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  an  Army  Sur- 
geon in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  died  of  the 
yellow  fever,  the  place  of  his  burial  being  unknown. 


OHN  LAMONT,  a  retired  farmer,  is  now  a 


resident  of  Le  Roy,  and  situated  in  a  pleas- 


I 

ant  and  comfortable  home  where  he  is  living 
v§j?  in  tne  enjoyment  of  a  competency,  accumu- 
lated through  his  own  industry  and  perseverance. 
Mr.  Lamont  was  born  in  Scotland,  Feb.  14,  1809, 
and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Martha  (LaFevre)  La- 
ment, the  father  a  native  of  Argyleshire  and  the 
mother  of  France.  Our  subject  was  but  an  infant 


when  his  parents  took  him  to  England,  and  he  there 
grew  to  manhood,  in  the  city  of  London.     He  was 
trained  in  early  life  to  habits  of  industry,  and  when 
very  young  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  brickl.Ty- 
ing  and   plastering,  which  he  followed  in  London 
until  1850.     Then,  resolving  to  emigrate  to  Amer- 
ica, he  set  sail  on  the  8th  of  June,  that  year,  and 
landed  in  New  York  City  on  the  31st  of  July  fol- 
lowing.      He    was  accompanied  by    his   wife  and 
child,  and  proceeded   directly   to  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
via  the  Hudson  River  to  Alleghany,  and  complet- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  journey  by  the  Erie  Canal. 
He  followed  his  trade  in  Buffalo  for  a  few  months, 
then  proceeded  to  Indiana,  first  stopping  at  Cov- 
ington,  Ky.,  and  thence  proceeding  to  Perrysville, 
Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  January,  1852.     He 
then  started  overland  for  Illinois,  with  a  team  of 
horses  and  wagon  which  he  had  hired  for  the  pur- 
pose.    Upon  arriving  in  Le  Roy,  this  county,  he 
rented  a  small  house  about  one  mile  south  of  the 
town.     His  worldly  possessions  consisted  of  a  scanty 
supply  of  household  goods,  and  $2.50  in  cash.     He 
had,  however,  a  good  stock  of  courage  and   deter- 
mination, and  immediately  set  about  procuring  em- 
ployment.    His  intelligent  face  and  pleasing  man- 
ner at  once  secured  him   friends,  and  he  was  sel- 
dom   idle,  being  willing  to  employ  his  hands  at 
whatever  he  c6uld  find  to  do.     In  the  winter  sea- 
son he  occupied  himself  with  odd  jobs  and   when 
spring  opened  worked  at  his  trade   when  opportu- 
nity offered,  and   one  winter  was  employed  on  a 
farm  at  fifty  cents  per  day,  which  at  that  time  was 
considered  good  wages.     He  was  prudent  and  eco- 
nomical, and  saved  his  money,  and  in  due  time  was 
enabled  to  purchase  seven  and   one-half  acres  of 
land,  for  which  he  paid  $65.     Upon  this  he  built  a 
log  house,  and  worked  at  his  trade  and  cultivated 
his  land,  putting  in  all  his  time  to  good  account. 
He  was  prospered  in  his  labors  and  in   due  time 
added  to  his  landed  possessions  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  100  acres,  under  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  supplied  with  all   necessary  and   conve- 
niejit  farm  buildings.     This  he  leases  to  a  tenant 
who  operates  it,  and  which  yields  to  its  proprietor 
a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Lamont  was  married  in  the  city  of  London, 
in  1846,  to  Miss  Sarah  Durham,  who   was   born   in 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


707  ,  , 


Aylesbury,  Buckinghamshire,  England,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Pattie  (Wrighton)  Dur- 
ham, natives  of  the  same  country.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lnmont  became  the  parents  of  one  child,  a  son 
named  Peter  James.  He  was  born  in  England,  Oct. 
28,  1848,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Le  Roy,  follow- 
ing the  trade  of  a  bricklayer  and  plasterer.  He 
married  Miss  Hester  Atherton,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  they  have  five  children  —  Sarah  E.,  Francis  P., 
Victoria  A.,  Clara  E.  and  Blanche  D. 

Mrs.  Lamont  has  in  her  possession  a  Bible  which 
was  printed  in  London  in  1637,  which  was  the  prop- 
erty of  her  great-great-grandfather.  It  is  bound 
in  leather  with  brass  corners,  and  formerly  had 
clasps  which  are  now  -gone.  She  also  has  a  Bible 
that  was  given  her  at  thirteen  years  of  age  in  a 
Sunday-school  at  Aylesbury,  through  the  liberality 
of  Lord  Wharton. 


PRANCIS  A.  RAWLINGS,  of  Belleflower 
Township,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State, 
born  near  Petersburg,  Menard  County,  Dec. 
14,  1849.  His  father,  John  E.  Rawlings,  was  born 
in  Fleming  County,  Ky.,  Oct.  18,  1810,  and  was 
the  son  of  Thomas  Rawlings,  a  native  of  Loudoun 
County,  Va.,  and  the  son  of  Presley  Rawlings.  The 
latter  was  born  in  England,  whence  he  emigrated 
to  America  when  a  young  man,  accompanied  by  his 
brother  Moses.  They  located  in  Virginia  and 
afterward  served  as  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  fighting  in  the  interests  of  the  colonies.  Moses 
was  never  heard  from  after  the  war  was  over. 
Presley  Rawlings  settled  in  Kentucky,  being  among 
the  earliest  pioneers  of  the  Blue  Grass  State.  He 
purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land  and  opened  up  a 
farm,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
His  son,  Thomas,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
and  the  eldest  of  seven  children,  after  attaining  to 
manhood,  married  Miss  Mary  Triby,  who  was  born 
in  Virginia  but  of  Kentucky  parentage.  She  in- 
herited a  tract  of  land  adjoining  her  father's  home- 
stead, together  with  four  slaves,  and  lived  there 
with  her  husband  the  remainder  of  her  life1.  They 
became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  John, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  youngest.  At 


that  time  there  were  no  free  schools  and  the  educa- 
tion of  John  E.  Rawlings  was  obtained  on  the  sub- 
scription plan.  The  temple  of  learning  was  a  rude 
structure  built  of  logs,  into  which  light  was  admit- 
ted through  panes  of  greased  paper. 

John  E.  Rawlings  assisted  his  father  in  establish- 
ing a  homestead  in  the  wilderness  and  cultivating  the 
soil,  remaining  under  the  home  roof  until  twenty- 
two  years  old.  He  then  farmed  in  partnership  with 
his  brother-in-law  for  two  years,  when  he  was 
married  and  operated  on  rented  land  until  1837.  In 
March  of  that  year  he  made  the  journey  to  Illinois, 
via  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers,  land- 
ing at  Beardstown.  He  first  proceeded  to  that  part 
of  Sangamon  County  included  in  Menard  County, 
and  purchased  a  farm  three  miles  above  Petersburg, 
on  the  Sangamon  River.  This  he  occupied  until 
1850,  then  removed  to  Waverly,  Morgan  Co.,  111., 
where  he  opened  a  store  of  general  merchandise. 
Two  years  later,  on  account  of  cholera,  he  sold  out 
and  returned  to  his  farm  in  Menard  County.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Sweet  Water,  after  selling 
his  farm,  and  operated  upon  rented  land  until  1859. 
That  year  he  came  to  this  county  and  purchased  a 
farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  which  he  occupied  un- 
til 1862,  then  removed  to  the  town  of  McLean  and 
began  to  deal  in  grain  and  agricultural  implements. 
He  was  thus  occupied  until  1873,  when  he  purchased 
and  removed  to  the  homestead  which  he  now  owns 
and  occupies. 

Mr.  Rawlings  was  married  on  the  1 6th  of  Janm- 
ary,  1834,  to  Miss  Polly  Scott,  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see, born  May  31,  1812,  and  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Jane  (Campbell)  Scott.  This  lady  died  at  the 
home  of  her  husband  in  Belleflower  Township,  on 
the  19th  of  January,  1878.  Mr.  Rawlings  was  mar- 
ried the  second  time,  Sept.  22,  1881,  to  Mrs.  Re- 
becca (Day)  Robbins,  who  was  born  near  Spring- 
field, 111.,  March  20,  1820.  Her  father,  Benjamin 
S.  Day,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  removed  to 
Kentucky  when  a  young  man,  where  he  married,  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  1818,  the  year  in  which  the  Ter- 
ritory was  transferred  into  a  State.  Mr.  Day  was 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Sangamon  County, 
His  daughter,  Rebecca,  remained  under  the  par- 
ental roof  until  her  first  marriage  in  March,  1836, 
to  Daniel  Robbins.  He  was  County  Judge  of  De 


t. 


708 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Witt  County  eight  years  and  Postmaster  of  Clinton 
twelve  years.  He  departed  this  life  in  De  Witt 
County  in  about  1871.  The  children  of  Mr.  Raw- 
lings  are  recorded  as  follows:  Austin  is  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  at  Kumber,  this  county;  Min- 
nie became  the  wife  of  R.  W.  Robinson  of  De  Witt 
County  ;  John  F.  lives  in  Farmer  City,  111.  Mrs. 
R.  by  her  first  marriage  became  the  mother  of  five 
children  ;  a  son,  Francis  K.,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Wellington,  Kan.,  is  the  only  one  living. 

Francis  A.  Rawlings  was  but  ten  years  old  when 
he  came  to  McLean  County  with  his  parents,  and 
has  been  a  resident  here  since  that  time.  He  re- 
ceived a  good  education,  and  in  1870  came  to  his 
father's  farm  in  Belleflower  Township,  which  he  has 
occupied  since  that  time.  He  makes  his  home  with 
his  parents. 


EES  GADDLS.  This  highly  respected  old 
gentleman,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  for  a  period  of  over  forty 
years,  is  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  Tazewell  County.  He  is  at  present  a 
resident  of  Martin  Township,  this  county,  and  al- 
though only  having  located  here  since  1885,  has 
fully  established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  es- 
teem of  its  best  citizens,  to  whom  his  form  on  the 
streets  has  become  a  familiar  figure,  regarded  with 
peculiar  affection.  Mr.  Gaddis  is  a  native  of 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  born  near  Xenia,  on  the  26th 
of  September,  1807.  His  grandfather,  Rees  Gad- 
dis, Sr.,  was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
His  father,  John  Gaddis,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  removed  to  the  Buckeye  State  with  his 
parents  when  a  small  lad.  The  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, after  reaching  years  of  manhood,  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Abigail,  the  daughter  of  John  Sea- 
man. They  settled  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  and 
were  there  occupied  in  farming  pursuits  for  a  brief 
time  only,  the  death  of  John  Gaddis  occurring 
when  the  subject  of  this  history  was  an  infant 
but  six  weeks  old.  Rees  Gaddis,  Jr.,  was  the 
second  child  of  his  parents,  and  remained  with  his 
mother  until  arriving  at  manhood.  After  the 
death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Gaddis  and  her  two 
'  children  went  to  live  with  her  father  in  Hamilton 


A, 


County,  Ohio,  whose  home  was  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio  River.  This  kindly  old  gentleman,  John  Sea- 
man by  name,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  of  Welsh  descent.  He  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  to  Ohio  as  early  as 
1800,  settling  in  Hamilton  County,  and  was  among 
its  earliest  pioneers  and  lived  there  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  On  the  Gaddis  side,  the  grandfather 
of  our  subject  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Campbell  County,  Ky.,  at  an  early  period  in  the 
history  of  that  State,  after  serving  as  a  Captain  in 
the  Revolutionary  War. 

Young  Gaddis  remained  an  inmate  of  his  grand- 
father's house  until  he  reached  mature  years. 
When  twenty-seven  years  of  age  he  and  his  mother 
went  back  to  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1848.  They  then  came 
to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  near  Tremont,  in 
Tazewell  County,  which  remained  the  home  of  the 
mother  until  her  death,  which  occurred  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety-two  years.  In  1851  Mr. 
Gaddis  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Martha 
Ann,  daughter  of  John  Bennett,  Esq.,  of  Tazewell 
County,  to  which  he  had  removed  from  Clinton 
County,  Ohio.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
G.  settled  on  a  farm  in  Tazewell  County  which  had 
become  the  property  of  Mr.  Gaddis  in  1848.  His 
original  purchase  was  125  acres,  to  which  he  subse- 
quently added  until  he  became  the  owner  of  300 
acres,  a  part  of  which  was  valuable  timber.  He 
made  a  specialty  of  hogs  and  cattle,  in  the  feed- 
ing and  sale  of  which  he  realized  a  handsome  sum 
of  money. 

Mr.  Gaddis  remained  on  his  farm  in  Tazewell 
County  until  the  spring  of  1885,  and  then  sold  out 
and  removed  to  his  present  homestead  in  McLean 
County,  on  section  16,  which  he  has  occupied  since 
that  time.  This  consists  of  320  acres  of  choice 
land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  on  which  he  has 
erected  a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of  farm 
buildings,  and  in  all  respects  has  converted  it  into 
one  of  the  handsomest  homesteads  in  this  count}'. 
Our  subject  is  now  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age, 
and  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  in  possession  of  those 
faculties  which  have  made  such  a  success  of  his  life 
and  earned  for  him  the  admiration  and  respect  of 
his  fellow-citizens.  In  early  life  he  was  a  Jeffer- 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


709 


sonian  Democrat,  but  after  the  abandonment  of  the 
old  Whig  party  by  the  organization  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  he  cordially  endorsed  the  princi- 
ples of  the  latter.  He  is  a  strong  advocate  of  tem- 
perance and  expects  to  see  the  cause  succeed 
through  the  Republican  party. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaddis,  five  in 
number,  included  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  of 
•whom  John  is  deceased ;  William  is  a  resident  of 
Martin  Township;  Alpheus  is  married  and  at 
home;  James  is  single  and  at  home;  Sarah  is  the 
wife  of  A.  M.  Hicks  of  Tazewell  County,  and  is 
the  eldest  of  the  familj'.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaddes, 
together  with  all  their  children,  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

-» — €-*• 


RANCIS  M.  JONES.  One  of  the  most 
prominent  farmers  and  stock-raisers  in  Mc- 
Lean County  is  the  gentleman  whose  name 
heads  this  notice.  He  is  the  owner  of  636  acres  of 
productive  and  valuable  land,  is  extensively  en- 
gaged in  stock-raising,  and  is  pleasantly  located  on 
his  fine  farm  on  section  15,  Towanda  Township. 
The  parents  of  Mr.  Jones  were  Abraham  R.  and 
Matilda  (Noel)  Jones,  the  former  a  native  of  Cay- 
uga  County,  York  State,  and  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  of  Welch  origin,  and  she  of  Ger- 
man ancestry.  The  father's  boyhood  years  were 
passed  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  in  1808  he 
came  to  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  with  his  par- 
ents, whence  he  accompanied  them  to  Clarke  Coun- 
ty, same  State,  where  he  lived  until  he  came  to 
this  county. 

Matilda  Noel  was  born  in  1795.  Her  parents 
soon  after  her  birth  removed  to  Maryland,  where, 
after  a  residence  of  seven  years,  they  sold  their  in- 
terests there  and  removed  to  Clarke  County,  Ohio. 
It  was  there  that  she  became  acquainted  with  the 
father  of  our  subject;  there  they  were  married, 
and  there  lived  until  coming  to  this  county,  in 
1856.  In  the  spring  of  that  year  they  made  the 
journey  overland  to  this  county,  and  settled  on 
section  10,  Towanda  Township,  where  the  father 
continued  to  follow  the  vocation  of  his  life,  that  of 
farming,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  11, 


1865.  After  his  death,  his  good  wife  took  up  her 
residence  in  the  village  of  Towanda,  and  there  died 
March  7,  1880. 

They  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  viz :  John, 
Levi,  William  W.,  Eliza  A.,  Cyrus,  Abraham  R., 
Jr.,  Nelson,  Phebe,  James  and  Francis  M.  John 
died  in  Clarke  County, Ohio,  aged  about  thirty -eight 
years;  Levi  was  a  farmer  of  Clarke  County;  Will- 
iam W.  resides  in  Towanda,  as  likewise  does  Eliza 
A. ;  Cyrus  is  a  capitalist,  and  a  resident  of  Cali- 
fornia; Abraham  R.,  Jr.,  departed  this  life  at  To- 
wauda,  April  7,  1878;  Nelson  is  a  farmer  on  sec- 
tion 16,  Towanda  Township;  Phebe  is  the  wife  of 
Martin  Arthur,  and  they  reside  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship; James  died  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  when 
three  years  old,  and  Francis  M.  is  our  subject. 

Francis  M.  Jones  was  born  in  Clarke  County, 
Ohio,  March  8, 1833,  where  his  early  life  was  spent. 
He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  also  at- 
tended two  terms  at  Wittenburg  College,  Spring- 
field, Ohio.  Thus  far  in  life  his  years  have  been 
devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Living  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  until  1851,  he  came  to  this  county 
on  horseback,  but  remained  only  a  short  time  when 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio.  In  thte  summer 
of  1852,  he  made  another  trip  to  this  county,  and 
entered  a  claim  to  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section 
11,  Towanda  Township,  and  also  traded  a  three- 
year-old  horse  for  another  eighty  acres,  adjoining 
his  claim,  and  which  was  entered  by  his  brother. 
After  entering  his  land  he  again  returned  to  his 
old  home  in  Ohio,  and  in  the  spring  of  1853  he 
came  back  to  this  county,  and  during  the  summer 
of  that  year  was  engaged  in  herding  cattle.  Dur- 
ing the  fall  of  that  year  he  assisted  in  driving  a 
drove  of  cattle  to  Chicago,  and  then  went  back  to 
Ohio,  and  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1855. 
He  then  went  to  New  Orleans,  and  from  there  to 
Texas,  ostensibly  for  the  purpose  of  looking  at  the 
country,  and  was  absent  until  the  spring  of  1856. 
During  the  summer  of  that  year  he  returned  to  this 
county,  and  broke  prairie  in  Towanda  Township, 
and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  father,  for  the  purpose  of  farming 
and  stock-raising,  and  which  relation  continued 
until  the  death  of  the  latter,  in  1865. 


n 


-  .    710 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Jones  made  his  settlement  in  Towanda 
Township  in  1856,  and  has  since  made  that  his 
home.  By  labor  and  economy,  together  with  good 
judgment,  he  has  added  to  his  landed  interests,  and 
is  now  the  owner  of  636  acres  of  valuable  and  pro- 
ductive land,  on  which  he  has  a  fine  set  of  farm 
buildings.  He  keeps  about  ten  head  of  horses  and 
150  head  of  cattle  on  his  place,  and  fattens  about 
fifty  head  of  hogs  for  the  market  annually. 

Our  subject  was  married  near  Clinton,  De  Witt 
Co.,  111.,  Jan.  28,  1858,  the  ceremony  being  per- 
formed by  Judge  J.  J.  McGraw,  to  Miss  Ann  M. 
Hampleman,  daughter  of  Daniel  H.  and  Sarah 
(Fletcher)  Hauipleman.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Clarke  County,  Ohio,  and  she  in  Greene  County, 
that  State.  There  they  passed  their  early  life,  and 
there  at  Xeuia  they  were  married,  and  soon  after- 
ward removed  to  Perry  County,  111.,  whence  they 
returned  to  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1851  emigrated  to  Montgomery  County,  Ind. 
Two  years  later  they  came  to  De  Witt  Count}', 
this  State,  and  settled  near  Clinton,  where  the 
father  engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  departed 
this  life  Nov.  13,  1867.  The  father  is  yet  living, 
aiid  engaged  in  his  chosen  calling  in  De  Witt 
County.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children:  Ann 
M.,  wife  of  our  subject;  Willis,  Emily,  Persy  L., 
Marion,  Albert,  George  and  Elizabeth.  Willis 
died  in  infancy;  Emily  became  the  wife  of  John 
White,  and  departed  this  life  in  De  Witt  County, 
111.,  March  25,  1865;  Persy  L.  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Charles  Davis,  and  died  at  Le  Roy,  this 
county,  Oct.  14,1876;  Marion  died  in  De  Witt 
County,  March  19.  1868;  Albert  departed  this  life 
in  De  Witt  County,  Aug.  10,  1880,  while  in  the 
twenty-ninth  year  of  his  age;  George  died  Oct.  27, 
1854,  when  one  year  old;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of 
J.  H.  Abbott,  and  they  are  living  in  Towanda 
Township. 

Mrs.  Jones,  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  Oct.  18,  1839.  She  lived  at  home 
until  her  marriage  with  our  subject,  and  by  him 
has  become  the  mother  of  seven  children — Price 
N.,  Edwin  E.,  Lola,  Maurice  E.,  Cyrus  G.,  Stella 
and  Max.  Price  N.  was  born  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship, Oct.  28,  1858;  he  married  Miss  Emma  Rari- 
don,  and  they  are  living  in  Towanda  Township; 


Edwin  E.  was  born  in  Towanda  Township,  Aug. 
18,  1860;  he  married  Miss  Josie  Shaw,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Towanda  Township;  Lola  was 
born  July  28,  1862,  and  departed  this  life  Dec.  6, 
1866;  Maurice  E.  was  born  Oct.  9,  1864;  Cyrus 
G.  first  saw  light  July  31,  1869;  Stella  was  born 
April  28,  1872,  and  Max,  June  2,  1875,  the  latter 
dying  Oct.  22,  1876. 

Mr.  Jones  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  office. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  holding 
fellowship  with  Lodge  No.  542,  of  Towanda,  and 
has  presided  over  that  body  for  seven  years,  as 
Worshipful  Master.  In  politics  our  subject  votes 
for  the  success  of  the  Republican  party.  His  farm 
is  one  of  the  best  in  McLean  County,  and  during 
the  dry  season  is  made  productive  by  Money  Creek 
running  through  it  from  southeast  to  northwest. 
During  the  drought  of  1886,  our  subject  was  en- 
abled to  raise  a  good  crop  upon  his  place,  while 
others,  not  having  the  advantages  of  location  that 
he  has,  suffered  considerably.  The  value  of  his 
farm  is  greatly  increased  by  four  artesian  wells 
which  he  has  on  the  place,  and  from  which  are  ex- 
tended two-inch  pipes  over  different  parts  of  the 
farm,  which  are  constantly  filled  with  flowing  water 
running  into  tanks  for  stock  purposes. 


J~~j  AMES  DODGE,  one  of  the  leading  hardware 
I    merchants  of  Normal,  has  been  a  resident  of 
I    the  Prairie  State  since  1878,  and  established 
'    his  present  business  three  years  later.     He 
carries  the  largest  stock  of  hardware  in  Normal  and 
is  a  straightforward  business  man  and  citizen   in 
every  sense  which  the  term   implies.     Mr.  Dodge 
was  born  in  Chautauqua   County,   N.  Y.,  June    1, 
1834,  his  parents   being  William   and   Mary   Ann 
(Kelley)  Dodge.     William    Dodge   was  born  and 
reared  in  the  Empire  State,  and  the  mother  of  our 
subject  was  of   Irish  birth  and  parentage.     Their 
household  circle  consisted  of  two   children — An- 
geline,  the  wife   of  M.   M.  Zeigler,  of  Lancaster, 
Wis.,  and  our  subject. 

James  Dodge  was  fully  orphaned  when  an  infant, 
by  the  death  of  both  parents.  He  was  then  re- 
ceived into  the  family  of  his  grandfather,  John 


I 


.t 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


Kelle3r,  and  remained  with  him  until  fourteen  years 
of  age,  during  which  time,  in  1850,  the  family  re- 
moved to  Grant  County,  Wis.  Here  our  subject 
commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  brickmason  and 
plasterer,  followed  this  for  two  years,  and  then 
took  up  the  tinner's  trade  with  his  brother-in-law, 
and  was  afterward  associated  in  business  with  him 
until  1857.  He  then  removed  to  Plattsville,  Wis., 
where  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  remain- 
ing there  until  1878.  That  year  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois, stopped  first  four  mouths  at  Belleflower, 
then  six  months  in  Bloomingtou,  whence  he  came 
to  Normal  and  engaged  with  George  Champion 
until  1881.  He  then  established  his  present  busi- 
ness which  he  has  operated  successfully  since  that 
time. 

Mr.  Dodge  was  married,  Dec.  16,  1858,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Murphy,  a  native  of  Lawrence  County, 
111.,  and  the  daughter  of  William  V.  and  Elizabeth 
Murphy.  Of  this  union  there  are  three  children 
living — Mary  Ann,  the  wife  of  Lee  Stewart,  of 
Bloomington;  Abner  M.,  and  James  E.  Mrs.  Eliz- 
abeth Dodge  departed  this  life  on  the  26th  of 
March,  1882,  and  Mr.  Dodge  was  again  married, 
Oct.  16,  1884,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Witham,  of 
Normal.  In  politics  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat, religiously  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  socially  belongs 
to  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  A  view  of  Mr.  Dodge's  business 
house  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


REDERICK  P.  PEASE,  formerly  a  minister 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  is  now  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  on  the  home- 
stead of  his  father-in-law,  on  section  31,  in  White  Oak 
Township.  Mr.  Pease  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State, 
having  been  born  in  Pike  County  in  1849.  His  par- 
ents were  Alonzo  and  Maria  (Wilson)  Pease,  natives 
respectively  of  New  York  and  Ohio.  Alonzo  Pease 
•was  bom  in  1818,  and  removed  from  his  native 
State  to  Illinois  about  1840.  He  rented  land  for 
four  years,  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres,  upon 
which  he  located  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days,  his  death  occurring  in  the  spring  of  1872. 


Mrs.  Maria  Pease  was  born  in  1809,  and  died  at  the 
home  of  her  husband  in  Pike  County  in  1862.  The 
parental  family  included  three  children:  William 
P.,  who  married  for  his  first  wife  Miss  Mary  S. 
Good, -now  deceased;  his  second  wife  was  Miss 
Nancy  C.  Bucy;  Zachariah  A.,  who  married  Miss 
Rexville  White,  and  Frederick  P.  of  our  sketch 
was  the  youngest.  The  father  was  Republican  in 
politics  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his  fa- 
ther's farm  and  received  his  primary  education  in 
the  public  schools.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he 
entered  Westfield  College,  in  Clarke  County,  111., 
where  he  took  a  scientific  course  and  graduated 
five  years  afterward.  He  was  then  married,  Nov. 
6,  1876,  to  Rozina  Wintz,  and  commenced  his  la- 
bors as  a  minister  and  devoted  his  time  irregularly, 
with  his  customary  zeal,  in  his  Master's  cause  for 
several  years.  He  was  very  successful  as  a  pastor, 
and  especially  efficient  in  revivals.  He  pursued  his 
pious  labors  at  Canton,  111.,  Farmer  City  and  Say- 
brook,  three  years,  and  preached  at  different  times 
after  coming  into  White  Oak  Township.  During 
one  series  of  meetings  under  his  ministration  150 
persons  were  gathered  into  the  fold. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  is  the  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Catherine  (Fry)  Wintz,  the  father  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  the  mother  of  Ohio.  Peter  Wintz,  one 
of  the  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county, 
and  whose  portrait  will  be  found  on  an  accompany- 
ing page,  was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  Sept. 
5,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Fry) 
Wintz,  who  were  both  of  German  descent.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Virginia.  When  Peter  W. 
was  four  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  from  the 
Old  Dominion,  first  to  Warren  County  and  from 
there  to  Preble  Count}',  Ohio,  and  in  the  district 
schools  of  the  latter  their  son  Peter  was  educated. 
He  remained  there  until  bis  marriage  with  Miss 
Catherine,  daughter  of  Jonas  Fry,  their  wedding 
occurring  April  8,  1852. 

Shortly  after  his  marriage  Mr.  W.  started  with 
his  bride  for  Illinois.  A  year  later  he  settled  on 
the  homestead  where  he  still  resides.  This  is  one 
of  the  finest  in  White  Oak  Township,  comprising  a 
handsome  residence  in  the  midst  of  beautiful 


t 


-  .    714 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


grounds,  and  in  all  respects  indicating  the  culti- 
vated tastes  of  its  proprietor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wintz 
became  the  parents  of  three  children,  two  of  whom 
are  now  living:  Rozina,  Mrs.  Pease,  and  Moses, 
who  married  Miss  Ida  Robison,  and  is  located  near 
Wichita,  Kan.  Silas  E.  died  when  six  years  of 
age.  Mrs.  Catherine  Wintz  passed  to  the  other 
life  in  1885. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pease,  five  in  num- 
ber, are  as  follows:  William  Henry,  Thomas  Shep- 
ley,  Ida  Belle,  Nellie  Pearl  and  George  Elmer. 
All  are  living:  Mr.  Pease  is  greatly  interested  in 
the  success  of  the  temperance  movement  and  has 
identified  himself  politically  with  the  Prohibition- 
ists. He  is  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  undoubt- 
edly has  many  years  in  which  to  exert  his  influence 
on  the  side  of  truth,  temperance  and  justice.  Nature 
endowed  him  with  rare  gifts,  among'  which  is  intel- 
lectual ability  of  a  high  order,  logical,  discriminat- 
ing and  comprehensive.  He  is  a  close  reasoner,  an 
impressive,  and  occasionally  an  eloquent  speaker, 
and  wields  great  force  on  the  side  of  right  and  in 
the  cause  of  temperance. 


| 


.  OBERT  HIGGINS,  a  highly  respected  far- 
mer  of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  7,  where  he  owns  and 
[occupies  a  good  farm  and  is  engaged  in  the 
peaceful  pursuit  of  farming.  As  a  representa- 
tive agriculturist  of  this  splendid  agricultural 
country,  as  well  as  a  worthy  and  esteemed  citizen, 
the  publishers  present  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Higgins 
in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Higgins  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
having  been  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  on  the 
28th  of  December,  1 824.  He  is  descended  from 
excellent  Irish  ancestry,  his  father,  James  Higgins, 
having  been  born  in  the  city  of  Belfast  and  his 
grandfather  was  also  a  native  of  the  Emerald  Isle. 
The  latter  was  a  successful  linen  draper  in  the  city 
of  Belfast,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life. 
In  that  city  James  Higgins,  the  father  of  our  sub- 


ject,  was  reared  and  received  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools.  Being  the  fourth  son  in 
order  of  birth,  as  the  elder  son  would  inherit  the 
property,  James  Higgins  early  learned  that  he 
would  have  to  depend  upon  his  own  resources  for 
his  living.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  not  being 
satisfied  with  the  condition  of  his  prospects  in  his 
native  country,  he  determined  to  emigrate  to  Ameri- 
ca. He  possessed  some  means  and  after  arriving 
here  did  not  for  some  time  engage  in  any  particu- 
lar calling.  He  went  into  Westmoreland  County, 
Pa.,  and  in  due  time  took  unto  himself  a  wife  in 
the  person  of  Miss  Mary  McClelland,  a  native  of 
said  county  and  of  German  ancestry.  Soon  after 
marriage  they  proceeded  to  Ohio  and  located  upon 
a  farm  in  Licking  County,  which  they  rented  from 
its  owner,  Dr.  Taylor,  and  upon  which  they  re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1825.  They  then  re- 
moved to  Perry  County,  same  State,  where  James 
Higgins  purchased  160  acres  of  timber  land,  put 
up  a  log  cabin  and  commenced  clearing  a  farm 
from  the  wilderness.  In  due  time  their  humble 
dwelling  was  replaced  by  a  commodious  stone 
house  and  Mr.  H.  also  erected  a  substantial  hewed- 
log  barn.  They  established  a  comfortable  home 
there,  upon  which  they  remained  the  balance  of 
their  lives,  the  mother  resting  from  her  labors  in 
1848,  and  the  father,  surviving  her  for  a  period,  of 
fourteen  years,  folded  his  hands  for  his  final  rest  in 
1862.  They  were  both  devoted  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church  and  highly  esteemed  in  the  com- 
munity where  they  had  for  so  many  years  made 
their  home  and  illustrated  in  their  lives  the  princi- 
ples of  honor,  honesty  and  kindness. 

The  parental  household  of  our  subject  consisted 
of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  grew  to  become 
men  and  women.  To  each  of  his  children  James 
Higgins  gave  the  advantages  of  a  good  education 
and  those  who  wished  availed  themselves  of  a  col- 
lege course.  Most  of  the  boys  became  professional 
men,  and  Robert  of  his  own  choice  became  a  far- 
mer. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  ninth  child 
of  his  parents'  family.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm, 
attended  the  district  schools  and  assisted  his  father 
in  his  agricultural  operations  until  his  marriage. 
The  father  then  built  another  house  on  the  home 

*-• 


f 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


715    1' 


farm  where  our  subject  and  his  wife  took  up  their 
abode  and  managed  the  operations  of  the  farm 
until  1855.  They  then  came  to  Illinois  and  rented 
a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township  for  two  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1858  Robert  Higgins  moved  to  the 
Darnell  Farm  and  occupied  it  for  the  following 
ten  years,  and  in  the  meantime  also  purchased  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  When  it 
came  into  his  possession  there  was  upon  it  a  frame 
house  14x20  feet  in  dimensions  and  sixty-five  acres 
of  land  were  broken.  There  had  also  been  planted 
a  few  fruit  trees  and  the  laud  was  partially  fenced. 
In  the  spring  of  1868  the  old  frame  house  was  re- 
placed by  the  present  comfortable  family  residence, 
and  the  farm  of  Mr.  Higgins,  which  comprises  160 
acres,  is  now  all  under  an  excellent  state  of  culti- 
vation. He  has  a  good  barn  and  all  other  necessary 
out-buildings  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of 
early  toil  and  economy. 

Mr.  Higgins  was  married,  April  4,  1847,  while  in 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Jane  Allen,  daughter 
of  Oliver  and  Mary  Allen,  natives  of  Rhode  Isl- 
and. Of  this  union  there  were  born  four  children, 
of  whom  three  only  are  living:  Clarence  Elmer, 
who  is  a  native  of  Perry  County,  Ohio,'now  lives  in 
Stanford,  this  county;  James  lives  in  Okley,  Kan.; 
Laura  J.  married  John  E.  Jones,  and  they  live  in 
Nuckolls  County,  Neb.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
drea  departed  this  life  Dec.  6,  1856. 

Mr.  Higgins  was  the  second  time  married,  in 
1858,  to  Mrs.  Sarepta.  (Brookes)  Darnall.  Mrs. 
Higgins  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  was  first 
married  to  Nicholas  Daruall.  Of  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  there  was  born  one  child,  Emma  B., 
who  became  the  wife  of  David  Stephey  and  lives 
in  Nuckolls  County,  Neb.  Mrs.  Sarepta  Higgins 
died  in  September,  1872,  and  Mr.  Higgins  was  mar- 
ried the  third  time  on  the  9th  of  October,  1873,  to 
Miss  Samantha  Clayton.  This  lady  is  a  native  of 
Perry  Count}',  Ohio,  ,and  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Catharine  Clayton.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  three  children — Edgar  H.,  Minnie  E. 
and  Lucy  May.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  earlier  years 
and  during  the  existence  of  the  Whig  party,  Mr. 
H.  affiliated  with  that  political  organization,  but 
since  the  abandonment  of  the  old  party  by  the 


formation  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  cordially 
indorsed  the  principles  of  the  latter  and  with  it 
uniformly  casts  his  vote. 


-Q — 


ffl  UCIUS  ROGERS.  Among  the  fine  farms  in 
Arrowsmith  Township  which  attract  the 
attention  of  the  passing  traveler,  is  that  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  which  consists  of  120 
acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  and  is  at  present  de- 
voted largely  to  *the  breeding  of  high  grades  of 
Short-horn  cattle.  In  addition  to  other  modern 
improvements,  Mr.  Rogers  has  a  handsome  and 
substantial  dwelling,  with  a  good  barn  and  fences, 
and  the  estate  in  all  respects  indicates  the  intelli- 
gence and  industry  of  its  proprietor.  He  has  been 
a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  April,  1860, 
landing  first  in  Bloom  ington,  where  he  worked 
three  months  and  spent  the  following  four  months 
teaching  in  Du  Page  County.  He  had  received  an 
excellent  education,  and  took  a  course  of  one  year 
at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio. 

Lucius  Rogers  was  born  in  Washtenaw  County, 
Mich.,  Oct.  22,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  H. 
and  Louisa  (Tuley)  Rogers,  the  latter  a  native  of. 
Phelps  Tp.,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.  Thomas  H.  Rogers 
was  born  at  Saratoga  Springs,  Aug.  15, 1802,  and  re- 
moved to  Michigan  in  1832,  settling  in  Ann  Arbor, 
where  he  died  in  1853  or  1854.  When  a  young 
man  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he 
became  very  skillful,  one  of  his  specialties  being 
the  manufacture  of  grain  cradles  in  the  early  times 
of  that  county.  He  became  connected  with  the 
Masons  while  in  his  native  State,  and  lived  up  to 
the  principles  of  that  fraternity  until  the  day  of  his 
death.  He  was  a  man  of  much  force  of  character 
and  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township,  where 
he  held  the  various  offices.  His  wife,  Louisa,  was 
born  in  1810,  and  died  in  Michigan  in  1845.  Of 
their  five  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  Darius 
died  when  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Annie,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Calvin  Colburn,  died  in  1877; 
Lucius  of  our  sketch  was  the  third  child;  Oliver 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  member  of 
the  12th  Indiana  Infantry,  and  died  of  fever  in 
1863;  Martha  died  in  childhood.  The  mother  of 


I 


t 


I 


"716 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


our  subject  died  when  he  was  a  little  lad  five  years 
old.  He  remained  with  his  father  until  reaching 
manhood,  and  chose  for  his  wife  Miss  Eunice  Free- 
man, to  whom  he  was  married  Dec.  5,  1866.  Mrs. 
R.  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  June  20,1 844,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Martha  (Barnard) 
Freeman,  natives  of  Ohio.  Caleb  Freeman,  who 
was  born  in  1814,  still  survives,  and  is  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  His  wife,  Martha,  was  born  Feb.  14, 
1819,  and  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of  her 
husband,  May  11,  1884.  Their  eight  children  were 
Rebecca  B..  Samuel  B.,  Eunice,  Victory,  Clinton 
D.,  Leven  E. ;  Elizabeth  H.,  who  died  when  eleven 
years  of  age,  and  Abraham  L. 

The  eight  children  of  our  subject  and  his  wife 
are  Martha  E.,  Annie  L.,  Oliver,  Abigail,  Elton  B. 
and  Ellis  J.  [twins],  Arthur  A.  and  Davis.  Soon 
after  the  outbreak  of  the  late  Civil  War,  Mr.  Rogers, 
laying  aside  his  personal  and  private  interests,  prof- 
fered his  services  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  becom- 
ing a  member  of  Co.  B,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under 
Col.  Hovey,  and  afterward  under  Col.  Lippincott 
and  Capt.  Morgan,  in  August,  1861.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  veteranized, 
in  January,  1864,  in  the  same  company  and  regi- 
ment. Their  first  duties  lay  in  Missouri,  where 
they  were  detailed  to  guard  bridges  on  the  Iron 
Mountain  Railroad.  Thence  they  proceeded  to  Ar- 
kansas, participated  in  the  fight  at  Cache  Creek, 
July  7,  1862,  and  afterward  with  hard  marching 
and  scant  rations  reached  Helena,  Ark.,  in  July, 
where  they  spent  three  months  at  Old  Town  Land- 
ing. In  October  following  they  returned  North, 
spending  the  winter  with  the  command  of  Gen. 
Davidson,  in  Missouri.  In  the  spring  they  joined 
Grant's  army,  and  our  subject,  with  his  comrades, 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Ft.  Gibson,  skirmished 
around  Edwards'  Station  on  the  Black  River,  and 
were  present  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  the  bat- 
tle of  Jackson,  Miss.  Thence  they  proceeded  to 
New  Orleans,  accompanied  the  expedition  up  the 
Hatchie  River,  and  returned  to  New  Orleans  in 
November,  1863.  They  then  took  boats  for  Indian- 
ola,  after  which  they  were  detailed  for  special  duty 
until  about  the  time  the  term  for  which  our  sub- 
ject had  first  enlisted,  had  expired.  After  a  short 
time  spent  with  friends  at  Bloomington,  Mr.  Rog- 


ers  rejoined  his  comrades  in  1  8G4,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1865  was  present  at  the  siege  and  capture  of 
Mobile  and  Spanish  Fort.  Returning  to  Camp 
Butler,  111.,  he  received  both  his  pay  and  an  hon- 
orable discharge.  During  the  summer  of  1865  he 
was  detailed  for  duty  at  the  Freedmen's  Bureau. 
Mr.  Rogers  recalls  his  war  experience  with  melan- 
choly interest,  his  comrades  now  being  scattered 
from  Maine  to  Oregon. 

He  has  been  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  smce  its 
organization  in  this  locality,  and  politically  is  a 
fervent  Republican.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  Arrowsmith  Township  for  the  last  four 
years,  during  which  time  there  have  never  been 
any  appeals  from  his  decisions.  As  a  business  man 
and  citizen  he  is  held  in  the  highest  respect,  and 
constitutes  one  of  the  finest  representatives  of  the 
solid  and  reliable  elements  of  this  section. 


EORGE  W.  RIGGS,  a  retired  farmer  and 
now  a  successful  merchant  of  Saybrook.  this 
county,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  for  fifty-seven  years.  During  this  length  of 
time  he  has  been  an  interested  witness  of  the  re- 
markable changes  which  have  occurred  throughout 
the  great  West.  He  commenced  life  in  a  humble 
manner,  but  by  the  exercise  of  his  native  industry 
and  more  than  ordinary  business  ability,  is  now 
in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competency.  He  also  long 
years  ago  established  himself  in  the  confidence  of 
his  friends  and  fellow-citizens  and  has  built  up  for 
himself  a  good  record  as  an  honest  man  and  valu- 
able member  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Riggs  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born 
in  Fleming  County,  Dec.  11,  1827.  He  is  the  son 
of  William  M.  and  Nancy  (Pitts)  Riggs,  the  for- 
mer a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. William  M.  Riggs  was  of  English  descent 
and  was  born  Sept.  7,  1803.  He  received  a  com- 
mon-school education,  was  reared  to  farming  pur- 
suits and  from  early  youth  was  of  a  serious  and 
religious  turn  of  mind.  He  was  a  Methodist 
exhorter  for  a  number  of  years,  and  after  coming 
to  this  county,  in  1830,  founded  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  Cheney's  Grove  and  officiated 


i 


;, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


717 


as  an  exhorter  here  over  fifty  years.  He  was  married, 
Dec.  28,  1826,  to  Miss  Nancy  Pitts,  who  was  born 
in  1806,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, all  living  with  the  exception  of  one,  who  died 
in  1884,  when  forty-six  years  of  age.  Those  surviv- 
ing are,  George  W. ;  Henry  M.,  a  resident  of  Ore- 
gon; Margaret  P..  Mrs.  P.  Lewis  of  this  township; 
William  H.,  living  in  Saybrook;  Mary  J.,  Mrs. 
Hall,  of  Texas,  and  Samuel  R.  William  M.  Riggs 
survived  the  death  of  his  wife  six  years,  and  passed 
to  his  long  home  on  Jan.  28,  1887. 

George  W.  Riggs  came  with  his  parents  to  Illi- 
nois in  1830,  when  a  child  three  years  of  age.  He 
attended  the  district  school  and  worked  with  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty- two  years 
old.  He  was  then  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Minerva  W.  Lewis,  Oct.  11,  1849.  Mrs.  R.  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  Dec.  28,  1827,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  William  D.  and  Nancy  (Pitts)  Lewis, 
both  natives  of  the  Blue  Grass  State.  Her  father 
was  born  in  1801  and  died  Oct.  14,  1872.  He 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  with  his  wife,  in 
early  life  became  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mrs.  Nancy  P.  Lewis  was  born 
Jan.  30,  1806,  and  died  Dec.  19,  1866.  Their 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Martin  M.,  who  was  born 
Aug.  8,1826,  died  when  one  year  old;  Minerva 
W.,  Mrs.  Riggs,  was  the  eldest  daughter;  Lucinda 
was  born  Aug.  18,  1829,  and  became  the  wife  of 
Reuben  Coonrod;  Louisa  E.  was  born  June  6, 1831 ; 
Mary  A.,  in  1833;  James  A.,  in  1835;  John,  June 
8,  1837;  Nancy  C.,  Oct.  5,  1840;  Allen  H.,  July 
12,  1843;  William  R.,  Dec.  23,  1845;  Margaret, 
April  14,  1849. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Riggs  became  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  as  follows :  Olive  J.  was  born  Sept.  11, 
1850;  Nancy  H.,  Dec.  1,  1851;  William  A.,  born 
Sept.  21,  1853,  died  June  27,  1855,  from  a  rattle- 
snake bite;  John  W.,  born  Jan.  26,  1855;  Melville 
L.,  Dec.  17, 1856;  Charles  B.,  July  29,  1859;  Martin 
Luther,  Nov.  13,  1861;  Mary  L.,  Nov.  6,  1863; 
Ella  C.,  born  Jan.  18,  1866,  died  November  27  of 
that  year;  Eva  M.  was  born  May  24,  1868,  and  R. 
Bell,  July  24.  1870.  These  children  are  all  married 
and  settled  in  comfortable  homes  of  their  own  ex- 
cept R.  Bell,  and  our  subject  and  his  wife  are  quite 


proud    of   the   fact  that   they  have  eight  grand- 
children. 

In  1881  Mr.  Riggs  retired  from  the  labors  of 
the  farm  and  became  a  resident  of  Saybrook.  With 
the  assistance  of  his  sons  he  is  carrying  on  a  profit- 
able trade  in  dry-goods  and  clothing,  the  firm  be- 
ing familiarly  known  as  G.  W.  Riggs  &  Sons.  Hav- 
ing been  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  he  is  accorded  that  peculiar 
veneration  and  respect  which  are  tacitly  given  to 
those  who  first  ventured  into  the  Western  wilds 
and  marked  out  a  path  for  a  later  civilization. 
Since  arriving  at  manhood  he  has  been  intimately 
identified  with  the  agricultural  and  business  inter- 
ests of  McLean  County,  has  been  active  in  the 
support  of  schools  and  churches,  and  interested  in 
whatever  enterprise  was  set  on  foot  to  advance  the 
intellectual  and  moral  well-being  of  the  locality. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  for  many  years  have  been 
connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mr.  Riggs  has  been  an  active  Sunday-school  worker 
and  served  in  his  church  as  Trustee,  Steward  and 
Class-Leader  for  many  years.  He  has  been  a  stanch 
Republican  since  the  organization  of  the  party  and 
although  never  an  office-seeker,  has  served  as  Road 
Commissioner  and  occupied  other  important  posi- 
tions in  the  affairs  of  his  township. 


R.  BODGER,  son  of  John  and 
-7  Hannah  (Ratliffe)  Bodger,  is  one  of  the 
8)  most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  Gridley 
Township.  He  comes  of  excellent  English  ancestry 
and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  fall  of  1851, 
with  his  parents,  who,  after  landing  upon  American 
shores  proceeded  directly  westward  to  this  State 
and  settled  near  Washington,  Tazewell  County. 
They  remained  there  until  1855,  then  came  to  this 
county  and  located  in  Gridley  Township,  where  the 
mother  died  in  December,  1867.  The  father  still 
survives  and  lives  in  Gridley  Township.  Their 
eight  children  comprise  five  boys  and  three  girls, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  next  to  the  eldest. 
George  R.  Bodger  was  born  in  England,  Feb. 
20,  1837,  and  was  about  fourteen  years  old  when 
his  parents  came  to  the  United  States.  He  was 


t 


f 


T 


,  718 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  has  been 
engaged  thus  far  in  life.  During  the  thirty  years 
which  he  has  been  a  resident  of  this  section  he  has 
built  up  a  record  of  an  honest  and  industrious 
citizen,  always  willing  to  contribute  his  full  share 
toward  the  development  of  his  adopted  country. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  wns  married  in  Taze- 
well  County,  111.,  Feb.  20,  1872,  to  Miss  Sarah, 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Celia  (Ricketts) 
Holmes.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  S.  were  natives  respect- 
ively of  Kentucky  and  Indiana,  whence  they  re- 
moved to  Illinois  and  located  in  Tazewell  County, 
where  the  father  departed  this  life  Nov.  8,  1873. 
The  mother  afterward  removed  to  Washington 
County,  Neb.,  where  her  death  occurred  July  11, 
1884.  Of  their  eight  children,  Mrs.  B.  was  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Woodford 
County,  111.,  Jan.  15,  1842.  Our  subject  and  his 
wife  had  only  one  child,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
B.  has  served  as  School  Director  of  his  township 
and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party. 


J~~  ACOB  J.  HAM,  a  wealthy  and  influential 
farmer  of  Hudson  Township,  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  beautiful  country  seat  located  on  sec- 
tion 33,  and  which  forms  one  of  the  most 
attractive  spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County. 
Mr.  Ham  settled  where  he  now  lives  in  1862,  and 
has  been  of  material  assistance  in  the  development 
and  advancement  of  the  industrial  and  agricultural 
interests  of  this  section.  The  subject  of  this  his- 
tory is  a  native  of  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.,  and 
was  born  in  Kinderhook  on  the  28th  of  February, 
1820.  His  parents,  Jacob  C.  and  Catharine  (Poch- 
man)  Ham,  were  also  natives  of  the  Empire  State. 
and  the  family  circle  included  eleven  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 
His  ancestors  were  from  Holland  and  several  gen- 
erations ago  settled  in  Pennsylvania  and  subse- 
quently moved  to  New  York  State. 

Jacob  J.  Ham  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
in  New  York  State  and  pursued  his  primary  studies 
in  the  common  schools.  This  was  supplemented 
by  attendance  for  a  short  time  at  college,  and  be- 


ing a  studious  and  ambitious  boy  he  thus  obtained 
sufficient  education  to  enable  him  to  adopt  the  pro- 
fession of  a  teacher.  In  this  he  became  quite  suc- 
cessful and  followed  it  for  about  fifteen  years,  the 
last  six  of  these  being  spent  in  Padua  Township. 

Mr.  Ham  came  to  Illinois  in  October,  1 856,  lo- 
cating at  once  in  McLean  County,  and  in  1862  he 
purchased  160  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  settled 
and  which  constitutes  a  part  of  his  present  farm. 
The  land  was  not  much  improved  when  he  took 
possession  of  it,  but  by  persevering  industry  he  has 
made  it  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  that  section  of 
the  State.  He  added  to  his  real  estate  as  time 
passed  on  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  half  section, 
one-quarter  being  located  on  section  28  and  the 
other  on  section  33,  and  it  is  all  under  a  good  state 
of  improvement.  In  1873  he  erected  his  present 
handsome  and  commodious  farm  dwelling,  which 
is  built  of  brick,  two  stories  in  height,  and  cost  over 
$8,000.  It  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  best  farm 
residences  in  the  county  and  his  barns  and  other 
out-buildings  correspond  with  the  balance  of  the 
improvements.  The  premises  at  all  points  indicate 
the  existence  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 
His  costly  farming  implements  are  of  the  most  im- 
proved pattern  and  everything  is  in  keeping  with  the 
appliances  of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  Mr.  Ham 
of  late  has  been  giving  much  attention  to  stock- 
raising,  dealing  in  high  grade  cattle,  and  at  present 
feeds  and  sells  large  numbers  of  live  stock  of  all 
kinds  annually. 

In  early  life  our  subject  was  a  Democrat,  but 
when  the  rebels  fired  upon  Ft.  Sumter  he  at  once 
identified  himself  with  the  Republicans  and  became 
an  ardent  supporter  of  the  Union.  Since  1880  he 
has  identified  himself  with  the  Prohibitionists,  hav- 
ing been  a  strong  temperance  man  all  through  life, 
and  believing  that  in  this  manner  he  could  more 
substantially  cast  his  influence  against  the  use  and 
manufacture  of  spirituous  liquors.  He  has  been  a 
man  of  strong  and  decided  views,  fearless  in  his 
expression  of  opinion,  and  bound  to  cast  his  influ- 
ence toward  the  cause  which  he  believed  to  be 
right,  whatever  might  be  the  consequences.  He  has 
been  an  incumbent  of  the  various  offices  of  his 
township,  although  he  would  much  prefer  to  give 
his  entire  attention  to  his  own  business  matters.  ^ 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


719    , 


At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  Mr.  Ham  identified 
himself  with  the  German  Reform  Church,  but  in 
1861,  after  coming  West,  he  united  with  the 
Baptists. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Elsie  M. 
Warner  took  place  July  21,  1859.  Mrs.  Ham  was 
born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  came  West  alone 
after  becoming  a  young  lady,  and  engaged  as  a 
teacher  in  McLean  County  until  her  marriage.  Of 
this  union  there  have  been  born  five  children,  two 
of  whom  died  in  infancy ;  Henry  Orlo  spends  his 
winters  in  Florida,  where  he  owns  an  orange  grove, 
and  comes  North  during  the  summer  to  the  home 
of  his  parents.  Pie  was  married,  April  7,  1887,  to 
Ida  J.  Tilghman,  daughter  of  Rev.  N.  J.  Tilghman, 
their  marriage  taking  place  in  Francis,  Fla.  Nettie, 
the  wife  of  James  T.  Gildersleeve,  resides  in 
Hudson  Township;  they  have  one  child,  Elsie  M. 
Eddie  is  at  home  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  Ham  has  been  most  essentially  the  architect 
of  his  own  fortune,  assisted  by  his  estimable  and 
energetic  wife.  He  started  out  in  life  without 
financial  assistance,  but  by  persevering  industry 
and  the  aid  of  superior  business  qualifications  he 
has  made  of  life  a  fine  success  and  is  now  enjoying 
the  reward  of  a  competency  and  the  profound  re- 
spect of  all  who  know  him.  A  view  of  Mr.  Ham's 
residence  and  surroundings  is  given  in  this  work. 


B.  WHEELER,  editor  and 

etor  of  the  Daily  Leader,  of  Bloomington, 
is  a  native  of  Kennebunkport,  York  Co., 
Me.,  and  was  born  Aug.  1,  1853,  being  the  son  of 
John  A.  and  Louisa  M.  (Bourne)  Wheeler,  natives 
of  the  same  State.  Of  their  three  children  only 
two  are  living,  George  B.,  our  subject,  and  his 
brother,  Frank  K.  John  Wheeler  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  through  life,  and  was  Postmaster 
from  1869  until  his  death.  Both  parents  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
the  mother  was  especially  devoted  to  Christian  and 
charitable  duties.  The  latter  is  still  living  at  her 
old  home  in  Maine. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  received  a  good 
common-school   education,  and  afterward   gradu- 


ated from  the  preparatory  college  course  of  the 
Maine  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Kent's  Hill.  He  en- 
tered Bowdoin  College  at  Brunswick  and  graduated 
with  honors  in  the  class  of  1874.  After  leaving 
college  he  taught  school  one  year,  and  then  entered 
the  office  of  the  Portland  Advertiser,  to  learn  the 
printer's  trade.  In  1876,  he  purchased  the  Merri- 
mac  Journal,  at  Franklin,  N.  H.,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  two  years,  in  partnership  with  his  bro- 
ther, Frank  K.  During  his  residence  at  Franklin, 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  and 
Chairman  of  the  Republican  Central  Committee. 
He  came  to  Bloomington,  111.,  in  June,  1880,  and 
in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  Maj.  W.  F. 
Crawford,  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  daily 
and  weekly  Leader,  and  in  1886,  they  purchased 
the  balance.  Mr.  Wheeler  at  once  assumed  the 
editorial  management  of  the  paper,  which  position 
he  has  since  held,  and  has  distinguished  himself  as 
an  able  journalist  and  excellent  business  man.  In 
1882,  on  account  of  the  appointment  of  his  part- 
ner, Mr.  Crawford,  to  a  Government  office,  Mr. 
Wheeler  became  business  manager  of  the  establish- 
ment, and  in  his  varied  duties  has  met  with  remark- 
able success. 

The  Leader  [weekly]  of  Bloomington,  was  estab- 
lished in  November,  1868,  by  John  S.  Seibird  and 
O.  Waters,  with  Elias  Smith  as  editor.  On  the  22d 
of  February,  1870,  the  Daily  Leader  was  started, 
with  A.  F.  Diggs  as  editor.  Subsequently  a  stock 
company  was  organized  to  conduct  the  paper. 
Later  on,  O.  Waters  and  J.  W.  Nichols  became  the 
proprietors.  In  1875,  M.  F.  Leland  purchased  the 
plant,  and  Mr.  Nichols  continued  as  editor.  In 
1880,  Messrs.  G.  B.  Wheeler  and  W.  F.  Crawford, 
of  Maine,  purchased  a  half  interest,  and  assumed 
the  control  of  the  Leader,  Mr.  Wheeler  taking  the 
editorial,  and  Mr.  Crawford  the  financial  manage- 
ment. In  August,  1886,  this  firm  purchased  the 
entire  interest  in  the  paper,  and  have  since  owned 
it.  Mr.  Crawford,  however,  retired  from  the  man- 
agement to  take  charge  of  his  bank  in  Cameron, 
Tex.  The  Leader  is  an  eight-column  folio  paper, 
neatly  and  attractively  gotten  up,  and  is,  and  al- 
ways has  been,  a  stalwart  Republican  journal.  The 
weekly  Leader  is  a  ten-column  folio.  This  journal 
has  a  large  circulation,  is  devoted  to  the  interests 


t 


720 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 

I 


of  its  patrons  and  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party,  of  which  it  is  an  able  advocate.  It  is  bright 
and  newsy,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  influ- 
ential journals  of  the  State. 

The  circulation  of  the  Bloomiugton  Leader  is 
steadily  increasing,  and  its  prosperity  and  influence 
aregreatly  due  to  the  shrewd  business  tact  and  jour- 
nalistic ability  of  its  present  editor  and  business 
manager. 

Mr.  Wheeler  was  married  in  1880,  to  Miss  Laura 
E.  Crawford,  of  Brunswick,  Me.,  a  charming  lady 
socially,  and  a  noted  elocutionist.  Of  this  mar- 
riage there  has  been  born  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Helen  Louise. 


J"]OHN  M.  DARN  ALL,  is  an  honored  resident 
of  McLean  Count}',  and  one  of  the  oldest 
I    settlers  of  Mt.  Hope  Township.     During  his 
'    long  residence  in  this  locality,  Mr.  Darnall 
has  built  for  himself  a  reputation  as  an  honest  man 
and  a  good    citizen,  and    is  a  gentleman    who  has 
materially  assisted  in  the  development  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  Prairie  State. 

Mr.  Darnall  is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  and 
first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  Lawndale 
Township  on  the  30th  of  September,  1833.  His 
father,  Nicholas  Darnall,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  was  born  in  Booneville,  in  about  1808.  The 
parents  of  the  latter  were  early  settlers  of  the  Blue 
Grass  State,  and  their  son  Nicholas  was  -but  six 
years  old  when  they  died.  He  then  went  to  live 
with  a  married  sister,  Mrs.  John  Henline,  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  remained  with  her  until  he  was  old 
enough  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith.  He 
was  still  serving  his  apprenticeship  when,  in  1828, 
his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Henline,  came  to  Illinois, 
and  Nicholas  Darnall  came  with  him.  The  journey 
was  made  overland,  with  six  horses  and  a  wagon. 
Mr.  Henline  started  with  his  family  and  the  first 
day  met  with  an  accident,  and  was  then  obliged  to 
employ  his  brother-in-law,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, to  drive  the  team  through.  The  western  por- 


tion of  McLean  was  then  a  part  of  Tazewell  Coun- 
ty, and  Mr.  Henline  settled  in  Lawndale  Township. 
Mr.  D.  lived  with  him  until  1832,  in  the  meantime 
having  entered  a  claim,  and  made  all  the  improve- 
ments he  could  upon  the  land.  He  then  settled  on 
his  place,  which  he  occupied  for  the  following  two 
years.  Then,  in  the  spring  of  1834,  he  sold  out, 
and  moved  into  what  is  now  Allin  Township.  In 
the  meantime,  having  been  married,  with  his  wife 
he  took  up  his  abode  with  his  father-in-law,  with 
whom  he  lived  until  the  following  December.  He 
had  also  purchased  a  tract  of  unimproved  land  of 
the  latter,  which  was  located  on  section  6  of  what 
is  now  Mt.  Hope  Township.  There  he  erected  a 
log  cabin,  built  a  small  shop,  and  carried  on  farm- 
ing and  blacksmithing- together.  They  lived  in 
the  log  cabin  until  the  winter  of  1842-43,  when  Mr. 
Darnall  built  a  frame  house,  which  he  occupied 
with  his  family  until  the  close  of  his  life,  in  April, 
1848. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Sarepta  Brooks,  who  was  the  daughter  of 
Miles  and  Lucy  Brooks,  and  was  born  in  Hart 
County,  Ky.  Her  parents  removed  to  McLean 
County,  111.,  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of 
this  section,  and  were  among  the  first  settlers  of 
Brooks'  Grove. 

The  household  circle  of  the  parents  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  completed  by  the  birth  of  eight  children, 
of  whom  five  are  still  living,  namely :  John  M., 
who  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  the  eldest ; 
William  lives  at  Stanford,  this  county ;  Henry  is  a 
resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township;  Rachel  married 
Alfred  Bozarth,  of  the  same  township;  Elvira  be- 
came the  wife  of  B.  N.  Ewing,  and  lives  in  Taze- 
well County,  111. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch,  and  the  first  born  of 
his  parents,  entered  life  in  the  humble  log  cabin 
into  which  they  removed  soon  after  their  marriage. 
He  was  but  a  little  over  a  year  old  when  they  re- 
moved from  Lawndale  to  Mt.  Hope  Township,  and 
has  been  a  resident  of  the  latter  township  since  that 
time.  He  is,  in  point  of  settlement,  the  oldest  res- 
ident of  the  township,  and  is  held  in  that  peculiar 
veneration  and  respect  which  is  tacitly  accorded 
the  old  settlers,  whose  numbers  are  rapidly  grow- 
ing less.  He  attended  the  subscription  schools  be- 


^mr 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


723  - 


fore  free  schools  were  instituted,  and  as  soon  as 
large  enough  began  to  assist  his  parents  around  the 
homestead.  His  father  died  when  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age,  and  being  the  eldest  the  care  of  the 
family  devolved  upon  him.  He  remained  at  home 
until  1861,  and  then  built  a  house  on  the  farm 
which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  He  enlisted, 
May  2,  1864,  in  Co.  D,  145th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  was 
mustered  in  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  with  the 
rank  of  Corporal.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to 
Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  and  thence  to  Holla, 
Mo.,  doing  guard  duty.  Part  of  the  regiment, 
with  which  was  Mr.  Darnall,  was  transferred  to 
Alton,  111.,  where  they  guarded  prisoners  at  the 
old  penitentiary.  On  the  expiration  of  his  hun- 
dred days'  service  he  was  mustered  out  at  Camp 
Butler,  returned  to  his  home  in  this  county,  and 
continued  his  farming  operations. 

After  his  'return  from  the  service  of  his  country, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Hannah  Zol- 
lers,  the  wedding  taking  place  Jan.  3,  1865.  Mrs. 
Darnall  was  born  in  Waynesville,  De  Witt  County, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  became  the 
mother  of  six  children,  viz :  Lee,  Charlie  and  Clar- 
ence H.,  and  three  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

Mr.  Darnall  has  been  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits during  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  and  has 
also  given  much  attention  to  the  breeding  of  fine 
stock.  He  is  now  engaged  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent in  feeding  and  shipping  the  latter,  and  from 
his  operations  in  this  direction  enjoys  a  fine  income. 
In  1882  he  erected  the  present  commodious  family 
residence,  and  but  ten  years  prior  had  put  up  a 
large  and  convenient  barn.  The  farm  estate  in- 
cludes 243  acres,  a  part  of  which  lies  in  Allin 
Township,  and  is  all  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  all  the  conveniences  for  carrying  on  agri- 
culture in  a  first-class  manner,  and  in  every  respect 
is  a  straightforward  business  man,  meeting  his  obli- 
gations promptly  and  doing  by  his  neighbors  as  he 
would  wish  to  be  done  by.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican and  has  been  since  the  organization  of  the 
party.  Prior  to  that  time  he  was  a  Whig.  For 
the  last  sixteen  years  he  has  served  as  a  School 
Director. 

A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the  splendid  home- 
stead of  Mr.  Darnall  is  shown  in  this  work. 


R.  SAMUEL  G.  WOODMANCY,  an  en- 
terprising 'and  successful  farmer  of  Mt. 
Hope  Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine 
homestead  on  section  17,  and  is  a  splendid 
representative  of  the  enterprising  and  intelligent 
farmer.  The  homestead  presents  one  of  the  pret- 
tiest spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County  and 
is  equipped  in  every  respect  with  all  the  appliances 
for  carrying  on  agriculture  in  a  first-class  manner, 
and  is  highly  indicative  of  the  abode  of  refinement 
and  culture  in  no  ordinary  degree.  The  proprietor 
of  this  fine  farm  estate  may  justly  be  proud  of  what 
his  genius,  his  talents  and  industry  have  accom- 
plished in  this  direction  alone,  and  it  is  with  pleas- 
ure that  we  embellish  this  volume  with  a  view  of  it, 
with  others  of  the  fine  residences  and  farms  for 
which  McLean  County  is  especially  noted. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  is  a  native  of  New 
England,  having  been  born  in  Warren,  Rhode  Isl- 
and, on  the  22d  of  June,  1823.  His  father,  George 
Woodmancy,  was  born  in  Swansea,  Mass.,  March  17, 
1782,  his  mother,  May  30,  1784,  and  his  grand- 
father, Reuben  Woodmancy,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  a  native  of  England  and  of  English  ancestry. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  came  to  this  coun- 
try in  early  manhood,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life  in  the  town  where  his  son,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born.  His  death  took  place  June  13,  1797. 
The  father,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  was  appren- 
ticed to  a  shoemaker  at  Warren,  R.  I.  It  was  stipu- 
lated that  he  should  serve  seven  years.  During 
this  period  times  were  hard  and  business  dull  and 
his  employer  allowed  him  to  make  two  trips  at  sea. 
When  he  became  twenty  years  of  age  he  purchased 
his  time  and  opened  a  shop  for  himself.  He  was  a 
good  workman,  had  plenty  to  do,  and  in  the  course 
of  time  was  enabled  to  purchase  a  lot  and  build  a 
house.  He  there  followed  his  trade  until  one  year 
before  his  death,  which  occurred  April  10,  1852. 
In  early  manhood,  Dec.  11,  1802,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Rebecca  Goff,  a  native  of  War- 
ren, R.  I.,  and  she  departed  this  life  Feb.  13,  1829. 
After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  George  Wood- 
mancy was  the  second  time  married,  this  time  to 
Mrs.  Martha  (Ingraham)  Goff.  Their  marriage  took 
place  July  28,  1829.  By  the  first  marriage  there 
were  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  grew  to  be- 


f 


724 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


come  men  and  women,  and  of  the  second  marriage 
there  was  born  one  child  only — Martha  Williams. 

Samuel  G.  Woodmancy  was  the  youngest  child  of 
the  first  marriage  of  his  father.  He  remained  un- 
der the  parental  roof  and  attended  the  public 
schools  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  learned 
to  make  cigars  and  thereby  earned  money  enough 
to  acquire  some  leisure  to  educate  himself.  He 
was  a  bright  and  studious  youth,  fond  of  his  books 
and  ambitious  to  excell.  After  two  years  he  was 
taken  ill,  and  in  the  following  two  years  nearly  all 
of  his  money  went  to  pay  the  doctor,  who  did  him 
but  little  good.  During  his  illness,  whenever  able 
to  read,  he  employed  his  time  in  the  perusal  of  in- 
structive books,  in  the  meantime  reading  with  much 
interest  a  medical  work  of  Dr.  Buchanuan  of  En- 
gland. As  medicine  had  not  succeeded  in  his  own 
case  he  left  off  taking  it,  and  began  a  course  of 
treatment  in  accordance  with  Dr.  Buchannau's 
theory,  and  speedily  effected  a  cure.  He  then  made 
a  study  of  magnetic  treatment  and  became  a  suc- 
cessful practitioner.  Although  he  did  not  put  him- 
self forward  as  an  M.  D.,  he  was  frequently  called 
upon  by  his  friends,  whom  he  treated  successfully, 
almost  without  exception.  He  was  greatly  in- 
terested in  this  branch  of  science  and  continued  to 
investigate  disease,  Ms  cause  and  cure,  and  finally 
'  used  hygienic  treatment,  utilizing  Nature's  remedies 
— light,  heat,  water  and  electricity.  During  this 
time  he  made  his  home  alternately  in  Warren  and 
Providence,  R.  I.,  and  in  Fall  River,  Mass.,  working 
at  his  trade  and  practicing  medicine. 

In  September,  1853,  Mr.  Woodmancy  resolved 
to  seek  the  Western  country,  and  accordingly  jour- 
neyed to  the  Prairie  State.  His  friend,  Mr.  J.  A. 
Pitts,  had  located  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  McLean 
Count}',  and  with  him  he  spent  the  winter.  In  the 
meantime  he  purchased  240  acres  of  wild  land  on 
sections  16  and  17  of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  which 
is  now  included  in  the  present  homestead.  He  was 
still  unmarried,  and  while  carrying  on  the  improve- 
ment of  his  new  farm  he  became  an  inmate  of  the 
family  of  Nathaniel  Ewings,  where  he  remained  for 
a  time  and  afterward  kept  "bachelor's  hall"  until 
his  marriage.  This  latter  event  transpired  in 
April,  1856,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Caroline  Trott,  a  New  England  lady,  who  was  born 


in  the  town  of  Ilallowell,  Me.,  and  the  daughter  of 
Capt.  Isaac  Trott,  who  followed  the  sea  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  engaged  in  merchant  service.  He  re- 
moved to  Illinois  in  1855,  and  died  at  the  home  of 
his  son  in  Nebraska  on  the  14th  of  August,  1886. 
He  was  married  in  early  life  to  Miss  Jane  Smith,  who 
died  in  Bath,  Me. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodmancy  there 
have  been  born  four  children:  Walter  was  born 
in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  where  he  has  always 
lived,  and  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Wisconsin  ;  Apphia  E.,  the 
wife  of  Larken  T.  Mullins,  is  also  a  resident  of 
Mt.  Hope.  The  son  and  son-in-law  assist  in  car- 
rying on  the  home  farm  of  Mr.  Woodmancy  ;  Ella 
J.  and  Alice  M.  died  while  young. 

Mr.  Woodmancy  has  been  a  Republican  since 
1860,  when  he  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  is 
a  gentleman  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  an  ex- 
tensive reader,  a  deep  thinker,  and  keenly  observant 
of  what  is  going  on  around  him  in  the  world.  He 
is  one  of  those  who,  when  attempting  anything, 
seldom  abandons  it,  and  whatever  be  does  is  done 
well.  He  is  skillful  as  a  farmer,  is  straightforward 
and  methodical  in  his  business  transactions,  and  as 
a  citizen  is  held  in  the  highest  respect  by  all  who 
know  him. 


EDWARD  WASHBURN,  junior  member  of 
the  enterprising  young  firm  of  Smith  <fe 
Washburn,  has  been  in  business  as  a  mem- 
ber of  said  firm  since  April  7,  1883.  He  was  born 
in  Bridgewater,  Plymouth  Co.,  Mass.,  Dec.  11, 
1  847,  and  is  the  son  of  Rotheus  and  Mary  (Hay- 
ward)  Washburn,  also  natives  of  New  England. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  skillful  mechanic, 
and  remained  in  his  native  State  nearly  all  his  life. 
The  parental  household  included  five  children,  of 
whom  only  two  are  living:  William  H.,  a  resident 
of  Tremont,  Tazewell  Co.,  111.,  and  Edward,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch. 

Edward  Washburn  resided  in  his  native  State 
until  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  then  accompanied 
his  brother,  William  H.,  to  Illinois.  They  located 
in  Tazewell  County,  and  in  1864,  during  the  prog- 
ress of  the  late  war,  our  subject  enlisted  as  a  sol- 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


725   , 


dier  of  the  Union  in  Co.  A.  108th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in 
which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Hav- 
ing enlisted  late  in  the  conflict,  he  was  present  at 
only  one  regular  engagement,  this  being  the  battle 
of  Spanish  Fort,  at  Mobile.  Ala.  After  retiring  from 
the  army  he  returned  to  Tazewell  County,  where 
he  rented  land  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1871. 
He  then  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Vermilion 
County,  this  State,  which  he  operated  until  1883, 
then  sold  out  and  removed  to  Cropsey,  this  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  his  present  business. 

Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Caroline  G.  Sniffin  in  1871.  Mrs.  Washburn  was 
born  in  Tazewell  County,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  SnifHn.  Of  the  union  of 
our  subject  there  have  been  born  two  children,  a 
son,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  George  A.  They 
occupy  a  pleasant  and  comfortable  home,  and  en- 
joy the  acquaintance  of  the  best  people  in  the  town. 
Mr.  Washburn  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  G.  A.  R. 


J~/OHN  LIVINGSTON,  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Padua  Township,  became  a  resident  of  this 
locality  in  December,  1847.  During  a  pe- 
riod of  over  forty  years  he  has  devoted  his 
time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which 
he  has  been  more  than  ordinarily  successful.  His 
farm  estate  consists  of  180  acres  of  valuable  land 
on  sections  28  and  33,  the  family  residence  being 
on  the  former.  This,  with  all  its  surroundings,  in- 
dicate the  exercise  of  a  fine  taste  and  ample  means. 
Everything  about  the  premises  is  kept  in  first- 
class  order.  The  stock  of  the  farm  is  in  good  con- 
dition and  well  cared  for,  and  the  agricultural  im- 
plements are  of  the  latest  and  most  approved  pat- 
tern. Mr.  Livingston,  years  ago  was  acknowl- 
edged one  of  the  leading  and  progressive  farmers 
of  this  section,  and  takes  genuine  pride  in  his  work 
and  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his  county  and 
township. 

John  Livingston  was  born  in  Dearborn  County, 
Ind.,  Feb.  8.  1814.  He  is  the  son  of  Adam  D. 
and  Patsey  (Livingston)  Livingston,  natives  of 
Virginia,  the  father  being  reared  in  Kentucky.  He 


served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  after 
his  retirement  from  the  army,  carried  on  his  farm 
in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  until  the  death  of  the 
mother  of  our  subject,  which  occurred  when  the 
latter  was  but  two  years  of  age.  Adam  Livingston 
was  a  second  time  married,  to  Miss  Betsey  Dur- 
ham, who  was  born  and  reared  in  Delaware.  He 
removed  to  Illinois  from  Dearborn  County,  Ind., 
in  1840,  and  to  various  places  afterward,  finally  lo- 
cating in  Waynesville,  De  Witt  County,  where  he 
died  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  and  one- 
half  years.  The  second  wife  died  in  Missouri. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  younger  of 
his  mother's  two  children.  His  only  sister  died  in 
this  township  in  1842,  having  been  married  to 
Phillip  Miller,  by  whom  she  became  the  mother  of 
three  children.  The  early  life  of  John  Livingston 
was  spent  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
worked  with  his  father  until  his  marriage.  This 
event  occurred  on  the  llth  of  March,  1844,  the 
lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Cornelia  Thomas, 
who  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  in  1825. 
Her  parents  removed  from  her  native  State  when 
she  was  but  a  child,  and  located  in  Dearborn 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  Mrs.  Livingston  was  the  fourth  daugh- 
ter of  six  children,  and  remained  with  her  parents 
until  her  marriage.  Her  father,  Richard  Thomas, 
was  a  native  of  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  where  he 
was  reared,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret 
Roney,  a  native  of  the  same  county  and  State. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Livingston  became  the  parents  of 
one  child,  who  died  in  infancy.  They  are  both 
worthy  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  our 
subject  politically  casts  his  vote  with  the  Repub- 
lican party. 

Adolphus  Dimmick,  first  husband  of  the  aunt  of 
our  subject,  Mrs.  Esther  (Livingston)  Dimmick, 
was  born  in  Tolland  County,  Conn.,  Jan.  13,  1791, 
and  in  1816  came  West  to  Ripley  County,  Ind. 
He  was  married  on  the  9th  of  October,  1832,  to 
Miss  Esther  Livingston,  and  in  November  of  that 
same  year  started  for  Illinois,  making  the  journey 
overland  with  oxen  and  one  horse,  drawing  a 
wagon.  They  landed  in  Old  Town  Township,  this 
county,  Nov.  25,  1832.  Their  house,  built  of  logs, 
was  one  of  the  first  in  that  locality.  The  fireplace 


t. 

t 


.t 


726 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


was  fashioned  out  of  pounded  clay,  the  chimney 
of  sticks  and  mud,  the  floor  was  of  puncheon,  and 
the  window-panes  were  of  greased  paper.  The 
land  upon  which  they  located  did  not  come  into 
maiket  until  four  years  afterward,  and  it  is  unnec- 
c".-iry  to  say  it  was  in  its  original  condition,  peo- 
pled generously  with  wild  animals  and  birds,  which 
were  the  only  companions  of  the  two  who  had 
started  out  in  life  together,  resolved  to  brave  its 
misfortunes  and  share  its  prosperity.  Mr.  Dim- 
mick  was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life,  dying  on 
Christmas  Day  in  1845.  The  household  circle  had 
been  blest  by  the  birth  of  three  children,  all  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  In  earlier  years  the  fa- 
ther had  been  a  teacher  in  both  Ohio  and  this  State. 
His  widow  afterward  married  Stephen  Ireland,  who 
died  in  the  house  which  is  now  occupied  b3'  our 
subject,  in  the  spring  of  1851,  the  homestead  hav- 
ing been  owned  by  her.  Mrs.  Ireland  departed 
this  life  July  28,  1879,  after  which  her  farm  fell  to 
her  nephew,  John  Livingston,  of  our  sketch.  Mrs. 
Ireland  was  an  excellent  Christian  lady,  greatly 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  her,  for  her  kindness  of 
heart  and  rare  womanly  virtues. 


ON.  FRANK  Y.  HAMILTON  was  elected 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  Illinois  in  1886, 
on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  McLean 
County.  Although  his  residence  in  Bloomington 
has  not  been  of  many  years'  duration  he  has 
fully  established  himself  in  the  confidence  of  the 
people  of  this  vicinity  and  his  genius  and  talent 
are  fully  recognized  by  those  most  competent  to 
judge  of  merit  and  ability. 

Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  native  of  Richwood,  Union 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  was  born  Dec.  27,  1852.  He  is  the 
son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (McMorris)  Hamilton, 
natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia, 
who  after  their  marriage,  settled  first  in  Muskingum 
County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  to  Licking 
and  then  to  Union  County,  the  father  being  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits.  The  father  purchased 
forty  acres  of  heavy  timber  land  in  the  latter 
county  and  built  a  log  house,  two  stories  high, 


doing  all  the  work  himself.  He  occupied  this  with 
his  family  until  his  hind  was  cleared  and  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  William  Hamil- 
ton, was  a  local  Protestant  Methodist  preacher  and 
one  of  the  founders  of  that  denomination  in  Ohio. 
He  accompanied  his  son  Samuel  upon  the  journey 
to  Ohio  and  purchased  1,000  acres  of  land,  which 
was  partially  cleared,  and  which  he  occupied  until 
his  death  in  1865,  after  having  arrived  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty -three  years.  Samuel  Hamil- 
ton finally  sold  his  farm  in  Ohio  and  emigrated  to 
Illinois  overland  with  his  family,  in  1854.  They 
settled  in  Marshall  County  upon  a  farm  of  180 
acres,  and  the  father  afterward  purchased  twenty 
acres  of  timber.  He  followed  farming  and  stock- 
raising  for  some  years  and  here  the  mother  died  in 
1866.  The  year  following  the  death  of  his  wife 
Samuel  Hamilton  sold  out  and  removed  to  Wenona, 
Marshall  County,  in  this  State,  and  is  now  living  on 
a  small  farm  there.  He  is  a  man  of  decided  views, 
is  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church. 

The  parents  of  Frank  Hamilton  had  a  family  of 
nine  children,  one  of  whom,  John  M.,  became 
Governor  of  Illinois,  and  six  are  now  living.  The 
subject  of  this  biography  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  parents  until  seventeen  years  of  age  and 
received  a  fair  education  in  the  schools  of  Wenona. 
He  then  attended  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloom- 
ington for  one  year  and  subsequently  engaged  in 
teaching  near  Weuona.  In  the  fall  of  1871,  he 
took  a  course  in  Adrian  College,  Indiana,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1874.  The  money  necessary 
for  carrying  on  his  studies  was  furnished  by  his 
uncle.  William  M.  Hamilton,  which  was  paid  back 
by  our  subject  after  he  commenced  teaching.  He 
was  married  in  August,  1875,  to  Miss  Emma  Cone, 
of  Fulton  County,  Ohio,  and  they  have  become  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Ethel  R.,  born  in  1882, 
and  Clair  O.,  in  1885. 

Soon  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Hamilton  became 
Principal  of  the  graded  school  at  Sheridan,  La 
Salle  County,  111.,  in  which  Mrs.  Hamilton  was  as- 
sistant, and  where  they  remained  for  the  following 
six  years.  In  1881  they  removed  to  Bloomington 
where  our  subject  commenced  the  study  of  law  with 


T 


f 


t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


727     <  . 


the  firm  of  Rowell  <fe  Hamilton,  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  two  years  later.  He  continued  in 
Bloom ington,  meeting  with  success,  and  in  1886  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature,  having  received  the 
nomination  after  a  spirited  contest,  over  the  former 
representative,  Hon.  I.  H.  Pike.  He  is  also  attor- 
ney for  the  I.  B.  <fe  W.  R.  R.  and  general  attorney 
for  the  Security  Live  Stock  Insurance  Company  of 
Bloomington.  Besides  his  residence  at  No.  701  East 
Douglas  street,  he  owns  a  farm  in  Nebraska.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  our  subject  has  been  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Sabbath-school  since  1 883.  He  is 
identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  fraternity  as  a  member  of  Bloom- 
ington Lodge  No.  43,  and  Royal  Arcanum  Council 
in  this  city.  So  far  he  has  made  for  himself  a  good 
record  and  there  is  a  prospect  for  him  of  better 
things  to  come. 


/RANK  KRAFT.  Germany  has  contributed 
her  quota,  not  only  to  the  upbuilding  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  but  a  goodly  portion  of  the 
United  States,  and  within  the  boundary  lines  of  this 
county  we  find  a  large  number  of  that  class  of  citi- 
zens. Prominent  among  this  number  is  the  gentle- 
man of  whom  we  write,  and  who  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  his  fine  and  productive  farm  on  section 
17,  Towanda  Township.  Mr.  Kraft  is  a  son  of  Jo- 
seph and  Mary  A.  Kraft,  natives  of  Germany,  in 
which  country  they  both  died. 

Our  subject  was  the  oldest  son  of  his  parents' 
children,  and  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  June 
7,  1829.  He  lived  in  the  "Faderland"  until  the 
fall  of  1855,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  When  sixteen  years  old  our  subject  learned 
the  trade  of  soap-making,  and  followed  that  occu- 
pation until  he  came  to  this  country,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  time  he  was  compelled  to  serve  in 
the  army.  The  laws  of  his  native  country  required 
him  to  serve  six  years  in  the  army,  but  two  years 
before  the  expiration  of  his  time  he,  desiring  to 
emigrate  to  the  United  States,  hired  a  substitute  to 
take  his  place  for  the  unexpired  time,  paying  there- 
for the  sum  of  §200. 


On  arriving  in  the  United  States  our  subject  first 
located  near  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  about 
one  year,  working  out  by  the  month  on  a  farm. 
In  the  fall  of  1856  he  came  to  McLean  County  and 
worked  at  farming  by  the  month  until  his  marriage. 
He  then  rented  a  farm,  and  for  four  years  continued 
to  cultivate  rented  land.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  had  accumulated  enough  to  enable  him  to 
purchase  eighty  acres  in  Towanda  Township,  and 
which  was  located  on  section  17.  On  this  tract  he 
settled,  and  has  there  lived  until  the  present  time. 
By  strict  economy  and  energy  he  has  been  enabled 
to  add  to  his  original  purchase,  and  is  now  the 
owner  of  320  acres  of  good  and  valuable  land,  on 
which  he  has  the  best  of  improvements,  and  where 
he  is  meeting  with  more  than  ordinary  success. 

Mr.  Kraft  was  married  at  Bloomington,  111., 
March  13,  1859,  to  Paulina  Fiebig,  daughter  of 
Gotlieb  and  Banety  Fiebig,  natives  of  Germany, 
and  in  which  country  they  both  died.  Mrs.  Kraft 
was  born  March  25,  1836,  in  Germany,  and  came 
to  this  country  when  twenty  years  of  age.  The  re- 
sult of  her  union  with  our  subject  has  been  two 
children :  Oscar  W.  and  Lewis  H. ;  the  former  mar- 
ried Miss  Alice  Phillipps,  and  they  are  living  in 
Towanda  Township;  Lewis  H.  resides  at  home,  aud 
assists  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm. 
Mr.  Kraft  has  been  School  Director,  and  in  politics 
is  Republican.  A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the 
handsome  residence  of  Mr.  Kraft  is  shown  on  an- 
other page  of  this  work. 


ftF^LIJAH  SMITH,  of   Belleflower   Township, 

towns  and  occupies  a  comfortable  homestead 
on  section  1.  He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State,  born  June  29,  1840,  and  the  youngest  child 
of  William  and  Sarah  (Cline)  Smith.  (See  sketch 
of  E.  R.  Smith.)  Elijah  Smith  was  reared  upon  his 
father's  farm  and  took  advantage  of  the  opportuni- 
ties afforded  to  secure  an  education  in  the  district 
schools,  where  he  applied  himself  industriously  and 
acquired  a  fund  of  useful  information.  He  made 
his  home  with  his  parents  some  time  after  reaching 
manhood,  and  later  operated  on  rented  land  which 
belonged  to  his  father.  In  1865  he  purchased  a 


f 


'  •    728 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


tract  of  timber  land  six  or  seven  miles  west  of 
Bushnell,  upon  which  he  worked  for  three  years 
following  and  then  coming  to  McLean  County  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  wild  prairie  on  section  1, 
Belleflower  Township.  In  addition  to  this  he  rented 
an  eighty-acre  tract  of  which  he  afterward  broke 
forty  acres,  and  in  1  873  built  a  part  of  the  house 
which  he  now  occupies.  All  of  his  land  is  im- 
proved and  he  has  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings. 

The  first  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  Oct. 
26,  1863,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Rachel  A.  Wright,  who  died  in  September,  1869, 
aged  twenty-five  years.  His  second  wife  was  Miss 
Maggie  Carey,  to  whom  he  was  married  Sept.  7, 
1873.  By  the  first  marriage  there  were  three  chil- 
dren, two  now  living  —  Mary  A.  and  Wesley  W. 
Of  the  second  marriage  there  were  -born,  Lena, 
Oradell,  Florence  and  Carl  L. 

Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church 
and  our  subject  belongs  to  Mansfield  Lodge  No. 
773,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  Democratic  in  politics 
and  in  all  respects  a  worthy  and  useful  citizen. 
The  father  of  Mrs.  Maggie  Smith,  the  wife  of  our 
subject,  was  Dawson  Carey,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
whence  he  removed  to  Illinois  in  about  1846,  and 
located  in  Scott  County,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  Her  mother,  formerly  Miss 
Mary  Six',  who  was  also  born  in  Ohio,  is  now  living 
in  Scott  County. 


^ILLIAM  THOMPSON,  a  farmer  and  stock  - 
raiser  of  Randolph  Township,  owns  one  of 
the  finest  farm  homesteads  in  McLean 
County.  It  comprises  392  acres,  and  occupies  a 
part  of  sections  11,  12,  14  and  22,  the  residence 
being  on  section  11.  The  family  history  of  our 
subject  is  as  follows:  His  father,  George  K. 
Thompson,  was  one  of  the  older  sons  of  William 
Thompson,  Sr.,  and  the  father  of  the  latter  was  a 
citizen  of  Virginia.  The  family  is  supposed  to 
have  come  from  Scottish  ancestry.  The  great- 
grandfather of  our  subject  and  his  sons  were  well- 
to-do  farmers  and  slave-holders,  who  had  been 
taught  to  believe  in  the  rectitude  of  the  peculiar 
institution.  The  grandfather  lived  and  died  in 


Monroe  County,  W.  Va.,  having  been  a  poor  man, 
but  an  honest,  law-abiding  citizen.  His  wife  was 
formerly  Miss  Elizabeth  King,  also  a  native  of 
West  Virginia,  who  spent  her  entire  life  in  her  na- 
tive State.  Of  their  six  children,  George  K.,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  the  eldest  son  and  third 
child.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  upon  his 
father's  farm,  and  after  reaching  years  of  manhood 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Anstis  Collison, 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  Greenbrier  County, 
W.  Va.,  where  her  marriage  took  place.  After  the 
birth  of  a  son,  whom  they  named  Franklin,  they 
came  to  Butler  County,  Ohio,  being  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  that  region,  making  their  home 
in  the  timber.  In  the  fall  of  1831,  the  little  family 
having  in  the  meantime  been  increased  in  size  by 
the  birth  of  our  subject  and  Mary  O.,  the  parents 
with  their  three  young  children  left  Ohio  and  came 
to  Illinois,  making  their  first  settlement  in  Peoria 
County.  The  following  year,  after  the  birth  of  a 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  they  came  to  Randolph  Town- 
ship and  settled  near  a  grove  of  the  same  name, -and 
on  the  farm  which  is  now  owned  by  our  subject, 
William  Thompson.  They  arrived  here  on  the  5th 
of  July,  and  on  the  27th  of  August  they  met  with  a 
sore  affliction  in  the  death  of  the  husband  and 
father,  leaving  the  mother  with  four  small  children  - 
dependent  upon  her.  Of  these  all  are  now  living, 
married,  and  comfortably  settled  in  homes  of  their 
own. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  remained  a  widow  for 
two  and  one-half  years,  and  then  became  the  wife 
of  Mathew  Coverdale.  The  mother  and  stepfather 
are  both  living,  and  make  their  home  with  our  sub- 
ject. The  former,  who  is  now  seventy-seven  years 
of  age,  received  a  severe  fall  two  years  ago,  which 
has  rendered  her  a  cripple  since  that  time.  Mr.  Cov- 
erdale is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  whence  he  removed 
to  Ohio  and  from  there  to  Illinois,  having  also  lived 
for  some  years  in  the  State  of  Indiana. 

William  Thompson  was  only  about  two  and  one- 
half  years  old  when  his  father  died.  He  afterward 
made  his  home  with  his  mother  and  stepfather  until 
he  attained  his  majority.  He  then  engaged  in 
farming  on  his  own  account,  and  three  years  later 
was  married,  in  Randolph  Township,  to  Miss  Cas- 
sandra French,  who  was  born  at  Athens,  Belmont 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


729 


.t 

T 


Co.,  Ohio,  March  16,  1836.  She  came  with  her  par- 
ents to  Illinois  in  her  girlhood,  and  remained  with 
them  in  this  township  until  her  marriage.  A  few 
weeks  after  this  event  the  father  sickened  and  died, 
the  mother  having  died  when  Cassandra  was  five 
years  old.  Of  this  marriage  of  our  subject  there 
were  born  two  children :  Oliver  C.  married  Miss  Mary 
Gard,  and  they  live  in  Ida  County,  Iowa;  he  has 
been  County  Surveyor  several  terms  and  is  now  a 
land  agent.  Minerva  became  the  wife  of  Henry 
Talbert,  and  they  reside  on  a  farm  in  Morrison 
County,  Kan.  Mrs.  Cassandra  Thompson  departed 
this  life  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  Story  Coun- 
ty, Iowa,  in  1856. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  the  second  time  married,  in 
Boone  County,  Iowa,  March  4,  1858,  to  Miss  Mary 
M.  Jones.  This  lady  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,  born  Aug.  31,  1835.  Her  parents  were 
Thomas  and  Jane  (Culbertson)  Jones,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Fayette  and  Westmoreland  Counties, 
Pa.  The  father  was  of  Welsh  descent  and  reared 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  was  of  Irish  an- 
cestry. They  were  married  in  Wayne  County, 
Ohio,  where  they  lived  for  many  years  and  reared 
their  family.  In  1855  they  emigrated  to  Story 
County,  Iowa,  where  the  parents  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  days,  the  father  living  to  the  ripe 
old  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  the  mother  dying 
when  fifty -six.  Mrs.  Thompson  was  the  first  daugh- 
ter and  fourth  child  of  the  family,  and  was  twenty 
years  old  when  her  parents  removed  to  Iowa.  By 
her  marriage  with  our  subject  she  has  become  the 
mother  of  nine  children,  two  now  deceas'ed.  The 
record  is  as  follows:  Anstis  married  William  H. 
Stewart,  a  farmer  of  Randolph  Township;  Mary  J. 
became  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Wakefield,  and  they  live 
on  a  farm  near  Hey  worth;  Martha  E.,  Mrs.  James 
L.  Pumphrey,  lives  in  Bloomington  City,  and  her 
husband  is  now  a  student  at  Wesleyan  University; 
George  K.  is  attending  the  Evergreen  City  Busi- 
ness College;  Daniel  W.,  Ed. .Edith  and  Nellie  are 
living  with  their  parents  at  home. 

Mrs.  Thompson  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Politically  our 
subject  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  served  two  terms 
as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  one  in  Iowa,  and  for  one 
term  has  been  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  in  Iowa. 


After  coming  West  Mr.  Thompson  resided  in 
Story  County,  Iowa,  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years, 
during  which  time  his  first  wife  died,  and  he  was 
the  second  time  married.  He  returned  to  his  present 
!  home  in  1866,  which  place  has  since  been  his  perma- 
nent abode. 


M.  EMERSON,  one  of  the  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Bloomington  Township,  is  occupy- 
ing a  pleasant  and  comfortable  homestead 
on  section  6,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  nursery 
business,  and  is  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of 
life.  He  is  also  interested  in  a  coal  mine,  but 
which  is  not  operated  at  the  present  time.  Mr.  Em- 
erson came  to  McLean  County  a  poor  man,  in 
1851,  and  his  present  possessions  are  the  result  of 
his  own  industry  and  energy.  He  was  born  in 
Clark  County,  Ky.,  Sept.  30,  1819,  being  the 
youngest  son  and  sixth  child  of  William  and  Polly 
(Tuggle)  Emerson,  natives  of  Virginia.  William 
Emerson  was  born  Aug.  11,  1787,  and  when  a  young 
man  removed  to  Kentucky,  where  he  was  married, 
in  Clark  County.  The  mother  was  born  April  25, 
1790.  After  their  marriage  the  parents  located  on  a 
farm  in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  where  the  father  was 
killed  by  a  colored  man  in  his  employ.  The  mother 
afterward  married  a  brother  of  her  first  husband, 
and  of  this  union  there  were  born  five  children. 
The  second  husband  died  in  about  1865;  the 
mother  survived  him  several  years,  and  remained 
in  Clark  County  until  her  death,  in  the  eightieth 
year  of  her  age. 

Young  Emerson  lived  with  his  mother  and  step- 
father most  of  the  time  until  his  marriage,  which 
took  place  in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  July  21,  1840, 
the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Elizabeth  M. 
Bybee,  a  native  of  Clark  County,  Ky.,  her  parents 
also  being  born  in  that  State.  Two  years  after  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emerson  removed  to  Mis- 
souri and  located  on  a  farm  in  Jackson  County, 
on  the  old  Santa  Fe  road,  near  Independence. 
After  three  years  they  returned  to  Kentucky, 
where  they  remained  until  1851,  living  in  Clark 
County  on  a  farm,  and  then,  in  company  with  three 
other  families,  came  to  the  Prairie  State  and  all  lo- 


I 


t    730 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


cated  near  Bloomington  City.  All  started  out  with 
little  means  and  all  have  been  prospered.  The  pres- 
ent home  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  is  the  same 
upon  which  they  located  on  first  coming  here.  He 
is  now  the  owner  of  1 00  acres  of  land  which  is  un- 
derlaid with  three  veins  of  a  good  quality  of  coal. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Emerson  died  at  the  home  of  her 
husband  in  Bloomington  Township,  on  the  4th  of 
June,  1874.  She  was  essentially  a  good  woman  in 
all  that  the  term  implies,  and  was  held  in  the  high- 
est esteem  by  her  husband  and  a  large  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances. Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  two 
children,  who  lived  only  a  short  time. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  married  the  second  time,  at  Gib- 
son City,  111.,  to  Miss  Eliza  D.  McFarland,  who  was 
born  and  reared  upon  a  farm  in  Stark  County,  Ohio. 
Her  mother  died  when  she  was  but  two  weeks  old. 
She  was,  before  her  marriage,  Miss  Eliza  Davis. 
The  father,  Abel  McFarland,  departed  this  life 
when  his  daughter,  Mrs.  E.,  was  only  eleven  years 
of  age.  A  year  afterward  she  went  to  Missouri  with 
her  elder  sister,  Sarah,  who  was  a  teacher,  and  they 
lived  at  Paris,  Monroe  County,  for  two  years. 
Then  both  went  to  Kentucky  and  located  in  Chris- 
tian County,  where  Mrs.  Emerson  grew  to  woman- 
hood and  received  a  common-school  education.  In 
1874  she  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Ford 
County,  where  she  was  married  to  our  subject  Feb. 
10,  1875.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  one,  an  infant,  is  deceased.  The 
living  are  Minerva  B.,  Clara,  Gracie,  Mary  W.  and 
F.  M.,  all  at  home.  The  family  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  our 
subject,  formerly  a  Democrat,  is  now  an  earnest 
supporter  of  the  Prohibition  party. 


OHN  PROTHERO.  A  large  proportion  of 
those  who  first  ventured  into  the  Western 
country,  having  the  courage  to  stake  their 
all  on  the  untried  prairie  or  in  the  virgin 
forest,  were  natives  of  another  continent.  They 
crossed  many  miles  of  ocean  before  reaching  the 
land  which  they  believed  would,  [by  the  exer- 
cise of  well  directed  efforts,  yield  them  a  home,  and 
'in  return  for  their  tireless  industry,  a  competency. 


'in  r 

i 


Among  these,  who  is  also  numbered  with  the  hon- 
ored pioneers  of  1838,  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  a 
retired  farmer  now  living  in  ease  and  comfort  in 
the  village  of  Say  brook.  His  birth  took  place  in 
the  southern  part  of  Wales  on  the  4th  of  August, 
1814. 

When  a  lad  of  fourteen  years,  Mr.  Prothero  came 
to  America  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Canada. 
The  only  education  he  ever  received  was  during 
the  few  years'  schooling  he  had  in  his  native  coun- 
try. He  lived  with  his  parents  in  the  Dominion  un- 
til 1838,  then  started  Westward  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Lawton  Case,  and  a  neighbor,  Thomas  Newland. 
After  arriving  in  this  State  he  worked  at  carpenter- 
ing which  he  had  previously  learned.  He  took  up 
his  abode  in  Cheney's  Grove,  and  in  1842  was  uni- 
ted in  marriage  with  Miss  Catharine  Cheney.  Mrs. 
Prothero  was  born  May  30,  1825,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Katie  (Owens)  Cheney, 
both  natives  of  Virginia  and  of  Welsh  descent,  and 
highly  esteemed  people.  Of  this  marriage  there 
were  born  five  children,  but  the  household  was 
left  desolate  by  the  loss  of  all.  They  were  born 
as  follows:  Elliott  L.,  Aug.  25,  1848;  Francis 
M.,  Sept.  24,  1850;  Margaret,  Aug.  2,  1858;  David 
A.,  March  17,  1861;  Charlie  A.,  May  30,  1863. 
Mrs.  Catharine  (Cheney)  Prothero  departed  this 
life  on  the  9th  of  May,  1869.  She  was  a  highly  es- 
teemed Christian  lady  and  a  devoted  member  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  on  the  23d of  March,  1871,  was  Miss  Laura 
Case,  who  was  born  in  Portage  County,  Ohio,  in 
1832,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1857.  Mrs.  P.  is 
finely  educated  and  taught  school  for  several  years 
in  Ohio,  and  later,  in  this  county,  and  also  in  Mc- 
Douough  County,  and  met  with  unqualified  suc- 
cess, being  admirably  adapted  by  disposition  and 
intellect  for  this  calling.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  for  some 
years  after  their  marriage  lived  on  the  farm  of  our 
subject  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  and  thence,  in 
1873,  removed  to  Saybrook.  Their  home  is  supplied 
with  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  modern 
life,  and  Mr.  Prothero,  surrounded  by  the  friends 
which  he  has  made  by  his  honorable  and  upright 
course,  is  passing  a  happy  and  contented  old  age. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  United  Brethren 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


733 


Church,  of  which  he  has  served  as  Steward  and 
Trustee  for  several  years.  He  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township  for  eight  years, 
in  which  oflice  he  served  with  remarkable  success 
and  good  judgment,  never  having  one  of  his  decis- 
ions reversed  by  a  higher  court.  Politically,  he  has 
been  a  Republican,  but  recently  became  greatly  in- 
terested in  the  movements  and  success  of  the  Pro- 
hibitionists, believing  that  the  issues  put  forward 
by  that  party  are  paramount  to  all  others  in  which 
the  American  people  are  now  interested  and  with 
which  they  must  deal.  Besides  his  finely  cultiva- 
ted farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship, he  has  several  improved  lots  within  the  limits 
of  Saybrook,  and  a  snug  little  sum  at  interest. 

In  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Prothero,  as  shown  on 
another  page,  are  delineated  the  features  of  a  gen- 
tleman whom  to  know  has  invariably  been  to  honor, 
and  who,  after  reaching  more  than  threescore  years 
and  ten,  can  look  back  upon  a  career  in  which  there 
has  been  little  to  regret,  and  whose  impulses  and 
desires  have  enabled  him  to  act  upon  the  higher 
plane,  illustrating  fully  the  character  of  an  honest 
man  and  a  good  citizen,  performing  well  his  part  in 
life,  and  at  its  close  will  receive,  and  not  alone  from 
his  fellow-citizens,  the  plaudit  of  "well  done." 


^f  OHN  M.  STIPP.  Supervisor  of  Arrowsmith 
Township,  and  whose  portrait  is  given  on  an 
accompanying  page,  is  one  of  the  most  enter- 
prising farmers  of  the  county.  His  home- 
stead is  pleasantly  located  on  section  19  of  the 
township  named.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Henry 
Stipp,  was  a  native  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  born  Nov.  2,  1808.  While  still  a  boy 
he  removed  with  his  parents,  John  and  Catherine 
Stipp,  to  Indiana,  settling  in  Vigo  County,  twelve 
miles  north  of  Terre  Haute,  which  was  then  an 
embryo  village.  In  that  locality  our  subject  was 
reared  to  manhood,  receiving  careful  parental  train- 
ing and  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools. 
He  \vas  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Martha  Medd- 
ley,  who  was  born  near  Terre  Haute.  After  mar- 
riage the  young  people  went  to  housekeeping,  and 
our  subject  continued  his  farm  operations  in  con- 


nection with  lumbering  on  the  river  until  1852. 
They  then  crossed  over  into  Illinois  and  became 
residents  of  this  county,  locating  first  upon  a  tract 
of  land  in  Padua  Township.  Five  years  later  Mr. 
Stipp  disposed  of  his  property  there  and  purchased 
eighty  acres  on  section  7,  in  Arrowsmith  Township, 
which  he  improved  and  cultivated,  adding  to  it  as 
time  progressed  and  his  means  accumulated.  His 
first  wife  had  died  in  Indiana  in  1844,  leaving  one 
son,  John  M.,  the  subject  of  this  history.  Henry 
Stipp  was  subsequently  married  to  Miss  Cynthia 
Ann  Meddley,  a  cousin  of  his  former  companion. 
The  father  died  upon  the  homestead  which  he  had 
established  in  Arrowsmith  Township  in  about  1873. 
His  widow  is  still  living,  residing  on  the  old  home- 
stead. Of  the  two  marriages  of  Henry  Stipp  there 
were  born  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  seven  of 
whom  are  now  living. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Vigo 
County,  Ind.,  Nov.  3,  1842,  and  came  to  Illinois 
in  1852  with  the  family  when  a  boy  of  ten  years 
old.  He  has  since  thatjtinie  been  a  resident  of  this 
county.  He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  his 
early  education  was  necessarily  quite  limited,  as 
the  public  schools  of  those  early  days  were  few  and 
far  between  and  not  conducted  in  accordance  with 
the  splendid  system  of  to-day.  About  the  time 
young  Stipp  was  nineteen  years  of  age  the  outbreak 
of  the  Rebellion  necessitated  a  call  for  volunteers 
to  assist  in  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  With 
many  others  he  cheerfully  responded  to  the  first 
call,  and  became  a  member  of  Co.  K,  8th  111.  Vol. 
Inf., and  wasmustered  in  in  April,  1801.  This  was 
the  first  company  to  leave  Bloomington,  and  among 
the  very  first  to  rush  to  the  defense  of  the  flag  that 
had  but  a  few  days  before  fallen  from  tne  ram  ports 
of  Sumter.  After  serving  his  term  of  three  months 
Mr.  Stipp  re-enlisted  and  was  transferred  to  Co.  A, 
1st  111.  Vol.  Cav.  Their  regiment  was  soon  after- 
ward disbanded  by  general  orders  and  our  subject 
once  more  returned  home,  but  not  to  stay.  There 
being  no  immediate  prospect  of  a  termination  of 
the  difficulties  between  the  North  and  the  South, 
he  again  proffered  his  services  as  a  soldier  and  was 
mustered  into  service  as  a  member  of  Co.  F,  94th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  until  July  22,  1865.  This 
time  it  was  no  child's  play  and  Mr.  Stipp  entered 


'  •  734 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


into  active  service,  participating  in  all  the  battles 
and  skirmishes  of  his  regiment,  including  the  siege 
and  capture  of  Yicksburg,  and  Yazoo  City,  Miss., 
the  capture  of  Brownsville  and  Ft.  Morgan,  Ala., 
in  which  he  officiated  as  color-bearer.  Amid  the 
scenes  of  danger  and  death  he  escaped  compara- 
tivly  unharmed,  and  was  promoted  Sergeant  and 
after  the  war  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  by  Gov. 
Oglesby,  of  Illinois.  Gen.  McNulty  in  presenting 
him  the  commission  wrote  him  a  lengthy  letter, 
enumerating  many  acts  of  bravery  and  mentioning 
his  meritorious  conduct  upon  the  field  upon  all  oc- 
casions. 

His  regiment,  of  which  he  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber, as  the  history  of  the  late  civil  strife  will  al- 
ways show,  saw  much  hard  and  dangerous  service. 
We  cannot  in  this  brief  sketch  rehearse  the  daring 
deeds  of  its  men — their  loyal  sacrifices  and  heroic 
achievements — but  all  the  experiences  of  war  were 
theirs.  Could  they  be  told  they  would  speak  of 
early  reverses,  sad  disappointments,  gloomy  fore- 
bodings for  the  future,  of  sickness  in  camp  and 
hospital ;  fearful  suspense ;  of  midnight  marches,  of 
deadly  ambuscades,  of  labor  in  trenches  and  dreary 
and  enforced  idleness  in  camp;  of  escapes,  of 
wounds,  of  imprisonment  in  foul  dens,  on  the  dead 
line,  and  of  death — of  all  the  horrors  of  fratricidal 
war.  But  they  would  speak  too  of  privations 
willingly  endured,  dangers  voluntarily  incurred, 
ceaseless  labor  gladly  undergone,  risks  gladly  and 
daringly  assumed,  and  death  most  chivalrously  en- 
countered; of  dashing  assaults,  of  well  contested 
fields,  of  the  enemy's  retreat  and  of  countless  vic- 
tories. They  would  speak  of  disaster,  but  also  of 
success;  of  doubt,  but  yet  of  undying  hope;  of 
transient  defeats,  but  still  of  final  and  enduring 
victory. 

After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
army  Mr.  Stipp  returned  to  this  county  and  resumed 
his  farming  operations  in  Arrowsmith  Township. 
In  1868  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Kansas,  remaining 
there,  however,  only  one  season.  He  then  returned 
to  McLean  County  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
his  present  farm.  To  this  he  added  from  time  to 
time  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  200  acres,  all 
finely  improved  and  valuable.  In  1885  he  erected 
a  commodious  and  handsome  farm  residence,  which, 


with  its  beautiful  surroundings,  forms  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  the  landscape  of  this  sec- 
tion. In  addition  to  general  agriculture  he  is  quite 
extensively  interested  in  stock-raising  and  among 
his  herds  are  to  be  found  some  very  fine  animals. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  on  the  4th 
of  March,  186G,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Ellen,  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  Wirt.  Mrs. 
S.  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  March  31, 
1844.  The  result  of  this  union  has  been  five  chil- 
dren— Minnie,  Florence,  Clayborn  H.,  J.  W.  and 
Nellie. 

Mr.  Stipp,  politically,  is  an  earnest  Republican, 
and  is  now  serving  his  third  term  in  his  present  of- 
fice, that  of  Supervisor.  He  is  a  gentlemen  of 
sound  judgment  and  good  business  qualifications, 
and  is  greatly  respected  by  all  who  have  the  honor 
of  his  acquaintance.  He  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  being  connected 
with  Arrowsmith  Lodge  No.  737. 


MAURER,  of  Danvers  Town- 
ship,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  State  since 
1843,  and  two  years  later  located  in  McLean 
County,  where  he  has  continued  to  make  his 
home  until  the  present.  His  homestead  is  located 
on  section  10,  Danvers  Township,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming,  and  living  the  life  of  an 
upright  and  conscientious  citizen. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  near  the 
River  Rhine,  Germany,  in  1822,  and  is  the  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Mary  (Korb)  Maurer,  natives  of  the 
same  country,  where  they  were  reared  and  married 
in  1819.  Nicholas  Maurer,  Sr.,  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  four  children — Christian,  Catherine, 
Nicholas  of  our  sketch,  and  Joseph.  They  were 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and  died  about 
1835.  They  were  most  worthy  and  excellent  peo- 
ple, and  greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew  them. 

Mr.  Maurer,  of  this  history,  remained  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  then  set 
sail  for  the  New  World,  lauding  m  New  Orleans, 
whence  he  soon  afterward  went  to  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer  for  three 
and  one-half  years.  In  1 843  he  came  to  Woodford 


f 


•>  m  •«•• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


735 


County,  this  State,  and  purchased  600  acres  of  land. 
After  a  two  3rears'  residence  in  that  county  he  re- 
moved to  McLean  County,  and  in  1863,  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  Kohler.  Mr.  Maurer  had  pre- 
viously married  a  Miss  Bochler,  by  whom  he  had 
one  child,  Catharine.  fie  became  prosperous  in 
his  business  and  farming  transactions,  and  added 
240  acres  to  his  h'rst  purchase,  so  that  he  now  has 
a  large  body  of  finely  improved  land  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  The  family  residence  is  a 
substantial  and  convenient,  structure,  and  the  farm 
is  supplied  with  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Mennonite  Church.  The  family  of  our  subject  in- 
cluded six  children  —  Catharine,  Samuel,  Joseph 
and  Lydia;  Johnnie  and  Mary,  two  of  these,  died 
in  infancy. 

Mr.  Maurer  is  the  possessor  of  320  acres  of  fine 
land  in  McLean  County,  and  in  politics  he  is  inde- 
pendent. A  view  of  Mr.  Maurer's  residence  and 
surroundings  is  given  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


J~~jAMES  S.  COON,  a  pioneer  of  the  Prairie 
State,  has  been  a  resident  of  Gridley  Town- 
.  ship  over  forty-five  years.  He  was  born 
'  near  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  March  21,  1825, 
being  the  son  of  Adam  and  Eleanor  (Dickason) 
Coon,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  re- 
spectively. They  removed  in  early  youth  to  Ohio, 
where  they  were  married,  in  Fayette  County,  in 
about  1811.  Subsequently  they  came  to  Indiana, 
settling  near  what  is  now  Crawfordsville,  Mont- 
gomery County,  where  they  lived  until  July,  1837, 
then  coming  to  this  State  and  county,  settled  first 
near  Towanda,  whence  they  afterward  removed  to 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  in  the  spring  of  1841 
to  Gridley  Township.  Here  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  Of  their  nine  children. 
seven  lived  to  mature  years,  these  being  Isaiah, 
Jonathan,  Ruth,  Michael,  James  S.,  Nancy  J.  and 
Margaret.  Elbert  and  Henry  died  when  quite 
young. 

James  S.  Coon  was  but  twelve  years  old  when 
he  came  to  this  county.      He  remained  under  the 


home  roof  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age, 
when  he  was  married,  and  settled  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he 
has  followed  all  his  life.  His  farm  consists  of  180 
acres  of  improved  land,  upon  which  he  has  erected 
a  good  set  of  frame  buildings  and  has  all  the  ap- 
pliances of  a  progressive  modern  farmer. 

He  was  married  in  Gridley  Township,  Feb.  14, 
1850,  to  Miss  Maria,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Wilcox)  Young,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  They 
were  reared  and  married  in  that  State,  and  settled 
first  in  Fayette  County,  whence  they  removed  to 
this  State  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  took  up  their 
abode  in  Money  Creek  Township,  this  county, 
where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
The  father  died  in  1833'.  The  mother  afterward 
married  John  Thomas,  by  whom  she  had  four  chil- 
dren. Her  death  occurred  in  about  1847.  Of  her 
first  marriage  there  were  born  three  children.  Mrs. 
Coon  was  born  in  Fayette  Count}',  Ohio,  May  22, 
1831. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
three  children :  Ambrose  W.  married  Miss  Cath- 
erine Sheppard,  and  they  had  four  children,  only 
one  of  whom  survives,  a  daughter,  Delia  M.,  and 
the  wife  died  in  Gridley  Township,  June  7,  1884; 
Sarah  E.  is  the  wife  of  Wesley  Lowery,  and  resides 
in  Colorado,  and  she  has  four  children — Isaac  I., 
Mary  M.,  Carrie  E.  and  Ambrose  W. ;  Frank  died 
in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  are  devoted  members 
of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coon  are  known  all  over  this  sec- 
tion of  the  country  as  "  Uncle  Jim  "  and  "Aunt 
Maria."  Airs.  C.  is  a  very  expert  carpet-weaver, 
in  which  she  has  been  occupied  for  many  years, 
and  during  that  time  has  rolled  up  1,000  yards  a 
year,  which  present  as  handsome  workmanship 
as  is  ordinarily  found.  Mr.  Coon,  during  his 
earlier  years  was  very  fond' of  hunting,  and  in 
company  with  his  brother,  Michael,  slaughtered 
scores  of  deer,  wolves  and  various  other  kinds  of 
game.  They  caught,  one  winter,  eighteen  wolves 
in  steel  traps,  but  finally  abandoned  the  trap  and 
pursued  the  wily  rascals  with  greyhounds,  after  the 
country  became  so  thickly  settled  that  the  game 
was  nearly  all  captured  or  driven  away.  Being 
among  the  early  settlers  of  the  Prairie  State,  they 


i 


f 


t 

» 


73fi 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


were  obliged  to  endure  much  privation  and  incon- 
venience, but  they  possessed  that  brave  and  cour- 
ageous spirit  for  which  the  pioneers  have  ever  been 
distinguished,  and  were  ready  for  any  emergency 
that  might  arise.  For  some  years  they  were  far 
from  either  market  or  mill,  and  even  when  the 
roads  were  good  it  took  one  week  to  make  the  trip 
to  Chicago.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  watched 
with  unabated  interest  the  progress  and  prosperity 
of  this  great  Commonwealth,  and  have  contributed 
their  full  share  toward  the  industrial  and  agricult- 
ural interests  of  McLean  County. 

In  politics  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  his  party. 


II.  BOIES,  deceased,  one  of  the  most 
prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  Grid- 
ley,  was  largely  engaged  as  a  grain  and 
stock  dealer,  and  by  his  enterprise  and  activity,  for 
many  years  assisted  greatly  in  the  prosperity  of  the 
business  interests  of  this  section.  Mr.  Boies  was  a 
native  of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  the 
town  of  Moscow,  Jan.  22,  1833.  He  was  the  son 
of  James  C.  and  Caroline  (Severence)  Boies,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Canada  and  Vermont.  After 
marriage  the  parents  of  our  subject  settled  in  Liv- 
ingston County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  the  mother  died, 
in  about  1835.  James  Boise  then  came  to  Illinois 
and  made  his  home  in  Gridley,  this  county,  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  January,  1886,  There 
were  only  two  children — Wilber  H.  and  George. 
The  latter  was  formerly  a  conductor  on  the  T.  P. 
&  W.  R.  R.  for  twenty-one  years,  but  is  now  en- 
gaged in  the  real-estate  business  in  Kansas  City. 

W.  H.  Boise  received  a  good  common-school 
education  and  remained  a  resident  of  his  native 
county  until  1856,  five  years  of  that  time  being 
employed  as  clerk  in  a  store.  In  the  year  named, 
he  came  to  Illinois,  and  made  his  home  in  El  Paso 
for  about  six  years,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
purchase  and  sale  of  grain.  From  there  he  went 
to  Watseka,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  freight 
office  for  a  short  time,  and  in  the  spring  of  1862 
came  to  Gridley  and  took  charge  of  the  station  of 


the  T.  P.  &  W.  R.  R.  as  their  agent,  a  position 
which  he  occupied  fourteen  years ;  in  the  meantime 
he  was  also  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of 
grain.  After  retiring  from  the  employ  of  this  road 
he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  his  grain  and 
stock  operations,  to  which  he  added  that  of  farm- 
ing. He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  he  success- 
fully operated,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the 
owner  of  400  acres  in  Gridley  Township.  The 
elevator  there,  which  has  a  capacity  of  about 
30,000  bushels,  was  projected  and  built  by  him,  in 
addition  to  a  warehouse  with  a  capacity  of  80,000. 

Wilber  H.  Boise  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  A.  Taylor,  in  Perry,  Wyoming  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  Nov.  18,  1857.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  Wyoming 
County,  Sept.  12,  1837,  and  by  her  union  with 
our  subject  became  the  mother  of  four  children — 
George  V.,  Nettie  W.,  Charles  C.  and  Wilber  H.,  Jr. 

In  1884,  Mr.  Boise,  who  had  been  in  partnership 
with  R.  Beese.  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner 
and  afterward  carried  on  his  business  alone.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  greatly  in- 
terested in  the  success  of  the  temperance  move- 
ment, and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Village  Board 
for  several  years.  Socially  he  was  connected  with 
El  Paso  Lodge,'  No.  246,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  be- 
longed to  Coeur  de  Leon  Commandery  at  El  Paso, 
and  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter. 


eW.  LANDER,  proprietor  of  the  livery  and 
sale  stables  at  Nos.  203,  205  and  207  North 
street.  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  was  born  April  4,  1828.  He  is  the  son 
of  Samuel  and  Sallie  (Haggard)  Lander,  natives  of 
the  same  State  as  their  son.  The  father  of  our 
subject  in  1835  came  to  Illinois  with  his  family, 
and  entered  a  tract  of  Government  land  in  Bloom- 
ington Township.  He  subsequently  purchased  two 
improved  farms,  and  at  one  time  was  the  owner 
of  2,000  acres  in  this  county.  He  afterward  dis- 
posed of  the  most  of  his  property  in  this  State, 
and  went  to  Denison,  Tex.,  where  he  now  lives 
retired  from  active  labor;  the  mother  died  in 
Bloomington  in  1844.  Their  four  children  were 
John  D.,  of  Kansas;  C.  W.  of  our  sketch;  Richard 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


737 


M.,  of  Bloomington,  and  Mrs.  Z.  A.  York,  of  this 
county.  Samuel  Lander  was  a  prominent  man  in 
the  community  in  which  he  lived,  Democratic  in 
politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention which  met  at  Springfield  in  1846.  He  was 
connected  with  the  Baptist  Church  for  a  period  of 
fifty-five  years,  fifty  years  of  this  time  serving  as 
Deacon.  He  became  interested  in  city  property, 
was  the  stanch  and  liberal  supporter  of  school  and 
church  institutions,  and  actively  interested  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  moral  and  intellectual 
welfare  of  his  county  and  State. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his  fa- 
ther's farm  and  received  a  practical  education. 
After  leaving  home  he  came  to  Bloomington  and 
engaged  in  teaming,  also  in  buying  and  selling 
horses  until  1857.  He  then  became  proprietor  of 
an  omnibus  line,  which  he  continued  to  operate  un- 
til the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  Enlisting  in  Co.  E, 
94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  he  served  two  months  as  Regi- 
mental Wagon-master,  when  he  was  detailed  as  Di- 
vision Wagon-master  and  remained  in  this  depart- 
ment of  the  service  until  March,  1864.  Subse- 
quently he  was  appointed  Quartermaster  Agent  and 
had  full  control  of  the  teams  of  ten  regiments.  He 
went  from  Missouri  to  Vicksburg,  then  down  the 
river  to  Morgan's  Bend ;  from  there  to  New  Or- 
leans, thence  to  Brownsville,  Tex.,  and  then  re- 
turning to  Louisiana  soil  halted  at  Baton  Rouge. 
After  being  mustered  out  at  Brownsville,  in  1864, 
he  returned  to  Bloomington,  and  in  1865  engaged 
in  the  wood  and  coal  business  until  the  spring  of 
1866.  He  was  then  elected  City  Marshal  and  after 
serving  twenty  months  resigned  and  resumed  the 
wood  and  coal  business,  following  this  for  three 
years  thereafter,  and  also  running  a  dray  line  un- 
til 1872.  He  then  established  his  present  business, 
which  he  has  successfully  followed  since.  His 
stock  comprises  from  fifteen  to  twenty  fine  horses 
and  some  of  the  most  tasteful  turnouts  in  the  city. 
A  ripe  experience  has  rendered  him  an  expert  in 
the  business,  and  his  courteous  and  obliging  man- 
ner has  gained  him  hosts  of  friends. 

Mr.  Lander  was  married  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1851,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Wallace,  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Adolph)  Wallace,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 


two  children ;  Frank,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the 
livery  business  at  Normal  since  1884,  and  Ida,  at 
home.  Mrs.  Lander  departed  this  life  on  the  9th 
of  January,  1862,  at  her  husband's  home  in  Bloom- 
ington. She  was  a  lady  greatly  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  her,  and  a  consistent  member  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church. 

The  present  wife  of  our  subject,  is  Miss  Letitia 
Garrittson,  to  whom  he  was  married  Nov.  19, 1884. 
Mrs.  Lander  was  born  in  Indiana  but  reared  in 
Bloomiugton,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
has  become  the  mother  of  one  child — Louise.  Mr. 
Lander  is  held  in  that  peculiar  respect  which  is 
tacitly  accorded  the  early  pioneers,  who  by  their 
industry  and  perseverance  paved  the  way  for  a 
later  and  more  perfect  civilization.  He  has  ma- 
terially assisted  in  the  development  and  growth 
of  this  locality  by  contributing  his  full  share  to  its 
business  interests,  and  of  his  means  to  whatever 
had  for  its  object  the  advancement  and  prosperity 
of  his  community.  He  is  a  man  of  sound  judgment 
and  one  whose  opinions  are  uniformly  respected. 
Politically  he  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  has  been  an  Odd  Fellow  for  the  last 
thirty -five  years  and  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  G.  A.  R. 


)INSLOW  J.  BARNES,  a  highly  respected 
and  prosperous  farmer  of  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, is  pleasantly  located  on  section  36, 
and  is  in  possession  of  one  of  the  finest  homesteads 
in  this  region,  a  view  of  which  is  shown  on  another 
page.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1856,  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  township  since  1863,  taking  posses- 
sion of  his  present  farm  four  years  later.  Besides 
general  farming  he  is  also  engaged  in  dairying,  and 
has  a  fine  herd  of  Jersey  cows.  He  sells  his  butter 
in  Bloomington  and  St.  Louis.  Mr.  Barnes  was 
born  in  West  Brookfield,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass., 
Dec.  27,  1837,  being  the  son  of  Jonas  Barnes,  who 
was  born  in  Hampshire  County,  the  same  State, 
June  3,  1802.  His  grandfather,  Zebulon  Barnes, 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  spent  the  last  years 
of  his  life  in  West  Brookfield,  Mass. 

Jonas  Barnes  removed  from  Hampshire  to  Frank- 


T 


I- 


738 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


lin  County  when  a  young  man,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Miranda  Hied,  who  was  a  native  of 
Charlemont,  that  county.  They  afterward  removed 
to  West  Brookfield,  where  the  father  purchased  a 
farm,  lie  was  a  wheelwright  by  trade,  and  pursued 
this  in  connection  with  his  farming  operations.  He 
died  in  West  Brookfield  on  the  1st  of  June,  1844. 
The  mother  now  lives  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Frank  Shackley.  The  parental  family  included  three 
sons  and  three  daughters,  all  living,  as  follows: 
Electa  lives  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Snow;  Charles  E. 
is  in  Pratt  County,  Kan. ;  Harriet  W.,  the  widow 
of  Charles  H.  Snow,  resides  in  Mt.  Hope  Township ; 
Albert  H.  is  in  Oxford,  Sumner  Co.,  Kan;  Eliza- 
beth R.,  Mrs.  Frank  Shackley,  is  in  Hartford, 
Conn.,  and  our  subject. 

Winslow  J.  Barnes  was  the  fourth  'child  and  sec- 
ond son  of  his  parents,  and  was  but  seven  years  old 
when  his  father  died.  The  latter  was  in  debt  for 
the  farm  which  he  occupied,  but  Mrs.  Barnes 
proved  an  excellent  manager,  keeping  her  family 
together,  paying  the  debt  and  purchasing  additional 
land.  The  children  all  lived  at  home  until  they 
were  able  to  care  for  themselves.  When  our  sub- 
ject was  thirteen  years  old  he  went  to  Charlemont 
and  lived  with  an  uncle  two  j'ears,  and  then  became 
an  apprentice  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  He 
followed  this  in  Worcester  until  1856,  and  in  that 
year  emigrated  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Kane  Coun- 
ty, and  followed  his  trade  there  until  1863,  when 
he  came  to  McLean  and  pursued  the  same  until  he 
took  possession  of  his  present  farm,  in  1867.  This 
had  no  buildings  when  he  purchased  it,  and  he  has 
industriously  employed  his  time  in  making  im- 
provements and  cultivating  his  land.  He  now  has 
a  handsome  and  substantial  frame  dwelling,  a  good 
barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings.  The  farm  is 
just  outside  the  corporation  of  McLean  and  in- 
cludes ninety  acres,  which  are  increasing  in  value 
each  year  as  the  growth  of  the  town  advances. 

Mr.  Barnes  was  married  in  January,  1867,  to 
Miss  Carrie  Rice,  who  was  born  in  Dayton,  N.  Y., 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Hart  and  Eliza  Rice.  In 
1881,  on  account  of  the  failing  health  of  his  wife, 
Mr.  Barnes  went  to  California  and  spent  nearly  two 
years  at  San  Rafael,  and  Santa  Clara.  Mrs.  B.  died 
in  the  latter  place,  in  June,  1881.  Our  subject  was 


the  second  time  married,  in  April,  1883,  to  Miss 
Mary  Sands,  who  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind., 
and  is  the  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  (Fulk- 
erson)  Sands,  natives  respectively  of  North'Carolina 
and  Virginia.  Mr.  Barnes  is  Republican  in  politics; 
he  holds  fellowship  with  the  Congregational  Church, 
He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  good  of  the  township,  and  at  pres- 
ent is  serving  his  second  term  as  Highway  Com- 
missioner of  Mt.  Hope  Township.  His  wife  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 


>ILLIAM  ARNOLD,  who  is  identified  with 
the  business  interests  of  Chenoa,  is  at  pres- 
ent carrying  on  a  livery  stable,  and  is  ad- 
ministering to  the  comfort  of  the  public  with  profit 
to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  He 
is  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  born  Nov.  3,  1853. 
His  father,  John  C.  Arnold,  was  born  in  Germany, 
and  was  married  in  his  native  country  to  Miss 
Caroline  Tredbaugh.  They  emigrated  to  America 
in  July,  1853,  and  locating  near.  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
lived  there  four  years.  In  the  winter  of  1857  they 
came  to  Illinois,  spent  one  year  at  Bloomington, 
then  removed  upon  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  the 
city,  where  they  remained  six  years.  Subsequently 
they  took  up  their  abode  two  miles  north  of  Nor- 
mal, where  they  lived  for  four  years  and  thence  re- 
moved to  a  farm  in  Yates  Township,  where  the  fa- 
ther of  our  subject  engaged  in  agriculture  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  July  13,  1881.  The 
mother  died  Oct.  23,  1876.  The  household  circle 
included  nine  children,  six  of  whom  lived  until 
after  the  death  of  the  parents;  John  F.  subse- 
quently died  in  Kansas  when  in  his  twenty-seventh 
year;  Mary  B.  died  in  Ohio  in  1884;  George  J.  is 
a  resident  of  Yates  Township;  Maggie  M.  became 
the  wife  of  Anthony  Thayers,  a  farmer  of  Yates 
Tonnship;  William  of  our  sketch  was  the  next  in 
order  of  birth ;  Minnie  and  Oscar  reside  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Yates  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  histor}'  was  but  four  years  of 
age  when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  re- 
mained on  the  farm  until  his  marriage,  and  then 


IB 


f 

I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


739 


began  farming  on  his  own  account.  Mr.  Arnold 
was  married.  Sept.  2,  1880,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  young- 
est daughter  of  David  Vance,  of  Chenoa.  The 
yonng  couple  settled  on  a  farm  about  three  miles 
south  of  the  town  of  Chenoa,  where  they  lived  un- 
til 1886,  then  removed  to  the  village  of  the  same 
name.  Mr.  A.,  however,  still  retains  possession  of 
his  farm,  which  constitutes  a  most  admirable  aux- 
iliary to  his  present  business.  It  consists  of  160 
acres  and  is  located  on  section  26.  It  is  now  op- 
erated by  a  tenant.  The  livery  establishment  of 
Mr.  Arnold  includes  a  goodly  number  of  horses 
and  the  best  description  of  vehicles. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  one  child,  a  son,  Harry  W.  Mr.  A.  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  in  December,  1886, 
was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  under  V.  E.  Howell. 


F.  HARWOOD.  The  subject  of  the  follow- 
ing sketch  is  one  of  the  most  highly  re- 
spected and  honored  citizens  of  Blooming- 
ton.  To  rare  executive  ability  and  business  tact 
he  adds  great  kindness  of  heart,  and  universal  sym- 
pathy with  the  adversities  and  misfortunes  of  life, 
which  he  strives  to  alleviate  whenever  he  has 
-  opportunity.  In  short,  the  general  verdict  as  ap- 
plied to  Mr.  Harwood,  is  "  Well  done,  good  and 
faithful "  citizen.  Our  subject  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Harwood  &  Sons,  lumber  merchants,  deal- 
ing extensively  in  sash,  doors,  blinds,  coal,  etc., 
the  business  of  which  firm  is  located  at  No.  901  East 
Grove  street.  Mr.  Harwood  is  a  native  of  Orleans 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  in  1838.  He  is  the 
son  of  Chauncey  and  Lovisa  (Bogue)  Harwood, 
natives  of  Vermont. 

Chauncey  Harwood  removed  from  his  native 
State  to  New  York  before  his  marriage,  traveling 
on  foot  from  Chittenden,  Vt.,  to  where  the  city  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  now  stands,  much  of  his  road 
lying  through  the  heavy  timber.  After  reaching 
his  destination,  he  purchased  100  acres  of  land 
upon  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Rochester, 
and  erected  a  woolen-mill  just  below  the  falls  of 
the  Genesee  River.  After  this  was  completed 
and  equipped  he  superintended  its  operation  until 


«: 
a, 

y 


his  health  failed,  when  he  abandoned  it.  Ele  then 
went  to  Orleans  County,  that  State,  where  he  pur- 
chased 146  acres  of  timber  land,  erected  another 
woolen  factory  and  built  up  a  business  which  ex- 
tended from  Rochester  to  Niagara  Falls,  people 
coming  from  all  directions  on  horseback  with 
bundles  of  wool  to  be  carded.  He  cleared  his 
timbered  tract  and  out  of  the  wilderness  opened  up 
a  valuable  farm.  After  retiring  from  active  busi- 
ness he  removed  to  the  village  of  Holley,  where  the 
mother  died  in  1858,  and  her  husband  three  years 
later.  Of  their  family  of  nine  children,  six  are 
n6w  living,  as  follows :  Jeffrey  resides  near  Kala- 
mazoo,  Mich. ;  Dwight  and  Dan  B.  are  iu  Bloom- 
ington ;  Hiland  H.  is  in  Clinton,  111. ;  the  next  is 
our  subject ;  Augusta,  Mrs.  B.  F.  Hoops,  lives  in 
Bloomington.  Chauncy  Harwood  was  a  man  of 
great  energy  and  perseverance  and  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  chief  events  of  the  day,  although  he 
steadily  declined  to  become  an  office-holder.  He 
was  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  old  Whig  party  and 
the  friend  of  every  measure  calculated  to  benefit 
his  fellow-men.  To  each  of  his  children  he  gave  a 
fine  education,  which  he  esteemed  better  than 
money  to  fit  them  for  the  various  duties  and  emer- 
gencies of  life.  Both  parents  were  connected  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  the  father  of  our 
subject  was  Deacon  and  one  of  the  chief  pillars. 

T.  F.  Harwood  came  to  Bluomington,  111.,  when 
a  young  man  twenty  years  of  age.  In  1858  he 
established  himself  in  the  hardware  business  on 
Center  street,  in  which  he  was  occupied  until  1870, 
and  then  sold  out  to  his  brothers  and  engaged  in 
his  present  business.  He  has  prospered  in  his  un- 
dertaking, his  firm  being  now  the  most  extensive 
operators  in  this  department  of  trade  in  Bloom- 
ington. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss  Marietta 
Keys  took  place  in  Bloomington  in  1862,  at  the 
home  of  the  bride's  parents.  Mrs.  H.  is  a  native 
of  Orleans  County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  daughter  of  H. 
N.  Keys,  formerly  of  Connecticut.  By  her  union 
with  our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of 
three  children — Willis  S.,  in  the  lumber  business 
with  his  father,  and  Clara  and  Harry  B.,  at  home. 
Their  handsome  and  hospitable  home  is  at  No.  410 
East  Douglas  street,  where  they  enjoy  the  society 


t 


,740 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 

T* 


and  esteem  of  hosts  of  friends,  Besides  this  prop- 
erty Mr.  Harwood  is  a  stockholder  and  Vice- 
President  of  the  gas  works  and  also  has  an  interest 
in  the  Walton  Plow  Works  and  the  Third  National 
Bank.  He  owns  several  tenement  houses  in  the 
city  which  yield  him  a  fair  income  and  has  a  valu- 
able store  building  on  Front  street.  He  has  also 
operated  in  western  lands  some  in  Kansas,  and  is 
also  connected  with  a  syndicate  in  Arkansas.  In 
politics  our  subject  belongs  to  the  Republican 
party ;  he  served  one  term  as  Alderman  of  the  First 
Ward,  and  to  whatever  position  he  has  been  called 
has  acquitted  himself  in  a  creditable  and  praise- 
worthy manner.  Mr.  Harwood  may  be  classed  as 
a  good  citizen  in  every  sense  that  the  term  implies, 
and  few  name  him  but  to  praise. 


i 


>ILLIAM  J.  MURPHY,  who  is  comfortably 
situated  on  section  31,  Allin  Township,  is 
a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born 
in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  Aug.  8,1838.  His  parents 
were  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Goodwin)  Murphy,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  the  father  born  in  1799,  and  the 
mother  in  1805.  The  parents  of  each  removed  to 
Ohio,  where  the  young  people  were  married  in 
Muskingum  County,  near  Zanesville,  in  1829. 
They  came  directly  to  Illinois,  where  Samuel  Mur- 
phy purchased  in  this  county  214  acres  of  land  on 
which  he  located,  and  carried  on  its  improvement 
and  cultivation  until  1857.  lie  then  removed  to 
Caldwell  County,  Mo.,  and  settled  there  upon  a 
tract  of  land  which  he  occupied  until  his  death  in 
1866.  The  mother  died  ten  years  later  in  1876. 
Of  their  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  Wil- 
liam J.  of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest  born;  Eliza 
J.  became  the  wife  of  George  M.  Stubblefield,  of 
Mt.  Hope  Township;  George  W.  and  John  T., 
twins,  are  now  deceased ;  the  former  lived  to  man- 
hood and  married  Miss  Mary  Williams. of  Missouri; 
James  M.  is  a  resident  of  Montana;  Harrison  died 
when  nearly  four  years  of  age;  Isaac  married  Miss 
Alice  Gildersleeve,  and  is  now  deceased;  Samuel 
married  Mrs.  Emma  Bozarth;  Mary  became  the 
wife  of  E.  Jones;  Jeremiah  served  as  a  Union  sol- 


dier in  the  late  war,  and  died  in  the  army  ;  Charles, 
the  youngest,  is  now  a  resident  of  Kansas. 

Mr.  Murphy  received  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  In  1853 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Frances  Stubblefield,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Stubblefield,  and  then  purchased  160 
acres  of  land,  which  he  improved  and  cultivated, 
and  to  which  he  subsequently  added  until  he  is  now 
the  owner  of  1,000  acres.  The  family  residence  is 
a  handsome  and  commodious  brick  structure  37x63 
feet  in  area,  and  two  stories  in  height.  This  was 
erected  in  1875.  The  barns  and  out-buildings  in 
all  respects  correspond  to  the  requirements  of  a 
first-class  agriculturist.  In  addition  to  general 
farming,  Mr.  Murphy  is  extensively  engaged  as  a 
stock-dealer,  in  which  he  has  had  an  experience  of 
twenty-five  years.  Besides  being  a  genial  and  val- 
ued citizen,  he  has  been  active  in  every  enterprise 
calculated  to  forward  its  development  and  advance- 
ment, and  has  fulfilled  all  the  obligations  incident 
to  his  position  as  a  gentleman  of  means  and  influ- 
ence. He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity for  the  last  ten  years,  holding  the  office  of 
Tyler. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  the  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Dorothy  Stubblefield,  natives  respect 
ively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  1822,  near  Columbus,  Fayette  Co.,  Ohio, 
and  came  to  the  Prairie  State  in  1824,  locating 
upon  a  farm  in  McLean  County,  which  remained 
their  home  until  their  decease,  that  of  the  father 
occurring  in  1870,  and  the  mother  in  1879.  The 
household  circle  included  thirteen  children,  four 
by  the  first  wife  of  Mr.  Stubblefield,  and  nine  by 
the  last.  These  were,  Absalom,  Nancy,  John,  Mary, 
Adam,  George  M.,  Jessie,  Frances,  Edward,  Isaac, 
Eva,  William  and  Charles  W.  Mrs.  Murphy  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our 
subject  is  a  straightforward  Republican  in  politics, 
and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  John  C.  Free- 
mont. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murphy  there  were 
born  seven  children:  Lizzie  I),  married  William  T. 
Jeffrey;  George  T.  married  Miss  Jennie  Hirony- 
mus;  James  married  Miss  Sadie  Camp,  and  resides 
in  Hittle  Township,  Tazewell  County ;  Charles  was  ^  j 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


743 


the  fourth  child  ;  Mary  B.  became  the  wife  of  Elmer 
Evving;  Frank  and  Peter  are  single  and  reside  at 
home. 

Mr.  Murphy  has  been  one  of  the  most  industri- 
ous and  enterprising  citizens  of  this  locality,  and  a 
progressive  farmer  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He 
constructed  the  kiln  upon  his  farm  in  which  was 
manufactured  the  brick  for  his  family  residence, 
which  cost  about  $10,000,  and  is  about  one  of  the 
finest  structures  of  its  kind  in  the  county. 

A  view  of  the  residence  and  surroundings  is 
shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


ESAU  G  ROVES,  a  highly  respected  resident 
of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  is  a  native  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  Nov.  7, 
1818.  His  father,  Peter  Groves,  was  of  German 
birth  and  parentage  and  was  left  an  orphan  at  an 
early  age.  When  twelve  years  of  age  he  accom- 
panied his  two  older  brothers  to  America,  and  they 
located  in  South  Carolina,  where  young  Peter  com- 
menced the  battle  of  life,  working  by  the  day  and 
month  at  whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do. 
After  a  few  years  he  went  into  North  Carolina,  and 
afterward,  when  a  young  man,  to  Kentucky,  where 
he  married,  and  thence,  with  his  bride,  removed  to 
the  Territory  of  Indiana  and  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neers of  Washington  County.  There  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  timber  land,  built  a  log  house,  and  com- 
menced to  open  up  a  farm.  Jn  1833  he  sold  out 
and  removed  to  Clinton  County,  where  he  improved 
another  farm  which  was  originally  part  timber  and 
part  prairie.  Upon  his  arrival  there,  Indians  were 
still  numerous  and  white  men  few.  After  five  years 
he  removed  overland  to  Western  Missouri,  the  jour- 
ney being  made  with  ox-teams.  He  was  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  flve  children,  and  they  car- 
ried their  household  goods  and  cooking  utensils, 
and  lived  after  the  manner  of  the  early  emigrants. 
He  then  located  in  Livingston  County,  upon  a  tract 
of  wild  land  eight  miles  from  any  settlement,  and 
followed  the  same  routine  which  he  had  experi- 
enced in  Washington  and  Clinton  Counties,  Ind. 
Upon  this  latter  farm  he  lived  until  1846,  and  then, 
selling  out,  removed  to  the  eastern  part  of  Missouri, 


where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  After 
the  death  of  Peter  Groves,  his  widow,  with  her 
two  sons,  one  daughter  and  a  granddaughter, 
started  across  the  plains  to  Oregon.  One  son, 
Elijah,  and  the  granddaughter  were  the  only  ones 
who  lived  to  reach  their  destination.  The  re- 
mainder died  and  were  buried  on  the  plains. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Nancy  Humphreys,  and  she  was  a  native 
of  Germany.  She  became  the  mother  of  twelve 
children,  of  whom  Esau  of  this  sketch  is  the  only 
one  known  to  be  living.  He  spent  the  first  fifteen 
years  of  his  life  in  his  native  county  and  accom- 
panied his  parents  in  their  subsequent  removals. 
In  July,  1840,  he  came  into  McLean  County,  poor 
in  pocket  and  without  friends  and  acquaintances. 
He  employed  himself  at  whatever  his  hands  could 
find  to  do,  and  by  a  straightforward  and  honest  life 
soon  found  friends  and  became  prosperous  in  his 
labors  and  undertakings.  The  farm  which  he  now 
owns  and  occupies  and  which  he  obtained  by  his 
own  industry  was  entered  for  him  at  the  land  sales 
at  Springfield  in  June,  1852,  and  he  took  posses- 
sion of  it  in  August  of  the  same  year.  The  first 
improvement  was  a  small  frame  building  in  which 
the  family  lived  for  a  few  years.  In  1875  he 
erected  his  present  comfortable  and  convenient 
dwelling,  and  now  has  the  entire  quarter  section 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  a  good  barn 
and  all  necessary  out-buildings.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G. 
together  own  240  acres,  all  improved  and  valuable. 

Mr.  Groves  was  married  in  this  county,  Feb.  8, 
1848,  to  Miss  Mary  Stubblefield.  Mrs.  G.  is  a  na- 
tive of  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  born  Dec.  24,  1818, 
and  is  the  second  daughter  of  Robert  and  Sarah 
(Funk)  Stubblefield.  (See  sketch  of  John  Stubble- 
field).  They  have  one  child  only,  a  daughter,  Sarah 
Frances,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  John  Reidle,  and 
lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject  and  his 
wife  became  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  in  their  youth,  with  which  faith  they 
still  hold  fellowship,  and  by  their  upright  lives  have 
adorned  their  profession  and  secured  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

A  lithographic  view  of  the  handsome  farm  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Groves  is  to  be  found  on  another 
page  of  this  work. 


t 


,  ,    744 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


^EORGE  W.  BRICKNER,  junior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Seiberns  &  Brickner,  merchants 
__  of  Gridley,  is,  with  his  partner,  engaged  in 
a  good  trade,  carrying  a  stock  of  general  merchan- 
dise suited  to  the  wants  of  the  household  and  farm. 
Mr.  Brickner  is  still  a  young  man,  having  entered 
upon  his  business  career  in  1884.  His  parents  were 
Charles  and  Elizabeth  (Wertzburger)  Brickner,  na- 
tives of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to  America  in 
1852,  and  settling  in  Hilton,  Tazewell  County,  this 
State,  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  there  the  fa- 
ther died,  in  January,  1883.  The  mother  died  in 
Hilton  in  1873.  Of  their  three  children,  George 
W.  is  the  eldest.  The  others  were  Charles  and 
Elizabeth. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  common- 
school  education,  and  while  yet  a  boy  commenced 
to  assist  his  father  in  the  store.  His  present  busi- 
ness was  established  in  1884,  at  which  time  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Walter  H.  Sieberns,  and 
they  have  operated  together  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Brickner  was  married.  Nov.  6,  1884,  to  Miss 
Mary  R.  Sieberns,  who  was  born  in  VVoodford 
County,  111.,  Sept.  22,  1860,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
H.  E.  and  Caroline  (Niergarth)  Sieberns.  [See 
sketch  of  J.  W.  II.  Sieberns.]  Mrs.  Brickner  re- 
mained with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  receiv- 
ing careful  home  training  and  a  good  common- 
school  education.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  occupy 
a  pleasant  and  comfortable  home,  and  enjoy  the 
society  of  the  best  people  in  Gridley.  Mr.  Brick- 
ner is  Republican  in  politics,  and  in  all  respects  is 
a  valued  citizen  and  worthy  member  of  the  com- 
munity. 


ENRY  F.  FREED,  who  has  been  a  resident 
oftiridley  Township,  since  the  spring  of 
1856,  first  made  his  advent  into  this  county 
on  horseback,  in  which  manner  he  had  trav- 
eled from  the  place  of  his  birth,  in  Fayette  County, 
Pa.  He  is  the  son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth 
(Fleming)  Freed,  natives  of  Berks  and  Fayette 
Counties,  Pa.,  respectively,  in  which  State  they 
were  married  and  settled  in  the  first-named  county, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Abraham  Freed  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 


the  parental  household  included  eight  children, 
three  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  seventh.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  3d  of 
March,  1H27.  .He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits 
and  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  in  the  meantime  having  received  a 
more  than  ordinarily  good  common-school  educa- 
tion. He  then  began  teaching  school,  which  occupa- 
tion he  followed  thirteen  years  in  his  native  county, 
and  for  two  years  after  coming  to  Gridley  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Freed  left  his  native  county  in  the  spring 
of  1856  in  the  manner  we  have  described,  and  was 
twenty-one  days  making  the  trip.  He  brought 
with  him  four  brood  mares,  and  first  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  16  in  Gridley 
Township.  Upon  this  he  located  and  commenced 
its  improvement  and  cultivation,  and  in  due  time 
purchased  another  eighty  acres,  so  that  he  now  has  a 
fine  homestead  including  a  quarter  section  of  land, 
which  is  all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He 
has  a  shapely  and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  a  good 
barn,  all  necessary  outhouses  and  the  latest  im- 
proved farm  machinery.  Everything  is  kept  in 
good  repair  and  his  stock  and  crops  indicate  the 
supervision  of  an  intelligent  and  progressive  agri- 
culturist. 

Mr.  Freed  was  first  married,  in  his  native  county, 
to  Miss  Mary  Lobinger,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  had  one  child,  a  daughter,  Mary  E.,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  William  Bailey,  and  resides  in 
Kansas.  Mrs.  F.  departed  this  life  in  Fayette 
County,  Pa.  Feb.  8,  1852.  After  coming  West 
Mr.  Freed  was  again  married,  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, Sept.  29,  1857,  to  Miss  Amanda  Gilmore,  a 
native  of  this  county.  Her  parents  were  James 
and  Mary  (Bradley)  Gilmore,  natives  of  Ohio. 
Their  ten  children  included  five  sons  and  five 
daughters,  of  whom  Mrs.  F.  was  the  seventh  child. 
She  was  born  Feb.  8,  1841. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freed  became  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  four  boys  and  five  girls;  James  A.,  Lulu 
B.,  Mary  E.,  Jennie  N.,  Orville  G.,  Sarah  M., 
Henry  S.,  Charles  E.  and  Josie  A.  James  A.  mar- 
ried Miss  Ida  Barnes,  and  resides  in  Washburn,  111. ; 
Mary  E.  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Kent,  of  Livingston 
County ;  Henry  S.  died  in  infancy ;  the  others  are 


T 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


745 


at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  F.  served  as 
Treasurer  of  Gridley  Township  for  ten  years  and 
also  held  the  offices  of  Supervisor  and  School  Di- 
rector. He  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  belongs 
to  the  Congregational  Church.  Mrs.  Freed  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


WILLIAM  HOTSENPILLER.  The  subject 
of  the  following  biography,  one  of  the 
worthiest  farmer  residents  of  Chenoa 
Township,  is  a  native  of  Shenandoah  County,  Va., 
and  was  born  Feb.  23,  1838.  His  father,  Jacob 
Hotsenpiller,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  in  early 
manhood  married  Miss  Eliza  Ramey,  also  a  na- 
tive of  the  Old  Dominion.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  Abraham  Hotsenpiller,  was  of  German 
parentage  and  descent,  and  after  coming  to  this 
country  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  and  died  in  Pennsylvania.  His  son  Jacob 
left  his  native  State  with  his  family  in  about  1879. 
He  is  still  living  and  makes  his  home  with  his  chil- 
dren in  this  county.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
died  Sept.  26,  1883,  in  Pettis  County,  Mo.  The 
parental  household  included  seven  children,  six  sons 
and  one  daughter,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the 
eldest.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed  in  his 
native  State  and  after  reaching  his  twenty-first  year 
he  started  out  for  himself,  coming  to  Illinois  and 
locating  in  this  county  in  1860.  He  was  a  resident 
of  Lexington  two  years  and  while  living  there  was 
engaged  in  farming. 

April  4,  1861,  Mr.  Hotsenpiller  was  married  to 
Miss  Frances  Durham,  born  in  Virginia,  and  who 
was  the  daughter  of  George  Durham,  who  spent 
the  greatest  part  of  his  life  in  the  Old  Dominion 
and  died  there  in  1844.  After  their  marriage  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  H.  located  on  a  rented  farm  south  of 
Lexington,  where  they  remained  four  years  and 
then  took  possession  of  their  present  homestead  on 
section  33,  Chenoa  Township.  The  farm  consists 
of  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  dwelling,  Mr.  H.  has  effected  all  the 
improvements  on  the  place.  The  farm  is  all  en- 
closed with  good  fences  and  is  stocked  with  good 
grades  of  domestic  animals.  The  household  circle 


was  completed  by  the  birth  of  eight  children: 
Virginia  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Dawson,  who  lives  in 
Chenoa  Township;  Mary  E.,  Annie  G.,  William  M., 
Charles  E.,  James  M.  and  Bessie  E.  are  at  home 
with  their  parents;  Lulu  B.  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and,  with  all 
their  children,  attend  services  at  Olivet  Chapel. 
Mr.  H.  is  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  and 
has  been  a  cheerful  and  liberal  supporter  of  the  So- 
ciety. He  is  Republican  in  politics,  served  as 
School  Director  twelve  years,  and  has  been  Road 
Commissioner  of  the  township  since  1885. 


AMUEL  Y.  EWING,  an  energetic  and  en- 
terprising farmer  of  Mt.  Hope  Township, 
is  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Ewing,  of  Butler 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  in  the  same 
county  as  his  father,  Aug.  25,  1845.  His  grand- 
father, James  Ewing,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  who 
emigrated  to  Kentucky,  becoming  a  pioneer  settler 
of  the  State.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land 
in  what  is  now  known  as  Butler  Count}',  cleared  a 
farm  from  the  wilderness,  and  remained  upon  it 
the  balance  of  his  life.  Here  his  son  Nathaniel,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  to  manhood,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Young,  of  Logan 
County.  Nathaniel  Ewing  was  possessed  of  excel- 
lent abilities,  and  had  acquired  a  good  education, 
mainly  through  his  own  efforts  and  love  of  learning. 
He  became  a  civil  engineer,and  learned  the  art  of  sur- 
veying from  his  brother,  who  surveyed  the  greater 
part  of  Arkansas  for  the  Government.  Nathaniel 
Ewing  became.an  extensive  landholder  in  Logan  and 
Butler  Counties,  and  after  the  death  of  his  father 
purchased  the  old  homestead,  which  he  occupied 
until  1853,  and  then  sold  it  in  order  to  come  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  111.  His  household  circle  now  com- 
prised his  wife  and  seven  children,  and  they  made 
the  journey  to  the  Prairie  State  overland  with 
horses  and  wagons,  the  household  goods  being 
shipped  via  the  rivers  to  Pekin.  Previous  to  their 
final  removal  Mr.  Ewing  had  visited  the  State  of 
Illinois  and  entered  120  acres  of  land  on  section 
17,  of  Mt.  Hope  Township.  The  family  arrived  in 


f 


f 


* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


May  and  established  themselves  in  the  household 
of  J.  H.  Young  until  Mr.  Ewing  could  build  a 
house  on  his  land.  For  this  lie  was  obliged  to  haul 
lumber  from  Pekin.  Upon  the  completion  of  the 
dwelling  they  moved  into  it  and  made  themselves 
as  comfortable  as  possible,  and  in  due  time  a  straw 
shed  was  added.  Mr.  Ewing  afterward  purchased 
eighty  acres  more,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in 
January,  1876,  had  brought  the  whole  to  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  His  widow  is  still  living  upon 
the  homestead  which  her  husband  had  provided  for 
his  family. 

The  seven  children  who  constituted  the  parental 
household  of  our  subject  are  recorded  as  follows: 
John,  now  deceased,  served  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Union  in  the  145th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  died  in 
the  service  at  Rolla,  Mo. ;  William  W.,  after  serv- 
ing through  the  war  in  the  2d  Illinois  Cavalry,  be- 
came a  resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township;  Samuel 
Y.,  our  subject,  was  next  in  order  of  birth;  Bev- 
erly N.  lives  in  Tazewell  County;  Jane  became 
the  wife  of  James  Palmer,  a  farmer  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township;  Mary  married  Walter  Trott,  of  Lincoln, 
Neb.;  Lizzie,  Mrs.  Calvin  W.  Craiu,  is  a  resident 
of  Saline  County,  Neb. 

Samuel  Y.  Ewing  was  a  lad  of  eight  years  when 
his  parents  became  residents  of  McLean  County. 
He  attended  school  during  his  youthful  days,  and 
assisted  his  parents  in  the  lighter  duties  around  the 
homestead.  He  also  continued  to  reside  under  the 
parental  roof  until  his  marriage  with  Miss  Cathar- 
ine E.  Wright,  which  occurred  Sept.  1, 1875.  Mrs. 
Ewing  is  a  native  of  Addison  Count}',  Vt.,  and  the 
daughter  of  William  F.  and  Electa  (Whitwood) 
Wright,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Massachusetts  re- 
spectively. Her  father  was  born  in  Addison 
County,  Vt.,  in  January,  1817,  and  was  the  son  of 
Moses  Wright,  of  the  same  county.  He  was  reared 
in  his  native  county,  received  his  primary  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools,  and  later  attended  Mid- 
dlflniry  Academy.  After  his  marriage  he  located 
on  his  father's  homestead,  and  lived  there  until 
1856,  when  he  removed  to  Berlin,  Wis.,  and  after 
a  residence  there  of  one  year,  returned  south  to 
Illinois,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, McLean  County,  on  section  20.  He  here  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits,  and  being  a  gentleman 


of  good  education,  also  engaged  successfully  in 
teaching  school.  This  latter  he  followed  for  many 
years,  and  departed  this  life  in  April,  1880.  Ili.s 
wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Ewing,  had  preceded  him 
but  a  few  months  to  the  better  land,  her  death  oc- 
curring in  December,  1884. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewing  have  become  the  parents  of 
two  children  —  Katie  S.  and  Nathaniel  P.  They 
occupy  one  of  the  finest  homesteads  in  McLean 
County,  and  Mr.  Ewing  is  one  of  the  largest  landed 
proprietors  of  this  section  of  the  Prairie  State,  his 
possessions  aggregating  about  1,000  acres,  all  of 
which  is  improved  and  under  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation. He  is  widely  and  favorably  known  as  a 
man  of  rare  business  talent,  straightforward  and 
upright  in  his  transactions,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
valued  citizens  of  the  Prairie  State.  The  home  of 
Mr.  Ewing  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


ILLIAM  R.  FARR,  the  son  of  Reason  S. 
and  Elizabeth  (Broadwater)  Farr,  is  a 
highly  respected  resident  of  Gridley  Town- 
ship, where  he  settled  on  section  25,  in  1881.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  a  youth  of 
seventeen  years,  and  during  a  period  of  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century  has  proved  himself  a  valuable 
member  of  the  community,  always  interested  in 
its  welfare  and  progress. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  both  natives  of 
Fairfax  County,  Va.,  where  they  were  reared,  mar- 
ried and  lived  until  1856.  They  then  emigrated 
to  Missouri,  and  remained  in  that  State  until  near 
the  close  of  the  late  war.  Recrossing  the  Missis- 
sippi and  coming  into  Illinois  they  located  hi  Che- 
noa  Township,  this  county,  where  the  mother  died 
Jan.  18,  1871.  The  father  departed  this  life  June 
9,  1887,  in  McLean,  111.  He  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation. The  six  children  of  the  parental  famity 
were  all  boys,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  being  the 
third  in  order  of  birth. 

William  B.  Farr  was  born  in  West  Virginia, 
while  his  parents  were  on  a  visit  to  that  State,  Jan. 
23,  1844.  He  left  home  when  about  eleven  years 
old,  and  two  years  later  went  to  California,  and 
worked  in  the  mines  and  at  whatever  else  he  could 


-ym^ 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


747 


find  to  do.  He  remained  on  the  Pacific  slope  until 
he  was  past  seventeen  years  old,  then  came  East  as 
far  as  Illinois,  and  commenced  working  out  by  the 
month  in  this  county.  He  was  thus  occupied  two 
years,  and  then  engaged  in  farming  for  himself. 
With  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  Living- 
ston County,  111.,  he  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
county  since  that  time. 

When  Mr.  Farr  came  to  this  county  he  was  com- 
paratively without  funds  and  almost  a  total  stran- 
ger. He  was  possessed,  however,  of  willing  hands 
and  a  good  stock  of  resolution,  and  his  present 
beautiful  homestead  of  280  acres  gives  ample  evi- 
dence of  the  courage  and  industry  with  which  he 
has  labored  and  saved. 

He  was  married  early  in  life  in  this  county  to 
Miss  Martha  E.  Gallehugh,  who  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Va.,  Jan.  31,1845.  Their  wedding 
took  place  in  1864.  Her  parents  died  when  she 
was  quite  young,  and  but  little  is  known  concern- 
ing them.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there 
have  been  born  seven  children,  of  whom  Elizabeth 
and  Richard  are  deceased.  Those  surviving  are 
John  W.,  Catharine,  Jessie  M.,  Narrissa  D.  and 
Albert  R.  The  faithful  and  affectionate  wife  and 
devoted  mother  departed  this  life  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, Nov.  8,  1886.  She  was  a  lady  of  many  wor- 
thy and  amiable  qualities  and  was  greatly  beloved 
by  her  family  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. 

Mr.  Farr,  since  becoming  a  resident  of  this  coun- 
ty, has  taken  a  genuine  interest  in  watching  its 
growth  and  prosperity,  and  has  in  no  small  degree 
contributed  to  the  success  of  its  agricultural  and 
industrial  interests.  He  was  elected  Highway 
Commissioner  in  the  spring  of  1885,  and  politically 
is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Democratic  principles. 


(,-ALTER  H.  SIEBERNS  is  Postmaster  at 
Gridley,  and  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Sieberns  &  Briekner  of  that  place,  and  in 
addition  to  his  official  duties  is,  with  his  partner, 
carrying  on  a  good  trade  in  general  merchandise. 
The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  descendant  of  sub- 
stantial German  ancestry,  being  the  son  of  Henry  E. 


and  Caroline  (Niergarth)  Sieberns,  who  were  born  in 
Germany  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1854.  They 
located  in  Canada,  whence,  after  a  residence  of 
seven  years,  they  came  westward  to  Illinois,  set- 
tling in  Woodford  County.  There  the  father  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits  until  1863,  when  he 
came  to  Gridley  and  engaged  in  trade  until  1873. 
He  then  removed  to  Peoria,  continuing  however, 
his  business  in  Gridley  until  the  fall  of  1884,  when 
he  disposed  of  his  business  to  his  son  and  son-in-law 
and  is  now  living  retired  from  active  labor.  The 
nine  children  included  in  the  parental  family  were 
named  as  follows;  Etta  and  Anna  (twins),  Mary  R., 
Walter  H.,  Minnie  C.,  John  R.,  Otto,  Carl  and 
Lizzie. 

Walter  H.  Sieberns  was  born  in  Woodford 
County,  this  State,  Aug.  19,  1862.  He  received  a 
common-school  education  and  assisted  in  his  fa- 
ther's store  until  the  fall  of  1884,  when,  in  com- 
pany with  George  W.  Briekner,  he  succeeded  his 
father  in  the  business  at  Gridley,  where  he  has 
since  continued.  Mr.  Sieberns  was  appointed  Post- 
master in  December,  1885. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  in  Grove- 
land,  111.,  Sept.  7,  1886,  the  lady  of  his  choice  be- 
ing Miss  Carrie  Freidenger,  who  was  born  in 
Groveland,  July  3,  1862,  being  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Sandmeyer)  Freidenger.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  S.  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church  and  politically  our  subject  is 
strongly  Democratic. 


J~~?  OHN  BODGER,  who  is  a  highly  respected 
I    member  of  a  family  well  known  throughout 
'    this  section,  and  who  is  now  a  resident  of 
•    Gridley  Township,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire, 
England,   July   1,    1842.      His  parents  were  John 
and  Hannah  (Ratliffe)  Bodger.     For  parental  his- 
iory  see  sketch  of  George  Bodger  on  another  page. 
Our  subject  came  to  America  with  his  parents  when 
a  lad  nine  years  of  age,  and  received  a  good  com- 
mon-school   education,    in    the    meantime    being 
reared  to  farming  pursuits  and   instilled  in  those 
principles  which  have  made  of  him  an  honest  man 
and  a  good  citizen. 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


With  the  exception  of  eight  years  spent  in  \Vood- 
ford  County,  Mr.  Bodger  has  been  a  resident  of 
Gridley  Township  since  the  spring  of  1855.  He 
is  the  owner  of  163  acres  of  fine  farming  laud  upon 
.which  he  has  placed  good  improvements,  including 
a  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings  and  all  the  nec- 
essaries required  by  a  first-class  agriculturist. 

After  Mr.  Bodger  had  acquired  a  good  start  in 
life  and  felt  that  the  measure  was  justifiable  and 
right,  he  took  unto  himself  a  companion  and  help- 
meet in  the  person  of  Miss  Sarah  J.  Wright,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  Bloomington,  HI.,  Nov. 
17,  1864.  Mrs.  B.  is  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Martha  (Boldridge)  Wright,  nativesof  Ohio,  whence 
they  removed  to  this  county  in  about  1846,  after  a 
residence  in  Indiana  of  several  years.  They  first 
settled  in  White  Oak  Township,  where  they  re- 
mained until  1865,  and  after  that  removed  to 
Chatsworth,  111.,  where  they  passed  the  remainder 
of  their  days,  the  mother  dying  Aug.  20,  1884,  and 
the  father  Sept.  10,  1886.  Their  nine  children  in- 
cluded four  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  Mrs. 
B.  was  the  fifth  child.  She  was  born  in  Clinton 
County,  Ind.,  Feb.  13,  1843,  and  has  become  the 
mother  of  five  children,  of  whom  Mary  L.  and 
Spencer  are  deceased.  Those  surviving  are  France 
V.,  Raymond  W.  and  Alice  F. 

Mr.  Bodger,  politically,  is  connected  with  the 
Democratic  party,  and  socially  is  a  member  of  El 
Paso  Lodge  No.  246,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


i 


HRISTIAN  J.  W.  McNEMAR  is  one  of  the 
foremost  farmers  of  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, and  thoroughly  understands  the  voca- 
tion which  he  follows.  He  has  a  fine  farm  on  sec- 
tion 4,  and  is  meeting  with  far  more  than  ordinary 
success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  calling.  Mr.  Mc- 
Nemar  is  a  son  of  Elias  and  Catherine  (Hilkey) 
McNemar,  the  former  a  native  of  Grant  County, 
W.  Va.,  of  Irish-English  ancestry  and  the  latter  of 
German  descent.  After  their  marriage  they  settled 
in  Grant  County,  W.  Va.,  where  the  father  was 
engaged  in  farming  and  various  other  occupations 
and  where  they  lived  until  their  death.  He  was 
born  in  1800,  and  died  in  1851,  and  she  was  born 


about  1803,  and  died  in  1857.  They  had  eight 
children,  named,  Barbara,  Amelia,  Martha,  Joseph 
W.,  Lorena,  Christian  J.  W.,  William  B.  F.  and 
Jacob  P.  R. 

Mr.  McNemar  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Grant 
County,  W.  Va.,  May  12,  1836,  and  was  reared  to 
manhood  in  his  native  county,  engaged  the  while 
in  labor  on  the  farm.  The  free  school  system  was  not 
at  that  time  in  vogue  in  his  State,  and  consequently 
his  school  privileges  were  limited.  He  nevertheless 
is  not  devoid  of  education,  having  during  the 
years  of  his  life  improved  opportunities  he  had,  and 
has  added  to  his  fund  of  knowledge  obtained  from 
books,  that  of  a  practical  education.  In  the  fall 
of  1857  he  came  to  this  county,  reaching  Lexington 
October  4  of  that  year.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
McLean  County  since  that  time  and  during  these 
thirty  years  has  devoted  his  time  exclusively  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  When  he  first  came  to  the 
county  he  worked  out  by  the  month  and  continued 
to  labor  in  that  way  during  1858-59-60.  He  then 
rented  land  in  Chenoa  Township,  which  he  worked 
for  one  year  and  then  worked  for  his  father-in-law 
three  years.  After  this  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
section  22,  Gridley  Township,  on  which  he  lived 
until  the  spring  of  1869,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
going  to  Money  Creek  Township,  bought  the  old 
homestead  formerly  owned  by  his  father-in-iaw. 
Mr.  McNemar  is  now  the  owner  of  338  acres,  all  of 
which  is  improved. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Sept.  12,  1861,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Pirtle, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (McNaught) 
Pirtle.  The  father  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  the 
mother  in  Indiana.  After  their  marriage  they  lived 
in  Indiana  until  1849.  In  the  spring  of  that  year 
they  came  to  McLean  County  and  taking  up  their 
residence  in  Money  Creek  Township,  lived  there  un- 
til their  death.  His  demise  took  place  Dee.  14, 1865, 
and  hers  Jan.  25,  1885.  They  had  seven  children — 
Ezra,  Harriett,  John,  James,  Sarah,  Mary  E.  and 
Thomas.  Mary  E.,  wife  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  Jan.  30,  1845,  and  was  but 
four  years  of  age  when  her  parents  came  to  this 
county.  By  her  union  with  our  subject  ten  chil- 
dren have  been  born — Osceola,  Estella,  Harriett  A., 
Ida  E.  married  Orin  Simpson,  Feb.  17,  1887,  and 


f: 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


749 


they  live  in  Woodford  County,  111.;  Noah  B.,  John 
T.,  Eva  ().,  Christian  E.,  James  A.  and  Cleveland. 
Estella  is  the  wife  of  Anderson  Patton  and  they 
live  in  Gridley  Township;  John  T.  died  when  four 
years  old.  Mr.  McNemar  has  held  the  office  of 
Township  Assessor  for  one  term  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


^ILLIAM  BALLINGER.  The  farming  com- 
munity of  Chenoa  Township  entertains  a 
high  respect  for  the  firm  of  Brum  and  Bal- 
linger,  who  are  carrying  on  a  successful  business  as 
dealers  in  agricultural  implements  and  seeds,  and 
who  from  their  courteous  treatment  of  their  custo- 
mers, and  their  straightforward  business  transac- 
tions, have  fully  established  themselves  in  the  con- 
fidence of  their  fellow-citizens.  The  business  was 
established  in  1883,  and  their  operations  extend 
throughout  this  and  adjoining  counties.  Mr.  B. 
was  born  in  Springboro,  Warren  Co.,  Ohio,  Sept. 
22,  1835.  His  father,  Jacob  Ballinger,  was  a  na- 
tive of  New  Jersey,  and  carried  on  the  trade  of  a 
carriage  manufacturer  during  the  latter  years  of  his 
life,  in  Springboro,  Ohio,  where  he  died  in  about 
1836.  He  was  married  in  early  manhood  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Kestler,  also  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and 
the  young  people  soon  afterward  moved  from  their 
native  State  to  Ohio.  They  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  young- 
est. 

William  Ballinger  spent  his  childhood  and  youth 
upon  the  farm,  and  received  the  advantages  of  a 
common-school  education  in  his  native  town.  In 
March,  1853,  he  started  for  Illinois,  and  made  his 
first  location  in  this  State  on  a  farm  in  Peoria 
County.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  in  1855,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Maria  Runyan,  of  Peoria 
County,  111.,  and  the  daughter  of  Conrad  Runyan, 
Esq.  In  March,  1859,  Mr.  Ballinger  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Chenoa  Township, 
about  four  miles  west  of  the  village.  He  made  sev- 
eral removals  afterward,  locating  each  time  in  the 
vicinity  of  Chenoa.  The  farm  which  he  now  owns  is 
situated  on  sections  4  and  9,  and  contains  460  acres, 


under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  comprising 
some  of  the  most  valuable  land  in  this  section.  His 
farm  experiences  enabled  him  to  determine  what 
was  most  needed  by  the  progressive  agriculturist, 
and  in  1883  he  opened  up  his  present  establish- 
mennt,  while  for  some  time  afterward  he  still  op- 
erated the  farm.  In  1887  he  rented  the  latter,  and 
is  now  turning  his  entire  attention  to  his  mercan- 
tile business.  The  firm  carries  a  full  line  of  every- 
thing pertaining  to  the  farm,  including  wagons, 
buggies  and  carriages. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ballinger  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely: 
Charles  W.,  Elizabeth  C.,  Edward  J.,  Perry  W.^ 
George  H.,  Minnie  M.  and  Orville  D.  Since  com- 
ing to  this  locality  Mr.  Ballinger  has  thoroughly 
identified  himself  with  its  moral  and  educational 
interests,  and  has  served  eighteen  years  as  School 
Director,  and  is  now  Road  Commissioner.  His 
career  has  been  a  striking  illustration  of  what  may 
be  accomplished  by  steady  perseverance  and  in- 
dustry. When  he  first  made  his  advent  into  Peo- 
ria County  his  earthly  possessions  consisted  of  an  old 
rifle  and  thirty-seven  cents  in  money.  He  has  been 
content  to  labor  and  wait,  and  is  now  enjoying  the 
rich  reward  of  his  early  toil  and  forced  economy. 
He  is  descended  from  substantial  German  ancestry, 
and  has  inherited  from  his  forefathers  their  sturdy 
resolution  and  the  spirit  that  knows  no  such  word  as 
fail.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


EBENEZER  D.  CHURCHILL.  The  firm  of 
Churchill  <fe  Sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
this  history  is  the  senior  member,  was  estab- 
lished in  Chenoa  in  1866,  and  is  widely  and  favora- 
bly known  throughout  this  county  for  its  straight- 
forward business  methods  and  its  importance  as  a 
representative  of  the  business  interests  of  McLean 
County.  Mr.  Churchill  was  born  in  Sherburne, 
Chenango  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  11,  1822.  His  father, 
Ebenezer  D.  Churchill,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  Salis- 
bury, Conn.,  where  he  carried  on  mercantile  pur- 
suits the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  died,  however, 
while  comparatively  a  young  man,  when  our  sub- 


• 


,  .    750 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


ject  was  but  six  weeks  old.  The  mother,  who  be- 
fore her  marriage  was  Miss  Sabrina  Tupper,  was  also 
a  native  of  Connecticut  and  of  Irish  ancestry.  The 
Churchills  were  pure  English  blood,  and  the  first 
representatives  of  the  family  in  this  country  set- 
tled in  New  England  in  the  colonial  days.  The 
parents  of  our  subject  soon  after  their  marriage  re- 
moved to  New  York  State,  where  the  father  died. 
The  mother  subsequently  removed  from  Sherburne 
to  Fulton,  N.  Y.,  where  she  passed  the  remainder 
of  her  days.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Churchill  she 
was  married  to  William  Finch. 

Ebenezer  D.  Churchill,  Jr.,  was  the  only  child  of 
the  first  marriage.  He  was  reared  comparatively 
among  strangers,  being  thrown  upon  his  own  re- 
sources shortly  after  the  death  of  his  father.  He 
was  a  bright  boy,  however,  and  managed  to  obtain 
a  fair  education.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
learned  the  glover's  trade,  which  he  followed  several 
years  in  New  York.  He  subsequently  went  to 
Canada  and  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of 
lumber,  and  while  in  the  Dominion  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Hannah  L.  Atkins,  of  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.  Soon  afterward  the  young  couple  removed 
to  Madison,  Wis.,  where  they  lived  five  years.  He 
then  built  a  flouring-mill  at  Westport,  Wis.,  where 
he  operated  until  the  spring  of  1866,  thence  re- 
moved to  Chenoa,  this  State,  and  after  engaging  in 
the  lumber  business  several  years  established  his 
present  trade  in  grain,  which  he  has  followed  since 
that  time.  He  built  one  elevator  and  purchased 
another,  the  former  on  the  line  of  the  T.  P.  <fe  W. 
R.  R.,  and  the  other  on  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R.  He  also 
has  a  good  elevator  in  the  town  of  Meadows,  four 
miles  west  of  Chenoa,  this  county.  The  firm  is 
thus  possessed  of  the  best  of  shipping  facilities. 
Chenoa  at  one  time  was  one  of  the  best  shipping 
points  on  the  road  and  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Churchill 
contributed  largely  to  its  reputation  in  this  direc- 
tion. His  two  sons,  Charles  and  Delos,  are  engaged 
in  the  Chenoa  office  with  their  father. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
four  children — Anna  E.,  Charles  F.,  E.  D.  and 
Frank  L.  Mr.  Churchill  has  served  as  Alderman, 
and  in  other  respects  has  been  prominently  identi- 
fied with  the  interests  of  the  thriving  little  town. 
As  one  of  the  pioneers  of  its  business  interests  he 


is  widely  and  favorably  known  and  appreciated  at 
his  true  worth. 

Charles  F.  Churchill,  the  eldest  son  of  Ebenezer 
D.  and  Hannah  L.  Churchill,  was  born  in  Vienna, 
Canada  West,  Nov.  29,  1 852.  His  education,  be- 
gun in  the  common  school,  was  continued  at  Nor- 
mal University,  Bloomington,  111.,  where  he  applied 
himself  closely  to  his  studies  for  one  year.  He  then 
attended  Monmouth  College,  in  Warren  County, 
this  State,  two  years,  following  which  he  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  the  lumber  trade  at 
Chenoa.  He  is  a  young  man  of  much  energy  and 
ambition,  and  has  served  two  years  as  City  Clerk 
of  Chenoa.  He  was  Supervisor  of  -the  township 
from  1881  to  1883.  He  was  married  on  the  19th 
of  October,  1876,  to  Miss  Lora,  daughter  of  Dr.  C. 
S.  Elder,  of  Chenoa.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
four  children — Lena,  Hattie  J.,  Guy  F.  and  Edgar 
D.  The  latter  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Churchill  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  belongs 
to  Lodge  No.  292,  also  Chenoa  Chapter  No.  143. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 


,.,  ICHARD  ROWELL,  deceased,  formerly  an 
honored  resident  Of  Dale  Township,  took 

|\  possession  of  his  •  homestead  there  in  the 
•ring  of  1853.  He  became  a  resident  of 
the  Prairie  State  fifteen  years  previously,  and  with 
his  brother,  B.  F.  Rowcll,  commenced  farming  out 
on  the  prairie  at  the  head  branch  of  Rock  Creek,  a 
mile  and  one-half  from  the  timber.  The  climate 
in  winter  at  that  time  was  very  severe  and  these 
courageous  and  determined  men  went  by  the  name 
of  the  "  fool  Yankees."  The}'  lived  thus  until 
1848,  at  first  with  unentered  land  on  both  sides  of 
them,  and  even  in  1850  a  portion  of  it  had  not  yet 
been  laid  claim  to.  Three  years  later  Mr.  Rowell 
sold  out  his  interest  in  this  land,  crossed  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  began  investigating  the  eastern  portion 
of  Iowa.  Notwithstanding  he  had  a  pleasant  jour- 
ney and  enjoyed  it  very  much,  he  saw  no  land 
equal  to  that  in  McLean  County,  so  he  returned 
and  purchased  of  Samuel  Barker,  of  Twin  Grove, 
the  land  which  constituted  his  permanent  homestead 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


753 


and  which  he  occupied  from  that  time  until  his  de- 
cease. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  May  20, 
1814,  in  Littleton,  Grafton  Co.,  N.  H.,  and  was  the 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Hoskin)  Rowell,  who 
were  both  of  Puritan  stock.  His  grandfather,  Dan- 
iel Rowell,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and 
present  in  the  series  of  battles  which  terminated  in 
the  surrender  of  Gen.  Burgoyne.  Richard  Rowell 
lived  until  twenty-two  years  old  among  the  hills 
of  his  native  county  within  sight  of  Mt.  Washing- 
ton. The  schools  in  that  vicinity  afforded  facilities 
for  a  good  education,  which  young  Rowell  was  per- 
mitted to  obtain  and  which  he  supplemented  by  at- 
tendance at  a  grammar  school  in  Concord,  Vt. 
When  eighteen  years  old  he  engaged  as  a  teacher. 
In  May,  1836,  after  reaching  his  majority,  he  de- 
termined to  visit  the  western  country  and  if  possi- 
ble engage  as  a  teacher  there.  He  had  no  friends 
or  acquaintances  in  the  region  which  he  purposed 
visiting,  but  his  stock  of  resolution  and  enterprise 
served  him  in  good  stead  and  he  started  out  with 
hope  and  courage.  The  method  of  traveling  was 
by  stage,  horse  railroad  and  canal,  by  steam  and 
on  foot,  and  the  route  was  very  nearly  that  now 
traversed  by  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad.  At 
Ann  Arbor  there  was  then  no  prospect  of  a  village, 
and  the  great  University  which  has  now  made  it 
famous  probably  had  not  been  thought  of.  After 
reaching  Chicago  Mr.  Rowell  engaged  as  a  carpen- 
ter. The  Pottawattomies  were  then  receiving  their 
last  annuity  and  about  2,000  were  collected  in  the 
city.  They  soon  left,  however,  and  never  returned. 

In  October  of  the  same  year,  young  Rowell 
started  out  again,  proceeding  to  La  Salle  by  stage. 
The  "  stage "  was  a  wagon  which  the  passengers 
were  often  obliged  to  get  out  of  'and  lift  from  the 
mud.  There  were  no  houses  where  the  thriving 
city  of  La  Salle  now  stands  unless  there  might  have 
been  a  few  concealed  by  the  bank  of  the  river. 
After  leaving  the  stage  he  embarked  on  the  steamer 
"  Frontier,"  which  was  fully  in  keeping  with  the 
other  methods  of  transportation  in  those  days. 
After  reaching  Peoria  and  finding  little  prospect  for 
employment  as  a  teacher,  he  crossed  the  Illinois, 
and  reaching  Stout's  Grove,  was  engaged  to  teach 
the  school  in  that  locality  for  the  winter  following. 


One  of  the  exciting  events  of  that  term  was  the 
"raising"  of  the  first  store  building  in  Danvers 
(then  Concord),  and  Mr.  Rowell  dismissed  his  school 
for  three  days  to  assist  in  the  proceedings ;  the 
building  still  stands.  The  young  pioneer  was  em- 
ployed in  teaching  until  commencing  operations 
with  his  brother,  as  we  have  stated. 

The  marriage  of  Richard  Rowell  and  Miss  Nancy 
Barnard  took  place  Dec.  15,  1853,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  three  children — Lois,  Emma 
and  Clark.  Mr.  Rowell  was  of  fine  physique,  fully 
six  feet  in  height,  and  his  average  weight  about 
180  pounds.  His  form  indicated  strength  and  ac- 
tivity; his  head  was  well  proportioned,  and  his 
eyes  bright  and  expressive.  He  was  polite  and 
obliging  in  his  manner  and  a  man  of  decided  views, 
fearless  in  the  expression  of  his  sentiments,  while 
at  the  same  time  he  was  careful  not  to  give  offence. 
He  was  always  interested  in  public  improvements 
and  encouraged  every  measure, calculated  to  in- 
crease the  prosperity  of  his  adopted  county.  He 
was  Supervisor  of  Dale  Township  for  about  nine 
years  and  one  of  the  Commissioners  at  the  time  of 
the  building  of  the  court-house.  It  is  hardly 
necessary  to  say  that  he  possessed  the  entire  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens,  who  at  the 
time  of  his  decease  manifested  their  sentiments  by 
the  unusually  large  attendance  at  his  funeral  and 
the  expressions  of  regret  on  every  side  that  a  good 
man  had  ceased  from  his  labors  whose  place  it 
would  be  most  difficult  to  supply. 

The  accompanying  portrait  of  Mr.  Rowell  in 
connection  with  this  brief  sketch  will  serve  as  a 
means  of  perpetuating  the  memory  of  one  who  at 
all  times  cast  his  influence  on  the  side  of  truth  and 
justice. 


-*- 


ALEB  JOHNSON,  well  known  as  a  prosper- 
ous farmer  and  land -owner  of  McLean 
County,  and  whose  portrait  is  shown  on  an 
accompanying  page,  is  the  proprietor  of  406  acres 
in  Danvers  Township,  all  improved  and  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  While  in  the  prime  of 
life  he  was  industriously  engaged  in  all  the  duties 
appertaining  to  the  farm,  being  especially  noted  as 
a  breeder  of  fine  stock,  in  which  he  gained  quite  a 


I 


754 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


reputation.  He  is  now  retired  from  active  labor 
and  resides  in  Stanford,  enjoying  the  competency 
which  he  acquired  by  years  of  active  industry  and 
the  exercise  of  good  judgment. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County, 
W.  Va.,  born  March  22, 1813.  His  school  advant- 
ages were  limited  to  a  few  months,  and  the  tem- 
ple of  learning  was  a  log  cabin  constructed  after 
the  most  primitive  fashion.  After  reaching  man- 
hood he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  J.  Beard,  on 
the  27th  of  June,  1839.  Mrs.  J.  was  a  native  of 
the  same  county  as  her  husband,  and  was  born  Dec. 
11,  1813.  After  the  birth  of  six  children,  Caleb 
Johnson,  accompanied  by  his  family,  with  his 
household  goods,  and  an  outfit  of  eight  horses  and 
four  wagons,  started  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois. 
His  destination  was  Danvers  Township,  McLean 
County,  where  the  year  previous  he  had  purchased 
560  acres  of  land,  consisting  of  both  prairie  and 
timber.  They  commenced  their  journey  on  the 
16th  day  of  September,  and  reached  the  new  farm 
October  13  following. 

Mr.  Johnson  at  once  set  about  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  his  land,  and  in  due  time  estab- 
lished one  of  the  most  comfortable  homesteads  in 
the  West.  He  has  become  noted  throughout  this 
section  for  his  industry  and  enterprise,  and  forms 
an  important  factor  in  the  agricultural  interests  of 
McLean  County.  His  upright  course  in  life,  his 
promptness  in  meeting  his  obligations,  and  his  ex- 
cellent personal  qualities,  have  caused  him  to  be 
regarded  with  universal  respect.  He  is  Democratic 
in  politics,  and  has  assisted  by  his  means  and  influ- 
ence in  most  of  the  enterprises  which  have  brought 
this  county  to  its  present  condition  as  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  sections  in  the  Prairie  State. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Caleb  Johnson  there  were  born 
six  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows: 
Ward  P.,  born  June  8,  1840,  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Deal,  and  was  a  resident  of  Danvers  Town- 
ship; they  are  both  now  deceased;  Madora  E., 
born  March  4, 1843,  became  the  wife  of  George  W. 
Holland, and  lives  in  Missouri;  Sarah  R.,  born  April 
11,  1845,  married  Miles  Brooks,  Esq.,  of  Stanford, 
111.;  J.  Wallace  was  born  Aug.  23,  1847,  married 
Miss  Lois  Rowell,  and  is  a  resident  of  Danvers 
Township;  John  A.,  born  March  18,  1851,  married 


Miss  Julia  Lehman,  and  lives  in  New  Mexico; 
Louise  S.,  now  Mrs.  Frank  P.  Browning,  of  Mis- 
souri, was  born  March  7,  1855.  These  children 
are  all  respected  members  of  society,  and  have  in- 
herited in  a  marked  degree  the  excellent  qualities 
of  both  parents. 


JAMES  W.  JOHNSON,  one  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  McLean 
County,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
'    State  since  1856,  at  that  time  locating  on 

the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies  and  which 
is  situated  on  section  34,  Danvers  Township.  His 
homestead  embraces  720  acres  of  valuable  land, 
which  is  liberally  stocked  with  100  head  of  fine 
cattle,  20  head  of  horses  and  a  flock  of  South  Down 
sheep.  The  residence  is  a  handsome  and  commodi- 
ous structure,  and  the  large,  well-built  barn,  with  its 
adjacent  out-buildings,  is  such  as  in  every  respect 
meets  the  requirements  of  a  first-class  agriculturist. 
The  whole  constitutes  one  of  the  finest  estates  in 
this  section  of  Illinois,  and  is  viewed  by  the  pass- 
ing traveler  with  unmixed  admiration. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  is  a  native  of  Mon- 
roe County,  W.  Va.,  his  birth  occurring  Aug.  27, 
1847.  His  pai-ents,  Caleb  and  Louisa  (Beard) 
Johnson,  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  removed 
in  early  life  to  Illinois  and  are  now  residents  of 
Stanford,  this  county.  The  father  is  one  of  the 
most  respected  citizens  in  that  locality,  a  member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  promi- 
nent in  all  good  works  and  every  enterprise  calcu- 
lated to  benefit  his  community,  socially,  morally  and 
intellectually.  The  parental  household  included  six 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Pem- 
broke married  Miss  Elizabeth  Deal,  and  both  are 
now  deceased ;  Edmonia,  Mrs.  George  Holland,  is 
a  resident  of  Henry  County,  Mo. ;  Rebecca  married 
Miles  Brooks  and  lives  in  Stanford,  this  county; 
John  A.  married  Miss  Lehman  and  lives  in  New 
Mexico ;  Louise,  now  Mrs.  Frank  Browning,  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Appleton,  St.  Clair  Co.,  Mo.  These  chil- 
dren received  a  good  education,  which  in  connec- 
tion with  their  natural  talents  constitutes  them  a 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


755 


family  group  of  which  the  parents  may   well  be 
proud. 

The  lady  who  presides  over  the  home  of  our  sub- 
ject and  who  in  her  girlhood  was  Miss  Lois  Rowell, 
became  the  sharer  of  his  fortunes  on  the  7th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1878.  Mrs.  Johnson  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  was  born  Nov.  16,  1854,  to  Richard 
and  Nancy  (Barnard)  Rowell,  natives  respectively 
of  Grafton  County,  N.  II.,  and  Montgomery  Coun- 
ty, Ohio.  Richard  Rowell,  who  was  one  of  the 
honored  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  was  born 
May  20,  1814,  and  after  building  up  a  good  record 
as  a  husband,  father,  friend  and  citizen,  departed 
this  life  at  his  home  in  Dale  Township,  on  the  16th 
of  October,  1881.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  good 
education  and  followed  the  joint  occupation  of 
school  teacher  and  carpenter  in  his  early  days,  but 
during  his  later  life  turned  his  attention  principally 
to  farming.  He  was  remarkably  successful  as  an 
agriculturist,  accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  at- 
tained an  enviable  reputation  as  one  of  the  most  skill- 
ful farmers  and  stock-raisers  in  the  county.  The 
mother  of  Mrs.  Johnson  was  born  Oct.  '28,  1824, 
became  the  wife  of  Richard  Rowell,  Dec.  15,  1853, 
and  to  the  household  thus  established  there  came 
three  children,  namely,  Lois,  now  the  wife  of  our 
subject;  Emma,  who  died  Nov.  11, 1885,  and  Clark, 
who  died  in  1862,  when  but  two  years  of  age.  The 
mother  is  still  living,  and  resides  on  the  old  home- 
stead in  Dale  Township.  .As  a  lady  having  lived 
worthily  and  performed  all  the  duties  of  life  with 
cheerfulness  and  courage,  setting  a  good  example 
before  her  family  and  neighbors,  Mrs.  Rowell  is 
held  in  the  highest  respect  by  all  who  know  her. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  an  interesting  family 
of  three  bright  children,  namely,  Homer,  born  Nov. ' 
13,  1878;  Roy,  April  11,  1884,  and  May,  Sept. 
24,  1885.  Mr.  Johnson  has  become  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  affairs  of  this  section 
since  becoming  a  resident  here,  and  has  materially 
aided  in  the  advancement  of  its  agricultural  and 
business  interests.  Everything  which  he  undertakes 
must  be  well  done  and  complete  in  all  its  details, 
lie  will  put  up  with  no  half  measures,  either  in  his 
business  affairs  or  on  the  farm.  The  fences  and 
machinery  are  kept  in  the  best  of  repair  and  he  has 
no  patience  with  idleness  or  shiftlessness.  He  takes 


a  genuine  interest  in  the  prosperity  and  advance- 
ment of  his  community,  and  is  the  eucourager  of 
every  enterprise  calculated  to  effect  these  ends. 
The  evidences  of  his  labor  will  remain  years  hence, 
whether  he  retires  early  or  late  from  the  scenes  of 
his  activity.  He  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  undoubt- 
ed integrity,  capable  of  forming  his  own  opinions 
and  resolutely  adhering  to  them,  and  in  both  social 
and  private  life  is  a  good  neighbor,  a  kind  husband 
and  father,  and  possesses  that  to  which  he  is  most 
justly  entitled,  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  and  friends.  Politically,  he  affiliates 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  served  as  School 
Director  in  his  district. 

In  this  work  will  be  found  finely  executed  litho- 
graphic portraits  of  Caleb  Johnson,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  and  Richard  Rowell,  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Johnson,  -together  with  a  bird's-eye  view  of  the 
homestead  of  James  W.  Johnson. 


>HOMAS  TYSON.  The  gentleman  whose 
name  heads  this  biography  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  fine  homestead  in  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, on  section  22.  He  is  comfortably  situated, 
and  in  possession  of  all  the  comforts  of  life  and 
many  of  its  luxuries.  The  worldly  goods  of  which 
he  is  possessed  have  been  accumulated  solely  by 
the  exercise  of  his  own  industry,  as  he  never  re- 
ceived any  legacy  to  assist  him  on  the  high  road  to 
prosperity.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  for  a  period  of  thirty-six  years,  and  during 
that  time  has  established  for  himself  a  reputation 
as  a  thoroughly  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  Lock- 
port,  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  on  the  13th 
of  August,  1836.  He  is  the  youngest  son  of  Will- 
iam and  Mary  J.  Tyson,  and  was  only  two  years 
old  when  deprived  of  a  father's  care  by  death.  He 
remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  ten  years 
old,  and  then  commenced  in  earnest  the  struggle  of 
life.  His  first  regular  employment  was  in  a  cooper 
shop,  and  the  following  year  he  went  to  live  with 
an  old  English  farmer  of  Niagara  County,  with 
whom  he  remained  one  year,  and  was  then  em- 
ployed by  a  Quaker  in  the  same  neighborhood, 


I 


756 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


with  whom  he  remained  a  little  over  a  year  there- 
after; The  first  year  he  received  $4  per  month, 
and  the  second,  $6.  He  was  thoughtful  beyond  his 
years,  and  resolved  to  better  his  condition  if  possi- 
ble, and  pave  the  way  to  become  a  man  among 


men. 


In  1850  Thomas  Tyson  determined  to  emigrate 
West,  and  accordingly,  in  company  with  his  mother 
and  stepfather,  set  his  face  toward  the  prairies  of 
Illinois.  They  first  went  to  Tazewell  County  and 
located  in  Delavan,  and  there  our  subject  was  em- 
ployed by  Allen  Perrin,  to  work  upon  a  farm  at  $10 
a  month.  While  with  Mr.  Perrin  he  used  to  get 
up  at  4  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  milk  six  or 
eight  cows,  then  accompany  his  employer  ten  miles 
to  the  timber,  and  they  split  100  rails  before  night. 
Wolves  were  plenty  then  in  that  section,  and  often 
followed  the  twain  after  they  had  left  their  work  to 
go  home  at  night.  These  duties  were  alternated 
with  an  occasional  trip  to  Pekin,  eighteen  miles  dis- 
tant, where  he  hauled  the  produce  of  the  farm  and 
disposed  of  it  in  exchange  for  a  moderate  amount 
of  cash  or  the  necessaries  required  for  use  around 
the  homestead  and  in  the  household. 

Young  Tyson  subsequently  returned  to  his  moth- 
er's home,  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  and 
then  went  back  to  Mr.  Perrin.  He  was  faithful  and 
industrious,  and  could  always  find  plenty  of  work 
although  the  wages  were  small.  He  lived  econom- 
ically, however,  and  saved  every  penny  that  he 
could,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  found  him- 
self possessed  of  sufficient  means  to  engage  in  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account.  He  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  wild  land  in  Tazewell  County,  and  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  William,  improved  and  culti- 
vated the  land,  keeping  "  bachelor's  hall,"  and  as 
time  passed  on  purchased  additional  acres. 

The  brothers  worked  together  in  harmony,  im- 
proving and  cultivating  their  land,  having  now  a 
quarter  section  beside  the  first  purchase,  and  in 
1855  added  320  acres  to  the  area  which  they  al- 
ready held,  the  latter  being  located  on  section  22, 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  which  constitutes  the  present 
homestead  of  our  subject.  John  and  William  Ty- 
son farmed  together  for  several  years,  and  then  di- 
vided their  possessions,  since  which  time  Mr.  T.  has 
farmed  successfully  and  independently  alone.  The 


home  estate  now  consists  of  261  acres,  finely  culti- 
vated and  improved,  with  a  commodious  and  com- 
fortable farm  residence,  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings for  the  shelter  of  stock  and  the  storing  of 
grain.  He  has  valuable  farm  implements  and  ma- 
chinery, and  carries  on  his  agricultural  operations 
after  the  most  modern  and  improved  methods. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  J.  Bell,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents,  on  the  15th  of  May,  1855.  Mrs.  Tyson  is 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Susan  (Allgood)  Bell, 
and  was  orphaned  by  the  death  of  both  parents 
when  a  young  child.  She  was  reared  by  her  grand- 
parents until  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  was  then 
received  into  the  home  of  her  aunt,  Mary  Holmes, 
of  Delavan.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tyson 
there  have  been  born  five  children,  as  follows: 
Fannie  G.  married  Martin  Altberry,  of  Logan 
County,  111.;  Amanda  Ellen  became  the  wife  of 
Charles  Tallon,  and  lives  in  Mt.  Hope  Township; 
Thomas  II.,  Charles  R.  and  Albert  are  at  home  with 
their  parents.  Mr.  Tyson  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  uniformly  votes  in  the  interests  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  this  party.  A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the 
residence  and  out-buildings  of  Mr.  Tyson  is  shown 
elsewhere  in  this  work. 


€YRUS  H.  BENSON,  a  prominent  farmer  of 
Lawndale  Township,  is  the  son  of  James 
Benson,  of  Kentucky,  who  in  early  man- 
hood married  Miss  Ann  Hinshaw,  of  Tennessee. 
They  were  married  in  Blooming  Grove,  and  then 
permanently  located  in  White  Oak  Township,  this 
county,  being  among  its  earliest  settlers.  The  fa- 
ther of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
which  calling  he  pursued  in  Bloomington  Township 
until  1830,  then  removed  to  White  Oak  Township, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Sept.  8,  1883.  The  mother  had  passed  to  the  land 
of  the  hereafter  in  August,  1868.  Of  their  four- 
teen children  twelve  lived  to  mature  years  and 
two  died  in  infancy.  The  latter  were  Maria  C.  and 
George  W.,  the  first  of  whom  was  fatally  injured 
by  falling  into  a  tub  of  scalding  water  when  two 
years  old,  and  George  was  drowned  at  the  same 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


757 


age.  The  others  were  William,  Elizabeth  D.,  Nancy, 
Cyrus  II.,  Sarah  J.,  Jesse  M.,  Susannah  II.,  James 
R.,  John  F.,  Emily  W.,  Edward  C.  and  Horace  M. 
John  F.  died  in  his  eighteenth  year. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  White 
Oak  Township,  McLean  County,  Sept.  16,  1835. 
He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  his  primary 
studies  in  the  meantime  being  carried  on  in  the 
common  schools.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age 
he  entered  college  at  Eureka,  111.,  where  he  studied 
three  years,  and  in  September,  1860,  entered  the 
junior  class  of  Bethany  College,  W.  Va.,and  there- 
after took  a  course  at  Antioeh  College,  Ohio. 
There  he  passed  his  examination  in  September, 
1861,  and  entered  the  senior  class  of  the  college. 
The  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  however,  having 
necessitated  a  call  for  more  troops  he  laid  aside  his 
personal  interests  and  wishes  and  enlisted  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Union  cause.  During  his  college  course 
he  had  been  under  the  guidance  of  such  men  as 
Elder  Campbell,  who  was  President  of  Bethany, 
and  Dr.  Hill,  President  of  Antioeh,  and  who  after- 
ward held  the  same  office  in  Harvard  University, 
at  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Young  Benson  was  mustered  into  the  Union 
service  Sept.  16,  1861,  on  his  twenty-sixth  birthday, 
as  a  member  of  Co.  G,  17th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with  which 
he  served  three  years.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  and 
was  soon  promoted  Corporal.  At  the  battle  of 
Shiloh  he  was  wounded  in  the  back  while  on  the 
retreat.  He  was  not  disabled,  however,  but  kept 
up  with  his  regiment.  He  participated  with  his 
comrades  in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Donelson,  Shiloh,  the 
siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg  and  many  other 
minor  engagements  and  skirmishes.  The  last  year 
he  was  on  detached  service,  having  charge  of  the 
United  States  Sanitary  Commission  at  Vicksburg. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge,  being  mustered  out  at  Cairo,  111.,  whence 
he  returned  home  to  this  county.  He  afterward 
engaged  in  teaching  school  and  farming  alternately, 
his  home  having  always  been  in  McLean  County. 

The  marriage  of  Cyrus  H.  Benson  and  Miss 
Lucy  A.  Rowell  was  celebrated  in  White  Oak 
Township,  June  8,  1864.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  two  children — Edward  M.,  now  a  student  at 
Champaign  University,  and  Lucy  A.,  engaged  in 


teaching.  The  mother  of  these  children  departed 
this  life  in  White  Oak  Township.  May  23.  1867. 
The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Benson  also  took  place 
in  White  Oak  Township,  March  16,  1871,  when  he 
was  united  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Denman,  who  was  born 
in  that  township  in  1845.  Their  six  children  were 
named  as  follows:  Arthur  D.,  May,  James  R.,  Roy 
H.,  Lloyd  C.  and  Dot.  Lloyd  died  when  nine 
months  old. 

Mr.  Benson  was  a  resident  of  White  Oak  Town- 
ship until  the  spring  of  1867,  when  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  22,  Lawudale  Town- 
ship, where  he  has  since  lived.  He  has  now  160 
acres  finely  improved,  with  a  good  residence  and 
barn,  and  all  the  other  conveniences  required  by 
the  modern  and  progressive  farmer.  His  property 
and  stock  are  well  cared  for  and  in  first-class  condi- 
tion. Mr.  Benson  is  more  than  ordinarily  intelli- 
gent and  keeps  himself  well  posted  upon  current 
events.  He  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citi- 
zens, who  have  conferred  upon  him  the  offices  of 
Supervisor,  Assessor  and  other  important  trusts. 
Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  been 
connected  with  the  Christian  Church  since  1857, 
and  Mrs.  Benson  is  a  member  and  regular  attend- 
ant of  the  Methodist  Church.  Socially  our  sub- 
ject belongs  to  the  G.A.  R. 


eHARLES  M.  HELLER,  residing  on  section 
9,  Towanda  Township,  where  he  has  120 
acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land, 
together  with  good  and  substantial  improve- 
ments, is  the  son  of  Elias  and  Eliza  (Braunsetter) 
Heller,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  After  their  mar- 
riage the  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  and  settled  in 
Clarke  County,  near  Springfield.  The  father  was 
a  blacksmith  by  occupation,  and  followed  his  trade 
in  Ohio,  together  with  farming,  until  1852,  when, 
with  his  family,  he  moved  to  Delaware  County, 
Ind.,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Yorktown.  Liv- 
ing there  for  about  two  years  engaged  the  while  in 
farming,  he  then  returned  to  Clarke  County,  and 
in  1856  came  here  and  made  settlement  in  Towan- 
da Township.  In  the  spring  of  1884  the  old  folk 
moved  to  Towanda  Village,  where  they  are  at  pres- 


i 


T 


,     ,     758 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


ent  residing  in  retirement,  having  acquired  a  suffi- 
ciency to  enable  them  to  pass  the  sunset  of  life  in 
peace  and  quiet.  They  have  eight  children,  four 
sons  and  four  daughters,  and  Charles  M.  is  the 
third  in  order  of  birth.  He  first  saw  light  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1839,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  in  the  meantime  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  blacksmith-shop.  Charles 
M.  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was  about  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  he  bought  a  farm  in  To- 
wanda  Township,  the  same  being  that  on  which  he 
now  lives,  and  since  that  time  has  been  continu- 
ously occupied  with  its  improvement. 

Mr.  Heller  was  married,  Nov.  28,  1861,  in  To- 
wanda  Township,  to  Miss  Angeline,  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Wilkinson)  Fling,  natives 
of  Virginia.  They  came  to  McLean  County,  from 
Columbus,  Ohio,  in  1836,  and  settling  in  Towanda 
Township  they  there  lived  and  labored  until  their 
death.  They  became  the  parents  of  four  children, 
and  Mrs.  Heller  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 
She  first  saw  light  in  McLean  County,  111.,  March 
3,  1841,  and  of  her  union  with  our  subject  ten 
children  have  been  born  —  Fannie  M.,  Minnie  A., 
Charles  T.,  Clara  A.,  Nettie  G.,  Edward  E.,  Delia 
L.,  Ethel  C.,  Lelia  M.  and  Imogene.  Fannie  is  the 
wife  of  B.  W.  Stover,  and  they  are  living  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  Mr.  Heller  has  held  the  office  of 
School  Director  for  several  years.  His  good  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  Jacksonian  Democrat. 


v  on 

3 


OSEPH  E.  SPRINGER,  a  prominent  citizen 
and  farmer  of  Stanford,  and  at  present  serv- 
ing his  second  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
is  a  native  of  fair  France,  being  born  in  the 
Province  of  Lorraine,  Dec.  24,  1824.  His  parents 
were  Christian  and  Magdalena  (Engel)  Springer, 
natives  of  the  same  Province,  the  father  born  Sept. 
15,  1792,  and  the  mother  Feb.  2,  1796.  Christian 
Springer  was  engaged  in  milling  and  farming  com- 
bined, in  his  own  country,  and  was  there  married 
in  1823.  In  1830  he  set  sail  with  his  family  for 
the  United  States,  and  they  landed  in  New  Orleans 
on  the  12th  of  June.  Thence  they  immediately 


proceeded  to  Butler  County,  Ohio,  where  the  father 
of  our  subject  purchased  206  acres  of  land,  where 
he  resided  for  sixteen  years.  In  1 854  he  came  into 
McLean  County  and  purchased  two  houses  and 
lots  in  Danvers,  which  he  occupied  with  his  family 
for  two  years  and  then  removed  to  the  farm. 
Both  parents  lived  with  their  sons  until  they  de- 
parted this  life.  The  mother  died  on  the  30th  of 
September,  1870,  and  the  father,  Oct.  3,  1879.  Of 
their  ten  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  Joseph 
E.  of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest  born;  Catherine 
died  in  infancy;  Peter  D.  married  Miss  Eliza 
Brenaman;  Christian  W.  married  Miss  Elizabeth  S. 
Stalter;  Magdalena  became  the  wife  of  Nicholas 
Risser;  John  married  Miss  Susan  Sherbine;  Kate 
became  the  wife  of  Peter  Sphertz;  Andrew  J.  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth  Schlabach;  Mary  became  Mrs. 
Daniel  Habecker;  George  died  in  infancy.  Both 
parents  were  members  of  the  Mennouite  Church. 

Joseph  E.  Springer  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  in  the  mean- 
time receiving  a  common-school  education.  He  was 
married,  July  21,  1852,  to  Miss  Catherine  Kinzin- 
ger,  but  the  young  wife  lived  only  about  eight 
months,  dying  on  the  4th  of  April,  1853.  Mr. 
Springer  was  the  second  time  married,  Nov.  11, 
1869,  to  Miss  Kate  Reser.  This  lady  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Nicholas  and  Magdalena  (Kemp)  Reser,  who 
were  natives  of  the  same  Province  as  our  subject, 
and  emigrated  from  France  to  the  United  States  in 
1858.  They  located  first  in  Wood  ford  County, 
111.,  whence  they  removed  five  years  afterward  to 
Tazewell  County,  and  in  1871  came  to  McLean 
County,  where  the  mother  died  Feb.  18,1 884 ;  the 
father  is  still  living,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Stan- 
ford, this  county.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  three  sons  and  five  daughters — Andrew, 
Joseph,  Mary,  Ann,  Peter,  Kate,  Maggie  and  Vic- 
toria. Thej7  also  were  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church.  To  our  subject  and  his  present  wife  there 
were  born  seven  children — Amelia  M.,  Victoria  M., 
Louisa  M.,  one  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed,  Lil- 
lie  M.,  Frank  A.  and  Orion  D. 

Mr.  S.  was  on  the  ocean  sixty-two  days  when  com- 
ing to  this  country.  Since  becoming  a  resident  of 
this  county  he  has  identified  himself  with  its  inter- 
ests, and  has  proved  a  worthy  addition  to  the  com- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


759 


muuity.  In  politics  he  is  strongly  Democratic,  and 
has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  in  Allin  Township 
for  three  years. 

Mr.  and   Mrs.  S.  are  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church. 


fir^ICHARD  BREESE,  a  prominent  and  wealthy 
IIL^x  citizen  of  Gridley,  came  to  this  section  in 
1857,  and  by  his  energy  and  enterprise  es- 
!  tablished  himself  in  a  short  time  as  one  of 
its  most  progressive  and  valuable  pioneers.  He  is 
descended  from  substantial  English  ancestry,  his 
parents  having  been  John  and  Ann  (Gunton) 
Breese,  who  were  born  in  Huntingdonshire,  En- 
gland, where  they  married  and  settled,  and  where 
their  children  were  born,  and  there  the  old  folk 
passed  their  lives.  Of  the  household  circle,  which 
included  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Richard  Breese  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire,  En- 
gland, Aug.  20, 1824.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
but  seven  years  old,  and  he  was  then  obliged  to 
look  out  for  himself.  This,  however,  was  a  good 
school,  teaching  him  self-reliance,  and  doubtless 
contributed  greatly  to  bring  about  his  later  suc- 
cess. He  commenced  by  working  on  a  farm,  and 
continued  in  his  native  England  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-eight years  of  age.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
been  married,  and  at  the  age  mentioned  started 
with  his  wife  and  child  for  the  United  States.  They 
landed  in  New  York  City,  and  thence  soon  pro- 
ceeded to  Butler  County,  Ohio.  There  our  subject 
worked  out  by  the  month,  farming,  for  two  years, 
and  until  the  fall  of  1854.  He  then  rented  land 
until  the  spring  of  1857,  and  at  this  time  decided 
to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  farther  West.  After 
completing  his  preparations  he  came  into  Illinois 
and  settled  first  in  Waldo  Township,  Livingston 
County,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  and 
entering  upon  its  cultivation  continued  to  live 
there  until  the  spring  of  1869. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  Mr.  Breese  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Gridley,  having  the  fall  pre- 
vious formed  a  partnership  with  W.  H.  Boise,  for 
the  purpose  of  dealing  in  grain  and  live  stock. 
They  operated  together  until  the  spring  of  1884, 

<• 


under  the  style  of  Boise  <fe  Breese.  Our  subject 
then  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  business  and 
having  accumulated  a  fine  property  has  since  that 
time  retired  from  active  labor.  He  is  the  owner 
of  360  acres  of  land  in  Livingston  County  which 
is  finely  improved,  and  240  acres  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, this  county.  He  also  has  a  pleasant  family 
residence  in  the  town  of  Gridley. 

Mr.  Breese  was  married  in  England  in  1846,  to 
Miss  Mary  Miller,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Cam- 
bridgeshire. Of  this  union  there  were  born  two 
children — Eliza  and  Richard.  The  latter  died  in 
infancy.  Eliza  became  the  wife  of  Christian  Neu- 
hauser,  residing  in  Gridley,  and  the  mother  of 
eleven  children,  and  departed  this  life  April  14, 
1879.  Her  surviving  children  were  Sarah,  Katie, 
Lucy  L.,  Minerva,  Williametta  and  Mary  A. ;  five 
are  deceased.  The  first  wife  of  our  subject  died  in 
England  in  the  fall  of  1849,  and  he  was  again 
united  in  marriage  in  his  native  county,  to  Mrs. 
Sarah  (Flanders)  Harvey,  daughter  of  James  and 
Catherine  (Gunton)  Flanders,  who  were  natives  of 
Huntingdonshire,  England,  where  they  spent  their 
lives.  Her  first  husband  was  Richardson  Harvey, 
who  died  in  1851.  Of  the  parents'  marriage  there 
were  born  thirteen  children,  seven  daughters  and 
six  sons,  of  whom  Mrs.  B.  was  the  eldest  but  one. 
Her  birth  occurred  in  Huntingdonshire,  Oct.  30, 
1829.  Of  the  present  marriage  of  our  subject 
there  have  been  no  children.  Mrs.  Breese  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  politically  Mr.  B.  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. He  has  been  School  Director,  Township 
Trustee  and  a  member  of  the  Village  Board. 


!)HOMAS  FREED.  The  history  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  who  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent and  prosperous  farmers  of  Gridley 
Township,  may  be  briefly  summed  as  follows:  He 
is  the  son  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Fleming) 
Freed,  being  the  sixth  of  a  family  of  eight  children. 
Thomas  Freed  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Pa., 
July  11,  1825,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
in  his  native  county,  remaining  under  the  parental 


1  760 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


roof  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  then  started 
out  for  himself,  working  by  the  month  on  a  farm 
for  one  year,  and  was  then  apprenticed  to  learn  the 
blacksmith's  trade.  He  served  three  years  at  this, 
but  preferring  farming,  directed  his  attention  aft- 
erward principally  to  agricultural  pursuits. 

In  August,  1853,  Mr.  Freed  of  this  notice  left 
his  native  State,  and  coming  to  McLean  County, 
111.,  looked  over  the  land,  but  finally  located  in 
Adams  County,  where  he  remained  until  the  fol- 
lowing spring.  He  then  returned  to  this  section, 
and  was  employed  by  the  month  for  two  years  fol- 
lowing, on  a  farm  near  Bloomington.  In  the  spring 
of  1856  he  located  in  Gridley  Township,  which  has 
since  been  his  home. 

Mr.  Freed,  beginning  life  at  the  foot  of  ladder, 
has  proved  a  fair  illustration  of  what  may  be  ac- 
complished by  perseverance  and  industry.  He  came 
here  with  nothing  but  his  strong  hands  and  will- 
ing disposition  to  labor,  but  is  now  the  owner  of 
160  acres  of  valuable  land,  which  constitutes  one  of 
the  finest  homesteads  in  his  township.  He  has  a 
handsome  and  substantial  farm  residence,  a  good 
barn,  and  all  other  necessary  conveniences  for  the 
storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock.  He  has 
been  upright  in  his  business  transactions,  prompt  to 
meet  his  obligations,  and  in  all  respects  has  distin- 
guished himself  as  a  valuable  member  of  the  com- 
munity. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  Grid- 
ley  Township  on  the  6th  of  May,  1858,  when  he 
was  united  with  Miss  Mary  E.,  the  daughter  of 
William  and  Susannah  (Blake)  Nichols,  who  were 
natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio.  After 
marriage  Miss  Nichols'  parents  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  this  county,  which  remained  their  home 
the  balance  of  their  lives.  The  father  was  acci- 
dentally killed  at  a  house-raising  in  Selma,  Lexing- 
ton Township,  and  the  mother  died  upon  the  home- 
stead, in  1849.  Mrs.  Freed  was  the  elder  of  their 
two  children.  She  was  born  in  Lexington  Town- 
ship, this  county,  Nov.  17,  1839,  and  by  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  eight  chil- 
dren: Sarah  E.,  now  the  wife  of  Frank  Stoufer, 
and  a  resident  of  Gridley  Township;  William  A., 
Hoke,  L.  D.,  Frank  H.,  George  W.,  Leander  C., 
Luta  A.  and  John  E.  William  A.  married  Miss 


Emma  F.  Phinuey,  and  resides  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Freed,  who  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  has 
never  been  an  office  seeker,  but  by  the  persuasion 
of  friends  has  served  the  people  of  his  township  in 
minor  official  positions,  which  he  has  filled  with 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 
Both  our  subject  and  his  wife  are  worthy  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  the  support 
of  which  they  have  contributed  as  they  could  of 
their  means. 


>ILLIAM  LINDEN,  a  substantial  German 
farmer  of  Chenoa  Township,  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  in  the  little  Kingdom 
of  Prussia,  on  the  16th  of  March,  1834.  He  is 
the  son  of  John  M.  and  Agnes  Linden,  who  lived 
in  a  modest  way  upon  a  small  farm,  spending  their 
entire  lives  in  their  native  country.  Our  subject 
was  placed  in  school  at  an  early  age,  where  he  re- 
mained until  thirteen  years  old  and  then  weiit  to 
work  on  a  farm  and  was  thus  occupied  until  his 
twent3'-second  year.  He  then  decided  to  seek  his 
fortunes  in  the  New  World  and  accordingly  started 
for  the  United  States,  landing  first  in  New  York 
City.  From  there,  after  a  short  stay,  he  proceeded 
to  Chicago,  111.,  where  for  the  following  summer 
he  was  employed  in  a  lumber-yard.  In  the  fall  of 
the  same  year  he  came  to  Bloomington  and  during 
the  winter  following  was  engaged  in  chopping  cord 
wood.  In  the  spring  of  the  next  year  he  made  ar- 
rangements to  become  an  employe  of  Daniel 
Muntze,  with  whom  he  remained  for  four  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  in  1861,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Susanna  Knipple, 
daughter  of  John  Knipple,  Esq. 

After  marriage  the  young  people  settled  on  the 
farm  of  John  Gillespie,  which  Mr.  Linden  rented 
for  one  year.  He  continued  to  farm  on  rented  land 
for  eight  years  following,  part  of  the  time  on  his 
father-in-law's  place,  and  then  purchased  eighty 
acres  on  section  35,  in  Chenoa  Township,  which  is 
now  his  homestead,  and  is  well  stocked  with  hogs, 
horses  and  cattle.  He  also  has  eighty  acres  on  sec- 
tion 34.  Of  late  years  Mr.  L.  has  been  interested 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


761 


in  the  breeding  of  Norman  horses,  in  which  he  has 
been  quite  successful. 

The  family  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  consists 
of  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely,  Jacob,  John, 
William,  Frank  and  Elizabeth.  The  residence  is 
pleasantly  located  and  the  family  enjoy  the  friend- 
ship and  esteem  of  the  best  citizens  of  this  vicinity 
Mr.  Linden  has  served  as  Road  Commissioner  and 
held  the  office  of  Path  Master.  He  is  essentially  a 
self-made  man  and  an  illustration  of  what  may  be 
accomplished  from  a  small  beginning.  When  he 
landed  in  New  York  City  he  had  but  twenty  cents 
in  his  pocket  and  came  a  stranger  to  a  strange  land. 
He  has  climbed  up  step  by  step,  slowly  but  surely, 
to  a  good  position  in  the  community,  and  by  his 
industry  and  perseverance  has  accumulated  a  com- 
petency. He  has  met  with  reverses,  besides  having 
lost  several  hundred  dollars  by  the  failure  of  the 
Chenoa  Bank.  He  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  fully  deserves  to  be 
classed  among  the  honest  men  and  good  citizens  of 
McLean  County. 


RS.  CAROLINE  CHENEY,  widow  of  Hon. 
W.  H.  Cheney,  and  a  resident  of  Say- 
brook,  111.,  is  the  daughter  of  Demas  and 
Mary  A.  (Yoiiker)  Brown,  natives  respect- 
ively of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  April  2,  1848.  Demas 
Brown  was  born  Jan.  8,  1802,  and  departed  this  life 
at  his  home  in  Portage,  Ohio,  Sept.  21,  1869.  He 
was  the  son  of  William  and  Parmelia  (Henshaw) 
Brown,  both  of  English  ancestry.  He  was  reared 
to  farming  pursuits,  was  in  all  respects  an  excellent 
man  and  a  good  citizen,  and  with  his  wife  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  mother  of 
Mrs.  Cheney  was  b9rn  Dec.  7,  1817,  and  still  sur- 
vives, making  her  home  with  her  son,  in  Gibson, 
111.  The  parental  household  included  thirteen  chil- 
dren, of  whom  eleven  are  still  living,  are  mar- 
ried and  reside  in  different  States  of  the  Union. 

Mrs.  Cheney  remained  an  inmate  of  her  'father's 
house,  where  she  received  careful  training  and  a 
good  education.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  she  came 
to  Illinois  and  resided  with  her  sister,  and  taught- 


school  for  eight  years.  On  the  28th  of  May,  1873, 
she  was  united  in  marriage  with  Hon.  W.  H.  Che- 
ney, who  was  born  Feb.  19,  1822,  near  Mechanics- 
burg,  Ohio.  He  came  to  this  State  in  1825,  and 
settled  in  the  grove  which  now  bears  the  family 
name.  Mr.  Cheney  was  first  married  to  Miss  Mary 
J.  Orendorff,  Nov.  10,  1S42,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as 
follows:  Lavina  became  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Beck- 
with  and  lives  in  Saybrook;  Jay  died  in  infancy, 
Jan.  10,  1847;  Kate  married  Dr.  H.  A.  Winter; 
Charlie  married  Miss  Lizzie  Pugsley,  and  lives  in 
Kansas;  Emma  died  April  18,  1877,  and  Willie, 
Aug.  1,  1859;  Harry  married  Miss  Ada  Youle,  and 
resides  on  the  homestead  farm ;  Mary  B.,  the  wife 
of  George  W.  Woodbury,  lives  in  Huron,  Dak. ; 
Minnie  E.  received  a  fine  musical  education  at 
Oberlin,  Ohio,  and  Bloomington,  111.,  and  lives  with 
Mrs.  Cheney.  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Cheney,  the  mother 
of  these  children,  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband 
in  Cheney's  Grove,  Aug.  7,  1868;  she  was  a  lady 
of  refinement  and  lovable  disposition. 

Of  the  marriage  of  W.  H.  and  Mrs.  Caroline 
Cheney,  there  were  born  three  children,  as  follows: 
George  W.,  Oct.  31,  1874;  Nellie  B.,  born  May  31, 
1876,  died  in  September,  1885;  Wilbur  H.  was 
born  Feb.  28,  1878.  Mr.  Cheney  died  Aug.  24, 
1878,  a  few  months  after  the  birth  of  his  youngest 
son.  His  name  is  familiar  throughout  McLean 
County,  as  having  been  a  man  of  great  force  of 
character,  and  more  than  ordinary  business  ability. 
He  was  Republican  in  politics,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  political  affairs.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  owned  1,000  acres  of  land,  all  in  one  body, 
which  he  had  brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation, 
and  which  he  embellished  with  a  handsome  resi- 
dence, and  all  other  appliances  of  a  first-class  and 
progressive  modern  farmer. 

Mr.  Cheney  possessed  the  rare  faculty  of  being 
able  to  adapt  himself  to  places  and  circumstances, 
and  while  greatly  interested  in  the  progress  of 
political  affairs,  gave  due  attention  to  his  business 
and  household.  In  1867  he  was  elected  to  suc- 
ceed Hon.  Isaac  Funk  in  the  State  Senate,  and  se- 
cured the  charter  of  the  L.  B.  <fc  M.,  but  now  the 
L.,  E.  &  W.  R.  R.,  and  to  him  was  accorded  the 
honor  of  first  breaking  the  soil  to  lay  the  track  of 


t 


762 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


that  railroad.  He  was  identified  for  many  years 
with  the  business  and  agricultural  interests  of  this 
section,  and  in  every  condition  in  life  performed 
whatever  he  undertook  conscientiously  and  as  be- 
came a  man  having  at  heart  the  best  interests  of 
county  and  town. 

Mrs.  Cheney  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  a  lady  universally  respected  for 
her  amiability  and  kindness  of  heart,  especially  to 
the  needy.  These  rare  traits  she  doubtless  inher- 
ited from  the  best  of  fathers,  who  was  noted  for 
his  charities  and  substantial  aid  to  the  afflicted  and 
distressed. 


J~    P.  STUBBLEFIELD,  proprietor  of  one  of 
the  best  livery  and  sale  stables  in  the  city 
of    Bloom  ington,  is   also    engaged    in   the 
breeding  of  fine  horses,  chief  among  which 
are  the  Norman  and  Clydesdale,  and  exhibits  some 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  these  animals  to  be  found 
in  McLean  County. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was 
born  in  Funk's  Grove,  Feb.  28,  1845.  His  parents 
were  Absalom  and  Eliza  (Pearsons)  Stubblefield, 
natives  of  Ohio.  His  grandfather,  Robert  Stubble- 
field  was  of  English  ancestry  and  parentage,  and 
was  born  in  Halifax,  Va.,  Nov.  23,  1793.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Sarah  Funk,  April  14, 1814.  Both  families 
were  prominent  in  the  early  days  in  that  section, 
and  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  years,  engaged  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812.  After  his  discharge  from  the  army  he  locat- 
ed in  Ohio,  and  was  there  married.  In  1824  he 
came  to  Funk's  Grove,  this  county,  located  upon  a 
farm  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  thereafter 
for  over  fifty  years,  his  death  occurring  June  8, 
1870.  His  eldest  son,  Absalom,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  27, 
1815.  He  removed  to  Illinois  with  his  father,  and 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  began  business  on  his  own 
account  by  buying  calves  and  raising  them,  then 
selling,  and  later  splitting  rails.  After  he  had 
earned  $50  he  entered  forty  acres  of  land  in  Funk's 
Grove  Township,  and  from  this  beginning  he  be- 
came one  of  the  most  extensive  land-holders  of 
McLean  County.  By  his  first  marriage  there  were 


born  five  children,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  being 
the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

J.  P.  Stubblefield  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  he  was  twentj'-three  years  of  age,  his 
younger  days  being  spent  upon  the  farm  and  herd- 
ing cattle  on  the  prairie.  After  leaving  home  he 
located  in  Dale  Township  on  a  farm  of  240  acres, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  extensively  engaged 
in  the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  principally  horses, 
the  Norman  and  Clydesdale.  He  lived  on  his  farm 
until  1884,  and  then  removing  to  Bloomiugton,  es- 
tablished his  Iiver3'  and  sale  stable,  which  contains 
some  of  the  finest  horses  and  equipages  to  be  found 
in  this  section.  Mr.  S.  still  retains  possession  of 
his  farm,  where  he  employs  from  two  to  six  men, 
and  has  thirty  head  of  fine  horses,  high  grades  and 
full  bloods. 

Mr.  Stubblefield,  in  1867,  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Naomi  C.  Thomas,  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Annie 
(Moore)  Thomas,  who  were  born  in  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland,  respectively,  They  removed  to 
Ohio  in  1862,  and  engaged  in  farming  in  Adams 
County,  and  there  the  mother  died  in  1885.  The 
father  is  still  living  on  the  homestead.  The  house- 
hold circle  included  thirteen  children,  of  whom 
Mrs.  Stubblefield  is  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stubblefield  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  one  child,  a  daughter,  Clara  E.,  who  was 
born  in  1869.  She  is  now  an  accomplished  young 
lady,  having  received  a  literary  and  musical  edu- 
cation. Their  handsome  residence  is  located  at 
No.  305  South  Center  street,  and  both  within  and 
without  is  indicative  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample 
means. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Stubblefield  has  been  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  interests  of  this  locality, 
and  whenever  opportunity  afforded  has  done  what 
he  could  toward  the  advancement  of  its  educational 
and  industrial  interests.  For  fourteen  years  he  has 
been  School  Director,  and  has  also  served  as  Sec- 
retary and  Treasurer  of  the  Board.  In  politics  he 
is  a  stanch  Republican.  He  identified  himself  with 
the  Methodist  Church  when  eighteen  years  old, 
and  continued  with  this  denomination  until  187(i. 
Mrs.  S.  first  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  but  united  with  the  Christian 


! 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


763 


Church  when  in  her  eighteenth  year.  They  now 
belong  to  the  United  Brethren,  of  which  their 
daughter  has  been  a  member  since  a  child  of  nine 
years  old,  and  is  still  an  earnest  worker  in  the 
church  and  Sabbath-school.  The  family  name  of 
our  subject  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  this 
section,  and  needs  no  comment  from  us  as  to  its 
excellence  and  worth.  Mr.  S.  has  always  taken  a 
great  interest  in  church  matters  and,  although  liv- 
ing in  Bloomington,  still  holds  the  office  of  Steward 
in  the  United  Brethren  Church  of  Dale  Township, 
and  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  annual  conference 
every  year  since  his  uniting  with  the  church. 


JOHN  L.  TYNER,  SH.,  who  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated in  Mt.  Hope.  Township,  occupies  a 
comfortable  home  on  section  4,  and  is  suc- 
_  '  cessfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  having  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  in  Clay  County  on  the  29th  of 
February,  1820.  The  father  of  our  subject,  James 
Tyner,  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  and  his 
grandfather,  Samuel  Tyner,  was  of  German  birth 
and  parentage,  possessing  all  the  brave  and  generous 
qualities  of  the  warm-hearted  German  race.  Samuel 
Tyner  emigrated  from  his  native  land  when  a  young 
man,  making  his  first  settlement  in  West  Virginia, 
whence  he  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days.  His  son  James  grew  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  county  and  then  set  out  to  seek 
his  fortunes  in  the  western  country.  After  reach- 
ing Indiana,  he  located  for  a  time  in  Posey  County, 
where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Eliza  Gra- 
ham, and  they  were  united  in  marriage.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  a  native  of  Maryland, 
and  after  their  marriage,  in  about  1812,  they  re- 
moved to  the  Territory  of  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Clay  County.  Here,  James  Tyner  entered  a  claim, 
and  when  the  land  came  into  market  he  secured 
his  title.  He  improved  and  cultivated  his  posses- 
sions, opened  up  a  fine  farm  and  occupied  it  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1828.  Soon  after  this 
event  his  widow,  with  her  four  children,  returned 
to  her  old  home  in  Posey  County,  Ind..  and  lived 
with  her  mother  and  stepfather  until  she  was  mar- 


ried again.  She  kept  her  children  together  until 
they  were  able  to  earn  their  own  living,  carefully 
trained  them  to  principles  of  honor  and  honesty, 
and  gave  them  all  the  advantages  possible  for  ed- 
ucation. 

When  the  subject  of  our  sketch  had  arrived  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  was  separated  from 
his  mother  and  went  to  live  with  his  older  brother, 
a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  remained  with  him  two 
or  three  years,  assisting  in  the  shop  and  around 
the  home  and  then,  going  to  Albion,  111.,  entered 
the  employ  of  a  physician,  working  for  his  board 
and  clothes.  After  one  year  thus  occupied  he  re- 
turned to  the  home  of  his  grandfather  in  Indiana 
and  subsequently  became  an  inmate  of  his  uncle's 
home,  where  he  remained  until  he  had  attained  to 
years  of  manhood. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  John  L.  Tyner 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane  Hindman,  a 
native  of  South  Carolina,  their  wedding  taking 
place  on  Oct.  21,  1842.  This  lady  became  the 
mother  of  nine  children,  and  departed  this  life  in 
Allin  Township,  this  county,  Nov.  8,  1865.  After 
his  marriage  Mr.  Tyner  located  upon  a  tract  of 
rented  land  in  Posey  County,  Ind.,  which  he 
occupied  for  a  few  years  and  then  removed  upon 
a  tract  of  forty  acres  which  had  been  given  him  by 
his  grandfather  and  where  he  made  his  home  until 
1855.  He  then  sold  out  and  came  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing at  once  in  McLean  County.  He  cultivated 
rented  land  for  a  few  years  and  then  purchased  six- 
ty acres  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  on  section  4,  and 
lived  upon  this  until  1865,  when  he  sold  it  and 
purchased  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  oc- 
cupies. It  comprises  82£  acres  in  Mt.  Hope,  and 
40  in  Allin  Township,  and  is  supplied  with  a  good 
residence  and  all  needful  out-buildings  for  the  stor- 
ing of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock. 

The  children  of  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Tyner 
were  named  as  follows:  William  L.,  Thomas  I!., 
Joseph,  John  L.,  Orpah  Jones,  James  A.,  Emma 
Staley,  Rosetta  Baldwin,  and  Cora.  The  second 
marriage  of  our  subject  was  with  Miss  Anna  Cox, 
a  native  of  Posey  County,  Ind.  and  took  place 
Sept.  6,  1866.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
two  children — Franklin  E.  and  Charles  A.  Thomas 
H.  Tyner  served  in  the  late  war,  escaped  without 


i 


,  ,    764 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


serious  injury,  and  now  lives  in  Arkansas  City, 
Cowley  Co.,  Kan. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tynerare  connected  with  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  T. 
is  an  uncompromising  Democrat.  He  is  a  straight- 
forward and  intelligent  business  man,  a  skillful  and 
enterprising  farmer,  and  highly  esteemed  in  the 
community  of  which  he  has  been  a  resident  for  so 
many  years. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Anna  (Cox)  Tyner,  James 
Cox  by  name,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  her 
grandfather,  Jesse  Cox,  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  removed  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  period  iu  the 
history  of  that  State.  In  1812  he  removed  to  the 
Territory  of  Indiana,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  Posey  County.  There  he  cleared  a  farm, 
established  a  permanent  home  and  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  days,  dying  in  Robinson  Township. 
His  son  James,  the  father  of  Mrs.  T.  of  our  sketch, 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  on  his  father's  farm. 
In  early  manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Fannie  Gwaltney.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  when  a  child  three  years  of  age  removed  to 
Posey  County,  Ind.,  with  her  father,  John  G.  Gwalt- 
ney, where  she  remained  until  her  marriage  with 
James  Cox. 


NDREW  T.  MITCHELL,  a  highly  re- 
spected member  of  the  family  of  this  name, 
who  are  well  and  favorably  known  iu  this 
vicing,  owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable 
homestead  on  section  22,  Dale  Township,  and  is 
engaged  in  general  farming.  Our  subject  is  a  na- 
tive of  the  Prairie  State,  having  been  born  in  the 
town  of  Paris,  Edgar  County,  on  the  17th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1840.  He  was  but  an  infant  when  he  came 
to  McLean  Count}'  with  his  parents,  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  pioneer  school,  which 
was  conducted  in  a  log  cabin.  When  not  in  school 
he  assisted  his  parents  in  the  duties  around  the 
homestead,  and  after  becoming  of  age,  was  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother,  John  J.,  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  home  farm.  He  was  thus  occupied 
until  1880,  when  he  removed  to  the  homestead 
which  he  now  owns  and  occupies,  it  being  located 


on  a  part  of  sections  14,  15,  22  and  23.  He  erected 
the  present  family  residence,  and  in  addition  to 
general  agriculture  is  also  giving  much  attention 
to  stock-raising. 

The  marriage  of  Andrew  T.  Mitchell  and  Miss 
Louisa  Baird  took  place  in  October,  1867.  Mrs. 
Mitchell  is  a  native  of  Springfield,  Clarke  Co., 
Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca 
(Fisher)  Baird,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky. 
Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  have  been 
born  two  children — Mary  L.  and  Alice  N.  Their 
home,  a  view  of  which  is  presented  in  this  work,  is 
pleasantly  located,  and  they  are  surrounded  by  all 
the  comforts  of  life.  Mrs.  Mitchell  is  connected 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Mitchell  is  strongly  Republican. 


V|)  OSEPH  H.  ABBOTT,  owner  of  a  fine  farm 
I  of  160  acres  on  section  9,  Towanda  Town- 
ship, is  meeting  with  success  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  his  vocation.  He  is  the  son  of  Abi- 
jah  and  Eleanor  (Weakley)  Abbott,  natives  of  Cul- 
peper  County,  Va.  Abijah  Abbott  was  born  June 
17,  1806,  and  his  wife,  June  3,  1807.  They  were 
both  reared  and  educated  in  Culpeper  County, 
and  there  married  April  9,  1829.  In  1831  they 
removed  to  Newark  Township,  Licking  Co.,  Ohio, 
where  they  lived  until  1852,  when  they  came 
to  this  county  and  settling  in  Towanda  Township, 
the  father  labored  at  his  calling  until  his  death, 
which  event  occurred  Nov.  22,  1885.  His  wife 
survives  him  and  is  living  in  Towanda  Township, 
making  her  home  with  her  son  Joseph.  Four  sons 
and  four  daughters  were  born  of  their  union,  of 
which  number  our  subject  was  the  youngest. 

Joseph  H.  Abbott  was  born  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  Aug.  10,  1849,  and  was  but  three  years  old 
when  his  parents  came  to  this  county,  and  having 
lived  here  ever  since,  may  be  said  to  have  been 
identified  with  the  advancement  of  the  county 
thus  far  in  life.  Mr.  Abbott's  education  was  re- 
ceived in  the  common  schools  of  this  county,  and 
he  has  known  no  other  occupation  than  that  of  a 
tiller  of  the  soil.  He  is  at  present  the  owner  of 
160  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  land,  on 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


765 


which  he  has  good  and  substantial  buildings,  and 
is  meeting  with  signal  success  in  the  conducting  of 
his  farm. 

Mr.  Abbott  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Ham- 
pieman  Dec.  23,  1875.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Sarah  (Fletcher)  Hampleman,  natives 
of  Ohio,  and  was  reared  to  womanhood  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Clinton,  De  Witt  Co.,  111.  [For  sketch 
of  her  parents  see  sketch  of  F.  M.  Jones.]  The 
parents  removed  from  Ohio  to  this  State,  and  set- 
tled near  Clinton,  where  the  mother  died.  The 
father  survives  and  resides  near  Clinton  and  is  a 
farmer  by  calling.  Nine  children  were  born  of 
their  union,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  Mrs. 
Abbott  is  the  youngest.  She  was  born  near  Clin- 
ton, De  Witt  Co.,  111.,  Sept.  16,  1853,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
three  children — John  W.,  Albert  D.  and  Charles  P. 
In  politics  Mr.  Abbott  is  a  Democrat. 


ELISHA  B.  STEERE,  one  of  the  leading  re- 
tail boot-and-shoe  merchants  of  Blooming- 
ton,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State 
since  1861,  and  ranks  among  the  leading  business 
men  of  this  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Rhode  Isl- 
and, and  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Dorr's  Battle- 
Ground,  Sept.  12,  1822.  His  father,  Rufus  Steere, 
a  tanner  and  currier  by  trade,  was  also  born  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  became  a  prominent  boot-and- 
shoe  dealer  in  Laurens,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  harness. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Robert  Steere,  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rhode  Island,  where  he 
became  a  well-to-do  farmer,  and  represented  his 
county  in  the  State  Legislature.  His  son  Rufus 
after  reaching  manhood,  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Eliza  A.  Brown,  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
who  removed  to  Rhode  Island  in  her  youth.  They 
became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  four  sons  and 
three  daughters,  one  of  whom  died  when  young; 
the  others  living  to  mature  years,  married  and  have 
families  of  their  own.  Of  these  the  record  is  as 
follows:  Esther  L.  became  the  wife  of  E.  S. 
Brown,  deceased,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Chicago; 
Elisha  B.,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  second  child ; 


Adaline  married  E.  F.  Foot,  of  Hamilton,  Madison 
Co.,  N.  Y. ;  Abigail  became  the  wife  of  David 
Whipple,  of  New  York  City;  Robert  is  a  resident 
of  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  Henry  C.  resides  in  Bloom- 
ington,  111.,  and  Thomas  A.  died  when  quite  young. 

The  subject  of  this  history  passed  his  childhood 
and  youth  in  his  native  State,  and  first  began  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods 
store,  being  thus  occupied  until  twenty  years  of 
age.  He  was  then  taken  into  partnership  with  his  , 
employer,  W.  C.  Field,  and  they  operated  together 
for  five  years  following.  Then  Mr.  Steere  sold  his 
interest  to  his  partner,  and  purchasing  another 
stock  of  similar  goods,  established  himself  in 
business  in  Laurens,  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.  In  the 
meantime  his  father  was  taken  ill  and  died,  and 
Elisha  B.  was  called  home  to  look  after  the  estate. 
He  remained  there  a  period  of  four  years,  during 
which  time  he  became  Postmaster  of  Laurens, 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  carried  on  the 
manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes,  in  which  his  father 
had  been  engaged.  To  this  he  also  added  coop- 
erage, and  turned  out  large  numbers  of  butter  fir- 
kins. He  also  manufactured  steel  hammers,  and 
carried  on  these  various  interests  until  1861,  when 
he  closed  up  everything  and  started  for  the  West. 

Coming  into  Illinois  our  subject  located  in 
Bloomington,  where  lie  engaged  in  the  dry-goods 
trade  five  years,  then  sold  out  and  went  into  the 
jewelry  business,  which  he  followed  for  a  like 
period.  After  this  he  took  up  the  manufacture  of 
metallic  caskets,  and  after  two  years  purchased  an 
interest  in  some  coal  lands  at  Rich  Hill,  Bates  Co., 
Mo.,  which  he  operated  five  days,  then  leased  on  a 
royalty,  and  was  connected  with  this  enterprise  for 
five  days  following,  then  disposed  of  his  interests 
in  that  quarter.  He  was  one  of  the  principal  par- 
ties concerned  in  the  hoisting  of  coal  at  what  was 
known  as  the  North  Shaft  of  the  Bloomington 
Coal  Mining  Company,  and  was  afterward  con- 
nected with  the  Bloomington  Chair  Manufactory, 
which  was  subsequently  merged  into  the  Walton 
Flour  W'orks,  and  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
original  stockholders.  He  also  became  a  stockholder 
in  the  People's  Bank. 

As  is  clearly  indicated  by  the  foregoing  Mr. 
Steere  became  prominently  known  in  this  locality 


I 


-      766 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


as  a  man  of  great  energy  and  good  business  talent. 
In  1 876  he  was  elected  Mayor,  and  re-elected  in  1 879. 
He  also  served  as  Alderman  four  years,  represent- 
ing the  First  Ward.  It  was  through  his  persever- 
ance that  the  present  water  system  was  established 
and  kept  in  operation,  and  he  has  been  concerned 
in  almost  every  enterprise  calculated  to  benefit  the 
city  since  coming  here. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married,  in  1 844, 
to  Miss  Frances  A.  Bean,  of  Laurens,  N.  Y.,  where 
she  was  born,  being  the  daughter  of  Erastus  Bean, 
Esq.,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Otsego  County.  Of 
the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  there  were  born 
five  children,  as  follows:  Charles  F.  is  deceased ; 
Clara  became  the  wife  of  J.  P.  McLean;  Ella  G. 
married  J.  P.  Smith,  of  Bloomington;  James  died 
several  years  ago;  Mary  died  when  quite  young. 
The  only  two  now  living  are  Mrs.  McLean  and 
Mrs.  Smith.  Mr.  Steere  in  earlier  days  was  an  old- 
line  Whig  politically,  but  since  the  abandonment  of 
that  party  has  cheerfully  affiliated  with  the  Re- 
publicans. He  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  belongs  to  Bloomington 
Lodge  No.  43. 


jEOUGE  P.  BROWN,  well  known  as  one  of 
the  progressive  farmers  of  Gridley  Town- 
ship, owns  a  good  farm  on  section  26,  and 
as  a  useful  member  of  the  community  is  contribu- 
ting his  full  share  toward  its  advancement  and  pros- 
perity. Our  subject  comes  of  a  good  family,  be- 
ing the  son  of  Robert  and  Permelia  (White) 
Brown,  the  father  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  State, 
where  it  is  supposed  the  mother  was  also  born. 
Afier  marriage  the  parents  settled  in  Franklin 
County,  Ky.,  where  the  mother  died  in  1832,  of 
cholera,  and  whence  the  father  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Morgan  County,  111.  He  followed  black- 
smithing  and  farming  in  that  county  until  1846, 
when  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  where  he  died  in  1879. 

Robert  Brown  was  twice  married.  After  the 
death  of  the  mother  of  our  subject  he  was  married 
in  Frankfort,  Ky.,  to  Miss  Sheridan  McGinnis,  the 
d:ite  being  1834.  She  died  in  Money  Creek  Town- 


ship,  iu  1875.  Of  the  first  marriage  there  were 
boru  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Our  subject  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth, 
and  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  Frankfort, 
Ky.,  Feb.  10,  1830.  He  was  only  two  years  old 
when  his  mother  died,  and  two  years  later  his 
father  removed  to  Morgan  County,  111.,  where  they 
remained  until  the  son  was  sixteen.  They  then 
came  into  this  county,  settling  in  Money  Creek 
Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  but  a  limited 
education,  but  as  good  probably  as  those  days  af- 
forded. He  was,  however,  an  energetic  lad,  and 
when  twenty-one  years  old  started  in  business  for 
himself,  running  a  sawmill  in  Lexington,  with  the 
assistance  of  his  partner,  I.  S.  Mahon.  This,  the 
first  sawmill  of  Lexington,  our  subject  operated  un- 
til 1869,  and  in  connection  with  it  also  had  one  in 
Money  Creek  Township.  At  the  date  named  he 
abandoned  milling  and  took  up  farming,  which  he 
has  since  followed  with  highly  gratifying  results. 
His  snug  farm,  although  not  very  large,  consisting 
of  eighty  acres,  is  well  improved,  with  a  good  resi- 
dence and  all  necessary  out-buildings. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  in  Lexington  Township, 
June  22,  1854,  to  Miss  Elsie  J.,  daughter  of  John 
and  .Elsie  (Kirkendall)  Haner,  who  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively.  They  came 
to  Illinois  from  Fayette  County.  Ohio,  and  settled 
in  Lexington  Township,  this  countj-,  in  the  fall 
of  1828,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  The  father  died  Nov.  20,  1852,  and 
the  mother  Nov.  14,  1878.  Their  eight  children 
included  four  boys  and  four  girls,  of  whom  Mrs. 
Brown  was  the  fifth  child.  She  was  born  in  Lex- 
ington Township,  Jan.  4,  1832.  Of.  her  union  with 
our  subject  there  have  been  boru  five  children — 
John  W.,  Charles  P.,  Edward  C.,  Delia  J.  and  Sarah 
A.  John  married  Miss  Annette  Janes,  and  they 
live  in  Normal;  they  have  one  child,  a  son,  Clar- 
ence H. 

Mr.  Brown  has  taken  a  genuine  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  his  community,  and  has  been  promi- 
nent in  its  councils,  having  held  the  offices  of  Road 
Commissioner,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  other  po- 
sitions of  trust.  He  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Lexington,  and  his 

N . •» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


wife  is  connected  with  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
Politically  Mr.  Brown  is  an  earnest  supporter  of 
the  Republican  party. 


\W_AMILTON  SPENCER,  one  of  the  oldest 
If)*)  an(^  mos*  ^liable  attorneys  of  Bloomington, 
ubzP  now  retired  from  practice,  is  a  native  of 
(|f|)  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born 
April  18,  1815.  His  father,  Joshua  A.  Spencer, 
also  counselor  at  law,  stood  in  the  front  ranks  of 
his  profession  in  the  Empire  State,  and  was  a  de- 
scendant of  Samuel  Spencer,  who  emigrated  from 
Sheffield,  England,  at  an  early  day  in  the  history  of 
this  country,  and  landed  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  July, 
1633,  and  who  soon  afterward  settled  in  Salisbury, 
Conn.  There  he  spent  the  balance  of  his  days,  and 
there  his  descendants  for  several  generations  con- 
tinued to  reside.  Joshua  A.  Spencer,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  Great  Barrington,  Mass., 
whence  he  removed  to  New  York  when  a  young 
man,  and  there  married  Miss  Clarissa,  daughter  of 
Jacob  Phelps,  who  died  in  early  life. 

Hamilton  Spencer  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  when  a  child  removed  with  his  father 
to  Utica,  that  State,  in  which  place  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  later  entered  the  Methodist 
Seminary  at  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  where  he  fitted  him- 
self for  college,  and  supplemented  this  course  by 
attendance  at  Utica  Academy.  He  entered  Ham- 
ilton College  in  1830,  from  which  he  graduated 
four  years  later,  and  soon  afterward  engaged  in  the 
study  of  law  in  the  office  of  his  father,  with  whom 
he  formed  a  partnership  on  the  day  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  in  1836,  although  not  admitted 
to  the  bar  until  the  following  year.  He  continued 
with  his  father  and  Senator  Francis  Kernan  for  a 
period  of  twelve  years,  and  then  on  account  of 
failing  health  withdrew  to  engage  in  more  active 
pursuits  than  his  office  duties  permitted.  He  sub- 
sequently became  Director  of  the  American  Ex- 
press Company,  and  in  June,  1854,  came  to  Illinois 
as  Vice  President  and  General  Manager  of  what  is 
now  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  with  which  he 
continued  until  the  change  brought  about  by  the 


foreclosure  of  a  mortgage,  which  placed  it  in  the 
hands  of  other  parties.  He  then  resumed  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  which  he  has  continued  until 
recently. 

Mr.  Spencer  was  married  at  Sackett's  Harbor, 
N.  Y.,  in  1840,  to  Miss  Mary  F.,  daughter  of  Elisha 
Camp,  who  was  born  in  Saekett's  Harbor,  June  9, 
1819.  Of  this  union  there  were  six  children,  four 
sons  and  two  daughters,  the  record  of  whom  is  as 
follows  :  James  D.  is  deceased  ;  Catharine  became 
the  wife  of  James  S.  Ewing,  of  Bloomington  ;  Cla- 
rissa married  John  C.  Scoville  of  Chicago;  Hamilton 
is  deceased;  Henry  Uwight  is  an  attorney  at 
Bloomington,  and  John  Seymour  a  resident  of 
Texas.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  for  many  years 
occupied  a  position  at  the  head  of  the  Bloomington 
bar,  and  although  now  retired  from  active  practice, 
is  often  consulted  upon  important  cases  and  intri- 
cate points  of  law.  Mr.  Spencer  was  originally  a 
Whig,  but  on  the  dissolution  of  that  party  became 
a  Democrat.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 


COONEY.  The  stock-raising  far- 
mers  of  Chenoa  Township  constitute  an  im- 
portant  element  in  its  business  interests,  and 
among  these  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch 
occupies  a  prominent  position.  He  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  33,  'where  he  has  eighty  acres  of 
finely  improved  land,  with  a  good  residence,  barn  and 
out-buildings.  These  improvements  he  has  effected 
by  his  own  enterprise.  The  land  is  well  drained 
by  750  rods  of  tile  and  there  is  not  an  acre  of  waste 
land  in  the  whole  estate.  The  greater  part  of  the 
stock  consists  of  good  cattle.  He  is  eminently  skill- 
ful as  a  farmer  and  business  man,  and  is  highly  res- 
pected for  his  integrity,  his  promptness  in  meeting 
his  obligations,  and  his  worth  as  a  citizen  and  law- 
abiding  member  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Cooney  was  born  in  Huntingdon  County,  Pa., 
near  Edwards'  Furnace,  on  the  16th  of  October, 
1840.  His  father,  Henry  Cooney,  was  born  in  Ship- 
pensburg,  Pa.,  in  August,  1812.  His  grandfather, 
Peter  Cooney,  was  of  German  parentage  and  ances- 
try. The  mother  of  our  subject  before  her  mar- 


f 


,  ,  768 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


riage  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Clemens,  also  a  native  of 
Huntingdon  County,  and  of  German  descent,  her 
father  being  George  Clemens.  Henry  Cooney  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Fulton  County,  111.,  in 
the  spring  of  1856,  where  they  continued  to  reside 
until  after  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1868  they  re- 
moved to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  after  a  resi- 
dence here  of  five  years  returned  to  Fulton  Coun- 
ty, where  the  father  of  our  subject  still  resides. 
The  mother  died  in  1875.  The  five  children  of  the 
parental  family  included  three  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  one  is  deceased. 

George  Cooney  was  sixteen  years  old  when  his 
parents  became  residents  of  Fulton  County,  111., 
where  he  received  the  greater  part  of  his  education. 
His  father  followed  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  and 
young  (leorge  assisted  him  in  the  shop  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  War.  He  then  enlisted  in  Co. 
II,  28th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  three  years  as  a 
Union  soldier.  In  the  meantime  he  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Ft.  Henry,  Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and 
the  engagement  at  Hatches'  River.  At  the  latter 
place  he  was  shot  in  the  head  by  a  minie  ball,  car- 
ried to  the  rear  and  supposed  to  be  dead.  The  ball, 
hovever,  did  not  penetrate  the  skull,  but  entered 
the  scalp  at  the  forehead,  circled  the  skull  about 
three  inches  and  passed  off.  After  returning  to  con- 
sciousness he  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Bolivar,  • 
Tenn.,  where  he  remained  thirty  days  and  then 
joined  his  regiment,  ready  for  duty.  He  was  after- 
ward at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  at  the  battle  of 
Jackson,  Miss.  At  the  latter  place  he  was  captured 
by  the  rebels  and  taken  to  Belle  Island,  where  he 
spent  three  mouths  as  a  prisoner.  From  there  he  was 
sent  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  after  being  exchanged 
joined  his  regiment  at  Natchez,  Miss.,  and  served 
out  the  term  of  his  enlistment,  being  mustered  out 
on  the  18th  of  September,  1864,  at  Springfield,  111., 
when  he  returned  to  Fulton  County,  111.,  where  he 
was  occupied  in  farming.  Soon  after  his  return 
from  the  army  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Martha  Hannum  of  Fulton  County,  but  whose  na- 
tive place  was  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Cooney  and  his  young 
wife  located  on  a  rented  farm  in  Fulton  County, 
111.,  where  they  remained  four  years.  In  1868  they 
came  to  this  county,  locating  first  in  Blue  Mound 


Township,  where  they  lived  for  about  thirteen  years. 
Their  next  residence  was  in  the  village  of  Lexing- 
ton, and  in  1881  Mr.  Cooney  purchased  his  present 
farm  in  Chenoa  Township.  The  children  of  this 
marriage  are  Henry  G.,  Mary  E.  and  Carrie  L. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  and  one  daughter  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  attending  Olivet 
Chapel  in  Chenoa  Township.  Politically  Mr.  C.  is  a 
stanch  Republican. 


J~  OHN    L.    SHORTHOSE,    prominently    and 
favorably  known  in   Dry  Grove  Township 
as    a   skillful   agriculturist    and    successful 
breeder  of   fine  horses  and   cattle,  is  pleas- 
antly located  on  section  30.      Here  he  possesses  a 
valuable  farm  estate,  and  for  his  diligence  and  en- 
terprise has  been  richly  rewarded. 

The  subject  of  our  history  is  a  native  of  Stafford- 
shire, England,  and  was  born  June  25,  1827.  He 
is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza  (Hartshorn)  Short- 
hose,  who  were  of  pure  English  ancestry  and  born 
in  Derbyshire,  England.  Thomas  Shorthose  was 
born  in  1797,  and  died  in  1847;  the  mother  was 
born  in  about  1797,  and  survived  her  husband  six- 
teen years,  dying  in  1863.  They  became  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children,  as  follows:  Sarah,  who 
was  the  eldest  of  the  family ;  Bessie,  who  married 
William  Henderson,  and  both  are  now  deceased; 
Thomas  II.  married  Miss  Rosanna  Frazier;  Eliza 
is  deceased ;  Herbert  married  Miss  Harriet  Llewel- 
lyn; William  T.  is  married  and  is  living  alter- 
nately in  Paris  and  London;  our  subject  was  the 
youngest  of  the  family. 

John  L.  Shorthose,  in  company  with  two  broth- 
ers, emigrated  from  England  to  the  United  States 
in  1849,  landing  in  New  York  City.  They  at  once 
proceeded  to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  our  subject 
remained  for  two  years,  then  came  to  McLean 
County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  -the  milling  business 
in  Danvers.  In  1853  he  secured  possession  of  the 
farm  which  he  now  occupies,  which  consists  of  480 
acres,  comprising  a  tract  of  the  most  valuable  land 
in  McLean  County.  Two  years  later  he  turned 
his  attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock,  in  which 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


771-  , 


he  has  become  more  than  ordinarily  skillful  and 
unusually  successful.  One  Short-horn  steer,  which 
he  raised  from  a  calf  until  it  was  four  years  old,  he 
sold  to  John  B.  Sherman,  of  Chicago,  for  $250. 
The  animal  weighed  2,400  pounds,  was  a  model  of 
symmetry  and  beauty,  and  the  quality  of  his  flesh 
denoted  his  excellent  style  of  keeping.  The  herd 
of  Mr.  Shorthose  usually  averages  about  sixty 
head.  His  stables  contain  fine  specimens  of  the 
Bright  and  Costillo  breeds,  descendants  of  Old 
Volunteer,  owned  by  Alden  Goldsmith,  of  New 
York,  and  have  made  excellent  records.  Mr.  S. 
has  one  imported  English  draft  horse,  Sampson  of 
Flawborough,  seven  years  old  and  weighs  1,850 
pounds.  lie  is  also  breeding  eighteen  mares,  and 
during  1886  raised  thirteen  colts.  His  swine  is  of 
the  Poland-China  breed.  In  addition  to  his  home 
farm  and  his  stock,  Mr.  S.  is  also  the  owner  of  a 
half  section  of  land  within  five  miles  of  Welling- 
ton, Kan. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  to  Miss 
Elinore  Frazier,  in  Ohio,  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1851.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio, 
on  the  16th  of  October,  1831,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Andrew  and  Emily  (McCoy)  Frazier,  both  na- 
tives of  Virginia.  Andrew  Frazier  was  born  in 
1804,  and  late  in  life  removed  to  Missouri,  where 
he  died  in  1880.  His  wife  Emily  was  born  in  1808, 
removed  to  Missouri  with  her  husband,  and  died 
there  the  year  following  his  decease.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  old-school  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  parental  family  consisted  of  thirteen  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  record  is  as 
follows :  Jane,  Rosanna,  Elinore  and  Hanua  are 
married  and  established  in  comfortable  homes; 
Samuel  died  when  seven  years  of  age;  then  fol- 
lowed Martha  A.,  William,  John  A.  and  Robinson, 
the  latter  of  whom  died  in  1862;  Francis  is  de- 
ceased; next  was  another  son,  also  named  Samuel; 
Maggie  and  Emma  are  deceased ;  four  boys  of  the 
family  served  as  soldiers  in  the  Union  army  in 
Ohio  regiments. 

To  John  L.  and  Mrs.  Shorthose  there  were  born 
eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  as 
follows:  Alice,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Dickinson,  who  was 
born  June  3,  1852  ;  Andrew  R.,  born  May  15, 1854, 
married  Miss  Zerelda  Munsell;  Joanna  was  born 


Oct.  21,  1856,  and  was  first  married  to  Thomas 
Sheridan,  who  was  accidentally  killed  in  Danvers; 
hersecond  husband  is  John  T.Gilbert;  John  Lloyd 
was  born  July  3,  1859,  and  was  drowned  in  the 
Mackinaw  River,  this  county,  in  1876;  Thomas  H. 
was  born  May  16,  1861;  Isabella,  born  May  11, 
1863,  died  in  1883;  Frank  E.  was  born  March  29, 
1865,  and  William  T.,  July  29,  1867. 

Mr.  Shorthose  obtained  a  fair  education  during 
his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  since  a  resident  of  this 
county  has  been  prominently  identified  with  its 
growth  and  welfare.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
School  Director  for  thirteen  years,  has  been  High- 
way Commissioner  and  intrusted  with  various 
other  important  positions  by  his  townsmen.  He  is 
strongly  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  Congregational  Church  of 
Danvers. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Shorthose  is  shown  on  another 
page  of  this  volume. 


;HOMAS  H.  SHORTHOSE.  Many  of  the 
most  thrifty  and  intelligent  agriculturists  of 
this  section  of  Illinois  were  born  and  reared 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  and  to  England 
especially  is  McLean  County  indebted  for  some  of 
.her  most  enterprising  and  prosperous  citizens. 
Prominent  among  these  is  Thomas  H.  Shorthose,  of 
Danvers  Township,  and  of  whom  a  portrait  is  given 
in  conjunction  with  this  brief  outline  of  his  life. 
His  fine  homestead  is  situated  on  section  21. 

Mr.  Shorthose  was  born  in  Derbyshire,  England, 
on  the  15th  of  October,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Eliza  (Hartshorn)  Shorthose,  natives 
of  the  same  shire,  where  the  father  was  born  in 
1797,  and  died  in  1847,  when  fifty  years  of  age. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  about  the  year 
1797,  and  died  in  England  in  1863,  sixteen  years 
after  her  husband's  death.  Both  were  members  of 
the  Episcopal  Church,  and  occupied  a  high  position 
in  their  community.  The  parental  household  con- 
sisted of  seven  children :  Sarah ;  Bessie  became  the 
wife  of  William  Henderson;  Thomas  H.,  our  sub- 
ject; Eliza  died  at  the  age  of  twelve;  Herbert, 
William  T.  and  John  L. 


-  .774 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


The  subject  of  our  sketch  emigrated  from  his  na- 
tive England  to  America  in  1849,  in  company  with 
two  brothers,  first  stopping  at  Zanesville,  Ohio. 
There  Thomas  II.  worked  out  by  the  month  for  one 
year  and  then  rented  a  tract  of  land,  which  he  cul- 
tivated for  the  following  two  seasons.  On  the  12th 
of  April,  1 853,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mis3 
Rosanna  Frazer,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  who  was 
boru  in  that  State  Sept.  29,  1828.  That  same  year 
they  came  to  Illinois  and  located  on  a  part  of  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  His  first 
purchase  consisted  of  124  acres,  to  which  he  has 
added  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  450  acres,  all 
finely  improved  and  under  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. In  the  course  of  time  the-  little  household 
was  enlarged  by  the  birth  of  three  girls  and  one 
boy,  namely:  Annie  E.,  who  died  in  1875  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one ;  Betsey  J.,  who  died  in  1878, 
when  a  maiden  of  seventeen;  William  married 
Laura  Bunn,  and  assists  his  father  in  carrjring  on 
the  home  farm ;  and  Emily  F.,  living  at  home.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  in  this  county  on 
the  6th  of  October,  1875. 

On  the  17th  of  November,  1880,  Mr.  Shorthose 
for  his  second  wife  married  Miss  Luzenia  Paul 
who  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Pa.,  June 
17,  1847.  Her  parents  were  Morgan  E.  and  Re- 
becca (Nichols)  Paul,  natives  of  the  Keystone 
State.  The  mother  was  born  in  1812,  and  the  fa- 
ther some  years  later.  Of  this  marriage  of  our 
subject  there  is  one  child,  a  daughter,  Rebecca  P. 
who  was  born  Feb.  21,  1884.  Mr.  Shorthose,  in 
company  with  his  son  William,  is  giving  much  at- 
tention to  the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  making  a  spe- 
cialty of  high-grade  Short-horn  and  Jersey  cattle 
and  Hamblctonian  horses. 

William  Shorthose  was  born  iu^Danvers  Town- 
ship, Feb.  24,  1857,  and  possesses  the  energy  and 
enterprise  of  his  father  in  a  marked  degree.  He 
remained  on  the  homestead  until  he  attained  to 
years  of  manhood  and  was  then,  Nov.  15,  1879, 
married  to  Miss  Laura  E.  Bunn.  The  ceremony  was 
performed  by  Rev.  Smith,  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  Denver,  Col.,  the  wedding  taking 
place  in  that  city.  The  acquaintance  of  the  young 
lady  was  formed  while  William  was  upon  a  visit  to 
r  that  State  with  the  hope  of  improving  his  health. 


The  visit  had  the  desired  effect  upon  his  health  as 
well  as  proving  a  blessing  in  a  social  way.  After 
their  marriage  the  young  couple  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  remained  for  about  eight  months,  when 
they  returned  to  Colorado  and  lived  for  six  years. 
To  William  S.  and  his  wife  there  were  born  four 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — Charles  R., 
who  was  born  Jan.  26,  1886.  Clifford,  Howard 
and  a  babe  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Laura  Shorthose 
was  born  in  Macomb,  111.  She  is  a  lady  highly  re- 
spected in  the  community,  and  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  William  Shorthose  is  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  straightforward,  thorough-going 
young  business  man,  destined  to  make  his  mark  in 
the  business  element  of  this  section. 

Thomas  H.  Shorthose  has  held  the  various  offices 
of  his  township,  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
prominently  connected  with  the  Congrgational 
Church  at  Danvers.  In  this  congregation  he  has 
been  Trustee  for  a  number  of  years,  and  has  con- 
tributed liberally  and  cheerfully  of  his  means  for 
its  maintenance  and  progress.  He  has  in  all  re- 
spects fulfilled  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen, 
and  is  one  of  the  important  factors  of  the  agricult- 
ural and  business  elements  of  his  community.  His 
present  possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own  indus- 
try and  enterprise,  and  he  is  now  enjoying  the 
well-earned  reward  which  is  so  pre-eminently  his 
due. 


F.  BISHOP,  an  old  settler  of  this  county, 
having  made  it  his  home  for  upward  of  fifty 
years,  is  residing  on  section  31,  Money 
Creek  Township.  He  is  the  son  of  William  G.and 
Rebecca  (Briggs)  Bishop,  the  former  of  Scotch  and 
the  latter  of  English  ancestry.  The  parents  were 
married  and  settled  in  Madison  County,  Ala.,  thence 
emigrated  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.  The  father  early 
in  life  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  cabinet-maker's 
trade,  and  worked  at  the  same  for  seven  years. 
While  living  in  the  South  he  spent  much  of  his 
time  in  making  cotton-gins,  which  at  that  time  were 
in  great  demand  in  the  Southern  States.  He  was 
strongly  imbued  with  Southern  principles,  but  not 
being  satisfied  with  bringing  up  his  family  in  the 
locality  where  slavery  existed,  he  came  North  and 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


773 


settled  as  stated,  in  Indiana.  On  locating  in  that 
State  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  but  de- 
pended mainly  on  his  children  to  cultivate  and  im- 
prove it,  while  he  labored  at  his  trade  and  in  work- 
ing at  wood-work.  He  went  to  Indiana  in  1 823, 
and  about  1829  removed  to  Carroll  County,  that 
State,  where  he  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land, 
which  his  boys  took  charge  of,  and  he  still  contin- 
ued to  work  at  his  trade.  The  family  continued  to 
reside  in  Carroll  County  until  the  spring  of  1836, 
when  they  came  to  this  county,  and  the  father  pur- 
chased 450  acres  of  land  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, and  the  following  spring  he  located  upon  it 
with  his  family.  He  there  lived  and  continued  to 
labor  at  his  trade,  together  with  farming,  until  his 
death,  in  April,  1861.  His  good  wife  crossed  the 
river  to  meet  him  on  the  other  shore  twent}7  years 
later,  in  1881. 

Ten  children  were  born  to  our  subject's  parents 
who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood. 
The  record  is  as  follows :  Walker  H.  is  a  farmer  in 
Washington  Territory;  Anderson  S.  died  in  Ver- 
milion County,  111.,  in  June,  1883;  Harriett  became 
the  wife  of  Isaac  Wilson,  and  departed  this  life  in 
Missouri,  in  1879;  William  E.  is  working  in  a 
woolen-mill  at  Portland,  Ore.;  Thornton  is  a  lum- 
berman in  the  woods  of  Minnesota;  James  is  a 
farmer  of  Washington  County,  Iowa;  Sanders  is  a 
farmer,  and  living  in  Iowa;  Pleasant  W.  follows 
farming  as  a  calling,  and  is  also  a  preacher  of  the 
Word,  his  home  being  located  in  Money  Creek 
Township;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  George  Buckles, 
and  they  are  residents  of  this  county,  and  W.  F. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  Ala.,  Jan.  15,  1817.  He  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  when  about  six 
years  old,  and  made  that  his  home  until  the  family 
came  to  McLean  County,  in  the  fall  of  1836,  when 
he  came  with  them.  His  educational  advantages 
were  very  limited,  but  he  has  acquired  a  fund  of 
practical  information  by  constant  observation,  and 
reading  as  opportunity  would  permit,  is  well  posted 
upon  the  various  issues  of  the  day,  and  has  a  good 
knowledge  of  the  vocation  which  he  follows  for  a 
livelihood.  Early  in  November,  1835,  having  re- 
ceived a  horse  and  saddle  from  his  father,  and  a 
"  God  bless  you,  my  boy,"  he  took  to  the  saddle 


and  left  Carroll  County,  Ind..  and  went  south  of 
that  point  about  sixty  miles.  He  had  no  means, 
but  his  object  was  to  obtain  an  education,  and  in 
order  to  pay  his  tuition  he  worked  two  weeks  husk- 
ing corn,  for  which  he  received  twelve  shining  half 
dollars.  Proceeding  to  Covington,  Ind.,  he  entered  a 
select  school,  paying  $3  a  quarter  tuition,  and  $1.25 
per  week  for  board,  and  to  finish  paying  his  ex- 
penses he  cut  wood  at  thirty-one  cents  a  cord.  In 
two  weeks  he  was  taken  sick  with  the  measles,  and 
confined  to  his  bed  for  another  two  weeks.  He  at- 
tended school  for  about  five  weeks,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  father's  home  in  Indiana,  and  then 
came  with  them,  as  stated,  to  this  county.  He  has 
followed  agricultural  pursuits  and  brick-making  all 
his  life.  He  made  his  first  kiln  of  brick  in  this 
county,  in  1837,  in  partnership  with  his  brother 
Anderson. 

Mr.  Bishop  is  the  present  owner  of  sixty  acres  of 
valuable  land,  on  which  he  has  good  improvements. 
For  a  year  and  a  half  he  was  a  resident  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Towanda,  and  was  the  first  agent  of  the 
C.  &  A.  R.  R.  at  that  place.  He  also  engaged  in 
the  buying  and  shipping  of  grain  at  Towanda,  in 
connection  with  a  gentleman  by  the  name  of  T.  J. 
Laney.  He  was  likewise  connected  with  a  grocery 
store  while  there,  and  was  Assistant  Postmaster. 
Mr.  Bishop  was  married  in  Livingston  County,  111., 
Aug.  10,  1837,  to  Miss  Prudence  Barrickman, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Pedinger)  Barrick- 
man, natives  of  Maryland.  Her  parents  came  from 
Brown  County,  Ohio,  to  this  State  and  settled  in 
Livingston  County,  where  her  father  followed  farm- 
ing until  his  death,  in  1864.  His  good  wife  died 
two  years  later,  in  1866.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrick- 
man were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood. 
The  names  are  as  follows :  James,  Prudence,  Daniel, 
Benjamin,  Jacob,  Harriett,  Upton  and  Mary  A.  Mrs. 
Bishop  was  born  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  1 , 
1819.  She  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  she 
came  with  her  parents  to  this  State,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
three  children — Francis  A.,  Mary  A.  and  Daniel 
J.  Francis  A.  was  united  in  marriage  with  Esther 
A.  Dodson,  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek 
Township;  Mary  A.  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Gary, 


I 


t. 


-  ,  774 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


aud  they  are  living  in  this  county;  Daniel  J.  and 
Miss  Lizzie  McMillan  were  united  in  marriage,  and 
he  is  a  farmer  of  Money  Creek  Township.  Mr. 
Bishop  has  held  the  office  of  School  Treasurer  in 
his  township  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  the  first 
School  Treasurer  in  the  township.  In  politics  he 
is  a  stanch  Republican.  Religiously  he  and  his  wife 
hold  fellowship  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Bishop  is  a  liberal-minded  gentle- 
man, his  generosity  extending  almost  to  a  fault,  and 
loved  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  Years 
ago  he  divided  his  large  estate  among  his  children, 
and  is  at  present  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in  peace 
and  quiet,  with  no  dark  spots  upon  his  past  record 
to  trouble  his  conscience.  In  the  spring  of  1864 
Mr.  Bishop  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  133d  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
for  100  days.  The  regiment  was  stationed  at  Rock 
Island,  but  was  not  called  into  active  service. 
Daniel  J.  Bishop,  our  subject's  youngest  child,  was 
also  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  having  joined  Co.  D, 
94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  his  country  faithfully 
and  well  for  three  years,  returning  from  the  field  of 
conflict  unharmed. 


ENRY  PATTON,  an  industrious  farmer  of 
Dry  Grove  Township,  has  been  a  resident 
of  Illinois  since  1854,  and  is  living  the  life 
of  a  peaceful  and  law-abiding  citizen  on 
his  comfortable  homestead,  situated  on  section  1, 
Dry  Grove  Township.  Mr.  Patton  was  born  in 
Somerset  County,  Pa.,  near  Salisbury,  on  the  9th 
of  May,  1820.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Eve 
(Glotfelty)  Patton,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  was  a  farmer  and  shoemaker  combined,  and 
lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  dying  in  Elk 
Creek  Township,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.  The  mother 
died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years  at  the  same 
place.  The  parental  household  consisted  of  three 
sons  and  eight  daughters,  viz.,  Henry,  Elizabeth, 
Mathew,  Mary  Ann,  Harriett,  Sallie,  William, 
Lydia,  Charlotte,  Louisa  and  Amanda.  The  par- 
ents were  members  of  the  German  Reform  Church 
and  the  father  in  politics  was  a  Republican. 

Henry  Patton  remained  a  resident  of  his  native 
State  until  his   marriage,  which  occurred   Feb.  5, 


1844.  His  bride  was  Miss  Annie  E.  Kinsinger, 
who  was  of  German  birth  and  parentage  and  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1842.  After  a  brief  time 
spent  in  Baltimore,  she  located  in  Pennsylvania. 
Shortly  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  located 
in  Maryland,  where  they  remained  for  a  period  of 
nine  years.  They  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania, 
to  the  old  homestead,  where  they  spent  one  year 
and  then,  in  1853,  Mr.  Patton  came  to  Illinois  to 
look  over  the  country.  He  was  well  pleased  with 
the  prospects  in  the  Prairie  State,  and  the  following 
year  removed  his  family,  locating  in  Woodford 
County.  For  two  years  he  farmed  upon  rented  land 
and  then  came  to  McLean  County,  which  has  since 
been  his  home. 

In  1864  Mr.  Patton  purchased  322  acres  on  sec- 
tion 1,  of  wild  prairie  land,  and  at  once  entered 
upon  its  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  now 
has  a  handsome  and  commodious  dwelling,  two 
stories  in  height,  with  an  area  of  18x36  feet.  It  is 
tastefully  finished  and  furnished  and  the  grounds 
around  it  are  ornamented  with  shrubbery  and 
shade  trees.  In  addition  to  this  is  a  fine  barn 
with  basement,  56x40  feet  in  area,  and  all  desirable 
out-buildings.  His  stock  and  farm  machinery  are 
of  first-class  description. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patton  there  have  been  born 
the  following  children :  Robert,  who  married  Miss 
Mary  Eggelton  and  lives  near  Lexington,  this 
county;  Jacob,  who  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Eyer 
and  is  located  in  Dry  Grove  Township;  Edward 
married  Miss  Sophronia  Eyer,  the  sister  of  his 
brother's  wife;  Catherine  became  the  wife  of  Peter 
Welfly ;  Dennis  married  Miss  Sarah  Dougherty  and 
lives  in  Lexington  Township;  Thaddeus  married 
Miss  Emma  Taflinger;  Martha  became  the  wife  of 
William  Foster,  and  died  March  17,  1882;  Sarah 
J.  became  the  wife  of  Norman  Kinsinger;  Josiah 
W.  is  unmarried ;  Barbara  E.  died  Nov.  20,1874. 
The  family  is  connected  with  the  German  Reform 
Church. 

When  Mr.  Patton  purchased  his  present  home- 
stead the  country  around  was  but  thinly  settled, 
but  with  true  pioneer  spirit  he  labored  industriously 
and  courageously  and  set  an  example  which  others 
profited  by  in  the  establishment  of  homes,  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  soil  and  the  development  of  the 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


775    A 


country.  He  has,  in  all  respects,  been  one  of  the 
valued  citizens  of  his  township  and  has  contributed 
his  full  share  toward  its  prosperity  and  advance- 
ment. In  politics  he  is  a  Republican  as  are  his 
sons.  A  view  of  the  handsome  home  place  of  Mr. 
Patton  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


ZACHARIAH  ARNOLD.  The  subject  of 
this  history  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean 
County  since  1854,  and  during  a  period  of 
over  thirty  years  has  firmly  established  himself  as  a 
substantial  citizen  and  useful  member  of  the  com- 
munity. He  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead 
in  Blue  Mound  Township,  consisting  of  200  acres 
of  improved  land,  with  one  of  the  finest  dwellings 
in  this  section,  and  a  good  barn  and  all  other  out- 
buildings to_  correspond.  Everything  about  the 
premises  is  kept  in  good  repair  and  the  stock  and 
farming  implements  are  of  first-class  description. 
Mr.  Arnold,  by  his  industry  and  enterprise,  has 
contributed  his  full  share  toward  the  progress  and 
welfare  of  his  township  and  occupies  his  rightful 
position  as  one  of  its  leading  and  most  highly  re- 
spected citizens. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  Hampshire  County, 
W.  Va.,  and  was  born  Nov.  7,  1827.  He  is  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Sloan)  Arnold,  natives 
of  the  same  locality,  where  they  settled  after  their 
marriage  and  where  the  father  operated  on  rented 
land  for  several  years.  He  then  removed  with  his 
family  to  Ohio,  but  they  only  lived  there  eighteen 
months,  being  seized  with  home-sickness,  and  re- 
turned to  their  native  county,  where  they  passed, 
the  remainder  of  their  days.  Their  six  children 
were,  Zachariah,  Thomas,  Richard,  George,  Ann 
and  Peter.  Our  subject,  who  was  the  eldest,  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old. 
He  then  started  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  and 
coming  into  this  county  kept  "bachelor's  hall"  with 
his  brother  Thomas,  for  three  years  following.  He 
then  purchased  a  part  of  his  present  homestead  on 
section  35,  and  made  preparations  for  a  permanent 
stay. 

Mr.  Arnold  was  married    in    Padua   Township, 


this  county,  Feb.  3,  1863,  to  Miss  Matilda  H., 
daughter  of  John  N.  and  Sarah  (Wampler)  Dun- 
ning, who  were  natives  respectively  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia.  After  marriage  they  located  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.,  whence  in  about  1851,  they 
came  to  this  county,  and  settling  in  Padua  Town- 
ship, there  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Their  eight  children  included  two  sons  and  six 
daughters,  of  whom  Mrs.  Arnold  was  the  youngest. 
She  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  May  27, 
1841,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become 
the  mother  of  three  children — Rosa  B.,  Sarah  E. 
and  Ida  M.  Sarah  E.  is  the  wife  of  Rudolph  W. 
Kreitzer  and  resides  in  Padua  Township.  Mr.  Ar- 
nold is  Democratic  in  politics  and  has  held  some  of 
the  minor  offices  of  his  township.  Religiously  he 
is  connected  with  the  Dunkards,  and  Mrs.  A.  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


J"  OHN  W.  ARNOLD.  The  name  of  this  gentle- 
man is  widety  and  favorably  known  through- 
out the  greater  part  of  McLean  County  as 
1  one  who  has  thoroughly  identified  himself 
with  its  interests,  and  has  assisted  materially  in 
bringing  the  county  to  its  present  prosperous  con- 
dition. He  came  to  this  vicinity  over  thirty  years 
ago  and  by  his  energy,  industry  and  honesty  in  his 
business  transactions  has  fully  established  himself 
in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  both  the  business 
and  social  community.  He  is  at  present  one  of 
the  most  prominent  bankers  of  McLean  County, 
and  has  all  his  life  been  more  or  less  interested  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  Upon  his  fine  farm,  which  is 
located  in  Martin  Township,  he  carries  on  the 
breeding  of  Norman  and  Clydesdale  horses,  and 
exhibits  some  of  the  finest  animals  in  this  section 
of  country.  His  farm  estate  is  in  all  respects  a 
model  of  thrift,  neatness  and  convenience,  and 
supplied  with  all  the  improvements  required  by  the 
intelligent  and  progressive  farmer. 

Mr.  Arnold  was  born  in  Culpeper  County,  Va., 
Feb.  10,  1828,  and  is  descended  from  excellent 
German  ancestry.  His  grandfather,  Humphrey  Ar- 
nold, settled  at  an  early  day  in  the  Old  Dominion, 
and  there  married  and  raised  a  family,  among  them 
^ 


• 


i 


776 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


being  a  son,  Martin,  who  was  the  father  of  our 
subject.  Martin  Arnold  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  State  and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Patsey 
Maddox,  also  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion,  and 
daughter  of  Bennett  Maddox.  This  family  removed 
to  Ohio  at  an  early  day,  as  did  also  the  Arnolds, 
and  settled  first  in  Muskingum  County  and  after- 
ward in  Licking  County.  Martin  Arnold  remained 
there  until  the  fall  of  1 853,  then  came  to  Illinois 
and  located  in  White  Oak  Grove,  Tazewell  County, 
and  about  twenty  years  later  moved  to  Woodford 
County,  this  State,  and  departed  this  life  at  Eu- 
reka, in  1872.  The  wife  and  mother  survived  un- 
til 1 886,  dying  in  the  seventy -seventh  year  of  her 
age.  They  were  the  parents  of  fifteen  children, 
seven  sons  and  eight  daughters,  of  whom  eleven 
are  still  living  and  John  W.  is  the  eldest  of  the 
family. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  a  resident  of 
Licking  County,   Ohio,  until  he  was   twenty-two 
years  of  age.     Me  then  came  West  to  Illinois  and 
this  county,  locating  in  White  Oak  Grove,  where  he 
at  first  engaged  in  a  sawmill  and  subsequently   in 
farming  pursuits.    Even  at  that  early  age  he  began 
to  deal   in  horses,  of    which    he  was  always   very 
fond,  and  seemed  to  have  a  natural  understanding 
of  their  habits  and  requirements,  and  consequently 
was  successful  in  this  branch  of  business.     After 
having  laid  the  foundations  for  a  future  home  and 
competency,  he  was  united  in  marriage,  in   1852, 
with  Miss  Mary  M.  Benson  of  White  Oak  Grove. 
Mrs.    Arnold   was   born   in  White  Oak  Grove  in 
1833,  and  reared  and  educated  there.     They  con- 
tinued  their  residence   in  White  Oak  Grove  for 
seventeen  years  following,  where  Mr.  Arnold  first 
established  his  reputation  as  a  stock-breeder.     At 
the  expiration  of  this  time  he  purchased  320  acres 
of  unimproved  prairie  on  the  Mackinaw  River,  in 
Lawndale  Township,  where  he  opened  up  a  farm. 
He  resided  there  with  his  family  three  years,  then 
removed  to  Eureka  for  the  purpose  of  giving  his 
children  the  advantages  of   schooling.     After  this 
was  accomplished  they  returned  to  the  farm,  upon 
which  they  remained  until  their  removal  to  Colfax, 
in  1882.     Here  Mr.  Arnold,  in  company  with  his 
s<m  John  P.,  established  a  private  bank  under  the 
firm   style  of  John  W.  Arnold  &  Co.,  which  they 


have  carried  on  successfully  since  that  time.  The 
stables  of  Mr.  Arnold  contain  several  fine  imported 
Norman  horses.  He  commenced  importing  some 
twelve  years  ago  and  no  man  in  the  Prairie  State 
takes  more  pride  in  developing  the  fine  points  of 
the  noblest  of  animals  than  he. 

Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  there 
were  born  five  children :  John  P.  is  Cashier  in  the 
bank  at  Colfax ;  James  R.  deals  in  lumber  in  Col- 
fax;  Sarah  F.  became  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Eyman, 
and  resides  in  Macon  County,  111.;  Olive  I),  and 
Lou  E.  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  arc 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  our  sub- 
ject has  been  Deacon  for  many  years. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  John  W.  Arnold  were  John 
and  Penara  (Henshaw)  Benson.  The  Henshaw 
family  was  originally  from  Tennessee  and  the  Ben- 
sons  from  Kentucky.  John  Benson  emigrated  from 
the  latter  State  to  Indiana  and  thence  to  McLean 
County,  111.,  in  the  year  1829,  being 'one  of  the 
earliest  pioneers  of  this  region.  He  settled  in  the 
timber  in  Bloomington  Township,  south  of  what  is 
now  the  present  flourishing  city.  Seven  years  later 
he  removed  to  White  Oak  Grove,  and  in  1873  to 
Eureka,  where  he  died  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his 
age.  The  wife  and  mother  is  still  living  and  is 
now  in  her  seventieth  year.  The  grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Arnold,  John  Benson,  Sr.,  spent  his  last  days 
at  White  Oak  Grove  and  was  a  remarkable  exam  pie 
of  good  health  and  strength.  He  had  never  been 
sick  until  his  last  illness  and  retained  his  mental 
faculties  until  the  end.  He  was  nearly  ninety-six 
years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


J^IOHN  MORROW,  a  prominent   resident  of 
I    Chenoa  Township,  is  at  present  engaged  as 
I    a  dealer  in  agricultural  implements  at  Clie- 
'    noa.     He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State, 
and  was  born  in  Peoria  County,  Oct.  5,  1836.    His 
father,  Thomas  Morrow,  removed  from  Indiana  to 
Illinois  in  1832.     The  Morrow  family  were  of  ex- 
cellent Scottish  ancestry  who,  after  coming  to  the 
United  States  located  in  the  South,  the  grandfather 
of  our  subject  settling  in  North  Carolina.     From 
there  he  removed   to  Indiana,  and   there  Thomas 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


777  1 


Morrow,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  married  to 
Miss  Eleanor  McMillin  of  Parke  County.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  eleven  children,  eight  sons  and 
three  daughters,  of  whom  one  died  in  infancy.  The 
balance,  with  one  exception,  lived  to  become  men 
and  women.  Thomas  G.  died  when  fifteen  years 
of  age,  and  six  of  the  family  still  survive.  Thomas 
Morrow  removed  with  his  family  to  this  State  in 
the  spring  of  1832,  locating  on  a  farm  near  Prince- 
ville.  Peoria  County,  where  his  death  occurred  in 
1848.  The  mother  survived  her  husband,  dying 
in  Priuceville,  at  the  old  homestead. 

Our  subject  was  thus  left  without  a  father  at 
an  early  age,  and  assisted  his  mother  to  carry  on 
the  farm  until  the  date  of  his  enlistment.  He  re- 
mained in  Peoria  County  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
late  war,  and  in  August,  1862,  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
86th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  remained  in  the  service 
nearly  three  years.  He  participated  with  his  com- 
rades in  the  battles  of  Perry  ville,  Ky.,  Chickamaugua 
and  Mission  Ridge.  Tenn.,  and  marched  with  Sher- 
man through  the  Atlanta  campaign  to  the  sea. 
While  amid  many  scenes  of  danger  and  death  he 
escaped  unhurt,  being  neither  wounded  nor  taken 
prisoner.  He  was  mustered  in  as  Second  Ser- 
geant, and  received  the  commission  of  First  Lieu- 
tenant at  Alexandria,  Va.,  in  1863.  After  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge,  in  June,  1865,  near 
Washington  City,  he  returned  West  to  his  old 
home  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits. 

Nov.  8,  1866,  Mr.  Morrow  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Margaret,  daughter  of  David  G. 
Hervey,  Esq.,  of  Peoria  County,  111.  They  •  re- 
mained in  that  locality  until  the  spring  of  1869, 
then  coming  to  this  county  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Chenoa  Township,  where  they  remained  until 
1885.  Mr.  Morrow  then  purchased  the  stock  of 
goods  owned  by  George  W.  Jewell,  which  con- 
sisted of  a  full  assortment  of  farm  implements,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  carrying  on  a  thriving  and 
profitable  trade. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  became  the  parents  of  three 
children,  one  daughter,  Laura,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  two  sons,  William  C.  and  David  T. 
The  former  is  assisting  his  father  in  the  store,  and 
the  latter  is  still  attending  school.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Pres- 


byterian  Church,  Mr.  M.  being  one  of  the  ruling 
Elders.  Besides  his  village  property  he  still  owns 
his  fine  farm,  which  consists  of  160  acres,  with  all 
suitable  farm  buildings,  and  is  located  on  sec- 
tion 24,  Chenoa  Township.  He  was  elected  Super- 
visor in  1883,  was  Road  Commissioner  of  the 
township  three  years,  and  also  officiated  as  Town- 
ship Trustee.  He  has  contributed  his  full  share 
toward  the  prosperity  of  this  section,  and  is  widely 
and  favorably  known  as  one  of  its  most  enterpris- 
ing men.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  dur- 
ing the  Rebellion  was  what  might  be  called  a  war 
Democrat. 


ANIEL  C.  SNOW,  an  honored  resident 
and  retired  farmer  of  McLean  County,  is 
a  native  of  West  Brookfield,  Worcester 
Co.,  Mass.,  and  was  born  on  the  24th  of 
June,  1822.  His  father,  Joseph  Snow,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  and  was  reared  to  man- 
hood in  his  native  town,  in  the  meantime  engaged 
in  the  labor  of  the  farm.  When  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  removed  with  his  father  to 
West  Brookfield,  Mass.,  where  the  latter  had  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land.  He  divided  this  between 
his  two  sons,  and  on  the  farm  which  became  his 
portion  the  father  of  our  subject  located  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  after  he 
had  arrived  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-eight 
years. 

Joseph  Snow  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Persis  Knights  about  1810.  She  was  born  in  Wor- 
cester County,  Mass.,  and  reared  in  New  Braintree, 
that  State.  This  lady  remained  the  constant  and  af- 
fectionate companion  of  her  husband  until  they  were 
separated  by  death,  her  decease  having  occurred  at 
the  home  of  her  daughter  in  West  Brookfield,  Mass. 
She  was  the  second  wife  of  Joseph  Snow,  and  there 
were  seven  children  by  each  marriage.  His  first 
wife  was  a  Miss  Richards,  a  native  of  Bridgewater, 
Mass. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth  child  of 
the  second  marriage  of  his  father.  He  was  reared 
on  the  farm,  educated  in  the  district  school,  and 
made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  had  ar- 


- 


f 


,  ,778 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


rived  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  His  father  then 
gave  him  his  time,  and  for  the  following  two  years 
he  was  employed  in  a  boot  and  shoe  factory,  then 
at  the  request  of  his  father  he  returned  home,  and 
he  gave  him  the  farm,  with  the  understanding  that 
Daniel  was  to  support  the  parents  during  their  life- 
time. He  remained  with  them  until  1852,  and 
then,  leaving  a  brother-in-law  in  charge  of  the 
homestead,  went  to  Westborough,  Mass.,  as  Super- 
intendent of  the  State  Reform  School,  in  which  po- 
sition he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1853.  He 
then  made  his  arrangements  to  remain  in  North- 
borough,  having  charge  of  the  business  of  a  gentle- 
man who  spent  the  most  of  his  time  in  Boston. 
Mr.  Snow  was  thus  occupied  for  three  years,  when 
he  returned  to  Westborough  and  took  charge  of  a 
farm  there  for  two  years.  He  then  sold  the  home 
farm  to  a  younger  brother,  purchased  a  farm  near 
Westborough  and  occupied  it  until  1861,  and  then 
sold  out  and  came  West  to  McLean  County,  111., 
accompanied  by  his  brother,  Dwight  M.  They 
rented  a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  purchased 
seventy-five  cows  and  were  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  cheese  for  one  year ;  then  the  farm  upon 
which  they  operated  was  sold  and  they  rented  an- 
other of  the  same  party,  in  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship, upon  which  they  operated  for  two  years. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Snow  purchased  244  acres  of 
land  on  section  1,  in  what  is  now  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, and  immediately  sold  100  acres  to  his 
brother.  He  then  continued  the  manufacture  of 
butter  and  cheese  two  years,  and  selling  his  farm 
purchased  five  acres  in  town  and  eighty  acres  just 
outside  of  the  limits.  He  made  his  residence  in 
the  town  and  carried  on  the  farm  for  one  year, 
when  his  health  failed  and  he  was  disabled  for  sev- 
eral months,  He  then  sold  out  and  returned  to  his 
old  home  in  Massachusetts,  spending  one  year  in 
the  Water  Cure  Institution  of  Dr.  Hero,  at  West- 
borough.  There  he  partially  recovered  his  health, 
and  in  February,  1869,  returned  to  McLean 
County.  He  now  purchased  100  acres  of  land  of 
his  brother,  the  same  which  he  had  formerly  sold 
to  him  and  which  is  located  on  section  1,  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  half  a  mile  east  of  McLean.  There  were 
no  buildings  on  the  place  when  it  came  into  his 
possession  the  second  time.  He  erected  a  good 


residence  and  necessary  out-buildings  and  engaged 
in  the  dairy  business  until  1877.  In  that  year  he 
introduced  Jersey  cattle  into  McLean  County.  He 
crossed  Jerseys  with  Durhams,  producing  a  fine 
breed  of  dairy  stock,  and  continued  this  branch  of 
business  with  his  son  Willis  D.  until  1882,  when  he 
sold  out  the  stock  and  tools  and  rented  the  farm 
to  this  son,  and  removing  to  town  practically  re- 
tired from  active  labor.  He  had  added  to  his  farm 
since  the  last  purchase  from  his  brother  and  it  now 
comprises  130  acres. 

D.  C.  Snow  was  married,  on  the  24th  of  June, 
1845,  to  Miss  Louisa  D.  Rice,  a  native  of  Charle- 
mont,  Mass.,  and  the  daughter  of  Artemus  and 
Asenath  (Adams)  Rice.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  three  children:  Charlotte  L.,  the  wife  of 
Mathew  Haughey,  a  resident  of  McLean  County, 
and  Willis  D.,  who  occupies  the  home  farm;  their 
second  child,  Maria  R.,  died  in  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 

D.  C.  Snow  has  been  connected  with  the  Congre- 
gational Church  since  he  was  seventeen  years  old. 
He  has  always  been  recognized  as  a  man  of  ability, 
and  held  various  offices  of  trust  in  his  native  State. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Selectmen  in  West 
Brookfield,  was  Overseer  of  the  Poor  in  Westbor- 
ough, and  has  been  School  Trustee  and  Road  Com- 
missioner in  Mt.  Hope  Township.  In  the  winter 
of  1883-84  he  went  South  to  Florida  for  his  health. 
In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


ELEG  SOULE,  who  is  spending  the  sunset 
of  life  in  quiet  retirement  at  No.  204  East 
Jefferson  street,  Bloomington,  is  a  native 
of  Fulton  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born 
April  18,  1815.  His  parents,  Peleg  and  Betsey 
(Warren)  Soule,  were  natives  of  Rhode  Island,  and 
the  father  a  carpenter  by  trade.  His  grandfather, 
Joseph  Soule,  was  a  sea  captain,  but  during  the  lat- 
ter years  of  his  life  followed  farming ;  his  death  oc- 
curred in  Fulton  County,  N.  Y.  Peleg  Soule,  Sr., 
by  his  marriage  with  Betsey  Warren  became  the 
father  of  eighteen  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  next  to  the  youngest,  and  is  the 
only  one  now  living.  Both  parents  died  in  New 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


781 


York  State  after  reaching  fourscore  years.  Peleg 
Soule  was  a  skilled  mechanic,  and  when  difficult 
jobs  were  required  in  the  community  where  he 
lived,  he  was  always  the  one  to  be  called  upon,  and 
he  took  pride  in  excelling  both  as  a  carpenter  and 
at  other  fine  work  requiring  the  use  of  edged  tools, 
a  steady  hand  and  a  practiced  eye. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  left  the  parental  home- 
stead when  fourteen  years  old,  having  up  to  that 
time  only  attended  school  two  months.  He  after- 
ward learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he 
worked  for  four  years.  In  1835  he  was  married, 
and  then  engaged  at  lumbering  in  his  native 
county.  He  erected  a  sawmill  there,  which  he  oper- 
ated for  five  years,  but  not  meeting  with  success 
in  his  undertaking,  he  abandoned  it,  subsequently 
disposing  of  it  by  sale  for  $400.  In  1840  he  left 
Fulton  County  and  went  into  Genesce  County, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm,  which  he  conducted  a 
short  time,  and  then  bought  104  acres,  occupying 
the  latter  for  five  years.  Afterward  disposing  of 
this  by  sale,  he  purchased  another  farm  of  204 
acres,  which,  after  residing  upon  seven  years,  he 
sold  and  went  to  Batavia,  Genesee  County,  where 
he  purchased  170  acres  and  upon  which  he  lived 
for  three  years. 

After  selling  his  farm  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y., 
Mr.  Soule  came  to  Illinois  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence at  Shirley,  McLean  County.  In  the  neigh- 
borhood of  that  place  he  engaged  in  farming, 
stock-raising,  and  speculating  in  real  estate.  He 
was  a  prominent  figure  in  the  business  affairs  of 
this  section  for  ten  years,  during  which  time  he 
met  with  financial  success.  In  1868  our  subject 
sold  his  land  in  the  neighborhood  of  Shirley,  and 
moved  to  Bloomington.  There  he  purchased 
about  $16,000  worth  of  stock  in  the  Phoenix  Bank, 
and  became  one  of  its  directors.  He  also  purchased 
other  laud  in  McLean  County  which  he  rented. 
He  likewise  became  proprietor  of  a  fine  home  on 
Market  street,  where  he  lived  until  about  1870, 
when  he  traded  it  for  a  farm  of  1 20  acres  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Twin  Grove,  which  he  lived  upon 
a  short  time,  when  he  sold  out  and  returned  to 
Bloomington  and  purchased  the  home  which  he 
had  previously  owned,  clearing  by  the  transaction 
'  $2,500.  Living  in  the  house  for  about  five  years 


he  traded  the  property  for  another  farm,  and  mov- 
ing upon  it,  made  it  his  home  for  about  seven 
years,  when  he  once  more  returned  to  Bloomington 
and  lias  made  that  city  his  place  of  residence  since. 
Upon  coming  to  Bloomington  the  last  time,  Mr. 
Soule  purchased  property  near  the  residence  of 
Judge  David  Davis,  which,  after  occupying  about 
two  years,  he  sold  and  purchased  his  present  home. 
He  superintends  the  stock-raising  on  his  rented 
farms,  and  from  this  source  realizes  annually  a 
handsome  income. 

Mr.  Soule  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Macoin- 
ber,  March  19,  1835.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was 
born  Feb.  23,  1815,  in  Greenfield,  Saratoga  Co., 
N.  Y.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Roger  and  Annie 
(Waterman)  Macomber,  natives  of  Rhode  Island. 
Her  parents  had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  of 
whom  she  is  the  only  one  living,  her  last  brother 
having  died  a  few  months  ago.  Mr.  Macomber 
and  wife  both  departed  this  life  in  Genesee  County, 
N.  Y.  -Mr.  and  Mrs.  Soule  have  had  no  children 
of  their  own,  but  reared  two :  William  H.  Cutler, 
who  became  a  member  of  the  household  when  three 
years  old,  and  is  now  deceased,  and  Annie  Strick- 
land, whom  they  received  into  their  arms  when  she 
was  two  weeks  old.  The  parents  of  the  latter, 
Bronson  and  Wealthy  (Knight)  Strickland,  were 
numbered  among  the  best  families  of  Genesee 
County,  N.  Y.  Annie  received  a  good  education 
and  developed  into  womanhood  while  an  inmate  of 
Mr.  Soule's  household,  and  continued  with  them 
until  her  marriage.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  Will- 
iam J.  Steele,  and  the  mother  of  one  child — May 
Knight  Steele.  They  are  living  at  No.  206  East 
Jefferson  street,  Bloomington. 

Mr.  Soule  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  He  has 
never  sought  office,  but  was  once  elected  Justice  of 
the  Peace  contrary  to  his  wish,  and  refused  to  qual- 
ify. He  is  one  of  those  generous,  whole-souled  in- 
dividuals whom  it  is  a  pleasure  to  meet,  and  whose 
latch-string  always  hangs  on  the  outside  of  the 
door  for  the  benefit  of  the  needy  and  destitute. 
Mrs.  Soule  united  with  the  Baptist  Church  when  she 
was  twenty-two  years  old,  and  has  since  been  an 
active  member  of  the  same,  contributing  liberally 
to  its  support,  and  working  conscientiously  for  the 
Master. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 


During  the  lute  Civil  War  Mr.  Soule  wasastanch 
Cii ion  111:111,  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  aid  in  its 
preservation.  Being  too  old  to  volunteer  him- 
self, and  desiring  to  be  personally  represented  in 
the  army,  he  hired  a  substitute,  enjoining  upon  the 
latter  to  be  true  to  the  colors  he  was  to  fight  under. 

The  portrait  of  Mr.  Soule  given  in  connection 
with  this  sketch,  is  that  of  a  gentleman  entirely 
worthy  to  be  classed  among  the  representative  citi- 
zens of  one  of  the  most  prosperous  counties  in  the 
State,  and  to  whose  progress  he  has  given  an  im- 
petus by  the  mere  force  of  his  example.  As  a  fit- 
ting companion  picture  we  place  beside  that  of  the 
venerable  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  portrait  of  his 
esteemed  wife. 


)EV.  PLEASANT  W.  BISHOP,  residing  on 
section  29,  Money  Creek  Township,  was 
born  in  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  April  6,  1832. 
He  is  the  son  of  William  G.  and  Rebecca 
Bishop.  Our  subject  was  four  years  old  when  he 
came  to  McLean  County  with  his  parents.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at 
Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington,  111.  In  1852 
our  subject  was  called  upon  to  deliver  the  oration 
at  the  commencement  at  Wesleyan  University,  and 
chose  for  his  subject  "  The  Future  of  the  American 
Confederacy."  It  was  an  able  oration,  and  he  was 
told  by  one  of  the  professors,  just  as  he  was  about 
to  begin  its  delivery,  to  throw  his  whole  soul  into 
it,  as  it  was  good.  Mr.  Bishop  little  thought  at 
that  time  that  in  less  than  ten  years  he  would  be 
called  upon  to  defend  the  very  Government  he 
then  eulogized. 

After  he  had  attended  the  university  for  a  year, 
at  Bloomington,  he  was  received  as  a  candidate  for 
the  ministry,  by  the  Mackinaw  Presbytery  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  connection  with  his  studies  for 
two  years  after  this,  and  then  he  attended  the  sem- 
inary at  Le  Roy  under  the  charge  of  his  Presby- 
tery for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
time  he  engaged  in  preaching  and  fanning,  at  which 
he  has  continued  until  the  present.  He  has  filled 


different  appointments  throughout  McLean  and 
Tazewell  Counties,  and  has  done  much  to  further 
the  cause  of  the  Master. 

Rev.  Pleasant  W.  Bishop  is  the  owner  of  165 
acres  of  good  land  on  which  he  resides  and  where 
he  has  erected  a  good  residence.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Towanda  Township,  this  county,  April  20, 
1853,  to  Miss  Amelia  A.,  daughter  of  Henry  B. 
and  Celia  (Briley)  Timmous,  natives  of  Ohio.  Miss 
Timmons'  parents  emigrated  to  McLean  County  in 
1837,  and  settled  in  Towanda  Township  in  1849. 
They  removed  to  Ford  County,  111.,  and  there 
lived  until  the  death  of  the  father,  which  occurred 
July  19,1885.  The  mother  survives,  and  resides 
in  Ford  County;  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Timmons 
eight  children  were  born — Amelia  A.,  wife  of  our 
subject;  Sarah  E.,  John  N.,  William,  Fafayelte, 
Catherine,  Prudence,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mrs.  Bishop  was  born  in  Ohio,  Aug.  1,  1832,  and 
has  borne  our  subject  eight  children — Laura,  Ellen, 
William  H.,  Charles  F.,  Becca,  Mark  D.,  Thorn- 
ton G.  and  Alvah  J.  Laura  died  when  sixteen 
years  old;  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  Benjamin  F.  Finch- 
am,  and  they  are  living  in  this  county;  William 
H.  married  Miss  Minnie  Busick,  and  they  are  living 
in  Dallas  County,  Iowa.  The  remaining  children 
are  living  at  home. 

Rev.  Bishop  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Civil  War, 
and  enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862,  in  the  94th  Illinois  In- 
fantry. He  was  First  Sergeant  of  Company  D,  and 
served  in  that  regiment  for  something  over  a  year, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  Chaplain  of  the  37th  Illi- 
nois Infantry,  and  transferred  to  that  regiment. 
He  held  the  latter  position  for  about  a  year,  when 
he  resigned  and  returned  home.  He  was  highly 
thought  of  by  the  soldier  boys,  not  only  for  his 
many  good  qualities  but  for  his  valor,  and  was 
presented  by  his  friends  in  the  regiment  with  a 
beautiful  gold  watch.  Our  subject  distinguished 
himself  at  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.  While 
the  battle  raged  hottest  and  men  were  falling  on 
all  sides,  a  caisson  came  near  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  When  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment 
asked  for  volunteers  in  the  name  of  God  to  regain 
the  piece,  Sergt.  Bishop  stepped  in  front  of  the 
regiment  and  called  for  men  to  follow  him  in  this 
hazardous  undertaking.  Six  responded,  and  with 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


783 


himself  at  the  head  they  cut  away  the  dead  horses 
and  regained  the  caisson. 

Mrs.  Bishop  departed  this  life  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  July  19,  1886.  She  united  with  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  when  about 
twenty-four  years  old,  and  was  a  kind  mother,  a 
loving  wife,  a  generous  neighbor,  and  a  true  and 
consistent  Christian  lady.  Our  subject  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  in  politics  a  Democrat, 
although  he  is  strongly  inclined  to  Prohibition. 


ON.  ARCHIBALD  E.  STEWART,  M.  D., 
for  a  period  of  over  forty  years  has  been 
closely  identified  with  the  business  interests 
and  prosperity  of  this  section.  He  repre- 
sented this  county  two  terms  in  the  Legislature. 
He  was  connected  with  the  various  important  com- 
mittees of  those  sessions,  including  that  of  Public 
.Instruction,  and  was  Chairman  of  the  committee  on 
State  Geological  Survey,  which  position  he  held 
until  the  work  was  completed,  and  the  proper  State 
appropriations  were  made.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  committees  on  Mines  and  Mining,  and  Special 
Temperance.  He  was  the  first  to  introduce  the 
bill  affecting  the  appropriation  of  money  for  the 
Institute  at  Normal,  and  has  aided  greatly  in  its 
maintenance  and  success.  During  the  session  of 
1872,  he  was  instrumental  in  having  $8,000  refund- 
ed to  the  county,  which  had  been  illegally  obtained 
by  a  mistake  in  the  Auditor's  Office  of  the  State, 
by  unjust  assessment.  Mr.  Stewart  also  drew  up 
the  resolutions  which  gave  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  State  its  peculiar  powers  in  Inter-State  Com- 
merce, which  passed  the  House  but  not  the  Senate. 
Aside  from  his  business  transactions  and  his  service 
as  a  public  man,  he  has  always  been  interested  in 
agriculture,  and  has  one  of  the  productive  farms  in 
Randolph  Township. 

Dr.  Stewart  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
near  his  present  home,  Aug.  21.  1834.  His  father, 
Samuel  Stewart,  a  farmer,  was  a  native  of  West 
Virginia,  and  of  Scottish  parentage  and  descent. 
The  latter  was  married  in  his  native  State  to  Miss 
Jane  Hanley,  a  native  of  his  own  State,  and  also  of 
Scottish  descent  and  parentage.  They  arri  ved  in  this 


State  in  the  fall  of  1831,  and  located  upon  the  farm 
which  is  the  present  homestead  of  our  subject.  He 
is  the  youngest  son,  and  the  only  one  born  after 
they  came  to  Illinois.  His  father  died  when  he 
was  a  lad  of  six  years. 

The  land  which  the  father  of  our  subject  had  se- 
cured was  in  an  unimproved  state,  and  after  his  death 
the  mother  succeeded  with  the  help  of  her  children 
in  carrying  on  the  farm  profitably,  and  reared 
her  five  sons  and  three  daughters  to  years  of  ma- 
turity. She  was  a  woman  of  great  force  of  char- 
acter, strong  and  healthy  in  body  and  mind,  and 
taught  her  children  those  principles  of  self-reliance, 
industry  and  honor  which  in  after  years  constitu- 
ted them  good  citizens  and  useful  members  of 
society.  She  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
four  years,  retaining  her  mental  faculties  to  a  re- 
markable degree,  dying  at  her  home  in  Randolph 
Township  in  1875. 

When  first  settling  upon  the  new  farm,  the  father 
and  his  sons  put  up  the  first  brick  house  in  McLean 
County,  all  the  work  being  done  by  themselves. 
They  made  the  necessary  tools  for  the  manufacture 
of  brick,  constructed  their  own  kiln  and  burnt  with- 
in it  the  lime  which  they  hauled  from  a  quarry  at 
Old  Town.  They  were  their  own  masons  and  hod- 
carriers,  and  it  well  may  be  imagined  with  what 
satisfaction  they  marked  the  progress  of  their  own 
work  when  the  walls  of  their  home  began  to  rise. 
The  house  occupied  an  area  of  24x48  feet,  and  it 
stands  to-day,  and  is  still  owned  by  our  subject. 
It  was  used  for  all  public  gatherings,  for  public 
school  purposes  and  for  preaching  and  was  thus 
kept  open  for  many  years,  a  generous  donation  for 
the  use  of  the  people  of  that  locality.  The  father 
had  secured  a  tract  of  land  comprising  1,600  acres, 
about  one-third  of  which  was  timber.  Most  of  the 
land  is  yet  in  possession  of  the  various  members  of 
the  family. 

Archibald  E.  Stewart  pursued  his  primary  stud- 
ies in  the  pioneer  schools  of  this  locality,  assisted 
and  encouraged  by  his  mother  at  home.  He  be- 
came a  member  of  the  first  class  of  the  Wesleyan 
University,  Bloomington,  under  Prof.  Andrus.  the 
first  professor,  and  he  there  completed  his  educa- 
tion four  years  later.  He  was  the  only  student  in 
the  Sophomore  Class  of  1851-52.  After  leaving 


t. 


-  ,    784 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


tliis  institution  ho  went  East  and  studied  music  in 
I  !o>ton  for  several  months,  having  great  love  and 
a  talent  for  this  art.  After  his  return  to  Illinois  in 
1856,  he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  under  the 
instruction  of  HOD.  H.  Noble,  of  Heyworth,  and 
one  year  later  entered  Rush  Medical  College  at 
Chicago.  From  there  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and 
entered  Jefferson  College,  from  which  he  graduated 
in  1858.  Whatever  branch  of  study  he  took  up 
was  pursued  thoroughly  and  closely  until  he  be- 
came the  master  of  it,  and  he  was  now  abundantly 
qualified  for  the  practice  of  this  profession. 

The  marriage  of  Archibald  E.  Stewart  and  Miss 
Emily,  daughter  of  John  R.  and  Lydia  (Gantz) 
Stewart,  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents  at  Fairmont,  W.  Va.,  on  the  10th  of  May, 
1859.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  8.  were  natives  of 
West  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch  and  German  descent. 
John  Stewart  was  a  millwright,  and  came  West  in 
1861.  He  was  a  strong  Union  man,  and  found  it 
to  his  advantage  to  leave  the  Old  Dominion  about 
that  time.  He  located  in  Randolph  Township,  and 
resided  there  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  Los 
Angeles,  Cal.,  where  he  and  his  wife  are  living,  re- 
tired from  the  active  labors  of  life. 

Mrs.  Emily  S.  Stewart  was  educated  in  a  select 
school  in  her  native  State,  and  remained  with  her 
parents  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  were  born  five  children,  as  follows: 
Bruce  A.  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Cal- 
ifornia; Clark  E.  is  a  musician,  and  also  employed 
as  clerk  in  a  music  store  at  Chicago;  Adelaide  was 
educated  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  and  is  a  teacher  of 
music;  Hugh  A.  is  attending  school,  and  with  his 
sifter  Lucy  lives  at  home  with  his  parents. 

After  his  marriage,  Dr.  Stewart  located  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, which  he  continued  until  after  the  outbreak 
of  the  late  war.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  army,  in 
August,  1862,  as  a  private,  and  was  connected 
with  the  Army  of  the  Frontier,  in  the  94th  Illinois 
Infantry.  He  was  then  appointed  Regimental  Sur- 
geon, which  position  he  occupied  for  three  years, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  war  received  his  honorable 
discharge  at  Galveston,  Tex.  The  regiment  fought 
at  Prairie  Grove,  Ark.,  where  he  saw  much  blood- 
shed, and  was  with  his  command  at  the  siege  and 


surrender  of  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  also  at  Brownsville, 
Tex.,  where  a  special  order  was  issued  by  Maj. 
Gen.  Herron,  for  his  management  of  the  Post  Hos- 
pital, and  upon  which  occasion  our  subject  received 
the  high  approval' of  the  General  and  many  compli- 
ments concerning  his  judgment  and  skill. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army,  Dr.  Stewart 
abandoned  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  turned 
his  entire  attention  to  his  farming  interests,  which 
were  more  agreeable  to  his  tastes  and  which  he  has 
since  followed  successfully.  He  is  now  the  posses- 
sor of  300  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Randolph 
Township,  and  is  also  interested  in  real  estate  in 
Kansas  and  Nebraska.  Of  late  years  he  has  given 
considerable  attention  to  the  breeding  of  high- 
grade  cattle  and  Norman  horses,  with  which  the 
home  farm  is  finely  stocked. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican, and  has  uniformly  cast  his  vote  in  support  of 
the  principles  of  his  party.  He  was  Chief  Deputy 
Circuit  Clerk  for  a  period  of  eight  years,  and  has 
held  other  important  offices  in  the  county.  In 
1881  he  went  to  Europe,  and  has  visited  most  parts 
of  the  United  States,  having  been  in  nearly  every 
State  of  the  Union.  Mrs.  Stewart  is  an  amiable 
and  excellent  Christian  lady,  and  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


WEN  C.  RUTLEDGE.  This  gentleman  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  Mc- 
Lean County  and  was  the  first  man  who 
bought  grain  at  Heyworth.  His  transactions  in 
this  line  began  in  1855,  and  he  has  since  been  act- 
ively engaged  in  the  trade.  Two  years  later  he 
became  the  partner  of  Isaac  Vauordstrand  and  they 
have  operated  together,  with  the  exception  of  five 
years,  since  that  time.  In  the  interim  Mr.  Rut- 
ledge  embarked  in  the  dry-goods  business,  but 
finally  abandoned  it  and  returned  to  the  grain  trade. 
He  began  business  here  in  a  very  modest  manner 
and  weighed  his  grain  on  a  small  movable  scale, 
carrying  it  on  his  shoulders  in  sacks  to  the  cars. 
This  was  kept  up  for  some  time  and  until  the  first 
elevator  was  built,  in  1861. 

Mr.  Rutledge  has  been  closely  identified  with  the 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


785 


interests  of  this  section  since  coming  here,  being 
one  of  its  most  energetic  and  useful  citizens.  He 
now  owns  a  fine  property  and  his  wife  is  the  pos- 
sessor of  considerable  real  estate  in  Randolph 
Township.  Mr.  R.  was  born  on  section  34,  where 
the  village  of  Heyworth  now  stands,  his  birth  oc- 
curring on  the  19th  of  October,  1831.  He  was 
reared  in  this  county  and  completed  his  education 
at  Danvers  and  at  the  college  of  Lebanon,  Tenn. 
He  also  studied  in  the  Presbyterian  school  at  that 
place. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  oldest  native 
born  citizen  of  Randolph  Township  now  living. 
When  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  began 
teaching  a  subscription  school  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship at  a  small  salary.  He  built  his  own  fires, 
swept  his  own  school-room  and  received  the  munifi- 
cent salary  of  $18  per  month.  He  was  thus  oc- 
cupied for  three  years,  the  last  year  receiving  his 
pay  from  the  public  school  fund. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Rutledge  and  Miss  Sarah 
Elder  took  place  in  Heyworth  on  the  8th  of  June, 
1858.  Mrs.  R.  was  the  sister  of  J.  C.  Elder.  She 
was  born  near  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  June  8,  1838, 
and  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents  when  a 
child.  She  completed  her  education  in  the  city  of 
Bloomington  and  taught  school  for  some  time  be- 
fore her  marriage.  Of  this  union  there  was  born 
one  child,  a  daughter — Fannie,  the  wife  of  Howard 
Galey.  who  now  lives  in  Emporia,  Kan. ;  Mr.  G.  is 
in  the  employ  of  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company 
at  that  place.  Mrs.  Sarah  Rutledge  departed  this 
life  at  her  home  in  Heyworth,  July  8,  1865.  She 
was  from  childhood  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  She  was  a  most  amiable  and  excellent 
Christian  lady,  greatly  beloved  by  her  family  and 
mourned  by  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

Mr.  R.  was  a  second  time  married,  in  Defiance 
County,  Ohio,  Dec.  24,  1866,  to  Miss  Letitia  A. 
Battershell,  who  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio, 
Oct.  2i,  1842.  She  was  reared  and  educated  in 
Defiance  County,  and  there  her  father  is  still  living 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  The  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Catharine  Marquis,  died 
when  fifty-six  years  of  age,  in  1874.  The  present 
Mrs.  Rutledge  was  also  a  teacher  in  her  native 
county  before  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with 


our  subject  there  were  born  three  children,  one  of 
whom,  Oakley  A.,  died  when  one  year  old;  Lettie 
B.  is  at  home,  having  graduated  from  the  schools 
in  Heyworth;  Lyndon  M.,  aged  thirteen  years,  is 
still  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  village  schools. 
The  family  residence  is  a  pleasant  and  attractive 
one  and  its  inmates  enjoy  the  friendship  of  the  best 
people  in  the  village. 

Mr.  Rutledge  has  been  a  member  of  the  County 
Board  of  Supervisors  and  has  held  the  various  of- 
fices in  the  village.  For  many  years  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which 
he  has  been  Elder  five  years.  His  wife  and 
daughters  are  also  members  of  the  same. 


;ILLIAM  M.  HENLINE  is  one  of  the  fore- 
most farmers  and  merchants  of  Money 
Creek  Township,  and  a  resident  on  section 
10.  The  father  of  our  subject,  George  Henline, 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  wife,  Margaret 
(Rayburn)  Henline,  was  also  born  in  that  State. 
After  their  marriage  they  settled  in  their  native 
State,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  he  came  to  this  county.  In  his  younger  days 
George  Henline  learned  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith, 
but  followed  it  only  a  short  time,  preferring  farm- 
ing. He  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  coun- 
ty, and  at  the  time  of  his  location  in  Lawndale 
Township  there  were  few  inhabitants  there  other 
than  the  Indians.  He  made  that  township  his  home 
for  five  years,  and  removing  to  Money  Creek 
Township  lived  there  for  some  years,  when  he 
moved  to  and  made  Lexington  his  home.  They 
continued  to  reside  at  Lexington  for  about  ten 
years,  when  they  again  moved  on  the  farm  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  there  lived  until  their 
death,  his  demise  occurring  March  3,  1855,  and 
hers  April  13,  1872.  They  had  ten  children — 
Perry.  Almarine,  Zarilda  J.,  Sabra,  George,  John, 
Mary  A.,  Louisa  S.,  Matilda  J.  and  William  M. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  July  3,  1838.  He  received  a 
good  education  in  the  pioneer  log  school-house  of 
this  county,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the 
farm,  and  has  continued  to  reside  in  Money  Creek 


f 


'  •  786 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


Township  from  the  date  of  his  birth  until  the  pres- 
ent time.  He  is  the  owner  of  240  acres  of  land, 
about  seventy  of  which  is  in  timber  and  the  re- 
mainder under  an  advanced  state  of  cultivation. 
He  has  erected  a  good  residence  on  his  farm,  and 
has  met  with  success  in  the  prosecution  of  a  voca- 
tion which  he  has  followed  since  childhood,  together 
with  merchandising. 

In  1878,  Mr.  Henline  opened  the  store  which  he 
still  conducts,  and  carries  a  general  stock  of  mer- 
chandise, and  by  fair  and  honest  dealing  has  built 
up  a  good  trade.  In  July,  1880,  he  was  appointed 
Postmaster  and  still  holds  that  office. 

Mr.  Henline  was  first  married  at  BloOmiugton, 
111.,  Aug.  26,  1858,  Miss  Sarah  C.  Steward'  being 
the  other  contracting  party.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  Steward,  and  bore  our 
subject  two  children,  Stephen  A.  D.  and  William 
A.  R.  Mrs.  Henline  departed  this  life  April  10, 
1872,  and  our  subject  was  again  married  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  Dec.  5,  1872.  Miss  Eliza  A.  Grif- 
fith becoming  his  wife.  Miss  Griffith  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  W.  and  Catherine  (Archibald)  Grif- 
fith, natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  had  one 
son  and  three  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Henline  was  the 
eldest.  She  was  born  in  Fayette  Count}',  Pa.,  Feb. 
1,  1841.  Of  this  latter  union  two  children  have 
been  bom.  One  died  in  infancy,  and  the  other, 
Noah  O.  A.,  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Henline  has  been  Township  Collector,  and 
has  also  been  Supervisor  of  the  township  one  j'ear. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  socially  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  holding  fellowship  with  a 
lodge  at  Lexington  ;  he  also  belongs  to  the  Encamp- 
ment at  Lexington. 


i 


?1LLIAM  SWETZEL,  proprietor  of  a  snug 
little  farm  of  1  60  acres  located  on  section 
28,  Towanda  Township,  and  a  gentle- 
man respected  for  his  sterling  worth  and  integrity, 
comes  of  that  class  of  citizens  noted  for  their  en- 
ergy and  determination  to  get  on  in  the  world. 
He  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  Jan.  11,  1837, 
and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1858.  Ar- 
riving in  this  country  Mr.  Swetzel  spent  the  first 


year  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  and  from 
there  he  went  to  Ohio,  coming  to  Bloomington,  111.. 
in  1861.  He  has  since  been  a  resident  of  the 
county  and  now  owns  160  acres  of  good  land  lo- 
cated as  stated,  on  which  he  has  a  large  fine  resi- 
dence, and  is  meeting  with  more  than  ordinary 
financial  success.  In  addition  to  farming  he  de- 
votes his  attention  to  raising  stock. 

Mr.  Swetzel  was  married  in  the  land  of  his  na- 
tivity to  Miss  Mary  Koch,  who  departed  this  life 
in  this  county  ;  her  death  took  place  in  December. 
1871.  She  bore  him  five  children—  John,  Charles, 
William,  Carrie  and  Luther.  Mr.  Swetzel  was  mar- 
ried a  second  time,  in  Hudson  Township,  Miss 
Mary  Blum  being  the  other  contracting  party. 
The  marriage  took  place  in  February,  1873,  and  of 
this  latter  union  two  children  have  been  born,  one 
of  whom  is  deceased.  The  surviving  child  is  Mary 
K.  Mrs.  Swetzel  departed  this  life  in  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  in  July,  1886.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Evangelical  denomination,  and  a  kind-hearted 
neighbor,  devoted  wife  and  loving  mother.  In 
politics  Mr.  Swetzel  is  Republican.  Mr.  Swetzel 
married  his  third  and  present  wife,  Minnie  Wag- 
ner, on  the  19th  of  January,  1887.  A  view  of  his 
fine  residence  and  surroundings  is  given  elsewhere 
in  this  work. 


>ILLIAM  E.  STEVENS,  a  gentleman  in  the 
prime  of  life,  and  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  Bloomington,  is  now  employed  as 
foreman  for  J.  M.  Fordice  in  the  lumber  business, 
with  which  he  has  been  connected  since  his  return 
from  the  army  in  1864.  Mr.  Stevens  was  born  in 
Macon  County,  this  State,  on  the  3d  of  August, 
1842,  and  is  the  son  of  James  B.  and  Letitia 
(Saterfield)  Stevens,  the  father  a  native  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  the  mother  of  Whiteside 
County,  111.  James  B.  Stevens  came  to  Macon 
County,  111.,  when  a  lad  of  seven  years,  with  his 
father,  Joseph,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and 
engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  The  family  of  Jo- 
seph Stevens  consisted  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
James  B.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  young- 
est. He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  learned 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


787 


the  carpenter's  trade,  following  the  two  pursuits 
through  life,  and  latterly  engaged  as  a  contractor 
and  builder.  He  removed  from  Macon  to  McLean 
County  in  1844,  and  located  in  Bloomington,  where 
he  passed  the  balance  of  his  days,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  1871.  The  mother  of  our  subject  had  pre- 
ceded her  husband  to  the  better  land  three  years 
before,  in  1868.  Their  family  of  six  children  were, 
William  E.,  our  subject;  Harriet,  Mrs.  Chester 
Smith,  of  Bloomington;  Lucy,  Mrs.  Owens,  of 
Woodford  County;  Charles,  of  Springfield,  111.; 
Leonard,  of  Palestine,  Tex.,  and  Walter,  of  Deni- 
son,  Tex. 

William  E.  Stevens  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  the  opening  of  the  Rebellion.  He  then 
enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier,  in  June,  1861,  as  a 
member  of  Co.  D,  8th  Mo.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  remained 
in  the  service  three  years  and  one  month.  With 
his  comrades  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Ft. 
Henry,  Donelson,  Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth,  and 
the  further  engagements  of  that  campaign,  and  at 
the  expedition  along  Deer  Creek  was  taken  pris- 
oner, on  the  22d  of  March,  1863,  being  paroled  in 
April  following.  Before  being  taken  by  the  en- 
emy, however,  he  had  personally  captured  the  son 
of  Senator  Clark,  of  the  Confederac}',  a  native  of 
Mississippi,  whom  Gen.  Sherman  held  as  hostage 
until  our  hero  was  paroled.  On  the  9th  of  October 
following  his  parole,  young  Stevens  reported  for 
duty  at  Memphis,  and  joined  his  comrades  in  the 
march  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  arrived  two  days 
before  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge.  He  partici- 
pated in  this,  and  then  with  his  regiment  followed 
the  Tennessee  Valley  to  Knoxville  for  the  purpose 
of  relieving  Gen.  Burnside,  after  which  they  re- 
turned and  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Larkins- 
ville,  Ala.  In  May  following  they  started  for 
Georgia,  and  subsequently  participated  in  the  en- 
gagements at  Ringgold,  Resaca,  Buzzard's  Roost. 
Kingston,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church  and  Big 
Shanty.  This  practically  wound  up  the  military 
career  of  our  subject,  and  on  the  1 3th  of  May, 
1864,  with  his  comrades  he  started  for  home.  He 
had  the  pleasure  likewise  of  escorting  his  prisoner, 
George  Scott,  who  was  one  of  the  Confederates 
that  captured  him  March  22,  1863,  from  Big 


Shanty  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  derived  great  satis- 
faction from  this  episode  of  his  war  experience. 
After  his  discharge  at  St.  Louis,  on  the  4th  of  July, 
1864,  Mr.  Stevens  returned  to  Bloomington,  and, 
as  heretofore  stated,  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. 

In  1868  William  E.  Stevens  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Annie  B.  White,  who  was  born  in 
Ohio,  and  was  the  daughter  of  David  C.  and  La- 
vina  White,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Maine  respectivelj7. 
Of  this  union  there  were  born  six  children — Grace 
L.,  Olive  L.,  Guy  T.,  Cora  L.,  Florence  L.  and 
William  E.  Their  residence  is  located  at  No.  903 
West  Mulberry  street,  where  they  are  enjoying  all 
the  comforts  of  life  and  the  society  and  friendship 
of  numbers  of  friends.  Politically  Mr.  Stevens 
uniformly  votes  the  Republican  ticket,  and  socially 
is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


eHARLES  F.  W.  SCHMIDT,  who  simply 
signs  his  name  William  Schmidt,  became  a 
resident  of  Bloomington  Township  in  1854, 
first  locating  in  the  city,  and  purchased  property 
which  is  the  present  site  of  the  C.  <fe  A.  R.  R. 
shops.  He  built  the  first  house  west  of  this  road, 
and  started  a  hotel,  which  he  operated  successfully 
during  the  construction  of  the  road.  Later  he  sold 
the  property  to  good  advantage,  and  after  thirteen 
years  took  possession  of  his  present  homestead, 
which  is  located  just  outside  the  city  limits,  on 
West  Market  street.  Here  he  established  a  vine- 
yard, and  built  up  a  beautiful  home,  which  is  upon 
a  rise  of  ground  and  commands  a  fine  view  of  the 
city  of  Bloomiugton.  The  surrounding  scenery 
can  scarcely  be  equaled  in  any  part  of  McLean 
County,  and  certainly  not  excelled.  The  dwelling 
is  of  modern  style  of  architecture,  and  the  beauti- 
ful grounds  are  interspersed  with  choice  shade  trees 
and  shrubbery.  The  grape  arbors  combine  beauty 
with  utility,  and  the  entire  premises  bears  evidences 
of  refined  taste  and  abundant  means.  The  flower- 
gardens  are  most  tastefully  laid  out  and  well  kept, 
and  there  are  artificial  waterfalls  and  islands.  The 
whole  forms  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in 
this  locality.  Since  purchasing  this  valuable  piece 


t. 


t  ,    788 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


i 


of  property,  Mr.  Schmidt  has  turned  his  attention 
mainly  to  the  growing  of  grapes  and  flowers,  the 
proceeds  of  which  yield  him  a  handsome  income, 
He  manufactures  a  fine  grade  of  wines,  which  he 
usually  disposes  of  in  the  local  markets.  The 
homestead  includes  twelve  acres,  and  the  natural 
water  facilities  add  greatly  to  its  beaut}'  and  value. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  that  nationality  which  has  contributed 
so  much  toward  the  development  of  the  West.  He 
was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  Dec.  15,  1819. 
His  father,  Christian  Schmidt,  was  a  butcher,  and 
lived  and  died  in  the  place  where  his  son  was  born. 
Our  subject  learned  the  trade  of  a  tanner  in  his 
native  country,  and  later  went  to  the  Province  of 
Silesia,  in  Prussia.  Here  he  became  acquainted 
with  Miss  Julia  Miller,  and  they  were  united  in 
marriage  in  1847.  They  lived  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  wife's  former  home  for  six  years,  where  Mr- 
Schmidt  was  occupied  at  his  trade.  In  1 854  he 
resolved  to  emigrate  to  the  New  World.  They 
flrst  located  in  the  city  of  Chicago,  whence  they 
came  to  Bloomington,  where  Mr.  Schmidt  started 
a  tannery,  but  only  operated  it  a  short  time. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  have  become  the  parents  of  nine 
children,  of  whom  only  four  are  living,  two  daugh- 
ters and  two  sons.  The  family  are  regular  attend- 
ants of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Our  subject,  in 
former  years  was  a  strong  Abolitionist,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party, 
worked  earnestly  for  its  maintenance  and  support. 
He  endorses  its  principles  now  fully  as  warmly  as 
in  former  years,  and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  with 
the  party  of  his  choice.  He  is  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful and  highly  respected  citizens  of  this  communi- 
ty, and  his  home  largely  contributes  to  the  attract- 
iveness of  Bloomington  Township. 


^ILLIAM  DAVIDSON.  In  presenting  this 
biographical  notice  of  the  career  of  one  of 
the  leading  men  of  McLean  County,  and  a 
gentleman  who  is  thoroughly  representative  of  its 
progressive  element,  we  deem  it  our  duty  to  first 
briefly  advert  to  the  life  story  of  those  from  whom 
he  draws  his  origin.  He  was  born  in  Westmore- 


land County,  Pa.,  June  22,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Jane  (Reed)  Davidson,  natives  of 
Chester  County,  Pa.  The  former  was  born  March 
27,  1789,  and  at  about  the  age  of  forty  years  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  joined  that  denomination  in  the  county  of  his 
nativity,  and  according  to  the  custom  of  the  coun- 
try he,  like  others,  would  occasionally  take  a  dram. 
The  Rev.  Simon  Lock,  who  officiated  as  minister  of 
the  congregation  with  which  our  subject's  father 
united,  received  him  into  the  church  on  probation, 
the  presiding  elder  remarking:  "Take  his  name, 
and  if  he  don't  hold  out  the  devil  will  take  him 
back."  The  devil  never  got  him  again,  for  from 
that  time  forward  he  was  a  strong  temperance  man, 
and  energetically  labored  in  the  cause  of  the  Mas- 
ter. He  was  a  bright  and  shining  light  in  that 
congregation,  of  which  he  became  one  of  the  Elders, 
and  is  remembered  by  many  for  the  great  change 
which  conversion  brought  upon  his  life.  His  wife, 
our  subject's  mother,  was  born  in  1790,  and  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  When  on 
her  deathbed  she  requested  her  husband  to  promise 
that  he  would  abstain  forever  from  the  use  of  in- 
toxicating liquors,  which  promise  he  made  and 
which  led  to  his  conversion,  and  after  receiving 
the  promise  the  good  wife  calmly  closed  her  eyes 
in  death,  the  year  of  her  demise  being  1825.  They 
were  the  parents  of  eight  children — William  died 
in  infancy ;  Lyclia,  Asa,  Margaret,  James,  William 
of  this  notice,  Solomon  and  Rutan. 

William  Davidson,  who  is  a  farmer  by  vocation 
and  also  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  is  pleasantly  loca- 
ted on  his  fine  place  on  section  13,  Dry  Grove 
Township.  He  was  united  in  marriage,  March  14, 
1839,  with  Miss  Mary  Morton,  a  distant  relative  of 
Gov.  Morton,  of  Indiana.  She  was  born  near 
Wheeling,  Va.,  and  died  Dec.  6,  1874,  in  Illinois, 
leaving  to  our  subject  seven  children  :  Margaret, 
who  is  the  widow  of  Henry  Tracey,  and  lives  in 
Davis  County,  Neb.;  Alcinous,  who  resides  in 
Minneapolis;  Lydia,wife of  George  Snedaker;  Rob- 
ert M.  in  San  Jose;  Loretta  became  the  wife  of  C. 
Gillespie;  Sarah  I.,  and  Cornelia  A.  Loretta,  Cor- 
nelia A.  and  Sarah  I.  are  deceased.  The  second 
marriage  of  our  subject  was  with  Mrs.  Julia  (Ward) 
Holmes,  and  the  date  of  their  marriage  Aug.  8, 


fc 


X. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


791 


1878.  She  was  born  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y., 
Sept.  19,  1821,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Elijah  and 
Amanda  (Philley)  Ward,  natives  of  that  State  and 
Vermont  respectively.  Her  father  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1879,  aged  eighty-four,  and  her  mother  de- 
parted this  life  in  1866,  when  in  her  sixty-fourth 
year.  Eight  children  were  born  of  this  union — 
Norman  L.,  Juliana,  Julia,  wife  of  our  subject; 
Emily  J.,  Darwin  E.,  Ira  D.,  Frederick  C.  and 
Mary  Matilda. 

William  Davidson  came  to  this  State  in  1854, 
and  locating  in  this  county,  purchased  240  acres  of 
land,  the  same  being  that  on  which  he  is  at  present 
residing.  During  the  intervening  years  he  has 
lived  on  this  place,  and  has  labored  hard  and  econ- 
omised and  succeeded  in  bringing  his  land  to  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  placed  upon  it 
good  and  substantial  improvements.  He  has  held 
the  various  offices  of  his  township,  and  in  religion 
has  held  fellowship  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  since  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He 
has  tried  to  live  an  upright,  Christian  life,  and 
none  can  point  to  any  act  of  dishonesty  in  its  his- 
tory. He  has  occupied  the  position  of  Steward 
of  the  congregation  to  which  he  belongs,  and  has 
also  been  an  earnest  laborer  in  the  Sunday-school. 
His  good  wife,  who  united  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  when  she  was  twelve  years  old, 
was  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  for  a 
number  of  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Davidson  is  a 
stanch  Republican,  but  is  inclined  to  cast  his  vote 
for  Prohibition  whenever  opportunity  affords. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Davidson  is  shown  in  connec- 
tion with  this  sketch. 


«..,  BNER  N.  DODSON,  one  of  the  most  suc- 
I    cessful  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  Money 


t 


Creek  Township,  and  whose  portrait  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  is  one  of  a  family  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  William  N.  and  Martha 
(Kinnan)  Dodson  were  the  parents.  In  addition  to 
his  farm  duties,  and  the  attention  which  he  pays 
to  the  raising  of  stock,  he  is  the  Justice  of  the  Peace 
of  his  township  and  gives  satisfaction  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice.  The  father  of  our  subject 


was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  and  his  wife  was  a  ' 
native  of  New  Jersey.  After  their  marriage  the 
old  folk  settled  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  where 
the  father  followed  farming  until  his  emigration  to 
this  State,  and  his  settlement  in  this  county,  which 
event  occurred  in  1847.  He  located  on  section  33, 
Money  Creek  Township,  and  there  lived  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  in  March,  1863.  His  good 
wife  also  died  in  that  township,  Dec.  21,  1880.  Of 
their  ten  children,  four  were  sons  and  six  daughters. 
The  record  of  them  is  as  follows :  Margaretta,  Mary, 
Martha,  Esther  A.,  Elizabeth,  Emida,  Joseph,  Ab- 
ner  N.,  William  R.  and  Daniel  D.  Margaretta 
married  William  Halterman  and  at  the  time  of  her 
decease  was  a  resident  of  Towanda  Township; 
Mary  is  the  wife  of  Jacob  Moats,  and  they  are  liv- 
ing in  Money  Creek  Township;  Martha  and  Lewis 
Sailor  were  united  in  marriage  and  have  their  home 
in  Hudson  Township;  Esther  is  the  wife  of  F.  A. 
Bishop,  a  farmer  of  Money  Creek  Township ;  Eliza- 
beth became  the  wife  of  James  Allen  and  they  live 
at  Chillicothe,  Mo. ;  Emida  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Rev.  Andrew  Yeakle  and  they  are  living  in 
Kansas;  Joseph  also  lives  in  that  State;  William  R. 
has  his  home  in  the  Indian  Territory,  and  Daniel 
D.,  wJio  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Civil  War,  having 
enlisted  in  Co.  B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  died  Sept.  8, 
1863,  while  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  his 
body  is  buried  in  the  Soldiers'  Cemetery  at  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  and  the  monument  erected  to  his  mem- 
ory is  at  Blooinington,  111. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio,  Dec.  27,  ,1827.  He  was  reared 
to  farm  labor  and  has  given  his  attention  to  that 
calling,  and  the  raising  of  stock  thus  far  in  life. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1847,  and  has  made  it 
his  home  until  the  present  time,  and  is  widely  and 
favorably  known  throughout  the  entire  county  as  a 
reputable,  well-to-do  farmer.  He  is  the  owner  of 
400  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  on  sections  19 
and  20,  upon  which  he  has  good  buildings,  and  where 
he  is  meeting  with  signal  success  in  his  calling. 

Mr.  Dodson  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Sept.  3, 1850,  to  Miss  Auis  Busick,  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  and  Cynthia  (Stretch)  Busick,  natives  of 
Ohio.  They  emigrated  from  their  native  State  to 
this  county  and  settled  in  Money  Creek  Township, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


•i 


where  they  lived  until  their  death,  that  of  the  for- 
mer occurring  in  1847,  and  the  latter  Jan.  19,  1883. 
Mrs.  Dodson  was  the  eldest  of  her  parents'  chil- 
dren, and  was  born  near  Lafayette,  Ind.,  Jan.  22, 
1831,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  thirteen 
children  have  been  born.  The  record  of  this  family 
is  as  follows:  Madison  P.,  Maria,  William,  Ellen, 
Jesse,  Henry,  Annie,  Jennie,  Daniel,  Frank,  Abner, 
Delia  and  Nettie.  Madison  P.  died  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  March  1,  1869;  Maria  is  the  wife 
of  Lafayette  Timraons  and  they  are  living  in  Ford 
County,  111. ;  William  married  Miss  Mary  L.  Will- 
ard  and  died  in  Money  Creek  Township,  Sept.  6, 
1882;  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Johnson,  a  far- 
mer of  Money  Creek  Township;  Jesse  also  lives  in 
that  township;  Henry  died  in  infancy,  and  the  re- 
maining children  reside  at  home. 

Mr.  Dodson  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
1874,  and  has  held  that  office  continuously  until 
the  present  time.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Road 
Commissioner,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  Although  a  Republican,  as 
stated,  Mr.  Dodson  is  strongly  inclined  toward 
Prohibition,  and  hopes  the  day  will  come  when  none 
shall  be  licensed  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors.  Mr. 
D.,  as  above  mentioned,  is  a  gentleman  widely  known 
as  a  first-class  citizen,  is  benevolent  and  kind  as  a 
neighbor,  an  indulgent  father  and  husband,  and  is 
entitled  to  and  possesses  the  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  and  friends. 


f/ESSE  BARKER,  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  En- 
gland,  became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States 
when  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and 
took  up  his  abode  at  once  in  this  county,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  resident  since  that  tinje.  He 
was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed all  his  life,  and  has  now  a  good  homestead  of 
160  acres  of  land,  supplied  with  all  necessary  and 
substantial  farm  buildings.  His  present  possessions 
are  the  results  of  his  own  industry,  while  his  in- 
tegrity and  honesty  have  served  to  establish  him 
in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
Mr.  Barker  was  born  hi  about  1830,  and  is  the 


son  of  William  aud  Mary  Barker,  who  spent  their 
lives  in  their  native  England.  Their  twelve  chil- 
dren included  five  sons  and  seven  daughters,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  history  was  the  youngest, 
Upon  coming  to  this  country,  Mr.  B.  proceeded  di- 
rectly westward,  and  selected  his  location  in  this 
county,  where  he  first  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  Old  Town  Township,  which  he  occupied 
about  seventeen  years.  He  purchased  his  present 
farm  in  the  spring  of  1883. 

Mr.  Barker  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Thomp- 
son, in  Old  Town  Township,  a  native  of  his  own 
country,  born  in  about  1838.  They  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  living, 
namely,  Mary,  Lizzie,  Ella,  William,  Richard  and 
Christian.  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Cyrus  Perry, 
and  resides  in  Blue  Mound  Township;  Lizzie  mar- 
ried James  Larry,  of  Blue  Mound  Township. 


r 


M.  HEFNER,  deceased,  was  a  far- 
mer  of  this  county  and  a  resident  of  Money 
Creek  Township.  He  was  the  son  of  Peter 
and  Betsey  (Flesher)  Hefner,  the  former  of  whom 
has  a  sketch  elsewhere  in  this  work.  George  M. 
Hefner  was  born  in  Money  Creek  Township,  Jan. 
17,  1846,  and  made  that  his  home  during  life.  He 
was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  followed 
that  calling  during  all  his  years  on  earth,  meeting 
with  more  than  ordinary  success  and  having  before 
him  a  bright  future  when  called  by  the  Master  to 
that  better  home,  July  5,  1877. 

At  the  date  of  the  demise  of  our  subject  he  was 
owner  of  320  acres  of  valuable  land,  which  he  left 
to  his  family  free  of  incumbrance.  He  was  a 
gentleman  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  energy, 
and  good  sound  judgment,  and  who  had  within  him  a 
heart  full  to  overflow  with  love  for  his  fellowmen 
and  charity  for  all.  He  was  married  in  Chenca 
Township,  this  county,  Aug.  25,  1866,  to  Miss 
Lizzie,  daughter  of  George  and  Rosanna  (Ambrose) 
Durham,  natives  of  Virginia.  The  parents  were 
married  in  their  native  State  and  there  lived  until 
the  death  of  the  father,  hi  August,  1846.  The 
mother  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1865,  and 
departed  this  life  in  Chenoa  Township,  Dec.  25, 


• 


,t 


, 

I 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


793 


1867.  Three  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born 
of  their  union,  of  whom  Mrs.  Hefner  was  the  young- 
est. She  was  born  in  West  Virginia  Jan.  9,  1846, 
and  coming  to  this  county  with  her  mother  in  1865, 
lived  with  her  until  her  marriage  with  our  subject. 
Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Hefner  became  the  parents  of  four 
children — Cora,  Charles  P.,  Rosa  N.  and  Stella  B. 
Cora  is  the  wife  of  Daniel  Bishop,  a  farmer  of 
Money  Creek  Township.  Mrs.  Hefner  is  the  owner 
of  160  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  and  possessed  of  practical  information 
sufficient  to  conduct  her  farm  advantageously. 
Religiously  she  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  and  respected  for  her  sterling  worth  and 
many  Christian  virtues. 

Mr.  Hefner  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Civil  War, 
having  enlisted  in  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
served  his  country  faithfully  and  well  during  the  en- 
tire struggle.  He  escaped  unhurt  and  returning  from 
the  field  of  conflict,  settled  down  on  his  farm  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  where  he  lived  and  labored 
until  his  death. 


jl/^UDSON  BURR,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of 
jlj  Bloomington,  and  a  prominent  member  of 
J±d?  the  bar  of  that  city,  is  widely  and  favorably 
((|y)  known  throughout  McLean  County  for  his 
natural  talents  and  excellent  business  capacity. 
Added  to  this,  he  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  personal 
appearance  and  gives  to  the  practice  that  dignity 
and  ease  of  manner  which  at  once  stamp  him  as 
one  born  in  the  higher  walks  of  life.  Mr.  Burr 
first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in  the  New  En- 
gland hills,  having  been  born  in  Litchfield  County, 
Conn.,  Jan.  23,  1830.  His  father,  Rufus  Burr,  was 
a  native  of  the  same  State,  where  the  first  repre- 
sentative of  the  family  in  this  country  settled.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  of  moderate 
means.  His  birth  occurred  in  December,  1800, 
and  he  was  married  in  his  native  county  on  the 
9th  of  May,  1827,  to  Miss  Ann  S.,  the  daughter  of 
Barzillai  Hudson.  After  marriage  they  settled  in 
Torringford,  Conn.,  where  they  lived  until  the 
death  of  the  father,  which  occurred  in  1863.  Mrs. 
Burr  then  removed  to  a  point  on  the  Hudson 


River,  where  she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  days, 
dying  in  1878.  Of  their  family  of  nine  children, 
five  still  survive,  three  being  residents  of  Bloom- 
ington. 

Hudson  Burr  was  the  second  child  born  to  his  par- 
ents and  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native 
State.  His  primary  education  was  conducted  in 
the  public  schools,  and  after  becoming  of  suitable 
age  he  entered  Yale  College,  where  he  pursued  a 
thorough  course  of  study  and  graduated  in  1853. 
He  then  entered  the  law  office  of  Henry  S.  Barber 
oi  Wolcott,  Conn.,  where  he  remained  until  1854. 
We  next  hear  of  him  in  Bloomington,  where  he 
continued  his  studies  until  1858,  when  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  and  soon  afterward  became  a 
partner  of  Maj.  Packard  and  they  operated  together 
until  1862.  The  Civil  War  being  then  in  progress, 
our  subject  enlisted  in  the  army,  becoming  Adju- 
tant of  the  94th  Illinois  Regiment  and  was  detailed 
for  duty  on  the  frontier,  until  the  summer  of  1863. 
The  regiment  was  then  transferred  to  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  our  subject  remaining  with  it  until 
1864,  when  on  account  of  ill-health  he  was  com- 
pelled to  resign.  During  his  military  experience 
he  distinguished  himself  for  bravery  and  faithful- 
ness, and  served  as  AdjutantJGeneral  with  the  rank 
of  Captain.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove  and  was  at  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicks- 
burg,  in  July,  1863.  While  in  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  serving  along  the  Roanoke  River,  Capt. 
Burr  during  one  of  the  fierce  engagements  in  that 
locality,  narrowly  escaped  being  captured  by  the 
rebels,  and  only  his  strategy  and  bravery  saved 
him  from  falling  into  their  clutches.  On  the  battle- 
field, as  in  private  life,  he  distinguished  himself 
for  his  sound  judgment  and  equable  bearing  in 
times  of  danger  and  disaster. 

After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
army,  Capt.  Burr  returned  to  Bloomington  and 
formed  a  law  partnership  with  Robert  E.  Williams, 
which  continued  for  a  period  of  nineteen  years. 
The  firm  was  a  strong  one  from  the  start  and  be- 
came widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  the 
State,  both  our  subject  and  his  partner  exhibiting 
more  than  ordinary  ability  as  attorneys  and  coun- 
selors and  having  a  close  acquaintance  with  the  in- 
tricacies of  law. 


t. 


794 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Burr  was  married  in  his  native  State  in  De- 
cember, 1830,  to  Miss  Lucy,  the  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert Felton,  Esq.,  of  Wolcott,  Conn.,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  two  children,  Charles  and 
Emma,  the  latter  now  Mrs.  Clinton  Soper,  of 
Blooniington.  Our  subject  is  a  regular  attendant 
at  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  and  both  so- 
cially and  in  a  business  capacity  is  reckoned  among 
the  most  valued  citizens  of  McLean  County. 


I 


UGH  LORMOR,  one  of  the  highly  re- 
spected and  prominent  agriculturists  of 
Towanda  Township,  residing  on  section  3, 
is  a  native  of  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y., 
and  was  born  Jan.  1,  1834.  From  the  time  our 
subject  was  two  years  old  until  he  had  attained  the 
age  of  twelve,  he  lived  with  an  uncle.  From  the 
latter  age  until  he  was  eighteen  he  was  an  inmate 
of  the  family  of  a  gentleman  whose  business  was 
that  of  a  harness-maker  and  who  also  followed 
agricultural  pursuits.  The  following  three  years 
he  worked  out  by  the  month,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1855  came  to  this  county  and  located,  determining 
to  make  it  his  future  home.  For  four  years  he 
worked  out  by  the  month  at  farm  labor  and  then 
rented  a  place  and  was  engaged  in  farming  on 
rented  land  for  about  seven  years. 

After  the  expiration  of  the  date  last  named,  our 
subject  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  is  at  present 
residing,  which  consists  of  125  acres.  Locating 
upon  it,  he  industriously  labored  and  economized 
and  in  the  prosecution  of  his  vocation  has  met  with 
fair  success.  Mr.  Lormor  was  married  in  Tomp- 
kins  County,  N.  Y.,  March  10,  1858,  to  Caroline 
A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Betsey  (Tapping)  Burch, 
natives  of  York  State.  Her  parents  first  settled  in 
Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  where  her  father  farmed 
and  also  worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  carpenter, 
and  where  both  heads  of  the  family  lived  until 
their  demise.  They  had  eight  children,  four  sons 
and  four  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Lormor  was  the 
youngest.  She  was  born  in  Tompkins  County,  N. 
Y.,  April  1,  1834,  received  a  good  education,  and 
for  eight  years  prior  to  her  marriage  was  engaged 
T  in  performing  the  duties  of  a  teacher.  She  has 


borne  our  subject  five  children,  whom  they  have 
named,  Jennie  E.,  Frank  B.,  Fred  H.,  Burch  and 
Corry  E.  Jennie  and  the  two  youngest  are  de- 
ceased ;  Frank  married  Miss  Ida  N.  Anderson  and 
they  are  living  in  Sloan,  Woodbury  Co.,  Iowa. 
|  Fred  is  engaged  in  teaching  at  Hopedale,  Tazewell 
County,  this  State,  and  is  Principal  of  the  schools 
at  that  place. 

Mr.  Lormor  was  first  elected  Supervisor  of  To- 
wanda Township  in  the  spring  of  1879,  and  held 
the  office  for  four  years.  In  1 884  he  was  re-elected 
to  that  position  and  was  the  incumbent  of  the 
office  until  the  spring  of  1886.  He  was  also  High- 
way Commissioner  for  several  years.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lormor  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  in  politics  our  subject  votes  with  the 
Republican  party. 


J~~)OHN   H.  VREELAND,  a  resident  of  Say- 
brook  Village,  came  to  Illinois  in  18o6,  and 
.    commenced  to  farm  on  rented  land.    To  this 
'    employment  he  added  stock-raising,  and  was 
prospered  in  his  operations,  and  in  1868  was  ena- 
bled to  purchase  100  acres  of  good  land,  which  he 
brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  and  upon 
which  he  operated   until   1882.     He  then  sold  out 
and  retired  to  the   village  of  Saybrook,  where  he 
has  a  fine  residence  and   is  extensively  engaged  in 
the  grocery  trade.     He  is  highly  respected   in  this 
community  for  his  straightforward  business  meth- 
ods and  many  excellent  traits  of  character. 

Mr.  Vreeland  was  born  in  Bergen  County,  N.  J., 
Dec.  29, 1826,  and  is  the  son  of  Martin  J.  and  Jane 
(Terhune)  Vreeland,  who  were  also  natives  of  that 
State.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  Sept. 
29,  1805,  and  remained  in  his  native  State  until 
November,  1872,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  with  his  son,  John 
H.,  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  When  twenty  years 
of  age  the  father  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Jane  Terhune,  who  was  of  Scotch  and  Holland  par- 
entage. She  departed  this  life  in  1872,  having  been 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  seven 
children,  four  now  living.  They  were  John  H., 


• 


r 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


797 


Martin  M.,  Peter  M.,  George  W.,  Jacob,  Jane,  who 
married  David  Arthur  and  who,  with  her  husband, 
is  deceased,  and  William,  who  died  in  infancy.  The 
father  of  our  subject  received  but  a  limited  educa- 
tion, and  engaged  in  fanning  pursuits,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  officiated  as  a  minister  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  being  quite  a  revivalist,  and 
never  making  any  charge  for  his  services.  His  sec- 
ond marriage  was  with  Mrs.  Esther  (Stansberry) 
McMackin,  and  occurred  in  1874.  He  departed 
this  life  in  Saybrook,  Dec.  22,  1883. 

John  Vreeland  of  our  sketch  was  married  to 
Miss  Abigail  Wygand,  who  was  born  in  Ulster 
County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  18,  1824.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Charles  and  Mary  (Cavalry)  Wygand;  her 
father  is  now  deceased.  The  mother  is  still  living, 
having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  nearly  eighty- 
five  years,  and  resides  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  The 
parental  household  consisted  of  nine  children. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  V.  have  no  children.  Our  subject 
has  held  the  various  offices  of  his  township,  was 
School  Trustee  seven  years,  and  has  been  Overseer 
of  Highways.  He  is  Democratic  in  politics,  but  dur- 
ing the  war  was  altogether  in  sympathy  with  the 
efforts  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  Mrs.  V. 
is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 


MITH  SAWYER.  The  thrilling  scenes 
through  which  the  pioneers  passed  in  the 
settlement  of  this  portion  of  the  State  must 
ever  awaken  emotions  of  the  warmest  re- 
gard for  them.  To  pave  the  way  for  those  who 
followed,  to  make  their  settlement  in  the  West  a 
pleasure,  they  stemmed  the  flood-tide  wave  of 
civilization,  they  endured  all,  they  suffered  all. 
But  few  of  these  noble  spirits  now  survive ;  they 
have  passed  away  full  of  years  and  honors,  leaving 
their  children  and  children's  children,  and  stran- 
gers to  succeed  them  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their 
toil,  privation  and  savings  of  their  long  and  event- 
ful lives.  With  most  of  them  we  can  say  with 
the  poet — 

"Life  with  them  is  o'er,  their  labors  all  are  done, 
And  others  reap  the  harvest  that  they  won." 

Among  the  few  pioneers  remaining  on  this  side  of 


the  grave  is  Mr.  Smith  Sawyer,  the  subject  of  the 
following  sketch.  He  is  passing  his  declining  days 
on  his  farm  on  section  19,  Towanda  Township,  in 
the  enjoyment  of  a  sufficiency  of  this  world's  goods. 
His  father,  William  .Sawyer,  was  born  in  Ireland 
and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  boy.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Sawyer, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  After  the  parents' 
marriage  they  settled  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio, 
where  the  father  followed  farming  for  a  livelihood, 
and  where  both  heads  of  the  family  continued  to  re- 
side until  their  death,  the  household  in  the  mean- 
time becoming  enlarged  by  the  birth  of  five  sons 
and  five  daughters. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth  of  his  parents'  ten  children,  and  drew  his 
first  breath  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1816. 
He  was  reared  to  farm  labor  and  received  his  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county. 
Remaining  under  the  home  roof  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  then  began  to  work  out  by  the 
month,  farming  and  herding  cattle,  and  was  thus 
occupied  for  about  five  years.  In  the  spring  of  1 844, 
Mr.  Sawyer  came  to  this  State  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Livingston  County  where,  however,  he 
remained  but  two  months,  and  then  came  to  this 
county,  where  he  has  made  his  home  ever  since. 
He  is  the  owner  of  160  acres  of  well-improved  and 
valuable  land  in  Towanda  Township,  on  which  he 
has  good  buildings,  and  which  property  he  has  ac- 
quired through  his  own  exertions.  His  residence 
and  surroundings  are  shown  in  this  connection  as  a 
representative  farm  home  of  this  splendid  county. 

Mr.  Sawyer  was  first  married  in  Old  Town  Town- 
ship to  Miss  Eleanor  Bunn,  who  bore  him  three  chil- 
dren, all  now  deceased,  and  who  departed  this  life 
in  Martin  Township.  He  was  again  married,  to  Miss 
Clarrissa  Misner  in  1849.  She  became  the  mother 
of  two  children — Albert  and  William.  The  former 
died  in  Kansas  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and 
the  latter  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these 
children  yielded  up  her  life  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship. On  the  llth  of  December,  1873,  in  Normal 
Township,  this  county,  our  subject  formed  a  matri- 
monial alliance  with  Susan  C.,  daughter  of  Harden 
and  Deborah  (Houghten)  Bennett,  and  widow  of 
William  Witty,  who  had  by  her  first  marriage  one 


t 


798 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


rr 


son— William  F.  Of  this  latter  marriage  of  Mr.  Saw- 
yer two  children  have  been  born — Theodore  and 
Millie.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  Road  Commis- 
sioner and  School  Director  in  his  township,  and  is  one 
of  her  foremost  citizens,  actively  interested  in  every 
project  tending  toward  the  general  welfare  of  the 
people.  Mrs.  Sawyer  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  our  subject  is  a 
Republican. 


ffiOHN  MATHER  FOSTER,  an  extensive 
farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Dale  Township, 
owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead  in  the 
village  of  Shirley,  a  view  of  which  is  shown 
in  this  work.  He  is  the  son  of  John  Foster,  of 
Cheshire  County,  N.  H.,  and  was  born  May  30, 
1833.  John  Foster  was  born  in  the  town  of  Stod- 
dard,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1806.  His  father, 
also  named  John  Mather  Foster,  was  likewise  a  na- 
tive of  New  England,  and  his  grandfather,  Daniel 
Foster,  the  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  like 
these,  his  descendants,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Old 
Granite  State,  and  was  born  in  Cheshire  County; 
he  was  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  died  at  Charleston,  N.  H.,  and  his  father,  Isaac 
Foster,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  John  M., 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  a  Presbyterian 
preacher,  and  after  serving  a  period  of  eighty-two 
years  in  the  ministry,  died  in  Charleston,  N.  H.,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  one  hundred  and  five  years. 
He  was  an  Englishman  by  birth  and  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1722,  settling  in  Connecticut. 
He  was  a  near  descendant  of  Sir  Michael  Foster, 
one  of  the  most  eminent  jurists  of  England,  and 
after  coming  to  Connecticut  was  married  to  Miss 
Stanhope,  a  lady  of  Irish  descent  and  belonging  to 
one  of  the  best  families  of  New  England. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  quite  liberal 
in  his  religious  views  and  did  not  subscribe  to  the 
doctrine  of  election  and  reprobation  but  believed 
that  every  one  would  be  punished  or  rewarded  ac- 
cording to  his  deeds  in  this  life.  It  took  a  cour- 
ageous man  in  those  days  to  defend  these  princi- 
ples, but  John  Mather  Foster  was  equal  to  the 
emergency  and  sturdily  maintained  his  views  in 


spite  of  opposition  or  derision.  He  was,  however, 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  and  was  accorded  a  re- 
spectful hearing  whenever  he  chose  to  speak.  John 
Mather  Foster  was  a  relative  of  Increase  Mather, 
whose  name  is  familiar  as  a  celebrated  divine  of  the 
early  days. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Mather 
Foster,  was  born  on  the  12th  of  November,  1780, 
and  was  educated  to  the  profession  of  law.  He 
practiced  in  Lincoln,  Vt.,  and  Keene,  N.  H.  In 
1817  he  emigrated  from  Southbridge,  Mass.,  to  In- 
diana, which  had  only  been  a  State  one  year.  The 
journey  was  made  on  foot  and  after  arriving  there  he 
located  in  Madison,  Jefferson  County,  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  and  also  taught  school. 
While  thus  occupied  in  preparing  a  home  for  his 
family,  his  wife  died  in  Massachusetts.  John 
Mather  Foster  continued  to  live  in  Indiana  until 
1824.  He  then  returned  as  far  East  as  Ohio,  locat- 
ing in  Muskingum  County,  where  he  practiced  his 
profession  and  taught  school  in  that  and  Guernsey 
County  until  he  came  to  the  home  of  his  son,  John 
Foster,  in  Cumberland,  Guernsey  County,  where 
his  life  terminated  on  the  20th  of  September,  1856. 

The  wife  of  John  Mather  Foster  was  the  widow 
of  Mr.  Carlisle.  Her  maiden  name  was  Alice  West 
and  she  was  the  daughter  of  Timothy  West,  of 
Cheshire  County,  N.  H.  Her  marriage  with  John 
M.  Foster  occurred  on  the  12th  of  November,  1805, 
and  after  having  become  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren she  died  in  New  Hampshire.  The  second 
born  was  Dan,  who  after  arriving  at  years  of  man- 
hood settled  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  and  success- 
fully engaged  in  farming.  He  met  his  death  by 
accident  in  1866,  leaving  a  wife  and  several  children. 
The  first  son  was  John  Booster,  the  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch,  and  when  but  eleven  years  of  age 
he  started  with  his  father  for  the  West  and  walked  the 
entire  distance  to  Madison  County,  Ind.,  where  they 
arrived  in  April,  the  journey  consuming  several 
weeks.  In  the  meantime  their  money  gave  out  and 
they  stopped  by  the  way,  where  his  father  worked 
for  a  farmer  until  he  had  earned  money  enough  to 
buy  bread  for  the  remainder  of  the  trip. 

After  arriving  in  Indiana  the  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  attended  the  school  over  which 
his  father  presided,  and  soon  afterward  commenced 


•^ 


: 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


799 


to  earn  his  own  living  by  chopping  wood  in  that 
vicinity.  He  was  thus  occupied  for  nearly  one  year 
and  then  went  to  live  with  a  farmer,  with  whom  he 
continued  two  and  one-half  years,  receiving  his 
board,  clothes  and  schooling.  Thereafter  he  was 
to  have  $6  per  month  for  the  same  period  but  was 
cheated  out  of  this  money,  and  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een years  started  on  foot  for  Ohio  without  a  cent 
in  his  pocket.  His  uncle  assisted  him  on  his  way, 
his  first  work  there  being  for  the  latter,  who  had 
loaned  him  $4.31  to  assist  in  paying  his  expenses 
while  on  the  journey.  His  next  job  was  a  month's 
work  at  clearing  timber  land,  for  which  he  was  to 
receive  fifty-five  cents  per  day  and  take  his  pay  in 
merchandise.  After  his  job  was  completed  he  went 
to  the  store  to  get  cloth  for  a  suit  of  clothes.  The 
best  bargain  he  could  secure  was  a  piece  of  bed- 
ticking,  and  he  accordingly  purchased  seven  yards 
at  62£  cents  a  yard  and  some  buttons  and  thread. 
He  quickly  had  the  suit  made  up  and  the  following 
Sunday  appeared  at  church  in  a  new  suit  of  bed- 
ticking,  of  which  he  felt  quite  proud. 

Mr.  Foster  continued  to  reside  in  Ohio,  working 
by  the  day  and  month  and  also  engaged  in  cultivat- 
ing rented  land  until  1832.  .  Notwithstanding  his 
meager  wages  and  the  small  amount  received  for 
his  farm  produce,  at  the  expiration  of  this  time  he 
found  himself  the  proud  possessor  of  money  and 
property  amounting  to  $1,884.  Before  his  marriage 
he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Meigs  Township, 
Muskingum  County,  and  after  he  had  secured  his 
partner  he  settled  upon  this  and  was  engaged  in 
general  farming  the  following  eight  years.  He  then 
sold  out  and  removed  to  Guernsey  County,  where 
he  opened  a  general  store  in  the  little  town  of  Cum- 
berland. He  purchased  his  goods  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  visiting  that  city  and  making  his  purchases  in 
person,  and  continued  in  trade  for  three  years  enjoy- 
ing good  success.  His  health  failed,  however,  and 
he  disposed  of  his  stock  and  located  upon  a  farm 
near  Cumberland,  Guernsey  County.  In  1859, 
leaving  his  son  in  charge  of  the  farm,  he  embarked 
in  the  grain  business,  buying  and  shipping  to  Chi- 
cago. He  followed  this  for  a  year  when  he  re- 
turned to  Ohio,  from  which  in  1866  he  removed  to 
McLean  County,  111.  He  owns  a  farm  of  940  acres 
in  Drummond  Grove  Township,  Ford  Co.,  which 


he  personally  superintends,  spending  most  of  his 
summers  at  the  latter  place. 

John  Foster  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Celia  A.  Ballon  on  the  9th  of  August,  1832.  Mrs. 
Foster  is  a  native  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  born  June  27,  1812.  Her  father,  Welcome 
Ballou,  was  a  native  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.  Of  the 
marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  there  have  been  born 
the  following'children — John  Mather  and  Eliza  J. 
The  latter  is  the  wife  of  Joshua  R.  McClelland,  of 
Champaign  County,  111.  Mrs.  Foster  is  connected 
with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  She 
is  a  most  estimable  lady  and  in  character  and  dis- 
position is  well  fitted  to  be  the  life  partner  of 
such  a  man  as  her  husband.  John  Foster  is  what 
may  properly  be  styled  a  self-made  man.  He  pos- 
sessed in  early  manhood  great  natural  ability  and 
genius  and  to  these  he  added  as  the  years  went  by, 
the  qualities  of  resolution  and  courage  and  method 
and  system  in  his  business  transactions.  Of  these 
he  kept  a  running  account  with  great  exactness  and 
at  the  end  of  each  year  had  determined  his  income 
and  outlay  and  the  value  of  the  property  which  he 
possessed.  At  the  end  of  his  journey  from  Indiana 
to  Ohio  which  he  had  pursued  on  foot  as  we  have 
related,  his  entire  property  consisted  of  one  suit  of 
clothes  valued  at  $1  and  his  indebtedness  was 
$4.31.  In  January,  1838,  his  property  inventoried 
at  $15,000.84;  on  the  1st  of  January,  1847,  $28,- 
664;  in  1858,  $73,682;  in  1868,  $122,900.  Mr. 
Foster,  now  eighty  years  old,  is  still  hale  and 
hearty,  transacting  his  business  with  the  same  sys- 
tematic care  and  correctness  as  ever  and  increasing 
each  year  the  sum  total  of  his  wealth. 

The  son  of  the  gentlerqan  of  whom  we  have  been 
writing,  John  Mather  Foster,  was  reared  in  Guern- 
sey County,  Ohio,  educated  in  the  district  schools, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  commenced  teach- 
ing, which  he  followed  for  a  brief  time  and  then  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits.  He  remained  with  his 
father  until  his  marriage  and  the  latter  presented 
him  with  150  acres  of  land  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio.  This  latter  he  rented  out  and  remained  with 
his  father  until  1866,  when  they  removed  to  Illi- 
nois. He  is  now  the  possessor  of  800  acres  of  land, 
all  finely  improved  and  cultivated,  supplied  with  a 
good  brick  residence  and  all  necessary  out-build- , 


t  ,   800 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ings  for  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of 
stock.  To  the  raising  of  the  latter  he  has  given 
much  time  and  careful  attention  and  exhibits  some 
of  the  finest  animals  in  this  section  of  the  Prairie 
State. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  on  the 
loth  of  January,  1861,  in  Ohio,  to  Miss  Electa  B. 
Moore,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  that  State. 
She  became  the  mother  of  one  child,  Charles  M., 
and  departed  this  life  on  the  20th  of  June,  1864. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Foster  was  with 
Miss  Alice  King  and  took  place  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1868.  William  King,  the  father  of  the  present 
Mrs.  Foster,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  at  an  early  day,  set- 
tling in  Bloomington  Township,  where  he  improved 
a  farm  and  remained  the  balance  of  his  lifetime. 
His  wife  was  Miss  Ann  Van  Nostin,  of  Ohio,  and 
born  in  Hamilton  County.  She  still  lives  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Bloomington  Township.  Mrs. 
Alice  Foster  was  born  in  McLean  County,  111.,  and 
of  this  union  there  have  been  born  four  children — 
John  S.,  Loren  K.,  Ivan  V.  and  Alice  B.  Mr.  Fos- 
ter is  Republican  in  politics  and  in  all  respects  is 
fulfilling  the  duties  and  obligations  of  a  good  citi- 
zen. 


iAPT.  A.  C.  SWEETSER,  ex-Deputy  Col- 
lector of  Internal  Revenue,  having  his  resi- 
dence iu  Bloomington,  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  section  since  1859,  and  has  built  for  him- 
self a  record  as  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 
He  is  a  native  of  Cumberland  County,  Me.,  where 
he  was  born  in  1836,  and  is  the  son  of  A.  P.  and 
Mary  (Cox)  Sweetser,  also  natives  of  that  State. 
The  subject  of  this  history  came  to  Bloomington 
when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  engaged  to  learn 
the  trade  of  a  miller,  at  which  he  continued  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  late  Rebellion.  He  was  among 
the  first  to  offer  his  services  to  preserve  the  Un- 
ion, enlisting  in  April,  1861,  in  Co.  C,  8th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  it  being  the  first  company  raised  in  McLean 
County.  After  serving  his  first  term  of  enlistment 
he  re-enlisted,  and  remained  in  the  army  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  a  member  of  Co.  B,  39th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  entered  the  army  as  a  private, 


but  in  1864  received  a  Captain's  commission.  At 
the  battle  of  \Vier  Bottom  Church,  near  Petersburg, 
Va.,  on  June  2,  1864,  he  lost  his  left  leg  by  a  gun- 
shot wound. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  lie  returned  to  Blooming- 
ton,  and  in  1874  was  appointed  Deputy  Collector 
of  Internal  Revenue,  the  duties  of  which  he  per- 
formed in  a  creditable  and  satisfactory  manner  un- 
til the  change  of  administration.  Mr.  Sweetser  is 
Republican  in  politics,  is  Department  Commander 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  of  Illinois,  and  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  K.  of  P.,  the  Red  Men  and  the 
Seven  Wise  Men. 


S.  DUNING.  The  homestead  of  this  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  stock-grower  is  beauti- 
fully located  in  Padua  Township,  which 
occupies  a  position  in  the  second  tier  from 
the  south  line  of  McLean  County.  Here  he  has 
240  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  provided  with 
handsome  and  substantial  farm  buildings,  and  indi- 
cating in  all  its  appointments  the  exercise  of  culti- 
vated taste  and  ample  means.  He  took  possession 
of  it  in  1864,  his  first  purchase  being  160  acres,  to 
which  he  has  added  since  that  time,  and  has  now 
one  of  the  finest  farm  estates  in  this  part  of  the 
county. 

Mr.  Duning  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
Nov.  28,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  John  M.  and  Sallie 
(Wampler)  Duning.  The  father  was  of  Kentucky 
stock,  and  born  in  the  Blue  Grass  regions.  He 
went  to  Indiana  while  yet  a  young  man,  before  his 
marriage.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a  native 
of  Virginia.  After  their  marriage  John  Duning  and 
his  wife  removed  to  Illinois,  and  made  their  home 
in  Padua  Township  until  their  death.  The  par- 
ental household  included  eight  children,  two  sons 
and  six  daughters. 

Mr.  Duning  of  this  sketch  was  the  sixth  child  of 
his  parents,  and  received  his  education  in  his  native 
county.  He  was  married  on  the  3d  of  December, 
1885,  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  to  Mrs.  Caroline 
(Whisnan)  Parks,  who  was  born  near  Bloomington, 
Ind.,  March  16,  1851,  and  was  the  youngest  child 
of  William  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Wolfe)  Whisnau,  na- 


t. 


-^.^H 

803    1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


tives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee. 
They  were  married  and  shortly  afterward  located 
in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  where  the  mother  died  in 
1873,  aged  sixty-five  years.  The  father  is  still  liv- 
ing on  the  old  homestead,  being  now  eighty  years 
of  age.  Mrs.  Dnning  was  reared  and  e'ducated  in 
her  native  count}',  and  by  her  first  marriage,  with 
Joseph  Parks,  became  the  mother  of  two  children 
—Walter  and  Cora  A.  Mr.  Parks  was  born  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  died  there  Nov.  11, 
1883,  having  been  a  successful  farmer  and  busi- 
ness man.  Mr.  Duning,  by  a  former  marriage,  be- 
came the  father  of  three  children,  one  of  whom, 
Sallie,  is  deceased.  Those  living  are  Mollie  B.,  the 
wife  of  Mathew  Richardson,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Padua  Township,  and  Lewis,  who  is  at  home.  Mr. 
Duning  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  an  important  factor  in  the  business  and 
agricultural  interests  of  his  township. 


ARRISON  HOUSER,  who  for  the  last 
thirty-five  years  has  been  an  honored  resi- 
dent of  McLean  County,  and  most  of  the 
time  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  is  located  on  section  16,  Randolph 
Township.  His  fine  homestead  comprises  260  acres 
of  valuable  land,  splendidly  improved,  well  sup- 
plied with  water  and  adapted  to  the  growth  of  all 
the  cereals  known  to  this  climate.  It  is  located  on 
the  road  leading  from  Heyworth  to  Bloomington,, 
and  invariably  attracts  the  eye  of  the  traveler 
through  this  section.  The  family  residence  is  a 
fine  structure,  and  the  barns  and  out-buildings  are 
in  keeping  with  a  first-class  farm  estate. 

When  Mr.  Houser  came  to  this  county,  which 
was  in  the  year  1852,  and  took  possession  of  this 
place,  it  was  only  partly  improved,  and  its  present 
high  condition  of  cultivation  has  been  brought 
about  by  the  exercise  of  persevering  industry,  and 
the  rare  good  judgment  with  which  our  subject  is 
gifted.  He  has  been  unusually  fortunate  in  his 
business  transactions  and  by  his  straightforward 
methods  and  courteous  manner  in  all  his  dealings 
has  gained  the  good-will  of  his  fellow-citizens  and 
associates. 

Harrison  Houser  was  born  in  Jessamine  County, 


Ky.,Sept.  15,  1830.  His  father,  Peter  Houser,  was 
also  a  Keutuckian  by  birth,  but  of  German  ances- 
try. His  grandfather,  Abraham  Houser,  came  di- 
rectly from  Rhenish  Germany,  and  located  in 
Maryland,  where  it  is  supposed  he  was  married.  He 
also  officiated  there  as  a  Dunkard  minister  for  some 
years,  and  lived  there  until  after  all  his  children 
were  born,  and  then  removed  with  his  family  to 
Kentucky  and  settled  in  Jessamine  County.  This 
removal  occurred  about  the  beginning  of  the  pres- 
ent century.  There  Abraham  Howser,  Sr.,  lived 
for  many  years  and  was  engaged  as  a  miller,  erect- 
ing a  mill  in  Jessamine  County  as  early  as  1807. 
While  on  a  visit  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  he  de- 
parted this  life  at  a  ripe  old  age.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  force  of  character,  and  was  held  in  high  re- 
spect by  those  who  knew  him.  His  son  Abraham 
went  to  Kentuuk}'  with  his  parents,  and  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Trisler,  who  was  of  Ger- 
man parentage.  They  remained  in  Jessamine 
County  for  a  number  of  years,  this  son  also  being 
engaged  as  a  miller.  He  followed  his  trade  there 
until  1835,  and  then  with  his  family  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  on  Sugar  Creek  in  Logan  County. 
They  lived  there  until  the  death  of  Abraham,  Jr., 
and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  at  an  advanced  age.  They 
were  prominent  and  useful  members  of  the  commu- 
nity, and  reared  their  children  to  those  principles 
of  honor  and  honesty  which  they  had  made  the  rule 
of  their  own  lives.  Of  these  there  were  nine  in 
number,  all  born  in  Kentucky,  and  have  the  fol- 
lowing names — Nancy,  Peter,  Jonathan,  Elizabeth, 
Susan,  Katie,  John,  Abraham  and  Mary  A.  All 
lived  to  mature  years  and  all  were  married,  but 
only  one  is  now  living,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
who  became  the  wife  of  William  Longworth  and 
resides  in  Bloomington. 

Peter  Houser,  the  second  child  of  the  aforesaid 
family  and  the  father  of  our  subject,  like  his  father 
before  him  also  became  a  miller.  Later  he  became 
a  manufacturer  of  rope  and  bagging  and  other 
articles,  in  the  making  of  which  hemp  was  utilized. 
After  abandoning  this  he  engaged  in  farming.  He 
came  to  McLean  County  in  March,  1853,  which  re- 
mained his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
ten  years  later.  He  lived  np  to  the  training  given 
him  by  his  excellent  parents,  and  like  them  enjoyed 


t 


f 


T 


804 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  knew  him. 
lie  was  a  Whig  |x>litically  in  early  life,  but  later 
became  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  was  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  for  many  years.  His  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Sarah  Hornie,  of  Jessamine  County, 
Ky.,  was  of  German  ancestry  and  born  Aug.  9, 
1808.  She  is  a  lady  of  great  force  of  character, 
who  has  taken  good  care  of  her  physical  heatlh. 
and  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years  retains  her 
faculties  to  a  remarkable  degree.  She  now  makes 
her  home  with  her  son, .  our  subject.  For  many 
years  she  has  been  a  worthy  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  The  parental  household 
included  five  children,  all  living,  namely:  Margaret 
lives  with  her  brother,  our  subject;  Mary  J.  was 
the  wife  of  R.  J.  Smith,  a  farmer  of  Jessamine 
County,  Ky.,  but  now  deceased ;  Harrison  was  the 
third  child;  Malinda  married  William  Rayburn, 
of  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  who  operates  a  stockyard  at 
that  place;  Peter  married  Miss  Emeline  Gault,  who 
died  in  February,  1874. 

Mr.  Houser,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was 
reared  in  his  native  county,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1852,  and  has  since  made  this  his 
home.  He  was  married,  Oct.  1,  1857,  to  Miss 
Eliza  Hoover,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents 
in  Felicity,  Clerniont  Co.,  Ohio.  She  was  born  in 
that  county,  Oct.  16,  1835,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Houser)  Hoover.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Maryland,  the  mother  of  Jessa- 
mine County,  Ky.  After  their  marriage  they  set- 
tled in  Ohio,  but  the  father  spent  his  last  days  with 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Houser,  in  this  county,  where  he 
died  in  1884,  aged  eighty -seven  years.  She  re- 
ceived careful  home  training  by  most  excellent 
parents,  and  remained  with  them  until  1854,  when 
she  came  to  McLean  County  and  was  engaged  as  a 
tc.-icher  for  some  time  before  her  marriage. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houser  have  become  the  parents 
of  five  children,  as  follows :  Flora  married  Mr.  F. 
E.  Orendorff,  of  this  county,  and  they  are  living 
on  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Township;  Agnes  be- 
came the  wife  of  F.  O.  Lash,  also  a  farmer  of  said 
township;  Anna,  Eva  and  Melvin  are  at  home. 
Mr.-.  H.  and  her  daughter  Agnes  are  members  of 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  iu  all  respects  ful- 
filled the  duties  of  a  good  citizen  and  receives  his 
reward  in  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors 
and  associates.  That  he  has  made  life  a  success  is 
due  to  his  untiring  energy  and  application,  com- 
bined with  careful  management  of  his  affairs.  His 
is  an  hospitable  home  where  is  always  found  an 
abundance  of  the  best,  and  at  his  board  friends 
and  acquaintances  are  always  welcome.  The  ac- 
companying portraits  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houser  rep- 
resent the  features  of  one  of  the  most  highly  es- 
teemed couples  in  this  county. 


^ILLIAM  WILEY,  an  old  and  highly  es- 
teemed resident  of  Colfax,  this  county, 
now  retired  from  the  active  labors  of  life, 
is  a  native  of  Garrard  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born 
Aug.  24,  1813.  His  grandfather,  William  Wiley, 
Si1.,  a  native  of  Maryland,  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  married  Miss  Sarah  Royston.  They  em- 
igrated to  Kentucky  at  an  early  day  and  thence  to 
Indiana.  Among  their  children  was  a  son,  John, 
who  became  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was 
born  in  Maryland,  and  being  reared  to  agricultural 
pursuits,  followed  farming  in  a  modest  way  all  his 
life.  The  wife  of  his  choice  was  formerly  Miss 
Hannah  Sampson,  whose  family  removed  from 
Maryland  to  Kentucky  in  the  early  history  of  the 
latter  State.  They  became  the  parents  of  five 
sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to 
become  men  and  women,  married,  and  had  families 
of  their  own,  except  a  son  and  daughter  who  died 
before  reaching  their  majority. 

William  Wiley  was  the  second  child  and  eldest 
son  of  his  parents  and  was  about  five  years  of  age 
when  they  removed  from  his  native  State  to  Indi- 
ana. They  located  first  in  Switzerland  County, 
and  thence,  in  1834,  removed  to  McLean  County, 
111.,  first  stopping  in  Martin,  and  a  few  years  later 
removed  to  Money  Creek  Township.  There  they 
settled  on  a  farm  which  remained  the  home  of  the 
parents  until  their  decease,  the  death  of  the  mother 
occurring  previous  to  that  of  the  father.  After  the 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


805 


death  of  his  mother,  William  Wiley,  in  the  fall  of 
1841,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nancy 
Hopkins,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  the  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Mila  (Bartholomew)  Hopkins.  Mr. 
Wiley  and  his  bride  settled  on  a  farm  in  Martin 
Township,  this  county,  one  mile  west  of  what  is 
now  the  town  site  of  Colfax.  Here  they  resided 
forty  years,  thence  removing  into  the  village  of  Col- 
fax,  in  February,  1882.  They  had  a  family  of  seven 
children,  consisting  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters  — 
John,  Robert,  •Joseph.  William,  James,  Mila  and 
Nancy.  Three  of  the  sons  served  as  Union  soldiers 
in  the  late  war.  Robert  died  at  Vicksburgin  1863: 
John  served  three  years,  returned  unharmed,  and  is 
now  deceased  ;  Joseph  enlisted  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
and  served  eighteen  months,  and  is  now  farming  in 
Nebraska;  Mila,  the  eldest  daughter,  became  the 
wife  of  S.  Smith,  and  Nancy  married  L.  Fincham; 
both  live  in  Martin  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wiley 
are  prominent  members  of  the  Methodist  Church  , 
Mrs.  Wiley  having  been  a  member  fifty-six  years. 
Their  son  William  is  a  minister  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  is  at  present  stationed  at  Lewistown, 
Fulton  County,  this  State, 


> 


FLETCHER,  of  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  the  British  Empire,  and 
emigrated  from  his  native  England  to  the 

United    States  in   1851.     He  is  the  son  of 
^f 
Michael  and  Mary  (Johnson)  Fletcher,  also  natives 

of  England,  in  which  country  the  father  met 
with  an  accidental  death.  After  coming  to  this 
country  the  mother  made  her  home  in  Blooming- 
ton  Township  where  she  died  within  less  than  one 
year  thereafter.  The  parental  household  included 
eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  came  to  America. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  Sept.  11, 
1823,  and  from  the  time  he  was  twenty-one  years 
old  until  he  started  for  America,  two  years  later, 
was  engaged  in  farming,  and  burning  and  drawing 
coke.  He  reached  New  York  City  in  the  spring  of 
1851,  and  then  went  to  Canada,  but  after  a  few 
weeks  returned  to  the  States  and  stopped  at  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio.  After  a  short  stay  there  he  went  to 
Delaware,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  nearly  one  year 


and  a  half.  From  there  he  came  to  this  county  in 
the  fall  of  1853.  making  the  trip  from  Delaware, 
Ohio,  to  Bloomington,  111.,  with  a  horse  team. 
Upon  arriving  in  Bloomington,  he  had  only  about 
nine  cents  in  cash,  but  his  team  was  worth  about 
$150.  He  employed  himself  for  the  first  four 
months  in  chopping  wood.  The  following  spring 
he  rented  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Township,  upon 
which  he  remained  two  years,  then  removed  into 
the  city  and  engaged  in  hauling  wood  and  at  other 
occupations  where  he  could  employ  his  team.  Af- 
ter a  while  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Normal  Town- 
ship whence  he  removed  to  Towauda  Township, 
where  he  rented  a  farm  which  he  operated  for  eight 
years  following.  In  1867  he  purchased  200  acres 
of  land  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  on  section  19, 
where  he  has  since  lived. 

Mr.  Fletcher  is  a  striking  example  of  the  self- 
made  man.  Upon  coming  into  this  vicinity,  as  it 
has  been  seen,  he  was  comparatively  without  means. 
His  industry  and  energy,  however,  secured  him 
friends  from  the  start,  while  his  honesty  and  in- 
tegrity retained  them.  He  has  been  prospered  re- 
markably in  his  undertakings,  and  is  now  the  pos- 
sessor of  350  acres  of  valuable  land  under  a  fine 
state  of  cultivation.  Upon  this  he  has  a  fine  set  of 
farm  buildings  and  everything  pertaining  to  a 
modern  country  estate.  Himself  and  family  are 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  enjoy  many  of 
the  luxuries  of  life.  They  have  a  wide  circle  of 
warm  friends,  and  in  all  respects  may  be  reckoned 
among  the  best  citizens  of  this  wealthy  and  popu- 
lous county.  Fletcher  Station  was  named  after  our 
subject.  He  has  proved  himself  a  skillful  and 
progressive  farmer,  and  of  late  yeai-s,  in  addition  to 
the  raising  of  grain  and  other  farm  products,  has 
turned  his  attention  to  the  breeding  of  fine  horses, 
his  favorite  being  the  Clydesdale. 

Mr.  Fletcher  was  married  in  the  county  of  Dur- 
ham, England,  May  1,  1848,  to  Miss  Ruth,  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Robson,  na- 
tives of  England.  Mrs.  Fletcher  was  born  in  Dur- 
ham County,  England,  March  17,  1832,  and  of  her 
union  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  twelve 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  The  record  is 
as  follows:  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  became  the  wife 
of  Charles  Krause,  and  resides  in  Bloomington,  111. ; 


f 


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806 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


William  married  Miss  Laura  Shuck,  and  John,  who 
married  Miss  Ellen  Maxwell,  resides  in  Dakota; 
Mary,  Mrs.  May  wood  Bid  lie,  is  a  resident  of  Money 
Crock  Township;  George  F.  married  Miss  Alice 
Lambert,  and  is  farming  in  Blue  Mound  Township; 
David  married  Miss  Edna  Biddle,  and  lives  in 
Normal  Township;  Howard  is  at  home  with  his 
parents.  With  one  exception,  those  deceased  died 
in  infancy;  Michael  died  in  Blue  Mound  Township 
when  twenty  years  of  age.  Mr.  Fletcher  is  an 
earnest  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and  has 
filled  with  credit  the  minor  offices  of  the  township. 


\US1I  WIRT,  tile  manufacturer  and  coal 
dealer  at  Saybrook,  this  county,  was  born 
in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  in  1848.  He  is 
e  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Newman) 
Wirt,  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  born  in 
1792,  and  the  latter  in  1807.  They  were  married 
in  1822.  James  Wirt  followed  the  joint  vocations 
of  lawyer,  bricklayer  and  farmer,  in  all  of  which 
he  was  proficient.  The  young  people  remained  in 
Virginia  after  their  marriage  about  six  years,  and 
thence  removed  into  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
where  the  father  of  our  subject  followed  bricklay- 
ing and  farming,  and  in  due  time  became  owner  of 
100  acres  of  land,  which  he  cultivated,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  his  sons,  until  it  became  quite  valuable. 
He  remained  in  Ohio  until  1850,  then  desiring  to 
remove  still  further  westward,  came  into  the  Prai- 
rie State,  locating  in  Bloomington,  this  county,  for 
a  short  time,  and  then  purchased  280  acres  of  land. 
To  this  he  subsequently  added  until  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  1868,  he  was  the  owner  of  400  acres. 
The  mother  died  one  month  after  the  decease  of 
her  husband.  Included  in  the  property  of  James 
Wirt  was  the  Dawson  farm,  upon  which  was  made 
one  of  the  first  settlements  in  McLean  County,  and 
which  in  early  days  was  frequently  used  by  the 
Indians  as  a  camping-ground. 

The  parental  family  of  our  subject  included  nine 
children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows:  Will- 
iam married  Ella  Reid;  Mary  is  deceased;  John 


married  Miss  Almarinda  Miuton,  of  Padua  Town- 
ship, and  still  resides  there ;  Catherine,  the  wife  of 
W.  S.  Vandervoort,  is  a  resident  of  Padua  Town- 
ship; Ellen  married  John  M.  Stipp,  of  Arrowsmith 
Township;  James  B.  married  Miss  Hettie  Ilowell; 
Addie  A.  became  the  wife  of  Austin  M.  Kimler; 
Rush,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  seventh  child ;  Flor- 
ence, Mrs.  William  Clarke,  is  a  resident  of  Ne- 
braska. Mr.  Wirt  was  a  good  citizen  in  all  that  the 
term  implies,  having  held  the  office  of  Supervisor 
and  various  other  positions  within  the  gift  of  his 
townsmen.  He  was  a  straightforward  Republican, 
and  both  parents  were  members  in  good  standing  of 
the  Methodist  Church. 

Rush  Wirt  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
he  attained  his  majority,  reared  to  farming  pursuits 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  afterward 
operated  for  himself  on  the  old  homestead,  finally 
purchasing  100  acres,  upon  which  he  farmed  for 
five  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
drain  tile  in  Saybrook  for  nine  years  following.  In 
the  meantime  he  also  handled  considerable  coal,  and 
has  been  uniformly  successful  in  his  business  trans- 
actions. Besides  being  interested  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  drain  tile,  Mr.  Wirt  owns  a  handsome  resi- 
dence, situated  on  State  street,  and  also  has  480 
acres  of  land  in  Kansas. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Wirt  with  Miss  Arminta 
Hoshaw  took  place  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  par- 
ents in  1878.  Mrs.  Wirt  is  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Day)  Hoshaw,  of  Ohio,  whence  they 
afterward  removed  to  Illinois  and  then  to  Iowa. 
A  f ter  a  few  years  spent  in  the  Hawkeye  State  Mrs. 
Hoshaw  returned  to  Ohio  on  a  visit,  and  there  died 
in  1869.  Mr.  H.  still  survives,  and  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Iowa.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren— America,  Arminta,  Matilda  and  Martha. 
Mr.  Hoshaw  was  married  the  second  time,  to  Mrs. 
Evaline  Gregory,  the  issue  being  one  child,  a  son, 
James. 

Rush  Wirt  and  wife  are  both  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Saybrook,  to  which  they  contribute  liberally  and 
cheerfully.  Mr.  Wirt  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  the  K.  of  P.  He  assisted  in  organizing 
Arrowsmith  Lodge  No.  737,  of  which  he  was  Sec- 
retary for  eighteen  months,  and  held  all  the  of-  ' 


T 


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McLEAN   COUNTY. 


807 


i 


fices  in  his  lodge  until  his  removal  from  Arrow- 
smith.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AVirt  are  as 
follows:  Lelia  E.,  born  Nov.  9,  1879;  Herman  C., 
in  1881,  and  Ethel  T.,  June  19,  1883. 


THOMAS  ARNOLD,  one  of  the  substantial 
and  progressive  farmers  of  Blue  Mound 
Township,  comes  of  excellent  German  and 
Irish  ancestry,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Elisa- 
beth (Sloan)  Arnold,  natives  of  Virginia,  where  the 
father  followed  farming  and  merchandising.  The 
old  folk  remained  in  the  Old  Dominion  and  there 
spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives,  both  dying- 
there,  at  an  advanced  age.  Their  six  children 
were  Zachariah,  Thomas,  Richard,  George,  Ann 
and  Peter. 

Thomas  Arnold  was  born  in  what  is  now  known 
as  Mineral  County,  W.  Va.,  May  24,  1829.  He 
was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  1855.  In  February  of  the 
year  named  he  set  his  face  toward  the  great  West, 
and  came  into  this  county,  and  purchasing  160 
acres  of  land  on  section  27,  Blue  Mound  Township, 
set  about  the  establishment  of  a  homestead  for 
himself.  For  two  years,  in  company  with  his 
brother  Zachariah,  he  kept  bachelor's  hall,  and  then 
decided  to  obtain  a  housekeeper,  who  would  be 
both  a  companion  and  helpmeet.  He  was  accord- 
ingly married  on  the  12th  of  November,  1857,  to 
Miss  Sarah  J.  R.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Boone 
County,  Ky.,  Aug.  16,  1833,  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Nathan  and  Fannie  (Kendrick)  Smith,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky.  Nathan  Smith  died  in  his 
native  State,  when  seventy-four  years  of  age.  The 
mother  having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-three  years,  makes  her  home  with  our  sub- 
ject. Mrs.  Arnold  was  about  twenty-three  years 
old  when  she  came  to  this  county.  Of  her  mar- 
riage with  our  subject  there  were  born  eight  chil- 
dren. Joseph,  the  eldest,  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Wilhoite,  and  resides  in  Lexington  Township; 
Christian  S.  married  Miss  Maggie  Williams  and  is 
farming  in  Blue  Mound  Township.  The  others 
are  Elisabeth.  William,  Richard  V.,  George  B., 
Thomas.  Jr.,  and  Fannie  M. 


The  homestead  of  Mr.  Arnold  includes  240  acres 
of  finely  improved  land,  with  a  good  set  of  farm 
buildings.  Of  late  years  he  has  been  chiefly  en- 
gaged in  stock-raising,  turning  his  attention  mostly 
to  Durham  cattle.  Of  the  former  he  keeps  about 
twenty-five  head  and  his  stables  contain  about  ten 
head  of  horses  and  colts. 

When  Mr.  Arnold  first  came  to  this  county,  there 
were  few  settlers  within  sight  of  his  home;  wolves 
were  plenty  and  he  often  got  up  in  the  night  to  set 
his  dogs  upon  the  mischievous  prowlers.  He  is 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  trials  and  priva- 
tions of  pioneer  life,  and  has  contributed  his  full 
share  to  the  development  and  prosperity  of  this 
section.  He  is  held  in  great  respect  by  his  fellow- 
citizens  and  has  been  the  incumbent  of  various 
offices  in  his  township,  serving  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  four  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  our  subject 
in  politics  is  independent. 


ART1N  SHEPHERD,  Justice  of  the  Peace 
at  Chenoa,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  the  27th  of  July,  1833. 
He  is  the  son  of  William  and  Tacy  (Bird- 
sail)  Shepherd,  natives  of  New  York  State.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Henry  Shepherd,  who  of 
was  of  Irish  parentage  and  ancestry,  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  William,  his  son, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  to  farming 
pursuits,  and  spent  his  early  years  in  his  native 
county.  The  household  circle  consisted  of  five  sons 
and  two  daughters ;  two  of  the  sons  are  deceased. 
Martin  Shepherd,  who  was  the  youngest  but  one  of 
his  parents'  family,  spent  his  childhood  and  youth 
on  his  father's  farm,  and  received  a  practical  educa- 
tion. When  seventeen  years  of  age  he- commenced 
teaching,  and  was  thus  employed  during  the  winter 
season  for  fifteen  years,  while  he  worked  on  the 
farm  during  the  summers.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1860  and  located  in  Chenoa,  where  he  first  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  and  afterward  in  the  real-estate 
business.  In  1865  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  which  position  he  has  since  held. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  Shepherd  enlisted  as  a 


I 


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'  '  808 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Union  soldier,  in  Co.  C,  72d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  whence 
he  was  soon  afterward  transferred  to  Co.  C,  33d 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  took  part  in  the  engagement  at 
Spanish  Fort,  Ft.  Blakesley  and  Mobile,  and  various 
minor  engagements  and  skirmishes.  He  performed 
his  part  bravely  and  faithfully  as  a  soldier,  and  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  being  mustered  out  in  1865.  Soon  afterward 
he  returned  to  Chenoa,and  a  few  months  later  was 
elected  to  his  present  office.  He  has  also  served 
as  Notary  Public  for  the  past  twenty  years. 

Mr.  Shepherd  was  married  on  the  3d  of  Septem- 
ber. 1861,  to  Miss  M.  F.  McMahan,of  Chenoa,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  Aug.  15,  1841.  Of  this  un- 
ion there  were  born  two  children  —  Howard  Logan 
and  Frank  Birdsall.  Mr.  Shepherd  owns  a  pleasant 
home  in  the  village,  and  is  universally  esteemed 
wherever  known. 


t 


ASALLE  STOOPS,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Stoops  &  Ellington,  manufacturers 
of  tile  at  Colfax,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State,  and  was  born  in  Ipava,  Fulton  County,  Sept. 
19,  1858.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  A.  and  Ellen 
(Clannon)  Stoops.  Samuel  Stoops  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  but  removed  with  his  parents,  when  but 
four  years  of  age,  to  Indiana,  settling  near  Indian- 
apolis. The  mother  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  The 
father  of  our  subject  came  into  Illinois  while  a  sin- 
gle man  and  located  in  Fultou  County,  where  he 
married  and  lived  until  1867.  In  that  year  he 
came  to  McLean  County  and  took  up  his  residence 
in  Blue  Mound  Township,  where  he  now  resides. 
The  parental  household  included  two  sons  and 
three  daughters,  of  whom  LaSalle  of  our  sketch 
was  the  second  child.  He  was  eight  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents. 

In  the  spring  of  1880  Mr.  Stoops  of  this  notice 
located  in  Colfax,  and  since  that  time  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  tile  works  here.  He  first  entered 
into  partnership  with  W.  G.  Anderson,  Sr.,  with 
whom  he  continued  for  eighteen  months  when  Mr. 
Anderson  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Edward  F. 
Pochel.  Subsequently  Mr.  Pochel  withdrew  and 
the  brother-in-law  of  our  subject,  Henry  W.  Elling- 


ton, assumed  the  place  which  he  had  occupied  in 
the  firm.  The  factory  proper  covers  an  area  of 
:32x  120  feet,  two  stories  in  height,  besides  a  dry 
house  20x80  feet,  also  with  two  floors.  Both  mem- 
bers of  the  firm  are  straightforward,  energetic  busi- 
ness men.  and  their  manufactory  has  become  an 
important  institution  among  the  industrial  interests 
of  this  section. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married,  in  1878, 
to  Miss  Libbie  Brown,  of  Old  Town  Township,  and 
the  daughter  of  A.  C.  Brown,  who  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Berlin,  Wis.  Mrs.  Stoops  departed  this 
life  on  the  9th  of  October,  1 886.  She  was  a  lady 
greatly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her,  for  her 
many  amiable  traits  of  character.  They  had  no 
children. 


>ILLIE  VANORDSTRAND,  of  Randolph 
Township,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead 
of  160  acres  on  section  6.  township  21  north,  range 
2  west,  his  land  being  finely  improved  and  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  all  the  accesso- 
ries of  a  first-class  farm  .  estate.  The  residence  is 
Substantial  and  tasteful,  a  model  of  comfort  and 
convenience.  His  barns  are  well  built  and  shapely 
and  especially  arranged  for  the  care  and  shelter  of 
stock  and  the  storing  of  grain.  His  farming  im- 
plements and  machinery  are  after  the  most  ap- 
proved plans.  It  is  evident  that  our  subject  takes 
pride  in  his  business  from  the  thrifty  appearance  of 
his  fine  farm. 

Mr.  Vanordstrand  was  born  on  his  father's  home- 
stead in  Randolph  Township,  Nov.  20,  1855;  a 
sketch  of  his  father's  family  will  be  found  in  an- 
other part  of  this  work.  Willie  was  reared  at  home 
and  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the  district  schools 
of  Randolph  Township,  and  afterward  attended 
the  university  at  Lincoln,  111.  He  remained  at 
home  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  Nov.  22, 
1876,  at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  parents  in 
Heyworth,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Nannie  M.,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  K.  and  Malvira 
(Hampton)  Noble,  natives  of  Ohio,  whence  Mr.  N. 
came  to  this  State  and  was  afterward  married  in 
McLean  County.  He  may  be  properly  classed  as 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


809 


one  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  having  couje  to  this 
county  in  1831,  and  which  has  remained  his  home 
since  that  time.  He  is  still  living,  and  makes  his 
home  with  his  son,  Dr.  C.  M.  Noble,  and  also 
spends  considerable  time  with  his  daughter,  the 
wife  of  our  subject.  He  is  now  quite  aged. 

Mrs.  Vanordstrand  was  born  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, this  county,  Dec.  26,  1858,  and  was  here 
reared  and  educated,  remaining  with  her  parents 
until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  boru  five  children — Charles  V., 
Carl  N.,  Dora,  Floy  and  Fay.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  V. 
removed  to  their  present  home  shortly  after  their 
marriage,  and  our  subject  has  greatly  improved  its 
condition  since  he  came  into  possession  of  it.  Mrs. 
V.  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Our  subject  is  Democratic  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge  No. 
483,  of  Heyworth. 


J"  R.  WHITE,  of  Bloomingtou,  is  at  present 
conducting  a  prosperous  trade  in  stoves  and 
I  tinware  at  No.  606  North  Main  street,  and 
as  one  of  the  business  men  of  that  city  is  con- 
tributing his  share  toward  maintaining  its  progress 
and  reputation.  Mr.  White  is  a  native  of  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  and  was  born  Sept.  8,  1842.  His  parents 
were  James  M.  and  Elinore  (Brown)  White,  also 
natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  His  father  was  a 
wholesale  dealer  in  clothing  and  died  in  1854.  The 
mother  is  living  in  Kansas  with  her  daughter  Mary, 
now  Mrs.  Wallace.  The  parental  family  consists  of 
four  children,  viz:  John  B.  of  Bloomington,  James 
M.,  Mary,  and  Margaret,  Mrs  Colwell,  of  Kansas. 
James  M.  White  was  a  Class-leader  of  the  Method- 
ist Church  for  many  years,  and  a  useful  and  highly 
respected  member  of  the  community  where  he 
lived. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  left  the  parental 
roof  at  eleven  years  of  age,  and  going  to  Kansas 
was  variously  emplo3red  for  a  number  of  years,  and 
then  went  to  learn  the  tinner's  trade,  at  which  he 
served  three  years.  The  war  then  coming  on,  he 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  in  Co.  A,  12th 
Kan.  Vol.  Inf.,  became  First  Sergeant  and  served 


three  years.  He  was  in  the  battles  at  Red  River, 
Pine  Bluff,  Wilson  Creek,  Memphis  and  Columbia, 
Tenn.,  and  received  his  honorable  discharge  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  to  Kansas  and 
after  working  a  year  at  his  trade  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  the  southern  part  of  the  State.  In  1868  he 
came  to  Bloomington,  worked  at  his  trade  until 
1886,  and  then  established  his  present  business. 

In  1872,  Mr.  White  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet, 
the  daughter  of  George  and  Maria  (Johnson)  Fogle, 
natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  Ohio.  She 
was  born  in  Zanesville.  Ohio,  in  1852.  Her  father 
removed  from  Maryland  to  Ohio  when  a  young 
man,  and  after  his  marriage  located  in  Old  Town 
Township,  McLean  Co.,  111.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming.  Their  household  circle  was  completed  by 
the  birth  of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  still  liv- 
ing: Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  Williams,  and  Isaac  are 
in  this  State;  William,  a  Methodist  minister,  is 
in  Missouri;  Louisa,  Mrs.  Rodman,  and  Jeremiah 
are  in  Illinois;  Harriet;  Mrs.  White,  is  the  wife  of 
our  subject.  The  mother  died  in  1859,  in  Old 
Town  Township,  and  the  father  in  1884,  in  Le  Roy. 
They  were  worthy  and  excellent  people  and  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  Fogle  was  Class-leader  and  Superintendent  of 
the  Sabbath-school  for  sixtj'  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
a  son,  George  H.,  who  was  born  in  1874.  Mr. 
White  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  belongs  to  the 
G.  A.  R.  and  the  A.  O.  U.  W. 


.0*0. 


?1LLIAM  D.  MOORE,  who  is  well  known 
throughout  McLean  County  as  one  of  her 
foremost  citizens  and  successful  agricult- 
urists, has  his  residence  on  section  5,  of  Towanda 
Township.  His  parents  were  Thomas  and  Martha 
(Dodson)  Moore,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Kentucky  respectively.  Prior  to  this  union  the 
elder  Moore  had  been  married  in  Pennsylvania  to 
a  Miss  McCorkle.  They  moved  to  Ohio,  where 
she  died.  The  removal  of  Thomas  Moore  to  Ohio 
was  during  the  early  settlement  of  that  State,  and 
taking  up  his  residence  in  Champaign  County,  he 
at  once  entered  upon  the  duties  of  an  active  farm 


W 


t. 


I 


t  ,    810 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


life.  These  he  continued  to  discharge  with  his 
usual  energy  until  in  April,  1828,  when,  returning 
home  from  a  trip  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  had  taken 
a  load  of  flour,  which  had  been  ground  at  Spring- 
field having  first  taken  the  wheat  there,  he  was 
seized  with  fatal  illness  and  died  on  the  24th  of 
the  month,  before  reaching  his  family.  His  widow 
subsequently  came  to  this  county,  and  after  sur- 
viving her  husband  for  over  forty  years,  died  Dec. 
22,  1870,  in  the  village  of  Towanda. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  Major  in  the 
State  militia  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of 
1812,  and  held  his  commission  in  that  conflict  un- 
der the  command  of  Gen.  Hull.  He  was  taken  a 
prisoner,  together  with  the  entire  command,  at  De- 
troit. Mich.,  and  transported  to  Canada.  He  was 
afterward  paroled  and  returned  home,  but  had  de- 
termined to  re-enlist,  and  was  upon  the  point  of  so 
doing  when  the  war  closed.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three 
daughters,  William  D.  of  our  sketch  being  the  third 
in  order  of  birth. 

Mr.  Moore  was  born  in  Champaign  Count}', 
Ohio,  Dec.  27,  1821.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  for  some  years  during  his  early  life  engaged  in 
milling.  When  about  seventeen  3'ears  of  age  he 
left  the  old  homestead,  and  after  working  out  for 
a  short  time  and  obtaining  a  little  money  he  at- 
tended school.  In  fact  he  took  the  first  money  he 
ever  earned  for  himself  and  used  it  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  an  education,  and  consequently  he 
claims  to-day  that  he  still  has  the  first  money  he 
ever  made  stored  away  in  his  mind.  After  attend- 
ing school  for  a  time,  he  made  such  good  progress 
that  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher,  and  continued  to 
perform  the  duties  of  a  pedagogue  for  about  three 
years.  Judging  from  his  life  history,  it  is  obvious 
that  he  must  have  always  fully  availed  himself  of 
all  privileges  of  instruction  to  which  he  found  ac- 
cess, and  a  distinguishing  characteristic  of  his  is 
the  possession  of  quickness  of  mind  and  talent. 

Mr.  Moore  came  to  this  county  from  Champaign 
County,  Ohio,  .in  the  fall  of  1851,  and  settled  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  where  for  one  year  he 
worked  rented  land.  In  the  winter  of  1852,  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  5,  To- 
wanda  Township,  where  he  has  since  made  his 


home.  He  is  the  owner  of  blocks  3,  4,  5  and  0, 
Towanda  Village,  and  also  240  acres  two  and  one- 
half  miles  west  of  Oilman,  111.,  in  Iroquois  County. 
He  has  good  improvements  on  his  farms  and  has 
the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  there  has  never 
been  a  mortgage  upon  his  property  or  a  judgment 
against  him. 

Mr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Mary  Moots,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively.  Her 
parents  after  marriage  first  settled  in  Logan  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  whence  they  removed  to  Champaign 
County,  the  same  State.  The  father  died  in  the 
former  county,  and  the  mother  in  the  latter.  Of 
the  children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  Mrs. 
Moore  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  She  first 
saw  light  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  25, 
1825.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  eleven  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  four  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy. The  living  are  Mary  E.,  William  T., Warren, 
Rhoda,  John  L.,  Charles  and  Raphael.  Mary  is 
the  wife  of  George  J.  Rexroth,  and  they  are  living 
in  Napoleon,  Ohio;  William  T.  married  Ellen  Gary, 
and  they  are  residents  of  Iroquois  County,  111.; 
Warren  became  the  husband  of  Miss  Mary  L. 
Knowlton,  and  they  live  in  Onarga,  Iroquois  Co., 
111. ;  Rhoda  and  H.  S.  Ford  were  united  in  mar- 
riage and  are  residents  of  Atlanta,  111. ;  John  mar- 
ried Miss  Kittie  Johnston,  and  they  live  in  Iroquois 
County,  111.;  Charles  and  Miss  Luella  Leach  were 
married  and  are  at  present  residing  at  Ft.  Scott, 
Kan. ;  Raphael  is  the  only  one  of  the  children  liv- 
ing at  home. 

Mr.  Moore  was  appointed  the  first  Postmaster  in 
Towanda,  under  the  administration  of  President 
Pierce.  He  assisted  in  laying  the  township  out 
into  school  districts,  and  served  as  Trustee  for 
eight  years.  He  also  held  the  offices  of  Township 
Treasurer  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years. 
He  has  settled  eight  different  estates  during  his  life, 
all  of  them  in  this  county. 

About  1857,  Mr.  Moore  formed  a  partnership 
with  Edwin  Reeves,  a  brother  of  Judge  Reeves  of 
this  county,  for  the  purpose  of  buying,  shipping 
and  dealing  in  grain  at  Towanda.  That  partner- 
ship existed  about  two  years,  when  Mr.  Moore 
purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  and  carried  on 


r 


51 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


813  t  , 


i 


the  business  alone  until  about  1863.  In  the  grain 
business  he  was  prosperous,  making  considerable 
money,  but  on  account  of  hard  work  and  partial 
failure  of  health,  he  finally  wisely  retired  to  his 
farm  within  the  corporation  of  Towanda,  where  he 
now  resides. 

Mr.  Moore's  people  are  of  Welsh  parentage. 
Raphael,  the  son  of  our  subject,  married  Miss  Mary 
A.  Coons. 

He  and  his  good  wife  became  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church  in  the  fall  of  1852,  and 
our  subject  has  been  Trustee  of  his  congregation 
for  many  years.  Mr.  Moore  has  also  been  a  teach- 
er in  the  Sunday-school  for  twenty-five  to  thirty 
years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  although  it 
is  well  known  that  he  voted  the  first  Prohibition 
ticket  that  was  ever  cast  in  Towanda  Village. 


IRAM  HARBERT,one  of  the  oldest  settlers, 
as  well  as  best  known  and  most  highly  re- 
spected citizens  of  Bloomington  Township, 
is  the  owner  of  140  acres  of  valuable  land 
on  section  27,  most  of  which  is  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  Mr.  Harbert  came  to  this  section 
with  his  father  in  the  spring  of  1824,  and  most  of 
his  time  since  that  date  has  been  spent  in  Bloom- 
ington Township.  He  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  July  16,  1814.  His  father,  Joseph 
B.  Harbert,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  reared  to  manhood,  and  there  married  Miss 
Anna  Galloway,  a  native  of  the  same  State.  Both 
were  of  American  parentage,  and  Irish  and  English 
descent,  respectively.  After  the  birth  of  a  part  of 
their  large  family,  the  parents,  with  three  young 
children,  moved  northward  into  Indiana,  where 
they  located  for  a  few  years,  during  which  timft 
our  subject  was  born.  When  he  was  a  lad  of  about 
nine  years  old,  his  parents  decided  upon  another 
removal  and  came  over  into  Illinois,  locating  at 
first  in  Sangamon  County.  Thence  they  came  to 
McLean,  arriving  here  on  the  24th  of  March,  1821. 
Their  home  was  in  this  county  for  some  years 
thereafter,  when  the  elder  Harbert,  with  a  part  of 
his  family,  removed  to  Davis  County.  Iowa,  where 
the  parents  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Jo- 


seph Harbert  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics,  a 
man  of  much  force  of  character  and  not  afraid  to 
express  his  'views  when  opportunity  presented. 
Both  parents  were  worthy  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

Hiram  Harbert  received  his  early  education  in 
the  primitive  schools  of  McLean  County,  not  en- 
joying the  advantages  offered  to  the  youth  of  to- 
day, by  the  splendid  educational  facilities  of  this 
county.  The  rude  log  school-house  of  the  early 
pioneer  days  has  been  replaced  with  a  handsome 
frame  or  brick  structure,  which  for  elegance  and 
beauty  of  design  rivals  those  of  older  settled  coun- 
ties. In  place  of  the  masters  of  the  early  days 
who  were  looked  up  to  as  superior  beings,  and 
were  consulted  on  all  matters  of  law,  physic  and 
religion,  are  teachers  of  liberal  culture,  intelligent 
and  progressive,  many  of  whom  have  a  broad  and 
comprehensive  idea  of  education,  and  regard  their 
labor  as  something  more  than  merely  teaching  in 
order  to  make  a  living,  more  than  a  knowledge  of 
facts  in  the  universe  of  mind  and  matter.  It 
means  culture,  the  development  and  disciplining 
of  all  the  faculties  of  the  human  mind.  While  the 
people  of  this  favored  age  are  enjoying  these 
blessings,  they  should  not  forget  the  struggles  of 
the  early  pioneer  to  establish  schools  for  their  chil- 
dren. Through  the  pressure  of  poverty  and  priva- 
tion, at  the  earliest  practical  period,  the  pioneer 
planted  the  school-house,  and  made  great  sacrifices 
to  sow  the  seed  for  the  rich  harvest  now  enjoyed. 

While  a  mere  boy  Hiram  began  the  battle  of  life, 
having  plenty  of  hard  work,  and  enjoying  few 
privileges.  After  arriving  at  years  of  manhood  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hendrix,  who  was 
the  first  white  child  born  in  McLean  County,  and 
who  passed  from  earth  many  years  ago.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  John  Hendrix,  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  the  county.  Mr.  Harbert  was  again  mar- 
ried, in  Bloomington  Township,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Garr,  who  was  a  native  of  Marion  County,  Ky., 
born  Sept.  25,  1821.  Mrs.  Harbert  when  a  young 
girl  fourteen  years  of  age,  came  to  this  State  with 
her  parents,  who  at  once  located  in  Old  Town 
Township,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their 
lives,  and  where  Mrs.  Harbert  lived  until  her  mar- 
riage. The  household  circle  of  our  subject  and  his 


t. 


i  814 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


wife  has  been  completed  by  the  birth  of  eight  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom,  Lucy  A.  and  Annie,  have 
passed  to  the  silent  land;  Nathan  married  Miss 
Cynthia  A.  Driscoll,  and  they  live  on  the  old  home- 
stead ;  John,  Hester  M.,  George,  Malinda  and  Hi- 
ram are  at  home. 

The  possessions  of  our  subject  have  been  accu- 
mulated by  his  own  industry,  and  while  building- 
up  a  home  with  his  hands  he  has  also,  by  his  hon- 
est and  upright  course,  built  for  himself  a  repu- 
tation among  his  neighbors  as  that  of  an  honest 
man  and  a  good  citizen.  With  his  wife  he  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  in  politics  is  a  reliable  Republican.  Mr.  Har- 
bert  was  Postmaster  of  Hendrix  for  ten  years,  and 
in  other  respects  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  local  affairs.  No  man  has  looked  upon  the 
development  and  progress  of  this  great  common- 
wealth of  Illinois  with  greater  satisfaction,  and  as 
opportunity  has  occurred,  he  has  given  his  voice 
and  influence  to  encourage  the  establishment  of 
enterprises  calculated  to  add  more  glory  to  his 
adopted  State  and  credit  to  the  county  of  McLean. 
For  over  sixty  years  Mr.  Harbert  has  lived  in  this 
community,  indeed,  the  community  has  grown  up 
around  him.  As  a  venerable  patriarch,  and  one 
who  has  done  much  hard  work,  and  given  much 
valuable  aid  to  the  county  and  to  the  molding  of 
the  character  of  the  people,  we  take  pleasure  in  giv- 
ing the  portrait  of  Mr.  Harbert  in  this  work. 


^ILLIAM  E.  HILTS  is  a  well-known  citizen 
of  Money  Creek  Township,  residing  upon 
section  33,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing. He  is  the  son  of  William  D.  and  Hannah  V. 
(Ross)  Hilts,  the  former  a  native  of  Tompkins 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  latter  of  New  Jersey.  The 
parents  located  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  when 
they  were  both  quite  young,  being  taken  there  by 
their  parents.  There  they  developed  into  maturity, 
became  acquainted  with  each  other  and  were  mar- 
ried, and  there  the  father  followed  farming  until 
some  years  after  the  death  of  his  companion,  which 
event  occurred  in  September,  1 852.  Subsequently, 
in  1857,  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  sec- 


tion  8,  Towanda  Township.  Living  there  until  the 
spring  of  1874,  they  moved  to  Bloomington,  where 
his  demise  occurred  September  28  of  that  year. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  D. 
Hilts,  and  all  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and 
womanhood,  namely,  Harriett,  George,  William  E., 
Samuel,  Marcus,  Minerva,  Jane  V.  and  Peter  P. 
The  latter  died  at  Bloomington,  111.,  when  in  the 
nineteenth  year  of  his  life ;  Harriett  became  the  wife 
of  Rev.  Robert  Conover,  of  Lexington,  111. ;  George 
is  living  in  Towanda  Township ;  Samuel  is  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  at  Towanda;  Marcus  is  a  far- 
mer of  Towanda  Township;  Minerva  is  the  wife  of 
Rev.  Thompson  Ewing,  and  thej'  are  living  at  Blairs- 
ville,  Indiana  Co.,  Pa. ;  Jane  V.  and  Dr.  Madison 
H.  Rose  were  united  in  marriage  and  they  are  liv- 
ing at  Thorntown,  Ind. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  Springfield 
Township,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  July  9,  1837.  He 
received  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  made  Hamilton  County  his  home  until  the  fall 
of  1856.  He  then  came  to  this  county  and  locating 
in  Towanda  Township,  was  engaged  in  farming  un- 
til April,  1863,  when  he  removed  to  Money  Creek 
Township,  and  settling  on  section  23,  has  there  con- 
tinued his  chosen  vocation  until  the  present  time. 
He  has  170  acres  of  good  land,  well  improved,  with 
good  and  substantial  buildings  upon  it. 

Mr.  Hilts  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Stewart,  on  the  4th  of  Au- 
gust, 1859.  Her  parents  were  Austin  H.  and  Isa- 
bella (Lamme)  Stewart;  her  father  was  born  in 
Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  and  her  mother  in 
Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  The  father  was  a 
fuller  by  trade  and  during  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  was  engaged  in  farming.  They  first  settled 
in  Dayton  County,  Ohio,  after  their  marriage,  and 
in  1856  came  to  this  county,  and  taking  up 
their  residence  in  Money  Creek  Township,  made 
that  their  home  until  they  were  separated  by  the 
death  of  the  wife,  which  occurred  two  years  after 
their  arrival  in  the  county.  He  died  in  1866. 
Eight  children  were  born  of  their  union — William  J., 
Sarah  E.,  Mary  A.,  David  L.  R.,  Charles  F.,  Thomas 
C.,  Henry  A.  and  Austin  H.  William  J.  was  a 
practicing  physician  and  died  in  Union  City,  Ind. ; 
Mary  A.  was  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Rockwell  and  died 


4 


MoLEAN    COUNTY. 


815 


in  Yinita,  Ind.  Ter. ;  David  L.  R.  departed  this 
life  at  Towanda,  in  1855;  Charles  F.  resides  in 
Nashville,  Term. :  Thomas  C.  is  living  at  Mobile, 
Ala.;  Henry  A.  died  at  Ft.  Scott,  Kan. ;  Austin  II. 
resides  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Mrs.  Hilts  was  born  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  Jan.  7, 
1 837,  and  lived  at  home  until  after  her  marriage 
with  our  subject.  By  her  union  with  Mr.  Hilts  she 
has  become  the  mother  of  six  children — Fannie  B., 
Elbert  E.,  Charles  A.,  Roscoe  8.,  William  R.  and 
Henry  V.  Fannie  died  when  eight  years  old  and 
Elbert  when  seven.  Mr.  Hilts  has  been  Supervisor 
of  his  township  two  terms  and  also  Township 
Assessor  and  Collector  for  several  terms.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  Republican,  and  religiously  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


ARNOLD,  a  representative  of 
that  sturdy,  energetic  race  which  has  done 
so  much  toward  the  agricultural  develop- 
ment of  McLean  County,  is  pleasantly  located  on 
his  fine  farm  on  section  21,  Towanda  Township, 
where  he  is  meeting  with  more  than  ordinary  suc- 
cess. He  is  the  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Johanna  (Mor- 
lock)  Arnold,  natives  of  Germany,  in  which 
country  they  continued  to  reside  until  their  death. 
The  former  was  a  weaver  by  trade  and  followed 
that  calling  until  his  demise.  Of  the  six  sons  and 
three  daughters  born  to  the  parents,  our  subject 
was  the  eldest  son.  He  was  born  in  Wurtemberg, 
Germany,  May  30,  1831. 

Early  in  life  Mr.  Arnold  learned  the  weaver's 
trade  and  labored  at  the  same  for  three  or  four 
years,  or  until  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States. 
The  voyage  to  this  country  was  made  in  1854,  our 
subject  disembarking  at  New  York  City  and  going 
at  once  to  Lancaster  County,  Pa.  There  he  worked 
at  farm  labor  for  about  a  year  and  a  half  and  then 
came  to  Bloomington,  this  county,  living  in  that 
city  about  four  years.  While  there  he  worked  at 
brickniaking  part  of  the  time,  afterward  engaged 
in  teaming.  He  then  rented  a  farm  and  lived  on  it 
for  about  a  year,  when  he  removed  to  another  in 
Towanda  Township,  which  he  also  rented  and  sue 
cessfully  cultivated  for  three  years.  By  this  time 


he  was  enabled  to  purchase  eighty  acres,  which  he 
did  and  which  was  located  on  section  21,  Towanda 
Township,  and  onto  which  he  moved  and  has  lived 
until  the  present  time.  He  erected  good  buildings 
on  his  farm  and  by  economy  and  hard  labor 
succeeded  in  saving  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  add 
to  his  original  purchase  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
320  acres  of  valuable  and  productive  laud,  all  lo- 
cated in  Towanda  Township. 

Mr.  Arnold  was  married  at  Bloomington,  Feb. 
17,  1859,  to  Catherine  Blum,  born  in  Germany, 
Oct.  21,  1833.  She  came  to  this  country  in 
1856,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  seven  children :  William, 
who  married  Clara  Franke,  and  is  a  farmer  of 
Towanda  Township;  Charles,  Kate,  George,  Mary, 
Jacob  and  Carrie.  Mr.  Arnold  has  held  the  office 
of  Overseer  of  Highways,  and  also  that  of  School 
Director.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Ger- 
man Methodist  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

A  fine  lithographic  view  of  the  residence,  out- 
buildings and  stock  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Arnold,  is 
shown  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


ATHEW  RICHARDSON,  a  large  land- 
owner and  successful  farmer  and  stock- 
holder of  Padua  Township,  is  the  possessor 
of  a  fine  homestead  including  350  acres  of 
good  land,  most  of  which  is  on  section  11,  and 
thirty  acres  of  it  being  in  timber.  The  estate  is 
supplied  with  a  fine  set  of  modern  farm  buildings, 
a  beautiful  residence,  substantial  barn  and  all  other 
necessary  out-buildings.  His  stock  and  machinery 
are  of  first-class  description  and  everything  about 
the  premises  indicates  the  thrift,  industry  and  in- 
telligence of  its  proprietor.  Mr.  Richardson  has 
been  eminently  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune,  his 
worldly  possessions  being  but  $5  in  cash  and  a  suit 
of  clothes,  when  he  first  came  to  this  county.  By 
years  of  industrious  toil  and  good  management,  he 
now  has  a  beautiful  home,  and  is  enjoying  the  re- 
spect and  confidence  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances. 

When    we    look   at   the    family  history  of    Mr. 


H| 

* 


t 


•  '  816 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


T 


Richardson  we  are  not  surprised  at  what  he  has  ac- 
complished, for  he  comes  of  excellent  Scottish  an- 
cestry, distinguished  for  their  morality,  intelligence 
and  industry.  He  also  was  a  native  of  Scotland, 
born  in  Dumfriesshire,  in  1824,  and  was  the  seventh 
child  of  a  family  of  ten,  born  to  John  and  Margaret 
(Lattimer)  Richardson,  both  of  whom  were  born 
and  reared  in  Dumfriesshire,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried and  spent  their  lives.  They  started  out  in  life 
with  good  prospects,  and  the  father  for  a  number  of 
years  followed  the  pursuit  of  agriculture  with  re- 
markable success.  He  finally  lost  most  of  his 
property  as  thousands  of  others  have  done,  by  going 
security  for  friends  and  being  compelled  to  make 
good  the  bond.  The  mother  died  when  our  sub- 
ject was  but  ten  years  of  age,  and  the  father  six 
years  after  Mathew  had  come  to  the  United  States. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother,  our  subject  con- 
tinued to  remain  with  his  father  until  his  marriage, 
which  took  place  in  his  native  county  in  1850. 
The  maiden  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Christina  Nicol, 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  the  same  neighborhood 
where  her  husband  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth. 
After  the  birth  of  two  children,  Margaret  and  Jane, 
Mathew  Richardson  and  his  wife  resolved  to  emi- 
grate to  the  United  States.  After  a  voyage  of  five 
weeks  they  landed  in  New  York  City,  whence  they 
came  directly  to  Chicago.  In  the  meantime  our  sub- 
ject had  his  pocket-book  stolen,  which,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  twenty-five  cents,  contained  all  his  money. 
The  contents  of  the  pocket-book,  however,  he  re- 
marks, would  have  seemed  a  very  small  sum  to  a 
rich  man.  He  fortunately  met  a  friend  in  Chicago 
with  whom  he  remained  six  weeks  and  obtained 
such  employment  as  his  hands  could  find  to  do. 
Then  he  journeyed  to  Bloomington,  this  county, 
arriving  here  with  $5  in  his  pocket.  He  rented  a 
tract  of  land  and  operated  on  rented  land  for  sev- 
eral years  until  he  was  able  to  secure  a  farm  of  his 
own.  His  first  purchase  was  160  acres  on  section 
13,  Belleflower  Township.  This  he  sold  in  1867 
and  purchased  eighty  acres  which  constitutes  a  part 
of  his  present  homestead.  Besides  his  possessions 
in  this  county  he  has  a  quarter  section  of  improved 
land  in  Lancaster  County,  Neb. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richardson  became  the  parents  of 
twelve  children:  Margaret,  Jane,  Agnes  (deceased), 


Mary,  John,  Jennette,  William,  Mathew,  Archi- 
bald, Thomas,  George,  and  one  who  died  unnamed. 
Two  sons  and  all  the  daughters  are  married.  They 
are  regular  attendants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  our  subject  politically  is  a  solid  Re- 
publican. 


AMUEL  S.  GALBRAITH,  of  Chenoa 
Township,  is  one  of  its  most  prominent 
and  successful  farmers,  and  the  proprietor 
of  240  acres  of  valuable  land,  located  on 
section  18.  Of  late  years  he  has  been  giving  his 
attention  chiefly  to  the  breeding  of  Short-horn  cat- 
tle and  Norman  horses,  and  has  gained  an  enviable 
reputation  in  this  department  of  business. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  region,  to  whom 
it  has  been  indebted  for  its  rapid  and  substantial 
growth  and  progress,  have  emigrated  from  the 
Keystone  State.  Mr.  Galbraith  also  claims  this 
State  as  his  birthplace.  He  was  born  near  Can- 
nonsburg,  Pa.,  Oct.  17,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of 
Charles  and  Isabella  (Miller)  Galbraith,  natives  of 
the  North  of  Ireland.  The  mother  came  to  this 
country  in  1811,  with  her  people,  who  took  passage 
on  an  English  vessel  and  made  their  first  landing 
at  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  There  they  were  de- 
tained until  after  the  War  of  1812.  After  their 
release  they  went  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  after 
tarrying  a  short  time  in  the  Quaker  City,  removed 
to  Washington  County.  The  father  of  our  subject 
emigrated  to  America  after  the  close  of  the  War 
of  1812,  and  first  stopped  in  Philadelphia.  He 
was  married  in  Washington  County,  that  State,  and 
remained  in  that  locality  until  1850,  then  removed 
to  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  locating  upon  a  farm, 
where  he  and  his  good  wife  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  days. 

Of  the  eleven  children  of  Charles  and  Isabella 
Galbraith,  nine  lived  to  maturity,  and  six  still  sur- 
vive. Of  these,  Samuel  of  our  sketch  was  the  fifth 
in  order  of  birth,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  the 
Buckeye  State.  He  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  district  schools  and  when  nearly  twenty -seven 
years  of  age  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Al- 
bina  Hazelett,  of  Harrison  County,  Ohio.  In  1 865 
he  removed  to  Illinois  and  located  upon  his  pres- 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


si?  , ; 


ent  farm  in  this  county.  Here  he  has  steadily  fol- 
lowed the  industrious  and  temperate  habits  to 
which  he  was  trained  by  most  excellent  parents, 
aad  has  become  one  of  the  most  valued  citizens  of 
this  section.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  are  the  parents  of  one 
child,  a  son,  Charles  S.  Mr.  G.  is  Republican  in 
politics,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church. 


EDWIN  H.  BURBANK,  who  owns  a  quarter 
section  of  finely  improved  land  on  section 
34,  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  is  a  native  of 
Java,  Wyoming  Co.,  Y.  Y.,  and  was  born  March 
16.  1841.  He  is  the  son  of  Alden  C.  and  Eliza 
(Salter)  Burbank,  the  former  a  native  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  the  latter  of  Vermont.  Alden  C.  Burbank 
was  born  Oct.  21,  1814,  and  his  wife  May  22, 1815. 
After  marriage  they  settled  on  a  farm  in  Wyoming 
County,  where  the  father  cultivated  the  soil  and 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
April  10, 1 886,  when  seventy-one  years  of  age.  The 
mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Wyoming  County.  Their  five  children  were,  Seth 
H.,  Edwin  H.,  Julia  A.,  Medusa  S.  and  Llewellyn  R. 
The  father  of  our  subject  owned  a  small  farm 
and  upon  this  Edwin  was  reared,  and  received  a 
good  common-school  education.  He  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-three 
years  old,  but  in  the  meantime  was  employed  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do,  for  the  people 
in  that  vicinity.  He  was  then  married  and  worked 
out  for  two  years  thereafter,  then  went  to  Freedom, 
Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm  of  fifty  acres.  There  he  lived  with  his  family 
about  two  years,  then  sold  out  and  came  to  Deca- 
tur  where,  after  two  months  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
company  with  his  brother-in-law,  C.  J.  Frink,  in 
Moultrie  County,  111.  He  lived  there  one  year, 
and  in  March,  1869,  came  to  McLean  County  and 
rented  land  in  Old  Town  Township  for  seven  years. 
He  then,  in  the  spring  of  1876,  came  to  Blue 
Mound  Township  and  settled  on  section  34,  where 
he  now  owns  160  acres  of  fertile  land  which  he  has 
brought  to  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  Here  he  has 
a  good  dwelling  and  all  the  out-buildings  required 


by  the  progressive  and  first-class  farmer.  Mr.  Bur- 
bank  has  been  a  leading  man  in  his  community  ; 
was.  High  way  Commissioner  for  nine  years,  School 
Director  and  also  School  Trustee.  Politically  he  is 
a  reliable  Republican,  and  is  fulfilling  all  the  obli- 
gations of  a  good  citizen. 

Mr.  Burbank  was  married  in  Arcade,  Wyoming 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  29,  1864,  to  Miss  Isadore, 
daughter  of  John  B.  and  Harriet  (Wells)  Frink.  (See 
sketch  of  John  B.  Frink,  of  Old  Town  Township). 
Mrs.  B.  was  the  fifth  of  a  family  of  eight  children 
and  was  born  in  Arcade,  then  known  as  China, 
Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  25,  1842,  where  she 
lived  until  her  marriage.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  two  children  —  Harriet  E.,  Aug.  2,  1866, 
and  Grant,  Nov.  4,  1868. 


R.  J.  HALLETT,  a  successful  homeopathic 
physician  of  Bloomington,  is  located  at 
No.  211  North  Main  street,  and  since  his 
residence  here,  which  embraces  a  period 
of  thirty  years,  has  established  himself  in  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  his  fellow  townsmen,  both  as 
a  practitioner  and  citizen. 

Dr.  Hallett  was  born  in  England,  in  the  year 
1843,  being  the  sou  of  James  M.  and  Lydia  S. 
Hallett,  natives  of  the  same  country.  The  younger 
days  of  our  subject  were  passed  under  the  home 
roof  and  in  attendance  at  a  select  school  un- 
til nine  years  of  age,  when  his  parents  emigrated 
to  America  and  settled  in  Walnut  Hills,  Ohio, 
where  our  subject  pursued  his  studies  in  the  public 
schools  until  1857.  The  family  then  removed 
further  westward  to  the  Prairie  State,  and  located 
in  Bloomington,  where  their  son  prosecuted  his 
studies  in  the  First  Ward  public  school  for  two 
years.  He  then  went  to  Belleville,  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  State  whence,  after  one  year  he  returned 
to  Bloomington,  and  remained  until  the  outbreak 
of  the  late  war.  He  then  enlisted  in  Capt.  Harvey's 
company,  but  after  going  to  Springfield  was  re- 
jected on  account  of  his  youth.  He  tried  it  again, 
however,  in  August  following,  and  this  time  be- 
came a  member  of  Co.  B,  39th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serv- 
ing until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered 


1 


t 


818 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


out  in  December,  1865.  He  entered  service  as  a  pri- 
vate, but  was  promoted  Sergeant  ami  afterward 
commanded  his  company  from  August,  1864,  until 
April  2,  1865,  the  senior  officers  being  in  the  hos- 
pital on  account  of  wounds  received  in  battle. 

From  the  close  of  the  war  until  1872,  Dr.  Hal- 
lett  was  engaged  in  business  at  Bloomington  and 
Heyworth,  and  soon  afterward  was  appointed 
Deputy  Circuit  Clerk,  which  office  he  held  three 
years.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  medicine 
with  Dr.  H.  B.  Wright,  of  Bloomington,  and  en- 
tered Hahnenann  College,  from  which  he  graduated 
on  the  21st  of  February,  1878.  He  then  practiced 
medicine  two  years  in  Pekin,  111.,  and  since  that 
time,  in  Bloomington. 

Dr.  I  In llr it  was  married  in  Pekin  in  1881,  to 
Miss  Ella,  the  daughter  of  H.  M.  and  P^lizabeth 
(Ledtermann)  Rodenbeek.  Mr.  R.  was  of  German 
birth  and  ancestry,  and  Mrs.  R.,  of  German  parent- 
age  but  born  in  America.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  two  children — James  C.  and  Henry  A. 
Dr.  Hallett  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  and  G. 
A.  R.,  and  socially  as  well  as  professionally  occu- 
pies a  position  in  the  front  ranks. 


J~jOHN   McCUNE,  deceased,  was  one  of  the 
I    pioneer  settlers  of  Cheuoa  Township,  and  a 
|    man  greatly  respected  for  his  excellent  traits 
'    of  character  and   his  worthy  qualities  as  a 

citizen,  neighbor  and  friend.  He  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  Cumberland  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  11,  1829, 
and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  A.  (Wilson) 
McCune,  natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  died  when  the  latter  was  but 
six  years  of  age.  This  sad  event  left  the  mother 
a  widow  with  seven  children,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  third.  The  brothers  and  sisters  of  Mr. 
McCune  are  as  follows:  William  C.  died  when  about 
sixty -seven  years  of  age;  Elizabeth  became  the 
wife  of  S.  Barr,  of  Iowa;  Mary  A.,  Mrs.  James 
Sharp,  is  now  deceased;  Nellie  married  John  Quig- 
ley,  of  Newburg,  Pa.;  Nancy  died  in  youth;  Ha- 
d:.ssih  E.  was  married  to  Joel  Hicks,  and  lives  in 
Ohio;  Rosanna  married  James  H.  W.  Moore;  Sarah 


J.  married  John  Bush,  of  McLean  County,  111.,  and 
Margaret,  Mrs.  Thompson  Clemens,  lives  in  Chenoa. 

During  his  childhood  John  McCune  attended  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  remained 
with  his  mother  until  reaching  his  majority.  The 
gold  fever  being  then  at  its  height  lie  started  across 
the  plains  to  California,  accompanied  by  J.  A.  C. 
McCune,  an  attorney  of  Shippensburg,  Pa.,  and 
after  reaching  that  State  engaged  in  mining  near 
Sacramento.  After  an  absence  of  three  years  and 
nine  months  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Oct.  6,  1853,  was  married  to  Miss 
Annie  G.  Kelley.  of  Cumberland  County.  They 
located  on  the  old  homestead  farm,  near  Oakville, 
Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  and  two  years  afterward  our 
subject  visited  Illinois  and  purchased  a  half  section 
of  land  in  Chenoa  Township,  this  county.  He  then 
returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  October  of  that 
year,  1855,  moved  to  this  county  with  his  family, 
settling  on  a  new  farm  which  was  then  a  wild  prai- 
rie. He  began  breaking  the  sod.  planted  an  or- 
chard, and  steadily  carried  on  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  his  purchase,  which  included  the 
erection  of  a  tasteful  and  substantial  residence,  a 
good  barn  and  other  necessary  out-buildings.  He 
was  a  skillful  farmer  and  an  excellent  business 
manager,  and  in  due  time  accumulated  a  fine  com- 
petency. The  homestead  which  he  thus  established, 
and  which  his  family  to-day  enjoy,  consists  of  160 
acres,  adjoining  a  quarter  section  which  was  pnr- 
chased  by  his  sister  in  1 855.  Mr.  McCune  improved 
three  farms  during  his  residence  in  this  county. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCune  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  of  whom  William  died  when  five 
years  of  age.  Those  surviving  are  Mary  G.,  Cor- 
nelia B.,  the  wife  of  G.  J.  Arnold ;  Sarah  J.,  John 
A.  C.,  Maggie  E.  and  Joel  C.  Mr.  McCune  was  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Chenoa,  in  which  he  was  a  Deacon  from  the  time 
of  its  organization.  He  was  also  a  Trustee  in 
the  Church,  and  one  of  the  School  Trustees  in 
Chenoa  Township. 

The  death  of  Mr.  McCune  occurred  under  very 
painful  circumstances.  On  Feb.  10,  1887,  he  was 
accidentally  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  shed.  This 
structure  had  been  regarded  as  unsafe  for  some 
months.  On  the  day  mentioned  Mr.  McCune  had 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


819 


arranged  with  his  son,  who  was  a  telegraph  opera- 
tor in  Chenoa,  to  come  home  and  assist  in  the  pull- 
ing down  of  the  shed.  It  had  originally  been 
thatched  with  slough  grass.  This  had  mostly  blown 
off,  so  that  there  was  little  left  of  the  roof  but  the 
rafters.  It  is  supposed  that  when  Mr.  McCune 
opened  the  door  of  the  shed  the  cattle  started  in 
and  pushing  against  one  of  the  heavy  perpendicu- 
lar supports  which  held  the  roof,  caused  it  to  fall,  the 
heavy  timbers  falling  on  him.  He  was  found  with 
one  of  these  timbers  lying  across  his  shoulder, 
and  another  across  his  feet.  The  announcement  of 
this  calamity  was  received  with  universal  sorrow 
by  the  people  among  whom  he  had  lived  so  long, 
and  b}-  whom  he  was  so  generally  respected.  The 
widow  and  her  children  still  occupy  the  homestead. 
Mrs.  McClure  was  born  and  reared  in  Cumber- 
land County,  Pa.,  and  in  her  youth  united  with  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Of  late  years  she  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a  lady 
greatly  respected  for  her  Christian  character  and 
blameless  life.  In  politics  Mr.  McCune  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat. 


E  GREGORY,  a  prosperous  and  in- 
fluential  farmer  of  Gridley  Township,  owns 
and  operates  460  acres  of  valuable  land, 
which  is  finely  improved  with  a  handsome  and  sub- 
stantial dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  other  necessary 
outhouses,  and,  in  fact,  all  the  appliances  of  a  first- 
class  modern  agriculturist.  Mr.  Gregory  is  a  na- 
tive of  this  township,  born  March  23,  1855,  and  is 
consequently  a  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life,  with 
a  prospect  of  many  useful  years  before  him.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Mary  Gregory,  and  his  early 
education  was  carried  on  in  the  common  schools  of 
Normal. 

Mr.  Gregory  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits, 
having,  during  the  last  few  years,  made  a  specialty 
of  stock-raising.  He  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  in  Fay- 
ette  Count}',  Ohio,  Sept.  5,  1877,  when  he  was 
united  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  with  Miss  Amanda 
Moon,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Martha  (McKillip) 
Moon,  natives  of  Ohio.  After  marriage,  the  par- 
ents of  Miss  Moon  settled  in  Fayette  Count}7, 


where  the  mother  died  in  January,  1859.  The  fa- 
ther still  survives,  and  resides  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio.  John  McKillip  and  Elizabeth  (Whicker) 
McKillip,  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Gregory,  were  of 
Irish  and  German  descent.  The  paternal  ancestors 
of  our  subject  were  of  German  and  Welsh  extrac- 
tion. Mrs.  Gregory  was  the  tenth  child  of  a  family 
of  six  sons  and  five  daughters,  her  birth  occurring 
Jan.  31,  1855.  She  and  her  husband  are  the  par- 
ents of  two  daughters — Emma  and  Lois.  They 
are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  politically  our  subject  uniformly  casts 
his  vote  with  the  Democratic  party. 


ATT  C.  SMITH,  City  Treasurer  of  Bloom- 
ington,  is  a  native  of  New  York  State,  and 
was  born  in  Newburg,  on  the  Hud- 
son River,  July  18,  1854.  His  father, 
Mathew  C.  Smith,  Sr.,  was  an  old  steamboat  Cap- 
tain on  the  Hudson,  and  died  when  our  subject  was 
an  infant.  His  mother,  before  her  marriage,  was 
Mary  J.  Stephens,  and  like  her  husband  was  a  na- 
tive of  New  York.  After  the  death  of  the  father 
the  mother  removed  West  with  her  family,  which 
consisted  of  two  sons  beside  our  subject.  They 
located  in  Bloomington,  where  the  mother  is  still 
living. 

The  subject  of  this  history  came  to  this  county 
in  the  fall  of  1865,  in  company  with  the  late  Dr. 
S.  C.  Wilson,  who  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  late  war, 
and  a  prominent  dentist,  who  stood  at  the  head  of 
his  profession.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1881, 
he  was  an  Alderman  of  this  city.  He  married  the 
only  sister  of  our  subject,  Miss  Anna  E.  Smith. 

Mr.  Smith  of  this  history  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years. 
Principally  through  his  own  efforts  he  secured  a 
good  common-school  education,  by  studying  nights, 
his  days  being  employed  in  making  a  living.  He 
was  fortunately  enabled  afterward  to  attend  one 
year  at  a  private  school,  and  subsequently  entered 
the  office  of  his  brother-in-law,  Dr.  S.  C.  Wilson,  to 
learn  dentistry.  After  serving  six  years  he  was 
employed  by  Dr.  F.  H.  Mclntosh,  successor  of  Dr. 
Wilson,  with  whom  he  continued  until  May,  1886, 


T 


820 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


1 


Mr.  Smith  was  appointed  Oil  Inspector  for  the 
city  of  Bloomington  in  1879,  which  position  he  oc- 
cupied three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1884  he  was 
elected  City  Treasurer,  and  was  re-elected  in  1886, 
He  has  been  prominent  in  the  politics  of  this  section, 
is  Secretary  of  the  Republican  Central  Committee, 
of  which  he  has  been  a  member  for  three  years,  and 
is  Sergeant  of  the  Young  Men's  Republican  Club. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  K.  of  P.  and  the  order  of 
Improved  Red  Men.  Mr.  Smith  was  married,  in 
1880,  to  Miss  Bell  Popple,  of  Bloomington,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  one  child,  Wil- 
son P. 

BRAHAM  WILSON.  The  importance  of 
biography  as  a  means  of  instruction,  as 
well  as  a  branch  of  historical  literature,  is 
indisputable,  and  the  reader  must  certainly 
have  frequently  seen  and  realized  that  in  the  life 
of  an  individual  can  be  seen  mirrored,  not  only  his 
own  individuality  and  struggles,  but  all  mankind's 
epitome.  Emerson  justly  says  "That  all  history  is 
only  the  biography  of  man."  The  troubles,  trials 
and  labors  of  one  individual  are  but  specimens  of 
efforts  of  many  who  have  to  fight  the  battles  of  life 
and  who  go  down  to  their  graves  unchroiiieled.  In 
listening  to  the  history  of  Mr.  Wilson  we  could 
but  see  the  truth  of  his  statement.  It  would  teach 
the  discouraged  hope  under  the  most  unsatisfactory 
circumstances,  perseverance  amid  great  difficulty, 
and  assurance  that  labor  and  faith  will  eventually 
conquer. 

Abraham  Wilson  is  a  prominent  and  highly  re- 
spected resident  of  Gridley  Township,  and  came  to 
this  county  in  1843.  During  this  period  of  over 
forty-three  years  he  has  fully  established,  himself  in 
Jhe  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens. 
He  was  born  among  the  Ohio  hills  in  Licking 
County,  March  7,  1827,  and  was  the  son  of  Archi- 
bald and  Hannah  (Archer)  Wilson.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  mother  of  Licking 
County,  Ohio.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  that 
county,  and  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  that 
region.  Archibald  Wilson  was  educated  for  the 
ministry  but  for  some  reason  unknown  to  his  son 
he  devoted  his  time  mostly  to  teaching  school.  He 


spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  Licking  County, 
his  demise  occurring  in  1836,  while  still  in  the 
prime  of  life.  The  mother  afterward  emigrated  to 
Illinois,  locating  in  this  county  in  1843,  and  died 
in  Gridley  Township  in  the  fall  of  1879.  Four  of 
their  seven  children  attained  to  years  of  maturity, 
namely:  James,  Abraham,  Marj'  A.  and  Rebecca 
A.  The  former  became  the  wife  of  Jehinl  Stretch 
and  resides  in  Gridley  Township,  which  is  also  the 
home  of  Rebecca  A. 

Abraham  Wilson  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  common  schools.  He  was  but  nine  years  of 
age  when  his  father  died  and  he  continued  with 
his  mother  and  assisted  in  the  labors  around  the 
farm  homestead,  and  came  with  her  to  Illinois,  be- 
ing about  sixteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
arrival  here.  During  the  progress  of  the  late  war 
he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  in  September, 
1861,  becoming  a  member  of  the  4th  Illinois 
Cavalry,  and  serving  three  years  and  two  months. 
He  entered  the  army  as  a  private  and  was  soon 
promoted  Sergeant.  He  was  remarkably  fortun- 
ate in  his  army  experience,  suffering  neither  sick- 
ness nor  imprisonment,  and  receiving  only  a  slight 
wound,  scarcely  worthy  to  be  mentioned.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  received  his 
honorable  discharge,  and  returning  to  Gridley 
Township,  resumed  his  position  as  a  tiller  of  the 
soil.  He  began  life  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  with 
no  assistance  but  his  strong  arms  and  willing  dispo- 
sition. He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  half  section  of  valu- 
able land,  which  he  has  brought  into  a  fine  state  of 
cultivation  and  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  first- 
class  set  of  farm  buildings,  including  a  handsome 
and  substantial  residence,  a  convenient  barn  and  all 
other  structures  necessary  for  the  shelter  of  stock 
and  the  storing  of  grain.  It  is  supplied  with  the  latest 
improved  farm  machinery  and  in  short  is  fitted 
with  all  the  requirements  of  a  modern  agriculturist. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  events  in  the  life  of 
our  subject  occurred  on  the  20th  of  March,  1866, 
when  he  was  united  in  marriage  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Peoria  County,  111.,  with  Miss 
Christina,  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  B.  and  Alice 
(Leonard)  Merritt.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Wilson, 
who  were  natives  of  Licking  County,  Ohio,  were 
there  reared  and  married  and  soon  afterward  located 


•c-       •  ''-» 

~3f 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


823 


in  Putnam  County,  whence  they  removed  in  1859 
to  Illinois,  settling  in  Saybrook,  this  county.  They 
afterward  removed  to  Princeville,  Peoria  Count}-. 
While  on  a  visit  to  his  children  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, Mr.  Merritt  was  taken  suddenly  ill  and  died 
before  he  could  reach  home.  The  mother  still 
survives.  Their  family  consisted  of  nine  children, 
five  daughters  and  four  sons.  Christina,  Mrs.  Wil- 
son, was  the  fifth  child.  She  was  born  in  Putnam 
County,  Ohio,  Sept.  22,  1844.  Of  her  union  with 
our  subject  there  have  been  born  two  children: 
Emma  E.,  the  wife  of  Oscar  L.  Craig,  of  Clark 
County,  111.,  and  Edwin  M.,  a  resident  of  Gridley 
Township. 

Mr.  Wilson  has  held  the  offices  of  School  Trustee, 
Treasurer,  Collector  and  Assessor  of  the  township. 
Politically  he  is  a  reliable  Republican  and  relig- 
iously identifies  himself  with  the  United  Brethren 
Church.  Mrs.  W.  is  connected  with  the  Seventh- 
Day  Adventists.  As  a  representative  citizen  we 
present  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Wilson  in  this  volume. 


ENRY  T.  BOWER.  The  late  Henry  T. 
Bower  was  a  prominent  and  highly  respect- 
ed farmer  of  Dale  Township,  and  an  old 
resident  of  McLean  County.  He  built  up 
for  himself  a  lasting  reputation  as  a  man  possessing 
most  excellent  personal  traits  of  character,  upright 
and  honorable  in  his  business  transactions,  and  im- 
bued with  that  generous  public  spirit  that  was 
always  ready  to  assist  in  whatever  was  calculated 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  his  county  and  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Bower  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  born  in  Armagh  Township,  Mifflin  County,  on 
the  6th  of  February,  1820.  Hi's  father,  Joseph 
Bower,  was  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  the  same 
State,  and  his  great -grandparents  on  his  father's 
side  were  of  German  parentage.  Jacob  Bower, 
upon  coming  to  America,  located  in  Lancaster 
County,  Pa.,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life.  His  son,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
served  as  a  soldier  during  the  whole  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary War.  Near  the  close  of  that  immortal 
struggle,  and  while  in  the  cavalry  service,  his  horse 


fell  upon  him  and  broke  his  thigh,  which  ended 
his  military  career.  He  survived  this  accident, 
however,  for  several  years,  and  died  in  Franklin 
County, 

Joseph  Bower,  the  father  of,  our  subject,  was 
reared  upon  a  farm.  He  was  only  about  four 
years  old  when  his  father  died,  and  soon  afterward 
his  mother  and  elder  brothers  moved  from  Frank- 
lin to  Mifflin  County,  where  Joseph  grew  to  man- 
hood and  was  married.  He  afterward  removed  to 
Huntingdon  County,  where  he  purchased  a  farm, 
which  he  occupied  for  five  years.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Mifflin  County  and  engaged  in-  driving  a 
stage  from  Lewiston  to  Huntingdon  for  four  years, 
and  then  rented  a  tavern  on  the  pike  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Pittsburgh.  He  kept  public  house  for  a 
period  of  seven  years,  and  in  the  meantime  was 
agent  for  the  stage  company.  He  then  took  charge 
of  a  packet-boat  for  the  stage  company,  and  ran 
on  the  Pennsylvania  Canal  for  three  or  four  years, 
when  he  resumed  farming  upon  a  tract  of  rented 
land  for  a  few  years,  when  he  went  to  Altoona. 
After  one  year's  residence  in  that  place  he  crossed 
the  Alleghanies,  and  engaged  as'foreman  along  the 
line  of  railroad  which  was  then  in  process  of  con- 
struction, and  after  two  years  thus  employed  oper- 
ated as  a  contractor.  His  wife  having  died  in  In- 
diana County,  he  removed  to  Bradford  County, 
and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  at  the  home 
of  his  daughter.  He  served  his  country  in  the 
War  of  1812,  was  a  wide-awake  and  ambitious 
man,  and  kept  himself  well  posted  in  regard  to 
whatever  was  going  on  in  the  world  around  him. 
The  mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage 
with  Joseph  Bower,  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Kerswell. 
She  was  born  in  Mifflin  County, "Pa.,  and  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  The  parental  household 
consisted  of  seven  children. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  second  child 
and  eldest  son  of  his  parents.  He  attended  school 
during  his  childhood  days,  and  when  his  father 
was  in  the  hotel  business  assisted  him.  After  the 
hotel  was  abandoned  he  operated  as  a  farmer  on 
land  which  his  father  had  rented,  and  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  nineteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  was  married,  and  Nov.  25,  1839, 
located  upon  a  rented  farm  in  Mifflin  County.  He 


T 


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824 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


cultivated  rented  land  in  that  locality  until  1855. 
and  in  the  meantime  was  also  engaged  in  butcher- 
ing. During  that  same  year  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  7, 
now  in  Dale  Township,  upon  which  he  removed 
with  his  family  the  following  year.  They  made 
the  journey  via  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers  to 
Alton,  and  from  there  by  railroad  to  Shirley.  His 
land  was  wild  prairie  and  the  first  year  of  his  resi- 
dence here  he  rented  a  farm  on  section  25,  in  the 
meantime  working  upon  his  own  land  as  time  per- 
mitted. He  broke  seven  acres  that  year,  and  in 
1857  removed  to  Allin  Township  and  rented  a 
house  into  which  he  removed  his  family,  and  which 
they  occupied  for  two  years  and  eight  months.  He 
then  purchased  a  small  frame  house  and  moved  it 
upon  his  own  land,  established  his  family  within  it, 
and  was  a  resident  of  the  farm  thus  opened  until 
his  death.  His  homestead  is  now  finely  improved, 
the  land  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  the 
family  occupies  a  tasteful  and  comfortable  farm 
residence,  and  has  an  excellent  barn  and  all  neces- 
sary out-buildings,  convenient  for  the  storing  of 
grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock.  For  two  years  pre- 
vious to  his  death  he  rented  the  greater  part  of  his 
land  and  was  practically  retired  from  active  labor, 
living  in  the  well-merited  enjoyment  of  the  fruits 
of  his  early  industry. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  on  the 
25th  of  November,  1839,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Shade,  a 
native  of  Berks  County,  Pa.,  and  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  (Schumaker)  Shade.  The  house- 
hold circle  was  completed  by  the  birth  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Mary 
is  a  resident  of  Dale  Township ;  Matilda  became 
the  wife  of  Darvid  R.  Stubblefleld,  also  of  Dale 
Township;  Sarah  married  William  Davis  of  Downs 
Township;  James  E.  married  Celestia  J.  Perry  and 
lives  in  Allin  Township;  Anna  R.  married  John  K. 
Shade,  of  Dale  Township;  Harriet  M.,  the  wife  of 
Isaac  Skinner,  lives  in  Dale  Township;  Martha  E. 
married  Alonzo  James,  and  lives  in  Nuckoll  Coun- 
ty, Neb.,  and  Frances  H.,  the  wife  of  John  B. War- 
low,  is  a  resident  of  Allin  Township. 

Mr.  Bower  was  Democratic  in  politics,  and  lib- 
eral in  his  religious  views.  He  was  straightforward 
and  methodical  in  his  business  transactions  and 


ranked  among  the  representative  men  of  one  of  the 
most  important  counties  of  the  Prairie  State.  His 
death  occurred  April  3.  1887,  and  caused  great 
mourning  in  the  community  that  he  had  been  so 
closely  identified  with  for  so  many  years. 

This  brief  sketch  and  accompanying  portrait  will 
serve  as  a  means  of  perpetuating  the  memory  of 
one  who  was  in  every  respect  a  noble,  true-hearted 
man,  and  an  esteemed  and  worthy  citizen. 


ARRISON  JENKINS,  living  on  section  31, 
Money  Creek  Township,  is  one  of  the  suc- 
cessful and  progressive  farmers  of  McLean 
County.  His  father,  Levi,  and  his  mother, 
Mary  A.  (Hickraan)  Jenkins,  were  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia and  of  English  ancestry.  His  father  was  a 
farmer  by  calling  and  after  his  marriage  with  Miss 
Hickman  settled  in  Virginia,  where  he  followed  his 
vocation  and  whence  he  emigrated  to  Licking 
County,  Ohio.  There  he  labored  at  his  calling  un- 
til his  death,  which  event  took  place  in  1845.  His 
gpod  wife  survived  him  thirteen  years  and  then,  in 
1858,  passed  to  join  him  in  the  better  home  above. 
They  had  nine  children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age 
of  man  and  womanhood — Eveline,  William,  James, 
John,  Harrison,  Nancy,  Sally,  Calvin  and  George. 

Our  subject  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  of  his 
parents'  children,  and  was  born  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  July  27,  1822.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  his 
school  privileges  being  exceedingly  limited.  He 
lived  at  home  until  he  was  about  twenty-six  years 
old  and  continued  to  make  Licking  County  his  resi- 
dence until  1854.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  came 
to  McLean  County  with  his  wife  and  one  child, 
making  the  journey  overland.  On  his  arrival  here 
he  settled  in  Money  Creek  Township,  on  section  31, 
and  has  made  that  his  home  until  the  present  time. 
The  first  purchase  of  land  consisted  of  114  acres, 
and  he  is  now  the  owner  of  1 20  acres  of  valuable 
and  productive  land,  with  good  and  substantial  im- 
provements upon  it. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  married  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  Sept.  26,  1844.  The  lady  whom  he  selected 
as  his  life  companion  was  Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Amelia  Jackson,  natives  of  Virginia. 


t 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Her  parents  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  making  that  their  home 
until  1845,  they  moved  to  Deleware  County,  Ind., 
where  the  father  died  Oct.  19,  1862.  The  mother 
died  in  Madison  County,  Ind.,  Nov.  11,  1872. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jackson  had  four  children  who  lived 
to  attain  the  age  of  maturity,  and  four  who  died  in 
early  years.  The  living  are,  Mary  A.,  William, 
Franklin  and  Elizabeth.  Mary  A.,  wife  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  Jan.  9,  1 825, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  two  children — Mary  A.  and  Thomas  C. 
Mary  A.  is  the  wife  of  William  Fincbam  and  they 
are  living  in  Towanda  Township.  Thomas  C.  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  A.  Moots,  and  lives  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  Mr.  Jenkins  has  been  Overseer  of 
Highways  and  has  also  been  the  incumbent  of  the 
office  of  School  Director.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  in 
politics  our  subject  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


ffiOHN  E.  WIGHTMAN.  The  gentleman 
whose  history  we  briefly  sketch  in  the  fol- 
lowing lines,  is  the  oldest  representative  of 
the  hardware  trade  in  the  flourishing  little 
town  of  Chenoa.  He  comes  of  excellent  Welsh  an- 
cestry, and  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  on 
the  10th  of  June,  1837.  His  father,  E.  E.  Wight- 
man, deceased  June  1,  1887,  at  Sand  Springs,  Nev., 
which  was  his  place  of  residence,  was  married  in 
early  manhood  to  Miss  Mary  Madole,  a  native  of 
New  York  and  the  daughter  of  Jacob  Madole. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Elias  Wightman, 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  killed  by  a  fall  from 
a  load  of  hay,  in  New  York. 

The  Wightman  family  settled  in  New  England 
at  an  early  day,  and  were  distinguished  for  their 
excellent  btsiness  qualities,  their  integrity,  and 
their  worth  as  citizens,  neighbors  and  friends. 
They  became  prominent  among  the  colonists  as 
honest  men  and  valuable  members  of  societj',  and 
identified  themselves  thoroughly  with  the  interests 
of  their  adopted  country. 

The  father  of  our  subject  removed  from  the  Em- 


pire State  with  his  family  in  September,  1838,  and 
located  in  Richmond,  McHenry  County,  this  State. 
After  a  residence  there  of  three  years,  they  re- 
moved into  the  village  of  McHenry,  where  Mr. 
Wightman  engaged  in  the  hotel  and  livery  busi- 
ness. In  1850  he  went  to  California,  remaining 
until  1866,  and  thence  removed  to  Sand  Springs, 
Nev.,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  The  par- 
ental family  consisted  of  five  children,  two  sons 
and  three  daughters,  of  whom  one  daughter  is  de- 
ceased. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  with  his 
parents  in  McHenry  County,  111.,  until  about  1859, 
and  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  common 
schools.  When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  went  to 
Chicago,  and  served  a  three  years'  apprenticeship 
at  the  tinner's  trade,  becoming  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  that  business.  He  then  returned  to 
McHenry  County,  and  was  the  first  person  to  en- 
gage in  the  business  in  the  town  of  McHenry.  He 
soon  afterward,  however,  removed  to  Waukegan, 
111.,  where  he  worked  for  three  years,  then  removed 
to  De  Witt  County,  this  State,  and  commenced  in 
the  hardware  business  on  his  own  account  in  Clin- 
ton. He  continued  there  until  his  removal  to 
Chenoa  in  the  spring  of  1866,  where  he  went  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Besley,  and  they  opened  a 
hardware  store  under  the  firm  name  of  Besley  <fe 
Wightman,  and  operated  together  until  January, 
1882.  Mr.  Wightman  then  purchased  the  interest 
of  his  partner,  and  continued  alone  until  Jan.  1, 
1887,  when  he  took  in  his  son,  J.  E.,  as  partner. 
The  firm  carries  a  fine  stock  of  hardware  and  fur- 
niture, and  is  doing  a  profitable  and  steadily  in- 
creasing trade.  They  occupy  a  double  store  with 
a  frontage  of  48x100  feet  and  a  good  basement 
under  the  whole. 

Mr.  Wightman  by  his  thorough  business  meth- 
ods and  strictly  honest  business  course,  has  fully 
established  himself  in  the  confidence  of  the  busi- 
ness community,  of  which  he  is  considered  one  of 
its  most  important  factors.  The  family  enjoy  the 
society  of  the  best  people  of  Chenoa,  and  in  their 
pleasant  home  are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 

The  marriage  of  John  E.  Wightman  and  Isabel 
Atkinson  took  place  on  the  3 1st  of  December,  1857, 


t 


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826 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


in  St.  Charles,  111.  Mrs.  Wightman  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Sarah  Atkinson,  and  was  born 
in  Kngland,  in  1838.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  become  the  parents  of  four  children,  one  of 
whom,  William,  died  when  eleven  years  of  age. 
Those  surviving  are,  Henrietta  E.,  Hattie  B.  and 
John  E.,  Jr.  Mr.  Wightman  is  Democratic  in  pol- 
itics, and  a  great  admirer  of  President  Cleveland. 
He  was  elected  Mayor  of  Chenoa  in  1877,  which 
office  he  held  two  years.  He  represented  his  Ward 
as  Alderman  four  years,  and  was  School  Director 
for  a  period  of  fifteen  years.  He  was  again  elected 
Ma}' or  in  the  spring  of  1885,  for  a  term  of  two 
years,  and  served  with  great  credit  to  himself  and 
the  city. 


LMON  B.  KEMPTON,  deceased,  was  num- 
bered among  the  most  highly  respected  and 
worthy  citizens  of  Chenoa  Township.  He. 
was  a  native  of  Sunbury,  Delaware  Co., 
Ohio,  born  March  12,  1840,  and  was  the  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Mary  (Bowley)  Kempton,  who  re- 
moved to  Illinois  at  an  earl}'  day  and  settled  near 
Nauvoo  on  the  Mississippi  River.  There  the  father 
died  within  a  short  time  and  when  Almon  B.  was  a 
child  four  years  of  age.  His  mother  subsequently 
married  again  and  removed  back  to  Ohio,  where  our 
subject  continued  to  reside  until  he  had  reached 
his  eighteenth  year.  He  then  returned  to  this  State 
and  completed  his  studies  in  Farmington,  Fulton 
County,  a  year  later.  Soon  afterward  he  began 
teaching,  which  he  followed  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army, 
becoming  a  member  of  Co.  A,  llth  Indiana  Zou- 
aves, which  did  valuable  service  in  assisting  to  de- 
fend the  Union.  Young  Kempton  was  engaged 
with  his  comrades  in  the  battles  of  Ft.  Donelson, 
Mission  Ridge,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  other 
important  engagements  of  the  war.  He  was  mus- 
tered out  before  the  expiration  of  his  enlistment, 
in  the  fall  of  1864,  on  account  of  protracted  illness, 
the  result  of  small-pox,  from  which  he  suffered  long 
and  severely. 

After  retiring  from  the  army,  Mr.  K.' returned 
to  Ohio  and  wishing  to  still  further  perfect  him- 
self in  his  studies,  entered  the  Commercial  College 


at  Cleveland,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1865. 
He  then  came  to  Fulton  County,  this  State,  and  em- 
ployed himself  for  several  years  following,  teaching 
school  winters  and  working  on  a  farm  in  the  sum- 
mer. 

In  February,  1867,  Almon  Kempton  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Mapes,  of  Cuyahoga 
County,  Ohio.  Mrs.  K.  is  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Henrietta  Mapes.  After  their  marriage  our 
subject  and  his  young  wife  remained  in  Fulton 
County  until  1874,  whence  they  removed  to  this 
county  and  located  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by 
the  widow  and  family.  This  is  finely  located  on 
section  30,  and  consists  of  eight}'  acres  of  choice 
land  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  upon  which 
is  a  comfortable  residence  and  all  necessary  build- 
ings for  the  storing  of  grain  and  shelter  of  stock. 

After  coming  to  this  county  Mr.  Kempton  still 
followed  his  profession  as  a  teacher,  in  which  he 
took  a  genuine  interest  and  for  which  he  was  em- 
inently fitted  by  his  love  of  books  and  his  genial 
and  kindly  disposition.  He  departed  this  life  at 
his  homestead  on  the  15th  of  April,  1882.  He  was 
a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, being  connected  with  the  lodge  at  Chenoa. 
He  was  also  connected  with  the  Congregational 
Church.  Mrs.  K.  still  makes  her  home  upon  the 
farm,  a  part  of  which  is  operated  by  a  tenant.  She 
also  taught  school  several  years  in  Ohio  before  her 
marriage,  and  was  well  fitted  by  education  and 
training  to  become  the  companion  of  her  husband. 


120 


ETER  C.  JACOB Y,  general  farmer  and 
stock- raiser,  located  on  section  19,  Padua 
Township,  moved  on  his  present  home- 
stead in  the  spring  of  1884.  Here  he  has 
acres  of  finely  improved  land,  well  drained 
and  generally  productive.  Mr.  J.  came  to  this  vi- 
cinity from  Belleflower  Township,  this  county, 
where  he  owned  120  acres  besides  eighty  acres  in 
De  Witt  County,  which  he  sold  previous  to  mov- 
ing here.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in 
Randolph  Township,  Dec.  27,  1833.  His  father, 
Henry  Jacoby,  died  about  1852,  in  Randolph 
Township ;  he  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  pur- 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


827 


sued  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  the  greater  part  of 
his  life.  Henry  Jacoby  first  became  acquainted 
with  his  wife  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio.  She  was 
Miss  Julia  A.  Clarke  and  descended  from  English 
and  Irish  ancestry.  Soon  after  marriage  they  lo- 
cated in  White  County,  this  State,  whence  a  few 
years  later  they  came  to  McLean  County,  settling 
in  Downs  Township  among  the  other  pioneers  who 
began  to  establish  their  homesteads  there  in  1  830. 
This  was  about  the  first  township  that  was  set- 
tled in  McLean  County.  Later  they  removed  to 
Randolph  Township,  where  the  father  died.  The 
mother  then  went  to  Kansas  and  lived  with  her  son 
Henry  in  Lyons  County,  where  she  died  at  an  ad- 
vanced age,  about  1879. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  one  of  the 
younger  members  of  the  parental  household,  and 
continued  under  the  home  roof  until  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  in  Old  Town  Township,  Feb.  15, 
1866,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Louisa  E. 
Twining,  who  was  born  in  Bucks  County,  Pa., 
March  3,  1835.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Sarah  A.  (Banes)  Twining,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  located  in  Bucks  County  after  their 
marriage,  and  soon  afterward  removing  to  this 
county,  settled  in  Old  Town  Township,  and  im- 
proved a  large  farm,  and  there  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  Mrs.  J.  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  are  four  children  :  Thomas  H.,  born 
Nov.  12,  1866;  Daniel  A.,  Nov.  1,  1868;  Dellcena 
R.,  born  Aug.  12,  1871,  and  Franklin  E.,  June  7, 
1874.  They  are  all  at  home.  Our  subject,  politi- 
cally, is  a  solid  Republican,  and  Mrs.  J.  is  a  worthy 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


eLIFFORD  H.  WIRT,  pf  the  firm  of  R.  Wirt 
&  Co.,  tile  manufacturers  of  Saybrook,  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  and  was  born   April 
16,  1859.     He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Emily  A. 
(Linton)  Wirt,  both  natives  of  Ohio.     John  Wirt 
was  born  in  1837,  and   followed   farming  pursuits 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  his  native  State.     The 
mother  was  born  in  1838  and  is  still  living.     Their 
eight  children  were,  Clifford,  Hattie,  Annie,  Mary 


who  married  Logan  Fry,  James  L.,  Giles  J.,  Edward 
and  Homer. 

The  subject  of  this  history  learned  tile-making 
in  1 883,  at  Saybrook.  He  is  still  a  young  man, 
but  his  industry  and  energ3'  indicate  that  he  will 
become  prominently  identified  with  the  business, 
interests  of  this  section  in  the  near  future.  He 
was  married,  Feb.  1,  1887,  to  Miss  Bessie  E.  John- 
son, a  native  of  this  State,  who  was  .born  April  6, 
1866.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  C.  and  Mary 
(Alexander)  Johnson,  of  English  parentage  and 
ancestry,  and  traces  her  ancestry  back  to  Alexan- 
der the  Great. 

Our  subject  has  been  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist-Episcopal Church  for  the  past  ten  years.  Mrs. 
Wirt  united  with  the  Christian  Church  in  1884,  in 
which  she  is  a  prominent  member  and  Superintend- 
ant  of  the  Sabbath-school.  She  is  a  lady  of  rare 
culture  and  refinement,  of  great  energy,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  the  millinery  business  for  herself  at  Say- 
bropk. 


SBORN  BARNARD,  a  retired  farmer  and 
stock-dealer  of  Bloomington  Township,  oc- 
cupies a  beautiful  residence  on  section  6, 
and  is  one  of  the  best  known  men  of  this  vicinity, 
having  been  remarkably  successful  as  a  business 
man  and  a  most  worthy  and  estimable  citizen.  He 
came  to  McLean  County  in  the  spring  of  1840,  first 
locating  at  Twin  Grove,  on  section  4,  in  Dale 
Township.  His  parents  were  early  settlers  here, 
coming  in  the  fall  of  1840,  his  father  having  made 
a  purchase  of  laud  in  1837  and  1839,  which  became 
the  permanent  homestead  of  the  family.  The  son, 
.however,  had  located  on  it  nearly  a  year  before  the 
parents  and  other  members  of  the  family  arrived. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  near  Dayton, 
Ohio,  Nov.  12,  1822.  There  he  was  educated  and 
remained  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came 
to  this  vicinity  and  gathered  the  first  crops  and 
necessary  feed  for  stock,  etc.,  which  the  remainder 
of  the  family  brought  with  them  in  the  fall  follow- 
ing. 

Samuel  Barnard,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  son  of  Francis 


t. 


'  •  828 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


S; 


C.  Barnard,  who  was  one  of  a  family  of  three 
brothers  that  first  settled  on  Nantucket  Island. 
They  were  of  the  Quaker  faith  and  had  been  per- 
secuted in  England  on  account  of  their  religious 
belief.  These  three  brothers,  as  is  seen  from  the 
history  of  this  island,  were  among  the  foremost  to 
organize  a  colony  there,  and  on  that  spot  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject  followed  the  sea  from  boyhood,  and  in 
early  years  took  the  place  of  a  man  before  the  mast. 
He  afterward  became  Captain  of  a  large  whaling 
vessel  to  which  business  he  devoted  the  most  of 
his  life  in  the  Northern  Seas.  He  retired  from  this 
business  late  in  life  and  proceeding  to  North  Caro- 
line settled  in  Iredell  County,  where  the  father 'of 
our  subject  was  born  June  13,  1789.  The  parents 
of  the  latter  became  prominent  in  that  State  owing 
to  the  condition  of  the  colored  people,  which  the 
father  of  Samuel  Barnard  sought  to  relieve  by 
every  means  in  his  power.  He  exerted  all  his  in- 
fluence and  spent  a  large  fortune  in  carrying  on  liti- 
gation and  effecting  the  freedom  of  slaves  who 
were  made  free  by  their  deceased  masters,  but  held 
in  bondage  by  their  heirs.  This  work  had  been  in- 
trusted to  Mr.  B.  as  executor  by  various  old  slave- 
holders who,  at  their  death,  wished  to  reward  some 
of  their  faithful  servants  with  liberty. 

The  wife  of  Francis  Barnard,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Catharine  Osborn,  a  native  of  Connecticut 
and  of  New  England  descent  and  parentage.  She 
became  an  orphan  at  an  early  age  and  resided  with 
her  foster-parents,  with  whom  she  lived  until  her 
marriage.  She  survived  until  after  the  death  of 
her  husband  and  came  with  her  children  to  Ohio, 
where  she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  days.  The 
father  of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  in  North 
Carolina  but  was  married  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Compton.  The  latter  was  a 
native  of  South  Carolina,  of  Southern  parentage, 
and  in  about  1804  came  with  her  father  and  three 
brothers  and  located  near  Dayton,  Ohio,  being 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Montgomery  County. 
She  was  married  in  1812,  and  her  parents  both  died 
afterward  in  Montgomery  County.  Her  father, 
William,  and  her  mother,  Martha  (Davis)  Compton, 
spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  upon  a  farm 
and  died  well  advanced  in  years,  having  been 


I 


greatly  respected  and  the  possessors  of  a  fine  prop- 
erty. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  after  marriage  settled 
on  Government  land  in  Ohio  and  began  life  poor, 
at  the  foot  of  the  ladder.  They  "  pulled  together," 
however,  'were  industrious  and  economical,  and  in 
due  time  had  improved  three  farms  from  the  wilder- 
ness. They  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children, 
two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  After  a  few  years, 
wishing  to  give  his  children  better  advantages  than 
their  present  location  afforded,  Samuel  Barnard  sold 
his  property  which  he  had  made  in  Ohio,  and  started 
West.  He  came  into  McLean  County  where  he 
pursued  the  same  methods  by  which  he  had  before 
become  so  successful  in  life,  and  before  his  death 
was  the  owner  of  400  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this 
county.  This  remained  his  permanent  home  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1847,  when  he  was 
flfty-seven  years  of  age.  He  was  reared  in  the 
Quaker  faith  and  to  this  he  loyally  adhered  until 
the  end  of  his  life,  as  did  the  mother  also.  The 
latter  died  a  few  years  later,  in  1852,  and  with  her 
husband  was  beloved  and  respected  by  the  entire 
community. 

Osborn  Barnard  remained  with  his  mother  after 
his  father's  death,  and  carried  on  the  farm  until  he 
was  about  thirty-four  years  of  age  before  he  de- 
cided to  venture  upon  one  of  the  most  important 
changes  in  life.  In  1855  he  was  united  in  marriage 
at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  with  Miss  Sarah  demons, 
December  29.  Mrs.  B.  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and 
was  born  Nov.  15,  1832.  She  remained  in  her  na- 
tive State  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  lived 
in  Texas  some  time  before  her  marriage.  Of  this 
union  there  were  two  children:  Cora  E.,  born 
Dec.  23,  1871,  who  has  received  a  fine  education 
and  is  well  advanced  in  music,  and  Owen  E.,  who 
died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Barnard,  since  his  marriage,  has  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  as  a  money  broker  and  in  buying 
and  selling  of  stock.  He  is  not  at  present  engaged 
in  anv  active  business,  having  been  enabled  to  re- 
tire upon  the  proceeds  of  his  earlier  enterprise  and 
industry.  In  his  transactions  as  a  capitalist,  he 
operated  in  connection  with  his  brother  Amos,  and 
has  become  widely  and  favorably  known  as  a  gen- 
tleman of  fair  and  honorable  dealings  who  could 


if 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


be  trusted  with  impunity.  His  elegant  home  is  the 
resort  of  the  cultured  people  of  that  city,  who  have 
learned  to  esteem  him  for  his  personal  worth,  and 
his  value  to  the  city  as  a  business  man  and  one  of 
the  important  factors  of  the  community. 

UTHER  C.  HAYS,  a  native  of  Brown  County, 
Ohio,  is  now  prosperously  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural  pursuits  in  Chenoa  Township,  and 
is  one  of  the  important  factors  in  the  business 
and  farming  interests  of  this  section.  He  comes 
of  an  excellent  fam'ily,  well  known  in  the  Middle 
States,  his  grandfather,  Warren  Flays,  _having  been 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing successfully,  became  prominent  as  a  business 
man  and  a  citizen,  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  his 
native  State.  The  grandfather  was  married  in 
early  manhood  to  Miss  Clara  Stark,  and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters.  One  of  these,  Abial,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  New  York  City,  and  after 
reaching  manhood  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Ken- 
nedy, a  Virginia  lady,  and  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Margaret  Kennedy,  also  of  t'he  Old  Dominion. 
After  his  marriage  Abial  Hays  located  in  Brown 
Count}',  Ohio,  near  Sardinia,  where  our  subject 
was  born  on  the  27th  of  July,  1836.  The  family 
remained  in  Ohio  until  1855,  then  removed  to 
Woodford  County,  111.,  and  from  there  to  McLean 
County,  settling  in  Lexington  Township,  one 
year  after  which  they  made  their  home  in  Chenoa 
Township.  Here  the  mother  died  on  the  26th  of 
December,  1884,  her  husband  having  preceded  her 
to  the  home  beyond.  The  parental  family  included 
seven  children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters.  Two 
of  the  latter  are  now  deceased. 

The  early  life  of  Luther  C./Hays  was  passed  in 
his  native  county  in  Ohio,  where  he  pursued  his 
primary  studies  in  the  district  schools  and  com- 
pleted ,them  at  a  select  school.  In  1860  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Matilda  Frazier,  who  became  the 
mother  of  four  children  and  departed  this  life  in 
1871.  Of  these  children  Samuel  L.  married  Miss 
Anna  Vercler,  and  lives  in  Livingston  County,  this 
State;  Fannie  M.  became  the  wife  of  G.  Howard,  of 


Livingston  County;  Jessie  C.  married  Andrew 
Vercler,  and  they  reside  in  Livingston  County, 
and  Charles  H.  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Hays  became  a  resident  of  Chenoa  Town- 
ship in  1857,  locating  first  on  section  10.  Eight 
years  later  he  removed  to  his  present  homestead  on 
section  4.  This  contains  forty  acres  of  finely  culti- 
vated land,  with  a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of 
frame  buildings.  He  also  lias  a  valuable  farm  of 
240  acres  in  Pike  Township,  Livingston  County, 
111.  He  has  given  most  of  his  attention  to  the 
raising  of  grain,  in  which  he  has  been  remarkably 
successful,  and  has  also  dealt  largely  in  hogs,  feed- 
ing and  shipping,  and  thereby  realizing  a  hand- 
some income, 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  Jan.  28,  1874,  was  Mrs.  Frances  A. 
(Rhodes)  Clarke,  daughter  of  Almon  W.  Rhodes, 
and  widow  of  Wilson  M.  Clarke,  who  died  in  1871. 
Mrs.  Hays  is  a  native  of  New  York  City.  Of  her 
first  marriage  there  were  born  two  daughters — Alda 
R.  and  Lora  B.  Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  born  five  children — George  M.,  Nel- 
lie, Pearl  M.,  Eva  E.  and  John  Sherman.  Mr.  Hays 
has  served  his  township  as  Road  Commissioner  and 
has  been  School  Director  for  the  last  eighteen 
years.  Politically  he  is>  a  stanch  Republican  and 
uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party. 


ICHAEL  SULLIVAN,  who  is  widely  and 
favorably  known  in  Arrowsmith  Township 
as  an  industrious  farmer  and  citizen,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  5,  where  he 
is  pursuing  the  peaceful  occupation  of  a  farmer 
upon  121  acres  of  land  which  he  has  brought  to  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  the  city  of  Cork,  Ire- 
land, and  was  born  in  April,  1827.  When  a  young 
man  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  emigrated  to 
America  in  a  merchant  ship,  landing  at  Boston, 
Mass.  He  remained  in  that  city  for  two  years, 
and  thence  proceeded  to  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
where  he  became  a  contractor  on  the  Paris  and 
North  Middleton  pike  road,  employing  men  and 


f 


f 


830 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


teams,  and  where  he  succeeded  in  accumulating 
quite  a  sum  of  money  and  some  real  estate.  After 
a  residence  of  about  eighteen  years  in  the  Blue 
Grass  regions,  he  came  West  to  the  Prairie  State, 
and  first  located  upon  a  tract  of  rented  land  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  In  1870  he  purchased  his  present 
homestead,  the  land  at  that  time  being  in  its  origi- 
nal condition.  He  immediately  set  to  work  to  im- 
prove and  cultivate  it,  and  in  due  time  erected  a 
flue  house  and  barn,  and  of  late  years  has  been 
considerably  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  Norman 
horses. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Jeremiah  and 
Margaret  (Ganey)  Sullivan,  and  the  mother  died 
when  her  sou  Michael  was  only  eight  years  of  age. 
Their  ten  children  were  Margaret,  who  married 
Mr.  Shaughnessy;  Dennis,  John,  Mary,  Daniel, 
Johanna,  Jeremiah,  Bridget,  Michael  and  Cather- 
ine. The  same  year  in  which  he  came  to  America, 
1847,  Michael  Sullivan  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Foley,  a  native  of  his  own  country,  who  was  born 
in  1817,  and  came  to  the  United  States  the  year  of 
her  marriage.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
seven  children,  recorded  as  follows:  Jeremiah, 
born  April  23,  1848,  is  deceased;  Margaret  was 
born  July  30,  1850;  Ellen  M.,May  19, 1852;  John 
P.,  March  18,  1854;  Jeremiah  F.,  born  March  20, 
1856,  died  in  October,  1857;  Annie  was  born  May 
8,  1858,  and  Charles  M.,  April  21,  1861. 

Mr.  Sullivan,  after  coming  to  this  country  and 
becoming  acquainted  with  the  operations  of  slavery 
was  greatly  opposed  to  the  peculiar  institution,  and 
left  Kentucky  on  that  account,  after  having  served 
for  a  time  in  the  Home  Guards  of  that  State.  He 
is  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics,  and  voted  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  1860.  Mr.  Sullivan  is  a  de- 
vout Catholic  and,  with  his  entire  family,  attends 
that  church  at  Merna. 


JOSEPH  BEAR,  prominent  in  the  agricult- 
ural circles  of  Chenoa  Township,  was  born 
on  a  farm  in   Franklin  County,  Pa.,  March 
17,  1825.      He  is  descended  from  an  excel- 
lent family,  the  first  representatives  of   whom  set- 
tled in  the  Middle  States  at  an  early  period  in  the 


history  of  this  country.  His  grandfather,  George 
Bear,  a  native  of  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  married 
Miss  Esther  Keller,  and  they  raised  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  six  daughters  and  five  sons.  Se- 
bastian, the  father  of  our  subject,  also  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  in 
1795.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Schook,  a  native  of 
the  same  county,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  Both 
the  grandfathers  of  our  subject  were  of  German 
ancestry,  and  distinguished  for  the  sturdy  honesty 
and  uprightness  which  from  time  immemorial  have 
characterized  that  nationality.  Sebastian  Bear, 
after  his  marriage  located  on  a  farm  in  Franklin 
County,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  a  number  of  years 
and  where  the  mother  of  his  children  died  in  1851. 
Of  these,  Joseph  of  our  sketch  was  the  third  child. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  reaching  his  twenty-second  year, 
in  the  meantime  being  reared  to  farming  pursuits 
and  obtaining  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools.  The  young  men  of  those  days  were  not 
afraid  to  marry  before  obtaining  a  competency, 
and  the  maidens  cheerfully  took  upon  themselves 
the  duties  of  a  helpmeet,  working  side  by  side 
with  their  husbands'.  Mr.  B.,  therefore,  soon  after- 
ward was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
John  Garling,  and  they  first  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Franklin  County,  Pa.  Thence  they  removed,  in 
1858,  to  Fulton  County,  111.,  and  nine  years  later 
to  McLean  County.  After  their  arrival  in  this 
county  they  located  on  the  farm  which  constitutes 
the  present  homestead  of  the  family.  This  com- 
prises 240  acres  of  choice  land,  which  of  late  years 
has  been  devoted  mpstly  to  the  raising  of  grain 
and  cattle.  The  residence  and  out-buildings  are 
creditable  to  the  proprietor,  and  the  stock,  fences 
and  farm  machinery  give  evidence  of  his  fore- 
thought and  enterprise,  all  being  in  fine  condition 
and  well  cared  for.  In  1880,  Mr.  Bear  practically 
retired  from  active  labor  and  turned  over  the  man- 
agement of  the  farm  in  a  great  measure  to  his 
sons. 

Our  subject  has  been  three  times  married.  His 
first  wife,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Garling)  Bear,  passed  to 
the  other  life  on  the  9th  of  January,  1863,  her  de- 
cease taking  place  in  Fulton  County.  Of  the  five  ' 

•>  * 


-. 


833    1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


children  born  of  this  union  the  record  is  as  follows: 
Mary  M.  became  the  wife  of  Francis  Reed ;  Hettie 
C.  married  William  Breakey;  Sebastian  G.  was  the 
third  child ;  Joseph  8.  is  a  resident  of  Kansas,  and 
Sarah  is  deceased.  His  second  wife,  who  was  for- 
merly Miss  Patience  Bowley,  bore  him  one  son, 
who  was  named  George.  This  lady  died  Nov.  9, 
1878.  Mr.  Bear  married  his  present  wife  on  the 
9th  of  December,  1880.  She  was  formerly  Miss 
Martha  V.,  daughter  of  William  Kemmerer,  a  na- 
tive of  Union  County,  Pa.  Of  this  marriage  there 
has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  William  E.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  B.  are  members  of  the  German  Baptist 
Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Bear  stanchly  adheres  to 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 

Although  not  perhaps  the  hero  of  any  thrilling 
tale,  he  has  fulfilled  worthily  the  duties  devolving 
upon  him  as  citizen,  husband,  father  and  friend, 
and  can  look  back  upon  the  pathway  over  which 
he  has  traveled,  feeling  that  there  is  no  call  for 
keen  regrets  on  account  of  misspent  time  or  oppor- 
tunities thrown  away.  As  a  respected  member  of 
the  community,  and  contributing  his  quota  to  its 
general  welfare,  the  original  of  the  portrait  which 
we  present  in  connection  with  this  biography  is 
full}'  entitled  to  be  classed  among  the  representa- 
tive men  of  McLean  County. 


(TF^  ICHARD  A.  WARLOW.  Emerson  says  all 
VMf/  history  is  only  biography.  So  we  find  this 
is  especially  exemplified  in  the  community 
Jin  which  Mr.  Warlow  resides.  Its  history 
is  only  the  biography  of  the  lives  of  a  few  men, 
chiefly  among  whom  is  our  subject.  He  has  been 
a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  the  fall  of 
1834,  and  now  owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable 
homestead  on  section  1 2,  Allin  /Township.  He  was 
born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  March  20,  1822. 
His  parents  were  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  (Bond) 
Warlow,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  City, 
where  he  was  born  in  1785,  and  the  latter  of 
Massachusetts,  and  was  born  in  1786.  They  were 
married  in  the  latter  State  in  1812,  and  that  same 
year  Benjamin  Warlow  was  drafted  into  the  army, 
his  services  being  required  in  the  War  of  1812.  He 


returned  home,  however,  after  three  months'  serv- 
ice. He  had  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker  in 
his  native  city,  commencing  when  twelve  years  of 
age.  For  several  years  as  a  sailor  he  followed  the 
ocean,  visiting  Liverpool  and  the  East  Indies  sev- 
eral times.  He  then  went  to  Canada  and  returned  to 
I  Massachusetts,  remaining  there  until  his  marriage. 
After  this  event,  with  his  young  wife  he  went  to 
Vernon,  N.  Y.,  where  he  followed  his  trade,  and 
then  moved  into  the  timber  in  Oneida  County, 
where.he  took  up  fifty  acres,  which  he  cultivated 
and  occupied  for  ten  years.  He  then  left  the  farm 
and  took  up  his  trade  in  a  little  village  in  the  same 
State.  After  a  few  months  he  turned  his  face 
westward,  coming  first  to  Painesville,  Ohio,  after- 
ward to  Circleville,  and  in  October,  1834,  re- 
moved still  further  westward,  coming  to  Blooming- 
ton,  111.  For  two  years  he  operated  upon  rented 
land  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  and  then  purchased 
1 60  acres  of  prairie,  where  he  established  a  com- 
fortable homestead,  and  remained  until  his  death 
in  1864.  The  mother  survived  some  years,  dying 
in  1870.  Their  six  children  were  Jonathan  B.,  who 
married  Miss  Catherine  Hay;  William  C.,  who 
married  Miss  Nancy  Garr;  Sarepta  E.,  the  wife  of 
John  Baker ;  Richard  A.,  of  our  sketch ;  LaFayette, 
deceased,  and  Bond  W.,  who  married  Miss  Sarah 
Curtis,  and  is  now  residing  in  Kansas.  The  parents 
were  faithful  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
trained  their  offspring  to  industry  and  principles 
of  honor. 

Richard  A.  Warlow  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm,  received  a  common-school  education,  and  re- 
mained under  the  home  roof  until  he  had  reached 
his  majority.  He  was  then  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Lovina  Bozarth,  the  wedding  taking  place 
April  29,  1849.  After  marriage  Mr.  W.  first  en- 
tered eighty  acres  of  laud  in  Allin  Township,  and 
a  short  time  afterward  200  acres  more,  where 
he  put  up  a  neat  little  frame  dwelling.  He  had 
also  purchased  a  sawmill,  which  he  utilized  in  pre- 
paring the  lumber  for  his  own  house  as  well  as  for 
those  of  his  neighbors.  Their  first  residence  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1857,  and  he  then  erected  his 
present  handsome  and  substantial  structure,  which 
is  two  stories  in  height  with  an  L,  and  forms  a 
commodious  and  convenient  dwelling.  His  farm 


t. 


834 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


property  now  comprises  625  acres  of  fine  land  un- 
der a  good  state  of  cultivation.  Altogether  he  has 
owned  1,200  acres,  about  half  of  which  he  gave  to 
his  children.  Mr.  Warlow  has  now  practically  re- 
tired from  active  labor,  and  is  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  early  industry  and  economy.  The  household 
circle  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  was  completed 
by  the  birth  of  seven  children,  of  whom  the  record 
is  as  follows:  Leslie,  who  was  born  March  31, 1851, 
died  Oct  18,  1879;  John  E.  was  born  Sept.  26, 
1853,  and  married  Frances  Bower;  Belle,  born 
March  13.  1856,  married  W.  Q.  Dickinson,  and 
lives  in  Nebraska;  Ellen  L.,  born  May  3,  185,8, 
married  William  Perry,  and  they  live  in  Allin 
Township;  Jalia,  born  July  31,  1860;  Charles  A., 
July  2,  1862;  Anna,  Sept.  13,  1864.  The  two 
daughters  are  still  at  home,  while  Charles  lives  in 
Nebraska. 

Mr.  Warlow  politically  is  an  uncompromising 
Democrat.  He  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  his  township  since  coming  here,  having  been 
School  Trustee,  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  last 
eight  years,  Township  Assessor  for  seven  years, 
and  is  connected  with  the  Grange  organization. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  A  portrait  of  R.  A.  Warlow  is  fitting  to 
appear  in  company  with  those  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  county. 


f~  OSEPH  STUCKEY,  of  Danvers,  an  ordained 
minister  and  Bishop  of  the  Mennonite 
Church,  has  presided  over  the  society  of  his 
people  in  Danvers  Township  since  the  spring 
of  1860.  Mr.  Stuckey  is  a  native  of  Alsace-Lor- 
raine, formerly  of  France,  where  he  was  born  in 
1825.  His  parents,  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Stuckey, 
were  natives  of  Switzerland,  his  father  having  been 
born  at  Berne  in  August,  1801. 

Peter  Stuckey  removed  from  his  native  Province 
to  France  when  a  small  child,  with  his  parents,  who 
both  shortly  afterward  departed  this  life.  He  was 
then  adopted  by  his  grandmother  and  remained 
with  her  until  twelve  years  old,  when  he  was  com- 
pelled to  go  among  strangers  and  earn  his  own  liv- 
ing. At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  became 


a  member  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  with  which  he 
remained  connected  until  the  close  of  his  life,  his 
death  occurring  on  the  22d  of  February,  1860. 
The  educational  advantages  of  Peter  Stuckey  were 
very  limited,  but  he  made  the  most  of  them  and 
became  a  very  intelligent  man.  He  was  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  In 
1824  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Summers, 
who  was  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  where  her 
parents  had  fled  from  Switzerland  on  account  of 
religious  persecution.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  1802,  and  accompanied  her  husband  to 
America  in  1830.  They  arrived  in  the  month  of 
June  and  located  in  Butler  County.  Ohio,  where 
they  resided  for  twenty  years.  They  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  October,  1850,  and  located  in  Danvers 
Township,  where  the  mother  died  in  1885.  She  was 
a  good  woman  in  all  that  the  term  implies  and  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  and  by 
the  noble  example  of  her  pure  life  wielded  a 
great  influence  for  good  in  the  community.  Of 
their  family  of  six  children,  five  are  still  living: 
Joseph  of  our  sketch  was  the  eldest  born;  Chris- 
tian was  consumptive  and  visited  Eureka  Springs 
in  the  hope  of  effecting  a  cure,  but  in  vain ;  he 
died  there  the  3d  of  September,  1885,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-six  years,  leaving  a  family,  a  widow 
and  five  children,  to  whom  he  was  devotedly 
attached ;  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was  devoted 
to  farming  pursuits.  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of 
Nicholas  Hilde  and  is  now  living  in  Livingston 
County,  111. ;  John  married  Barbay  Strupher,  and 
resides  in  Danvers  Township;  Catharine  married 
Peter  Naffzinger,  of  Baden,  Germany  ;  Peter  married 
Miss  Catharine  Engle,  and  they  are  living  in  Taze- 
well  County,  this  State;  this  brother  is  also  a  Men- 
nonite minister,  having  entered  the  ministry  in 
1875,  and  presides  over  a  congregation  of  180 
members. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  when  he  carne  to  this 
country  landed  at  New  Orleans,  and  thence  went 
with  his  parents  to  Butler  County,  Ohio.  There  he 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  and  received  a  limited 
education  in  the  old  log  school-house.  He  was 
married  on  the  17th  of  December,  1844,  to  Miss 
Barbara  Roth,  a  native  of  his  own  country,  where 
she  was  born  March  1,  1821,  and  who  came  to 


i 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


835 


America  in  1842.  Mrs.  Stuckey  was  also  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  was  the 
brave  and  devoted  assistant  and  helpmeet  of  her 
husband  in  their  earlier  toils  and  struggles.  After 
remaining  his  faithful  and  affectionate  companion 
for  a  period  of  thirty-seven  years,  she  departed 
this  life  on  the  27th  of  April,  1881,  aged  sixty 
years,  one  month  and  twenty-seven  days.  Their 
two  children  were  both  daughters;  Jacobina  became 
the  wife  of  Joseph  S.  Augspurger  and  is  now  liv- 
ing six  miles  north  of  Danvers.  .She  became  the 
mother  of  fourteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  are 
now  living  and  all  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church.  Christian  R.  married  Miss  Catherine  Stru- 
pher,  and  is  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in 
Danvers. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Mrs.  Magda- 
lena  (Roth)  Habecker,  to  whom  he  was  married 
Dec.  11,  1881.  Mrs.  Stuckey  is  also  connected 
with  the  Meunonite  Church.  They  occupy  a  pleas- 
ant and  comfortable  home  in  the  village  of  Dau- 
vers,  and  besides  this  property  our  subject  owns 
200  acres  of  land  in  the  township.  He  has  devoted 
the  last  twenty-five  j-ears  of  his  life  to  the  ministry, 
and  in  pursuance  of  the  duties  of  his  calling  has 
traveled  over  the  States  of  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri, 
Indiana,  Michigan,  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  em- 
ployed in  the  establishment  of  churches,  in  lifting 
up  the  discouraged  and  strengthening  the  weak, 
administering  the  Sacrament  and  attending  to  all 
his  duties  with  conscientious  care.  He  has  officiated 
at  186  marriages  and  over  500  baptisms.  He  is  a 
strong  temperance  man  and  in  politics  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party.  For  the  benefit  of 
those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  Mennonite 
Church,  of  which  he  is  an  ordained  and  an  able 
minister,  a  brief  history  of  the  church  is  appropri- 
ately given  in  connection  with  the  biography  of  Mr. 
Stuckey. 

The  Mennonite  Church  derives  its  name  from 
Menno  Symons,  who  was  born  in  Friesland  in 
1496.  Menno  was  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  and  a 
man  of  studious  character  and  great  learning.  He 
left  his  mother  church  and  devoted  himself  to  theo- 
logical study.  His  book  of  doctrine  was  published 
in  1539.  The  followers  of  his  teachings  are  some- 
times called  the  latter  school  of  Anabaptists. 


After  the  taking  of  Muenster  and  the  execution 
of  the  leaders  of  the  Anabaptists,  Menno  Symons 
gave  himself  to  the  winning  of  the  remnants  of 
these  deluded  people  from  the  lawless  fanaticism 
into  which  they  had  fallen,  or  had  been  led,  and 
with  older  and  purer  elements  united  them  in  the 
Netherlands  and  in  North  Germany;  and  these 
adherents  of  his  views  were  known  henceforth  as 
Mennonites.  While  some  of  the  earlier  views  of 
the  Anabaptists  were  retained  by  this  society,  their 
fanatical  violence  was  completely  set  aside.  The 
Mennonites  were  carefully  organized  after  what 
was  regarded  as  the  primitive  congregational 
model.  They  had  ministers  and  deacons,  and 
their  discipline  was  very  strict.  They  take  the  New 
Testament  as  their  only  rule  of  faith;  that  the 
terms  Person  and  Trinity  ought  not  to  be  applied 
to  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost;  that  there  is 
no  original  sin ;  that  infants  ought  not  to  be  bap- 
tized. They  maintain  also,  that  Christians  should 
not  bring  law  suits,  demand  interest,  take  oaths, 
or  serve  as  soldiers.  Some  of  them  adopted  feet- 
washing  in  preparation  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  They 
dropped  all  the  views  subversive  of  civil  rule  which 
had  been  held  by  the  Anabaptists.  Their  ministry 
is  unpaid,  and  for  the  most  part  uneducated.  Yet 
latterly  there  has  been  some  change  in  this  respect. 

The  Galenists  established  a  seminary  in  1735, 
and  in  this  country  some  effort  has  been  made  in 
theological  education.  Their  simple  lives,  thrifty 
habits  and  fidelity  to  promises,  made  them  many 
friends.  They  obtained  toleration  in  the  Nether- 
lands, then  in  Germany  and  in  England.  Diversity 
of  views  in  regard  to  strictness  in  excommunication 
led  to  their  division  into  the  "Free"  or  "Strict" 
and  "Coarse"  or  "Mild."  The  milder  party  di- 
vided on  the  question  between  Calvinism  (the 
Apostolists)  and  Arminianism  (the  Galenists).  In 
1801  the  parties  united,  the  Galenists  forming  the 
major  part.  In  Holland  there  are  120  congrega- 
tions; in  Germania  about  14,000  members.  In 
Prussia  they  were  relieved  from  the  obligation  to 
bear  arms,  and  from  the  necessity  of  taking  oaths, 
official  or  judicial.  In  1867  the  North-German 
federal  constitution  imposed  on  them  the  obligation 
of  military  service.  Nearly  a  century  before  this, 
or  in  1783,  many  emigrated  from  Prussia  to  Russia. 


L. 


f 


>  836 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


In  1870  they  had  reached  the  number  of  40,000. 
Here  they,  enjoyed  many  privileges,  among  which 
was  freedom  from  military  service.  They  became 
rich  and  were  generally  reckoned  among  the  best 
subjects  of  the  crown. 

In  1871  they  lost  their  privilege  from  military 
service,  and  the  alternative  was  given  them  be- 
tween conscription  and  emigration,  and  they  were 
allowed  ten  years  to  decide.  They  chose  the  lat- 
ter, and  in  1873  their  first  body  arrived  in  New 
York,  and  from  there  proceeded  to  Kansas,  where 
they  made  a  settlement.  The  exodus  became  so 
great  that  the  Czar  was  compelled  to  withdraw  his 
order  to  stop  the  movement.  Before  this  time, 
however,  many  had  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
and  thrifty  societies  had  been  established.  Upon 
the  invitation  of  William  Penn  in  1683,  many 
came  over  and  founded  a  settlement  at  German- 
town,  near  Philadelphia.  In  1735  there  were  about 
500  families  settled  in  Lancaster  County. 

The  Mennonites  number  now  about  200,000,  of 
whom  about  150,000  are  settled  in  the  United 
States,  and  25,000  in  Canada.  The  Armist  or 
Omish  Mennonites,  are  more  rigid  in  discipline  and 
dress,  proscribing  even  buttons  as  carnal  vanities 
and  luxuries.  The  reformed  Mennonites  arose  in 
Lancaster,  Pa.,  in  1811.  Their  aim  is  to  restore 
the  ancient  faith  and  practice  of  their  Church. 
There  are  other  subdivisions  of  later  origin. 

There  are  about  2, 800  Mennonites  in  Illinois,  fifty- 
two  ministers  and  nineteen  bishops.  The  church 
government  is  under  one  head,  composed  of  the 
bishops  of  all  the  churches.  Bishops  and  ministers 
are  taken  from  the  ranks  of  the  church.  There 
are  three  grades  of  officers — bishops,  ministers  and 
elders.  Ministers  are  ordained  by  bishops,  and 
bishops  are-  ordained  by  two  or  more  bishops.  The 
system  of  government  is  congregational,  and  all 
the  affairs  of  the  church  are  settled  by  the  congre- 
gation. They  have  no  catechism  and  take  the 
New  Testament  as  a  guide.  The  old  Bible,  to 
them,  is  more  of  a  history. 

They  have  three  educational  institutions  in  the 
United  States,  one  in  Halstead,  Kan.,  one  in  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  where  they  have  a  publishing  house,  and  one 
in  Wadsworth,  Ohio.     They  also  have  a  missionary 
'  '   in  Indian  nation,  who  is  meeting  with  fair  success 


with  the  Indians.     His  devoted  labor  in  behalf   of 
those  wanderers  is  highly  commendable. 

The  first  church  building  erected  in  this  section 
was  in  Woodford  County,  first  across  the  line,  in 
1853.  In  1872  they  erected  a  new  building  in 
Danvers  Township,  where  the  old  and  the  new 
congregation  worship.  The  membership  of  this 
society  numbers  now  about  400,  and  is  presided 
over  by  Rev.  Joseph  Stuckey.  No  better  citizens 
are  to  be  found  in  any  community  than  those  con- 
nected with  this  devoted  religious  body.  Fidelity 
to  promises  and  obligations,  coupled  with  ceaseless 
industry,  strict  honest}1,  the  quiet  and  gentle  spirit 
and  the  highly  commendable  disposition  to  leave 
the  business  of  others  alone,  make  them  desirable 
neighbors,  profitable  and  worthy  citizens. 


ENRY  J.  FORNEY.  This  gentleman,  who  is 
closety  identified  with  the  agricultural  inter- 
ests of  Chenoa  Township,  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  section  34.  where  he  settled  in  1 882. 
His  farm  includes  1 60  acres  of  choice  land,  a  good 
house  and  barn,  and  everything  pertaining  to  a  first- 
class  farm  estate.  It  is  well  stocked  with  horses, 
cattle  and  hogs,  and  the  fences  and  farm  machinery 
are  of  the  best  description  and  kept  in  good  re- 
pair. Mr.  F.  is  one  of  the  most  valued  men  of  his 
community,  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
German  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he  officiates  as 
the  leading  English  preacher,  and  is  widely  and 
favorably  known  both  on  account  of  his  faithful- 
ness in  his  religious  work,  his  straightforward  deal- 
ings as  a  business  man  and  his  pleasing  social 
qualities. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  on  a 
farm  near  Davidsville,  Somerset  Co.,  Pa.,  Nov.  17, 
1840.  He  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Magdalena 
(Landis)  Forney,  natives  of  the  same  county  as 
their  son.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
John  Forney,  who  was  of  German  ancestry  and 
parentage,  and  who,  after  emigrating  to  the  United 
States  located  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life.  His  son  Jacob,  father  of 
Henry  J.,  of  this  sketch,  became  the  father  of  six 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


839 


children,   all  of   whom   lived  to  maturity.     One  is 
now  deceased. 

Henry  J.  Forney,  the  youngest  of  his  parents' 
family,  remained  under  the  home  roof  and  attended 
the  district  schools  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age.  He  then  went  to  Ohio  and  located  in  Ash- 
land County,  about  the  tiriie  of  the  outbreak  of  the 
late  war.  He  then  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Co.  C, 
42d  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  his  regiment  being  assigned  to 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  They  marched 
southeastward,  and  young  Forney,  with  his  com- 
rades participated  in  the  battles  of  Grand  Gulf, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  Jacksonville,  Miss.,  and  various  minor 
engagements  and  skirmishes,  twelve  regular  battles 
in  all.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Middle 
Creek,  Ky.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of  enlistment 
he  was  mustered  out,  in  September,  1864,  and 
after  a  brief  time  spent  in  Ashland  County, 
Ohio,  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Pennsylvania. 
In  1865,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  purchased  a  farm 
in  Hudson  Township,  this  county,  having  in  view 
the  establishment  of  a  permanent  home  and  do- 
mestic ties.  He  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Melissa  Dull,  of 
Berlin,  Somerset  County,  and  with  his  wife,  Jan. 
21,  1866,  returned  to  his  new  farm,  upon  which 
they  located  and  which  Mr.  Forney  commenced  to 
improve  and  cultivate.  They  occupied  this  until 
1882,  then  removed  to  their  present  homestead  in 
Chenoa  Township.  Their  family  consists  of  three 
sons  and  one  daughter— Albert  D.,  Edgar  E.,  Will- 
iam R.  and  Sadie  E.  In  politics  Mr.  Forney  is  a 
Republican. 


J^'  OIIN  HILPERT.  This  highly  respected  Ger- 
man citizen   is  a  splendid  representative  of 
that  solid  and  substantial  element  which  has 
done  so  much  toward  the  development  of 
the   resources   of  the  New  World,  and  has  become 
so  intimately  identified  with  its  business  and  indus- 
trial interests.     He  was  born  in  Baden  on  the  24th 
of  June,  1825,  and   there   grew  to  manhood.     His 
parents  were  Mathias  and  Mary  (Bruner)  Hilpert. 
In  accordance  with  the  laws  and  customs  of  his 


native  land  our  subject  entered  school  at  an  early 
age  and  pursued  a  continuous  course  of  study  until 
he  was  fourteen  years  old.  He  then  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  for  the  following  six  years,  when  he 
joined  the  army,  with  which  he  remained  six  years, 
serving  through  the  Revolution  of  1848-49.  He  was 
in  Denmark  at  the  time  that  Germany  acquired  the 
Province  of  Sleswick-Holstein,  and  served  in  nine 
regular  engagements  besides  twelve  skirmishes. 
During  one  of  these  battles  he  was  wounded.  A 
cannon  ball  struck  a  tree,  breaking  off  a  limb,  which 
in  falling  struck  him  on  the  hip,  inflicting  a  serious 
wound,  of  which  he  has  carried  the  scar  ever  since. 
At  one  time  a  shell  from  the  enemy's  guns  struck 
the  ammunition  wagon  only  eight  feet  from  where 
our  subject  stood,  which  caused  an  explosion,  kill- 
ing two  men  near  by,  but  he  escaped  unharmed. 

At  the  close  of  his  military  services  Mr.  Hilpert 
decided  to  emigrate  to  the  New  World.  He  ac- 
cordingly set  sail  from  Havre  in  March  and  landed 
in  New  Orleans  after  a  voyage  of  forty-two  days. 
Three  days  afterward  he  started  for  this  State,  and 
on  arriving  was  employed  on  a  farm  in  Madison 
County,  where  he  worked  for  one  year  at  $7  per 
month,  and  then  went  to  St.  Louis  and  from  there 
back  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  engaged  in  an 
engine  factory  until  the  following  spring.  He  then 
returned  to  Illinois,  stopping  in  Carlyle,  Clinton 
County,  where  he  spent  the  summer,  and  in  the 
fall  returned  to  St.  L(;uis  and  engaged  in  a  print- 
ing-office. He  remained  there  until  the  following 
May,  -when  he  went  to  Pekin,  111.,  and  was  em- 
ployed upon  a  farm.  During  these  years  he  had 
been  industrious  and  economical  and  now  found 
himself  in  a  condition  to  commence  farming  on  his 
own  account.  He  rented  a  tract  of  land  which  he 
occupied  and  cultivated  for  the  following  six  years 
and  then,  removing  to  Logan  County,  rented  land 
there  until  1866,  when  he  purchased  the  homestead 
which  he  now  occupies.  There  was  then  upon  the 
unenclosed  land  a  small  house  of  two  rooms,  but 
no  trees,  fences,  or  other  improvements.  His  first 
purchase  consisted  of  eighty  acres.  He  set  himself 
energetically  to  work,  improved  and  cultivated  his 
purchase,  and  in  due  time  received  the  reward  of 
his  labors  in  smiling  fields  and  growing  grain. 

As  his  means  accumulated  Mr.  Hilpert  added   to 


T 


r 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


his  original  purchase,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  420 
acres  of  some  of  the  finest  fanning  l:md  to  be 
found  in  McLean  County.  The  diminutive  frame 
dwelling  has  given  place  to  a  commodious  farm 
residence,  and  his  barns  and  out-buildings  gen- 
erally are  second  to  none  in  this  section.  The  land 
is  all  enclosed  and  some  of  the  boundaries  are 
outlined  with  beautiful  hedges,  which  are  thrifty 
and  well  kept.  In  addition  to  the  raising  of  grain 
and  general  farm  produce  Mr.  Hilpert  is  giving 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising,  feeding  and 
shipping  of  stock,  which  business  yields  him  a  fine 
income. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Anna  Hoose  March  24,  1856.  Mrs.  H. 
was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  on  the  16th  of  De- 
cember, 1827.  Her  parents  were  George  and 
Martha  (Rulingcr)  Hoose.  Her  union  with  our 
subject  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  the  follow- 
ing six  children:  John  married  Lizzie  M.  Hoerr, 
and  is  a  resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township ;  Lizzie  is 
the  wife  of  John  Slaubaugh,  also  a  resident  of 
Mt.  Hope  Township;  Amelia,  Edward,  Ulysses  and 
Emma  are  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Since  coming  to  this  section  of  the  country  Mr. 
Hilpert  has  identified  himself  with  its  interests,  and 
has  proven  himself  a  worthy  and  valued  citizen. 
He  is  Republican  in  politics  and  in  all  respects  has 
contributed  his  quota  toward  the  building  up  of 
his  adopted  township  and  county.  A  lithographic 
view  of  the  handsome  residence  and  fine  out-build- 
ings of  Mr.  Hilpert  is  shown  on  another  page. 


I OHN  G.  GEIGER.  The  following  is  a  brief 
I  sketch  of  a  representative  of  a  class  of  for- 
eign born  citizens  who  brought  the  thrift 
and  energy,  which  are  their  only  heritage 
in  their  native  land,  to  this  country  with  its  great 
possibilities,  and  have  accomplished  so  much  under 
the  influence  of  the  institutions  of  America.  He  is 
well  and  favorably  known  throughout  Towanda 
Township.  His  fine  homestead  is  on  section  3, 
where  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals, 
he  is  extensively  engaged  in  stock-raising.  His  par- 
ents, Frank  P.  and  Eve  (Wolf)  Geiger,  were 


natives  of  Bavaria,  Germany.  The  father  was  a 
brick  molder  by  trade  and  continued  a  resident 
of  his  native  country  until  his  death.  His  good 
wife  also  died  there.  John  G.,  Tobias  and  Andrew 
Geiger  were  the  only  three  children  born  of  the 
marriage  of  Frank  P.  Geiger  and  Eve  Wolf. 

John  G.  Geiger  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany, 
April  9,  1833,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age, 
hoping  to  better  his  financial  condition  in  the 
United  States,  he  emigrated  here  and  made  his  way 
direct  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  was  there  employed 
in  gardening  for  about  a  year  and  a  half  when  he 
found  employment  on  a  farm  in  Butler  County, 
that  State,  on  which  he  labored  for  three  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1856  he  came  to  this  county  and  be- 
came an  employe  of  Richard  Rowell,  who  was  liv- 
ing seven  miles  due  west  of  Bloomington.  He 
continued  with  that  gentleman  for  about  four  years. 
By  the  fall  of  1859  he  had  saved  sufficient  means 
to  enable  him  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  4,  Towanda  Township.  He  moved  upon 
this  tract  and  has  there  lived  until  the  present 
time,  and  by  industry  and  economy  has  been  en- 
abled to  add  to  his  original  purchase  and  is  now 
the  proprietor  of  540  acres  of  valuable  and  pro- 
ductive land.  He  has  erected  a  fine  residence  upon 
his  farm,  which  is  surrounded  by  good  and  sub- 
stantial out-buildings,  and  has  brought  his  land  to 
a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  also  an  extensive 
dealer  in  stock  and  keeps  about  seventy-five  head 
of  cattle  and  twenty  to  twenty-five  head  of  horses 
on  his  place  and  each  year  fattens  about  seventy- 
five  head  of  hogs  for  the  market. 

Mr.  Geiger  was  married  at  Bloomington,  111.,  to 
Miss  Anna  Niese,  Sept.  14,  1859.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Eggert)  Niese, 
natives  of  Germany,  and  who  remained  residents  of 
their  native  country  until  their  death.  Michael 
Niese  became  the  head  of  a  family  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, and  Mrs.  Geiger  is  the  eleventh  in  order  of 
birth.  She  was  born  in  Germany,  Oct.  11,  1834, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  namely,  George  A., 
Frank,  Albert  F.,  John  N.,  Paul  H.,  Magdalena 
and  Minnie.  Five  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Geiger 
has  held  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican.  lie  is  a  self-made  man, 

•» 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


for  at  the  time  he  landed  in  Cincinnati  he  had  not 
:i  single  penny  in  his  pocket  nor  had  he  any  prop- 
erty that  could  be  converted  into  mone}'.  From 
his  present  possessions  the  reader  can  readily  see 
what  has  been  accomplished  by  one  possessed  of  a 
determination  to  get  on  in  the  world  without  de- 
pending on  assistance  from  others.  A  fine  litho- 
graphic view  of  the  handsome  residence  and  farm 
buildings  of  Mr.  Geiger  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this 
work. 


- 


AFAYETTE  PROCTOR,  a  resident  of  Mc- 
Lean  County  since  1878,  and  one  of  her 
most  respected  citizens  and  foremost  agri- 
culturists, resides  on  section  18,  Towanda  Town- 
ship. He  is  a  son  of  'William  and  Sarah  (McKee) 
Proctor,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
the  latter  of  Fleming  County,  Ky.  After  their 
marriage  the  parents  settled  in  Kentucky,  where 
the  father  engaged  in  farming  and  met  with  signal 
success.  They  continued  to  reside  in  that  State 
until  their  death,  which  occurred  in  Lewis  County. 
Their  children  were  eleven  in  number,  six  sons  and 
five  daughters,  and  our  subject  was  the  fifth  in 
order  of  birth. 

Lafayette  Proctor  was  born  in  Fleming  County, 
Ky.,  Dec.  25,  1827,  and  was  there  reared  to  man- 
hood. His  school  privileges  were  limited  and  he 
resided  with  the  old  folk,  assisting  in  the  labors  on 
the  farm  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  man- 
hood. He  then  engaged  in  driving  cattle  from  his 
native  State  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  and 
followed  that  occupation  as  long  as  he  was  a  citi- 
zen of  Kentucky.  From  that  State  he  moved  to 
Morgan  County,  111.,  and  was  there  occupied  in 
the  same  business  for  about  two  years,  when  he 
was  married,  and  settling  down  on  a  farm  fol- 
lowed that  vocation  in  Menard  County,  111.  Liv- 
ing there  for  five  years  he  moved  to  De  Witt 
County,  III.,  and  there  purchased  a  farm,  on  which 
he  lived  until  the  spring  of  1878.  He  _  then  came 
to  this  county  and  bought  1  60  acres  of  land  lo- 
cated on  section  18,  Towanda  Township,  and  has 
made  that  his  home  until  the  present  time,  engaged 
the  while  in  farming,  and  meeting  with  more  than 
ordinary  success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  vocation. 


Mr.  Proctor  was  married  at  Springfield,  111.,  Oct. 
4,  1855,  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Walker,  daughter  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Skinner)  Walker.  Her  parents 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  they  emi- 
grated to  Sangamon  County,  111.,  in  1849,  and 
lived  there  until  their  death.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren, and  Mrs.  Proctor  was  the  fifth  in  order  of 
birth.  She  first  saw  light  in  Franklin  County,  Pa., 
May  25,  1827,  and  has  borne  our  subject  six  chil- 
dren— Sarah  E.,  William  F.,  John  W.,  Carrie  B., 
Charles  A.  and  Amanda  A.  Sarah  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Laden  Berry,  and  departed  this  life 
at  Towanda  June  6,  1882;  William  F.  married 
Miss  Silvia  Malthy,  and  they  are  living  in  Ne- 
braska; John  and  Miss  Sarah  A.  Proctor  became  man 
and  wife,  and  are  residing  in  Towanda  Township) 
and  Carrie  B.  and  Charles  A.  are  yet  inmates  of 
the  parental  household ;  Amanda  died  in  De  W^tt 
County,  while  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Proctor  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  our 
subject  votes  for  the  success  of  the  Republican 
party. 


EOGE  D.S1THERWOOD,  M.  D.,askillfu 
and  intelligent  dental  surgeon  of  Bloom- 
ington,  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
born  in  Fayette  County,  March  8,  1846,  being  the 
son  of  William  and  Margaret  Sitherwood.  His  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  carried  on  his  op- 
erations in  the  little  valley  of  Jacob's  Creek,  at  the 
foot  of  Chestnut  Ridge.  George  D.  spent  his  boy- 
hood assisting  in  the  duties  of  the  homestead  in  the 
summer,  and  attending  school  at  Laurelville  during 
the  winter  season.  He  also  took  a  course  in  the 
Normal  School  at  Millsboro,  on  the  Monongahela 
River,  in  Washington  Count}',  Pa.,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1862,  and  immediately  began  teaching 
at  Moccasin  Hollow,  Westmoreland  County,  that 
State.  He  was  thus  employed  until  after  the  out- 
break of  the  late  Rebellion,  and  in  1863  enlisted 
as  a  Union  soldier,  in  a  regiment  of  Pennsylvania 
cavalry,  as  bugler,  and  remained  in  the  service,  in 
Southern  Pennsylvania,  until  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  enlistment.  He  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge at  Pittsburgh,  in  October  of  that  same 


t 


f 


. ,  ,  842 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


year,  and  returning  home  resumed  his  former  oc- 
cupation as  a  teacher,  and  was  thus  occupied  until 
January,  1864.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  regular 
army,  and  went  on  duty  in  the  United  States  Sig- 
nal Corps.  Himself  and  Doane  B.  Colcord  were 
chief  buglers  of  the  Signal  Camp  of  Instruction, 
which  was  situated  on  Georgetown  Heights.  It 
was  also  a  part  of  the  duty  of  our  subject  to  give 
instruction  to  cavalry  buglers  for  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Signal  Corps 
Band,  playing  E  (flat)  cornet.  He  was  in  the 
skirmish  and  battle  of  Ft.  Stephens  when  Gen. 
Early  came  down  through  Maryland  and  attempted 
to  capture  Washington  City. 

In  January,  1865,  young  Sitherwood  was  sent 
with  a  small  detachment  of  the  Signal  Corps  to 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  doing  duty  at  Braddock's 
Point,  formerly  the  home  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  Ft. 
Pulaski,  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  the  Sea  Islands  of  South 
Carolina.  He  was  most  of  the  time  on  duty  at  Ft. 
Pulaski.  It  was  in  this  fort  that  many  of  the  prin- 
cipal leaders  of  the  Rebellion  and  Governors  of  the 
seceding  States  were  imprisoned,  namely :  Gov. 
McGrath,  South  Carolina;  Allison,  of  Florida; 
Senator  R.  M.  Hunter,of  Virginia ;  James  S.  Seddons, 
Secretary  of  War;  Judge  Campbell,  of  Mississippi; 
Judge  Clark,  and  various  others.  Our  subject  be- 
came quite  well  acquainted  with  those  mentioned, 
often  bringing  them  vegetables  from  Savannah,  and 
playing  duets  with  Gov.  Allison,  who  was  a  fine 
violinist,  the  Doctor  playing  the  cornet.  While  on 
duty  at  Georgetown  Heights  as  bugler,  Dr.  Sither- 
wood always  had  a  free  pass  to  Washington  City, 
and  attended  many  of  the  Presidential  receptions, 
so  that  the  faces  of  Lincoln,  Seward,  Stanton, 
Chase,  Johnson,  Sumner,  and  the  leading  men  on 
both  sides  became  familiar  to  the  bugler  boy  of  the 
Signal  Corps,  who  always  regretted  that  he  was  not 
old  enough  to  vote  for  "  Father  Abraham  "  when 
he  was  elected  President  for  the  second  term,  al- 
although  he  did  assist  in  the  serenade  and  grand 
hurrah  that  night  in  Washington,  when  it  was 
known  that  he  was  elected.  Our  subject  was  mus- 
tered out  Aug.  20,  1865,  receiving  his  honorable 
discharge  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 

Dr.  Sitherwood   returned  home  from  the  war  by 
way  of  New  York,  taking  passage  ou  the  old  steam- 


ship  "Aragon."  He  immediately  resumed  the 
study  of  medicine,  which  he  had  begun  in  the 
spring  of  1863,  with  Dr.  J.  Loar,  at  Mt.  Pleasant, 
in  the  meantime  teaching  music  and  leading  a  brass 
band,  in  order  to  get  means  to  attend  medical 
lectures.  For  this  purpose  he  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, during  the  winter  of  1866-67,  and  spent 
some  time  in  the  University  of  Medicine  and  Sur- 
gery, and  with  Dr.  Isaac  Lukens,  an  eminent 
dentist,  who  lectured  in  the  college.  The  summer 
of  1867  was  spent  in  Cleveland  and  Akron,  Ohio, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  making  reeds  and 
tuning  organs  in  the  factories  of  those  cities,  en- 
deavoring to  ea»-n  money  to  pay  for  the  second 
year  in  college.  In  the  fall  of  1867  he  returned  to 
Philadelphia  on  foot,  a  distance  of  750  miles,  tak- 
ing subscriptions  for  a  medical  journal  on  the  way, 
and  thus  clearing  about  $75.  The  walking  feat  was 
noticed  by  a  number  of  the  city  papers  at  the  time. 
He  pursued  his  studies  closely  that  winter,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1868  graduated  from  the  University. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Richfield  Springs,  N.  Y.,  being 
successful  from  the  start.  In  October,  1869,  he  left 
New  York,  and  coming  West  as  far  as  Mt.  Vernon, 
Ohio,  entered  into  partnership  with  Dr.  Loar. 

Dr.  Sitherwood  was  married,  Dec.  14,  1870,  to 
Miss  Saddie  A.  -Loar,  the  eldest  daughter  of  his 
partner,  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  lady,  who 
made  him  a  charming  and  affectionate  wife,  and 
who  became  the  true  helpmeet  and  sympathizer  of 
her  husband  in  all  his  plans  and  undertakings.  In 
April,  1871,  he  dissolved  partnership  with  Dr. 
Loar,  and  accompanied  by  his  wife,  came  to  Lin- 
coln, in  this  State,  where  he  pursued  his  practice 
successfully  until  August,  1872,  and  then,  by  a 
mutual  agreement  with  his  wife,  gave  up  medicine, 
and  removing  to  Bloomington  resumed  his  trade  of 
tuning  organs  and  other  duties  connected  therewith, 
in  the  establishment  of  Andrus  Bros.,  who  were 
then  manufacturing  these  instruments,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  North  and  East  streets.  Dr.  S.  was  thus  em- 
ployed with  this  company  until  May,  1875,  and 
then  entered  the  dental  office  of  Dr.  J.  Campbell, 
performing  office  and  laboratory  work  until  January, 
1877,  when  he  opened  an  office  of  his  own  for  the 
practice  of  dentistry,  in  which  he  has  been  emi- 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


845 


nently  successful.  His  mechanical  skill,  .artistic 
taste  and  thorough  knowledge  of  his  business,  at 
once  established  him  in  the  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple of  this  locality,  and  he  now  holds  an  honorable 
position  in  the  profession  in  this  section.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Illinois,  the  Chicago,  the  Central  Illi- 
nois and  the  American  Dental  Societies,  and  in 
each  body  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  responsible 
and  honorable  offices. 

The  married  life  of  Dr.  Sitherwood  was  like  a 
perfect  day  in  summer,  all  sunshine  and  flowers, 
but  too  happy  to  last.  Three  lovely  children  came 
to  bless  their  home,  two  girls  and  a  boy.  The  eld- 
er girl  died  of  scarlet  fever  when  not  quite  four 
years  old.  April  16,  1885,  after  an  attack  of  ma- 
larial fever  of  only  five  days  his  beloved  compan- 
ion closed  her  eyes  forever  upon  the  scenes  of 
earth.  She  was  a  devout  and  earnest  Christian 
lady,  greatly  interested  in  Sunday-school  work,  and 
gave  her  time  and  strength  as  far  as  able  to  build- 
ing up  the  cause  of  religion  among  the  young.  Her 
name  is  held  in  tender  remembrance  by  a  devoted 
husband  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances. 

The  subject  of  this  history  descended  from  ex- 
cellent Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  the  McMichaels,  of 
Scotland,  on  his  mother's  side,  while  his  grand- 
father Sitherwood  came  from  Armagh,  Ireland,  and 
was  religiously  a  Seceder.  His  maternal  grand- 
mother lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three 
years.  Dr.  Sitherwood  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  is  Superintendent  of  the  large  and 
flourishing  Sunday-school,  over  which  he  has  pre- 
sided for  eight  years.  He  is  strictly  temperate  in 
his  habits,  never  using  tobacco  in  any  form,  is  op- 
posed to  the  use  of  alcoholic  liquors,  enjoys  robust 
and  perfect  health,  and  presents  the  picture  of 
manly  strength  and  vigor. 


THOMAS  B.  CRIGLER.  Upon  the  opposite 
page  may  be  seen  the  portraits  of  a  highly 
esteemed  couple,  who  have  lived  in  McLean 
County  for  nearly  forty  years.  During  this  long 
period  their  lives  have  been  so  exemplary  that  the 
esteem  of  the  entire  community  has  been  won. 


They  emigrated  from  the  Old  Dominion  in  1849, 
and  since  that  time,  with  the  exception  of  five  years 
spent  in  Taxewell  County,  have  been  residents  here, 
and  interested  in  the  growth  and  progress  of  this 
locality.  Mr.  Crigler  owns  a  farm  of  126  acres  on 
section  30,  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  and  is 
known  as  a  thorough  farmer  and  business  man, 
well  worthy  of  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow-townsmen. 

The  birth  of  our  subject  occurred  in  Culpeper 
County,  Va.,  Dec.  2,  1815.  His  parents,  James 
and  Sarah  (Triplett)  Crigler,  were  both  natives  of 
the  Old  Dominion.  James  Crigler  was  born  in 
1773,  and  departed  this  life  in  Virginia  in  1841, 
when  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  The  mother  was 
born  in  1795,  and  died  in  that  State  in  1847. 
Their  family  consisted  of  six  sons  and  six  daugh- 
ters, viz. :  Catherine,  who  married  Coleman  B. 
Brown;  William  L.,  Thomas  B.,  Dr.  James  R., 
Frances  S.,  Sarah  J.,  Matilda,  Daniel,  Elliott  M., 
Christopher  C.,  Isabella  and  Mary.  E.  The  subject 
of  this  biography  was  the  third  child  of  his  parents 
and  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  his  mar- 
riage, on  the  25th  of  July,  1839.  The  maiden  of 
his  choice  was  Miss  Sarah  R.  Deal,  who  was  born 
in  Waynesboro,  Va.,  Jan.  28,  1820,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Nellie  (Invoden)  Deal,  both 
natives  of  Virginia,  and  the  parents  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, eight  daughters  and  four  sons,  as  follows: 
George  W.,  Catherine,  Samuel  C.,  Henry  J.,  Sarah 
R.,  Mary,  Ellen,  Margaret,  John  A.,  Ida,  Susan  and 
Jane  A.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Crigler  were  of  Ger- 
man extraction.  The  first  representatives  of  the 
family  in  this  country  settled  in  the  South  at  an 
early  day. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Dr. 
William  H.  H.  first  married  Miss  Nellie  Thorp,  who 
has  been  dead  for  six  years ;  his  second  wife  was 
Miss  Maggie  Sealy.  This  son  during  the  late  Re- 
bellion was  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  Union  Army ; 
he  died  at  Covington,  Ind.,  in  1884.  Clarissa  F. 
became  the  wife  of  Winston  Meeks,  who  died 
March  13,  1882;  Crimmorah  R.  became  the  wife, 
first  of  William  Marteen,  who  died  in  1881,  and 
afterward  of  M.  A.  Richardson,  of  Streeter,  111. ; 
Arey  A.  died  at  the  age  of  four  years  and  seven- 


•J 


846 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 


teen  days;  Dr.  John  M.  B.  married  Miss  Love  Bal- 
lard;  James  T.  died  when  an  infant  of  eleven  days 
old;  Dr.  Julius  W.  married  Miss  Bell,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Ballard.  who  died  a  few  years  later;  he 
was  then  married  to  Miss  Lou  Clute.  Mattie  S.  is 
the  wife  of  A.  J.  Mace,  Postmaster  of  Saybrook 
and  proprietor  of  the  Weekly  Gazette;  Maggie  E., 
Mrs.  Moore,  lives  in  Sutton,  Neb.;  Arey,  Mrs.  E. 
Hester,  lives  in  this  township. 

When  Mr.  Crigler  came  to  this  county,  in  1849, 
he  only  spent  one  year,  then  moved  to  Tazewell 
County.  After  a  residence  there  of  five  years,  he 
returned  and  located  in  Danvers  Township,  of 
which  he  was  a  resident  eleven  years.  Thence  he 
removed  to  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  where  he 
located  on  section  1.  in  this  township,  and  lived 
ten  or  twelve  years;  he  afterward  resided  in  All  in 
Township  for  four  years,  and  then  purchased  his 
present  farm. 

Mr.  Crigler  and  the  various  members  of  his  fam- 
ily are  prominently  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  our  subject  has  been  warmly 
interested  in  the  success  of  the  prohibition  move- 
ment. He  is  a  working  member  of  the  Sons  of 
Temperance,  and  labored  for  many  years  in  en- 
deavoring to  make  unpopular  the  manufacture  and. 
gale  of  spirituous  liquors.  He  is  the  oldest  Odd 
Fellow  in  McLean  County,  his  membership  dating 
back  to  1842.  He  has  held  the  various  offices 
within  the  gift  of  his  townsmen,  by  whom  he  is 
universally  respected,  and  who  have  the  highest 
confidence  in  his  ability  as  a  business  man  and  his 
loyalty  as  a  citizen. 


R.  SELDEN  M.  PAYNE,  physician  and 
surgeon  of  Chenoa  Township,  has  been 
located  here  since  1850  and  has  built  up  a 
successful  practice.  He  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  in  Marietta,  Washington  County,  on  the  25th 
of  August,  1819.  The  first  representatives  of  the 
Payne  family  in  the  United  States,  who  were  of  En- 
glish birth  and  ancestry,  were  three  brothers  who 
came  from  England  and  settled  respectively  in 
Vrrmont,  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  Abra- 
ham Payne,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a 


direct  descendant  from  the  brother  who  settled  in 
Connecticut.  His  son  Rufus  was  the  father  of  our 
subject,  and  in  early  life  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoe- 
maker, although  he  was  fond  of  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  lived  upon  a  farm.  He  married  in  early 
life  Miss  Mary  Perkins,  of  Washington  County, 
Ohio,  to  which  State  he  had  emigrated.  After  mar- 
riage the  young  couple  settled  upon  a  tract  of  tim- 
ber land  which  Rufus  Payne  cleared  and  cultivated, 
and  where  he  established  a  comfortable  home.  In 
the  meantime,  as  opportunity  afforded,  he  also 
worked  at  his  trade.  In  1848  they  removed  to 
Guernsey  County,  in  the  same  .State,  thence  to 
Portage  County,  and  from  there  came  West  across 
the  Mississippi  and  located  in  Appanoose  County, 
Iowa,  where  his  death  occurred  in  about  1875. 
The  wife  and  mother  had  departed  this  life  in 
Washington  County,  Ohio.  Their  ten  children  in- 
cluded seven  daughters  and  three  sons,  seven  of 
whom  are  still  living.  The  father  subsequently  mar- 
ried again,  and  of  this  latter  union  there  were  born 
two  children. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  second  child 
of  the  first  marriage.  He  passed  his  boyhood  days 
in  Ohio,  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the  common 
schools  and  later  attended  Marietta  College.  He 
chose  his  profession  early  in  life  and  taught  school 
in  order  to  obtain  means  to  complete  his  medical 
studies.  He  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Sheldon  of 
Garrettsville,  Ohio,  and  attended  lectures  in  the 
Eclectic  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1846.  The  year  following  he  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Greene 
County,  Ind. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  Payne  and  Miss  Elizabeth 
Franklin  was  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  November, 
1847.  Mrs.  P.  is  the  daughter  of  Col.  John  Frank- 
lin, who  came  to  this  count}'  in  1850.  That  same 
year  Dr.  Payne  also  came  to  this  county  and  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  near  Lexington.  Here  he  carried 
on  agriculture  in  connection  with  his  practice,  hav- 
ing the  same  love  of  rural  scenes  and  pursuits 
which  had  distinguished  his  honored  father.  After 
the  war  came  on,  he  enlisted  as  Assistant  Surgeon 
iu  the  94th  Illinois  Infantry  and  was  assigned  to 
duty  at  Springfield'  Mo.  Not  long  thereafter, 
on  account  of  failing  health,  he  tendered  his  resig- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


847 


nation,  and  returning  home  settled  on  his  present 
farm.  This  lies  on  section  31,  and  includes  240 
acres  of  choice  land.  Here  he  has  a  tasteful  and 
comfortable  residence  and  all  the  accessories  of  an 
enjoyable  country  estate. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Payne  has  been  blest 
by  the  birth  of  five  sons:  Romeo  died  when  six 
months  old ;  Leland  M.  died  in  Newton  County, 
Mi).,  in  January,  1887,  when  thirty-six  years  of  age; 
he  married  Miss  E.  Johnson,  aud  they  had  one 
daughter;  Carmel  D.  died  Oct.  30,  1881;  Wilbur 
F.  and  Charles  H.,  the  only  survivors,  remain  on 
the  homestead  with  their  parents,  and  their  father 
has  practically  turned  over  to  them  the  business 
and  management  of  the  farm.  The  former  married 
Huldah  Harness. 

Dr.  Payne  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  has 
practically  retired  from  active  business,  only  oc- 
casionally attending  a  call  for  his  professional  serv- 
ices in  the  case  of  an  old  friend  or  neighbor.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Payne  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church.  The  Doctor  is  liberal 
in  his  religious  views. 


AUGUSTUS  HILL,  one  of  the  reliable  citi- 
zens and  successful  farmers  of  Padua  Town- 
ship, occupies  a  fine  property  located  on 
section  19,  where  in  addition  to  general 
agriculture,  he  is  giving  much  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  stock.  His  snug  homestead  includes  eighty- 
five  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  upon  which  he 
has  erected  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings,  the  loca- 
tion being  one  of  the  finest  in  this  section,  and 
commanding  an  extended  view  of  the  beautiful  sur- 
rounding country.  Mr.  Hill  settled  on  his  present 
homestead  in  February,  1884,  having  removed 
from  another  part  of  the  township  where  he  owned 
eighty  acres,  and  which  he  sold  before  taking  pos- 
session of  his  present  purchase. 

Mr.  Hill  is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  and  was 
born  in  Dry  Grove  Township,  May  27, 1847.  He 
is  the  eldest  but  one  of  the  family  of  Johnty 
Hill,  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship. Our  subject  was  reared  in  his  native  town- 
ship and  received  a  good  common-school  education. 


When  twenty-seven  years  old  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Louisa  W.  Moulton,  the  mar- 
riage taking  place  in  Forest,  Livingston  Co.,  111., 
Oct.  14,  1873.  Mrs.  Hill  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Lyman,  Grafton  Co..  N.  H.,  in  sight  of  the  White 
Mountains,  Aug.  18,  1846,  being  the  daughter  of 
Gabriel  G.  Moulton.  The  latter  was  of  New  En- 
gland parentage  and  prided  himself  upon  being  a 
full-fledged  Yankee.  He  was  married  in  early  man- 
hood to  Miss  Sophia  P.  Walker,  of  Lymantown,  N. 
H.  She  died  when  her  daughter,  the  wife  of  our 
subject,  was  a  little  child  four  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Moultou  is  still  living,  being  a  resident  of  Little- 
ton, N.  H.,  and  seventy-six  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Hill 
was  the  youngest  of  her  mother's  five  children,  two 
sons  and  three  daughters.  In  due  time  her  father 
contracted  a  second  marriage,  and  she  remained  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  household  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  in  the  meanwhile  occupied  as  a 
teacher.  She  came  to  Illinois  in  1868,  and  success- 
fully followed  her  profession  in  Dale  Township 
about  four  years,  until  her  marriage. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  became  the  parents  of  two 
children — Clara  M.,  at  home,  and  George  M.,  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  lived  fora  time  in  Dale 
Township,  whence  after  two  and  one-half  years 
they  removed  to  Ellsworth,  Padua  Township,  and 
then  removed  to  their  present  farm.  Mr.  Hill  is 
Democratic  in  politics  and  is  in  all  respects  a  valued 
member  of  the  community. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Hill's  handsome  resi- 
dence is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


AVID  L.  WHITE,  who  has  been  a  resident 
of  the  Prairie  State  for  the  past  thirty 
years,  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
time  since  1856  in  McLean  County.  He 
is  now  comfortably  located  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, where  he  owns  a  valuable  homestead  of  170 
acres  on  section  21,  and  thirteen  on  section  20. 
He  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  among  the 
Ohio  hills,  having  been  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  that  State,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1823. 
His  father,  who  was  also  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
removed  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  about  1800,  at  an 


S4S 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


early  period  in  tlie  history  of  the  State,  and  resided 
in  Miami  Township,  Montgomery  County,  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1844,  when  he  was  lit- 
tle past  the  prime  of  life,  being  fifty-two  years  of 
age.'  The  parents  of  our  subject,  John  V.  and 
Elizabeth  (Delapp)  White,  were  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  first  removed  to  Virginia  and  thence 
to  Ohio.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  White  survived  the 
death  of  her  husband  twenty-four  years,  and  died 
in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-eight. She  reared  a  family  of  six  sons,  our 
subject  being  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth. 

David  L.  White  remained  with  his  parents  until 
his  marriage,  which  took  place  on  the  15th  of  May, 
1853,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Lamuie,  who  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm 
in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  and  was  a  neighbor 
of  her  husband  all  her  younger  days.  She  lived 
to  come  to  Illinois  and  assist  him  in  establishing  a 
home  in  this  county,  and  departed  this  life  on  the 
7th  of  May,  1862,  after  being  his  affectionate  com- 
panion for  nine  years.  Of  the  four  children  born 
to  them,  only  one  is  now  living,  David  L.,  Jr., 
who  married  Miss  Mary  Mann,  and  resides  in  this 
township,  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  Mary  J. 
died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Hattie  died 
when  quite  j'oung,  and  an  infant  died  unnamed. 
Mrs.  White  was  an  earnest  and  sincere  Christian,  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
greatly  beloved  by  her  family  and  friends. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1863,  Mr.  White  was  mar- 
ried the  second  time,  in  Bloom ington,  to  Miss 
Louisa  Foster,  also  a  native  of  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of.  George  and  Fredrica 
(Drexler)  Foster,  who  were  of  German  parentage 
and  descent.  They  came  to  the  United  States 
when  quite  young,  and  were  married  in  Maryland. 
After  the  birth  of  two  children,  they  removed  to 
Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  where  five  more  little 
ones  were  added  to  the  family  circle.  They  then 
came  to  Bloomington  in  1858,  and  later,  in  1864, 
removed  to  Waupaca  County,  Wis.,  where  the  fa- 
ther died  the  following  year.  He  was  a  weaver  by 
trade,  but  after  coining  West,  engaged  in  other 
pursuits.  The  mother  is  now  with  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  White  of  this  sketch. 

Of  this  marriage  of  our  subject  there  have  been 


I 


born  nine  children,  eight  living  and  three  married: 
William  married  Miss  L3'dia  Keckley,  of  Bloom- 
ington, and  is  farming  in  Bloomington  Township; 
Edward  is  unmarried  and  lives  in  Kansas;  Cynisca  is 
the  wife  of  John  W.  Keckley,  a  farmer  of  Bloom- 
ington Township;  Ida  M.  is  the  wife  of  D.  K.  Lott, 
and  resides  in  Farmer  City;  Grant,  McLean,  Or- 
ville  and  Lillie,  are  at  home;  an  infant  is  deceased. 
The  home  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is  a 
pleasant  and  attractive  one.  They  are  surrounded 
by  all  the'  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of 
life,  and  possess  in  a  marked  degree  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  their  neighbors.  Mr.  White  politi- 
cally is  a  solid  Republican,  and  has  been  Road 
Commissioner  of  the  township  for  several  years. 


AMUEL  W.  SMITH,  of  the  firm  of  Smith 
&  Washburn,  dealers  in  hardware,  boots, 
shoes  and  groceries,  at  Cropsey,  111.,  is,  in 
company  with  his  partner,  carrying  on  a 
thriving  and  steadily  increasing  trade.  The  busi- 
ness was  established  in  the  fall  of  1881,  and  in  con- 
nection with  this  Mr.  Smith  introduced  hardware 
and  agricultural  implements  and  continued  alone 
in  business  about  eighteen  months.  He  then  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  Edward  Washburu,  and 
the  firm  have  operated  together  since  that  time 
under  the  name  and  style  of  Smith  &  Washburn. 
They  carry  a  large  and  well-selected  stock,  and  re- 
ceive the  patronage  of  the  best  people  of  this  lo- 
cality. 

Mr.  Smith  was  born  in  Groveland,  Tazewell  Co., 
111.,  Aug.  12;  1856,  being  the  son  of  Rev.  Samuel 
B.  and  Jane  Smith.  He  was  only  two  and  one-half 
years  old  when  he  was  deprived  of  the  tender  and 
affectionate  care  of  his  mother,  who  died  in  1859, 
leaving  three  children:  Elizabeth,  now  the  wife 
of  James  Hare,  of  Colfax;  I.  L.  and  Samuel  W. 
After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  the  father  of  our 
subject  was  again  married.  He  officiated  as  minis- 
ter of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  fora  period 
of  thirty  years,  but  is  now  superannuated,  and  re- 
sides in  Selma. 

Samuel  W.  Smith  pursued  his  primary  studies  in 
the  common  schools  during  his  childhood,  and 


f 


849    I 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


when  fifteen  years  of  age,  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  and  engaged  in  the  battle  of  life.  He 
employed  himself  at  whatever  his  hands  could  find 
to  do,  his  intelligence  and  industry  securing  for 
him  friends  from  the  start.  He  lived  economically, 
saved  what  he  could  of  his  earnings,  and  in  due 
time  commenced  farming  on  his  own  land,  which 
consisted  of  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  near  Lexington 
in  this  county,  which  had  been  left  him  by  his 
mother.  He  cultivated  this  land  until  his  removal 
to  Gropsey,  having  sold  it  to  engage  in  a  business 
which  better  suited  his  tastes  and  inclinations. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Smith  occurred  in  1878, 
the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Jessie  G.,  the 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Cordelia  Hayward.  Mrs. 
Smith  was  born  in  Peoria  County,  111.,  and  they 
have  two  children — Ward  S.  and  Reuie  Madge. 
Mr.  Smith  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


ILTON  BOZARTH.  No  county  in  the 
great  Prairie  State  can  boast  of  such  an 
array  of  intelligent  agriculturists  as  Mc- 
Lean. Everywhere  are  evidences  of  thrift, 
wisdom  and  enterprise,  and  on  section  26,  of  Allin 
Township,  is  comfortably  located  the  farm  where 
one  of  McLean's  good  farmers,  Milton  Bozarth,  is 
prosecuting  his  chosen  calling  with  success.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  homestead  since  his  mar- 
riage, April  20.  1859.  It  consists  of  213  acres  of 
finely  cultivated  laud  with  a  tasteful  and  substantial 
farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  the  accessories 
of  the  intelligent  and  progressive  farmer.  Here 
he  spends  his  time  as  an  industrious  and  law-abiding 
citizen,  enjoying  the  respect  of  his  neighbors  and 
fulfilling  the  obligations  incident  to  his  station,  as 
a  substantial  member  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Bozarth  was  born  in  Christian  County,  Ky., 
Jan.  15,  1832,  being  the  son  of  John  and  Cynthia 
(Taylor)  Bozarth,  who  were  natives  of  the  same 
State.  John  Bozarth  was  born  in  1799,  and  his 
wife  in  1807.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
the  marriage  of  the  parents  took  place  in  Christian 
County,  Ky.,  in  about  l.s-JT.  They  remained  there 
until  183'J,  and  then  started  for  Illinois,  arriving 


in  this  county  on  the  10th  of  December  following. 
Mr.  B.  purchased  seventy  acres  of  land,  which  he 
proceeded  to  cultivate  and  improve  and  to  which 
he  subsequently  added  and  established  a  permanent 
homestead,  upon  which  he  remained  until  his  death, 
in  1859.  He  was  remarkably  successful  in  his 
farming  and  business  transactions  and  before  his 
death  became  the  possessor  of  2,200  acres  of  land. 
Mrs.  B.  survived  her  husband  for  a  period  of 
twenty -eight  years,  her  death  occurring  Jan.  6, 1887. 
Their  remains  lie  side  by  side  in  the  old  homestead 
cemetery.  Their  twelve  children  were,  Lavina, 
Addison,  Milton,  George,  Isabella,  John,  Alfred, 
James,  Josiah,  William,  Robert  and  Hettie. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milton  Bozarth  became  the  parents 
of  five  children:  Franklin,  born  May  11,  1869, 
died  July  13,  1879.  The  other  four  died  in  in- 
fancy, unnamed.  Mrs.  B.  is  the  daughter  of  Jona- 
than and  Sarah  (Ritchie)  Baker,  both  natives  of 
Rockingham  County,  Va.  They  came  to  McLean 
County,  111.,  in  1854,  and  located  upon  a  farm, 
whece  the  mother  died  in  April,  1857.  Mr.  Baker 
is  still  living  and  residing  in  Martin  Township, 
where  he  owns  a  farm.  Their  family  consisted  of 
five  children — Anna,  Julia,  Jacob,  Addison  and 
Martin. 

Mr.  Bozarth  has  held  the  office  of  Commissioner 
of  Highways  and  was  Supervisor  for  three  years. 
Politically  he  is  strongly  Democratic.  He  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
and  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  the  Patriotic  Circle  and 
the  order  of  Red  Men.  They  are  greatly  respected 
by  all  who  know  them. 


ETER  V.  WEIDNER,  who  is  carrying  on 
general  merchandising  in  the  village  of 
Padua,  is  well  known  throughout  the 
county  as  an  energetic  and  successful  busi- 
ness man  and  one  who  has  contributed  his  full 
share  to  the  building  up  of  his  town  and  county. 
Besides  carrying  a  stock  of  general  merchandise, 
he  buys  and  ships  all  kinds  of  grain  and  live  stock, 
and  since  his  establishment  here,  in  1882,  has 
pushed  steadily  ahead  and  from  the  proceeds  of 
i  his  extensive  business,  enjoys  a  fine  income.  He 

•»> 


t 


-  .  850 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


also  holds  the  office  of  Postmaster,  to  which  he  was 
appointed  in  1874,  and  which  he  has  since  occu- 
pied. He  became  a  resident  of  Padua  Township 
in  1854,  settling  first  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  finely 
located  on  section  29,  and  which  is  now  operated 
by  his  youngest  son,  John  W.  Besides  this  prop- 
erty our  subject  owns  several  town  lots.  Upon 
one  of  these  he  has  a  fine  frame  residence,  with  his 
business  house  and  warehouse  near  by.  He  has 
pursued  a  straightforward  and  upright  course  in 
his  dealings  with  his  fellow-citizens  and  is  emi- 
nently deserving  of  the  success  which  has  attended 
his  labors. 

Mr.  Weidner  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
April  30,  1 827,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Re- 
becca (McNeal)  Weidner,  natives  of  Ohio,  where 
they  were  reared  and  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  common  schools.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, Jacob  Weidner,  of  Pennsylvania,  also  followed 
agricultural  pursuits,  removing  from  his  native 
State  to  Ohio  and  thence  to  Indiana,  where  he 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  David  Weidner 
and  his  young  wife  soon  after  their  marriage  lo- 
cated upon  a  farm  where  their  only  child,  our  sub- 
ject, was  born.  When  nine  years  of  age  he  removed 
with  his  parents  from  Butler  County,  Ohio,  to 
Carroll  County,  Ind.,  where  the  mother  died  five 
years  later.  His  father  married  the  second  time 
and  lived  in  Indiana  the  balance  of  his  days. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother  Peter  Weidner 
left  home,  first  working  out  for  his  board  and 
afterward  at  a  salary  of  twenty-five  cents  per  day. 
He  remained  a  resident  of  Carroll  County,  Ind., 
until  his  marriage  in  1848  with  Miss  Mary  E. 
Cregg.  Mrs.  W.  was  born  and  reared  in  Ohio, 
whence  she  removed  with  her  parents  to  Indiana 
when  a  child.  They  located  upon  a  farm  in  Car- 
roll County,  and  after  a  few  years  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  settled  in  Padua  Township, 
where  the  father  died,  the  mother  departing  this 
life  in  Old  Town  Township.  Their  daughter, 
the  wife  of  our  subject,  was  the  fifth  of  a  family 
of  six  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  one 
of  whom  is  deceased.  James  is  a  farmer  of  De 
Witt  County,  111.;  David  is  farming  in  Lancaster 
County,  Neb.,  and  Charles  in  Rice  County,  Kan.; 


John  W.  operates  his  father's  homestead;  Frances 
Ann  became  the  wife  of  E.  Reibe,  of  Padua  Town- 
ship; Mary  married  James  K.  Stephens,  who  is  en- 
gaged as  clerk  for  his  father-in-law;  he  was  for- 
merly a  resident  of  Nebraska.  Mr.  Weidner  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  has  held  most  of  the  important  offices,  includ- 
ing that  of  Sunday-school  Superintendent.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  has  served  as 
Township  Treasurer  and  Collector  for  many  years. 
Mrs.  Weidner  departed  this  life  in  June,  1875, 
and  since  that  time  our  subject's  daughter  has  kept 
house  for  him. 


'  ON  ATH  AN  ALLISON,  an  honored  pioneer 
of  McLean  County,  and  one  of  the  most 
successful  farmers  in  Dale  Township,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  16,  where  be 
is  engaged  in  general  farming  besides  giving  much 
attention  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock. 

Mr.  Allison  comes  from  excellent  Irish  and  Ger- 
man ancestry,  and  is  a  native  of  the  Keystone 
State,  having  been  born  in  Bedford  County.  The 
date  of  his  birth  was  Nov.  22,  1836,  and  his  father, 
Jonathan  Allison,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county. 
His  grandfather  was  born  in  Ireland,  whence  he 
emigrated  when  a  young  man  to  the  Island  of  Ja- 
maica, where  he  spent  two  or  three  years  and  then 
came  to  America.  It  is  said  that  he  landed  with 
twelve  and  one-half  cents  in  his  pocket  and  that  he 
threw  this  small  sum  into  the  sea,  so  as  to  start 
anew  in  his  adopted  country.  He  went  into  Ches- 
ter County,  Pa.,  and  employed  himself  at  whatever 
his  hands  could  find  to  do,  working  by  the  day  or 
month  as  opportunity  occurred.  Although  he  re- 
ceived but  very  small  wages  he  saved  of  this  every 
penny  that  he  possibly  could,  and  in  due  time 
found  himself  possessed  of  sufficient  means  to  pur- 
chase a  tract  of  timber  laud.  This  first  venture, 
however,  proved  unfortunate,  as  the  title  to  his 
land  was  defective,  and  he  was  obliged  to  pay  for 
it  the  second  time.  This,  however,  did  not  dis- 
courage him  in  the  least,  and  he  set  about  making 
good  his  loss  with  more  determination  than  when 
he  commenced,  and  finally  received  the  reward  of 


f; 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


851 


perseverance  and  industry.  He  became  the  owner 
of  a  valuable  farm  in  Bedford  County,  upon  which 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  son  of  the  foregoing  and  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  reared  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  and 
lived  there  until  1839,  when  he  removed  to  Ohio 
and  for  nine  years  was  a  resident  of  Miami  Coun- 
ty. He  then  crossed  over  the  State  of  Indiana  into 
Illinois,  settling  in  McLean  County.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  his  family,  which  consisted  of  his 
wife  and  five  children,  and  the  journey  was  made 
overland.  Their  outfit  consisted  of  seven  horses, 
two  wagons  and  two  grey-hounds,  and  they  carried 
their  household  goods  and  provisions  with  them, 
camping  and  cooking  by  the  wayside.  After  six- 
teen and  a  half  days  of  travel,  they  landed  at  Twin 
Grove,  in  this  county,  where  Mr.  Allison  rented  a 
house  into  which  he  moved  his  family,  and  then 
commenced  the  cultivation  of  rented  land  in  Dry 
Grove  Township.  They  occupied  this  house  for  a 
period  of  eleven  months.  In  the  meantime  the 
father  entered  240  acres  of  land  on  section  la, Dale 
Township,  and  erected  a  house  into  which  he  re- 
moved with  his  family,  and  remained  there  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  October,  1853. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Hannah  Stiger.  She  also  was  born  in  Bedford 
County,  Pa.,  and  was  of  German  parentage  and 
descent.  She  came  to  Illinois  with  her  husband 
and  children,  and  survived  the  former,  dying  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Dale  Township,  in  1865.  The 
parental  household  of  our  subject  included  seven 
sons,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows: 
James  is  a  resident  of  Dale  Township:  John  was 
the  second  son  [see  sketch];  Jonathan,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth; 
Abraham  and  Benjamin  live  near  Lexington,  this 
county. 

Jonathan  Allison  was  but  two  and  a  half  years 
old  when  his  parents  removed  from  Pennsylvania 
to  Ohio,  and  eleven  years  old  when  they  came  to 
McLean  County.  Here  he  practically  grew  up 
with  tiie  country.  Durii\g  his  childhood  and  youth 
he  attended  the  pioneer  schools  in  winter,  and  in 
the  summer  season  was  employed  in  the  ordinary 
duties  of  a  farmer's  boy.  He  remained  with  his 
mother  after  the  death  of  his  father,  until  his  mar- 


riage, and  then  located  upon  rented  land,  which  he 
cultivated  four  years,  after  which  he  settled  upon 
the  place  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  Upon 
this  latter  he  has  made  great  improvements  since  it 
came  into  his  possession.  It  consists  of  eighty 
acres,  finely  located  and  in  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  he  has  erected  a  good  set  of  frame  build- 
ings. The  residence,  a  view  of  which  is  shown  in 
this  work,  is  pleasant  and  commodious,  and  sur- 
rounded by  fruit,  shade  and  ornamental  trees.  He 
has  a  fine  barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings, 
with  valuable  farm  machinery  and  all  the  appli- 
ances of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  His  domestic 
animals  are  sleek  and  fat.  and  testify  to  the  good 
care  and  treatment  which  they  uniformly  receive. 
They  are  of  the  best  breeds  and  compare  well  with 
some  of  the  finest  stock  of  the  Sucker  State. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  M.  Ritchie,  in  December,  1861, 
their  union  taking  place  in  Springfield,  111.  Mrs. 
Allison  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  born  Feb.  20, 
1844.  Her  father,  George  Ritchie,  was  a  native  of 
the  same  State,  and  moved  to  Ft.  Scott,  Kan., 
where  he  departed  this  life  in  June,  1854.  In  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  the  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Shumaker,  moved  with  her 
family  to  McLean  County,  111.  She  makes  her 
home  with  her  children. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allison  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  children — Emma  D.,  Mary  M.  and  Ollie 
E.  Emma  was  educated  in  the  university  at  Nor- 
mal, and  is  now  teaching;  the  younger  daughters 
are  pursuing  their  studies  in  the  schools  of  Dale 
Township.  Mr.  Allison  is  Democratic  in  politics, 
and  in  every  respect  is  worthy  to  be  classed  as  an 
honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 


9HOMA8  J.  NOBLE,  a  well-to-do  farmer  of 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Ky.,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1834. 
His  father,  David  Noble,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
county,  and  his  grandfather,  who  was  also  named 
David,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  re- 
moved, in  early  life,  to  Madison  County,  Ky.,  and 
occupied  the  fort  in  company  with  Daniel  Boone. 


m 


f 


t  ,   852 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


Before  he  became  a  resident  of  the  Blue  Grass 
country  he  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  assisted  in  securing  the  independence  of 
the  colonies.  He  was  engaged  with  Boone  in  fight- 
ing the  Indians,  and  learned  much  from  his  com- 
panionship with  the  courageous  old  fighter  and  pio- 
neer. 

David  Noble,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
quite  young  when  his  father  died  in  Kentucky,  and 
he  was  reared  by  his  mother  and  stepfather  until 
1800,  when  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
began  flatboating  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Riv- 
ers, following  this  for  some  years,  and  afterward 
turned  his  attention  to  farming.  He  raised  tobacco, 
manufactured  the  same,  and  earned  a  comfortable 
living  for  himself  and  family.  The  wife  and 
mother  departed  this  life  in  July,  1862.  David 
Noble  then  came  to  Illinois,  and  lived  with  his  chil- 
dren until  he,  too,  was  summoned  to  the  unknown 
country,  in  February,  1874. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss  Re- 
becca Portwood,  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ky., 
being  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Portwood,  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War 
and  afterward  removed  to  Kentucky,  being  among 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Madison  County.  The  pa- 
rental household  included  eight  children,  all  of 
whom  grew  to  years  of  maturity  and  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Samuel  and  George  P.  are 
deceased ;  Paul  lives  in  Macon  County,  111. ;  Susan, 
Mrs.  Webb,  is  deceased;  Thomas  J.,  our  subject, 
was  the  fifth ;  David  lives  in  Madison  County,  Ky. ; 
Sidney  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  Silas,  in 
Sauk  Center,  Minn. 

Thomas  J.  Noble  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits 
and  educated  in  the  subscription  schools  of  his  na- 
tive State.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was 
twenty  years  old  and  then  farmed  on  the  old  home- 
stead for  himself  two  years,  and  then  on  his  sister's 
farm.  In  1857  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Madison 
County,  Ky.,  which  he  sold  after  two  years.  He 
purchased  a  second  farm,  which  he  lost  on  account 
of  the  war.  In  November,  1861,  he  started  for 
Illinois,  and  first  purchased  a  farm  in  Chester 
Township,  Sangamon  County,  upon  which  he  re- 
mained thirteen  years,  then  sold  out  and  secured 
'  the  homestead  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies. 


i 


This  includes  206  acres  of  valuable  land,  all  enclosed 
and  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  Upon  it  is  a 
good  set  of  frame  buildings;  the  house  was 
built  in  1879,  and  the  barn  in  1882.  Every- 
thing is  kept  in  good  order  and  denotes  the  super- 
vision of  a  methodical  and  intelligent  mind.  He 
also  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Rice  County,  Kan. 

Mr.  Noble  was  married  on  the  30th  of  July, 
1854,  to  Miss  Matilda  Keen,  who  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Ky.,  Jan.  28,  1833.  Her  father,  James 
Keen,  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  her 
mother,  formerly  Miss  Frances  Cobb,  of  Virginia, 
was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Cobb,  a  native  of  the 
Old  Dominion  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Madison 
County,  Ky.  He  made  the  journey  from  his  native 
State  overland  and  was  familiar  with  all  the  difficul- 
ties which  encountered  the  early  settlers. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noble  have  eight  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Elvere  became  the  wife  of  William  P.  Sut- 
ton,  and  resides  in  Audubon  County,  Iowa;  Frances 
married  Marcellus  Bright,  and  lives  in  Rice  County, 
Kan. ;  David  lives  at  home ;  Ida  May  became  the 
wife  of  Winfield  Shearer,  of  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship; Sallie  A.  married  Elmer  Bright,  and  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Rice  County,  Kan. ;  Nannie  was  born  July 
7,  1858,  married  James  Carson,  and  departed  this 
life  July  26,  1884;  two  others  died  when  young. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noble  and  two  of  their  children 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  our  sub- 
ject, politically,  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party. 
He  is  the  friend  of  temperance,  good  order  and 
education,  fulfilling  his  duties  as  an  honest  man  and 
a  good  citizen,  and  in  his  business  as  well  as  his 
personal  career  has  set  an  example  worthy  to  be 
followed  by  the  rising  generation. 


UCIUS  A.  YASEY.  This  gentleman,  who 
resides  at  Le  Roy,  and  who  has  retired  from 
the  active  labors  of  farm  life,  has  been  for 
some  years  one  of  the  prominent  and  prosperous 
agriculturists  of  McLean  County.  He  is  a  native 
of  the  Prairie  State  and  was  born  in  McIIenry 
County,  Aug.  14,  1849.  His  father,  Richard  Va- 
sey,  was  born  near  Rome,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in 
1825,  and  his  grandfather,  William  Vasey,  was  a 


,**->.-. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


855 


i 


native  of  England,  and  emigrated  to  America  ac- 
companied by  his  family  about  the  year  1824.  He 
settled  at  Rome,  N.  Y.,  where  he  lived  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  In  1844  he  came  westward  to  Illi- 
nois and,  locating  in  McIIenry  County,  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  days  in  the  town  of  McHenry. 

Richard  Vasey  was  reared  in  his  native  county 
and  lived  there  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  visited  Wisconsin  and  afterward  Illinois,  and 
purchased  a  tract  of  wild  land  near  Ringwood,  Mc- 
Henry County.  Upon  this  he  erected  a  frame 
house  16x24  feet  in  area,  into  which  he  removed 
with  his  family  and  proceeded  with  the  cultivation 
and  improvement  of  lus  possessions.  His  nearest 
markets  were  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  Racine  and 
Waukegan,  and  with  true  pioneer  courage  and 
resolution  he  overcame  the  difficulties  which  he  en- 
countered, and  in  due  time  had  a  good  farm  and  a 
comfortable  dwelling.  He  also  added  to  his  landed 
possessions  and  bought  two  farms  adjoining  his 
original  purchase.  He  occupied  this  farm  home- 
stead until  1865,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed 
to  Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of  educating  his 
children.  There  the  family  lived  for  nine  years, 
and  then  Mr.  Vasey,  longing  again  for  country  life, 
exchanged  his  town  property  for  a  farm  near  Le 
Roy,  in  Empire  Township,  upon  which  he  removed 
and  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Sept. 
22,  1882. 

Mr.  Vasey  was  married,  in  McHenry,  on  the 
27th  of  October,  1847,  to  Miss  Rumanda  Pierce, 
who  was  a  native  of  Bradford  County,  Pa.,  and  the 
daughter  of  Abel  Pierce,  a  native  of  New  York 
State.  Mr.  Pierce  was  a  fanner  by  occupation 
and  about  1844  removed  to  McHenry  County,  111., 
where  his  life  terminated.  His  wife,  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  V.,  was  formerly  Miss  Lanah  Cipley.  She 
was  born  near  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  Bradford 
County,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard  Vasey  were 
the  parents  of  three  children :  Emory  O.  died  in 
Pennsylvania  while  attending  the  Centennial  in 
1876,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Charles  H. 
died  in  Le  Roy  in  1879,  aged  twenty-three  years. 

Long  known  as  one  of  the  best  and  most  highly 
respected  men  of  McLean  Count}',  the  portrait  of 
Mr.  Vasey  is  most  worthy  to  be  presented  among 
those  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county. 


Lucius  A.  Vase}'  is  the  only  son  of  his  parents 
now  living.  He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in  the 
public  schools  of  McIIenry  County,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1865  entered  Wesleyan  University,  at  Bloom- 
ington, where  he  attended  six  years,  graduating  in 
the  class  of  1871.  He  then  returned  to  his  father's 
farm,  and  in  1874  removed  to  Belleflower,  in  this 
county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  just  outside  the 
limits  of  the  town  but  lived  within  the  corporation. 
He  remained  there  until  1886,  when  he  removed 
to  Le  Roy  where,  retired  from  the  more  active 
duties  of  life,  he  is  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  am- 
ple means  and  the  association  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. He  still  owns  the  old  homestead  three 
miles  out  of  Le  Roy,  which  is  operated  by  a  tenant. 
It  is  supplied  with  good  farm  buildings,  and 
stocked  with  the  best  grades  of  domestic  animals. 

Mr.  Vasey  was  married,  April  15,  1874,  to  Miss 
Amelia  J.  Tobey,  a  native  '  of  West  Stockbridge, 
Berkshire  Co.,  Mass.,  and  the  daughter  of  Frank- 
lin and  Elizabeth  (Platt)  Tobey.  Of  this  union 
there  was  born  one  child,  a  son  —  Albert.  Mrs. 
Amelia  J.  Vasey  departed  this  life  June  12,  1879, 
and  our  subject  for  his  second  wife  married  Miss 
Sarah  M.  Tobey,  a  sister  of  the  first  wife,  their 
wedding  occurring  Sept.  14,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
V.  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
as  also  were  the  father  and  mother  of  our  subject. 
Mr.  Vasey,  formerly  a  Republican,  is  now  a  strong 
Prohibitionist.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
Belleflower,  which  office  he  resigned  upon  his  re- 
moval to  Le  Roy. 


AMUEL  J.  CHAPIN.  Mr.  Chapiu  belongs 
to  that  large  class  of  cultured,  intelligen 
and  enterprising  people  who  came  into  Illi- 
nois from  New  York  and  the  New  England 
States  during  the  pioneer  period,  and  who  have 
been  such  important  factors  in  developing  to  so  high 
a  degree  the  resources  which  nature  has  so  gener- 
ously lavished  upon  it.  This  element  of  Illinois 
population  has  not  only  contributed  vastly  in  the 
development  of  the  material  resources  of  the  State, 
until  to-day  it  takes  a  front  rank  as  a  producing 
section  of  our  country,  but  it  has  stood  as  a  cham- 


t 


t 


'  '  856 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


pion  of  enlarged  and  increased  educational  facili- 
ties. 

Samuel  J.  Chapin,  who  resides  in  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, comes  of  excellent  New  England  parentage, 
and  is  a  native  of  Uxbridge,  Mass..  where  he  was 
born  Aug.  25,  1812.  His  father,  Phirteas  Chapin 
was  a  native  of  the  same  town  and  of  English  de- 
scent. The  greater  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in 
farming  pursuits  and  he  remained  a  resident  of 
Worcester  County  until  his  death.  The  maiden 
name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject  was  Eunice 
Taft,  also  a  native  of  Uxbridge,  and  the  parenta 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  ninth  in  order  of  birth. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  received  a 
fair  education  in  the  public  schools,  and  when  a 
youth  of  eighteen  years  commenced  teaching.  He 
still  pursued  his  own  studies  however,  and  attended 
Andover  Seminary  for  six  terms.  His  winters,  un- 
til 1839,  were  spent  in  teaching  and  the  summers 
in  farming  pursuits.  In  the  spring  of  the  year 
named  he  turned  his  footsteps  toward  the  West 
and,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  one  child, 
came  to  McLean  County,  111.  He  established 
his  family  in  a  rented  house  in  Mt.  Hope  Township, 
and  having  previously  secured  a  tract  of  land  com-: 
menced  its  improvement  and  cultivation.  His  pos- 
sessions occupied  a  part  of  section  6,  and  in  1840 
he  put  up  a  comfortable  house  with  other  necessary 
farm  buildings.  The  nearest  market  then  was 
Pekin,  thirty  miles  distant,  and  thither  the  stock 
and  other  produce  of  the  farm  was  transported  for 
many  years.  The  nearest  post-office  was  at  Waynes- 
ville,  eight  miles  distant. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  at  first  consisted 
of  160  acres.  He  was  prospered  in  his  farming  and 
business  transactions  and  added  to  his  landed  es- 
tate from  time  to  time  until  he  now  is  the  possessor 
of  320  acres,  all  in  one  body  and  supplied  with 
tasteful  and  substantial  farm  buildings.  He  is 
known  and  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative 
business  men  and  agriculturists  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Chapin  was  married  in  October,  1837,  to 
Miss  Comfort  Ann  Tuteker,  who  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut.  After  remaining  the  companion  of 
her  husband  for  three  short  years  this  lady,  in  the 
fall  of  1840  died,  leaving  one  child,  Frederick  W., 


who  was  born  in  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  Aug.  25,  1838. 
This  son,  after  arriving  at  years  of  manhood,  mar- 
ried Miss  Nancy  A.  Anderson,  a  native  of  Clay 
County,  Ind.  He  now  lives  at  Ft.  Bidwell, 
Modoc  Co.,  Cal.  He  followed  mining  for  several 
years,  but  is  a  teacher  of  civil  engineering,  and  also 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  For  his  sec- 
ond wife  our  subject  married  Miss  Harriet  N.  Morse, 
March  29,  1841.  Mrs.  Chapin  was  born  in  Sutton, 
Mass.,  March  29,  1817,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Polly  (Hathaway)  Morse,  both  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Of  this  marriage,  Caleb  F.  was  born 
March  1,  1843;  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  in 
October,  1861,  becoming  a  member  of  Co.  G,  39th 
111.  Vol.  Inf. ;  he  was  wounded  in  battle  before 
Richmond,  June  4,  1864,  and  died  eight  days  later; 
Harriet  A.,  born  April  25,  1847,  died  May  16, 
1868;  two  other  children  died  young;  John,  who 
was  born  June  1,  1853,  married  Miss  Ophelia  Wil- 
lis, a  native  of  Iowa,  and  lives  in  Custer  County, 
Neb. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapin  are  members  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Atlanta,  our  subject  being  Dea- 
con in  his  congregation  and  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  many  years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Pro- 
hibitionist. During  the  existence  of  slavery  he  was 
a  strong  Abolitionist  and  later  a  Republican. 

In  presenting  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Chapin,  which 
is  done  in  connection  with  this  sketch,  we  give  that 
of  one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  men  of  this 
locality. 

John  Morse,  deceased,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Chapin, 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  com- 
ing into  this  section  in  1837.  He  was  a  native  of 
Sutton,  Mass.,  and  the  son  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Morse, 
a  practicing  physician  of  that  place.  His  childhood 
and  youth  were  spent  upon  a  farm  but  after  he  had 
grown  to  manhood  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits and  milling  combined,  and  for  a  few  years 
operated  a  cotton  factory.  In  1837,  having  dis- 
posed of  all  his  interests  in  the  East,  he  emigrated 
to  Illinois  with  his  wife  and  seven  children.  The 
first  part  of  their  journey  was  performed  by  steamer 
to  Philadelphia,  thence  over  the  mountains  by  rail 
to  Pittsburgh,  afterward  by  the  Ohio,  Mississippi 
and  Illinois  Rivers  to  Pekin,  where  they  boarded  a 
"  prairie  schooner"  and  came  into  Mt.  Hope  Town- 


. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


857 


ship,  being  one  of  the  first  of  the  colony  who  lo- 
cated here.  Mr.  Morse  purchased  a  tract  of  wild 
land  on  section  32,  erected  a  house  and  commenced 
to  open  up  the  farm.  Upon  the  homestead  thus  es- 
tablished he  remained  until  his  death. 

John  Morse  was  a  good  man  in  all  that  the  term 
implies.  For  many  years  he  was  connected  with 
the  Congregational  Church  and  one  of  the  first  or- 
ganizers of  the  society  in  Mt.  Hope  Township.  He 
traveled  by  team  to  Chicago  to  procure  windows 
and  doors  with  which  to  complete  the  first  church 
edifice  in  McLean  County.  He  was  well  read  and 
intelligent  and  frequently  officiated  in  the  pulpit  as 
a  "  supply."  He  was  brave  and  outspoken  in  his 
opinions  and  during  the  slavery  agitations,  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  arguments  in  favor  of 
human  freedom. 


ILLIAM  C.  HELLER,  one  of  the  enter- 
prising young  farmers  of  Blue  Mound 
Township,  owns  forty  acres  of  good  land 
and  cultivates  eighty  acres  besides.  He  has  started 
out  in  life  with  fair  prospects  which,  with  his  good 
health  and  temperate  habits,  bid  fair  to  place  him 
among  the  prominent  farmer  residents  of  this  sec- 
tion as  one  of  the  important  factors  of  its  agricult- 
ural interests.  Mr.  H.  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
Ind.,  April  10,  1853,  whence  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  this  county  while  still  a  child.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  fair  education  in 
the  public  schools,  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
married  and  started  out  for  himself.  On  coining 
to  this  county  Mr.  Heller  made  his  first  location  in 
Blue  Mound  Township,  and  following  the  maxim 
that  "  A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss,"  has  laid 
his  plans  to  remain  here  for  an  indefinite  time. 

The  marriage  of  William  C.  Heller  and  Miss 
Emma  J.,  daughter  of  Hezekiah  and  Sarah  J.  (Gaff) 
Homey,  took  place  in  Lexington  Township,  this 
county,  on  the  26th  of  September,  1876.  A  sketch 
of  the  parents  of  Mrs.  H.  will  be  found  on  another 
page  in  this  work.  The  wife  of  our  subject  was 
born  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  Aug.  29,  1855,  and 
remained  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  re- 


ceiving  careful  home  training  and  a  good  education 
in  the  district  school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  had 
one  child  who  died  in  infancy.  Our  subject  is 
Democratic  in  politics  and  possesses  all  the  quali- 
ties which  constitute  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen. 


eLEON  K.  REAM,  an  extensive  farmer  and 
stock-grower  of  Gridley  Township,  is  pleas- 
antly located  on  section  24,  where  he  has 
gained  for  himself  a  reputation  as  a  first-class  agricul- 
turist and  business  man.  He  conies  of  a  good  family, 
being  the  son  of  Levi  and  Highly  (King)  Ream,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  their 
native  State  and  located  in  Somerset  County,  where 
the  mother  departed  this  life  in  about  1861.  Levi 
Ream  afterward  emigrated  westward  and  located 
in  Clarke  County,  Iowa,  where  he  still  resides.  He 
was  formerly  engaged  in  farming  pursuits,  but  is 
now  living  retired  from  active  business.  The  nine 
children  of  the  parental  household  included  five 
boys  and  four  girls. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Somerset 
County,  Pa.,  July  18,  1847.  His  primary  studies 
were  conducted  in  the  public  schools,  and  after- 
ward carried  on  in  the  High  School  at  Hopedale, 
and  completed  at  Harlem  Springs,  in  Carroll  Co., 
Ohio.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Iowa  with  his  father, 
and  the  following  year  started  out  for  himself.  He 
went  first  to  Minnesota,  where  he  worked  as  a  car- 
penter for  eighteen  months,  and  assisted  in  laying 
the  first  rail  on  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad. 
After  leaving  Minnesota  he  went  into  Wyoming 
Territory,  residing  for  a  time  in  Cheyenne,  and 
afterward  at  Denver,  Col.  He  then  went  down 
into  Texas,  working  as  a  carpenter  and  bridge- 
builder,  and  after  revisiting  Colorado,  where  he 
was  occupied  in  buffalo  hunting  for  five  months, 
he  pushed  on  toward  the  Pacific  Slope,  and  spent 
six  years  in  California.  During  that  time  he 
learned  the  trade  of  a  millwright,  and  was  engaged 
in  different  places  there  and  in  Washington  Ter- 
ritory at  this  trade,  and  in  mining  and  prospecting 
on  the  Pacific  Slope,  extending  into  Old  Mexico. 
He  coasted  from  Victoria,  British  Columbia,  about 


858 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


400  miles,  traveling  in  an  Indian  canoe  made  in 
one  piece  from  a  cedar  tree,  his  companions  being 
three  men  and  an  Indian  guide.  After  returning  to 
Victoria  he  proceeded  to  San  Francisco,  and  then 
to  Tucson,  Ariz.,  where  he  engaged  in  contract- 
ing and  building  about  one  year.  Thence  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Mexico  and  built  a  forty-stamp-mill  for 
the  Coborca  Mining  Company,  which  occupied 
about  five  months.  After  his  return  to  Tucson  he 
started  eastward  to  Chicago,  which  he  reached  in 
September,  1881.  lie  there  engaged  in  speculating 
on  the  Board  of  Trade,  and  then,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  N.  B.  Ream,  who  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trade,  purchased  960  acres  of 
land  in  Gridley  Township. 

In  January,  1882,  Mr.  Ream  located  with  his 
family  upon  the  farm  which  he  and  his  brother  had 
purchased,  which  is  now  operated  by  both  brothers, 
and  is  furnished  with  all  the  machinery  and  ap- 
pliances required  by  a  first-class  agriculturist. 
They  have  added  to  their  original  purchase  until 
they  now  have  1,440  acres,  all  in  one  body,  with 
one  of  the  finest  set  of  frame'  buildings  in  the 
county.  Their  attention  is  principally  devoted  to 
stock-raising,  in  which  they  started  with  a  herd  of 
about  600  head  of  cattle.  Their  operations  in: 
creased  until  one  winter  they  purchased  50,000 
bushels  of  corn  for  feeding.  They  now  devote  the 
most  of  their  attention  to  raising  and  buying 
heavy  draft  horses.  They  have  one  of  the  finest 
French  Percheron  stallions  in  the  county,  which 
weighs  2,040  pounds,  a  magnificent  animal  and  a 
model  of  symmetry,  beauty  and  strength.  In  this 
business  they  give  employment  to  five  men,  and 
have  made  for  themselves  a  reputation  second  to 
none  in  the  State  in  this  department  of  agriculture. 
In  1886  they  raised  12,000  bushels  of  oats.  Their 
land  is  drained  extensively  with  tile,  including 
about  fifty-seven  miles;  the  outlets  are  16  and  18 
inch,  and  the  water  from  them  forms  a  creek,  which 
is  known  as  Turkey  Creek.  The  farm  is  well 
watered  with  five  large  wells,  which  are  fed  from 
inexhaustible  springs.  For  the  purpose  of  raising 
water  there  are  three  windmills,  by  which  all  the 
farm  buildings  are  supplied  with  this  indispen- 
sable element.  Mr.  Ream  is  constantly  adding  val- 
uable improvements  to  the  farm,  and  it  is  now 


valued'at  $100,000.  and  stocked  with  $28,000  worth 
of  horses. 

The  marriage  of  Cleon  C.  Ream  and  Miss  Bell 
I.,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Julia  A.  (Kemp)  Young, 
was  celebrated  in  Chenoa  Township,  on  the  1 3th 
of  April,  1883.  Mrs.  R.  was  born  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  Aug.  18, 1862,  and  her  parents  were  na- 
tives of  Illinois  and  Ohio,  respectively.  Of  this  un- 
ion there  have  been  born  three  children ;  the  two 
older  were  named  George  Y.  and  G rover  C.  Mr. 
Ream  belongs  to  no  secret  organization.  Politi- 
cally he  inclines  to  Democratic  principles,  while  so- 
cially and  as  a  business  man  he  ranks  among  the 
representative  citizens  of  McLean  County. 


J.  HANCOCK,  a  successful  dealer  in  grocer- 
ies, queensware,  etc.,  established  his  present 
prosperous  business  in  Hey  worth  in  Novem- 
ber, 1885.  He  carries  a  clean  and  well  se- 
lected stock,  and  by  his  courteous  manners  and 
square  dealing  has  built  up  a  thriving  trade  which 
is  steadily  on  the  increase.  He  was  formerly  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Downs  Township,  where  he 
still  owns  a  finely  improved  farm  of  160  acres  on 
section  9,  township  21,  3  east.  Mr.  Hancock  pur- 
chased his  farm  homestead  in  1855,  and  since  that 
time  has  made  it  his  residence.  He  purchased  the 
land  from  the  Government,  and  was  the  first  who 
commenced  its  improvement.  He  has  brought  it 
to  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  has  a  fine  set  of 
farm  buildings  which  are  both  tasteful  and  sub- 
stantial. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Tenn.,  April  6,  1819.  His  father, 
Elijah  Hancock,  was  a  saddler  by  trade,  and  the 
son  of  Lloyd  Hancock,  who  descended  from  pure 
English  ancestry.  Lloyd  Hancock  came  to  the 
United  States  when  a  young  man  and  settled  in 
Virginia,  where  he  afterward  made  his  home.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Reeves,  and  they  reared 
a  family  of  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Later  in  life  the  children  went  to  Tennessee 
and  the  parents  to  Charleston,  S.  C.,  where  they 
both  died,  being  over  seventy  years  of  age.  Their 
son  Elijah,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  third 


I 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


859 


child  of  the  family,  and  before  his  marriage  went 
to  Montgomery  County,  Tenn.  There  he  became 
acquainted  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Ross,  a  native 
of  Stewart  County,  that  State,  whose  parents  were 
of  Irish  birth  and  ancestry.  This  lady  became  the 
wife  of  £lijak  Hancock  in  1818,  and  was  subse- 
quently the  mother  of  our  subject.  Their  house- 
hold included  six  children,  four  sous  and  two 
daughters,  of  whom  J.  J.  was  the  eldest.  One  of 
the  sons  and  two  daughters  are  now  deceased. 
Those  living  besides  our  subject  are  Francis,  a 
farmer  of  Dyer  Count}',  Tenn. ;  R.  R.,  who  is  farm- 
ing in  Labette  County,  Kan.,  and  Mrs  Malony 
Starr,  of  Bloomington,  111. 

Mr.  Hancock  of  our  sketch  remained  in  Middle 
Tennessee  until  twenty  years  old,  when  he  went  to 
Kentucky  and  settled  in  Christian  County.  He 
had  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  saddlery  trade 
under  the  instruction  of  his  father,  and  followed 
this  in  Kentucky  until  the  fall  of  1848.  He  came 
North  to  Woodford  County,  111.,  and  there  pur- 
chased a  farm  which  he  operated  for  a  few  years, 
then  sold  out  and  came  to  McLean  County.  Be- 
sides his  grocery  stock  and  his  farm  he  is  also  the 
owner  of  village  property,  and  is  in  possession  of 
enough  by  which  he  will  be  generously  provided 
for  in  old  age. 

Mr.  Hancock  was  married  in  Christian  County, 
Ky.,  Sept.  1,  1842,  to  Miss  Mildred  Harvey,  a  na- 
tive of  that  county,  where  she  was  born  March  22, 
1821.  Her  parents  were  Joel  and  Frances  (Harvey) 
Harvey,  natives  respectively  of  Alabama  and  Geor- 
gia. Their  home  was  upon  a  farm,  where  the  fa- 
ther was  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  agriculture,  and 
he  died  in  Christian  County  about  1858.  The 
mother  subsequently  came  to  Eureka,  111.,  and  died 
there  at  the  home  of  one  of  her  daughters.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hancock  have  become  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  eight  now  living,  and  the  record 
is  as  follows:  Pinkney  married  Miss  Maggie  Bacon, 
and  resides  on  a  farm  in  De  Witt  County,  111. ;  Eu- 
dora  B.  became  the  wife  of  Carter  Sweeney,  and 
they  live  on  the  farm  of  our  subject  in  Downs 
Township;  Lafayette  II.  is  a  farmer  of  Chautauqna 
County,  Kan.,  and  married  Miss  Wilson  of  that 
State ;  Fannie  became  the  wife  of  John  Livingston, 
and  resides  in  Hey  worth;  James  C.  married  Miss 


Alice  Lutz,  and  they  also  reside  on  the  farm  in 
Downs  Township;  J.  H.  is  engaged  in  business  in 
Dyer  County,  Tenu. ;  he  married  Miss  Alice  Han- 
cock; W.  E.  is  his  father's  clerk  in  the  store  at 
Hey  worth;  Rosa  is  attending  school  and  lives  with 
her  parents.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  at 
her  home  in  Hey  worth,  Sept.  12,  1882.  She,  with 
her  husband,  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

Mr.  Hancock,  for  his  second  wife,  married  Mrs. 
Rebecca  (Home)  Yerkes,  on  the  15th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1885.  Mrs.  Rebecca  Hancock  was  born  near 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  there  lived  to  womanhood, 
soon  afterward  coming  to  Woodford  County,  111. 
In  this  latter  place  she  was  married  to  her  first  hus- 
band, by  whom  she  became  the  mother  of  four 
children — Edwin,  Lillie,  Charles  and  Albert,  all 
grown,  to  mature  years  and  taking  care  of  them- 
selves. The  first  husband  of  Mrs.  Hancock  died  in 
Jersey  County,  111.,  in  1870.  She  is  also  connected 
with  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  H.  is  a 
solid  Republican,  and  has  held  the  offices  of 'Col- 
lector, Assessor,  and  Commissioner  of  Highways, 
and  is  at  this  time  President  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation of  Heyworth  School  District,  also  President 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  village  of  Hey- 
worth. 


J~l  ONATHAN  B.  WARLOW,  one  of  the  hon- 
ored pioneers  of  the  Prairie  State,  is  now  a 
prosperous  farmer  and  stock-breeder  of 
Danvers  Township,  having  a  valuable  home- 
stead on  section  36.  Mr.  Warlow  was  born  in 
Northampton,  Mass.,  June  27,  1814,  and  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  when  a 
child  of  three  years  old.  He  is  the  son  of  Benja- 
min and  Elizabeth  (Bond)  Warlow,  and  while  in 
his  native  State,  when  a  child  of  perhaps  two  or 
three  years  old,  was  stolen  from  home  by  the  In- 
dians. At  the  end  of  three  days  he  was  returned 
to  his  parents  by  a  squaw  who  said  that  "  the  young 
pappoose  cry  too  much,"  and  she  was  glad  to  deliver 
him  again  to  his  parents.  The  latter  shortly  after- 
ward removed  to  New  York  City,  where  the  father 
worked  at  his  trade,  as  a  tailor.  As  young  Benja- 


860 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


J 


min  grew  to  manhood  he  served  seven  years  and  six 
months  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business,  and  when 
seventeen  years  old  went  to  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  lived  two  years.  Then,  in  1834,  he  re- 
moved to  Illinois  and  located  in  McLean  Count}-, 
which  remained  his  home  until  his  decease,  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1864,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine 
years,  he  having  been  born  Feb.  2,  1785.  He  was 
a  useful  citizen  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

When  Benjamin  Warlow  decided  upon  a  removal 
from  New  York  he  packed  his  household  goods  into 
two  wagons  and  proceeded  to  the  Erie  Canal,  where 
he  was  to  wait  for  a  letter  from  his  brother  which 
should  determine  his  final  destination.  After  wait- 
ing four  or  five  days  and  receiving  no  tidings,  he 
set  up  a  stick  on  the  ground,  determining  that  if  it 
fell  toward  New  York  City  he  would  go  there,  or 
otherwise  would  come  West.  The  stick  toppled 
over  to  the  westward  and  he  at  once  announced  his 
decision  to  his  wife.  In  less  than  half  an  hour  he 
had  loaded  his  goods  onto  a  canal- boat  and  started 
for  Ohio.  Going  into  Geanga  County  they  landed 
in  Fairport,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Painesville, 
and  after  a  few  months  came  to  Illinois.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  born  Nov.  26,  1786,  and 
departed  this  life  Feb.  24,  1874,  thus  being  eighty- 
eight  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.  The  pa- 
rental family  consisted  of  seven  children,  one  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  surviving  are:  Jona- 
than B.,  William  C.,  Sarepta  E.,  Eichard  A.,  La 
Fayette  and  Bond  W. 

Jonathan  B.  Warlow  spent  his  earlier  years  un- 
der the  parental  roof  and  after  arriving  at  years  of 
manhood  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  B.  Hay. 
the  ceremony  taking  place  Nov.  15,  1838.  Mrs. 
W.  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1812,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
(Finley)  Hay,  her  mother  coming  of  the  old  Puritan 
stock,  and  the  family  consisting  of  eight  children — 
John,  Jennie,  Marcy,  Mary,  Susan,  Catharine, 
Rachel  and  George. 

Of  this  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warlow  there  were 
born :  Elizabeth  B.,  who  married  a  Mr.  Skeen,  and 
resides  in  Reno  County.  Kan. ;  John  W.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Mary  M.,  who  married 
Jesse  Branaird,  and  lives  in  Kansas;  Susan  E.,  who 


died  when  six  months  old;  Celia  J.,  who  married 
George  L.  Johnson,  and  resides  in  Danvers;  George 
L.  lives  in  Cass  Count}',  111.,  and  is  practicing  law; 
Adelpha  P.  B.,  who  married  George  B.  Rowell,  and 
lives  at  Fresno  City,  Cal.,  and  Ada  K.,  who  was 
married  to  Harvey  Abbott,  Dec.  24,  1878,  and  lives 
on  the  old  homestead.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  on  the  21st  of  June,  1885,  her  disease 
being  cancer  of  the  stomach.  She  had  been  a  great 
sufferer  and  was  paralyzed  for  nearly  two  weeks 
before  her  death.  With  our  subject,  she  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  with  which  they 
united  in  1837,  sustaining  a  membership  in  that 
denomination  of  forty-five  years. 

Mr.  Warlow  caine  to  McLean  County  in  1834, 
and  at  once  located  in  Danvers  Township,  where  he 
purchased  240  acres  which  now  constitutes  the 
family  homestead.  In  addition  to  this  he  owns  260 
acres  two  and  one-half  miles  south  in  Alliu  Town- 
ship, and  240  acres  near  Hutchinson,  Kan.  He  has 
made  a  speciality  of  sheep-raising  and  has  pur- 
chased fine  specimens  at  a  large  price.  He  is  now 
retired  from  active  labor  and  is  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  early  toil  and  self-sacrifice,  having  by  good 
judgment  and  wise  management  obtained  a  com- 
petency. He  has  been  a  prominent  and  useful  citi- 
zen of  the  community,  was  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  for  a  number  of  years,  and  also  a 
Deacon  in  his  church.  He  identified  himself  with 
the  Masonic  fraternity  in  1876,  and  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  Danvers  Lodge  No.  742,  of  which  he  has 
been  Chaplain  for  several  years. 


J"  OHN  T.  HILL,  one  of  the  well-to-do  and  high- 
ly respected  farmers  of  Dry  Grove  Township, 
owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable  homestead 
on  section  36,  where  he  is  successfully  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.     He  is 
a  native  of  Orange   County,  N.  C.,  where  he   was 
born  on  the  22d  of  March,  1814,   being  the  sun  of 
William  and  Damaris  (Colverd)   Hill,  both  natives 
of  Maryland.     The   father,  who   was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  was  a  prominent  man  in  his  community, 
deeply  religious,  and   a  consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  was  also  his  wife. 


" 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


=4 

861  1 


• 


Thejr  were  married  in  North  Carolina  and  removed 
to  Indiana  in  1817,  locating  in  Orange  County, 
where  they  remained  until  1H37,  and  then  came  to 
McLean  County,  where  the  father  died  on  the  26th 
of  March,  1845,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  The 
nine  children  who  composed  the  parental  family 
were :  Jesse,  who  married  Miss  Lidia  Millis ;  Eras- 
mus, who  married  Miss  H.  Fossett;  Judith,  who 
married  Jarnes  De  Pew ;  William,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased; John  W.,  who  married  Miss  E.  Kelley,  and 
lives  in  Arkansas;  Damaris,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years ;  Pleasant  M.,  who  married  Miss 
Mary  J.  Hodge,  and  is  now  in  California,  and  Cal- 
ista,  deceased. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  in 
Bloomington  on  the  17th  of  August,  1843,  to  Miss 
Maria  De  Pew,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by 
Rev.  Risley,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Mrs.  Hill  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  April 
27,  1823.  She  is  of  French  and  German  extraction, 
and  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Sallie  ( Vantress)  De- 
Pew,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky. Isaac  De  Pew  was  born  in  August,  1795, 
and  departed  this  life  Aug.  5,  1840,  in  Dry  Grove, 
aged  forty-five  years.  He  was  a  member  and  Class- 
Leader  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  nine- 
teen years,  and  in  all  respects  a  most  worthy  Chris- 
tian gentleman.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  possessed  more  than  ordinary  abilities,  being 
an  extensive  reader  and  well  informed  upon  matters 
of  general  interest.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Hill  was 
born  in  Lincoln  (formerly  Mercer)  County,  Ky., 
Aug.  15,  1800.  She  was  married  on  the  28th  of 
March,  1819,  in  Indiana,  where  she  remained  with 
her  family  until  April,  1835,  when  they  all  came  to 
McLean  County,  111.,  and  have  since  remained. 
The  parentM  household  included  six  children,  four 
now  living,  and  of  whom  Mrs.  Hill  was  the  eldest; 
James  married  Miss  S.  Johnson,  who  died  some 
years  ago;  Mary  is  the  widow  of  Mr.  Wade,  and 
lives  in  Chicago;  Bedford  died  in  St.  Louis,  when 
twenty-one  years  of  age;  Margaret  married  Mr. 
Connan,  who  is  now  deceased;  Henry  died  several 
years  ago. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  became  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Alonzo  died  in  1868,  aged  twen- 
ty-three years;  Augustus  married  Miss  Louisa 

•4" 


Moulton ;  Helen  became  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Calhoun, 
of  Bloomington ;  Bedford  married  Miss  Hattie  Har- 
rison; William  C.  and  Edward  are  unmarried. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  embraces  ninety 
acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  within  two  and  one- 
half  miles  of  the  city  of  Bloomington.  He  is  a 
law-abiding  and  valued  member  of  society,  and 
with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  since 
twenty  years  of  age.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Dem- 
ocrat, and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the 
principles  of  his  party. 

A  view  of  the  handsome  farm  residence  of  Mr. 
Hill  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  ALBUM. 


JAHIAL  STRETCH,  a  prosperous  and  promi- 
nent farmer  of  Gridley  Township,  has  a  fine 
farm  located  on  section  19,   upon  which  he 
settled  in  about  1 856.  This  consists  of  eighty 

acres  of  valuable  land,  all  improved  and  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation.  His  house  and  farm 
buildings  are  kept  in  good  repair  and  his  stock  and 
machinery  indicate  the  oversight  of  an  intelligent 
and  thorough-going  business  man.  Mr.  Stretch  has 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  since  a  lad  of 
seven  years  old,  when  he  removed  with  his  parents 
from  Ohio,  in  which  State  he  was  born,  Sept.  27, 
1823.  His  parents  were  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  (Van- 
Dolah)  Stretch,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they 
were  reared  and  married.  They  afterward  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  and  from  there  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
McLean  County  in  1 830.  The  father  of  our  subject 
established  a  home  in  Money  Creek  Township,  this 
county,  where  both  parents  died,  the  former  in  De- 
cember, 1853,  and  the  latter  on  the  9th  of  May, 
1869.  Their  fourteen  children  comprised  eight 
daughters  and  six  sons,  all  of  whom  lived  to  mature 
years,  and  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  tenth  in 
order  of  birth. 

Mr.  Stretch  received  careful  home  training  from 
his  excellent  parents  and  as  good  an  education  as 
the  schools  of  those  early  days  afforded.  He  came 
into  McLean  County  with  his  parents  in  1830.  He 
remained  under  the  home  roof  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  and  was  then  united  in  marriage 


-' '•; 


t 


t  ,862 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


with  Miss  Lucinda  Van  Buskirk,  Dec.  22,  1844, 
the  wedding  occurring  in  Money  Creek  Township. 
Mrs.  Stretch  is  a  native  of  Ohio;  of  this  union 
there  were  born  four  children,  of  whom  the  record 
is  as  follows:  George  W.  is  a  resident  of  Towanda, 
111. ;  Lafayette  is  at  home;  Mary  J.  became  the  wife 
of  Jesse  Covington  and  lives  in  Iowa;  Elizabeth 
died  when  young.  Mrs.  Lucinda  Stretch  departed 
this  life  in  Hudson  Township,  this  county,  March 
17,  1852. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  8.  occurred  on  the 
27th  of  April,  1854,  when  he  was  united  with  Miss 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Archibald  and  Hannah 
(Archer)  Wilson,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of 
whom  mention  is  made  in  the  sketch  of  Abraham 
Wilson  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mrs.  S.  was  born 
in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  1,  1828.  Of  the 
second  marriage  of  our  subject  there  have  been  six 
children:  Hannah  O.  became  the  wife  of  William 
Hitch  and  resides  in  Gridley  Township;  Jesse  A. 
is  at  home;  Sarah  W.  married  Edward  Pochel  and 
they  live  in  Gridley  Township;  Louisa  T.  died  July 
28,  1886;  Minnie  M.  is  a  teacher  in  Livingston 
County,  this  State;  Samuel  P.  died  Oct.  8,  1876, 
when  five  years  of  age.  Mr.  Stretch  has  been 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  township,  and  has 
been  identified  with  its  welfare  and  prosperity. 
Both  our  subject  and  his  wife  are  worthy  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  politically  Mr. 
S.  earnestly  supports  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party. 


ENTON  YOUNG,  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  self-made  citizens  of  Le  Roy,  is  pros- 
perously engaged  as  a  clothing  dealer,  and 
carries  on  the  leading  establishment  of 
this  kind  in  the  place.  He  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
was  born  in  Cadiz,  Harrison  County,  Feb.  16, 
1847.  His  father,  Denton  Young,  Sr.,  was  a 
native  of  the  same  State,  was  reared  and  mar- 
ried there,  and  owned  and  occupied  a  farm  near 
Cadiz  until  1851.  He  then  sold  out  and  started 
with  his  wife  and  eight  children  for  the  prairies 
I  of  Illinois.  The  journey  was  made  via  the  Ohio, 
,  Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers  to  Peoria  and 
y  thence  by  land  to  Bloomington.  Previous  to  this, 


t 


however,  the  father  had  visited  the  State  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  110  acres,  a  mile  north  of  Bloom- 
ington,  on  the  Towanda  road.  Upon  his  return  in 
1851,  with  his  family,  he  learned  that  his  house  had 
been  blown  away.  He  was  therefore  compelled  to 
rent  a  dwelling  in  Bloomington  until  he  could 
build  on  his  own  farm.  This  was  soon  accomplished, 
and  the  fattier  of  our  subject  engaged  in  farming 
and  the  purchase  and  sale  of  live  stock,  dealing  in 
horses,  hogs  and  cattle.  This  being  before  the 
days  of  railroads,  he  drove  his  hogs  to  Peoria  and 
took  his  horses  overland  East.  He  occupied  this 
farm  until  about  the  time  the  war  broke  out,  and 
in  the  meantime  also  purchased  960  acres  west  of 
Le  Roy,  in  Downs  Township.  He  continued  to 
live  near  Bloomington,  while  his  children  settled 
on  the  farm  in  Downs  Township. 

In  1872  Denton  Young,  Sr.,  took  a  drove  of 
young  stock  to  Bloomington,  Neb.,  and  purchasing 
a  claim  kept  his  stock  there  and  remained  until 
1882,  improving  a  farm  and  adding  to  the  value  of 
his  purchase.  He  then  sold  out  and  removed  to 
Clay  Center,  Kan.,  where  he  still  lives,  retired 
from  active  business.  His  first  wife,  and  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  was  Miss  Malinda  Baker,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  eight 
children.  Mrs.  Malinda  Young  departed  this  life 
about  1857.  For  his  second  wife  Denton  Young, 
Sr.,  married  Mrs.  Rachel  Short,  the  daughter  of 
James  Price,  a  pioneer  of  McLean  County,  and  of 
this  marriage  were  born  two  children. 

Denton  Young,  Jr.,  was  the  sixth  child  and 
fifth  son  of  the  first  marriage  of  his  father,  and 
was  but  four  years  old  when  his  parents  removed 
from  Ohio  to  Illinois.  He  attended  school,  as  op- 
portunity afforded,  usually  in  the  winter  season, 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  unTil  eighteen 
years  of  age,  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm. 
He  then  entered  Wesleyan  College,  where  he  ap- 
plied himself  to  a  thorough  course  of  study  for 
one  year,  and  then  went  West  to  Kansas,  and  with 
his  brother-in-law,  R.  M.  Frazier,  engaged  in  the 
grocery  trade  at  .Manhattan.  After  a  few  months 
however,  he  returned  to  Le  Roy,  and  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  Barnett,  and  in  a 
short  time  returned  to  Kansas  with  his  bride, 
where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1867.  He 


5T.  MAR1EN     KIRCHE  ,  BLOOIYIINGTON  ,    ILLS 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


865 


then  returned  to  Le  Roy  and  was  variously  en- 
gaged for  the  following  six  months,  being  a  part 
of  the  time  the  clerk  of  his  father-in-law,  J.  T. 
Barnett,  who  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business. 
He  remained  with  the  hitter  until  the  fall  of  1873, 
and  the  following  six  months  was  engaged  witli 
Mr.  Moorehonse,  afterward  with  Mr.  Keenan.  lie 
then  established  business  for  himself,  in  the  old 
bank  building,  where  he  operated  for  two  years, 
and  then  purchased  the  Sydney  Baker  building  on 
Main  street,  Le  Roy. 

In  1880  our  subject  purchased  the  block  adjoin- 
ing the  Baker  building,  known  as  the  David  Cheney 
Building,  and  enlarged  his  facilities  for  the  trans- 
action of  a  steadily  increasing  business.  He  now 
occupies  two  large  storerooms,  each  65x22  feet  in 
area  and  is  evidently  on  the  high  road  to  a  compe- 
tency. In  1883,  in  company  with  Murray  &  Smith, 
Mr.  Young  put  up  the  Opera  Block.  This  block 
occupies  an  area  of  80x22  feet,  has  a  plate  glass 
front,  and  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
town. 

Besides  this  property  Mr.  Young  is  also  inter- 
ested in  farm  lands,  he  and  his  wife  being  the 
owners  of  eighty-two  acres  adjoining  the  town 
plat.  This  little  farm  is  well  stocked  with  good 
grades  of  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  he  employs 
a  manager  who  carries  on  the  farm  operations  in  a 
successful  manner,  enabling  him  to  derive  from  it 
a  handsome  income. 

The  wedding  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ypung  was  'cele- 
brated Oct.  17,  1806.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Young 
were  T.  J.  and  Emeline  (Gibbs)  Barnett,  a  sketch 
of  whom  will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this 
work.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  three 
sons — Thomas  Victor,  Lynn  and  Bertram.  Mr. 
Young  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  in  all  re^ 
spects  fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen 
and  a  worthy  member  of  society. 


EV.  HILARY  HOELSCHER,  Rector  of  St. 

Mary's  German  Catholic  Church,  is  a  gen- 
«\      tleman  highly    respected    in    the    city    of 
\^)  Bloomington.     He  is  gifted  with  talents  of 
a  high  order  and  is  one  of  the  best  educated   men 


in  the  county.  Father  Hoelscher  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Oct.  14,  1857,  and  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Mitgoes)  Hoelscher. 
When  our  subject  was  a  child  of  two  years  of  age 
they  removed  to  Covingtou,  Ky.,  where  in  the  Ger- 
man schools  of  that  city  he  received  his  elementary 
education.  Later  he  entered  St.  Francis  College  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  at  which  he  was  graduated  in  1875. 
He  then  entered  the  Franciscan  Order,  in  which  lie 
prepared  for  the  Priesthood,  and  was  ordained 
Sept.  29,  1880.  He  was  soon  given  charge  of  sev- 
eral congregations,  the  first  of  which  was  at  St. 
Charles'  Church,  Carthage,  Ohio,  whence  he  was  re- 
moved to  St.  John's  in  Middletown.  He  was  after- 
ward assistant  at  St.  George's  at  Cincinnati,  and 
from  there  was  sent  to  Bloomington,  111.,  taking 
charge  of  St.  Mary's  Aug.  13,  1884.  The  parish 
under  charge  of  Father  Hpelscher  is  prospering  and 
he  bids  fair  to  become  an  important  member  of  the 
Priesthood. 

In  reviewing  the  history  of  St.  Mary's  German 
Catholic  Church  we  find  that  the  first  service  in  the 
German  language  held  in  the  city  of  Bloomington 
was  in  1852.  During  that  year  three  German 
Catholic  families  settled  within  the  city  limits.  In 
1867  this  class  of  population  had  so  increased  that 
it  was  deemed  time  to  organize  a  congregation. 
This  was  done  during  the  year  mentioned  and  the 
first  meeting  was  held  in  an  old  frame  school-house 
which  stood  on  the  ground  north  of  the  present 
Irish  Catholic  Church.  In  1869  the  congregation 
had  so  increased  that  a  permanent  and  larger  meet- 
ing-place became  a  necessity.  Previous  to  this 
seven  lots  had  been  secured  on  South  Water  street, 
and  on  the  31st  of  July  of  that  year  work  was 
commenced  on  the  frame  of  the' present  building. 
In  due  time  the  edifice  was  finished  at  a  cost  of 
$2,500.  This  edifice  answered  all  purposes  until 
1884,  when  owing  to  the  steadily  increasing  throng 
of  worshipers  the  congregation  again  began  to  feel 
the  necessity  for  more  room. 

In  June,  1885,  the  movement  for  another  new 
building  was  formally  inaugurated  by  the  selection 
of  the  building  committee,  which  consisted  of  Rev. 
Hilary  Hoelscher,  Henry  W.  Ulbrich,  G.  A.  Ensen- 
berger,  Frank  Oberkoetter,  Jr.,  Edward  Wochner, 
Michael  Glaser  and  J.  M.  Kirsten.  There  was 


t 


f 


866 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


raised  by  subscription  $7,200,  and  a  fair  given  for 
the  benefit  of  the  building  netted  $3,150,  placing 
in  the  hands  of  the  projectors  a  total  of  $10,350, 
available  for  beginning  the  work.  The  plans  con- 
templated an  expenditure  of  $20,017,  exclusive  of 
the  pews,  windows  and  frescoing,  and  the  entire 
building  when  completed  to  cost  about  $30,000. 

The  edifice  occupies  an  area  of  55x125  feet. 
The  material  used  in  its  construction  is  of  the  best 
quality.  The  distance  from  the  water  tables  to 
the  eaves  is  thirty-two  feet,  the  height  of  the 
steeple  170,  and  the  whole  upon  a  massive  founda- 
tion presents  an  imposing  appearance.  The  spire 
will  be  slated  and  encased  with  galvanized  iron 
sheeting  and  surmounted  by  a  gilded  copper  ball 
thirty  inches  in  diameter.  The  globe  supports  a  cross 
twelve  feet  high.  The  building  is  of  the  Gothic 
style  of  architecture  and  the  groined  ceiling  will 
rest  on  twenty  capitals  elaborately  carved.  The 
walls  will  be  handsomely  frescoed,  and  the  church 
within  and  without  is  highly  creditable  to  the  en- 
terprise of  the  congregation.  The  view  presented 
in  connection  with  this  sketch  will  give  an  excellent 
idea  of  the  grandeur  and  surroundings  of  the  edi- 
fice. 


EREMIAH  T.  STARKEY,  of  Lawndale 
Township,  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century,  hav- 
ing come  to  this  vicinity  with  his  wife  in 
the  spring  of  1861.  He  was  born  in  Muskingum 
County,  Ohio,  being  the  son  of  Stephen  D.  and 
Helen  (Hanks)  Starkey,  the  latter  a  second  cousin 
of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Stephen  D.  Starkey  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  the  mother  is  supposed  to 
have  been  born  in  Ohio.  After  marriage  the  par- 
ents of  our  subject  settled  in  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  where  the  father  still  resides.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  milling  until  married,  and  has  farmed 
since  that  time.  The  mother  died  there  in  1852. 
Their  seven  children  included  three  sons  and  four 
daughters,  of  whom  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
the  second  child. 


Jeremiah  T.  Starkey  was  born  in  .Muskingum 
County,  Ohio,  Nov.  1,  1838.  He  attended  the 
common  schools  and  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm.  During  his  younger  days  he  was  very  fond 
of  horses,  and  in  his  later  years  has  not  lost  any  of 
his  admiration  for  that  noblest  of  animals.  He 
lived  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1861,  having  already  assumed 
marital  and  domestic  ties,  he  set  his  face  toward 
the  farther  West.  His  outfit  consisted  of  a  four-horse 
wagon,  and  the  journey  occupied  about  four  weeks. 
On  his  arrival  in  this  county  he  first  settled  in 
Cropsey  Township,  where  he  rented  land  for  one 
season,  and  in  March  following  moved  to  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  where  he  rented  a  farm,  and  in 
September  of  the  same  year  purchased  eighty  acres, 
which  he  held  two  years.  In  1864  he  purchased 
160  acres  on  section  21,  and  established  the  home- 
stead which  he  still  occupies.  He  disposed  of  eighty 
acres  of  this  and  his  present  homestead  consists  of 
the  other  eighty,  which  under  his  skillful  manage- 
ment has  become  productive  and  valuable.  Upon 
it  he  has  erected  a  set  of  shapely  and  substantial 
frame  buildings,  and  has  otherwise  brought  about 
first-class  improvements,  and  his  snug  and  well- 
kept  farm  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in 
Lawndale  Township. 

Our  subject  was  first  married  in  Coschocton 
County,  Ohio,  Dec.  27,  1860,  to  Miss  Charity 
Bridgway,  who  was  a  native  of  that  county.  Of 
this  union  there  were  born  three  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Basil  D.,  who  married  Miss  Fannie  Grimsley, 
and  resides  in  Lawndale  Township ;  Estella,  who  is 
the  wife  of  John  Dameron,  and  also  lives  in  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  and  Francis  R.,  who  is  at  home. 
Mrs.  Charity  Starkey  departed  this  life  at  the  home 
of  her  husband  in  Lawndale  Township.  May  1 1 , 
1869.  Seven  years  later,  on  the  10th  of  December, 
1876,  Mr.  Starkey  was  the  second  time  married,  to 
Miss  A.  Bridgway,  who  was  born  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  Feb.  1,  1827,  and  who  was  a  sister 
of  his  first  wife.  Their  parents  were  Basil  and 
Mary  E.  (Boran)  Bridgway,  natives  of  Maryland, 
and  both  sisters  were  devoted  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Mr.  Starkey  has  held  the  offices  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Assessor  and  Collector.  He  is  a  member  in 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


867 


'f 


good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party. 


FRANK  SILL.  Prominent  among  the 
well-to-do  farmers  for  which  McLean 
County  is  noted  is  D.  Frank  Sill.  He 
occupies  a  good  homestead  on  section  23 
of  Belleflower  Township,  where  he  is  industriously 
tilling  the  soil  and  distinguishing  himself  by  those 
reliable  and  substantial  traits  of  character  which 
he  has  inherited  from  excellent  German  ancestry. 
Mr.  Sill  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  Aug. 
•20,  1847,  being  the  son  of  Michael  Sill,  a  native  of 
the  same  county,  who  was  born  Jan.  15,  1824. 
Daniel  Sill,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was 
also  born  in  that  county,  Feb.  5,  1778,  and  George 
Sill,  great-grandfather  of  D.  Frank  and  a  native  of 
Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  was  born  in  1733. 
The  latter  lived  in  his  native  country  until  he  was 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  then  emigrated  to 
America,  being  sold  for  his  passage  after  his  arrival 
here,  in  consequence  of  which  he  gave  his  services 
to  his  creditor  for  six  years  following,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  an  industrious  and  energetic  man, 
however,  and  after  he  began  to  work  for  himself, 
in  due  time  became  the  owner  of  300  acres  of  land 
in  the  locality  known  as  Dutch  Corner,  Bedford 
Co.,  Pa.  He  afterward  married  a  German  lady  by 
the  name  of  Dolly  Helsman  and  became  successful 
as  a  farmer  and  business  man,  accumulating  a  fine 
property.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  and  very  strict,  in  religions  matters.  His 
death  occurred  on  the  18th  of  July,  1813,  and  his 
wife,  surviving  him  nearly  four  years,  died  in 
June,  1817. 

Daniel  Sill,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  inherited  a  tract  of  laud  from  his  father's 
estate,  to  which  he  added  by  a  later  purchase.  He. 
also  was  very  successful  and  became  the  owner  of 
a  fine  property,  giving  to  each  of  his  children  a 
nice  farm.  He  died  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  June 
6,  1850.  His  wife  before  her  marriage  was  Miss 
Catherine  Stiffler,  of  German  ancestry,  who  also 
died  on  the  old  homestead  in  Bedford  County. 


Their  son  Michael,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  to  fanning  pursuits  and  lived  with  his  par- 
ents until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  Aug.  9, 
1846.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss 
Elizabeth  Speece,  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
Pa.,  June  20,  1831.  Her  father,  Michael  Speece, 
was  a  native  of  Bedford  County,  and  her  paternal 
grandfather  was  of  German  parentage  and  ancestry. 
Michael  Speece  followed  agricultural  pursuits  and 
spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  county.  The 
mother  of  Mrs.  Sill,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Rebecca 
Ernest,  also  a  native  of  Bedford  County,  was  the 
daughter  of  George  Ernest. 

After  his  marriage  Michael  Sill  continued  farm- 
ing in  Bedford  County  until  1852,  then  removed 
to  Gettysburg  and  was  employed  as  steward  of  the 
college  there  for  two  years.  Then  returning  to 
Bedford  County,  he  operated  a  crockery  and  stone- 
ware manufactory  until  1858.  That  year,  not 
being  quite  satisfied  with  his  prospects  in  the  Key- 
stone State,  he  started  for  the  West,  and  coming 
into  Illinois,  located  for  a  time  on  rented  land  near 
the  city  of  Bloomington.  Being  pleased  with  this 
locality,  he  made  a  purchase  of  222  acres  in  Blue 
Mound  Township,  which  he  improved  and  upon 
which  he  erected  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings. 
He  took  great  pains  to  make  his  home  attractive  by 
the  planting  of  a  large  variety  of  ornamental  trees 
and  shrubs,  which  in  due  time  made  it  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  the  township.  He  occu- 
pied this,  with  his  family,  until  1876,  and  then,  de- 
sirous of  giving  his  children  better  educational 
advantages,  sold  out  and  removed  to  Normal, 
where  he  remained  until  the  object  for  which  he 
removed  there  was  accomplished.  He  after  ward  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Newcomb  Township,  Champaign 
County,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
his  death  occurring  Nov.  19,  1886.  He  was  reared 
in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  but  during 
his  later  years  identified  himself  with  the  Method- 
ists. Mrs.  Sill  still  survives  her  husband,  making 
her  home  with  her  son,  our  subject.  The  parental 
household  included  six  children,  of  whom  D.  Frank 
was  the  eldest.  George  H.  is  a  resident  of  Denver, 
Col. ;  William  B.  of  Marion,  Kan. ;  Maurice  W.  and 
Eddie  L.  in  another  part  of  that  State;  Austin 
Grant  lives  in  Marion,  Kan. 


r 


868 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Sill  of  this  sketch  attended  the  district  school 
during  his  boyhood,  and  later  assisted  his  father 
on  the  farm,  remaining  under  the  home  roof  until 
he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  He  then  com- 
menced farming  for  himself  on  rented  land,  and 
operated  in  this  manner  until  1878,  then  purchased 
a  farm  in  Champaign  Couuty,  which  he  occupied 
for  five  years,  soon  afterward  removing  to  his 
present  homestead.  A  part  of  this  was  inherited 
by  his  wife  and  Mr.  .Sill  purchased  the  interest  of 
the  other  heirs.  It  comprises  160  acres  of  good 
land,  all  enclosed,  well  stocked  and  improved,  and 
furnished  with  good  buildings  and  the  necessary 
appliances  of  a  good  farmer.  The  marriage  of  D. 
Frank  Sill  and  Miss  Nettie  Isadore  Wheeler  took 
place  on  the  Uth  of  February,  1883.  Mrs.  Sill  was 
bom  on  the  homestead  which  she  now  occupies 
with  her  husband,  Aug.  19,  1860,  being  the  daugh- 
ter of  George  W.  and  Helen  M.  Wheeler,  who  are 
mentioned  in  the  sketch  of  John  N.  Wheeler,  else- 
where in  this  volume.  Of  this  union  there  was 
born  one  child,  a  daughter,  Nellie.  Mrs.  Sill  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  Mr.  Sill,  politically,  is  a  stanch 
adherent  of  the  Republican  party. 


UGH  McINTYRE.  This  gentleman  may 
properly  be  classed  among  the  self-made 
men  of  the  Prairie  State.  He  started  out 
in  life  with  little  save  his  own  energy  and 
resolution  to  get  on  in  the  world,  and  by  his  indus- 
try and  moral  worth,  has  attained  to  a  good  posi- 
tion in  society,  and  ranks  among  the  thrifty  farmers 
and  property  owners  of  McLean  County.  He  is 
pleasantly  located  in  Belleflower  Township,  on 
section  33,  where  he  h#s  240  acres  of  finely  culti- 
vated land,  a  handsome  and  substantial  dwelling, 
and  all  the  appurtenances  of  a  model  farm  estate. 
Mr.  Mclntyre  comes  of  excellent  Scottish  ances- 
try, and  was  born  in  the  city  of  Glasgow,  Scotland, 
Oct.  16,  1832.  lie  is  the  son  of  Allen  Mclntyre, 
a  native  of  Argyleshire,  of  the  Highland  Clan.  The 
latter  learned  the  trade  of  a  shoemaker,  which  he 
followed  in  Glasgow  until  1842.  In  April  of  that 
year,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  four  children, 


he  set  sail  from  Glasgow,  bound  for  the  New 
World.  After  a  safe  voyage  they  landed  in  (Que- 
bec, whence  they  proceeded  directly  to  Hamil- 
ton, Ontario,  and  thence  to  Dundas,  Wentworth 
County.  The  father  of  our  subject  remained 
in  Canada  working  at  his  trade,  three  years  in 
Dundas,  and  thence  removed  to  Wellington  County, 
Ontario,  where  he  made  a  claim.  When  the  land 
came  into  market  he  perfected  his  title  and  pro- 
ceeded to  cut  down  the  timber  and  carry  on  the 
necessary  improvements  which  should  constitute  a 
comfortable  home.  He  also  built  a  log  house,  into 
which  lie  removed  his  family  and  spent  the  balance 
of  his  life,  cultivating  his  land  and  adding  to  it  all 
necessary  improvements.  There  his  death  oc- 
curred about  1878.  He  was  married  early  in  life 
to  Miss  Euphemia  Monroe,  also  a  native  of  Scot- 
land, who  was  born  in  Edinburgh,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  a  soldier  in  the  King's  army,  being  one 
of  the  Highlanders  of  whom  so  much  has  been  read 
and  said.  The  Mclntyre  family  included  ten  chil- 
dren, eight  of  whom  became  men  and  women,  as 
follows:  Allin  lives  near  the  old  homestead  in 
Canada;  John  is  a  resident  of  Belleflower  Town- 
ship, this  county;  Euphemia  married  William  Pat- 
terson and  died  in  Belleflower  about  1869;  Mary 
became  the  wife  of  John  Halliday ;  Carment  lives 
in  London,  Canada,  and  Peter  in  Nebraska;  Har- 
riett married  John  Fritz  of  Morristown,  Canada. 

Hugh  Mclntyre  was  a  lad  ten  years  old  when  his 
parents  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  America.  He 
remembers  well  his  old  home  in  his  native  land  and 
the  sea  voyage  which  occupied  seven  weeks  and 
three  days.  He  remained  with  his  parents,  and 
when  eighteen  years  of  age  learned  the  plasterers' 
trade,  which  he  followed  in  Canada  until  1865. 
He  then  came  over  into  the  States,  making  his  first 
location  in  this  county,  where  he  worked  one  sum- 
mer and  spent  the  winter  following  with  his  p.-ir- 
ents.  In  the  spring  he  came  back  to  Illinois  and 
employed  himself  at  his  trade  in  various  places  in 
this  State,  Lexington,  Chatsworth  and  Fairbury. 
He  then  determined  to  change  his  occupation,  and 
in  the  fall  of  18C6  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Belleflower  Township,  and  since  that  time  has 
been  mostly  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
has  been  greatly  prospered  in  his  farm  ing  and  busi- 


f 


f 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


8G9 


ness  transactions  and  added  to  his  original  purchase 
from  time  to  time  until  he  is  now  the  possessor  of 
240  acres,  the  greater  part  of  which  is  well  im- 
proved and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  His 
homestead  includes  a  tasteful  and  substantial  set  of 
frame  buildings,  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of  the 
village  of  Belleflower.  His  farm  is  well  stocked 
with  graded  cattle,  and  in  all  departments  indicates 
the  supervision  of  the  intelligent  and  progressive 
agriculturist. 

Mr.  Mclntyre  was  married,  Feb.  11,  1869,  to 
Miss  Catharine  Stewart,  a  native  of  Wellington 
County,  Canada,  and  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Mary  (Gillespie)  Stewart.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  six  children — Allen,  Robert,  Hugh,  Eu- 
phemia,  May  K.  and  Catharine.  Our  subject  and 
his  wife  are  prominently  connected  with  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Mclntyre,  politi- 
cally, is  a  stanch  Republican. 


OHN  WAGNER,  a  well-known  druggist  of 
McLean,  is  a  self-made  man  who  has  kept 
pace  with  the  growth  and  progress  of  this 
county,  and  has  materially  assisted  in  de- 
veloping its  resources,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
desirable  places  for  residence  and  business  in  the 
State.  Our  subject  was  born  in  the  Empire  of 
Germany,  Aug.  26,  1850,  and  comes  of  excellent 
ancestry.  His  father,  Peter  Wagner,  was  a  native 
of  the  same  country,  where  he  was  reared  to  man- 
hood and  married.  In  1854  Peter  Wagner,  with 
his  wife  and  children,  emigrated  to  America.  The}' 
stopped  a  few  months  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  whence 
they  removed  to  Chicago,  where  the  elder  Wagner 
purchased  property.  This  was  lowland,  and  in 
the  spring  of  the  'year  covered  with  water,  Mr. 
Wagner,  finally  thinking  it  of  little  value,  neglected 
to  pay  the  taxes  and  thus  forfeited  his  title  to  it. 
Those  once  despised  lots  are  now  covered  with 
fine  buildings  and  worth  many  dollars  to  the  square 
foot.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  Peter 
Wagner  was  only  one  of  many  who  had  a  similar 
experience  in  regard  to  Chicago  property  in  the 
early  days.  He  remained  in  Chicago  until  1860, 
and  then  proceeded  to  Atlanta,  Logan  Co.,  111. 


The  following  year,  upon  the  outbreak  of  the 
Rebellion,  Mr.  Wagner  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier 
in  the  44th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  three 
years  and  three  months.  He  was  in  the  campaign 
with  Sherman,  and  participated  in  the  principal 
battles  from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta,  receiving  a 
gunshot  wound  in  the  arm  at  the  latter  place.  The 
bullet  entered  above  the  elbow  and  came  out  at 
the  back  under  the  shoulder-blade.  He  was  re- 
ported in  the  Chicago  papers  as  the  first  man 
killed  in  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  He  survived,  how- 
ever, and  returned  home  a  few  days  later  on  a 
furlough,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  was 
enabled  to  rejoin  his  regiment,  with  which  he  soon 
afterward  proceeded  to  Washington  and  received 
his  honorable  discharge  at  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service. 

After  his  retirement  from  military  life,  the  father 
of  our  subject  accepted  a  situation  with  the  C.  & 
A.  R.  R.  as  baggage-master  at  Atlanta,  and  re- 
mained in  the  service  of  the  company  for  twenty 
years  following,  making  for  himself  a  good  record 
as  a  faithful  and  valuable  employe.  He  then  re- 
signed his  position  and  now  lives  in  Atlanta,  re- 
tired from  active  labor.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, formerly  Miss  Mary  Keifer,  of  Germany,  died 
in  1857,  leaving  three  children,  of  whom  John  of 
this  sketcfh  was  the  eldest;  Mathias  was  the  next; 
the  youngest  child  died  in  infancy.  The  second 
wife  of  Peter  Wagner  was  Miss  Anna  Vick,  also  a 
native  of  Germany,  and  who  became  the  mother 
of  three  children — Annie,  Peter  and  Lizzie. 

"John  Wagner  was  but  three  years  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  the  United  States.  He  first  at- 
tended a  German  school  in  Chicago,  and  later  was 
a  pupil  in  the  public  schools.  After  the  family 
removed  to  Atlanta  he  pursued  his  studies  there 
until  twelve  years  old,  and  then  engaged  upon  a 
farm  for  Obadiah  Arnold,  at  a  salary  of  twenty- 
five  cents  a  day.  His  father  being  in  the  army  he 
gave  all  his  earnings  to  his  mother  to  assist  in 
supporting  the  family.  He  worked  upon  a  farm 
in  summer  and  attended  school  in  winter  until 
nineteen  years  of  age,  when  his  father  purchased  a 
dray  line  in  Atlanta,  which  our  subject  operated 
for  him  one  year,  then  bought  the  business  of  his 
father,  conducted  it  for  one  year  more,  then  sold 


t. 


•    870 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


I 


i 


out  and  engaged  in  the  hedge  department  of  the 
C.  &  A.  R.  R.  Co.,  distributing  plants  along  their 
line  of  track.  After  one  season  thus  engaged,  he 
returned  to  farm  pursuits,  which  he  continued  un- 
til 1875.  He  then  purchased  a  half  interest  in  a 
stock  of  drugs  and  the  trade  of  D.  N.  Longworth, 
and  in  company  with  D.  G.  Palmer  conducted  a 
trade  in  these  commodities  for  two  months,  when 
he  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  and  has 
been  sole  proprietor  since  that  time.  His  straight- 
forward methods  of  doing  business  and  his  prompt- 
ness in  meeting  his  obligations  at  once  secured  him 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  citizens  of  McLean 
and  he  soon  found  himself  on  the  high  road  to 
prosperity.  In  due  time  he  built  the  handsome 
residence  which  he  now  occupies,  and  in  1879  put 
up  the  handsome  brick  block  in  which  is  located 
his  thriving  and  constantly  increasing  business. 

The  marriage  of  John  Wagner  and  Miss  Char- 
lotte Palmer  was  celebrated  in  McLean,  in  March, 
1877.  Mrs.  Wagner  is  the  daughter  of  James 
Palmer,  who  was  born  in  Brandon,  Rutland  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  Jan.  1C,  1829,  and  was  the  son  of  George  and 
Freelove  (Olin)  Palmer,  both  natives  of  the  same 
State.  Judge  Olin,  the  great-grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Wagner,  was  Member  of  Congress  from  Ver- 
mont, and  her  grandfather,  George  Palmer,  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  of  New  York  to  Illi- 
nois in  1844,  being  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of 
Tazewell  County,  but  only  lived  a  short  time  after 
settling  there,  his  death  occurring  in  1846.  James 
Palmer  was  in  the  Civil  Service  eleven  years,  being 
appointed  Government  Storekeeper  for  the  8th  Illi- 
nois District  in  1874.  He  is  still  living  and  a  resi- 
dent of  Mt.  Hope  Township.  The  mother  of  Mrs. 
Wagner,  formerly  Miss  Jane  Ewing,  was  born  in 
Butler  County,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  3,  1839,  being  the 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Nancy  (Young)  Ewing. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner  have  one  child  only,  a 
daughter,  Inez  Imogene.  Mr.  W.  is  Republican 
in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, belonging  to  McLean  Lodge  No.  4C9,  and 
Bloom ington  Chapter  No.  26.  His  present  pos- 
sessions are  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and  per- 
severance. He  is  essentially  a  self-made  man,  who 
has  improved  his  opportunities  and  kept  his  eyes 
open  to  what  was  going  on  around  him.  His  ex- 


periences have  resulted  in  a  fund  of  useful  knowl- 
edge, a  keen  insight  into  human  nature,  and  the 
judgment  and  discretion  which  have  enabled  him  to 
secure  the  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  to 
attain  to  an  enviable  position  in  the  community. 


•Sp^ATHAN  HUNTING,  a  well-to-do  and  pros- 
jll  perous  farmer,  residing  on  section  13,  Grid- 
\K\Mfi  ley  Township,  is  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Ma- 
linda  (Smith)  Hunting.  The  parents  were  natives 
of  Massachusetts;  were  there  married  and  settled 
in  Boston,  whence  they  removed  to  Shutesbury, 
that  State,  where  the  mother  died  in  1876.  The 
father  is  still  living  and  resides  in  Shutesbury.  He 
was  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  grocery  business, 
but  later  in  life  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  became  the  head  of  a  family  of  five 
children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter. 

The  subject  of  this  biographical  notice  was  the 
eldest  of  his  parents'  children,  and  was  born  in 
Shutesbury,  Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1833.  He  received  a 
good  common-school  education,  and  has  followed 
agricultural  pursuits  thus  far  in  life.  Until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old,  he  worked  out  by  the  month 
at  his  chosen  vocation,  and  since  than  has  contin- 
ued to  do  for  himself.  Our  subject  remained  in 
Massachusetts  until  1857,  when,  hoping  to  better 
his  financial  condition,  he  started  for  the  then  un- 
developed West.  Coming  to  Dixon,  this  State, 
he  remained  a  short  time,  and  then  came  to  this 
county,  but  purchased  a  farm  in  Livingston  County, 
111.,  on  which  he  located  and  lived  for  about  five 
years.  Disposing  of  his  farm  in  that  county,  he, 
about  three  years  later,  returned  to  this  county, 
and  settled  on  section  1 3,  Gridley  Township,  where 
he  had  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  where, 
with  the  exception  of  about  three  months  spent  in 
Dakota,  he  has  continued  to  reside  until  the  pres- 
ent time.  Mr.  Hunting  has  made  good  and  valua- 
ble improvements  upon  his  farm,  and  is  now  the 
proprietor  of  240  acres  of  good,  tillable  land. 

Nathan  Hunting  was  married  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, Dec.  8,  1867,  to  Miss  Rebecca  H.,  daughter 
of  David  and  Elizabeth  Wald.  Her  parents  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Gridley 


;i 


f 

t 


MuLEAN   COUNTY. 


871 


Township  in  the  spring  of  1864.  There  the  father 
died  July  27,  1877,  and  the  mother  is  yet  living. 
Their  children  were  seven  in  number,  and  Mrs. 
Hunting  was  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth.  She  was 
born  in  McConnellsburg,  Pa.,  June  19,  1845,  and 
has  borne  her  husband  four  children,  namely,  Mary 
R.,  Susie  M.,  Olive  and  Laura  L.  Susie  died  when 
nine  months  old. 

Mr.  Hunting  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices 
of  his  township,  and  is  one  of  the  respected  citizens 
of  the  county.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and 
in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  princi- 
ples of  the  Republican  party. 


j>ILLIAM  TYSON,  a  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  Mt.  Hope  Township,  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1850,  and  during  a  residence  of 
thirty-seven  years  in  this  locality  has  thoroughly 
established.himself  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  a  native  of  the  British 
Empire,  having  been  born  in  Northumberlandshire, 
England,  on  the  30th  of  January,  1832.  His  father, 
William  Tyson,  was  also  a  native  of  England,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood,  was  married,  and  lived  there 
until  1832,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  He  made  his  first  location  in  Niagara 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  worked  in  the  town  of  Lock- 
port  as  a  tanner  and  at  whatever  other  business  he 
could  find  to  engage  in.  Two  years  after  coming 
here  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Loekport,  and  while 
moving  with  his  family,  met  with  an  accident  by 
which  he  was  incapacitated  for  further  labor,  and 
died  two  years  subsequently. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Jane  Tyson,  and  after  the  death  of  her  first 
husband  she  was  married  to  William  Day,  and 
came  with  him  to  Illinois  in  1851.  They  located 
at  Delavan,  Tazewell  County,  where  she  died.  By 
the  first  marriage  there  were  born  three  children 
—William,  Mathew  and  Thomas,  two  only  of 
whom  are  living;  the  second  brother,  Mathew, 
came  to  Illinois  in  1850,  and  died  two  years  later; 
Thomas  lives  on  the  farm  adjoining  that  of  our 


subject.     Of  the  second  marriage  there  were  two 
children — Samuel  and  Reason. 

William  Tyson  was  a  child  of  four  years  when 
his  father  died.  lie  remained  with  his  mother  un- 
til seven  years  of  age,  and  then  went  to  live  with 
Mr.  Stenthorpe,  in  Niagara  County.  He  remained 
with  him  three  and  one-half  years,  working  for  his 
board  and  clothes.  He  then  went  into  the  family  of 
Nathan  Rogers,  in  the  same  county,  where  he  re- 
ceived the  same  wages  and  remained  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  of  age.  From  that  time  until  1850 
he  was  employed  as  a  laborer  at  $5  a  month,  and 
in  due  time  found  himself  the  proud  possessor  of 
$116  in  cash,  saved  from  his  earnings.  With  this 
he  started  for  the  West,  via  the  Erie  Canal  to  Buf- 
falo, and  thence  on  the  lakes  to  Chicago.  From 
there  he  went  by  canal  to  La  Salle,  and  thence  by  the 
Illinois  River  to  Pekin.  He  had  then  expended  $16 
and  had  just  $100  left.  He  had  been  accompanied 
on  his  journey  by  his  brother  Mathew,  who  had 
just  money  enough  to  bring  him  here,  as  he  was 
but  fifteen  years  old.  William  divided  his  money, 
which  was  all  gold,  with  his  brother,  and  they 
quilted  it  into  their  shirts  for  safe  keeping.  At  Pe- 
kin the}'  met  with  friends  who  went  with  them  to 
Delavan.  There  William  Tyson  worked  at  threshing 
for  two  weeks,  and  then  engaged  with  Allen  Perrin 
at  $10  a  month  until  spring,  when  he  rented  land  of 
Ira  B.  Hall,  and  commenced  farming  on  his  own 
account.  He  operated  thus  for  the  following  three 
years  with  success,  and  was  then  enabled  to  pur- 
chase on  time  eighty  acres  lying  west  of  Delavan. 
The  land  was  wild  and  uncultivated,  and  he  set 
himself  industriously  to  work  to  improve  and  cul- 
tivate it.  He  broke  and  fenced  the  entire  area,  and 
erected  a  frame  house  upon  it  the  first  year,  at  a 
cost  of  $200,  which  he  borrowed  of  Mr.  Clark,  the 
man  whom  he  bought  the  land  of.  The  following 
year  he  purchased  160  acres  additional,  also  broke 
and  fenced  this,  and  built  a  house  upon  it.  His 
brother  Thomas  was  a  partner  in  this  last  purchase, 
and  they  operated  together  until  1855,  when  they 
purchased  320  acres  on  section  32  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  upon  which  they  settled,  and  farmed  to- 
gether for  several  years. 

The  brothers  at  this  time  divided  up  their  prop- 
erty and  afterward   operated   independently.     The 


t 


,     872 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


property  of  William  Tyson  lies  on  the  northeast 
quarter  section,  and  is  all  improved  and  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  good  residence  :m<I 
all  necessary  out-buildings,  and  has  added  to  his 
original  purchase  until  lie  is  now  the  possessor  of 
•250  acres,  which  constitutes  the  home  farm,  and 
eighty  acres  on  section  1C  of  the  same  township. 
He  also  has  a  half  section  of  land  in  Pottawattamic 
County,  Iowa,  which  is  improved,  and  is  under  the 
management  of  his  son. 

William  Tyson  was  married  to  Miss  May  A.  Kir- 
by,  on  the  5th  of  February,  18C3.  Mrs.  Tyson  was 
born  in  England,  on  the  26th  of  October,  1846,  and 
by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  the  following  children:  William  J., 
who  lives  in  Pottawattamie  County,  Iowa;  and  Car- 
rie, Kate,  Emma  and  Nellie,  all  at  home  with  their 
parents.  The  family  residence  is  commodious  and 
comfortable,  and  the  family  are  held  in  high  respect 
by  the  communit3'.  Mr.  Tyson  is  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, is  skillful  as  a  farmerf  and  straightforward  and 
upright  as  a  business  man  and  citizen. 


GOODFELLOW,  a  prominent  and 
highly  esteemed  citizen  of  McLean  Coun- 
ty, is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Harmony,  Clarke  Co.,  Ohio,  on 
the  29th  of  September,  1834.  His  father,  William 
Goodfellow,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county  as  his 
son,  and  his  grandfather,  a  native  of  North  Ireland, 
was  of  excellent  Scottish  ancestry,  and  on  emigrat- 
ing to  America,  located  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  that  region. 
He  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land,  cleared  a  farm 
from  the  wilderness,  established  a  good  home,  and 
remained  there  until  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of 
energy  and  enterprise,  successful  in  his  farming  op- 
erations, and  gave  considerable  attention  to  stock- 
raising. 

William  Goodfellow,  Sr.,'the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  county,  and 
was  there  married  to  Miss  Catharine  Casad,  who 
was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio.  He  purchased 
land  adjoining  his  father's  estate  and  built  a  log 
house,  which  he  afterward  weather-  boarded,  and  to 


i 


which  he  added  a  frame,  making  a  substantial  and 
comfortable  dwelling.  He  was  prospered  in  his 
fanning  operations,  and  subsequently  erected  a 
handsome  brick  residence.  In  1854  Mr.  Goodfel- 
low sold,  his  farm  and  purchased  another  in  the 
same  township,  where  he  lived  until  1866.  In  the 
meantime,  in.  connection  with  his  farming  opera- 
tions, he  had  been  considerably  engaged  as  a  grain 
dealer.  In  the  year  last  named  he  disposed  of  his 
property  in  Ohio,  crossed  the  State  of  Indiana,  and 
coming  into  McLean  County,  111.,  purchased  a 
farm,  which  was  located  on  sections  12  and  13, 
in  Dale  and  Bloomington  Townships.  The  land  on 
section  12  was  partially  improved,  but  that  on  sec- 
tion 13  was  in  its  original  condition.  He  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  b,ome  here,  improved  and  cul- 
tivated his  land  for  a  number  of  years  and  then, 
removing  to  Bloomington,  retired  from  the  labors 
incident  to  the  life  of  an  agriculturist,  and  became 
collector  for  his  son-in-law  in  this  city.  He  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  30th  of  April,  1884,  after  a 
useful  and  busy  career,  and  having  earned  the  re- 
spect and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him. 

The  parental  family  included  four  children,  the 
record  of  whom  is  as  follows :  Aaron  died  in 
Bloomington,  in  August,  1879;  Harriet,  the  widow 
of  Joseph  King,  lives  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio; 
William  J.,  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch;  Elnora, 
the  wife  of  Samuel  Bowman,  lives  in  Padua  Town- 
ship. 

William  Goodfellow  of  our  sketch,  during  his 
childhood  and  youth,  attended  the  district  school, 
and  assisted  his  father  in  the  duties  around  the 
homestead.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  his  marriage,  and  then  took  charge  of  his 
father's  farm,  while  the  latter  was  engaged  as  a  grain 
dealer.  In  1866  he  came  to  McLean  County,  111., 
and  purchased  a  farm  on  sections  12  and  18,  of 
Dale  Township,  which  he  cultivated  and  occupied 
for  a  period  of  twelve  years.  He  then  sold  out  and 
purchased  his  present  homestead,  upon  which  his 
father  had  taken  the  first  steps  toward  its  improve- 
ment. He  now  has  a  finely  improved  estate  and 
a  handsome  residence.  The  grounds  around  the  lat- 
ter are  laid  out  with  great  taste,  and  ornamented 
with  beautiful  shade  trees,  choice  shrubs  and  graceful 
paths  winding  through.  Within  are  all  the  evi- 


fulii 

VI-    f  I 

I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


875 


dences  of  a  refined  taste  and  ample  means.  The 
barns  and  out-buildings  correspond  fully  with  the 
balance  of  the  premises,  and  the  farm  machinery 
and  implements  are  of  the  most  valuable  descrip- 
tion and  patterned  after  the  most  approved  plans. 
An  arbor  vite  hedge  is  one  of  the  chief  attractions 
of  this  handsome  homestead,  which  invariably  at- 
tracts the  eye  of  every  traveler  passing  through 
this  section.  A  lithographic  view  of  the  place  will 
be  found  on  another  page. 

Mr.  Goodfellow  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Susan  Layton,  in  1860.  Mrs.  G.  is  a  native 
of  the  same  State  and  county  as  her  husband,  and 
is  the  daughter  of  Melyn  and  Harriet  (Broughton) 
Layton.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  three 
children  —  Clara  L.,  Earnest  E.  and  Charles  E.  Mr. 
Goodfellow  is  a  Republican,  in  politics,  and  voted 
for  Gen.  Fremont  for  President  the  first  time  he 
exercised  the  right  of  suffrage. 


^  AVID  HENLINE,  known  throughout  Mc- 
Lean County,  is  especially  well  known  in 
Lawndale  Township  as  being  the  proprie- 
tor, with  his  brother  William,  of  one  of 
the  largest  stock  farms  in  Central  Illinois,  embrac- 
ing 2,500  acres  of  land,  whereon  they  keep  large 
herds  of  stock  of  all  kinds,  give  employment  to 
seven  tenants,  and  themselves  occupy  fine  residences 
on  a  portion  of  their  land.  David,  like  his  brother, 
is  a  native  of  Boone  County,  Ky.,  and  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  on  the  16th  of  March,  1822. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  John  and  Mary 
(Darnell)  Henline,  who  were  of  German  descent. 
The  former  was  born  Nov.  7,  1787,  100  years  ago, 
and  departed  this  life  on  the  26th  of  July,  1869. 
His  wife,  Mary,  was  born  Jan.  22,  1791,  and  died 
Nov.  28,  1865.  John  Henliue  was  a  successful 
farmer,  and  was  noted  for  the  method  and  system 
with  which  he  managed  his  business.  The  family 
came  to  the  West  in  the  fall  of  1828.  when  David 
was  a  lad  six  years  of  age.  On  the  first  day  of  the 
journey  the  father  met  with  an  accident,  having  his 
leg  broken,  which  was  improperly  set,  and  he  con- 
sequently suffered  severely  with  it  for  some  time 
afterward.  His  resolution  of  character  is  illustrated 


by  the  fact  that  he  afterward  chopped  in  the  tim- 
ber by  kneeling  down,  not  being  able  to  stand. 
The  family  located  near  the  present  line  of  Tazewell 
and  McLean  Counties,  and  the  father  built  a  cabin 
in  the  Mackinaw  timber,  into  which  the  family 
soon  afterward  moved.  Many  interesting  incidents 
connected  with  their  experience  afterward  will  be 
found  in  the  sketch  of  William  B.  Henline,  found 
elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  Henline  boys  went  to  school,  of  course, 
when  a  school  was  taught  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
traveled  through  snow,  rain  and  slush  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  an  education.  During  vacation 
they  interspersed  their  labors  on  the  farm  by 
trapping  turkeys,  and  sometimes  would  find  a  deer. 
Indians  still  lingered  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the 
Henline  boys  had  many  a  skirmish  with  their  In- 
dian playmates;  the  latter  were  usually  victorious 
in  the  races,  but  the  former  showed  more  muscle 
and  came  out  first  best  in  their  childish  quarrels. 
This  excited  the  anger  of  the  squaws,  and  they 
would  Chastise '  the  little  pappooses,  and  lead  up 
the  little  Henlines  to  their  mother  for  them  to  be 
treated  similarly.  The  latter  would  go  through  the 
motions  of  whipping  her  boys;  the  little  Henlines 
would  yell,  the  squaws  would  laugh,  and  all  parties 
were  satisfied.  Our  subject  remained  under  the  par- 
ental roof  until  the  winter  of  1855,  and  was  then 
married  to  Miss  Cassandra  Wiley.  The  young  wife 
only  lived  about  one  year.  There  was  born  one 
child,  but  it  did  not  survive,  and  the  mother  died 
six  days  later. 

The  thrilling  scenes  through  which  the  pioneer 
settlers  passed  in  the  opening  up  of  this  portion  of 
the  State  must  ever  awaken  emotions  of  warmest 
regard  for  them.  To  pave  the  way  for  those  who 
followed  they  stemmed  the  flood-tide  wave  of  civ- 
ilization, endured  all  and  suffered  all.  But  few  of 
these  spirits  now  survive.  They  have  passed  away 
full  of  years  and  honors,  leaving  their  children, 
their  children's  children,  and  strangers  to  succeed 
them  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  toil,  the  result  of 
their  privations,  and  the  savings  of  their  long  and 
eventful  lives.  The  career  of  John  Henline  as  a 
pioneer  citizen,  was  one  eminently  worthy  and  use- 
ful to  the  community  in  which  he  resided,  and  all 
who  knew  him  bear  testimony  to  his  sterling  worth 


876 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


and  valuable  services  as  a  frontier  citizen.  The 
partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows,  and  the  mother  of 
his  children,  wa~  eminently  fitted  to  be  the  com- 
panion of  such  a  man,  and  the  virtues  of  these  par- 
ents have  descended  to  their  children,  who,  now 
able  to  take  advantage  of  the  facilities  of  the  pres- 
ent do  them  honor  in  the  highest  manner  possible. 
The  work  accomplished  by  the  Henline  family  will 
live  long  after  the  present  generation  has  passed 
away,  and  no  recorded  annals  of  the  Prairie  State 
would  be  complete  without  a  mention  of  them. 

The  Henline  brothers,  David  and  William,  are 
about  the  same  height,  five  feet  and  four  or  five 
inches.  Physically  they  are  models  of  manhood, 
bearded  and  muscular,  and  have  within  those  sturdy 
frames  hearts  that  are  kind  and  hospitable,  with  a 
rare  appreciation  of  humor.  In  the  earlier  days 
many  a  belated  traveler  found  shelter  under  the 
parental  roof,  and  the  hospitality  of  the  sons  is  pro- 
verbial as  was  that  of  the  father  and  mother.  The 
pictured  face  of  David  Henline,  as  supplemental  to 
this  sketch,  takes  its  place  among  the  representative 
men  of  Central  Illinois,  whose  biographies  will  be 
found  one  after  another  scattered  thickly  through 
this  McLean  County  ALBUM,  and  will  be  cherished 
among  the  priceless  records  of  a  cycle  hastening  to 
the  past. 


T 


&HOMAS  MOCLURE,  a  retired  farmer,  is  now 
making  his  home  in  the  village  of  Stanford. 
He  is  a  native  of  Posey  County,  Ind.,  and 
was  born  in  June,  1824.  His  parents,  John  and 
Leah  ((iannis)  McClure,  were  natives  of  Kentucky, 
the  father  born  July  9,  1799,  and  the  mother  Jan. 
20,  1804.  John  McClure  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  after  his  marriage,  whicli  occurred  in 
1822,  remained  upon  his  farm  of  eighty  acres.  His 
wife  was  the  owner  of  400  acres,  which  Mr.  McClure 
superintended  and  cultivated,  and  where  they  sub- 
secjuently  established  their  permanent  homestead 
and  on  which  place  he  died  in  1851.  The  mother 
afterward  removed  to  Pettis  County,  Mo.,  and  died 
there  Jan.  23,  1886,  when  eighty  -three  years  old.  Of 
their  eight  children  the  record  is  as  follows:  Eliza- 
beth married  Joseph  Wilson  ;  Thomas  of  our  sketch  is 
the  second  child  ;  Mary  A.  and  Susan  J.  are  twins  ; 


the  former  married  Rev.  P.  B.  McCormick,  and 
Susan  J.  became  the  wife  of  John  Montgomery ; 
Nancy  married  Benjamin  T.  Poole;  Joseph  C.  mar- 
ried Miss  Cerena  Tatun;  Margaret  married  George 
W.  Donnelly ;  Permelia  E.  died  when  about  thir- 
teen years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McClure  and 
six  of  their  children  were  members  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  attended  the  common  schools 
until  he  reached  his  majority,  and  was  united  in 
marriage  with  [Miss  Jane  W.  Wilson,  of  Indiana, 
in  1845.  After  twelve  years,  in  1857,  they  re- 
moved to  this  county,  where  our  subject  purchased 
120  acres  of  good  land  at  $20  per  acre.  This  he 
sold  in  1883  at  $70  per  acre.  After  residing  upon 
this  farm  for  ten  years  he  removed  to  Lincoln,  111., 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  for  his  children  better 
educational  advantages  than  those  afforded  near 
their  home.  His  object  being  accomplished,  in  the 
course  of  five  years  he  returned  to  the  farm  in 
McLean  County,  and  remained  until  his  removal 
into  Stanford.  Here  he  has  a  fine  homestead  of 
eleven  acres  of  land  with  a  handsome  and  com- 
modious two-story  dwelling,  which  is  finely  located 
and  an  ornament  to  the  town.  During  the  later 
years  of  his  life,  Mr.  McClure  made  a  specialty  of 
raising  fine  cattle,  but  has  now  retired  from  active 
business. 

•  Our  subject  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  affairs  of  this  locality  since  coming  here, 
having  held  the  offices  of  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
'  Town  Clerk  and  Township  Trustee.  He  has  also 
been  Overseer  of  the  Poor  and  Township  Collector. 
During  the  existence  of  the  Vigilance  Committee, 
he  was  its  chairman  and  presided  over  its  councils 
with  dignity  and  good  judgment. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McClure  have  become  the  parents 
of  two  children — John  T.,  who  married  Miss  Addie 
Sebring  and  lives  at  Chicago,  and  Mary  J.,  who 
died  of  consumption  when  eighteen  years  of  age. 
This  daughter  was  a  bright  and  interesting  girl. 
Her  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at 
Stout's  Grove.  The  parents  and  children  were  all 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
John  T.  McClure  has  taken  a  regular  law  course 
and  received  a  good  common-school  education. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


877 


He  is  now  clerking  in  a  lithographic  establishment. 
Mr.  McClure  made  a  profession  of  religion  when 
in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  about  the  same  time 
joined  the  Old  Washingtonian  Temperance  So- 
ciety, and  has  never  violated  his  pledge  from  that 
day  to  this.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Elder  in  his 
Church  for  several  years,  being  elected  four  terms 
in  succession.  He  was  Superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day-school two  years  at  Danvers  and  has  served  in 
the  same  capacity  since  removing  to  Stanford.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  public  matters 
and  in  earlier  years  voted  with  the  Democratic 
party,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  has  identified 
himself  with  the  temperance  and  prohibition  move- 
ment. 

*- 

J^~)  OSEPH  W.  LABERTE W,  of  Anchor  Town- 
ship, is  a  descendant  of  a  French  family, 
|  whose  first  representatives  emigrated  to  the 
'  United  States  prior  to  the  Revolutionary 
War.  The  name  was  then  written  LaBerton,  but 
of  late  years  has  been  written  in  the  more  simple 
manner.  The  gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the 
head  of  this  sketch  is  Postmaster  and  Station 
Agent  at  Anchor  and  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
State  since  1 875.  He  was  born  in  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  Oct.  27,  1856,  and  is  the  son  of  Dunham  and 
Elizabeth  (Baldwin)  Labertew,  the  former  a  native 
of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  removed 
after  marriage  to  Indiana  whence,  in  1875,  they 
came  to  Illinois,  settling  first  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township,  this  county,  where  they  now  reside,  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits. 

Joseph  W.  Labertew  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
six  children.  His  childhood  and  youth  were  passed 
upon  his  father's  farm  and  he  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  In  1873  he  made  his 
first  visit  to  Illinois,  stopping  for  a  short  time  in 
Le  Roy,  where  he  was  in  the  employ  of  J.  V. 
Smith,  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer  at  that  place.  He 
returned  to  Indiana  and  spent  the  winter  of  1 873-74, 
but  in  the  spring  following  came  back  to  this 
county  and  resumed  his  work  with  his  old  employer, 
remaining  with  him  until  the  fall  of  that  year.  He 
then  visited  his  old  home  once  more  and  took 
another  term  in  school.  The  following  year  he  eu- 


gaged  in  farming  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and 
in  the  fall  again  pursued  his  studies  in  Indiana. 
Afterward  he  commenced  teaching,  and  also  learned 
to  operate  the  telegraph. 

In  the  fall  of  1883  Mr.  Labertew  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  as  Station 
Agent  at  Anchor,  which  position  he  still  retains. 
He  was  appointed  Postmaster  in  1886,  and  has  per- 
formed the  duties  of  both  offices  with  credit  to 
himself  and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  Politically 
he  is  a  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party,  but 
takes  no  further  interest  in  politics  than  to  deposit 
his  ballot  upon  election  day.  He  has  also  served  as 
Township  Clerk  and  is  Agent  for  the  American 
Express  Company  at  Anchor. 

Mr.  Labertew  was  married  in  September,  1880, 
to  Miss  Viola  B.,  daughter  of  S.  T.  L.  and  Lucinda 
(Buell)  Miles.  Mrs.  L.  is  a  native  of  Clay  County, 
Ind.,  and  of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  is 
one  child,  Mack  C.,  whose  birth  took  place  on  the 
26th  of  June,  1881. 


AMPBELL  WAKEFIELD.  The  history  of 
the  Wakefield  family  began  in  the  United 
States  during  the  latter  part  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. As  near  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  member 
of  the  family  who  came  here  was  Andrew,  who  was 
born  and  reared  to  manhood  in  the  town  of  An- 
trim, Ireland.  It  is  supposed  that  he  was  of  En- 
glish descent,  as  some  years  ago,  during  one  of  the 
rebellions  in  the  East,  a  soldier  by  the  name  of 
Wakefield  left  England  and  went  to  the  north  of 
Ireland,  and  from  that  ancestor  sprang  the  present 
descendants. 

After  coming  to  the  United  States,  Andrew 
Wakefield  located  in  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  and 
thence,  later,  removed  to  Nelson  County,  Ky.  In 
this  latter  place  he  commenced  to  establish  a  home 
amidst  a  timber  tract,  by  putting  up  a  small  hut 
and  preparing  other  conveniences  as  well  as  he  was 
able,  for  his  expected  bride.  He  then  returned  to 
Franklin  County,  Pa.,  and  was  there  married  to 
Miss  Martha  Campbell,  who  was  born  and  reared 
in  Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  were  of  Irish  birth 
and  parentage.  A  few  days  after  the  wedding  the 


•>• 


1   878 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


young  couple  set  out  for  their  new  home.  They 
lived  there  until  after  the  birth  of  five  children. 
These  were,  Hettie,  William,  Daniel,  Andrew  and 
John.  They  then  removed  to  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days. 
Andrew  Wakefield  was  an  honorable  and  upright 
man  in  all  his  dealings,  and  became  prominent  in 
both  places  where  he  made  his  home.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  business  pursuits  and  accumulated  a 
good  property.  He  departed  this  life  in  June, 
1828;  his  wife  survived  him  until  1855,  and  died 
when  eighty-three  years  old.  After  removing  to 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  the  household  circle  was 
increased  by  the  birth  of  five  more  children,  viz., 
Campbell,  our  subject;  Hannah,  Elizabeth,  Mary 
and  Joseph.  The  ten  children  all  lived  to  become 
men  and  women.  All  married  and  had  families 
but  two.  Our  subject  now  is  the  only  surviving 
member  of  the  parental  household. 

Campbell  Wakefield  was  born  in  New  Haven, 
Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  11,  1804.  His  boyhood 
and  youth  were  spent  upon  his  father's  farm,  and 
his  education  was  obtained  with  difficulty  in  the 
pioneer  schools.  He  was  trained  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry and  economy,  and  his  temperate  manner  of 
living  developed  within  him  a  healthy  love  for  all 
that  was  good,  and  strengthened  his  muscles  for  the 
battle  of  life.  After  attaining  to  years  of  man- 
hood he  was  married  in  his  native  county,  May  24, 
1827,  to  Miss  Margaret  Elder.  Mrs.  Wakefield 
was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  Dec.  19,  1803, 
being  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Leeper) 
Elder,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent.  It  is  supposed  they  were  engaged  in  ag- 
ricultural pursuits,  and  they  removed  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  Ohio  a  few  years  after  their  marriage. 
While  the  father  was  in  Pennsylvania  on  business, 
he  sickened  and  died,  being  in  the  prime  of  life, 
and  only  forty-one  years  of  age.  The  mother  sur- 
vived for  a  number  of  years,  and  died  in  Hamilton 
County,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two. 

The  Elder,  Leeper  and  Wakefield  families  were 
all  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  and 
noted  for  those  high  principles  and  worthy  lives 
which  constituted  them  among  the  most  valued 
members  of  the  community.  Mrs.  Wakefield  re- 
mained with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  Her 


grandfather,  David  Elder,  was  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Path  Valley,  Pa.,  and  both  her  father  and 
herself  were  born  upon  the  farm  which  the  grand- 
father opened  up  from  a  wild  and  uncultivated 
tract  of  land.  Mrs.  Margaret  Wakefield  became 
the  mother  of  one  child,  a  son,  John  E.,  who  is  now 
a  successful  farmer  of  Randolph  Township.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Catharine  Turner 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children, 
two  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wakefield,  of  this  notice,  after 
marriage,  lived  in  Ohio  until  1835.  He  engaged 
in  farming  and  merchandising  and  was  prospered 
in  his  business  and  agricultural  transactions.  In 
the  year  mentioned,  he  disposed  of  his  property  in 
the  Buckeye  State,  and  resolved  to  try  his  fortune 
in  the  farther  West.  Getting  together  his  family 
and  their  household  effects  he  started  overland 
with  ox-teams  and  one  carriage.  The  latter  was 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Wakefield  and  their  only  son, 
who  was  then  eight  years  of  age,  and  the  mother 
drove  the  team.  They  came  into  McLean  County 
and  located  on  a  farm  of  200  acres  in  Randolph 
Township  which  had  previously  been  secured  by 
our  subject.  After  arriving  in  this  section  Mr. 
Wakefield  pursued  the  same  undeviating  course  of 
rectitude  and  industry,  and  was  prospered  as  be- 
fore. -  In  due  time  he  added  to  his  first  purchase 
until  he  and  his  son  John  became  the  possessors  of 
1,400  acres  of  some  of  the  finest  land  in  McLean 
County.  This  is  still  in  their  possession,  and  has 
been  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Upon 
it  they  erected  a  beautiful  and  substantial  farm 
dwelling  with  a  good  barn  and  all  the  other  appli- 
ances of  a  first-class  country  home. 

The  present  home  of  our  subject  and  his  amiable 
and  excellent  wife  is  within  the  limits  of  Hey- 
worth.  Here  he  has  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  when 
so  inclined,  employs  his  time  in  the  lighter  duties 
connected  with  its  care,  and  the  production  of  the 
fruits  and  vegetables  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
family.  In  his  prosperity  he  has  kept  steadily  in 
view  the  needs  of  the  church  and  school,  giving  to 
each  a  valuable  piece  of  land ;  also  a  lot  for  a 
cemetery,  and  for  the  erection  of  a  flourmill, 
which  was  subsequently  burned.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wakefield  are  among  the  original  members  of 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


879 


the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Heyworth,  our  subject 
being  the  first  Elder,  and  having  occupied  this 
office  most  of  the  time  since  its  organization.  He 
has  alwaj's  contributed  liberally  and  cheerfully  for 
the  support  of  the  church  and  Sabbath-school,  be- 
ing made  the  first  Superintendent  of  the  latter  and 
serving  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years.  This  Sunday- 
school  was  the  first  of  its  kind  established  in  the 
southern  part  of  McLean  County. 

Politically  Mr.  Wakefield,  from  the  time  he  cast 
his  'first  vote  until  the  present,  has  vigorously  up- 
held the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party.  In 
connection  with  his  other  labors  and  duties  which 
have  constituted  a  most  busy  and  useful  life,  he 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  period  of  thir- 
teen years,  and  occupied  various  other  offices  in 
his  township.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that 
the  duties  of  these  were  fulfilled  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  As  one  of 
the  oldest  and  most  honored  pioneers  of  the  Prai- 
rie State,  Mr.  Wakefield  is  amply  entitled  to  the 
benediction  of  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant." 


OHN  E.  WAKEFIELD.  Among  the  active 
and  energetic  farmers  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship, may  be  numbered  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  who,  during  a  residence  of  many 
years,  has  secured  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
fellow-citizens,  both  as  a  business  man  and  a  use- 
ful member  of  society. 

Mr.  Wakefield  is  the  only  son  and  child  of 
Campbell  and  Margaret  Wakefield,  and  was  born 
in  New  Haven,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  May  10,  1828. 
He  was  a  lad  of  eight  years  when  he  came  with  his 
family  to  this  county,  and  his  education,  com- 
menced in  the  district  schools,  was  completed  in 
Bloomington.  He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits, 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his 
marriage.  He  then  located  on  the  homestead 
which  he  now  owns  and  occupies.  This  consists  of 
500  acres  of  valuable  land,  finely  improved  and 
cultivated,  with  a  handsome  and  substantial  resi- 
dence, and  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out- 
buildings for  the  storage  of  grain  and  the  shelter 


of  stock.  To  the  latter  he  has  given  considerable 
attention,  and  among  other  of  the  domestic  ani- 
mals has  a  fine  flock  of  Merino  sheep,  comprising 
1,000  head,  in  the  breeding  of  which  he  has  met 
with  success,  and  the  proceeds  of  which  have  yield- 
ed him  a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Wakefield  was  married  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  Sept.  14, 
1852,  by  the  Rev.  L.  G.  Gaines,  to  Miss  Catherine, 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  (McKinney) 
Turner.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  were  natives  respective- 
ly of  Indiana  and  Franklin  Counties,  Pa.  The 
father  in  early  life  was  a  carder  and  fuller  by  trade, 
but  later  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  The  par- 
ents were  married  in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  whence 
they  removed  in  1839,  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio. 
Mrs.  W.  was  born  in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  17, 
1834.  After  removing  to  Ohio  her  parents  located 
near  Loveland,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  days.  They  were  most  excellent  and  worthy 
people,  and  the  families  of  each  for  a  number  of 
generations  •  had  been  reared  in  the  Presbyterian 
faith,  to  which  they  adhered  during  their  entire 
lives. 

James  Turner  was  the  eldest  son  of  Joseph  Tur- 
ner, the  son  of  Adam  Turner.  The  latter  was  a 
native  of  England,  where  he  was  reared  and  mar- 
ried, and  after  emigrating  to  the  United  States, 
settled  in  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  about  the  middle 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  Indians  were  numer- 
ous then  in  that  region,  and  the  settlers  experi- 
enced from  them  much  trouble  and  danger.  It  is 
supposed  that  Adam  Turner  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits,  and  that  he  died  in  the  county  where  he 
first  settled.  His  son  Joseph,  the  grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Wakefield,  was  born  and  reared  in  Franklin 
County,  Pa.,  and  married  Miss  Margaret  Porter, 
whose  brother,  Nathaniel,  was  a  Colonel  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  and  fought  at  the  battle  of 
Brandywine.  Joseph,  with  his  wife,  died  in  Indi- 
ana County,  Pa.,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  wheel- 
wright, after  the  independence  of  the  colonies  was 
established.  Their  family  included  six  children, 
of  whom  James  Turner,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Wake- 
field,  was  the  eldest  son  and  second  child. 

The  marriage  of  James  Turner  with  Miss  Mc- 
Kinney, took  place  in  Indiana  County,  Pa.,  April 


t 


880 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


2,  1825.  Mrs.  Turner  was  the  daughter  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Bard)  McKinney,  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  her  mother  being  the  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Catherine  Bard,  whom  it  is  supposed 
were  natives  of  Ireland,  but  of  Scotch  parentage 
and  descent.  Soon  after  marriage  they  settled  in 
Franklin  County,  Pa.,  in  about  1755.  Three  years 
later  both  were  captured  by  the  Indians.  The 
father  being  threatened  with  death,  made  his  escape 
after  five  days.  The  mother  was  held  a  captive 
for  two  years,  but  being  made  the  adopted  daugh- 
ter of  the  chief,  she  fared  better  than  most  of  those 
who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  savages.  Her  body 
or  her  life  was  offered  for  sale  to  her  husband  a 
number  of  times,  but  when  he  would  send  the  price 
demanded  they  failed  in  their  agreement,  but  finally 
released  her  in  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  the  whites 
having  captured  some  of  their  most  valuable  war- 
riors. After  his  capture  and  escape,  Mr.  Bard 
wrote  a  poem  of  101  verses  in  relation  to  his  thrill- 
ing experience  and  that  of  his  young  wife.  These 
excellent  people  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives 
in  Franklin  County,  Pa.,  both  living  to  an  ad- 
vanced age. 

Mrs.  Wakefield  has  inherited  in  a  marked  degree 
the  fine  qualities  of  her  ancestors,  being  a  lady  of 
much  force  of  character  and  fine  intelligence.  She 
was  reared  and  educated  in  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,  and  received  careful  home  training  at  the 
hands  of  her  excellent  Christian  parents.  By  her 
union  with  our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother 
of  twelve  children,  two  now  deceased,  an  infant 
unnamed  and  a  son,  Willie,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
five  years;  Margaret  B.  is  the  wife  of  Fred  II.  Hill; 
Alice  married  N.  J.  Battershell;  James  C.  married 
Miss  Mary  Thompson,  and  is  a  farmer  of  Randolph 
Township;  Porter  T.  married  Anna  Miller,  of 
Blooinington,  where  they  reside,  this  son  being  en- 
gaged in  merchandising;  Minnie  and  Frank  L.  are 
at  home;  Jennie  B.  is  attending  school  at  Normal, 
and  Mary  at  Heyworth,  also  Herbert  L.  and  An- 
drew McCoy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wakefield  have  reared 
their  children  in  those  principles  which  have  been 
the  rule  of  their  own  lives,  and  which  have  consti- 
tuted them  members  of  the  best  society  of  this 
community.  They  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  our  subject  polit- 


ically affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party.  The 
homestead  is  beautifully  located,  and  invariably 
attracts  the  attention  of  the  traveler,  being  one  of 
the  prettiest  spots  in  the  landscape  of  Randolph 
Township. 


ETER  WALLACE,  D.  D.  The  subject  of 
the  following  biography  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, born  in  Mason  County  on  the  llth 
of  April,  1813.  He  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Catharine  Wallace,  and  was  bufc  an  infant  when 
the  family  removed  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Brown 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  in  the 
meantime  receiving  what  instruction  he  could  gather 
from  the  limited  advantages  of  the  country  schools. 
Young  Wallace,  however,  was  fond  of  his  books  and 
ambitious  to  excel,  and  closely  applied  himself  to 
such  books  as  he  could  obtain  and  which  gave  in- 
struction especially  in  literature  -and  science.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  years  he  migrated  to  Illinois, 
having  in  the  meantime  acquired  a  good  knowledge 
of  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  locating  at  Spring- 
field, became  a  contractor  and  builder,  which  busi- 
ness he  followed  with  success  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  of  that  genial  disposition  which  made  him 
popular  with  all  classes,  and  among  his  warm  per- 
sonal friends  and  associates  were  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Richard  Yates,  and  many 
others  who  afterward  became  prominent  in  the 
counsels  of  the  nation. 

Peter  Wallace  was  converted  at  Springfield  May 
18,  1835,  and  became  an  active  worker  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1853  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Illinois  Conference  on  trial,  and 
given  charge  of  the  Danville  Circuit,  which  trust 
he  filled  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satisfac- 
tion to  his  Elder  and  Bishop.  He  was  subsequently 
stationed  at  Edgar,  Homer,  Camargo,  Moweaqua, 
Macon,  Beardstown,  Warsaw  and  Saybrook,  being 
superannuated  at  the  last  named  place  in  1885. 
From  1867  to  1870,  he  was  Presiding  Elder  in  the 
Mattoon  District,  and  from  1871  to  1874  served 
the  Quinc}'  District  in  a  like  capacity.  In  1875,  he 
as  agent  represented  Johnson  College,  afterward 
known  as  Chaddock  College.  He  was  also,  for  six 
years,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 


T» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


881    , 


college,  from  which  institution  he  received  the  de- 
gree of  D.  D.  He  was  a  very  forcible  pulpit  orator, 
and  as  he  led  an  exemplary  Christian  life,  thousands 
were  converted  by  his  precepts  and  example.  He 
did  not  confine  his  good  acts  to  the  ministry  alone, 
but  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  he  at  once  de- 
termined to  help  save  the  Union  and  assist  in  free- 
ing from  bondage  4,000,000  human  beings.  He 
soon  organized  a  company  of  soldiers  from  Sanga- 
mon  County,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  Captain  of  Co.  I,  73d  111.  Vol. 
Inf.  This  regiment  was  known  as  the  "Preachers' 
Regiment,"  as  every  officer  from  General  down  was 
a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 

Dr.  Wallace  was  elected  Captain  of  the  company 
which  he  had  organized,  and  as  such  commanded 
them  at  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Stone  River, 
Nashville  and  many  minor  engagements.  At  the 
battle  of  Stone  River  he  was  in  charge  of  the  regi- 
ment most  of  the  time.  Being  forty-five  years  of 
age  when  he  entered  the  service,  the  long  marches 
and  severe  exposure  injured  his  health  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  com- 
mand in  May,  1864,  having  served  nearly  two  years, 
with  credit  to  himself  and  honor  to  his  country. 

Politically  Dr.  Wallace  was  in  early  life  a  Whig 
and  strongly  opposed  to  slavery.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  still  a 
stanch  supporter  of  its  principles.  His  first  vote 
was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  was  then  a 
candidate  for  the  Legislature  of  Illinois.  In  1882, 
during  the  administration  of  President  Arthur, 
without  any  solicitation  on  his  part  he  was  commis- 
sioned Postmaster  at  Say  brook,  which  office  he  held 
until  after  the  change  in  the  National  administration, 
when  he  resigned.  In  1884  he  was  urged  as  a 
candidate  for  the  State  Legislature  but  declined  the 
honor,  although  a  nomination  would  have  insured 
his  election.  He  is  now  seventy-four  years  of  age, 
still  preaches  with  great  power,  and  attends  to  con- 
siderable private  business.  He  is  an  interesting  con- 
versationalist and  good  authority  in  theology  and 
politics.  He  is  connected  with  Lodge  No.  468,  A. 
F.  &  A.  M.,  Macon  Chapter  No.  21,  R.  A.  M.,  and 
Beaumonoir  Commandery  No.  9,  K.T.,also  a  mem- 
ber of  McPherson  Post,  G.  A.  R. 

Dr.    Wallace   has  been   twice  married ;  his  first 


wife,  who  was  Miss  Emeline  Johnson,  and  to  whom 
he  was  married  at  Springfield  in  1835,  departed 
this  life  on  the  18th  of  October,  1860.  He  was 
married  the  second  time,  July  3,  1861,  to  Mrs.  K. 
H.  (Davenport)  Cone,  and  they  have  one  son,  Louis 
D.,  aged  twenty,  who  is  attending  the  Northwest- 
ern University  at  Evanston,  111.  Mrs.  Wallace  is 
a  native  of  Hudson,  Mich.,  and  the  daughter  of 
John  C.  anuUAzubah  (Beebe)  Davenport,  the  for- 
mer a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  the  latter  of  New 
York.  Mr.  Davenport  was  one  of  the  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  Michigan  and  became  one  of  the  substantial 
business  men  of  the  State,  being  for  many  years  a 
heavy  contractor  for  carrying  mail  before  the  days 
of  railroads.  Mrs.  Wallace  received  a  good  educa- 
tion, mostly  from  private  tutors.  In  1854  she 
moved  to  Chicago,  and  resided  with  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Dr.  Cone.  In  her  eighteenth  year  she  was  married 
to  Maj.  George  W.  I.  Cone,  who  was  a  native  of 
New  York  State,  whence  he  emigrated  westward 
early  in  life,  fitted  himself  for  the  practice  of  law, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1855.  He  was  a 
gentleman  of  fine  ability  and  the  originator  of  the 
now  famous  "Associated  Congress"  of  Chicago,  or- 
ganized in  1 857,  and  of  which  he  was  the  first  Speaker. 
While  serving  in  that  capacity  he  made  many  warm 
friends  and  his  withdrawal  from  the  Congress  was 
received  with  universal  regret.  His  death  occurred 
Jan.  21,  1859.  Although  only  twenty-four  years 
of  age  he  had  already  established  a  reputation  as  a 
business  and  literary  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
merit,  and  great  things  were  predicted  for  him  in 
the  future. 

Nearly  three  years  after  his  death,  Mrs.  Cone  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Dr.  Wallace,  as  already 
stated.  Mrs.  Wallace  possesses  fine  social  qualities 
and  exerts  a  good  influence  upon  all  around  her. 
She  has  made  it  a  study  of  life  to  never  speak  evil 
of  anyone.  As  the  wife  of  an  itinerate  preacher  she 
has  resided  in  many  different  places,  often  finding 
the  society  in  a  state  of  discord,  and  was  often  the 
happy  medium  by  which  it  was  restored  to  har- 
mony. She  is  a  great  lover  of  nature,  and  the  trees 
and  shrubbery  growing  in  the  school-house  park 
are  monuments  of  her  enterprise  and  desire  to  in- 
still in  the  minds  of  the  young,  her  own  admiration 
of  the  grand  works  of  nature,  which  must  inevitably  ^  '  I 

~  "'    ""         k 


f 


882 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


result  in  having  a  good  influence  upon  them. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wallace  have  a  beautiful  home  in 
Saybrook,  where  they  expect  to  continue  their  resi- 
dence. They  are  given  to  hospitality,  and  rich  and 
poor  share  it  alike.  During  their  married  life,  Vice 
Presidents  of  the  United  States,  Bishops,  Consuls, 
Governors,  Congressmen  and  Judges  have  sat  at 
their  table,  and  yet  the  welcome  was  no  more  to  the 
great  than  the  most  humble  of  their  acquaintances. 


ARMON  A.  ROWE.  This  gentleman,  who 
followed  the  plow  for  forty  years  of  his  life, 
is  now  a  prominent  factor  in  the  business 
community  of  Saybrook,  where  he  is  carry- 
ing on  a  profitable  trade  in  agricultural  implements. 
He  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Dec.  22,  1830,  where  he  spent  his  early 
life,  attending  the  district  school  and  assisting  his 
father  on  the  farm.  He  is  the  son  of  Willis  and 
Harriett  (Limes)  Rowe,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 
whose  parents  removed  to  Ohio  soon  after  their 
marriage.  Willis  Rowe  died  near  Saybrook,  Oct. 
31,  1876,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He  was 
reared  in  Democratic  principles  but  became  identi- 
fied with  the  Whig  party,  with  which  he  remained 
until  its  abandonment  and  was  ever  afterward  a 
Republican. 

After  reaching  his  majority  our  subject  was  mar- 
ried, Aug.  31,  1854,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Ferguson, 
who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  removed  to 
Ohio  with  her  parents  when  a  mere  child.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  Ferguson, 
the  former  a  native  of  Maine  but  now  deceased, 
and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  William  Ferguson 
departed  this  life  in  Saybrook,  in  May,  1  884,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-four  years.  The  mother 
of  Mrs.  Rowe  is  still  living.  Their  children  were 
Levi,  John,  Hiram,  Mary  A.,  Cordelia,  Nancy  and 
Mary  J.  Mrs.  Rowe  was  born  in  1833. 

In  1864  Mr.  R.  removed  with  his  family  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  of 
which  he  has  been  a  resident  since  that  time.  He 
has  been  prospered  in  his  various  pursuits  and  has 
four  valuable  lots  and  a  good  residence  in  Saybrook. 
In  addition  to  his  implement  trade  he  handles  each 


year  large  quantities  of  coal,  in  which  he  has  built 
up  a  profitable  and  steadily  increasing  trade.  Dur- 
ing his  busy  life  he  has  kept  an  eye  upon  the  pros- 
perity and  welfare  of  the  community  around  him, 
and  has  contributed  his  full  share  toward  the  build- 
ing-up of  his  township  and  town.  He  has  been  a 
firm  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party,  and  with  his  family,  is  a  member  and  regular 
attendant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
Saybrook.  Socially  he  belongs  to  McPherson  Post 
No.  79,  G.  A.  R.  During  the  late  war  he  served  as 
a  Union  soldier  in  Co.  K,  168th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf., 
performing  his  duties  as  a  soldier  faithfully  and 
bravely  for  five  months,  and  receiving  an  honora- 
ble discharge  when  peace  was  restored. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rowe  are  re- 
corded as  follows:  Orin  H.  died  when  ten  years  of 
age;  Etta  B.  became  the  wife  of  H^.C.  Meyers, 
and  died  at  her  home  near  Saybrook  in  1880;  Will- 
iam H.  married  Miss  Margaret  Cheney,  and  is  a 
resident  of  Saybrook;  Jennie  May  and  Nellie  are 
at  home  with  their  parents. 


LMON  MORROW.  The  Morrow  family 
history  dates  back  to  a  time  previous  to 
the  Revolutionary  War.  The  first  mem- 
bers in  this  country  settled  in  New  York 
State  and  are  supposed  to  have  descended  from 
Scottish  and  Irish  ancestry.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  James  Morrow,  was  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  merchandising. 
He  was  married  in  his  native  State  in  about  1811, 
and  subsequently  removed  to  Clinton  County, 
Ohio.  There  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder 
of  their  days  and  there  their  remains  are  buried. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  William  Morrow,  was 
a  youth  of  seventeen  years  when  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  A  few  years 
later  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  and  was  engaged  as 
a  private  in  the  War  of  1812,  serving  until  its 
close.  He  then  returned  to  Warren  County,  Ohio, 
and  in  due  time  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Nicker- 
son.  This  lady  was  born  and  reared  in  New  York 
State  and  died  in  Ohio  while  yet  a  young  woman, 
leaving  a  family  of  four  children,  of  whom  our  sub- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


883 


ject  was  the  youngest.  For  his  second  wife,  Will- 
iam Morrow  married  Miss  Lydia  Williams,  who  is 
yet  living,  being  sixty-six  years  of  age  and  making 
her  home  iu  Warren  County,  Ohio.  Of  this  latter 
marriage  there  were  born  seven  sons,  five  of  whom 
served  as  soldiers  in  the  Union  army.  With  these 
our  subject  served  also,  thus  making  six  sons  of 
one  father  who  gave  their  services  to  aid  in  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  Union.  All  were  content  to  serve 
as  privates  and  performed  their  duties  bravely  and 
faithfully,  and  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of 
honor  and  truth  in  which  they  had  been  reared. 
Of  these,  who  were  named — Almon,  George,  Henry, 
Samuel,  Morris  and  Emmett — Henry  and  Samuel 
were  killed,  the  former  being  shot  through  the  head 
by  a  rebel  ball  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga. ;  Samuel 
was  wounded  in  the  engagement  at  Gallatin,  Tenn., 
and  died  in  the  hospital.  The  others  escaped  un- 
harmed and  lived  to  return  home  in  safety.  All  be- 
longed to  different  regiments. 

Our  subject  enlisted  in  Hey  worth,  Aug.  8,  1862, 
in  Co.  B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  under  command  of 
Capt.  McFarland.  He  participated  in  the  battle  at 
Prairie  Grove,  Ark. ;  Vicksburg,  Miss. ;  Ft.  Mor- 
gan and  Spanish  Fort,  which  latter  was  taken  by  the 
Federal  troops  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He  was  also 
at  the  evacuation  of  Mobile  whence,  with  his  com- 
rades, he  went  to  Galveston,  Tex.,  where  his  regi- 
ment was  discharged  on  the  9th  of  August,  1865. 
During  the  period  of  three  years  he  was  in  the 
army,  our  subject  daily  reported  for  duty,  with  the 
exception  of  fifteen  days,  during  which  time  he  was 
home  on  a  furlough.  After  his  honorable  discharge 
he  returned  to  Hey  worth,  where  he  had  settled  in 
the  fall  of  1861. 

Almon  Morrow  was  born  in  Warren  County, 
Ohio,  June  20,  1829,  and  was  there  reared  and  ed- 
ucated. He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  and 
assisted  in  the  labors  of  the  farm  until  his  marriage. 
On  the  6th  of  April,  1854,  he  was  united  in  wed- 
lock with  Miss  Euth  II.  Templin,  who  was  a  native 
of  his  own  county  and  born  Oct.  15,  1836.  Her 
parents  were  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Henry) 
Templin,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and 
Indiana.  They  were  married  in  Warren  County, 
Ohio,  and  spent  their  entire  lives  upon  a  farm. 
Both  died  at  their  home  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio, 


where  they  had  lived  for  a  period  of  thirty  years. 
The  decease  of  the  father  occurred  May  20,  1885, 
and  that  of  the  mother  April  16,  1886.  They  were 
most  excellent  and  worthy  people  and  greatly  re- 
spected in  the  community  where  they  were  known. 

Mrs.  Morrow  received  careful  home  training  and 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  her  native 
county.  She  remained  with  her  parents  until  her 
marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there 
were  born  three  children,  two  now  deceased  —  Alice 
and  Owen,  aged  respectively  six  and  four  years. 
Mattie  M.  became  the  wife  of  Albert  B.  Fulton  of 
Bloomington;  they  reside  upon  a  farm  and  are  the 
parents  of  one  child,  Elmer,  the  only  daughter, 
Maude,  having  died  at  the  age  of  three  years, 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morrow  first 
settled  upon  a  farm  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  and 
removed  to  the  Prairie  State  the  year  before  the 
war.  After  his  return  from  the  army  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Randolph  Township,  this 
county,  which  constitutes  a  part  of  their  present 
homestead.  To  this  he  subsequently  added,  and  the 
home  farm  now  contains  120  acres,  being  located 
on  section  8.  Our  subject  has  been  prospered  in 
his  agricultural  and  business  operations  and  his 
land  is  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  The  family 
are  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  our  subject  is  Deacon.  Politically  Mr.  Mor- 
row is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the 
Republican  party. 


RS.  ELIZABETH  MORELAND,  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Bellettower  Township,  is  a 
resident  on  section  9.  Her  present  home- 
stead was  established  by  Allen  Ringo,  in 
January,  1858.  Mrs.  M.  was  born  in  Clermont 
County,  Ohio,  Dec.  25,  1831.  Her  father,  Alfred 
West,  was  a  native  of  the  same  State,  and  her  grand- 
father, George  West,  of  Kentucky,  emigrated  from 
the  Blue  Grass  regions  to  Ohio  at  an  early  period 
in  the  history  of  that  State,  settling  in  Clermont 
County.  There  he  cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilder- 
ness, which  he  occupied  for  many  years,  but  after- 
ward removed  to  Indiana,  and  died  in  Coviugton, 


r 


t 


<  ,    884 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


I 


that  State,  at  the  home  of  his  son  John,  having  ar- 
rived at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-six  years. 
His  son,  Alfred,  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Cler- 
mont County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  the  fall 
of  1833.  Then  with  his  wife  and  five  children  he 
went  overland  to  Indiana  and  located  in  Clay 
County,  whore  he  was  among  the  first  settlers.  He 
purchased  a  tract  of  heavy  timber  land  and  cleared 
a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  where  he  lived  until 
his  decease,  in  April,  1882,  when  «ight3--four  years 
of  age.  He  was  married  in  early  manhood  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Archy,  who  was  born  in  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,  being  the  daughter  of  Chapman  Archy,  of 
Kentucky,  who  removed  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio, 
and  there  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  The 
mother  died  in  Clay  County,  Ind.,  in  June,  1871. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Moreland  was  not  quite  two  years 
old  when  her  parents  removed  from  Ohio  to  In- 
diana. She  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
her  first  marriage,  to  Allen  Ringo,  which  occurred 
Jan.  25,  1852.  This  gentleman  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, being  the  son  of  Major  and  Elizabeth 
Ringo.  About  the  time  of  his  marriage  Allen 
Ringo  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Clay  County, 
Ind.,  upon  which  he  erected  a  log  cabin,  and  in 
that  the  young  people  commenced  housekeeping. 
They  remained  there  two  years,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1854  started  overland  with  a  team  of  horses  and  a 
wagon  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois.  Mr.  R.  first 
purchased  160  acres  in  McDonough  County,  upon 
which  they  remained  for  the  five  years  following. 
He  then  came  to  McLean  County  and  purchased 
240  acres  of  wild  land  in  Bellettower  Township. 
Here  he  also  built  a  house  for  his  family  and  con- 
tinued the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his  land 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  31,  1865.  He 
was  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  a  worthy  citizen,  highly  esteemed  by 
all  who  knew  him. 

In  June,  1868,  Mrs.  Ringo  was  married  the  sec- 
ond time,  to  Bernard  Moreland.  Mr.  M.  was  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  and  born  May  7,  1837.  His  parents 
were  Edward  and  Mary  A.  Moreland.  Mrs.  M. 
still  occupies  the  homestead  where  she  first  set- 
tled upon  coming  to  Belleflower  Township.  The 
farm  comprises  160  acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  M. 
is  a  traveling  salesman,  representing  the  business 


of    H.  P.  Deuscher,  of   Hamilton,  Ohio,  dealer  in 
agricultural  implements. 

By  her  first  marriage  Mrs.  Moreland  became  the 
mother  of  three  children  :  Laura,  the  wife  of  Alvah 
Jayns,  lives  in  Champaign  County,  111.;  Leonard 
and  Lillie  J.  are  twins.  The  former  lives  in  Ch:i.-e 
County,  Neb.;  Lillie  is  at  home  with  her  mother. 
Of  the  second  marriage  there  were  born  three  chil- 
dren —  Mason  B.,  Ambers  J.  and  Walter  G.  Mrs. 
M.  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  a  lady  highly  respected  in  the  com- 
munity. 


RS.  LUCINDA  HAYS,  widow  of  William 
II.  Hays,  is  located  upon  a  good  farm  of 
160  acres  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  upon 
which  she  removed  in  1865,  with  her  hus- 
band. and  where  she  has  since  lived.  She  is  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  born  in  Fayette  County,  April  8, 
1836,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Mary 
(Hughs)  Paul,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
the  latter  of  Ohio.  Hugh  Paul  departed  this  life 
on  the  4th  of  February,  1837,  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  Afterward,  in  1845,  the  mother  came  with 
her  little  family  to  Illinois,  and  located  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  this  county,  where  she  died  in 
.April,  1855.  They  have  only  two  children  —  Ma- 
tilda J.  and  Lucinda.  Matilda  became  the  wife  of 
John  Henline,  and  died  in  Money  Creek  Township 
in  1856. 

Mrs.  Hays  was  ten  years  old  when  her  mother 
came  to  this  county,  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  most  of  the  time  until  her  marriage.  On  the 
23d  of  December,  1856,  she  was  married  to  Will- 
iam H.  Hays,  in  Bloomington,  III.  The  parents  of 
Mr.  Hays  were  Henry  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Hays,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky.  They  remained  for  a  time  in 
their  native  State,  after  their  marriage,  and  thence 
removed  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Lexington  Town- 
ship, this  county,  in  1835.  The  father  died  in  the 
spring  of  1860,  and  the  mother  in  1848,  in  Lexing- 
ton Township.  Their  seven  children,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  mature  years,  were,  William  II.,  Matilda, 
Hettie,  Ann  E.,  Henry  C.,  Harriet  D.  and  James. 
William  H.  was  the  eldest  of  the  family;  he  was 
born  in  Lexington  Township,  Oct.  22,  1835,  and 


i  ' 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


885 


was  reared  to  fanning  pursuits,  which  he  followed 
during  life. 

After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hays,  of  this 
notice,  first  settled  in  Lexington  Township,  this 
county,  but  in  1858  removed  to  Kansas,  where 
they  lived  two  years.  They  then  returned,  and 
again  became  residents  of  Lexington  Township, 
where  they  lived  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when 
they  removed  upon  the  present  homestead  in  Blue 
Mound  Township,  and  there  the  death  of  Mr. 
Hays  occurred,  April  22,  1881.  Of  this  union 
there  were  born  nine  children,  viz.,  George  W., 
Henry  L.,  Hugh  E.,  Ella  and  Delia,  twins,  Grace 
M.,  Harry  M.,  Floy  A.,  and  one  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. George  married  Miss  Maggie  Henline,  and 
resides  in  Lexington,  111. ;  Henry  married  Miss 
Sarah  Kraft,  and  is  farming  in  Towanda Township; 
Hugh  married  Miss  Emma  Campbell,  and  they  are 
living  in  Blue  Mound  Township.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hays  many  years  ago  identified  themselves  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  cf  which  Mr. 
Hays  remained  a  consistent  member  until  his  death, 
and  to  which  Mrs.  Hays  still  belongs.  She  is  a 
lady  greatly  respected  and  esteemed  in  this  com- 
munity for  her  excellent  traits  of  character  and 
kindness  of  heart.  She  has  managed  the  farm 
since  the  death  of  her  husband  in  a  judicious  and 
wise  manner,  and  shows  excellent  business  ability. 


an 
of 

T  tle 
ft* 


HOMAS  B.  KILGORE,  Supervisor  of  Lawn- 
dale  Township,  has  a  pleasant  home  on  sec- 
tion 26,  where  he  is  pursuing  the  peaceful 
vocation  of  an  agriculturist,  and  attending,  as  oc- 
casion requires,  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  He  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  section  since  the  spring  of 
1867,  when,  after  a  term  of  service  in  the  Union 
army,  he  came  to  McLean  County  and  settled  in 
Lawndale  Township,  where  he  purchased  320  acres 
of  land,  upon  which  he  has  since  resided,  and  be- 
came identified  with  the  interests  of  his  adopted 
township  and  county. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Malona  C.  (Beach)  Kilgore,  who  were  natives 
Madison  County,  Ohio,  and  after  marriage  set- 
tled in   Franklin   County,  that  State,   where   they 


have  since  made  their  home.  The  parental  house- 
hold included  four  children,  of  whom  the  record  is 
as  follows:  Sarah  A.  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Stauffer, 
and  resides  in  Lawndale  Township;  Albert  is  de- 
ceased; John  N.  lives  in  Lawndale  Township. 

Thomas  B.  Kilgore  was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  March  23,  1840.  His  education  was  re- 
ceived mostly  in  the  common  schools,  although  he 
attended  Wesleyan  University  one  term.  He  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  remained  at  home 
until  the  spring  of  1861,  when,  the  late  Civil  Wai- 
being  in  progress,  he  enlisted  in  the  1st  Ohio  Cav- 
alry, and  served  three  years,  in  the  meantime  be- 
ing promoted  Sergeant.  At  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  he  had  a  close  call,  barely  escaping  being 
shot  down  by  the  enemy,  the  horse  he  was  riding 
having  been  killed.  After  leaving  the  army  he  re- 
turned to  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years,  and  then  started  for  the  West, 
with  the  results  we  have  stated.  After  purchasing 
his  land  he  immediately  entered  upon  its  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement.  Mr.  Kilgore  has  now  a 
fine  farm  dwelling,  a  good  barn  and  all  the  acces- 
sories of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  Everything 
about  the  premises  indicates  the  supervision  of  an 
intelligent  and  enterprising  mind.  Mr.  Kilgore 
has  been  rarely  prospered  in  his  farming  and  busi- 
ness operations,  and  has  added  to  his  first  purchase 
so  that  he  now  has  480  acres,  all  of  which  is  im- 
proved and  in  a  fine  and  fertile  condition.  The 
whole  estate  presents  one  of  the  most  attractive 
spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County. 

The  marriage  of  Thomas  B.  Kilgpre  with  Miss 
Mary  E.  Batterton  was  celebrated  in  Lawndale 
Township,  April  11,  1867.  Mrs.  Kilgore  is  the 
daughter  of  Martin  Batterton,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  She  was 
born  in  Lawndale  Township,  July  18,  1840,  and 
by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  four  children — John  M.,  Lizzie  M., 
Maud  B.  and  Thomas  Beach. 

Mr.  Kilgore  has  been  Supervisor  of  Lawndale 
Township  nine  terms,  and  still  holds  the  office. 
He  served  as  Road  Commissioner  three  years,  and 
has  occupied  other  minor  offices  in  the  township, 
including  that  of  School  Director.  Socially,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  of  Col-  '  ' 


f 


.t 


T 


,    886 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


fax  Post,  G.  A.  R.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kilgore 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Our  subject  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  greatly 
interested  in  the  success  of  the  temperance  move- 
ment, with  which  he  has  prominently  identified 
himself. 


EORGE  J.  ARNOLD,  Supervisor  of  Yates 
Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable 
homestead  on  section  15,  and  is  numbered 
among  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  county.  He 
is  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Caroline  (Tritenbach) 
Arnold,  natives  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany.  His 
father  at  an  early  age,  in  forming  his  plans  for  the 
future,  indicated  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  his 
character.  He  was  not  satisfied  with  his  condition 
or  his  prospects  ia  his  native  country,  and  deter- 
mined to  emigrate  to  the  United  States.  This 
scheme  was  violently  opposed  by  his  friends,  some 
of  whom  gathered  around  him  and  told  him  that 
America  was  a  heathen  land,  where  the  people  were 
all  thieves,  and  thus  persuaded  him  to  remain  for 
a  time,  at  least,  very  much  against  his  inclination 
and  his  better  judgment.  After  his  marriage, 
however,  and  children  began  to  gather  around  the 
fireside,  he  became  greatly  anxious  for  their  sakes 
to  provide  something  better  for  them  than  what  he 
could  probably  obtain  in  Germany.  Accordingly, 
in  1853,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  four  children, 
he  left  the  place  of  his  birth  and  set  sail  for  the  New 
World. 

After  a  tedious  voyage  of  forty  days,  as  steerage 
passengers  in  a  sailing-vessel,  they  arrived  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  whence  they  proceeded  by  rail 
to  Dunkirk,  that  State,  and  then  by  way  of  Lake 
Erie  to  Cleveland.  Thence  they  crossed  the  State 
of  Ohio  to  Cincinnati,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of 
land  in  Clermont  County,  that  State.  They  resided 
there  four  years,  and  then  decided  to  push  further 
Westward  to  the  Prairie  State.  Coming  to  Illinois 
he  located  in  McLean  County,  in  1857.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  near  Bloomington  and  in  Normal 
Township  for  the  following  ten  years,  in  the  mean- 
time having  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  21,  Yates  Townshjp,  to  which  he  removed 
'  with  his  family  and  established  a  comfortable 

T^— ~—  ""Tr"""""""1""""""""""" 


home,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
alwaj's  attended  closely  to  his  business,  was  indus- 
trious and  economical,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
had  accumulated  a  fine  property,  consisting  of  400 
acres  of  good  land,  all  of  which  he  had  properly 
improved.  His  death  was  the  result  of  an  accident 
on  the  2d  of  July,  1881,  when  he  was  thrown  from 
a  buggy  and  received  an  injury  which  caused  his 
death  on  the  13th  of  that  month.  The  wife  and 
mother  had  passed  to  the  better  land  five  years  be- 
fore, on  the  24th  of  October,  1876.  Of  the  seven 
children  born  to  them,  five  are  yet  living — Maggie, 
William,  Minnie,  Oscar,  and  George  J.,  our  subject, 
who  is  the  eldest  of  those  now  living. 

George  J.  Arnold  first  opened  his  eyes  to  light 
in  the  little  kingdom  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany, 
Aug.  20,  1848,  and  was  thus  in  the  fifth  year  of 
his  age  when  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  His  parents  being  in  limited  circumstances 
he  early  in  life  began  to  assist  in  the  work  on  the 
farm,  and  was  permitted  only  a  few  weeks'  school- 
ing in  each  year.  He  possessed  much  natural  abil- 
ity, however,  and  a  genuine  love  for  learning,  and 
through  his  own  efforts  gained  a  good  practical 
and  business  education.  In  1871  he  went  to  Cher- 
okee County,  Kan.,  where  with  his  brother  he  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock-raising  for  three  years. 
Then,  returning  to  Illinois  he  resumed  the  old  life 
at  home  and  assisted  his  father  in  carrying  on  the 
farm  until  July,  1881.  On  the  7th  of  that  month 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Cornelia  Bell, 
daughter  of  John  and  Anna  Grizzella  (Kelly)  Mc- 
Cune. 

Mrs.  Arnold  was  born  in  Chenoa  Township,  this 
county,  Sept.  9,  1857,  and  by  her  marriage  with 
our  subject  became  the  mother  of  two  children : 
Minnie  Grizzella,  born  May  15,  1882,  and  Mary 
Belle,  May  13,  1886.  Our  subject  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  their 
pleasant  and  comfortable  home  are  surrounded  by 
all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 
The  farm  estate  of  Mr.  Arnold  consists  of  160 
acres  of  valuable  land,  with  a  fine  modern  residence, 
good  barns  and  all  necessary  out-buildings.  Since 
becoming  a  resident  of  this  county,  Mr.  Arnold 
has  identified  himself  with  its  interests  and  welfare, 
and  has  been  honored  by  various  township  ollices, 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


having  been  three  times  Collector,  and  is  now 
serving  his  third  term  as  Supervisor.  He  is  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  in  all  respects  has  built  up  for  him- 
self a  reputation  as  an  honest  man  and  a  good  cit- 
izen. 


J~~l  OHN    P.   MESSER,   proprietor  of  200  acres 
of  valuable   land  in  Gridley  Township,    is 
one  or  the  prominent  and  progressive  farm- 
ers of  this  section,  who  by  his  energy   and 
industry  has  aided  materially   in  its  development 
and  progress.     He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born 
near  Colfax,  March  11,  1836.     He  received  a  good 
common-school  education,    the   best    afforded    in 
those  days,  and   remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.     Mr.    Messer 
was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  to  habits  of  in- 
dustry and   honesty,  and  has  followed  agriculture 
the  whole  of  his  life. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  John  B.  and  Susan 
(Estey)  Messer,  were  natives  respectively  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Kentucky,  and  became  residents  of 
Illinois  in  1836.  They  first  located  in  Lexington 
Township,  this  county,  whence  they  removed  to 
Gridley  and  located  on  section  34.  Upon  the 
homestead  there  established  the  father  died  in  No- 
vember, 1879.  The  mother  then  went  to  live  with 
her  daughter  in  Moultrie  County,  this  State,  and 
there  died  Sept.  5,  1880.  The  parental  family  in- 
cluded ten  children — Maria  J.,  Sydney  A.,  John 
P.,  Margaret  E.,  Isaac,  Mary,  Elizabeth  E.,  James 
T.,  Elizabeth  E.  (2d)  and  Rebecca  A.  Maria,  Eliza- 
beth (1st)  and  James  are  deceased. 

When  John  P.  Messer  started  out  for  himself  in 
life  he  located  in  Gridley  Township,  which  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  He  has  been  twice  married, 
the  first  time  in  this  township,  Sept.  22,  1857,  to 
Miss  Mary  S.  Weakley,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  F'eb. 
21,  1842.  She  became  the  mother  of  seven  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Dora  be- 
came the  wife  of  Samuel  J.  Pfillis,  and  resides  in 
Kansas;  Benjamin  is  at  home;  Ira  died  in  infancy; 
the  next,  an  infant,  died  unnamed ;  John  B.  died 
when  less  than  one  year  old ;  Maria  J.  resides  in 
Kansas,  and  William  in  Gridley  Township.  The 


887    i 
'  her 


mother  of  these  children  died  at  the  home  of  her 
husband  in  Gridley  Township,  Dec.  27.  1867.  She 
was  a  lady  greatly  respected,  and  an  earnest  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Messer,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  Moultrie  County,  111.,  Sept.  30,  1869, 
was  Elizabeth  J.  Dawson,  daughter  of  Canon  and 
Eliza  A.  (Riggin)  Dawson,  natives  of  Delaware. 
The  parental  family  comprised  five  children,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Messer  was  the  third.  She  was  born 
in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  7,  1838.  Of  this 
marriage  there  were  born  six  children — Henry  B., 
Arthur  E.,  Francis  I).,  an  infant  who  died  unnamed, 
Isaac  I.  and  John  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  politically 
our  subject  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party.  He 
held  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner  four 
years,  and  has  been  School  Director.  Socially  he 
is  a  member  of  Creur  de  Leon  Commandery  No. 
43,  of  El  Paso. 


ELISHA  R.  SMITH,  one  of  the  self-made 
men  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  Belleflower 
Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 
12,  where  he  is  following  agricultural  pursuits  and 
fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen.  Mr. 
Smith  was  born  in  Fulton  County,  this  State, 
March  10,  1844,  being  the  son  of  William  Smith, 
who  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  of  Welsh  de- 
scent. The  latter  was  but  a  boy  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Ohio,  and  there  grew  to  manhood  and 
married  in  Richland  County.  In  1838  he  came  to 
Illinois,  making  the  journey  oyerland  with  two 
horses  and  a  wagon,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
eight  children.  Upon  his  arrival  in  Illinois  he  had 
but  11.30  in  cash.  He  worked  around  by  the  day 
for  six  or  seven  years,  farming  during  the  summer 
season  and  in  the  meantime  saving  his  earnings,  in 
which  he  was  assisted  materially  by  his  excellent 
helpmeet.  In  due  time  he  contracted  to  buy  a 
farm  for  which  he  was  to  pay  11,000,  and  of  this 
sum  he  had  but  $50.  The  farm  was  two  and  one- 
half  miles  from  Cuba,  and  Liverpool  and  Peoria 
were  the  nearest  markets.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  very 
industrious  man  and  was  soon  enabled  to  make  the 


f. 


888 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


| 

i 


lost  payment  on  the  farm.  He  also  erected  a  good 
set  of  frame  buildings  and  lived  there  until  1862. 
He  then  sold  out  and  purchased  another  farm  near 
by,  which  he  occupied,  however,  but  a  few  months. 
He  soon  thereafter  retired  from  active  labor  and 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Cuba,  dying  Sept. 
3,  1877,  when  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Sa- 
rah Cline,  died  near  Cuba,  March  26,  1881,  having 
arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  youngest  of 
eleven  children  born  to  his  parents.  He  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  Fulton  County, 
111.,  and  received  a  good  common-school  educa- 
tion. During  the  progress  of  the  late  war  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  G,  llth  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  and  served  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  discharge  in 
July,  1865.  After  returning  from  the  army  he 
operated  on  rented  land  in  Fulton  County  until 
1867,  then  came  to  Belleflower  Township  and  pur- 
chased the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies. 
It  was  then  wild  prairie  and  the  nearest  railroad 
station  was  at  Champaign,  twenty-two  miles  dis- 
tant. Mahomet  was  twelve  miles  and  was  the 
nearest  post-office ;  now  the  railroad  passes  through 
his  farm,  with  the  station  and  post-office  forty  rods 
distant  from  his  residence.  He  has  added  to  his 
first  purchase  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  236 
acres,  all  enclosed  and  improved,  and  forming  one 
of  the  finest  country  estates  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married,  Dec.  24,  1863,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Martha 
(McKinney)  Murphy,  and  who  was  born  in  Licking 
Ccunty,Ohio.  Of  this  union  there  are  nine  children 
—Annie,  William  P.,  Belle  A.,  M.  Ross,  Clyde  S., 
Nellie,  Clarence,  Ethel  and  .1.  Clarence.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Smith  and  four  of  their  children  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  our  subject  politically 
votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 


JAMES  WHITE,  JR.,  one  of  the  best  known 
residents  of  the  township  of  Padua,  has  a 
fine  homestead  on  sections  17  and   18,  the 
handsome  and  substantial  family  residence 
being  on  the  former.     He   may   be  classed  among 
the  pioneers  of  the  Prairie  State.    After  coming  to 


this  county  in  1838,  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  Hudson  Township,  but  later  removed  to 
Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of  contracting  and 
building,  and  lived  there  for  ten  years  following. 
He  came  to  Padua  Township  in  the  fall  of  185/5, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  280  acres  of  valuable  land, 
finely  improved,  furnished  with  a  shapely  and  sub- 
stantial set  of  farm  buildings.  It  has  taken  many 
years,  but  Mr.  White  has  now  the  best  drained 
farms  in  McLean  County,  having  about  660  rods 
of  tiling  from  three  to  eight  inches  in  diameter. 
The  land  was  formerly  low  bottom,  and  very  often 
covered  with  water,  but  now  produces  about  one- 
third  more  than  before  the  drain  was  put  in.  His 
agricultural  implements  and  machinery  are  of  first- 
class  description,  and  his  stock  includes  the  best 
grades  of  horses  and  cattle. 

Mr.  White  was  born  on  Brooklyn  Heights,  Nov. 
4,  1819.  During  a  period  of  sixty-seven  years  the 
place  of  his  birth  has  greatly  changed  from  what  it 
was  then,  being  now  the  resort  of  some  of  the  most 
aristocratic  people  of  this  continent,  who  reside  in 
palatial  mansions,  and  are  surrounded  by  all  the 
luxuries  of  life.  The  father  of  our  subject,  James 
White,  Sr.,  was  the  son  of  Samuel  White,  who  was 
the  son  of  Peter  White.  The  latter  emigrated  from 
England  with  a  brother  at  all  early  period  in  the 
history  of  this  country,  and  settled  in  Norfolk, 
Conn.,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith 
all  his  life,  and  died  in  the  town  where  he  first  set- 
tled when  little  more  than  a  boy.  His  son  Samuel, 
the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  learned  the  trade  of 
a  silversmith  when  young,  which  he  followed  all  his 
life  in  his  native  town,  and  died  on  the  homestead 
left  him  by  his  father.  He  was  said  to  be  a  Torjr  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  War,  and  his  property  was 
saved  thereby  when  the  town  was  burned  by  the 
British. 

James  White,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
and  reared  at  Norfolk,  Conn.,  and  when  a  young 
man  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  in  New  York 
City.  From  there  he  removed  to  Brooklyn,  and 
some  time  later  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Sarah  Vanvoris,  who  was  of  German  and  English 
parents.  After  his  marriage  James  White  continued 
in  Brooklyn,  where  he  followed  his  trade  success- 
fully for  a  period  of  fifteen  years.  He  then  went 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


889 


to  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm  upon  which  the  children  were  reared.  The 
father  died  when  fifty-eight  years  old  in  the  city  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  the  mother  lived  to  be  sixty- 
five  years  old. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  fourth  of  a  ; 
family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom 
one  of  the  latter  is  now  deceased ;  the  others  are 
married  and  settled  in  comfortable  homes  of  their 
own.  James  White,  Jr.,  accompanied  his  parents 
to  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  being  then  nine  years 
of  age.  He  there  completed  his  education,  and  re- 
mained at  home  for  ten  years  following.  At  the 
age  of  nineteen  he  started  for  the  West,  and  com- 
ing into  the  Prairie  State  located  in  this  county, 
where  he  followed  the  carpenter  trade,  which  he 
had  learned  of  his  father  in  his  youth.  He  was 
married  at  Smith  Grove,  Towanda  Township,  this 
county,  April  4,  1841,  to  Miss  Lavina  Smith,  who 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  Aug.  19,  1814.  When 
an  infant  she  was  carried  across  the  Alleghany 
Mountains  by  her  parents,  who  afterward  located 
in  Kentucky  for  three  years,  and  thence  removed 
to  White  Water,  Ind.  From  there,  in  about  1 830, 
they  came  to  this  State  and  county,  settling  in  a  j 
grove  near  what  is  now  Towanda  Township,  and 
which  was  afterward  called  Smith  Grove.  Here 
Mrs.  W.  lived  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage. 
Her  father,  David  Smith,  died  in  Indiana  after  liv- 
ing some  years  in  Illinois;  the  mother  died  in  Iowa. 

Of  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  there 
were  born  seven  children,  three  only  of  whom  are 
living:  Mary  K.  is  the  widow  of  James  Keeney, 
and  is  living  in  Cedar  Vale,  Kan. ;  James  R.  is  a 
builder  and  contractor  of  Bloomington;  Asa  E. 
married  Miss  Betty  Long,  and  lives  in  Bloomington. 
Those  deceased  are  Sarah  R.,  George  H.  and  two 
infants  who  died  unnamed. 

Mr.  White  opened  the  first  lumber-yard  in 
Bloomington,  which  proved  a  success  and  was 
largely  patronized ;  he  was  closely  identified  with 
the  building  interests  of  the  city  for  ten  years.  He 
was  living  in  Bloomington  when  the  college  project 
was  set  on  foot  by  Rev.  Mr.  McKee,  who  had  al- 
most despaired  of  success  in  his  efforts  to  found  an 
institution  of  learning  there.  In  this  our  subject 
was  greatly  interested,  being  the  firm  friend  of  ed- 


ucation, and  believing  it  to  be  the  best  basis  for  a 
young  man  starting  out  in  life.  Although  then 
worth  only  about  11 ,000  all  told  he  subscribed  $400, 
which  he  paid  up  like  a  man,  although  as  it  may  be 
inferred,  this  large  sum  taken  from  his  limited  cap- 
ital quite  seriously  embarrassed  him  for  the  time. 
Mr.  White  was  the  first  subscriber  to  the  building 
and  says  he  never  paid  a  subscription  before  or  since 
with  more  pleasure.  It  was  with  great  difficulty 
that  the  enterprise  was  made  successful,  and  many 
at  the  time  thought  that  Mr.  White  had  been  duped 
into  subscribing  so  large  an  amount,  but  he  affirms 
that  he  had  given  the  subject  careful  consideration 
and  has  ever  felt  justified  in  the  steps  taken,  which 
resulted  as  he  anticipated.  His  judgment  in  this  as 
well  as  many  other  enterprises  is  most  commend- 
able. This,  however,  proved  an  incentive  to  other 
and  wealthier  citizens,  who  opened  their  hearts  and 
purses  and  made  liberal  contributions  by  which  a 
college  building  was  erected  which  is  now  an  honor 
to  the  city.  Mr.  White  in  other  respects  has 
materially  contributed  to  the  growth  and  prosper- 
ity of  his  adopted  county,  and  is  reckoned  among  its 
most  valuable  and  reliable  citizens. 


'REDERICK  W.  KOCH,  a  retired  merchant 
of  Bloomington  and  the  founder  of  Koch- 
ville,  also  laid  out  an  addition  to  Bloom- 
ington bearing  that  name,  and  has  been  otherwise 
closely  identified  with  the  material  interests  and  the 
growth  of  the  city.  He  is  now  retired  from  active 
business  and  resides  in  a  beautiful  home  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Morris  and  Koch  avenues,  enjoying  the  es- 
teem of  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances  and  pass- 
ing his  declining-years  in  the  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing acted  well  his  part  in  life. 

Our  subject  is  a  fine  representative  of  that  na- 
tionality which  has  assisted  so  greatly  in  develop- 
ing the  resources  of  the  Great  West.  The  German 
Empire,  without  doubt,  has  contributed  more  of 
the  stability  and  genuine  honesty  which  have  been 
the  secret  and  success  of  this  Republic  than  any 
other  country.  Mr.  Koch  is  a  native  of  Prussia 
and  was  born  on  the  4th  of  September,  1829.  His 


f 


890 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


parents  were  Henry  R.  and  Louise  (Gravey)  Koch, 
natives  of  the  same  kingdom,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing pursuits.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  his 
parents  five  are  still  living,  the  record  being  as  fol- 
lows: Wilhelmina,  now  Mrs.  Meas,  is  a  resident  of 
Bloomington,and  has  one  son,  Rudolph  S. ;  Freder- 
ick W.  is  our  subject;  Carl  L.  is  a  resident  of  his 
native  Prussia,  as  also  are  Fredrica  and  Charlotte. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  Mayor  of  Fabben- 
stadt  for  a  number  of  years  and  always  a  prominent 
man,  respected  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 
He  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Old  Lutheran 
Church  and  a  Trustee  of  the  same.  He  served  in 
the  army  for  two  years  and  always  took  a  deep 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom.  He  gave  to 
his  children  the  advantages  of  a  fine  education, 
reared  them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  taught 
them  that  honesty  was  the  best  policy.  The  faith- 
ful and  affectionate  mother  departed  this  life  in  her 
native  country  in  1862,  and  the  father  still  lives 
there. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  remained  at  home 
with  his  parents  until  fifteen  years  old.  He  enlisted 
when  twenty-one  years  old  as  a  soldier  and  served 
two  years,  during  which  time  he  was  treated  with 
great  respect  and  consideration  in  consequence  of 
the  high  position  which  his  father  held  under  the 
Government,  and  was  allowed  many  privileges  not 
accorded  to  the  common  soldier.  Upon  leaving 
his  native  country  to  come  to  America  he  was 
dressed  in  such  uniform  that  many  took  him  for  a 
policeman,  and  by  a  little  money  and  considerable 
strategy  he  got  away  without  a  passport  and  landed 
in  New  Orleans  on  the  1st  of  December,  1853. 
Young  Koch,  however,  remained  only  a  short  time 
in  the  Crescent  City,  and  soon  proceeded  to  St. 
Louis,  where  he  remained  for  the  next  three  years 
engaged  in  the  employ  of  the  Pacific  Railroad.  In 
1 856  Mr.  Koch  came  to  Bloomington  and  conducted 
a  boarding-house  and  saloon  until  the  following 
year  when,  not  liking  the  business,  he  closed  out. 
He  then  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  mattresses 
and  in  upholstery,  with  carpet  laying,  for  five  years 
following,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  had  accu- 
mulated quite  a  little  snm  of  money.  After  this 
he  became  a  clerk  in  a  hardware  store  for  twelve 
years,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time  purchased  eight- 


een acres  of  land  adjoining  the  city  of  Blooming- 
ton  on  the  southwest,  laying  it  out  in  town  lots  in 
1867.  During  the  time  he  was  in  the  store  he  was 
considerably  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of 
real  estate. 

Mr.  Koch  was  married  on  the  4th  of  December, 
1854,  to  Miss  Wilhelmina  Wellenburg,  a  native  of 
Hanover,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1854.  Of 
this  union  there  were  born  five  children,  three  now 
living,  and  they  have  adopted  a  little  girl  named 
Bertha.  Emilie  married  John  Teske,  and  they  have 
two  children — Dora  and  Hannah ;  Helena  became 
the  wife  of  Herman  Loufer,  and  they  have  three 
children — Laura,  Wilhelmina  and  Herman ;  Hannah 
married  George  Shuitz,  and  they  have  one  child,  a 
daughter — Stella.  Mr.  K.  put  up  his  present  beauti- 
ful residence  in  1882,  at  a  cost  of  $4.000.  He  has 
near  Kpchville,  200  acres  of  land,  eighty-two  acres 
in  Dry  Grove  Township,  and  a  store  and  two  houses 
in  the  city.  The  rents  of  these  latter  yield  him  a 
handsome  income.  Mr.  K.  with  his  family,  is  con- 
nected with  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics  he 
is  Democratic,  and  is  considered  by  all  as  one  of 
the  solid  men  of  the  city. 


eHARLES  A.  SCHUREMAN,  a  member  of 
the  banking  firm  of  Means,  Schureman  <fe 
Co.,  at  Saybrook,  this  county,  is  a  native  of 
Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  was  born  Sept.  8,  1860. 
He  is  the  son  of  Leonard  and  Fannie  (Howell) 
Schureman,  also  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  who 
spent  their  lives  in  their  native  State.  The  father 
was  born  Feb.  17,  1825,  and  departed  this  life  Dec. 
17,  1885.  The  mother  was  born  in  1827,  and  still 
survives,  making  her  home  in  New  Jersey.  Both  pa- 
rents were  prominently  connected  with  the  Method- 
dist  Episcopal  Church.  Their  three  children  were 
all  boys:  Frank,  who  married  Miss  Isodene  Han- 
cock; Elwood  S.  and  Charles  A. 

Mr.  Schureman  became  a  resident  of  Illinois  in 
1879.  He  was  married,  Sept.  26,  1882,  to  Miss 
Katie  Ballard,  who  was  born  in  Saybrook,  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  this  county,  Jan.  7,  1864,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  L.  and  Catherine  (Hogan) 
Ballard,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  who  are  still 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


893 


living.  Their  children  were  Love,  Lizzie,  William, 
Lucy,  John,  Katie,  Charlie  and  Mildred.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Schureman  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Fannie 
B.,  who  was  born  July  21,  1885. 

Mr.  Schureman  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Norristown,  N.  J.,  and  developed  more 
than  ordinary  business  qualities  while  still  a  youth. 
He  is  now  connected  with  the  leading  bank  of  Say- 
brook,  which  was  established  as  a  private  institution 
in  1878.  His  partners  are  gentlemen  of  culture 
and  refinement,  prominent  in  business  and  good 
citizens  and  members  of  society.  Mr.  Schureman 
is  Democratic  in  politics.  He  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
one  of  its  Board  of  Trustees.  Besides  his  fine  resi- 
dence he  owns  other  residence  property,  an  interest 
in  the  bank  building  and  a  fine  brick  store  at  Say- 
brook.  He  has  by  careful  and  constant  attention 
to  the  banking  business  during  the  past  eight  years, 
accumulated  considerable  wealth,  and  is  one  of  Say- 
brook's  most  enterprising  citizens.  The  estimated 
worth  of  the  banking  firm  is  $125,000,  with  a  well 
paid  up  capital  stock. 


EDWARD    STUBBLEFIELD,  a   well-known 
member  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  fam- 
ilies of  this  section  of  Illinois,    is  an  exten- 
sive   farmer  and  an   intelligent  fine  stock  breeder. 
He  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove   Township,   McLean 
County,  on  the   15th  of  August,  1834,  and  is  the 
sixth  child  of  Robert  and  Doretha  (Funk)  Stubble- 
field.     A  sketch  of  the  former  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  volume. 

Our  subject  received  careful  training  at  the 
hands  of  his  parents,  and  pursued  his  primary 
studies  in  the  schools  of  his  native  township,  spend- 
ing the  intervening  time  between  school  terms  in 
assisting  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  He  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage  and  then 
located  on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies. It  was  an  unimproved  prairie  at  the  time  it 
came  into  his  possession,  but  he  has  industriously 
cultivated  the  soil  since  that  time  and  now  has  one 
of  the  finest  farms  in  this  section.  A  great  part-  of 
it  is  tile  drained,  and  the  farm  buildings  and  ma- 


chinery  are  of  first-class  description.  In  1869 
Mr.  Stubblefield  erected  a  commodious  frame  house, 
and  seven  years  later  a  large  barn,  and  besides  he 
has  all  necessary  and  suitable  out-buildings  for  the 
shelter  of  stock  and  the  storage  of  grain.  He  is  a 
thorough  business  man  and  a  skilled  farmer,  and 
the  evidences  of  his  industry  and  enterprise  are  to 
be  seen  on  every  hand.  His  farm  now  comprises, 
including  timber,  a  little  over  700  acres.  The 
main  feature  of  Mr.  Stubblefield's  farming  op- 
erations is  directed  to  the  raising  and  feeding  of 
cattle.  He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding 
thoroughbred  Belgian  horses.  He  owns  several 
splendid  specimens  of  this  breed  which  have  been 
imported. 

Mr.  Stubblefield's  shrewd  business  qualifica- 
tions are  illustrated  in  public  enterprises  as  well 
as  those  he  has  so  successfully  carried  out  for  him- 
self. For  six  years  he  was  associated  with  the  At- 
lanta Agricultural  Union  Fair,  held  at  Atlanta,  111., 
as  Director,  and  for  the  past  six  years  has  been 
President  of  the  Association.  Its  success  is  largely 
due  to  the  enterprise  and  energy  he  has  displayed 
in-  its  behalf.  It  is  recognized  by  all  that  this  as- 
sociation holds  -the  best  fairs  held  anywhere  in 
Central  Illinois.  The  district  embraced  by  it  in- 
cludes the  counties  of  McLean,  Logan,  Tazewell 
and  De  Witt. 

Edward  Stubblefield  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Eliza  Fosset  on  the  17th  of  September, 
1856.  Mrs.  S.  is  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
Ohio,  where  she  was  born  Jan.  22,  1839.  She  is 
the  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Ann  (Shough)  Fosset, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio.  The  first 
residence  of  the  young  couple  was  an  humble 
dwelling  fifteen  feet  square,  quite  a  contrast  to 
that  they  now  occupy.  They  have  become  the 
parents  of  four  children,  who  are  recorded  as  fol- 
lows :  Doretha  Ann  is  the  wife  of  S.  R.  Sterling,  of 
Mt.  Hope  Township;  Marion  Lee  married  Miss 
May  Young,  and  lives  in  Mt.  Hope  Township; 
Emma  J.  became  the  wife  of  David  Alexander; 
they  reside  on  their  farm  near  McLean,  also  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township;  Wayne  is  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Stubblefield  affiliates  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  as  a  business  man  and  citizen 
he  carries  out  the  principles  which  were  instilled 


*• 


t 


S'.ll 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


in  him  during  his  early  youth  by  his  excellent  and 
honored  parents.  As  one  of  the  leading  and  rep- 
resentative men  of  this  county  we  present  his  por- 
trait. 


ILTON  HENLINE,  one  of  McLean  Coun- 
ty's progressive  and  exceedingly  prosper- 
ous farmers,  residing  on  section  1,  To- 
wanda  Township,  is  a  son  of  James  J.  and 
Sarah  (Smith)  Henline,  the  former  a  native  of 
Boone  County,  Ky.  He  came  to  McLean  County 
with  his  parents,  John  and  Polly  (Darnell)  Hen- 
line,  when  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  in  1828.  His 
wife,  Sarah  Smith,  came  to  the  county  about  six 
years  later,  in  1834.  The  parents  were  married  in 
this  county,  and  lived  in  Lexington  Township  until 
the  death  of  the  mother,  which  took  place  Feb.  12, 
1883.  The  father  survives,  and  is  yet  living  in 
Lexington  Township.  Eleven  children  were  born 
of  this  union,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  the 
subject  of  this  notice  being  the  second  in  order  of 
birth. 

Milton  Henline  was  born  in  Lexington  Town- 
ship, Feb.  13,  1843.  He  received  a  common-school 
education  and  supplemented  the  same  by  a  course 
of  study  at  Wesleyan  Academy,  Bloomington,  111., 
for  six  months.  He  then  went  back  on  the  old 
homestead  and  lived  there,  engaged  the  while  in  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  un- 
til 1  8C6.  During  that  year  he  settled  in  Towanda 
Township,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  valua- 
ble land,  located  on  section  1.  On  this  tract  he 
settled,  and  at  once  engaged  in  its  improvement 
and  cultivation,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  320 
acres  of  good  land  in  that  township,  all  in  the 
same  section.  A  view  of  the  residence  and  sur- 
roundings will  be  found  on  another  page. 

Mr.  Henline  was  married  at  Bloomington,  111., 
March  22,  1866,  to  Irene  R.  Willhoite,  daughter 
of  Alex  and  Sarah  (Gossett)  Willhoite,  natives  of 
Owen  County,  Ky.  Her  parents  came  to  this 
county  in  1850,  whence  they  removed  to  Missouri 
in  1868,  and  thence  to  Kansas,  where  the  father 
died  the  same  year  of  their  location  in  that  State. 
The  mother  is  yet  living  and  now  resides  in  Cass 


County,  Mo.  They  had  twelve  children,  eight 
sons  and  four  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Henline  was  the 
fifth  in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Owen 
County,  Ky.,  Oct.  30,  1845,  and  by  her  union  with 
Mr.  Henline  eleven  children  have  been  born — Car- 
rie I.,  James  I.,  Claude,  Alvin,  Buell,  Ellis,  Ada, 
Garfield,  Alma,  Mabel  and  Milton  C.  Mr.  Henline 
has  held  several  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  town- 
ship. He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
•tian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  Republican. 


A.  GILBERT,  of  Gridley  Township, 
is  pleasantly  located  on  section  3,  and  fol- 
lowing the  peaceful  occupation  of  a  farmer's 
life.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Lucy 
(Joquith)  Gilbert,  and  was  born  in  Manchester, 
Ind.,  April  1,  1839.  His  parents  were  natives  re- 
spectively of  Vermont  and  Indiana,  and  after  their 
marriage  settled  in  Lancaster,  the  latter  State, 
whence  they  removed  to  Iowa,  remaining  in  the 
Hawkeye  State,  however,  only  one  year.  They 
then  recrossed  the  Father  of  Waters,  and  subse- 
quently settled  at  Brimfield,  Peoria  Co.,  111.,  where 
the  mother  died.  The  father  is  still  a  resident  of 
that  place.  Their  twelve  children  consisted  of 
seven  boys  and  five  girls,  of  whom  the  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

Mr.  Gilbert  was  five  years  old  when  his  parents 
removed  from  Indiana  and  he  remained  an  inmate 
of  the  parental  household  until  he  was  twenty-eight 
years  of  age.  He  then  located  on  a  farm  in  Wood- 
ford  County,  111.,  where  he  carried  on  agriculture 
for  himself  two  years,  and  whence  he  came  to 
Gridley  Township,  this  county,  of  which  he  has 
since  been  a  resident.  His  homestead  includes  160 
acres  of  valuable  land,  on  which  he  has  made  good 
improvements  and  erected  a  good  set  of  farm 
buildings.  In  addition  to  his  McLean  County 
property  he  owns  640  acres  in  Cheyenne  County, 
Neb.,  which  is  unimproved. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  Elm- 
wood,  111.,  Dec.  20.  1867,  the  maiden  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Mary  C.,  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Elizabeth  (Stewart)  Baker,  who  were  of  excellent 
German  and  Irish  ancestry.  Stephen  Baker  de- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


895 


parted  this  life  in  Virginia,  and  the  mother  died  in 
Mercer  County,  111.  They  had  only  two  children, 
a  son  and  daughter,  of  whom  Mrs.  Gilbert  was 
the  youngest.  She  was  born  in  Elizabeth,  W. 
Va.,  Sept.  17,  1843.  Of  her  marriage  with  our 
subject  there  were  born  six  children,  as  follows: 
Charles  J.,  Minnie  A.,  Bertis  8.,  Blanche  E.,  Lucy 
E.  and  Nellie. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  Gilbert  served  as  a 
soldier  of  the  Union,  with  the  47th  Illinois  Infantry, 
in  which  he  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1865,  serving 
a  little  less  than  one  year.  He  retired  from  the 
army  unharmed  by  wounds  or  sickness  and  returned 
to  his  farm,  where  he  has  since  remained,  following 
the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture.  Mrs.  Gilbert 
is  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  our 
subject,  politically,  is  an  earnest  adherent  of  the 
Republican  party.  He  is  also  a  member  of  El 
Paso  Post  No.  532,  G.  A.  R. 


i?ILLIAM  C.  JONES,  who  is  favorably 
known  throughout  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship and  McLean  County,  is  the  son  of 
Newton  and  Mary  Ann  (Brown)  Jones,  and  was 
born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  5,  1844.  When 
William  C.  was  thirteen  years  of  age  the  family  re- 
moved to  Huntington,  Ind.,and  in  1869  to  Illinois, 
their  residence  in  the  Prairie  State  dating  from 
March  17  of  that  year.  Our  subject  commenced  a 
good  business  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
the  Buckeye  State  and  in  Indiana,  which  was  com- 
pleted by  attendance  at  the  academies  of  Hunting- 
ton.  He  was  reared  to  habits  of  industry  and 
economy  by  his  excellent  parents,  and  remained 
under  the  home  roof  until  he  attained  to  years  of 
manhood.  He  was*  then  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Emma,  daughter  of  William  and  Martha 
Duncan,  the  wedding  occurring  on  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, 1868.  Mrs.  J.  was  born  in  Wabash,  Ind., 
whence  she  removed  with  her  parents  in  early  life 
to  Huntington,  that  State,  and  from  there  to  Illi- 
nois about  1869. 

On  coming  to  this  county  our  subject,  who  had 
chosen  fanning  for  his  occupation,  purchased  land 
in  Arrowsmith  Township  where  he  labored  until 


1881.  He  then  sold  out,  removed  to  Farmer  City, 
De  Witt  County,  this  State,  and  for  one  year  oper- 
ated as  a  dealer  in  live  stock,  also  carrying  on  a 
,  meat-market.  This  business  he  afterward  merged 
into  agricultural  implements.  We  next  find  him  in 
Ford  County,  111.,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Drummond  Grove  Township, 
which  he  occupied  about  eighteen  months,  and 
which  he  still  owns. 

Mrs.  Emma  Jones  departed  this  life  Nov.  20, 
1885,  leaving  two  children — Lillian  and  Lerton  B. 
Mr.  Jones  then  abandoned  the  farm  and  removed 
to  Saybrook,  where  he  became  the  assignee  of  a 
dry-goods  firm  and  closed  out  the  stock.  In  1886 
he  dealt  in  agricultural  implements  for  a  few 
months,  and  later  traveled  in  the  interest  of  the 
Hamilton  Plant  Company.  He  is  now  a  salesman  in 
the  drug-store  of  Dr.  J.  F.  Myers.  In  politics  Mr. 
Jones  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  while  a  resident 
of  Arrowsmith  Township  served  three  years  as 
Commissioner  of  Highways.  He  is  a  member  of 
Hope  Lodge  No.  140,  K.  of  P.,  and  also  belongs 
to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Cheney's  Grove  Lodge  No. 
468. 

Newton  Jones,  father  of  the  above,  has  been  a 
resident  of  McLean  County  since  the  17th  of 
March,  1869.  He  also  was  born  in  Preble  County, 
Ohio,  Jan.  22,  1814.  His  parents,  Newton  and 
Ann  (Mote)  Jones,  were  natives  of  Columbia 
County,  Ga.,  in  which  State  they  were  reared  and 
united  in  marriage.  In  1805  they  removed  to 
Ohio,  crossing  the  Ohio  River  on  the  12th  of  June 
of  that  year,  and  first  settled  in  Preble  County  on 
a  farm.  The  father  only  lived  to  be  thirty-six 
years  of  age.  The  mother  thereafter  remaining  a 
widow  survived  him  more  than  half  a  century,  liv- 
ing to  become  nearly  ninety-three  years  of  age. 
Their  six  children  all  lived  to  mature  years,  and 
with  one  exception  still  survive.  They  were 
Henry,  Jonathan,  Sarah,  John,  Joseph,  deceased, 
and  Newton. 

Newton  Jones  was  the  youngest  of  his  parents' 
family,  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  re- 
ceived a  fair  education  in  the  pioneer  schools.  In 
1839  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Ann  Brown,  a  native  of  Gloucester  County,  N.  J., 
born  Aug.  1 8, 1 81 7.  They  made  their  home  in  Preble 


i 


896 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


County,  Ohio,  until  1 857,  and  then  removed  to  Hun- 
tington,  Ind.,  where  they  were  residents  until  1869. 
They  then  came  to  Illinois  and  the  father  pur- 
chased land  in  Old  Town  Township,  this  county. 
This  he  sold  in  1873  and  secured  possession  of  his 
present  homestead.  The  latter  comprises  150  acres 
of  good  land,  which  he  has  brought  to  a  fine  state 
of  cultivation  and  supplied  with  handsome  hedges 
and  a  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings.  The  pres- 
ent possessions  of  Mr.  Jones  are  the  result  of  his 
own  industry  and  energy,  as  he  commenced  life  at 
the  foot  of  the  ladder  and  built  up  his  valuable 
homestead  almost  from  the  original  prairie.  He 
possesses  great  force  of  character  and  is  well  in- 
formed upon  all  matters  of  general  interest.  Po- 
litically he  is  a  strong  Republican  and  expresses 
his  opinions  intelligently  and  forcibly  when  occa- 
sion arises.  The  children  of  himself  and  wife  are 
William  C.,  born  Nov.  5, 1844,  and  Lerton  D.,Dec. 
8,  1852. 


PRANCIS  XAVER  WOCHNER,  joint  pro- 
^  prietor  of  the  well-known  Gambrinus  Brew- 
<_>  ery,  is  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Mever 
&  Wochner,  of  Bloomington.  In  the  biography 
here  presented  we  find  that  of  a  gentleman  who 
began  life  without  other  resources  than  his  resolute 
will,  his  natural  industry  and  his  uncommon  good 
sense.  He  entered  upon  the  struggle  with  the 
world  in  accordance  with  his  means  and  position, 
and  adopted  the  surest  method  to  advance.  He 
was  fortunate  in  the  selection  of  his  helpmeet,  wise 
in  the  investment  of  the  funds  which  gradually  ac- 
cumulated, and  now,  surrounded  by  a  blooming 
family  and  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  is  enabled  to 
view  his  career  with  satisfaction,  and  the  result  of 
his  labors  with  pardonable  pride. 

Mr.  Wochner  is  a  native  of  Baden,  Germany, 
and  was  born  on  the  River  Rhine,  Jan.  13,  1832. 
When  eight  years  of  age  he  started  with  his  par- 
ents, Francis  and  Elizabeth  (Maurrer)  Wochner,  to 
America.  They  landed  at  New  Orleans  in  January, 
1840,  whence  they  proceeded  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
from  there  to  Sangamon  County,  this  State,  by , 
wagon.  The  parents  settled  on  a  farm  four  miles 
west  of  Springfield,  where  they  remained  the  bal- 


ance of  their  lives.  The  father  departed  this  life 
on  the  18th  of  May,  1871,  and  the  mother,  July  4, 
1870.  Their  children,  five  in  number,  included  one 
son  and  four  daughters,  two  of  whom  were  born  in 
Germany  and  three  in  this  country.  Three  only 
of  the  family  are  now  living. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm  three  years  after  reaching  his 
majority,  and  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place 
Sept.  30, 1856.  The  maiden  of  his  choice  was  Miss 
Amelia  Phillips,  of  Sangamon  County,  111.,  who  was 
a  native  of  his  own  country,  born  April  1,  1839. 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  W.  were  Joseph  Antone  and 
Rosa  (Stahlen)  Phillips.  The  mother  died  in  Ger- 
many. The  father  emigrated  to  America  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  Chicago,  III.  Mrs.  Wochner 
came  with  her  sister  to  the  United  States,  and 
finally  settled  in  Springfield,  111.,  where  she  met  her 
future  husband,  our  subject,  and  where  they  were 
married. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wochner  lived 
upon  a  farm  about  six  years  and  then,  in  1862,  re- 
moved to  Bloomington.  Mr.  W.,  in  partnership 
with  his  brother-in-law,  Antone  Meyer,  purchased 
a  small  brewery,  which  they  operated  together  un- 
til the  death  of  the  latter,  in  1882,  since  which  time 
Mr.  Wochner  has  had  principal  charge  of  the  busi- 
ness. The  present  building  of  the  firm  was  put  up 
in  1875,  is  built  of  brick,  three  stories  in  height, 
and  covers  an  area  of  80x100  feet.  It  is  equipped 
with  the  latest  improved  machinery,  and  all  other 
modern  appliances  for  the  manufacture  of  beer,  of 
which  they  turn  out  between  8,000  and  9,000  bar- 
rels per  year,  a  first-class  article,  which  is  shipped 
to  different  parts  of  the  State. 

Besides  his  interest  in  the  brewery  Mr.  Wochner 
is  proprietor  of  a  good  farm  of  110  acres  adjacent 
to  the  city  limits,  with  a  two-story  brick  residence, 
a  substantial  barn,  and  other  excellent  improve- 
ments. He  also  has  valuable  city  property  in 
Bloomington,  consisting  principally  of  business 
houses. 

The  family  of  our  subject  and  his  excellent  lady 
includes  nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, namely :  Emma,  Frank  Z.,  Ed.  A.,  Pauline 
It.,  Albert,  Adolph,  Hermann.  Leonard  C.  and  Olga 
F.  Mr.  W.  and  the  various  members  of  his  family 


•q 

I" 


MuLEAN    COUNTS. 


897 


are  connected,  with  St.  Mary's  Catholic  Church. 
He  is  a  gentleman  decided  in  his  opinions,  and 
heartily  endorses  the  principles  of  the  Democratic 
party.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
current  events,  and  nothing  pleases  him  better  than 
to  note  the  educational  and  moral  welfare  of  his 
community.  In  the  various  enterprises  which  have 
been  set  on  foot,  and  having  for  their  object  the 
general  good,  he  has  been  a  ready  and  cheerful 
contributor,  and  has  thus  closely  identified  himself 
with  the  interests  of  the  city  and  its  people. 


R.  JAMES  LOAR,  one  of  the  prominent 
and  popular  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
Bloomington,  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  profession  in  this  vicinity,  and 
enjoys  the  confidence  and  patronage  of  a  large 
proportion  of  the  best  residents  of  the  city  and 
adjacent  country.  The  subject  of  this  biography 
was  born  in  Greene  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  5,  1830,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Hettie  (Stephen)  Loar,  the 
father  of  Maryland  and  the  mother  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

John  Loar  removed  from  his  native  State  to 
Pennsylvania  when  about  thirty  years  of  age  and 
purchased  160  acres  of  land,  which  he  occupied  for 
a  period  of  thirty  years,  and  then  sold  this  and 
purchased  250  acres  in  the  same  county,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  dying  in  1872  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  His  wife,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  survived  her  husband  eight  years 
and  departed  this  life  in  1880,  aged  eighty-five 
years.  They  were  descendants  respectively  of  hon- 
ored German  and  English  ancestry  and  became 
the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  eleven  of  whom 
grew  to  mature  years  and  ten  are  still  living. 

Dr.  Loar  was  the  seventh  child  of  his  parents  and 
spent  his  younger  years  in  a  manner  common  to 
most  farmers'  boys,  attending  school  and  assisting 
in  the  duties  around  the  homestead.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  he  went  to  Westmoreland  County,  Pa., 
and  began  reading  medicine  with  his  brother, 
Dr.  A.  Loar,  with  whom  he  commenced  practice  in 
1851,  continuing  seven  years  thereafter.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  taken  a  course  of  study  in  the 


Physio  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1858  with  honors  and  practiced 
his  profession  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  until  1868.  He 
then  removed  to  Mt.  Vernon,  Ohio,  and  engaged 
in  practice  there  for  the  following  four  years.  In 
November,  1871,  he  came  to  this  county  and  lo- 
cated in  Bloomington,  where  he  has  since  resided 
and  practiced  with  flattering  success. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  James  Loar  and  Miss  Maria 
Stauffer  was  celebrated  near  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  in 
1851.  Mrs.  L.  is  the  daughter  of  Abraham  D.  and 
Mary  (Newcomer)  Stauffer,  both  natives  of  Fayette 
County,  Pa.  They  became  the  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, of  whom  four  are  living:  Abraham  D.  mar- 
ried Miss  Belle  Bonnett  and  is  engaged  as  a  drug- 
gist in  Bloomington;  Hattie,  Mrs.  Bonnett,  lives  in 
Le  Roy,  this  county,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren— James  and  Yauntz ;  Emma  and  Lucy  are  at 
home;  Sadie,  Mrs.  Dr.  Sitherwood,  of  Bloomington, 
became  the  mother  of  three  children,  two  now  liv- 
ing— Grace  and  Boane ;  Mrs.  Sitherwood  died  April 
16,  1885. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  in  which  our  subject  is  an  Elder.  He  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  votes  the  Prohibition  ticket. 

During  the  late  war  Dr.  L.  enlisted  in  the  100- 
days'  service,  July  1,  1863,  in  an  independent 
Pennsylvania  company,  which  received  its  orders 
from  Gov.  Curtin.  Our  subject  received  the  com- 
mission of  First  Lieutenant,  and  in  compan}'  with 
Capt.  W.  D.  Dick  assisted  in  raising  the  number  of 
troops  required  in  that  vicinity.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  located  at  No.  602  East  Front  street,  and 
the  office  of  Dr.  Loar  is  at  No.  118  West  Wash- 
ington street. 


AVID  M.  MATTHEWS,  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial farmers  of  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  born 
in  Morgan  County,  March  9,  1843.  He 
was,  however,  reared  in  Logan  County,  and  there 
received  his  education.  He  is  the  son  of  Israel 
and  Jane  (Caudy)  Matthews,  natives  of  Virginia. 
The  mother  died  when  our  subject  was  a  child 


I 


ild  of  i 

-*4U 


898 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


only  four  years,  and  after  this  sad  event  he  was 
reared  in  the  home  of  his  father.  Both  parents 
united  with  the  Methodist  Church  in  early  life, 
and  were  worthy  and  devoted  members.  The  father 
of  our  subject  is  still  living  in  Logan  County,  and 
pursuing  his  occupation  of  a  farmer.  The  parental 
family  included  three  children :  John  W.,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Eliza  Moore,  lives  in  Logan  County; 
Zachariah  T.,  who  married  Miss  Theobald,  and  our 
subject. 

After  arriving  at  years  of  manhood,  David  Mat- 
thews was  united  in  marriage   with  Miss  Margaret 
Reed,  the  ceremony   taking  place   011  the   4th  of 
November,  1869.     Mrs.  Matthews  was   born  Nov. 
17,  1847,  in  Pike  County,  Ohio,  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  George  AV.  and  Mary  (Nelson)  Reed,  natives 
of  Virginia.     The  father,  who   was   born    Dec.  4, 
1812,    was   a   farmer  by  occupation,  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
departed  this  life  in  Ohio,  on  the  25th  of  February, 
1859.     The  mother  was  born  May  10,  1819,  also 
connected    herself   with   the   Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  died  in  1877.     The  parental  house- 
hold consisted  of  eight  children,  of  whom  only  two 
are  living.     John  C.  died  in  1840;  Sarah  E.  died 
in  1846;  Mary  E.  died  in  1854;  George  E.  died  in 
1856;  Hester  M.  died   in  November  1861;  James 
W.  married  Miss  Lucy  Carr,  and  lives  in  Nebraska. 
The  farm  estate  of  our  subject  consists  of  160 
acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  upon  which,  in  ad- 
dition to  general  farming,  he  is  carrying  on,  success- 
fully, the  breeding  of  fine  stock,  giving  most  of  his 
attention  to  thoroughbred  horses  and  Durham  cattle. 
Of  the  latter  he  has  a  herd  of  thirty  head,  includ- 
ing some  of  the  finest  animals  to  be  found  in  this 
section.     His  horses  are  the  Norman  and  English 
coach,  models  of  beauty  and  symmetry.    Mr.  Mat- 
thews took  possession  of  his  present  homestead   in 
1874,  and  has  secured  for  himself  an  enviable  repu- 
tation as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  has  a  beauti- 
ful homestead,  which  in  all  respects  is  conducted 
with  that  system  and  good  order  which  are  the  true 
secrets  of  success.     Of   the  marriage  of   Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Matthews  there  were  born  four  children,  of 
whom  the  eldest  died  in  infancy;  those   living  are 
Lucia  L.,  Dessie  B.  and  John  W.,  all  at  home  with 
their  parents. 


' 


During  the  progress  of  the  late  war  Mr.  Matthews 
enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  in  Co.  C,  100th 
III.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  three  years,  participating 
with  his  comrades  on  the  march  and  in  the  field, 
and  sharing  uncomplainingly  their  dangers  and 
hardships.  He  was  present  at  the  siege  of  Vieks- 
burg,  the  battle  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and  various 
other  engagements,  and  although  he  often  felt  the 
wind  from  passing  bullets,  he  was  never  wounded 
or  made  a  prisoner.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he 
received  his  honorable  discharge  at  Pine  Bluff, 
Ark.,  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  1865,  and  return- 
ing to  Illinois  resumed  his  former  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  He  is  Democratic  in  politics  but  was  al- 
ways a  strong  Union  man,  as  he  abundantly  proved 
by  his  patriotic  services  as  a  soldier. 


<f/  OHN  A..TAYLOR,  M.  D.,  a  highly  respected 
physician  and  resident  -of  Gridley,  is  the 
son  of  John  W.  and  Abigail  C.  (Sweet) 
Taylor,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and 
the  State  of  New  York.  After  marriage  they  set- 
tled in  Morgan  County,  111.,  whence  they  removed 
in  1849,  to  Woodford  County,  and  in  1851,  to 
Marshall  County,  same  State.  There  the  father 
died  Feb.  19,  1865.  During  the  earlier  years  of 
his  life  he  was  engaged  in  milling  but  later  took 
up  the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  The  mother  still 
survives  and  resides  with  her  children. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  third  of  seven 
children  which  composed  the  household  circle.  He 
was  born  near  Jacksonville,  Morgan  Co.,  111., 
upon  ground  which  is  now  included  in  the  city 
limits,  June  7,  1850.  He  received  careful  home 
training  and  attended  school  until  eighteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  took  a  two  years'  course  of  study 
in  the  High  School  at  Chenoa,  and  after  that  en- 
gaged in  teaching  for  several  terms.  In  the  mean- 
time he  began  the  perusal  of  medical  works  and 
prepared  himself  for  entering  medical  college.  His 
preceptor  was  W.  E.  Banta,  M.  D.,  of  Chenoa, 
now  deceased,  with  whom  he  studied  from  Sept.  1, 
1871,  until  the  fall  of  1873,  and  in  September  of  that 
year,  entered  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College, 
where  he  remained,  and  from  which  he  graduated 

•» 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


899    1 


on  the  1st  of  March,  1875.  Returning  West  with 
his  diploma  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  Gridley,  May  3,  1875,  which  he  has 
since  followed  with  more  than  ordinary  success. 
He  made  the  discovery  of  the  first  cases  of  trichina 
in  Livingston  County.  He  is  a  close  student,  an 
extensive  reader,  and  has  been  very  popular  among 
the  people  of  this  locality.  Through  his  exertion 
the  Gridley  Library  Association  was  established  in 
January.  1886.  It  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition, 
having  for  its  membership  the  most  prominent 
and  enterprising  portion  of  the  citizens  of  Gridley 
and  Gridley  Township.  For  two  years  the  Doctor 
was  its  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Librarian,  and  by 
his  efforts  placed  it  on  a  safe  basis,  as  a  nucleus 
from  which  much  may  be  expected. 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  John  A.  Taylor  and  Miss 
M.  Appa  Dunham  took  place  at  Chenoa,  111.,  Nov. 
2,  1876.  Mrs.  T.  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Margaret  Dunham,  the  former  of  whom  died  at 
Eureka,  111.,  Aug.  22,  1856.  The  mother  died  at 
Chenoa,  Jan.  1,  1875.  The  parental  family  con- 
sisted of  four  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  T.  was  the 
youngest.  She  was  born  in  Eureka,  111.,  Dec.  25, 
1856,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  three  children — Gracie  E.,  J. 
Earl  and  Lola  A.  Dr.  Taylor  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Village  Board  for  five  years,  three  years  of 
the  time  acting  as  Clerk  and  two  as  President,  in 
1884-85.  He  was  instrumental  in  having  the  vil- 
lage well  drained,  there  being  now  over  three 
miles  of  tile  draining,  which  was  laid  through  his 
arguments  and  solicitations.  Politically  he  is  a 
strong  Republican  and  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  T.  is  a  member 
and  regular  attendant  of  the  Christian  Church. 


j^ATHAN  STINE.  The  subject  of  the  follow- 
ing sketch  owns  and  occupies  a  valuable 
farm  on  section  11,  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship, where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  was  born  in  the  wealthy  and 
populous  State  of  Ohio,  in  Carroll  County,  Feb. 
13,  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon  and  Catherine 
(Allbaugh)  Stine,  who  were  natives  respectively  of 
-*• 


Loudoun  County,  Va.,  and  Maryland.  Solomon 
Stine  was  born  on  the  17th  of  July,  1796,  and  de- 
parted this  life  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1861.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  in  which 
he  possessed  more  than  ordinary  skill.  He  was  a  man 
of  much  force  of  character,  greatly  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him,  and  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  old 
Whig  party  until  it  was  abandoned,  when  he  cast 
his  lot  with  the  Republicans.  Religiously  he  be- 
longed to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
died  fully  established  in  the  faith.  The  wife  and 
mother  passed  to  the  better  land  when  our  subject 
was  but  a  lad.  She  also  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and,  like  her  husband, 
was  of  German  ancestry.  The  parental  household 
included  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows :  The  brothers  of  our  subject 
were  John,  Cyrus  and  Samuel;  his  sisters  were  Ma- 
hala  and  Margaret;  the  latter  died  when  seven 
years  of  age.  The  half-brothers  were  David,  Will- 
iam and  Solomon,  and  there  was  a  half-sister,  Mary 
Ann. 

Nathan  Stine  remained  an  inmate  of  his  father's 
house  until  he  reached  his  majority,  and  was  soon 
afterward  united  in  marriage,  Jan.  4,  1848,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Shannon.  She  was  born  in 'Annapolis,  Jeffer- 
son Co.,  Ohio,  in  about  1826,  and  was  left  an  or- 
phan at  an  early  age.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  took  place  in  West  Virginia,  where  they  locat- 
ed, and  lived  for  a  period  of  over  seventeen  years. 
They  removed  from  there  in  October,  1865.  Elder 
Alexander  Campbell  officiated  at  their  wedding, 
and  our  subject  was  employed '  by  him  for  about 
three  years  at  farming.  He  then  removed  to  Illi- 
nois and  this  county,  where  he  purchased  120  acres 
of  land,  which  comprises  his  present  homestead. 

Of  the  union  of  our  subject  and  wife  have  been 
born  five  children:  Lewis  H.,  born  Sept.  29,  1849, 
married  Miss  Cora  Gish,  of  Hopkinsville,  Ky. ; 
Melvin  was  born  Sept.  29,  1851,  married  Miss  Alice 
Stewart,  of  Normal,  111.,  and  lives  in  this  township ; 
William  A.,  born  Oct.  2,  1855,  died  Oct.  24,  1859; 
Albert,  born  Aug.  30,  1860;  Joseph,  May  31, 1863. 
Mrs.  Stine  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  for  over  forty  years,  and  Mr.  S.  for  eleven 
years;  he  is  an  acting  Elder.  He  is  Republican  in 
politics,  a  good  business  man  and  citizen,  and  en- 


t 


I 


900 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 

I 


joys  the  confidence  of  his  neighbors  and  acquaint- 


ances. 


Mr.  Stine  and  his  family  occupy  a  fine  farm  resi- 
dence. He  has  a  good  barn  and  outhouses,  costly 
aud  convenient  machinery  and  implements,  and  all 
the  accessories  of  the  progressive  farmer.  Their 
children  possess  more  than  ordinary  talents  and  na- 
tive intelligence,  and  altogether  form  a  most  inter- 
esting family.  The  eldest  son,  Lewis  H.,  graduated 
in  1873,  at  Bethany  College,  Va.,  and  is  now  occu- 
pying the  pulpit  of  Central  Church,  in  New  Al- 
bany, Ind. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Stine  had  a  family  of  eight 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living;  Mrs.  Stine  and 
her  widowed  sister,  Mrs.  Mariah  Gibson;  Mrs.  G. 
makes  her  home  with  Mrs.  Stine. 


AVID  COX.  The  subject  of  the  follow- 
ing history  owns  and  occupies  one  of  the 
finest  homesteads  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, and  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since '1826.  The  changes  which  he  has  wit- 
nessed since  a  few  years  from  the  time  when  Illi- 
nois was  a  Territory  would  form  an  interesting  vol- 
ume. The  first  settler  on  the  place  which  Mr.  Cox 
now  owns  was  a  Mr.  Dawson,  who  had  emigrated 
from  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  and  located  herein 
1 822.  There  were  then  no  white  people  within  forty 
miles,  and  the  wild,  uncultivated  land,  although 
covered  with  waving  grass  and  flowers  during  the 
summer  season,  in  the  winter  presented  a  wild  and 
desolate  spectacle,  sufficient  to  bring  dismay  into 
the  heart  of  even  the  sturdy  pioneer  of  fifty  years 
ago.  This  condition,  however,  in  due  time  gave  way 
to  the  advance  of  civilization,  and  the  people  of  to- 
day scarcely  realize  what  they  owe  to  the  brave 
spirits  who  first  tilled  the  soil  and  marked  out  a 
track  for  the  advance  of  a  later  civilization. 

Mr.  Cox  is  now  the  owner  of  128  acres  of  land 
which  he  laboriously  brought  from  its  original  con- 
dition to  its  present  fine  state  of  cultivation.  This, 
however,  was  accomplished  partially  by  the  aid  of 
his  father,  who  really  was  the  first  owner,  our  sub- 
ject being  then  a  young  man  residing  under  the  pa- 
rental roof.  The  former,  Benjamin  Cox  by  name, 
wjis  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  subse- 


quently  removed  to  Virginia  and  was  there  married 
to  Miss  Philena  Dye.  They  removed  to  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio,  soon  after  their  marriage,  where  the 
elder  Cox  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  From  there 
he  came  to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  after  selecting 
his  location,  returned  to  Ohio,  and  while  preparing 
for  his  final  journey  to  the  West,  where  he  expected 
to  establish  a  permanent  home,  he  was  taken  ill  and 
died.  The  mother,  however,  subsequently  carried 
out  the  plans  of  her  husband,  and  in  1826  came  to 
Illinois  with  her  eight  children  and  settled  upon 
the  land  which  the  father  had  purchased.  Mrs. 
Philena  Cox  remained  with  her  children  only  until 
the  following  year,  when  she  was  called  to  join  her 
husband  in  the  other  world.  After  the  mother's 
death,  the  children  being  yet  quite  young,  were  left 
principally  under  the  care  of  our  subject,  who  sub- 
sequently purchased  their  interest  in  the  homestead, 
of  which  he  has  been  the  owner  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married  to  Miss  Sophronia  Walker, 
in"  Bloomington  Township,  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents,  May  29,  1833.  Mrs.  Cox  was  the 
daughter  of  William  Walker,  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  this  county.  He  had  emigrated  from  North 
Carolina  to  Tennessee,  thence  north  to  Kentucky, 
and  later  to  Illinois,  becoming  a  settler  of  the 
Prairie  State  in  1823.  His  neighbors  then  were 
Indians,  there  being  no  settlers  for  miles  around. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  C.,  before  her  marriage,  was 
Miss  Nancy  Driscoll,  who  like  her  husband  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina.  William  Walker  was  a 
soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  He  participated 
with  his  regiment  in  all  its  engagements  and  skir- 
mishes, among  which  was  the  battle  of  New  Orleans, 
serving  bravely  and  faithfully  until  the  close  of 
that  struggle.  He  was  a  gentleman  highly  esteemed 
by  his  friends  and  associates  and  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  in  the  affairs  of  his  community.  He 
engaged  in  farming  operations  at  the  termination 
of  his  military  services,  and  departed  this  life  in  Mc- 
Lean County  in  1861.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker 
were  devoted  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  mother  passed  away  previous 
to  the  death  of  her  husband, 

Mrs.  Cox  was  the  youngest  of  five  children, 
four  daughters  aud  one  sou.  She  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee Oct.  7,  1813,  and  died  at  her  home  in  ' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


903 


Bloomington  Township,  April  13,  1884.  Of  her 
union  with  our  subject  there  were  born  five  chil- 
dren: William  M.  married  Miss  Jennie  Orendorff, 
and  is  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  in  Bloomingtou 
Township;  Alary  E.  became  the  wife  of  Dennis 
Sweney,  of  Bloomington;  Leander  married  Miss 
Anna  Holcomb,  and  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate 
business  in  Courtland,  Ore.;  Ulda  M.  is  the  wife 
of  George  Deems,  and  they  are  carrying  on  agri- 
culture on  the  old  homestead;  Martha,  who  is  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Aaron  Rhodes;  Alice  died 
in  infancy. 

The  Cox  family  are  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  this  section  of  the  State  as  pioneer  set- 
tlers. The  members  have  a  reputation  for  being 
industrious  and  enterprising,  honorable  and  upright 
in  their  transactions,  and  rank  among  the  most 
highly  respected  citizens  of  McLean  County.  They 
have  been  remarkably  successful  in  their  agricult- 
ural and  business  pursuits  and  have  materially  as- 
sisted in  the  development  of  the  resources  of  the 
Prairie  State.  They  have  been  the  encouragers 
and  supporters  of  education,  temperance  and  mor- 
ality, and  have  contributed  their  full  quota  in  pro- 
moting the  interest  and  welfare  of  the  localities 
wherever  they  have  made  their  home. 

For  over  sixty  years  Mr.  Cox  has  lived  in  this 
community,  indeed  the  community  has  grown  up 
around  him.  As  a  venerable  patriarch,  and  one 
who  has  done  much  hard  work  and  given  much 
valuable  aid  to  the  county  and  the  molding  of  the 
character  of  the  people,  his  memory  should  be 
cherished  and  preserved.  It  will  live  in  the  minds 
of  those  who  know  him  personally  as  long  as  they 
live,  but  the  generations  to  come  will  know  nothing 
of  his  labors,  his  trials  and  good  works,  unless  some 
means  are  taken  to  hand  down  to  them  a  record  of 
his  life.  This  brief  sketch  and  the  accompanying 
portrait  will  therefore  serve  as  a  means  to  perpet- 
uate his  memory. 


eAPT.  ALFRED   M.  STRINGFIELD.     No 
man  in  McLean  County  to-day  is  so  notably 
a  man  of  "  first  things  "  as  Capt.  Stringfield. 
He  is  now  spending  the  sunset  of  life  in  quiet  and 
retirement  at  his  home,  which  is  pleasantly  located 


on  section  14  of  Randolph  Township.  This  place 
comprises  160  acres  of  valuable  land,  with  a  com- 
fortable farm  residence,  a  good  barn,  and  all  nec- 
essary out-buildings.  Capt.  Stringfield  has  been 
one  of  the  most  worthy  citizens  of  this  locality, 
and  in  his  declining  years  enjoys  the  full  confidence 
and  respect  of  hosts  of  friends. 

Capt.  Stringfield  became  a  resident  of  Randolph 
Township,  in  May,  1823,  only  five  years  after  Illi- 
nois was  admitted  into  the  Union  »s  a  State.  The 
broad  and  fertile  prairie  had  never  been  turned  by 
the  plow  save  around  some  little  cabin.  Capt. 
Stringfield  was  a  member  of  the  three  first  families 
who  settled  here  at  that  time.  The  place  took  the 
name  of  his  brother-in-law,  Gardner  Randolph, 
who  came  at  the  same  time,  and  since  that  time  the 
grove  there  has  been  known  as  Randolph  Grove. 
Later,  after  the  organization  of  the  township,  and 
after  the  railroad  was  built,  the  station  was  named 
in  his  honor.  Mr.  Randolph,  however,  subse- 
quently went  to  California,  and  died  there  some 
years  ago. 

Capt.  Stringfield  is  the  oldest  actual  settler  of 
McLean  County  now  livfng.  He  was  born  near 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  Oct.  14,  1809.  His  parents, 
John  and  Sarah  (Boydston)  Stringfield,  were  na- 
tives respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Maryland, 
and  were  married  in  Buncombe  Count}-,  the  former 
State.  Later  the  family  removed  to  Kentucky, 
from  there  to  Tennessee,  thence  to  Alabama,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1819,  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
Sangamon  County.  The  father  lived  only  nine 
days  afterward,  his  death  occurring  on  the  1st  of 
January,  1820.  Capt.  Stringfield  has  the  manu- 
script books  left  by  his  father,  who  was  a  surveyor ; 
these  are  more  than  100  years  old.  Three  years 
later  the  mother  and  her  family  came  to  McLean 
County  and  pre-empted  a  farm  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship. In  less  than  a  year  before  the  land  had  come 
into  market,  they  removed  to  Galena,  111.,  where 
the  mother  died  in  September,  1829. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  James  String- 
field,  was  born  in  Virginia,  lived  several  years  in 
North  Carolina,  and  died  in  Kentucky.  He  mar- 
ried a  widow  lady,  Mrs.  Mary  Ray,  who  died  at 
the  home  of  her  husband  in  Kentucky.  The  great- 
grandfather, Richard  Stringfield,  was  of  English  i 


t 


f 


i   904 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


birth  and  parentage,  and  emigrated  from  his  na- 
tive country  at  an  early  day,  settling  upon  a  farm 
in  Virginia,  and  rearing  a  family,  and  it  is  sup- 
posed his  death  also  took  place  there. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier  iii  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and  participated  in  the  battles 
of  King's  Mountain,  and  at  various  other  places, 
serving  until  the  close  of  that  eventful  struggle. 
Again,  when  his  country  was  in  danger  from  the 
same  enemy,  he  enlisted  in  her  defense.  In  the 
War  of  1812  he  was  under  command  of  Gen.  Jack- 
son and  fought  in  some  of  the  most  hotly  contested 
battles  of  that  conflict.  Two  brothers  besides  him- 
self, James  and  William,  were  also  engaged  in  the 
same  struggle.  A  brother  of  our  subject,  Thomas 
Stringfield,  was  a  soldier  in  this  war,  and  was 
wounded  in  the  forehead  by  an  Indian.  He  was 
for  many  years  afterward  a  minister  in  Tennessee, 
and  later  became  editor  of  the  Southwestern  Chris- 
tian Advocate,  his  work  being  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

After  the  family,  of  which  our  subject  was  the 
youngest  child,  came  to  Illinois,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  father,  he  remained  with  his  widowed  mother 
until  her  death.  He  was  then  compelled  to  look 
out  for  himself,  and  employed  his  hands  at  what- 
ever he  could  find  to  do.  He  was  intensely  anx- 
ious for  an  education,  and  after  the  labors  of  the 
day,  would  apply  himself,  by  the  light  of  burning 
wood  and  candles,  to  the  few  books  he  was  enabled 
to  procure.  This  experience,  in  which  he  was 
forced  to  rely  upon  himself,  became  of  good  serv- 
ice to  him  in  after  life,  and  bred  within  him  a 
strong  and  independent  spirit,  with  a  courage  to 
meet  and  overcome  the  difficulties  which  might  be- 
set him.  He  obtained  a  valuable  fund  of  general 
information,  and  kept  himself  well  posted  upon  the 
current  events  of  the  day.  He  relied  solely  upon 
his  own  efforts  and  his  own  conduct  to  win  for  him 
success.  Nor  has  his  been  a  success  solely  in  the 
accumulation  of  wealth,  but  in  doing  good  to 
others,  in  serving  others  well,  and  in  winning  their 
respect  and  esteem. 

As  soon  as  able  our  subject  entered  eighty  acres 
of  land,  and  on  the  25th  of  March,  1 832,  secured 
to  himself  a  partner  and  helpmeet  in  the  person  of 
Miss  Amelia  T.  Hand,  to  whom  he  was  married  in 


Randolph  Township.  Mrs.  Springfield  was  born 
in  Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1814,  and  when  a  child  came  with 
her  parents  to  Hamilton  County,  111.,  where  they 
resided  for  several  j'ears.  They  settled  upon  the 
farm  of  our  subject,  and  she  remained  his  faithful 
and  affectionate  companion  for  a  period  of  fifty- 
three  years,  departing  this  life  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship on  the  7th  of  September,  1885.  Of  their 
union  there  were  born  eight  children,  all  of  whom 
grew  to  mature  years:  Rev.  Thomas  C.,  deceased 
Dec.  22,  1886,  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  E.  Hirons, 
who  died,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married  Miss 
Martha  E.  Pendley,  who  survives;  he  officiated  as  a 
local  minister  soon  after  becoming  of  age.  Jesse 
married  Miss  Mary  F.  Land,  who  died  after  the 
birth  of  one  child,  a  son,  George,  who  is  now  a 
young  man  and  lives  with  his  grandfather  and  fa- 
ther on  the  old  homestead ;  Sadie  L..  deceased,  was 
the  wife  of  A.  F.  Grose,  who  lives  in  Carroll 
County,  Mo.;  George  H.,  a  grocer  of  Hey  worth, 
married  Miss  Ziporah  Wright;  John  H.  lives  on  a 
part  of  the  old  homestead  in  Randolph  Township; 
he  married  Miss  Amanda  C.  Rust.  Barbara  E.  is 
unmarried  and  resides  at  home;  Elizabeth  V.  be- 
came the  wife  of  Albert  L.  Crews  and  lives  on  a 
farm 'in  Missouri;  Mary  E.  married  Franklin  P. 
Bust  and  resides  with  her  husband  on  a  'farm  in 
Jackson  County,  Mo. 

Our  subject  was  made  a  Captain  of  militia  in 
February,  1832,  and  held  the  rank  until  the  repeal 
of  the  muster  law.  He  was  an  able  and  efficient 
officer,  and  a  great  favorite  with  his  fellow  soldiers 
and  associates.  He  was  the  first  Justice  of  the 
Peace  before  the  organization  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship, and  held  the  office  eight  years.  He  was  also 
Township  Supervisor,  and  held  other  local  offices 
within  the  gift  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  was  the 
first  white  man  who  ever  went  from  McLean 
Count}'  to  Chicago,  and  drove  the  hogs  from  this 
county  to  that  place.  He  attended  the  first  Sun- 
day-school ever  held  in  McLean  County.  This 
school  was  held  as  early  as  1825  at  the  residence  of 
William  Walker,  who  lived  at  Blooming  Grove. 
James  Latte  was  Superintendent.  The  Captain  was 
also  a  member  of  the  first  temperance  organization 
in  McLean  County. 

Capt.  Stringfield  has  voted  for  all  the  Democratic 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


905 


candidates  for  President  since  the  time  of  Gen. 
.Jackson.  He  lias  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
success  of  every  movement  for  the  advancement 
of  education  and  morality,  and  has  Ijeen  a  consist- 
ent member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
since  a  youth  of  seventeen  years.  The  good  rec- 
ord which  he  has  built  up  for  himself  will  be  more 
enduring  than  a  marble.  monument,  and  he  will  be 
held  in  kindly  remembrance  by  hosts  of  friends 
long  after  he  shall  have  been  gathered  to  his  fa- 
thers. One  of  his  neighbors  speaks  thus  of  Capt. 
Stringfleld  :  "  His  latch  string  has  always  been  out, 
and  his  purse  and  heart  ha/ve  always  been  open  to 
the  wants  of  the  destitute,  the  unfortunate  and  the 
friendless."  No  higher  eulogy  could  be  passed  on 
any  one,  when  coupled  with  his  religious  convic- 
tions. His  portrait,  which  we  give,  will  be  grate- 
fully received  by  the  patrons  of  this  work. 


MARSH.  The  subject  of  this  history 
came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1852,  and  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  this 
section  as  one  of  the  most  enterprising  citi- 
zens of  the  county.  His  homestead  is  on  section 
17,  of  Arrowsmith  Township,  and  he  owns  700  acres 
of  land  besides  twenty  acres  of  valuable  timber  in 
this  county,  and  960  acres  in  Sumner  County,  Kan. 
He  is  one  of  the  few  men  in  this  section  who  have 
undertaken  sheep-growing,  and  of  this  he  has  made 
a  splendid  success.  He  deals  principally  in  Ameri- 
can Merinos,  of  which  he  has  a  large  flock,  and  from 
his  wool  growing  realizes  each  year  a  handsome 
sum.  He  is  also  breeding  fine  horses,  cattle  and 
hogs,  and  will  have  no  animals  about  him  but  those 
of  the  very  best  grades.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
say  that  he  is  a  wide-awake  and  thorough  business 
man,  and  in  whatever  he  undertakes  he  is  bound  to 
succeed.  His  agricultural  and  stock-growing  opera- 
tions have  added  much  to  the  progress  and  de- 
velopment of  this  county,  which  proudly  claims  him 
as  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens. 

Mr.  Marsh  was  born  March  14,  1828,  in  the  town 
of  Romulus,  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  is  the  son  of 
Darius  and  Mary  A.  (Brown)  Marsh,  natives  re- 
spectively of  New  Jersey  and  New  York.  Darius 


Marsh  was  born  Aug.  2,  1800,  and  died  in  Madison, 
Lake  Co.,  Ohio,  April  10,  1887,  after  having  ar- 
rived at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty -seven  years. 
He  followed  farming  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  was 
a  man  greatly  respected  for  his  honesty  and  up- 
rightness, and  after  the  organization  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  supported  its  principles  and  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  with  it.  His  wife,  Mary  A.,  was  born 
in  1804,  and  passed  to  the  better  land  two  years  be- 
fore her  husband,  in  1885.  Of  their  nine  children 
seven  are  now  living:  Jane  married  Ira  Hodges; 
John  of  our  sketch  was  the  second  child ;  Margaret 
married  Mr.  Neff;  Anson  married  Miss  Sarah  YVam- 
pler;  William  married  Miss  Mary  Parsons;  George 
was  the  next  in  order  of  birth ;  Susan,  who  became 
the  wife  of  William  Parsons,  died  in  Missouri  about 
twenty  years  ago;  Louisa  died  when  twent3'-two 
years  old;  Samuel  was  the  youngest. 

John  Marsh  remained  an  inmate  of  his  father's 
house  until  he  reached  manhood,  and  was  then  uni- 
ted in  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  Hobart,  March  4, 
1852.  Mrs.  Marsh  was  born  in  Perry,  Ohio,  May 
19,  1830,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  and 
Cynthia  (Page)  Hobart,  natives  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. The  mother  died  nearly  fifty  years  ago,  when 
her  daughter,  Eliza,  was  a  young  girl.  Nathan 
Hobart  died  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1883.  Their 
five  children  were — George,  Eliza,  Franklin,  Jack- 
son and  Harvey. 

Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marsh  there 
have  been  born  eight  children :  John  F.  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Amanda  J.  Wampler;  Rena  B. ;  George; 
Mary  A.,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Builta; 
Cynthia  E.,  Mrs.  William  Rttter;  Harvey  H.,  Ruth, 
and  Fiunice  who  died  when  fourteen  years  old.  The 
home  residence  is  a  handsome  and  substantial  struc- 
ture, and  the  farm  is  supplied  with  good  barns  and 
all  other  necessary  buildings  for  the  carrying  on  of 
stock-breeding  in  a  first-class  manner.  The  estate 
forms  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  the  land- 
scape of  this  county,  and  there  is  apparent  ou  all 
sides  the  intelligence  and  industry  of  its  proprietor. 
Mr.  Marsh  has  been  prominent  in  county  affairs 
since  coming  here,  holding  the  various  local  offices. 
He  was  Commissioner  of  Highways  for  eighteen 
years,  has  been  Township  and  School  Trustee,  and 
is  a  man  whose  opinion  is  invariably  consulted 


r 


i 


I 


90C 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


T 


upon  matters  of  interest  connected  with  the  wel- 
fare and  progress  of  this  section.  He  is  a  straight 
Republican  in  politics,  and  in  1875  was  elected 
County  Supervisor,  but  declined  to  serve. 


5ILLIAM  C.  MOOBERRY.  The  subject  of 
the  following  sketch,  who  is  a  prosperous 
farmer  of  Cropsey  Township,  occupies  a 
fine  homestead  on  section  33,  where  he  has  been 
engaged  in  general  fanning  since  1882.  He  is  a 
native  of  the  Prairie  State,  born  in  Tazewell  Coun- 
ty, July  19,  1850.  His  parents,  William  and  Ma- 
tilda (Marion)  Moobeny,  were  natives  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio.  The  father  was  born  May  20,  1826,  and 
removed  with  his  parents  when  six  years  of  age  to 
this  State.  They  located  in  Groveland  Township, 
Tazewell  County,  where  William  grew  to  manhood 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Marion.  The 
latter  was  born  in  1830,  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  Illinois  when  a  child  of  five  years  of  age.  They 
also  located  in  Tazewell  County. 

William  Mooberry,  Sr.,  was  the  son  of  David 
Mooberry  who,  besides  agricultural  pursuits  in  Taze- 
well County,  also  operated  a  sawmill^  in  which  he 
was  assisted  by  his  son  William.  After  the  mar- 
riage of  the  latter  he  settled  with  his  young  wife 
upon  a  farm  in  Fond  du  Lac  Township,  Tazewell 
CO.,  111.,  where  he  still  lives  aud  is  the  owner  of 
370  acres  of  valuable  land.  The  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  is  one  of  the  most  energetic  busi- 
ness men  and  agriculturists  of  Fond  du  Lac  Town- 
ship, always  read}'  and  willing  to  assist  in  any  en- 
terprise which  will  further  the  interests  of  his  coun- 
ty. During  the  late  war,  as  business  matters  pro- 
vented  his  enlistment  in  active  service,  he  gave 
$1,000  for  a  volunteer  who  should  take  his  place  in 
what  he  considered  to  be  the  ranks  of  duty.  This 
was  before  a  draft  had  been  ordered.  The  parental 
family  included  five  children,  one  now  deceased. 

William  C.  of  our  sketch,  the  eldest  son  of  his 
parents,  received  a  good  education  in  the  common 
schools,  which  was  completed  in  the  Illinois  State 
University,  after  an  attendance  there  of  nearly  two 
years.  He  then  engaged  in  teaching,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  fifteen  years,  alternated  with  farming,  in 


Tazewell  and  McLean  Counties.  On  the  30th  of 
April,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  J.  aud  Susan  Mar- 
tin. M:s.  M.  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  Oct.  1, 
1852.  After  their  marriage  our  subject  and  his 
wife  located  on  a  farm  in  Tazewell  County,  111., 
where  they  lived  until  1882,  then  removed  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  located  upon  the  homestead 
which  they  now  occupy  and  which  his  father  had 
previously  purchased.  Our  subject  now  owns  1GO 
acres  which  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and 
supplied  with  shapely  and  substantial  farm  build- 
ings. His  stock,  is  well  cared  for,  the  machinery 
and  other  farm  implements  kept  in  good  repair,  and 
everything  about  the  premises  indicates  the  in- 
dustry and  intelligence  of  its  proprietor. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  are  the  parents  of  five  children'  — 
Frances  M.,  Charles,  William  Chester,  Bertha  A. 
and  Maggie  E.  Our  subject  is  Republican  in  poli- 
ties and  is  at  present  Road  Commissioner  of  his 
township.  Religiously  he  is  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  socially  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  at 
Colfax. 


'ERSEY  H.  FELL,  a  resident  of  Normal, 
was  born  May  1,  1815,  on  a  farm  in  Chester 
County,  Pa.  His  ancestors  were  of  En- 
^Iglish-Quaker  stock,  aud  all  the  Fells  in  the 
United  States  are  descended  from  Judge  Fell,  who 
came  to  this  country  from  England  in  1705.  About 
the  year  1835,  the  Society  of  Friends  was  divided 
into  two  sects  on  account  of  the  slavery  question. 
A  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Elias  Hicks,  a  Unita- 
rian-Quaker preacher,  agitated  the  abolition  of 
slavery  and  favored  all  legal  and  moral  means  to 
accomplish  that  end.  Those  who  believed  in  this 
doctrine  formed  themselves  into  a  separate  organi- 
zation, and  were  called  "  Hickites,"  and  to  this 
branch  of  the  Quaker  society  the  Fell  family  he- 
longed.  The  other  division,  called  "  Orthodox 
Friends,"  also  believed  in  the  abolition  of  slavery 
but  did  not  think  it  right  to  interfere  in  the  mat- 
ter. They  believed  that  the  Lord  would  in  his 
own  time  free  every  slave,  but  they  did  not  wish 
by  their  own  act  to  hasten  the  decrees  of  Provi-  1  > 


7 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


907 


dence.  Although  slavery  is  forever  dead  in  this 
country  still  the  division  among  the  Friends  exists. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  known  as  honest 
Jesse  Fell,  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Rebecca  Roman,  was  looked  upon  as  a  ministering 
angel,  not  only  among  those  of  her  own  faith,  but 
in  all  circles  in  which  she  moved. 

There  were  seven  sons  and  two  daughters  born 
to  the  parents  of  our  subject,  and  all  were  obliged 
to  labor  for  the  maintenance  of  the  family.  Our 
subject  attended  the  common  schools  for  two 
months  during  each  year  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  of  age,  when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  dislo- 
cate his  shoulder,  which  unfitted  him  for  farm  labor, 
and  he  determined  to  attain  an  education.  Jona- 
than Gause,  a  noble-hearted  Friend,  kept  the  West 
Bradford  Board  ing-School  in  Pennsylvania,  and  to 
him  our  subject  made  application  for  admission. 
He  was  poor  and  could  not  pay  his  tuition,  but  the 
kind-hearted  Mr.  Gause  took  him  as  a  student  and 
gave  him  the  privileges  of  the  school  for  six  months 
without  pay.  Mr.  Fell,  however,  promised  to  pay 
at  some  future  time,  and  Mr.  Gause  answered,  "  I 
will  trust  thee."  Our  subject  afterward  taught 
school  and  earned  sufficient  to  pay  for  his  tuition 
and  also  enough  with  which  to  come  West. 

In  the  spring  of  1836,  about  six  months  prior 
to  the  settlement  of  Judge  David  Davis  in  Bloom- 
ington,  111.,  our  subject  arrived  there  and  located. 
It  was  his  purpose  to  visit  his  brothers,  Jesse  and 
Thomas,  who  had  arrived  some  time  previous  and 
then  go  to  a  manual  labor  college,  near  Hannibal, 
Mo.  This  institution  was  started  by  Dr.  Stiles 
Ely,  a  Presbyterian  minister  and  a  great  theorist, 
and  his  pamphlet,  which  he  freely  distributed, 
created  a  great  sensation.  But  his  theory  was  bet- 
ter than  his  practice.  He  selected  the  location  for 
his  college  during  the  dry  season  and  without  re- 
gard to  the  chances  of  overflow  from  the  river. 
During  the  following  season  "  the  rains  descended 
and  the  floods  came  "  and  washed  his  college  away, 
and  those  who  had  gathered  there  were  obliged  to 
rtee  to  save  themselves  from  a  watery  grave.  Mr. 
Fell  learned,  while  yet  in  Bloomington,  of  the  dis- 
aster which  had  overtaken  Dr.  Ely  and  his  friends, 
and  his  plans  thereby  being  broken  he  accepted  a 
clerkship  with  Covel  <fe  Gridley,  merchants. 


But  it  was  our  subject's  intention  to .  study  law 
and  he  had  by  no  means  given  up  this  idea.  He 
had  occasion  to  go  to  Springfield  in  the  interest  of 
his  employers,  and  while  there  called  at.  the  office 
of  Hon.  J.  T.  Stewart,  a  practicing  attorney,  and 
there  met  Abraham  Lincoln,  at  that  time  a  young 
law  student.  After  some  conversation  with  young 
Abraham,  Mr.  Fell  came  to  the  conclusion  that  if 
Mr.  Lincoln  could  study  law  with  the  little  educa- 
tion he  possessed,  he  could  also  do  the  same,  and 
he  hesitated  no  longer.  He  read  law  during  his 
leisure  hours  and  the  following  year  was  appointed 
Clerk  with  power  to  organize  DeWitt  County.  The 
county  was  formed  from  parts  of  Macon  and  Mc- 
Lean, and  Mr.  Fell  continued  to  hold  the  position 
of  Clerk  from  1838  to  1840.  The  Democratic 
party  was  then  in  power,  and  Mr.  Fell  being  a  Whig, 
lost  his  position  by  an  enactment  of  Legislature. 
Going  to  Bloomington,  he  became  Deputy  Clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court,  and  while  in  this  position  con- 
tinued his  law  study.  During  the  winter  of  1840- 
41  he  passed  his  examination  before  the  nine 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  Previous  to  being  admitted  to  the  prac- 
tice he  had  formed  a  partnership  with  Albert  Dodd, 
a  promising  young  lawyer  from  Connecticut,  which 
relationship  continued  until  1844.  During  that 
year  Mr.  Dodd  was  drowned  in  Mackinaw  River 
while  returning  from  the  convention  which  nomi- 
nated John  Wentworth  (Long  John)  for  Congress 
for  the  first  time.  While  Mr.  Dodd  was  absent  he 
was  nominated  for  the  Legislature.  Our  subject 
was  at  this  time  attending  court  at  Springfield  and, 
detained  by  the  floods,  did  not  learn  of  his  part- 
ner's death  until  ten  days  after  its  occurrence.  The 
floods  during  that  year  were  fearful,  and  the  Mis- 
sissippi River  rose  to  such  a  height  that  a  great 
portion  of  Cairo  was  swept  away. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Dodd  our  subject  con- 
tinued in  practice  alone  until  1856,  when  he  gave 
up  the  profession  and  made  room  for  the  genera- 
tion of  young  lawyers  then  located  in  his  city. 
He  was  successful  as  an  attorney  and  always  tried 
to  settle  a  case  before  taking  it  into  court.  '  In  the 
fall  of  1 844  our  subject  took  the  papers,  books  and 
correspondence  of  his  deceased  partner,  Mr.  Dodd, 
to  his  father  in  Connecticut,  and  on  his  arrival  at 


'  .    908 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


Hartford  he  found  the  people  greatly  excited  over 
the  prophecy  of  Miller,  that  the  end  of  the  world 
was  close  at  hand.  Many  of  his  followers  had 
given  away  all  of  their  property,  firmly  believing 
they  would  need  it  no  longer,  and  were  standing 
around  the  streets,  expecting  the  call  which  would 
translate  them  to  the  other  world.  At  a  late  hour 
that  evening  Mr.  Fell,  not  having  heard  the  call, 
and  the  angel  not  having  put  in  his  appearance,  re- 
tired to  sleep.  The  next  morning  he  was  awakened 
by  a  most  fearful  sound.  He  sprang  up,  thinking 
indeed  that  the  millennium  had  come,  but  on 
further  examination  discovered  that  the  noise  pro- 
ceeded from  an  hotel  gong,  he  never  having  heard 
one  before. 

From  Hartford,  our  subject  went  to  New  York, 
where  the  Whig  convention  which  nominated  Henry 
Clay  for  President  was  in  session.  At  this  conven- 
tion were  some  of  the  great  lights  of  the  Whig 
partj'.  That  evening  a  large  meeting  was  held,  and 
after  many  had  spoken  Horace  Greeley  was  called 
out.  His  speech  was  short  but  to  the  point,  and 
went  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  From  New  York 
Mr.  Fell  went  to  Philadelphia,  thence  to  Chester 
County,  where  he  found  the  lady  who  was  to  be- 
come his  wife,  and  they  were  married  at  Philadel- 
phia on  the  1st  of  January,  1845.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Jane  Price,  and  of  their  union  eight 
children  have  been  born,  five  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  came  West,  bringing 
all  their  children  in  1837.  The  mother  died  in 
October,  1846,  and  the  father,  who  became  totally 
blind  during  the  last  seven  years  of  his  life,  died 
in  the  fall  of  1854.  All  the  children  took  pride 
in  making  the  last  years  of  the  old  gentleman's  life 
pleasant,  and  did  all  in  their  power  to  recompense 
him  for  the  loss  of  that  greatest  of  all  the  senses. 
Mr.  Fell  has  never  been  a  candidate  for  any  public 
office  but  was  a  member  of  the  School  Board  for 
twelve  years  without  pay.  He  has,  however,  held 
some  offices  which  involved  much  work  and  no  pay. 
In  1856,  at  the  State  Convention  at  Bloomington, 
Mr.  Fell  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln  as  a  delegate  to 
the  National  Convention  at  Philadelphia.  Lincoln 
arose  and  declined  the  nomination  on  account  of 
poverty,  and  our  subject  promised  that  his  ex- 


penses should  be  paid.  It  was  subsequently  ar- 
ranged in  case  Mr.  Lincoln  could  not  go,  Mr.  Fell 
should  go  in  his  place.  About  two  hours  before 
the  time  for  starting,  Mr.  Fell  received  word  from 
Lincoln  that  he  could  not  go,  and  went  himself. 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  nominated  for  Vice  President  at 
the  convention,  and  on  the  first  ballot  received  115 
votes,  but  on  the  second  ballot  his  name  was  with- 
drawn by  the  Illinois  delegation  with  the  intention 
of  putting  him  forward  at  some  future  day  for 
President. 

Kersey  H.  Fell  was  probably  the  first  man  who 
thought  of  nominating  Abraham  Lincoln  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  He  mentioned  the  mat- 
ter to  his  brother,  Jesse  Fell,  and  also  Judge  David 
Davis,  and  both  of  them  at  first  did.  not  think  Lin- 
coln could  be  nominated.  Subsequently  and  very 
soon  after  a  consultation  with  his  brother,  Jesse 
Fell  favored  the  movement  strongly,  and  farther 
on  in  the  canvass  David  Davis  took  hold  also.  Our 
subject  also  mentioned  the  matter  to  Judge  Joseph 
J.  Lewis,  of  Westchester,  Pa.,  and  the  latter  wrote 
a  biography  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  which  was  widely  cir- 
culated, the  facts  embraced  therein  being  received 
from  Jesse  W.  Fell.  Our  subject  did  everything 
in  his  power  to  forward  Lincoln's  chances,  and  called 
out  his  name  as  a  candidate  for  President  at  West- 
Chester,  Pa.,  at  a  public  political  meeting  where  they 
were  considering  the  most  available  man.  In  1860 
our  subject's  hopes  were  realized,  for  Mr.  Lincoln 
was  nominated  and  triumphantly  elected.  Kersey 
Fell  was  long  and  intimately  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Lincoln,  and  states  "  that  if  Lincoln  thought  he 
was  right  in  a  lawsuit,  he  was  invincible,  but  if  he 
thought  his  cause  unjust,  he  was  weak  and  his  ar- 
guments without  force."  He  says  Lincoln  was  one 
of  the  most  tender-hearted  men  he  ever  knew. 

During  the  year  1860  Mr.  Fell  went  to  Europe, 
visited  Switzerland,  Vienna,  and  many  other  places 
of  interest,  returning  in  the  fall  of  that  year  in 
time  to  cast  his  vote  for  his  old  friend,  Abraham 
Lincoln.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion at  Bloomington.  He  is  slenderly  built,  well 
proportioned  and  active.  His  hair  is  gray  and  his 
beard  almost  white;  his  nose  is  acquiline  and 
bridged  with  spectacles  when  he  reads  or  writes. 
He  is  a  deep  thinker  and  forms  his  opinions  with 


4 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


909 


great  care.  Good  nature  is  apparent  in  his  counte- 
nance, and  there  are  few  men  in  the  community 
more  respected  and  honored. 

Mrs.  Fell,  formerly  Miss  Jane  Price,  was  born  in 
Chester  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  5,  1823.  Her  mother  is 
yet  living,  being  now  ninety-seven  years  old,  and 
resides  with  our  subject.  Eight  children,  five  sons 
and  three  daughters,  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fell.  Price  is  in  the  plow  factory  at  Bloom- 
ington ;  Medora  E.  married  Freeman  P.  Kirkendall, 
and  departed  this  life  in  1880;  Anna  M.  is  the  wife 
of  George  F.  Durant,  of  St.  Louis;  William  P.  is 
Deputy  Sheriff  of  Huron  County,  Dak. ;  Jessie  is 
the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Cole,  of  Omaha,  Neb. ; 
Charles  Carroll  is  in  the  theatrical  profession ;  Ker- 
sey, Jr.,  resides  in  Omaha,  of  which  city  Benjamin 
F.  is  also  a  resident. 


<fw?OHN  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL,  a  pio- 
|  neer  of  the  Prairie  State,  came  to  this  coun- 
i  ty  in  1849,  and  amid  the  vicissitudes  of  a 
(§M'  busy  and  varied  career,  has  contributed  his 
quota  to  the  prosperity  and  development  of  Mc- 
Lean County.  He  is  now  proprietor  of  the  Lex- 
ington Elevator,  which  was  built  by  him  in  1 872, 
and  has  become  one  of  the  indispensable  assistants 
of  the  grain  dealers  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  born  on  his  father's  farm,  in 
Clark  County,  Ky.,  June  15,  1832.  He  is  the  son 
of  Benjamin  F.  and  Dolly  (Bateman)  Campbell, 
his  father  being  a  Virginian  by  birth.  After  the 
birth  of  our  subject,  his  parents  removed  to  Indi- 
ana. The  mother  died  when  John  A.  was  six  years 
of  age,  and  the  father  four  years  later,  so  that  our 
subject  was  left  an  orphan  when  ten  years  old,  and 
compelled  to  look  out  for  himself.  He  worked  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do,  and  at  the  age 
of  seventeen,  came  to  McLean  County  in  com- 
pany with  Thomas  Pirtle,  arriving  here  in  1849, 
and  engaged  in  farm  work  for  the  following  six 
years. 

He  was  married  on  the  10th  of  May,  1855,  to 
Miss  Adeline  Hefner,  the  daughter  of  Peter  Hef- 
ner, Esq.,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County. 
After  marriage  Mr.  Campbell  settled  on  a  farm 


three  miles  south  of  Lexington,  and  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  which  he  industriously  fol- 
lowed until  1872,  in  the  meantime  having  become 
the  owner  of  160  acres  of  land  south  of  the  town. 
This  he  sold  in  1 864,  and  purchased  another  farm 
one  mile  north  of  Lexington.  This  contained  320 
acres  and  he  occupied  it  until  1873,  when  he  rented 
it  and  removed  to  the  village  of  Lexington.  He 
then  built  the  elevator  which  he  now  owns  and 
which  has  a  capacity  of  30,000  bushels.  When 
this  was  completed  he  began  buying  and  shipping 
all  kinds  of  grain  to  the  Chicago  market.  In  1877 
he  began  dealing  in  coal  in  connection  with  his 
grain  trade.  The  first  year  he  handled  about  twen- 
ty-five cars  and  every  year  since  his  business  has 
increased  until  he  now  handles  300  cars  annually. 
During  the  winter  months  especially  he  has  all  he 
can  possibly  attend  to.  He  has  for  the  past  few 
years  shipped  further  East.  The  elevator  is  three 
stories  in  height,  and  48x42  feet  in  area. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  became  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  of  whom  three  are  deceased.  Those 
living  are,  Arabella,  Emery,  Oren,  Emma,  Edwin 
and  James  H.  They  occupy  a  handsome  residence, 
and  have  an  attractive  home,  where  they,  with 
their  children  and  friends,  are  enjoying  the  good 
things  of  life,  together  with  the  esteem  and  friend- 
ship of  the  best  people  of  this  locality. 


ABEZ  LEPPO,  a  successful  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  of  Belleflower  Township,  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  31,  where  he  has  a  farm 
of  eight}-  acres,  and  is  contributing  his  full 
share  toward  the  business  and  industrial  interests 
of  his  county  and  township.  Mr.  Leppois  a  native 
of  Maryland,  and  was  born  in  that  part  of  Balti- 
more County  now  included  in  Carroll  County,  on 
the  2 1  st  of  May,  1 825.  His  father,  Jacob  Leppo, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  State,  of  German  ancestry, 
and  a  tanner  by  trade.  This  he  followed  for  a 
number  of  years,  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Carroll 
County,  Md.,  where  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  March, 
1862.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Miller,  who 
was  also  born  in  Baltimore  County,  Md.,  and  died 


'  •    910 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


at  her  home  in  Carroll  County,  in  September,  1854. 

Of  the  twelve  children  born  to  the  parents  of 
our  subject,  the  latter  was  the  fourth  child  and 
fourth  son.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  made 
his  home  with  his  parents  until  he  had  grown  to 
manhood.  He  then  commenced  working  for  him- 
self at  farm  labor,  at  $7  per  month,  which  the  fol- 
lowing year  was  increased  to  $9  and  the  third  year 
to  $10.  Notwithstanding  this,  which  would  now 
seem  meager  wages,  he  managed  to  save  a  portion 
of  his  earnings,  and  at  the  end  of  the  third  year 
was  able  to  rent  a  farm.  He  was  gpon  afterward 
married,  and  purchased  fifty  acres  of  land  on  the 
Westminster  &  Baltimore  Turnpike.  He  did  not 
settle  upon  this,  however,  but  operated  on  rented 
land  four  years  afterward.  He  then  sold  his  fifty 
acres  and  purchased  a  tract  of  sixty-five  acres  in 
Carroll  County,  Md.,  which  was  partially  improved 
and  supplied  with  a  set  of  frame  buildings.  He  re- 
mained there  until  the  death  of  his  father,  then  pur- 
chased the  old  homestead,  upon  which  he  removed, 
occupying  it  until  1868.  That  year  he  sold  out 
and  came  to  Illinois,  locating  first  in  Tazewell 
County,  where  he  rented  for  three  years  following. 

In  1872  Mr.  Leppo  moved  into  this  county  and 
located  in  West  Township,  where  he  operated  on 
rented  land  two  years.  He  then  purchased  forty 
acres  in  the  same  township,  which  he  occupied 
until  1881,  when  he  sold  it  and  purchased  the  farm 
upon  which  he  has  since  resided.  Since  taking  pos- 
session of  this,  he  has  erected  a  convenient  frame 
house,  and  otherwise  improved  its  general  condi- 
tion. He  is  now  devoting  himself  principally  to 
grain  and  stock  raising. 

Mr.  Leppo  was  married  in  his  native  county  on 
the  4th  of  February,  1854,  to  Miss  M.  C.  Burns,  a 
native  of  his  own  county  and  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  M.  Burns.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  four  children,  three  now  living:  Alice 
R.,  Franklin  T.  I.  and  Mary  M.  Luther  ,T.,  who 
was  the  second,  died  in  1884,  when  twenty -eight 
years  of  age.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  both  united 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  their  na- 
tive State.  Mr.  Leppo  in  politics  is  strongly  Dem- 
ocratic, and  in  all  respects  is  an  industrious  and  re- 
liable citizen,  who  is  enjoying  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  his  townsmen. 


J*~  OSIAH  BIGGS,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Money  Creek  Township,  is  pleasantly  lo- 
cated on  section  24.  He  was  born  in  this 
township  on  the  26th  of  February,  1«34, 
being  the  son  of  Lemuel  Biggs,  who  was  a  native 
of  Delaware;  the  mother's  maiden  name  was  Mul- 
len, and  she  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  removed 
in  early  youth  with  their  respective  parents  to  Illi- 
nois, and  were  married  in  McLean  County,  first 
settling  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  in  about 
1831  removed  to  Money  Creek  Township,  where 
the  father  died  in  May,  I860.  The  mother  still 
survives,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Their 
ten  children  were  named  as  follows:  Andrew  E., 
Josiah,  William  G.,  Sarah,  Nancy  J.,  E.  A.,  Louisa, 
Martha.  Lemuel  A.  and  Frank. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  second  child 
of  the  family.  He  was  reared  to  farming,  received 
a  common-school  education,  and  has  been  a  resident 
of  Money  Creek  Township  all  his  life.  He  is  now 
the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  1 80  acres,  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation,  with  a  shapely  and  substantial 
set  of  farm  buildings. 

Mr.  Biggs  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
he  had  attained  to  years  of  manhood,  and  Aug.  30, 
1860,  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy,  the  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Rosanna  (Hotmaker)  Empire,  natives 
of  New  York,  where  they  settled  after  their  mar- 
riage; later  they  removed  to  Shelby  County,  Ohio, 
and  thence,  in  1851,  to  Iroquois  County,  this  State, 
where  they  remained  six  years,  then  came  to  Mc- 
Lean County  and  located  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, where  Mr.  Empire  died  Aug.  30,  1878.  Mrs. 
E.  lives  with  her  daughter,  the  wife  of  our  subject. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Empire  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren— Benjamin,  Alex,  Sylvester,  John,  Mary, 
Lovina  and  Lucy. 

Mrs.  Biggs  was  born  in  Livingston  County,  N. 
Y.,  Aug.  30, 1842,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject has  become  the  mother  of  three  children : 
Javan  married  Miss  Emma  Claggett,  and  lives  in 
Blue  Mound  Township;  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  R. 
T.  Claggett,  and  resides  in  Lexington  Township ; 
Nellie  married  S.  A.  D.  Henline,and  lives  in  Kear- 
ney. Neb. 

Mr.  Biggs  has  held  the  office  of  Supervisor  in 
Money  Creek  Township  five  years,  and  has  served 


\ 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


91; 


as  Assessor  and  Collector.  He  was  elected  Town- 
ship Treasurer  in  1865,  which  office  he  has  held 
continuously  since  that  time.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and 
politically  our  subject  is  identified  with  the  Re- 
publican party. 


BENJAMIN  WILEY  PATTON.  Here  and 
there,  scattered  over  the  fertile  prairies  and 
through  the  beautiful  woodland  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State,  may  be  found  the  venera- 
ble pioneer.  Those  who  came  prior  to  1830,  how- 
ever, are  very  few.  Their  number,  never  large,  has 
dwindled  down  to  a  mere  handful.  Of  one  of  this 
honored  number  we  give  the  following  brief 
sketch.  He  made  settlement  here  as  early  as  in  the 
spring  of  1828.  He  was  born  in  Garrard  County, 
Ky.,  June  18,  1816.  His  father,  John  Patton,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  in  early  years  settled  in 
Kentucky.  He  was  married  in  that  State,  to  Mar- 
garet Wiley,  daughter  of  William  Wiley.  The  Pat- 
ton  family  were  of  Irish  extraction,  and  the  pater- 
nal grandfather  of  our  subject,  Robert  Patton,  was 
a  native  of  that  country,  and  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  early  manhood.  The  Wileys  were 
of  English  descent,  and  on  emigrating  to  this 
country  first  made  settlement  in  Maryland. 

John  Patton  was  a  gunsmith,  and  also  worked  at 
the  blacksmith  trade,  and  during  the  latter  years  of 
his  life  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
emigrated  with  his  family  to  Indiana  in  1817,  and 
made  settlement  on  the  Ohio  River.  There  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  the  fall  of  1827,  when  he 
came  to  this  State,  overland,  passing  the  first  win- 
ter in  Old  Town  Timber,  McLean  County,  on  the 
North  Fork  of  Salt  Creek.  The  following  spring 
he  moved,  and  settled  near  where  the  village  of 
Selma  is  now  located.  There  he  took  up  a  land 
claim,  upon  which  he  located  with  his  family  and 
engaged  in  its  improvement,  and  when  the  land 
came  into  market  purchased  it,  and  continued  to 
make  this  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1854.  His  good  wife  died  some  six  years  pre- 
viously. Twelve  children  were  born  of  their  un- 


ion,  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  all  of  whom 
lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood. 
Their  names  are  as  follows:  Sarah,  wife  of  Aaron 
Foster;  Cassandria  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Williarp  Wiley ;  Susanna  and  John  Messer  became 
man  and  wife ;  John  and  William  were  next  in  order 
of  birth;  Margaret  married  George  Henline;  Ben- 
jamin, our  subject,  was  the  next;  Jemima  became 
the  wife  of  Calvin  Adams;  Aaron  and  Moses  were 
twins,  and  Josephine  and  Constantino  complete  the 
number. 

Benjamin  Patton  was  the  seventh  in  order  of 
birth  of  his  parents'  twelve  children,  and  when  he 
accompanied  them  to  this  county  he  was  twelve 
years  old.  His  education  was  somewhat  limited, 
on  account  of  the  necessity  which  required  his  as- 
sistance on  the  farm,  and  the  scarcity  of  the  public 
schools  in  his  vicinity.  He  remained  with  the  old 
folk  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  when  he 
was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Connover,  the  date  of 
their  marriage  being  Oct.  13,  1838.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  William  Connover,  who  was  born  in 
New  Jersey.  He  had  moved  to  Kentucky,  and 
there  married  Rebecca  Hopkins,  by  whom  he  had 
twelve  children,  eight  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  of  whom  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  maturity  ex- 
cept one,  and  all  now  living  with  the  exception  of 
two.  . 

After  our  subject's  marriage  he  settled  near  the 
old  homestead  of  his  father,  and  improved  a  farm, 
upon  which  he  lived  until  his  removal  to  the  place 
on  section  22,  Lexington  Township,  where  he  is 
at  present  residing.  This  was  fifty-nine  years  ago, 
consequently  our  subject  has  experienced  the  hard- 
ships common  to  old  settlers.  His  farm  comprises 
140  acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  he  also  has 
twenty-six  acres  of  timber.  He  has  a  good  resi- 
dence, barn  and  out-buildings,  and  is  meeting  with 
fair  success  in  the  prosecution  of  his  vocation.  For 
the  last  six  years  he  has  suffered  considerably  from 
injuries  received  by  his  team  running  over  him  and 
dragging  him  quite  a  distance. 

Mr.  Patton  is  now  in  his  seventy-first  year.  He 
has  never  had  any  children,  and  has  devoted  the 
years  thus  far  in  life  to  agricultural  pursuits.  His 
good  wife  is  seventy-two  years  old,  and  for  forty- 
nine  years  they  have  together  toiled  and  labore< 

"» 


.  ,  914 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


for  each  other's  good  as  man  and  wife.  They  are 
both  members  Of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  sub- 
ject was  converted  to  the  cause  of  the  Master  over 
half  a  century  ago,  and  his  good  wife  about  sixty 
years  ago.  By  their  energy  and  perseverance  they 
have  secured  a  competency,  and  are  enabled  to  pass 
the  sunset  of  life  in  peace  and  quiet.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat.  In  selecting  those  to  be  repre- 
sented in  the  portrait  department  of  this  work,  no 
worthier  couple  could  be  found  within  the  confines 
of  the  county  than  Benjamin  Pattou  and  wife. 


J~~  OSEPH  MEINER,  a  successful  farmer  and 
stock- raiser  of  Arrowsmith  Township,  is  a 
native  of  the  German  Empire,  born  in  Prus- 
'  sia,  Feb.  13,  1834.  He  emigrated  to  this 
country  when  a  young  man  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  from  the  landing  at  New  York  City  proceeded 
to  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  where  for  the  following  four 
years  he  worked  by  the  month  on  a  farm.  With 
genuine  German  economy  and  forethought  he 
saved  what  he  could  of  his  earnings,  and  soon  after 
coming  to  Illinois,  in  1858,  commenced  farming  on 
nis  own  hook.  His  home  then  was  at  the  house  of 
a  Mr.  S.  Morgan  in  Dale  Township,  this  county, 
where  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Mary  Ul- 
mer,  to  whom  he  was  married  Oct.  12,  1862.  This 
lady  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  March  3, 
1839,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  a  young 
woman,  in  1860,  making  her  home  with  her  brother 
in  Dale  Township.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Catherine  (Wagner)  Ulmer.  Her  father  was 
born  Oct.  1C,  1806,  and  died  in  his  native  country 
March  14,  1883.  His  wife  Catherine  was  born 
Sept.  14,  1811,  and  departed  this  life  July  3,  1879. 
Of  their  eleven  children,  six  are  now  living:  Eva 
became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Ditter,  now  deceased ; 
Matthew  married  Miss  Emily  Damaska,  deceased; 
George  married  Miss  Minnie  Miller;  Mary,  of  our 
sketch,  was  the  fourth  child;  John  married  Miss 
Sarah  Loga,  and  Katie  became  Mrs.  Van  Paign. 
Mrs.  Meiner  received  a  fine  German  education, 
and  reads  and  writes  English  very  well. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Meiner  purchased  eighty  acres  of 


land  to  which  he  afterward  added  1 60,  and  the 
whole  of  which  constitutes  one  of  the  finest  bodies 
of  land  in  this  township,  comprising  a  fine  farm  of 
240  acres.  His  stock  consists  principally  of  Nor- 
man horses,  of  which  he  exhibits  some  very  fine 
specimens,  especially  a  pair  of  two-year-olds,  which 
he  holds  at  a  high  price.  The  children  of  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife,  seven  in  number,  are  George  II. ; 
Minnie  U.,  who  married  Alfred  Bane  and  lives  two 
miles  west  of  her  father;  Arnold  B.,  Katie  T.,  Ma- 
tilda E.,  Edward  and  Aaron  G.  Mr.  Meiner  is 
Republican  in  .politics,  and  with  his  wife  is  con- 
nected with  the  United  Brethren  Church  at  Arrow- 
smith,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  twenty 
years. 

Joseph  Meiner  is  the  son  of  Antone  and  Mar- 
garet (Reichley)  Meiner,  who  were  both  natives  of 
Germany,  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  na- 
tive land,  where  their  remains  were  laid  to  rest 
several  years  ago.  The  father  was  a  warm  adher- 
ent of  the  Catholic  faith.  The  five  children  of 
the  parental  family  included  Magdalena,  Theresa, 
Caroline,  deceased,  Joseph,  and  George,  who  died 
in  1854,  at  New  Orleans,  of  yellow  fever. 


LFRED  SPRADLING,  a  resident  of  the 
southeast  part  of  McLean  County,  is  pleas- 
antly located  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township, 
on  section  36.  The  place  of  his  birth  was 
Franklin  County,  Ind.,  and  the  date  thereof  May 
17,  1823.  His  parents  were  John  and  Betsey 
(Chapman)  Spradling,  natives  respectively  of  South 
Carolina  and  Tennessee.  His  father  was  born  in 
1780,  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  afterward  re- 
moved to  La  Salle  County,  111.,  and  died  there  in 
1861.  The  mother  was  born  in  1784,  and  survived 
her  husband  four  years.  Both  were  consistent 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for 
many  years.  Their  'ten  children  are  recorded 
as  follows:  Sarah,  William,  Policy;  Nancy  died 
when  quite  small;  John  died  in  1877;  Elizabeth, 
Enoch  and  James  died  in  infancy  ;  Thomas  and  Re- 
becca were  next  to  the  youngest. 

Mr.  Spradling  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
in  Indiana  until  1852,  when  he  became  a  resident 


+i* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


915 


of  Illinois,  locating  first  in  Mission  Township,  La- 
Salle  County,  where  he  made  his  home  about  seven- 
teen years.  He  removed  to  Champaign  County  in 
1868,  whence  he  came  to  this  county  in  1876.  On 
the  12th  of  October,  1886,  he  met  with  a  severe 
loss  in  the  destruction  of  his  house  by  fire,  to- 
gether with  most  of  its  contents.  He  soon  after- 
ward commenced  re-building,  and  has  now  nearly 
completed  a  fine  two-story  structure  with  basement, 
covering  an  area  of  24x24  feet.  The  basement  is 
14x16  feet. 

Mr.  Spradling  was  married,  June  4,  1844,  to  Miss 
Amy  J.  Peterson.  She  was  born  July  18,  1827,  in 
Franklin  County,  Ind.,and  is  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Editli  (Clifton)  Peterson,  both  natives  of  New 
Jersey.  The  mother  was  born  in  Salem  County, 
Aug.  21,  1796,  and  married  John  Peterson,  Jan. 
12,  1812.  After  a  Christian  life  of  nearly  sixty- 
seven  years,  during  which  period  she  had  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  she 
departed  this  life  near  Philo,  111.,  in  September, 
1877.  John  Peterson  was  born  in  1794,  became 
a  man  of  note  in  his  county  and  community,  and 
•was  possessed  of  considerable  means.  He  held  the 
office  of  Trustee  in  the  church,  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  died  in  Champaign  County,  111., 
in  1873.  Their  fourteen  children  were,  Mary  A., 
Samuel,  Benjamin,  Henry,  Sarah  A.,  Elizabeth, 
John,  Catherine,  Emma  J.,  Ruth,  Charlotte,  Clara, 
Annie  M.  and  Hannah. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spradling  are  as 
follows:  Elizabeth  E.,  born  Sept.  4,  1845;  Sarah 
A.,  Jan.  7,  1847;  Hartley  K.,May  7,  1848;  Emory, 
Aug.  29,  1849;  Alpheus,  May  18,  1851 ;  Albert  L., 
Sept.  30,  1854;  Ami  N.,  May  10,  1856;  Stephen 
H.,  Sept.  18,  1857;  George  S.,  May  10,  1859;  Kate 
S.,  July  25,  1861 ;  Frank  P.,  Nov.  30, 1866.  Hart- 
ley Spradling,  the  eldest  son  of  our  subject,  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  E.  Baker,  Jan.  31,  1869,  and  they 
have  six  children — Willie  H.,  Lillie  L.,  Emily, 
Claude  E.,  John  H.  and  Archie.  Hartley  is  engaged 
in  farming.  Emma  married  Francis  L.  Harrington, 
Jan.  28,  1872,  and  both  are  now  deceased;  they 
left  one  child,  Claude  L.  Alpheus  married  Miss 
Emma  Turner,  Dec.  25, 1872,  and  is  now  deceased; 
he  left  two  children — Emmet  T.  and  Etta  M.  Sarah 
A.  married  Harvey  Cunningham,  March  25,  1877, 


and  they  have  two  children — Emma  J.  and  Fred- 
die A.;  Albert  L.,  born  Sept.  30,  1854,  married 
Miss  Hannah  Owens,  Sept.  14,  1880,  and  lives  in 
Bellettower  Township;  Ami  N.  was  born  May  10, 
1856,  and  married  Mrs.  Ahneda  Wimer,  July  3, 
1882;  they  have  two  children — Jessie  M.  and  Pearl. 
Stephen  H.,  born  Sept.  18,  1857,  was  married  to 
Miss  Ella  L.  Phares,  Feb.  21,  1882;  Kate  S.  mar- 
ried Frank  B.  Phares,  in  1884;  Frank  P.,  born 
Nov.  30, 1866,  married  Miss  Bettie  J.  Taylor,  Dec. 
27,  1886. 

Mr.  Spradling  owns  241£  acres  of  valuable  land, 
which  is  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  has 
been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  a  period  of  forty-six  years,  and  the 
various  members  of  his  family  belong  to  the  same. 
Politically  he  is  a  straight  Republican,  and  uni- 
formly casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  principles 
of  his  party. 


SCHERTZ,  a  representative  Ger- 
man  farmer  and  business  man  of  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  was  formerly  a  wagon- 
maker  by  trade,  but  of  late  years  has 
turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  was  born  in  the  Province  of  Alsace, 
on  the  River  Rhine,  Aug.  18,  1833,  and  is  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Laman)  Schertz,  natives  of 
the  same  Province  as  their  son.  The  father  of  our 
subject  followed  farming  all  his  life.  He  emigrat- 
ed to  America  in  1842,  and  at  once  located  in 
Butler  Count}',  Ohio.  He  died  in  Tazewell  Coun- 
ty, this  State,  in  1886,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-seven  years.  The  mother  departed  this  life 
in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  in  1842,  when  but  little 
over  thirty  years  of  age.  The  seven  cBildren  in 
the  parental  family  were  Joseph,  Christian,  John, 
Peter,  Andrew,  deceased,  Andrew  [2d]  and  Nich- 
olas. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  nine  years 
old  when  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  the 
United  States.  He  came  to  Tazewell  County,  this 
State,  in  1853,  where  he  remained  two  years  and 
then  came  to  McLean  County.  After  arriving  at 
years  of  manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 


t. 


<k     916 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Miss  Catherine  Springer,  on  the  20th  of  February, 
1862,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev. 
Christian  Gingerich,  of  the  Mennonite  Church. 
Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Aug.  10, 
1839,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Christian  and  Magda- 
lena  (Ingle)  Springer,  natives  of  France.  They 
emigrated  to  America  and  located  iu  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  ten  years 
later  to  Illinois.  They  took  up  their  abode  in  the 
town  of  Danvers,  this  county,  where  they  lived. 
about  twenty  years.  Of  their  nine  children,  one 
died  in  infancy.  Those  living  are  Joseph,  Peter, 
Christian,  John,  Andy,  Melinda,  Catherine  and 
Mary.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  par- 
ents of  the  following  named  children:  Emma  E., 
Mary  A.,  George  C.,  Joseph,  William,  John  E., 
Peter  A.,  Daniel  D.  and  Albert  E. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Schertz  includes  200  acres 
of  finely  cultivated  land,  with  a  handsome  and  sub- 
stantial set  of  frame  buildings  and  all  the  appli- 
ances required  by  the  modern  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser.  Of  late  he  has  been  giving  much  attention 
to  the  breeding  of  Norman  horses.  His  stallion, 
Lewis,  is  six  years  old,  weighs  1,800  pounds,  is  a 
bright  bay  in  color,  and  of  magnificent  proportions. 
Bob,  a  three-j'ear-old  colt,  is  a  remarkably  fine  ani- 
mal, of  a  jetty  black,  and  a  model  of  beauty  and 
symmetry.  The  mare  is  half-Norman  blood.  Mr. 
Schertz  is  in  all  respects  a  representative  farmer 
and  business  man  of  one  of  the  wealthiest  counties 
in  the  State,  and  has  contributed  his  full  share  to- 
ward the  agricultural  interests  of  his  section.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Mennonite  Church  at  Danvers, 
and  contributed  generously  toward  the  erection  of 
the  fine  church  building  there.  Politically  he  is 
an  earnest  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party. 


T 


UGH  HENNING.  The  subject  of  this  his- 
tory has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  the  1st  of  March,  1864,  and  during  a 
residence  of  over  twenty-three  years  has 
identified  himself  with  its  agricultural  and  indus- 
trial interests.  He  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 
22,  Yates  Township,  where  he  carries  on  general 


farming,  and  is  giving  some  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  fine  stock. 

When  our  subject  came  to  McLean  County  he 
purchased  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  22,  in 
Yates  Township,  which  constitutes  a  part  of  his 
present  homestead.  At  the  time  of  purchase  his 
land  was  but  slightly  improved.  To  this  he  after- 
ward added  and  industriously  carried  on  its  culti- 
vation, meeting  with  success  in  his  labors.  He  now 
owns  240  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres  of  which  lie 
on  section  25.  The  farm  residence  and  all  other  out- 
buildings about  the  premises  are  put  up  in  a  sub- 
stantial manner  and  fulfill  all  the  requirements  of  a 
first-class  agriculturist.  The  buildings  and  fences 
are  kept  in  good  repair  and  his  farm  machinery  is 
after  the  latest  and  most  improved  style. 

Mr.  Henning  was  married  on  the  6th  of  April, 
1864,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  McKay.  Of  this  union 
five  children  have  been  born  —  William,  Robert  and 
Nettie  (twins),  Edith  and  James  Elmer  (twins). 
The  residence  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is 
finely  finished  and  well  furnished,  and  its  inmates 
enjoy  all  the  comforts  of  life.  Mr.  H.  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics  and  is  highly  esteemed  both  as  a 
business  man  and  a  citizen. 


ETER  S.  GERBER,  formerly  an  esteemed 
resident  of  Oak  Grove  Village,  this  county, 
in  March,    1887,  removed    to    Woodford 
County,  this  State.    He  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery Township,   Woodford    County,  Nov.   15, 
1846,  and  is   the  son    of   Joseph  and  Magdalena 
(Somrners)  Gerber,  the  former  born  May  6,  1806, 
in  France. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  1830,  Joseph  Gerber 
sailed  for  America,  landing  in  New  York  City  on 
the  10th  of  February  following.  From  there  he 
proceeded  to  Canada  to  visit  a  friend,  Christian 
Farney  by  name,  and  ten  days  later  started  for 
Stark  County,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  as  a  wagon- 
maker.  There  also  he  met  his  future  wife,  .Miss 
Magdalena  Sommers,  and  they  were  united  in  mar- 
riage on  the  llth  of  January,  1835.  Mrs.  G.  was 
born  on  what  was  called  the  Sommers'  Farm,  in' 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


917 


France,  Aug.  2,  1815.  After  their  marriage  the 
young  people  moved  into  Tuscarawas  County, 
Ohio,  where  Mr.  G.,  in  partnership  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  C.  Singerick,  purchased  a  farm  which  they 
conducted  together  until  1838.  In  May  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  Joseph  Gerber  came  to  Woodford 
County,  this  State,  and  purchased  240  acres  of  land 
in  Montgomery  Township,  which  he  was  occupied 
in  cultivating  and  improving  until  his  death,  which 
event  occurred  Feb.  21,  1881.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  force  of  character,  became  thoroughly  Ameri- 
canized, and  was  a  stanch  Republican  in  politics. 
Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Church.  The  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Woodford  County.  They  were 
among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  that  section  and  the 
father  of  our  subject  contributed  materially  to  its 
growth  and  development,  witnessing  with  keen  in- 
terest the  many  and  great  changes  which  oc- 
curred during  a  period  of  over  half  a  century.  The 
ten  children  of  the  parental  family  were  named  as 
follows:  Christian,  Jacob,  John,  Anna,  Joseph, 
Peter,  Eli,  Samuel,  Elizabeth  and  Daniel. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  in  Woodford  County,  111.,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  pioneer  schools.  He  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  attaining  his  majority, 
and  on  the  19th  of  January,  1869,  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Catherine  Habecker.  Soon  after- 
ward the  young  couple  came  to  this  county  and  lo- 
cated on  the  farm  given  our  subject  by  his  father, 
which  they  occupied  until  November,  1879. 
They  then  sold  it  and  removed  to  the  village  of 
Oak  Grove,  where  they  lived  until  March,  1887,  and 
from  there  returned  to  the  Woodford  County  farm 
of  160  acres,  which  Mr.  G.  repurchased  at  $48.50 
per  acre.  The  Oak  Grove  farm  property  was  ex- 
changed for  a  house  and  lot  in  town.  While  a  resident 
of  Oak  Grove  Township,  Mr.  Gerber  interested 
himself  in  its  local  affairs  and  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Road  Commissioner  for  three  years.  In  his 
late  removal  the  citizens  of  Oak  Grove  have  lost 
a  valued  member  of  the  community  and  Woodford 
County  has  been  the  gainer. 

The  wife  of  our  subject,  also  a  native  of  Wood- 
ford  County,  this  State,  was  born  June  8,  1848. 
Her  parents  were  John  and  Magdalena  Habeeker. 


The  former  was  born  in  the  old  Province  of  Pfalz, 
Germany,  in  October,  1824.  He  emigrated  to 
America  in  1832,  landing  in  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans, and  from  there  migrated  to  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  there  married.  His  wife,  Magdalena 
Habecker,  was  born  in  France,  in  February,  1823, 
and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  a  young 
girl  seventeen  years  old,  landing,  as  did  her  hus- 
band, first  in  New  Orleans,  and  thence  going  into 
Butler  County,  Ohio.  After  their  marriage  the 
young  couple  proceeded  westward,  stopping  first 
in  Peoria,  111.,  and  going  from  there  into  Wood- 
ford  County  whence,  after  a  brief  residence-,  they  re- 
moved to  Tazewell  County,  and  not  long  afterward 
purchased  a  farm  in  McLean  County.  There  the 
old  folk  lived  until  the  death  of  the  father,  which 
took  place  in  the  fall  of  1878.  The  mother  after- 
ward married  Mr.  J.  Stuckey,  and  is  still  living. 
The  six  children  of  the  parental  household  were 
named  Barbara,  Catharine,  John,  Christian,  Joseph 
and  Magdalena.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerber  of  this 
notice,  have  one  child  only,  a  daughter,  Erbina. 


UGH  ROBB,  local  editor  of  the  Hey  worth 
Standard,  has  been  connected  with  the 
paper  in  that  capacity  since  January,  1882. 
The  Standard  is  a  weekly,  the  mechanical 
work  of  which  is  done  in  the  city  of  Bloomington. 
Mr.  Robb  has  conducted  his  department  of  this 
journal  with  ability  and  success.  He  is  a  smooth 
and  easy  writer  and  is  especially  successful  in  col- 
lecting interesting  local  items.  The  Standard  has 
a  circulation  of  about  500,  and  has  become  quite 
indispensable  to  its  readers. 

Mr.  Robb  was  born  in  Waynesville,  DeWitt  Co.. 
111.,  Sept.  3,  1846.  He  remained  in  his  native 
county  until  July,  1871,  when  he  became  a  resident 
of  Heyworth,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  town,  where  he  acquitted  himself  creditably, 
being  a  studious  youth,  fond  of  his  books,  and  tak- 
ing pride  in  the  acquirement  of  useful  knowledge. 
He  first  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade  in  Heyworth 
for  about  four  years,  afterward  becoming  drug  clerk 
for  Mr.  Shelton,  whose  biography  appears  else- 


t-                                    ,  : 

p 

•»  •  «•             •»  • 

918                                            MCLEAN  COUNTY. 

k 

where  in  this  work,  and  still  holds  that  position, 
his  editorial  duties  occupying  only  a  part  of  his 
time. 

Mr.  Robb  was  married  in  Hey  worth,  Feb.  2fi, 
1881,  to  Miss  N.  J.  Scroggy,  who  was  born  in 
Indiana.  .She  came  West  to  Illinois  when  a  young 
woman,  and  by  her  marriage  with  our  subject  has 
become  the  mother  of  two  children — Earle  A.  and 
J.  H.  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robb  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  have  been  members  of 
the  choir  since  1878. 

Politically  our  subject  is  a  solid  Republican  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  success  of  his  party. 
Socially  he  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Heyworth 
Lodge  No.  483,  of  which  he  is  permanent  Secretary, 
and  at  present  represents  the  Grand  Lodge. 


W       UKE 

IA*. 

/ILda^  since 


1?  UKE  CARNELL,  of  Blue  Mound  Township, 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  1854,  and  is  now  comfortably  located 
on  section  33.  Here  he  has  a  snug  farm  of  eight}- 
acres,  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  hand- 
some and  substantial  buildings,  and  all  the  acces- 
sories of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  His  premises  in 
all  respects  indicates  the  supervision  of  a  thorough 
farmer  and  business  man,  and  is  one  of  the  spots 
which  attracts  the  attention  of  the  traveler  passing 
through  the  county. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Hamp- 
shire County,  W.  Va.,  Sept.  25,  1825,  being  the 
son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Parker)  Carnell,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Maryland  and  Virginia.  They 
settled  in  Hampshire  County,  in  what  is  now  West 
Virginia,  and  in  1839  removed  to  Ohio,  locating  in 
Fayette  County.  Thence  in  1854  they  came  to 
the  Prairie  State  and  took  up  their  abode  in  Ar- 
rowsmith  Township,  where  they  spent  the  remain- 
der of  their  lives.  Of  their  ten  children,  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth, 
and  was  about  twelve  3rears  old  when  his  parents 
removed  from  his  native  State  to  Ohio.  He  came 
with  them  to  this  county  and  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  he  was  thirty-six  years  old.  He 
then  married  and  located  in  Arrowsmith  Township, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a  time,  removing 


from  there  to  Martin  Township,  where  lie  operated 
the  "  Harpole  farm  "  three  years.  He  came  into 
Blue  Mound  Township  in  the  spring  of  1873;  here 
he  soon  erected  a  good  house,  which  was  destroyed 
by  fire  March  26,  1  879,  together  with  the  furniture 
and  clothing  of  the  family.  Mr.  Carnell,  however, 
did  not  suffer  this  disaster  to  overcome  him,  but 
the  following  spring  erected  another  and  liner  one, 
which  is  universally  admired  by  everyone  passing 
through  that  section.  His  main  barn  and  other 
out-buildings  correspond  with  the  dwelling,  and  the 
entire  homestead  forms  an  attractive  spot  which  is 
at  once  a  delight  to  the  eye,  and  a  testimonial  to 
the  thrift  and  taste  of  its  proprietor.  A  view  of 
the  place  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Mr.  Carnell  was  married  in  Arrowsmith  Town- 
ship, May  23,  1861,  to  Miss  Harriet  O'Neal,  who 
was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  July  1,  1839.  She 
was  the  youngest  of  eight  children  of  Samuel  and 
Martha  (Cogel)  O'Neal,  who  emigrated  from  Ohio 
to  Illinois  in  1857,  settling  in  West  Township,  this 
county,  where  they  died,  the  father  about  1865 
and  the  mother  about  1862.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Car- 
nell have  become  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
namely,  Ellen,  Armilda,  Daniel.  Mary  E.,  Frank, 
Willie  and  Clara  B.  Daniel  and  Willie  are  de- 
ceased; Ellen  is  the  wife  of  Smith  Bane,  and  re- 
sides in  Arrowsmith  Township;  Armilda  is  the 
wife  of  David  Merwin,  and  lives  in  Padua  Town- 
ship. Mr.  Carnell  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
has  been  School  Director  in  his  township  for  many 
years. 


J'"]  R.   HALDEMAN,  manufacturer  of  granite 
and   marble  monuments,   also  all  kinds  of 
mantels  and  grates,  occupies  Nos.   301   and 
'    303  South  Main  street,  Bloomington,  where 
he   is  carrying  on  a  successful  and  lucrative  busi- 
ness.    Our  subject  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State 
and  was   born  July   10,  1830.     His  parents   were 
John   and   Mary  (Jones)   Haldeman,  his   father  of 
Pennsylvania  and  his  mother  of  Ohio,  the  former 
of  stanch  German  ancestry  and  the  latter  of  Scotch- 
Irish.     In  his  younger  days  John   Haldeman   was 
ongaged  in   general   teaming  over   the   mountains 
from    Pittsburgh    to    Baltimore,    transporting    all 


- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


019 


kinds  of  merchandise.  He  went  to  Ohio  before 
his  marriage  and  located  upon  a  farm  near  Zanes- 
ville.  Selling  out  in  1831,  in  the  meantime  hav- 
ing been  married,  he  started  out  with  a  six-horse 
"  prairie  schooner,"  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
six  children,  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois.  He  made 
his  first  location  in  La  Salle  County,  purchasing 
about  1,000  acres  of  land,  near  the  town  of  Streator, 
where  ho  established  a  permanent  home,  and  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  in  1837.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and 
at  present  resides  in  Missouri.  The  parental  fam- 
ily included  six  children,  only  three  of  whom  are 
now  living:  James,  of  Kansas  City;  Marietta,  Mrs. 
Johnson,  of  Vernon  County,  Mo.,  and  our  subject. 

Mr.  Haldeman  of  our  sketch  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  old,  and  dur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  the  time  assumed  the  man- 
agement of  his  father's  farm.  In  1848  he  com- 
menced to  learn  the  business  of  a  marble  cutter, 
and  three  years  later,  in  company  with  two  broth- 
ers, came  to  Bloomington  and  established  the  pres- 
ent business.  They  operated  in  company  for  the 
following  eight  years,  when  one  of  the  brothers 
withdrew,  and  the  following  year  the  other  sold 
out  his  interest.  In  June,  1873,  having  now  sold 
out  the  remaining  interest,  our  subject  removed  to 
the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  for  two  years 
was  engaged  in  making  plows,  after  which  he  re- 
turned to  Bloomington,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  his  present  business.  He  employs  from 
five  to  fifteen  men,  and  the  products  of  his  manu- 
facture are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  State.  In 
addition  to  his  marble  business,  Mr.  Haldeman  is 
the  proprietor  of  a  snug  farm  of  fifty-five  acres, 
two  miles  from  the  city  limits,  which  he  now  occu- 
pies. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  to  Miss  Margaret  A. 
Morsman,  took  place  in  1856.  Mrs.  Haldeman 
was  born  in  Massachusetts  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Charles  S.  and  Elmira  (Lincoln)  Morsman,  the 
mother  being  a  second  cousin  of  the  late  President 
Lincoln.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haldeman  became  the  par- 
ents of  three  children :  Ida  M. ;  Revillo  P.,  who, 
although  only  nineteen  years  old,  is  a  book-keeper 
in  his  father's  office,  and  a  graduate  of  Butler  Uni- 
versity and  the  High  School;  Mamie  M.,  the 

4« 


eldest  daughter,  also  graduated  at  the  same  time  as 
her  brother.  The  residence  of  the  family  is  one  of 
the  most  attractive  suburban  homes  in  this  locality. 
Mr.  Haldeman  is  a  strong  Prohibitionist,  and  with 
his  wife  is  prominently  connected  with  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  He  is  a  straightforward  business 
man,  and  highly  esteemed  as  a  neighbor  and  citizen. 


EV.  ROBERT  CONOVER,  Pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Lexington,  111.,  has 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  thirty - 
one  years,  since  the  spring  of  1856,  when 
he  located  in  Bloomington.  He  was  born  July  3, 
1823,  in  "  Jersey  Settlement,"  nowCarlyle  Station, 
Franklin  Township,  Warren  Co.,  Ohio. 

His  parents,  George  and  Mary  (Dubois)  Cono- 
ver,  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  that  part  of 
the  Miami  Valley.  They  were  of  Huguenot  ances- 
try, who  came  to  America  and  first  settled  at  King- 
ston, Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1660,  having 
fled  from  France  to  escape  the  religious  persecution 
waged  against  the  Protestants  by  the  Roman  Cath- 
olics. The  family,  as  it  increased,  spread  out  over 
Eastern  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  finally  one 
branch  immigrated  from  New  Jersey  and  formed 
what  has  ever  since  been  known  as  the  "  Jersey 
Settlement "  in  the  Miami  Valley,  where  many  of 
their  descendants  still  remain. 

Our  subject  was  bereaved  of  his  father  when  fif- 
teen months  old,  and  of  his  mother  when  eight 
years  of  age.  From  the  death  of  his  mother  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  lived  in  the  families  of 
his  uncle  and  a  cousin.  He  united  with  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  Franklin,  Ohio,  in  his  nine- 
teenth year,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  com- 
menced studying  for  the  ministry  at  Centre 
College,  Danville,  Ky.,  where  he  graduated  June 
28,  1849.  He  studied  theology  two  years  at 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  one  year  with  Dr.  Nathan  L. 
Rice,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  the  Gospel  April  2G,  1851,  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Transylvania,  Ky.  His  first  ministerial 
charge  was  a  mission  church  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio, 
while  he  was  a  student  with  Dr.  Rice.  He  then  es- 
tablished a  school  and  organized  a  church  at  North 


)20 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Salem,  Ind.,  where  he  labored  for  three  years,  and 
then  returned  to  Cincinnati  on  account  of  an  afflic- 
tion from  which  his  wife  was  suffering.  There  he 
labored  fifteen  months,  a  part  of  the  time  as  tem- 
porar3r  supply  of  the  Seventh  or  Broadway  Church, 
and  the  remainder  as  State  supply  of  the  newly 
organized  Presbyterian  Church  of  Cumminsville,  a 
suburb  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Conover,  in  June,  1856,  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  111.,  established  a  female  seminary,  and  also 
organized  a  Presbyterian  Church  at  Towanda, 
which  he  supplied  while  carrying  on  the  school.  He 
continued  the  school  eighteen  years,  until  1875, 
then  removed  to  Towanda,  where  he  remained  un- 
til February,  1878,  having  served  that  church  as 
stated  supply  for  nearly  twenty-two  years.  Since 
February,  1878,  now  over  nine  years,  he  has  con- 
tinued in  the  pastorate  work  with  the  church  at 
Lexington. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1852,  Rev.  Robert  Cono- 
ver was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Hilts,  daughter  of 
William  D.  Hilts,  of  Springdale,  Hamilton  Co., 
Ohio.  Mr.  Hilts  also  located  at  Bloomington,  111., 
in  the  spring  of  1857,  and  improved  a  farm  at  To- 
wanda, where  four  of  his  sons  still  reside. 

Mr.  Conover  and  wife  have  been  highly  favored 
in  being  permitted  to  share  their  labors  together' 
without  interruption  for  a  period  of  over  thirty- 
five  years,  and  still  have  health  and  strength  for 
active  work.  He  is  now  the  only  minister  in  con- 
nection with  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington  [which 
includes  the  counties  of  McLean,  De  Witt,  Piatt, 
Champaign,  Vermilion,  Iroquois,  Livingston  and 
a  part  of  Woodford]  who  has  been  continuously  in 
this  same  field  for  over  thirty-one  years. 


1 


ILLIAM  LEMKE,  a  substantial  German 
citizen  of  Blue  Mound  Township,  owns 
and  occupies  a  snug  homestead  of  eighty 
acres  on  section  24,  where  he  has  made  his  home 
since  1866.  He  was  born  in  Germany,  in  April, 
1831,  his  parents  being  Charles  and  Mary  Lemke, 
also  natives  of  the  "  fatherland."  where  they  passed 
their  entire  lives,  and  where  their  remains  are  in- 
terred. 

Mr.  Lemke  lived   in  his  native  country  until  he 


was  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  and  then  emigrated 
to  America.  After  landing  in  New  York  he  pro- 
ceeded directly  westward  and  worked  about  three 
years  in  Du  Page  County,  then  came  to  McLean, 
which  has  since  been  his  home.  He  first  rented 
land  in  Old  Town  Township  five  years,  then  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  in  Blue  Mound.  He  has 
brought  his  land  to  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and 
erected  a  convenient  and  substantial  set  of  frame 
buildings,  and  in  all  respects  bears  a  fair  compari- 
son with  the  other  industrious  and  enterprising 
agriculturists  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Lemke  was  married  in  Bloomington,  111.,  in 
1860,  to  Mrs.  Rosa  (Wolford)  Ziegler,  widow  of 
John  Ziegler.  She  was  born  in  Germany,  July  6, 
1828,  and  came'to  America  when  about  twenty- 
four  years  of  age.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
three  children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
L.  is  an  adherent  of  the  Catholic  faith,  and  our 
subject  is  a  Lutheran.  Mr.  Lemke  is  Republican 
in  politics,  and  greatly  respected  for  his  sterling 
honesty,  and  the  habit  he  has  of  attending  strictly 
to  his  own  concerns.  A  view  of  Mr.  Lernke's  resi- 
dence is  shown  on  another  page. 


ETER  FLESHER,  a  pioneer  settler  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  is  now  a  resident  of  Lexing- 
ton. He  was  born  in  Pendleton  County, 
Va.,  on  the  farm  of  his  father  near  Frank- 
lin, on  the  7th  of  December,  1809,  and  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Mary  (Seibert)  Flesher.  His  father 
was  also  a  native  of  the  Old  Dominion.  His  grand- 
father, Henry  Flesher,  of  German  ancestry,  emi- 
grated to  this  country  at  an  early  day,  and  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

John  Flesher,  the  father  of  our  subject,  emigrated 
from  Virginia  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  with  his 
family,  in  1835,  and  resided  in  the  Buckeye  State 
for  the  following  six  years.  Then,  in  1841,  he 
concluded  to  move  on  further  westward  and,  com- 
ing into  this  county,  settled  on  a  farm  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  There  he  passed  the  remainder 
of  his  days,  departing  this  life  in  1862,  leaving  a 
wife  and  nine  children.  Of  the  latter,  eight  are 
still  living,  and  all  residents  of  this  county  with  the 


^wr 


t 

I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


exception  of  a  daughter,  Alcinda,  who  married  her 
cousin,  Perry  Flesher,  and  now  resides  in  Warren 
County,  Iowa. 

Peter  Flesher  came  to  McLean  County  with  his 
father's  family  in  1841.  He  was  married  in  Vir- 
ginia, May  18,  1834,  to  Miss  Hannah,  the  daughter 
of  James  Campbell,  also  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
This  lady  died  in  1842,  one  year  after  their  re- 
moval to  McLean  County,  leaving  two  children,  a 
son  and  daughter — James  and  Mary  J. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Julinda, 
the  daughter  of  James  Blake,  of  this  county,  to 
whom  he  was  married  Aug.  13,  1843.  After  his 
second  marriage  Mr.  Flesher  settled  in  Gridley 
Township,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits until  the  spring  of  1884,  when  he  abandoned 
farming,  and  removing  to  Lexington  is  now  living 
retired  from  active  labor.  He  still  owns  the  farm, 
which  consists  of  235  acres  well  fenced  and  under 
fine  cultivation,  with  thirty-five  acres  of  valuable 
timber.  During  his  later  years  on  the  farm,  he  en- 
gaged quite  extensively  in  the  stock  business. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flesher  have  three  children :  Susan 
C.,  the  wife  of  Charles  Drury;  Sarah  L.,  Mrs. 
George  W.  Ogden,  and  Jennie,  at  home  with  her 
parents.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  and 
are  numbered  among  the  most  worthy  and  highly 
esteemed  residents  of  Lexington. 


•jj]  SAIAH  DILLON,  importer  and  breeder  of 
French  draft  horses,  at  Normal,  is  the  son  of 
/l\  Aaron  and  Melinda  (Hodgson)  Dillon,  and  a 
native  of  Illinois,  being  born  in  Tazewell  County, 
on  the  25th  of  May,  1834.  Two  years  later  his 
parents  died,  leaving  two  children,  himself  and  his 
younger  brother,  Levi.  Our  subject  was  reared  in 
the  family  of  his  uncle,  James  Fuller,  of  Tazewell 
County,  until  thirteen  years  of  age  and  then  be- 
came the  inmate  of  the  family  of  another  uncle, 
Ellis  Dillon.  He  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation, assisted  in  tilling  the  soil,  and  as  he  had  the 
care  of  a  large  number  of  horses,  became  not  only 
a  lover  of  that  noble  animal,  but  a  good  judge  of 
it  as  well. 

Our  subject  remained  an  inmate  of  the  home  of 


Mr.  Ellis  Dillon  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  the  following  year  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  Fisher,  like  himself  a  native  of  Taze- 
well County.  Mrs.  Dillon  is  the  daughter  of  Jesse 
and  Achsah  Fisher,  who  made  that  county  Iheir 
home  for  a  number  of  year*,  and  with  whom  the 
daughter  remained  until  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject. They  located  upon  160  acres  of  land  which 
young  Dillon  had  previously  purchased,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits.  Three  years  later,  in 
company  with  his  brother,  he  purchased  a  half  in- 
terest in  "  Old  Louis  Napoleon,"  the  first  Norman 
horse  brought  into  the  United  States  from  France, 
imported  in  1851,  by  Fullington  <fe  Martin,  of 
Union  County,  Ohio.  He  was  sold  by  Fullington 
&  Martin  to  A.  P.  Cushman,  of  De  Witt  County, 
111.,  from  whom  he  was  purchased  by  the  Dillon 
Bros.  He  was  sixteen  hands  high,  and  his  average 
weight  was  1,G50  pounds.  He  was  awarded  manjr 
premiums  and  was  last  exhibited  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair  in  1861,  together  with  112  of  his  colts 
and  grandcolts.  When,  in  1858,  Mr.  Dillon  and 
his  brother  invested  $1,000  for  a  half  interest  in  the 
horse,  their  friends  were  unanimous  in  declaring  it 
a  great  mistake,  which  would  surely  lead  them  on 
to  ruin ;  but  it  was  only  a  few  years  before  others 
desired  to  be  "ruined"  in  a  like  manner.  Mr. 
Dillon  subsequently  purchased  the  other  half  inter- 
est, and  then  allowed  his  uncle,  Ellis  Dillon,  an  in- 
terest also,  and  thus  the  firm  of  E.  Dillon  &  Co. 
sprang  into  existence,  although  they  little  suspected 
how  extensive  and  profitable  would  become  their 
enterprise.  "  Old  Louis  Napoleon  "  died  Aug.  13, 
1871,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years. 

In  1863  Isaiah  Dillon  sold  his  farm  in  Tazewell 
County,  and  the  following  January  purchased  160 
acres  of  land  near  the  city  limits  of  Normal,  on 
which  he  resided  until  1883,  since  which  time  he 
has  made  his  home  within  the  city.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  E.  Dillon  &  Co.  during  its 
entire  existence,  and  as  such  made  nine  trips  to 
France  after  horses.  In  1882  he  associated  with 
him  in  business  his  three  sons,  Melvin  F.,  Leo  A. 
and  Alpheus  A.,  as  partners,  but  the  business  is 
being  conducted  under  the  name  and  style  of  Dil- 
lon Bros.  They  now  have  forty-nine  full-blooded 
mares,  and  will,  in  the  future,  breed  their  own 


t. 


022 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


f 

4 


stock.  Mr.  Dillon  is  also  largely  interested  in  the 
Northwest  Texas  Norman  Horse  Company,  of  Al- 
bany, Tex.,  where  the  company  own  18,000  acres 
of  land,  and  have  their  ranch  stocked  with  over 
4,500  head  of  horses.  Mr.  Dillon  has  been.remark- 
ably  successful  in  business  and  now  enjoys  a  com- 
petency. He  has  been  an  upright,  useful  member 
of  society,  was  formerly  a  Republican  in  politics, 
but  is  now  a  Prohibitionist.  In  religious  matters 
he  gives  his  principal  support  and  encouragement 
to  the  Christian  Church. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillon  became  the  parents  of  six 
children,  as  follows:  Melvin  F.,  Leo .  A.,  Alpheus 
A. ;  Carrie  A.,  now  Mrs.  Oris  Milliken ;  Jessie  M. 
and  Roy  H.  The  family  residence  is  beautifully 
located,  and  both  within  and  without  is  indicative 
of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means.  The  family 
are  highly  esteemed  in  the  community,  and  enjoy 
the  friendship  of  the  first  people  of  McLean  County. 


-*- 


W.  KNOTTS,  one  of  the  oldest 
merchants  of  Lexington,  has  continued  the 
longest  in  this  business  of  any  gentleman 
now  in  the  place.  He  is  a  native  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, his  birthplace  being  near  Clarksburg,  Harri- 
son County,  and  the  date  thereof  March  21,  1814. 
His  father,  Levi  Knotts,  a  native  of  Maryland,  was 
of  English  ancestry,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits the  greater  part  of  his  life.  In  early  manhood 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Fling,  a  native  of 
the  Old  Dominion,  and  they  located  there  and 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  became 
the  parents  of  twelve  children,  ten  daughters  and 
two  sons,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women, 
married,  and  had  families  of  their  own,  and  scat- 
tered among  different  States  and  Territories. 

George  W.  Knotts  was  the  youngest  of  his  par- 
ents' family,  and  spent  his  childhood  and  youth 
under  the  home  roof,  receiving  a  fair  education  in 
the  subscription  schools.  When  twelve  years  old 
he  began  to  serve  his  apprenticeship  at  the  tailor's 
trade  in  Clarksburg,  which  occupation  he  followed 
for  twenty-five  years.  He  worked  for  a  time  in 
his  native  State  as  journeyman,  and  while  a  young 
man  removed  to  Ohio  in  1838,  stopping  in  Mt. 


Sterling,  Madison  County,  lie  was  there  married 
in  1840  to  Miss  Annis  Gregory,  and  continued  at 
his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1844,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  McLean  County,  111.  Here  he 
located  in  Bloomington,  and  was  employed  by  D. 
1).  Haggard  in  the  clothing  business.  He  continued 
in  Bloomington  about  seven  years  and  in  the  spring 
of  1852  removed  with  his  family  to  Lexington, 
where  he  opened  a  store  and  has  carried  on  a  trade 
in  general  merchandise  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Knotts,  since  coming  to  Lexington,  has 
thoroughly  identified  himself  with  its  business  in- 
terests and  has  taken  an  interest  in  everything  per- 
taining to  the  welfare  of  the  community.  He  was 
appointed  Postmaster  by  President  Lincoln  in  1862, 
serving  three  years  and  then  resigning  the  position. 
In  1884  he  was  again  appointed  under  Arthur's 
administration  and  held  the  office  until  the  1st  of 
July,  1 886.  He  has  also  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  in  other  respects  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  public  affairs.  In  former  years  he 
was  an  old-line  Whig  but  now  uniformly  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Republican  party. 

Mrs.  Annis  G.  Knotts  was  the  daughter  of  Jehial 
Gregory  of  Mt.  Sterling,  Ohio,  and  by  her  marriage 
with  our  subject  became  the  mother  of  nine  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  deceased  but  two  daughters: 
Helen  M.  is  the  wife  of  F.  M.  Smith  of  Lexington, 
and  Emma  G.  remains  with  her  parents  at  home. 
Mr.  Knotts  belongs  to  Lexington  Lodge  No.  482, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  cast  his  first  presidential  vote 
for  Gen.  Harrison  and  has  voted  for  every  Whig 
and  Republican  candidate  for  President  since  that 
time. 


AMUEL  A.  STOOPS  is  Supervisor  of  Blue 
Mound  Township,  and  owns  a  comfortable 
homestead  on  section  32.  He  is  the  son  of 
John  Stoops,  who  was  born  in  Westmore- 
land County,  Pa.,  and  in  early  manhood  married 
Miss  Rosanna  Kephart,  of  Maryland.  After  this 
event  they  settled  in  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  near 
Blue  Lick  Springs,  where  they  lived  a  few  years 
and  then  removed  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  settling 
just  east  of  Indianapolis,  where  the  father  followed 
agricultural  pursuits  and  where  both  parents  passed 


i    i 

f 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


923 


the  remainder  of  their  flays.  John  Stoops  departed 
this  life  in  1854,  the  mother  surviving  until  Febru- 
ary, 1881.  Their  eleven  children  consisted  of  six 
sons  and  five  daughters. 

The  subject  of  this  history,  the  third  child  of  his 
parents,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  April 
22,  1831,  and  was  but  two  years  old  when  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  where,  after 
becoming  of  suitable  age,  he  attended  the  common 
schools,  receiving  a  limited  education.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty  years 
old,  then  set  out  to  "  paddle  his  own  canoe."  His  first 
journey  landed  him  in  Fulton  County,  111.,  where 
he  located,  and  remained  twelve  months,  then  re- 
turned home  and  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of 
wagon-making.  After  gaining  a  good  insight  into 
the  business  he  established  a  shop  of  his  own  in 
Ipava,  III.,  which  he  carried  on  for  twelve  years, 
then,  wishing  to  change  his  occupation,  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Fulton  County,  which,  however, 
he  sold  after  a  year,  and  in  the  spring  of  1867 
made  his  advent  into  McLean  County.  Here  he 
purchased  120  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  has  since 
added  forty  acres,  and  which  constitutes  his  present 
homestead.  This  he  has  greatly  improved  with 
good  fencing  and  an  excellent  set  of  farm  buildings, 
and  has  also  brought  the  land  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation.  A  view  of  the  place  is  presented 
on  another  page. 

After  going  into  Fulton  County,  111.,  our  subject 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Eleanor  Clanin. 
which  ripened  into  mutual  esteem  and  affection, 
and  their  marriage  was  celebrated  on  the  21st  of 
September,  1854.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  April  9,  1834, 
in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  being  the  daughter  of 
Alford  and  Edith  Clanin,  and  the  eldest  of  a  family 
of  five  children.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of 
that  county.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  the  record  is  as  follows:  Artha 
A.,  born  June  22,  1856,  is  the  wife  of  Henry 
Ellington,  and  lives  in  Colfax,  111. ;  La  Salle,  born 
Sept.  19,  1858,  married  Miss  Libbie  Brown,  who 
died  in  Colfax  in  October,  1 886 ;  Elma,  born  Aug. 
31,  1862,  is  the  wife  of  Frederick  Boston,  and  they 
are  residents  of  Old  Town  Township;  Theodore, 
born  Sept.  17,  1867,  and  Amy  J.,  July  5,  1871,  are 
at  home  with  their  parents.  Our  subject  and  his 


wife  are  worthy  members  and  liberal  supporters  of 
the  Methodist  Church.  Politically  Mr.  S.  belongs 
to  the  Republican  part}'.  He  was  elected  to  his 
present  office  in  the  spring  of  1882.  and  has  held  it 
continuously  since  that  time,  lie  has  also  served 
as  School  Director,  Trustee  and  Assessor. 


'"]  ONES  BROS.  Cyrus  II.  and  Lewis  Jones, 
prominent  grain-dealers,  living  at  Bellc- 
flower,  and  Percival  G.,  who  is  located  at 
Le  Roy.  are  the  sons  of  Isaac  W.  Jones,  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  De  Witt  County,  this  State.  The 
father  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  2, 
1811,  being  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Jemima  Jones, 
who  descended  from  Welsh  and  English  ancestry. 
The  Jones  family  were  early  settlers  of  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed,  in  1821,  to 
Indiana,  remaining  in  that  State  ten  years.  In  the 
spring  of  1831  the}'  started  overland  for  Illinois. 
They  first  settled  four  miles  west  of  the  present 
site  of  Waynesville,  which  was  then  included  in 
McLean  County.  There  Stephen  Jones  purchased 
a  tract  of  land,  and  established  a  comfortable 
farm  homestead,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days.  He  lived  to  see  the  wilderness  transformed 
into  smiling  homes,  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  the 
growth  of  his  adopted  State.  His  death  occurred 
in  1855. 

Isaac  W.  Jones  was  ten  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  removed  to  Indiana.  He  followed  them 
when  they  came  to  this  State,  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage,  in  1834,  when 
he  located  with  his  young  wife  three  and  one-half 
miles  northeast  of  Waynesville,  De  Witt  County. 
There  he  entered  120  acres  of  wild  land,  which, 
however,  he  did  not  take  possession  of  at  once,  but 
hired  twelve  acres  broken,  and  spent  the  first  sum- 
mer after  his  marriage  on  the  old  homestead  of  his 
father.  In  the  fall  he  raised  a  tent  on  his  land, 
which  the  young  couple  occupied  while  the  hus- 
band erected  a  log  cabin.  They  lived  in  this  hum- 
ble dwelling  three  years,  and  then  Isaac  Jones 
erected  a  frame  house,  the  second  one  in  that  local- 
ity. His  nearest  grain  market  for  a  number  of 
years  was  Pekin,  which  involved  a  journey  of  three 


I 

I 


,924 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  one-half  days  in  making  the  round  trip.  Wild 
game  was  plenty,  deer  roamed  in  sight  of  the 
house,  and  the  wolves  chased  their  chickens  to  the 
door.  Isaac  Jones  lived  there  with  his  family  until 
1857,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Funk's 
Grove  Township.  He  had  been  prosperous  in  his 
farm  labors,  and  now  purchased  about  400  acres  of 
land  in  the  latter-named  place,  which  he  made  his 
permanent  home,  his  death  occurring  Sept.  18, 
1 868. 

The  wife  of  Isaac  W.  Jones,  who  still  survives 
him,  was  formerly  Miss  Elmira  McLaughlin.  She 
was  born  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  Aug.  12, 
1817,  and  was  the  daughter  of  James  W.  McLaugh- 
lin, a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  America 
with  his  father,  Duncan  McLaughlin,  when  a  small 
boy.  They  located  first  in  Pennsylvania,  whence 
they  removed  to  Ohio,  and  the  father  served  in  the 
War  of  1812.  James  W.  McLaughlin  was  reared 
to  manhood  in  the  Buckeye  State,  and  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Jemima  Stretch,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. She  died  in  1827,  and  Mrs.  Jones,  wife  of 
Isaac  W.,  then  went  to  live  with  an  older  sister, 
who  afterward  married  James  Cautrill,  and  with 
them  came  to  Illinois  in  1833.  Of  her  marriage 
with  Isaac  Jones  there  are  the  following-named 
children  living:  Ann  Eliza,  the  wife  of  Enoch 
Passwaters,  lives  in  Randolph  Township:  Cyrus  H. 
is  a  resident  of  Belleflower  Township;  Sylvira  is 
the  wife  of  Peter  M.  Vreeland,  and  they  live  near 
Gibson,  111.;  Lewis  lives  in  Belleflower;  Isaac  A.  is 
a  practicing  physician  at  Bellevue,  Idaho;  William 
W.  lives  in  Ford  County,  111.;  Elmira,  Mrs. 
Stephen  Cunningham,  lives  at  Wichita,  Kan.  Mrs. 
Jones  lived  on  the  old  homestead  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township  until  1881,  then  removed  to  Belleflower 
and  thence,  in  January,  1887,  removed  to  Le  Roy, 
of  which  she  is  now  a  resident.  She  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since 
a  young  girl  sixteen  years  of  age.  Her  husband  in 
his  political  views  was  strongly  Democratic. 

Cyrus  H.  Jones,  the  eldest  of  the  three  sons 
of  Isaac  and  Elrnira  Jones,  was  born  in  De  Witt 
County,  111.,  on  the  7th  of  March.  1841,  and  was 
sixteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Funk's  Grove  Township.  He  attended  the  pioneer 
:'  'schools  of  De  Witt  County,  and  later  entered  Wes- 


leyan  University  at  Bloomington.  He  remained  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  home  until  1865,  then  pur- 
chased a  farm  one  mile  from  his  father's  homestead, 
which  he  operated  until  1871.  Then,  selling  out, 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  De  Witt  County,  which  he 
cultivated  and  occupied  until  1882,  then  formed 
a  partnership  with  his  brother,  Lewis,  and  taking 
up  his  abode  in  Belleflower  Township,  engaged  MS  a 
dealer  in  grain  and  stock.  He  was  married  in  1885, 
to  Miss  Tillie  Green,  of  Ohio.  He  is  an  active  and 
enterprising  citizen,  highly  respected,  and  with  his 
wife  is  prominently  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Lewis  Jones  was  born  in  Waynesville,  De  Witt 
Co.,  111.,  Sept.  1.  1845,  and  was  twelve  years  old 
when  his  parents  removed  to  this  count}'.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  and  commenced  his  education 
in  the  district  schools,  completing  his  studies  in  a 
select  school  at  Hey  worth.  During  the  progress  of 
the  late  war  he  enlisted,  in  March,  1864,  in  Co.  D, 
145th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with  the  100  days'  men,  receiv- 
ing his  honorable  discharge  with  his  comrades  in  the 
fall  of  that  year.  He  commenced  business  when 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  as  a  live-stock  dealer,  be- 
ing successful  from  the  start.  In  1869  he  purchased 
a  good  farm  on  section  16,  Belleflower  Township, 
but  remained  a  resident  of  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship until  1871,  then  removed  to  his  farm,  which 
he  still  owns  and  operates.  In  addition  to  general 
agriculture  he  is  engaged  largely  in  feeding  and 
shipping  stock,  the  proceeds  of  which  furnish 
him  a  fine  income.  In  1882  he  removed  to  the 
village  of  Belleflower,  having  formed  a  partnership 
with  his  brother  Cyrus,  and  since  that  time  the  firm 
has  operated  extensively  in  both  grain  and  stock. 

The  marriage  of  Lewis  Jones  and  Miss  Ellen 
Moore  was  celebrated  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  this 
county,  on  the  5th  of  September,  1871.  Mrs.  J. 
was  born  in  that  township,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Bethial  Moore,  who  came  to  this  locality 
in  the  pioneer  days.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  four  children — Grace  B.,  Percival  W.,  Lulu 
F.  and  Sarah  Edith.  Lewis  J.  is  also  noted  for  his 
enterprising  industry,  and  is  contributing  his  full 
share  to  the  industrial  interests  of  this  section.  He 
is  Democratic  in  politics. 

Percival  G.  Jones,  the  youngest  member  of  the 


I 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


4 

926AJ 


firm,  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  this 
county,  Aug.  11,  1858.  Like  his, brothers  he  was 
reared  on  the  family  homestead,  pursued  his  first 
studies  in  the  district  schools,  and  completed  them 
in  Normal  University.  He  followed  farming  on  the 
old  homestead  until  1881,  then  removing  to  Belle- 
flower,  engaged  in  merchandising  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  Mr.  Cunningham.  He  operated  thus  until 
the  fall  of  1885,  during  which  time  he  also  served  as 
Postmaster.  Then,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he 
sold  out  his  interest  in  the  business,  and  in  January, 
1887,  removed  to  Le  Roy,  becoming  associated 
with  his  brothers  in  the  grain  business,  and  is  con- 
tributing his  full  share  toward  sustaining  the  repu- 
tation of  the  firm.  He  was  married,  Oct.  10,  1882, 
to  Miss  Anna  E.  Loveless,  who  was  born  in  Dela- 
ware County,  Ohio,  Sept.  2,  1865.  and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  and  Mary  J.  (Warford)  Loveless. 
They  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Ethel  Elmira, 
who  was  born  in  Belleflower,  in  1885. 


JOHN  H.  MARSH,  a  young  and  enterprising 
farmer  of  Belleflower  Township,  is  pleas- 
antly located  on  section  8,  town  2 1 ,  and  has 
already  identified  himself  among  the  repre- 
sentative and  progressive  citizens  of  this  locality. 
He  is  a  native  of  Lawrenceburg  Township,  Dear- 
born Co.,  Ind.,  and  was  born  about  one  mile  from 
the  town  of  that  name,  April  27,  1853.  His  father, 
J.  Huron  Marsh,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town- 
ship and  county,  and  his  grandfather,  David  Marsh, 
emigrated  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  and  was  one 
of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Dearborn  County.  He 
purchased  a  tract  of  uncultivated  land,  improved 
the  same,  and  made  it  his  home  until  his 
death,  in  1841.  Upon  this  farm  J.  Huron,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  reared,  and  remained  un- 
der the  parental  roof  until  he  attained  his  majority. 
He  was  married  in  early  manhood  and  inherited  a 
part  of  the  homestead,  the  whole  of  which  finally 
became  his  by  purchase.  Here  he  spent  his  entire 
life,  his  decease  occurring  Nov>  21.  1869. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Sallie  A.  Blasdel,  a  native  of  the  same 


county  as  her  husband  and  the  daughter  of  Elijah 
Blasdel.  Her  great-grandfather,  Jacob  Blasdel,  a  na- 
tive of  Massachusetts,  removed  to  Ohio  in  1799,  set- 
tling near  Cincinnati,  then  an  embryo  town,  whence 
he  removed  to  the  Territory  of  Indiana  in  1805. 
He  became  prominent  among  the  earlier  settlers  of 
that  region,  and  it  is  believed  built  the  first  saw 
and  grist  mill  in  that  State.  He  soon  afterward 
put  up  a  rude  school-house,  and  in  1811,  with  other 
settlers,  built  a  fort  for  protection  against  the 
savages.  Before  the  admission  of  Indiana  into  the 
Union  Mr.  B.  was  one  of  the  first  to  circulate  a  pe- 
tition that  it  be  admitted  as  a  free  State,  which  was 
done  by  one  majority.  He  improved  a  farm  and 
lived  there  until  his  death.  His  wife,  formerly 
Miss  Ruth  Morse,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire, 
where  they  first  settled  after  marriage.  Here  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Elijah  Blasdel,  was  born, 
and  was  quite  young  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Indiana.  He  was  reared  in  the  latter  State,  en- 
gaged in  farming  pursuits  and  there  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  The  mother  survived  her 
husband  several  years  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
son,  Elijah  B.,  in  McPherson  County,  Kan.,  Oct.  5, 
1882.  Their  five  children  were  all  sons,  of  whom 
three  only  grew  to  manhood.  David  W.  lives  in 
Bloomingtou,  111.,  and  the  youngest,  Elijah  B.,  in 
McPherson  County,  Kan. 

John  H.  Marsh  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Indiana,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  remained  on  the  homestead  after 
the  death  of  his  father,  until  1875,  then  coming  to 
McLean  County,  111.,  purchased  160  acres  of  land 
on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  8,  Belleflower 
Township.  His  purchase  included  no  buildings  or 
trees,  and  he  has  brought  about  a  great  change  since 
he  took  possession  of  it.  He  now  has  a  good  farm 
residence,  with  barn  and  out-buildings,  and  has 
planted  fruit  and  shade  trees.  The  premises  in  all 
respects  is  desirable  and  comfortable,  and  indicates 
the  enterprise  and  industry  of  the  proprietor. 

Mr.  Marsh  was  married,  Feb.  25,  1874,  to  Miss 
Lida  Leming,  who  was  born  in  Miller  Township, 
Dearborn  Co.,  Ind.,  April  6,  1857,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Archie  L.,  born  Oct.  20,  1877.  Her 
father,  Hiram  J.  Leming,  was  a  native  also  of  Dear- 
born County,  and  her  grandfather,  John  Leming, 


f 


'  '  926 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  county,  located  in  Mil- 
ler Township,  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life.  Then-  the  fnther  of  Mrs.  M.  grew  to  man- 
hood, married  and  settled,  and  has  always  lived  in 
his  native  township.  He  married  Miss  Pamelia 
Foster,  who  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  both  par- 
ents are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Marsh  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  our  subject, 
politically,  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


>HOMAS  HATFIELD  is  one  of  the  most 
thrifty  farmers  to  be  found  in  Towanda 
Township,  and  has  a  fine  place  of  235  acres 
of  valuable  land  on  section  7,  where  he  makes  his 
home.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Salina  (Harris) 
Hatfield,  natives  of  Ohio.  Settling  in  Montgomery 
County,  that  State,  after  marriage,  they  there  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  their  death,  having  reared  a 
family  of  three  children. 

Thomas  Hatfield  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents' 
children,  and  was  born  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  Aug.  4,  1827.  He  received  a  common-school 
education  in  his  native  county  &n<\  lived  with  the 
old  folk,  assisting  in  the  labors  on  the  farm  until 
he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  was  then 
married,  and  continued  farming  in  his  native  county 
for  about  three  years,  or  until  1853.  During  that 
year  he  came  to  McLean  County,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  one  child,  and  settled  in  Randolph 
Township,  on  a  farm  which  he  purchased.  He  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  at  that  place  for 
eleven  years,  when  he  disposed  of  it  by  sale  and 
purchased  another,  located  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship. On  that  place  he  lived  and  labored  for  six- 
teen years,  and  then  bought  the  farm  on  which  he 
is  at  present  residing  in  Towanda  Township,  and  a 
view  of  which  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this 
work.  The  land  is  under  an  advanced  state  of 
cultivation  and  he  is  meeting  with  financial  success. 

Mr.  Hatfield  was  married  in  Montgomery  County, 
Ohio,  Nov.  7,  1850,  to  Johanna,  the  daughter  of 
David  N.  and  Hannah  (Mock)  Gaff,  the  former  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Greene 
County,  Ohio.  The  father  died  in  1831  in  the  lat- 
ter named  county,  where  they  had  settled  after 


marriage.  She  subsequently  married  John  Calhonn, 
and  they  emigrated  to  this  State  and  took  up  their 
residence  at  Decatur,  where  he  died.  After  his 
death  she  came  to  McLean  County,  where  she  is  at 
present  residing,  having  attained  to  the  advanced  age 
of  eighty-one  years.  Mrs.  Hatfield  was  the  young- 
est of  her  parents'  three  children  and  was  born  iu 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  June  3,  1830.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  four  children — Didema,  Jose- 
phine, Charles  S.  and  James  E. — have  been  born. 
Didema  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Strimple,  and  they 
are  living  in  Dry  Grove  Township;  Josephine  be- 
came the  wife  of  L.  II.  Munsell,  and  they  are  living 
at  Sedalia,  Mo.;  Charles  S.  and  Miss  Hattie  Webb 
were  united  in  marriage,  and  they  reside  at  Bloom- 
ington,  111. ;  James  married  Miss  Abbie  Jones,  and 
is  a  farmer  of  Towanda  Township.  Mr.  Hatfield 
has  held  the  office  of  School  Director,  and  relig- 
iously is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
while  his  wife  holds  fellowship  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal.  In  politics  Mr.  Hatfield  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 


EORGE  W.  BINGHAM,  of  Blue  Mound 
Township,  has  been  a  residence  of  the  Prai- 
rie State  since  a  child  of  three  years  old. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  State,  March  22, 
1838,  being  the  son  of  George  J.  and  Amanda 
(Warner)  Bingham,  of  New  England,  who  after 
marriage  settled  in  the  Empire  State,  where  the 
father  of  our  subject  engaged  extensively  in  the 
lumber  business.  In  about  1841  he  came  to  Lake 
Countyvlll.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  the 
spring  of  1855,  then  removed  to  this  county,  set- 
tling in  Padua  Township,  where  he  departed  this 
life  Feb.  22,  1879.  The  mother  died  in  July,  1882. 
They  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  who  lived  to 
maturity,  while  several  others  died  in  infancy. 

Our  subject  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents, 
and  with  the  exception  of  three  years'  service  in  the 
army,  lived  at  home  until  his  marriage.  He  en- 
listed as  a  Union  soldier  in  August,  1862,  in  Co. 
D,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving  until  the  close  of  the 
war  and  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at  Spring- 
field, 111.  Upon  his  return  from  the  army,  he  re- 


1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


927 


sumed  farming  on  the  old  homestead  until  January, 
1876,  when  he  settled  with  his  wife  on  section  32, 
Blue  Mound  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived. 
He  has  brought  about  great  improvements  since 
taking  possession  of  his  farm,  the  land  being  under 
fine  cultivation,  and  upon  it  a  good  set  of  farm 
buildings.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  forty  acres  in 
Blue  Mound  Township  and  sixty  in  Padua,  all  im- 
proved. 

Mr.  Bingham  was  married  in  Padua  Township, 
May  5,  1875,  to  Miss  Hannah  J.,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Deborah  (Searles)  Bedell,  who  were  na- 
tives of  Greene  County,  N.  Y.  They  removed 
from  the  Empire  State  in  the  spring  of  1861,  and 
settled  in  Padua  Township,  this  county,  where  the 
father  died  March  21,  1884.  The  mother  is  still 
living.  Mrs.  Bingham  was  the  eldest  of  their 
seven  children  and  was  born  in  Greene  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  4,  1841.  Our  subject  has  held  vari- 
ous offices  in  his  township,  and  in  politics  was 
formerly  a  Republican,  but  now  is  greatly  inter- 
ested in  the  success  of  the  temperance  movement, 
and  latterly  has  arrayed  himself  on  the  side  of  the 
Prohibitionists.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Society  of  Friends. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Bingham  's  residence 
is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


AVID  L.  MEYERS,  Supervisor  of  Gridley 
Township,  is  also  engaged  there  as  a  hard- 
ware merchant,  which  business  he  has  car- 
ried on  successfully  and  profitably  since 
1876,  and  has  become  one  of  the  important  factors 
in  the  business  interests  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Meyers  is  a  native  of  Stettin,  Germany,  and 
was  born  May  5,  1832.  His  parents  were  David 
L.  and  Barbara  (Swartz)  Meyers,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, where  the  father  carried  on  a  vineyard  and 
dealt  largely  in  the  fruit  of  the  vine.  The  mother 
died  in  Germany  in  1840,  and  the  father  in  1876. 
Of  their  four  children,  John  and  Barbara  are  de- 
ceased, Christopher  carries  on  a  vineyard  in  Ger- 
many, and  David  L.  is  the  sole  representative  of 
the  family  in  this  country. 

Mr.    Meyers   received    a   good    common-school 


education  in  his  native  land,  and  when  twenty 
years  old  set  sail  for  the  United  States,  landing  in 
New  York  City,  whence  he  soon  afterward  pro- 
ceeded to  Waj'ne  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed as  a  farm  laborer  for  four  years.  In  1856 
he  started  farther  westward,  and  coming  into  this 
State  located  in  Will  County,  where  he  worked  on 
a  farm  one  year  and  then,  renting  a  tract  of  land, 
farmed  for  himself.  After  two  years  he  rented  a 
farm  in  Tazewell  County,  111.,  near  Washington, 
which  he  cultivated  three  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Henry  County,  this  State,  upon 
which  he  lived  one  year,  then  sold  out  am)  moved 
into  the  village  of  Annawan,  Henry  Co.,  111.,  and 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  first  as  an  employe 
and  subsequently  as  proprietor  of  the  yard.  This 
he  operated  three  years  and  then,  purchasing  a  stock 
of  hardware,  engaged  in  trade  at  El  Paso,  111.,  in 
company  with  George  and  Samuel  Zinser.  They 
operated  together  for  six  years  following,  and 
after  continuing  in  business  at  that  place  for  three 
years  longer  he,  in  1874,  removed  his  stock  of 
goods  to  Gridley,  and  in  company  with  Henry 
Sneerer  carried  on  the  business  at  that  place.  Mr. 
Meyers  became  sole  proprietor  of  this  in  1877, 
since  which  time  he  has  continued  alone.  He  con- 
trols a  good  trade  and  is  classed  among  the  model 
business  men  of  the  town. 

The  marriage  of  David  L.  Meyers  and  Miss 
Catherine  Zinser  was  celebrated  in  Washington, 
111.,  on  the  6th  of  January,  1860.  Mrs.  M.  was 
born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  and  died  one  year 
after  her  marriage,  on  the  anniversary  of  her  wed- 
ding day.  On  the  13th  of  January,  1862,  Mr. 
Meyers  was  a  second  time  married,  his  present 
wife  having  been  Miss  Mary  Zinser,  a  sister  of  his 
first  wife.  Of  this  latter  union  there  were  born 
three  children,  of  whom  George  and  Edwin  died 
in  infancy.  Edward  L.  lives  at  home.  Our  sub- 
ject and  his  family  occupy  a  good  residence  in  the 
village,  and  are  greatly  esteemed  by  the  people  of 
their  community.  He  was  elected  Supervisor  in 
April,  1886,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Village 
Board  for  several  years  and  also  served  as  School 
Director.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  are  members  of 
the  Evangelical  Church,  and  politically  our  subject 
is  a  stanch  Republican. 


I 


f. 


t 


928 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


In  1872  Mr.  Meyers  visited  his  native  land  and 
spent  three  months  among  his  old  friends  and 
acquaintances.  During  the  war  he  took  two  horses 
to  Peoria,  intending  to  dispose  of  them  and  enlist 
in  the  army,  but  not  being  able  to  sell  them,  re- 
turned to  his  home. 


WILLIAM  B.  HENLINE.  The  Henline 
property  is  the  pride  of  Lawndale  Town- 
ship, and  its  proprietors  are  its  most  valued 
and  estimable  citizens.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  a  son  of  one  of  its  earliest  pioneers,  John  Hen- 
line,  who  pushed  his  way  dauntlessly  into  an  uncul- 
tivated country,  and  has  left  behind  him  a  record 
of  which  his  descendants  may  well  be  proud. 

William  B.,  youngest  son  and  child  of  John  and 
Mary  Henline,  first  opened  his  eyes  to  the  light  in 
Boone  County,  Ky.,  Dec.  20,  1823.  Five  years 
later  his  parents  removed  to  McLean  County,  111., 
where  our  subject  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
life.  He  was  reared  to  farming  pursuits,  received 
a  limited  education  in  the  pioneer  schools  and  re- 
mained under  the  home  roof  until  he  was  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age.  He  was  fond  of  books,  read 
extensively,  and  became  the  possessor  of  a  fund  of 
useful  knowledge  concerning  matters  of  general 
interest,  and  of  business  especially.  In  the  mean- 
time he  became  acquainted  with  the  minutest  de- 
tails of  pioneer  life.  When  first  coming  to  this 
section  the  Indians  were  still  in  the  vicinity,  and 
the  young  braves  were  often  the  playmates  of  the 
little  Ilenlines.  The  family  occupied  the  primitive 
log-cabin,  were  sustained  by  simple  fare,  and  clothed 
with  "  homespun ;"  but  there  is  no  doubt  they  were 
as  happy  and  more  contented  than  the  people  of 
to-day  with  their  more  luxurious  surroundings.  In 
the  fall  of  1 830  the  family  made  a  brief  visit  to 
Kentucky  after  farming  implements  and  other  nec- 
essaries, and  the  mother  of  our  subject  put  a  lot  of 
apple  sprouts  in  a  stocking  with  some  earth,  and 
thus  transported  the  embryo  orchard,  which  was 
afterward  of  inestimable  service  to  the  family,  and 
is  still  standing  on  the  old  Henline  place  in  Lawn- 
dale  Township. 

The  winter  following  was  made  memorable  by 


the  deep  snow.  During  that  fearful  season  the 
Henlines  saw  no  living  person  outside  their  own 
family  for  six  weeks.  The  youth  and  boyhood 
of  our  subject  and  his  brother  David  were  filled 
with  interesting  incidents,  enough  to  make  a  good- 
sized  volume.  They  remember  the  vehicles  of  the 
men  who  came  over  the  country  to  speculate  and 
buy  land — which  vehicles  corresponded  admirably 
with  the  men  themselves;  and  the  latter  computed 
distances  by  tying  a  rag  to  a  wagon  wheel  and 
counting  the  revolutions. 

The  youths  of  those  days  usually  set  about  the 
establishment  of  a  home  and  domestic  ties  early  in 
life,  but  William  Henline  was  behind  them  in  this 
respect — this  probably  being  the  onlj'  instance  in 
which  he  was  ever  delinquent,  He  was  nearly 
thirty  years  of  age  when,  in  the  spring  of  1853, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jane, 
the  daughter  of  Hosea  Wright,  Esq.  They  settled 
upon  a  tract  of  land  on  section  29,  in  Lawndale 
Township,  which  our  subject  had  entered  from  the 
Government.  This  consisted  of  320  acres,  which 
he  improved  and  cultivated  industriously  for  many 
years,  and  which  has  now  become  a  valuable  farm. 
Of  this  he  is  still  the  possessor,  in  company  with 
his  brother  David,  the  two  being  joint  proprietors 
of  2,500  acres,  which  they  utilize  in  their  business 
as  extensive  stock  dealers.  Our  subject  has  been 
engaged  thus  for  thirty-five  years  past,  shipping 
annually  from  1,200  to  1,500  head  of  cattle.  He 
has  been  a  successful  man  in  his  business  transac- 
tions, but  in  1870  lost  heavily  by  becoming  secur- 
ity for  his  friends,  himself  and  his  brother  having 
to  pay  on  this  account  $27,000  and  interest.  Be- 
sides dealing  in  cattle  and  hogs,  they  have  given 
considerable  attention  to  Norman  horses.  Of  late 
they  have  rented  their  farm,  and  the  magnitude  of 
their  operations  may  be  the  better  comprehended 
when  we  state  the  fact  that  their  share  of  the  crops 
frequently  amounts  to  20,000  bushels  of  corn  an- 
nually. They  have  seven  tenants  on  their  land, 
and  both  brothers  also  live  on  the  farm. 

Of  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Henline  there  were 
born  two  children — John  D.,  now  in  business  for 
himself,  and  Almira  A.,  the  wife  of  John  L.  Bo- 
zarth,  a  resident  of  Seward  County,  Kan.  The 
mother  of  these  children  departed  this  life  in  18C1, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


931 


•    r 

» 


and  five  years  later  Mr.  H.  married  his  present 
wife,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Jane,  the  daughter  of 
Aaron  Moon,  and  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio, 
in  1827. 

Some  interesting  incidents  in  the  parental  his- 
tory of  our  subject  may  be  found  in  the  sketch  of 
David  Henline,  on  another  page  in  this  work. 
When  John  Henline  came  with  his  family  from 
Kentucky  the  country  was  thinly  populated,  and 
wild  game  was  abundant.  The  parents  were  mar- 
ried in  the  Blue  Grass  regions.  John  Henline 
was  born  Nov.  7,  1787,  and  died  at  the  homestead 
in  Lawndale  Township  on  the  26th  of  July,  1869. 
His  wife,  who  in  her  girlhood  was  Miss  Mary  Dar- 
nell, was  born  Jan.  12,  1791,  and  preceded  her 
husband  to  the  better  land,  her  death  occurring 
Nov.  28,  1865. 

Mr.  Henline,  besides  being  among  the  first  set- 
tlers of  this  region,  is  one  of  the  most  valued  citi- 
zens of  Lawndale  Township,  contributing  his  full 
quota  toward  the  advancement  of  its  agricultural 
interests.  To  such  men  as  himself  is  due  the  pres- 
ent status  of  one  of  the  most  wealthy  and  prosper- 
ous counties  of  the  Prairie  State.  Mr.  H.  is  now 
in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  still  hale  and 
hearty,  with  abundant  capacity  for  enjoying  .the 
good  things  of  life.  Politically  he  is  a  Jacksonian 
Democrat,  and  clings  tenaciously  to  the  doctrines 
of  the  old  leader. 

The  history  of  McLean  County  would  be  con- 
sidered incomplete  without  the  portrait  of  William 
Henline,  which  we  here  present,  and  also  that  of 
his  wife,  Mrs.  Jane  (Moon)  Henline,  who  has  been 
the  kind  and  sensible  companion  of  her  husband 
for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century. 


RTHUR  S.  CATRON,  one  of  the  well- 
known  citizens  of  Towanda  Township,  and 
a  grain  and  stock  dealer  at  Merna,  also  a 
farmer  and  stock-raiser  by  vocation,  is 
pleasantly  located  on  his  fine  place  on  section  25, 
a  view  of  which  appears  on  another  page  of  this 
work.  He  is  the  son  of  Israel  M.  and  Savina 
(Smith)  Catron,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  the  latter  of  Tennessee.  Arthur  Smith,  father 


of  our  subject's  mother,  was  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Fulton  County,  111.,  and  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Black  Hawk  War.  Israel  Catron  and  his  wife 
both  calne  to  that  county  prior  to  their  marriage 
and  while  yet  young  in  3'ears.  They  were  married 
there,  and  lived  on  a  farm  in  that  county  until  her 
death,  which  took  place  in  1844.  He  is  yet  living, 
and  resides  near  Des  Moines,  Polk  Co.,  Iowa.  Three 
children  were  born  to  them — Arthur  S.,  Nancy  E. 
and  George  E. 

Arthur  S.  Catron  was  born  in  Fulton  County, 
Aug.  24,  1839.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  that  county,  and  lived  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  after 
which  he  followed  different  occupations  until  1861. 
October  11  of  that  year  he  enlisted  in  the  2d  Iowa 
Cavalry,  and  served  his  country  faithfully  and  well 
for  nearly  four  years.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  and 
was  promoted  First  Sergeant.  On  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  enlistment  he  returned  to  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  and  shortly  afterward  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  at  Ipava,  111.  There  he  con- 
tinued for  about  a  year,  when,  disposing  of  his  in- 
terests in  the  store,  he  rented  a  farm,  and  for 
about  a  year  followed  that  vocation.  In  the  spring 
of  1868  he  came  to  this  county,  and  purchased  160 
acres  of  land  in  Blue  Mound  Township.  He  has 
remained  a  resident  of  this  county  since  that  time, 
and  has  owned  various  tracts  of  land  in  different 
parts  of  the  county,  until  he  is  now  the  proprietor 
of  233  acres  in  Towanda  and  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ships. 

Mr.  Catron  was  married  in  Fulton  County,  111., 
July  12,  1866,  to  Mary  S.  Lacey,  daughter  of  John 
and  Chloe  (Kurd)  Lacey,  natives  of  Tompkins 
County,  N.  Y.  Her  parents  settled  in  that  State 
after  their  marriage,  whence  they  removed  to 
Michigan,  and  then  came  to  this  State,  and  took  up 
their  residence  in  Fulton  County.  She  died  there 
in  January,  1879,  and  he  is  yet  living  in  that 
county,  having  attained  the  venerable  age  of 
eighty-three  years.  They  had  nine  children — Ly- 
man,  Harriett,  Elizabeth,  Phebe  A.,  John  W., 
Adelia  A.,  Susanna,  Richard  and  Mary  S.  Mrs. 
Catron  was  born  in  Fulton  County,  111.,  April  25, 
1849.  Her  union  with  our  subject  has  been  pro- 
ductive of  eight  children — Manning  C.,  Roscoe  M., 


n  932 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 


Arthur  B.,  Lyman  C.,  Baird  D.,  Mary  D.,  Bruce  H. 
and  John  Norvil.  Manning  and  Lyman  are  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Catron  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  the  spring  of  1886.  He  has  held  several 
of  the  minor  offices  in  his  township,  and  in  politics 
is  a  stanch  Republican.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  holding  fellowship  with  Post  No. 
146,  of  Bloomington.  Lyman  Lacey,  eldest  brother 
of  Mrs.  Lacey,  of  this  notice,  has  held  the  office  of 
Circuit  Judge  of  Tazewell,  Mason,  De  Witt  and 
Logan  Counties  for  many  years,  and  is  now  on  the 
Appellate  bench. 


I 


ILLIAM     SCOTT     ARNOLD,    of     Blue 

Mound  Township,  and  the  second  child  of 
William  M.  and  Ellen  C.  (Bull)  Arnold, 
is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  born  in  Woodford 
County,  Nov.  17,  1843.  His  parents  were  both 
natives  of  Indiana,  and  after  their  marriage  settled 
in  Owen  County,  where  they  lived  until  about 
1845.  They  then  moved  westward  and  settled  in 
Tazewell  County,  this  State,  whence  they  came  to 
McLean  County,  in  1852,  settling  in  Lexington 
Township.  There  the  father  died  the  following 
year;  the  mother  still  survives.  Their  four  chil- 
dren were,  Esther  M.,  William  Scott,  Missouri  A. 
and  Minter  P. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  a  lad  nine  years 
old  when  his  parents  came  into  this  county.  He 
received  a  common-school  education  and  lived  at 
home  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old.  Then,  the 
late  war  being  in  progress,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  94th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  which  he  served  three  years  and 
received  an  honorable  discharge  at  the  close.  He 
was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  at  once 
returned  to  his  home  in  this  county. 

For  five  years  after  having  been  converted  from 
a  soldier  to  a  civilian,  Mr.  Arnold  carried  on  farm- 
ing pursuits  in  this  county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1871 
removed  to  Bloomington  and  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile business.  In  the  latter  part  of  1872  he  en- 
gaged in  the  sale  of  agricultural  machinery  in 
Bloomington,  in  which  business  he  continued  until 
the  fall  of  1883.  He  then  disposed  of  his  business 


and  returned  to  Blue  Mound  Township,  to  his  old 
farm,  where  he  has  since  remained. 

The  present  homestead  of  our  subject  comprises 
one  half  section  of  improved  land,  upon  which  he 
has  erected  a  beautiful  residence,  second  to  none 
in  McLean  County.  His  barns  and  other  improve- 
ments are  in  keeping  with  the  dwelling.  The  farm 
operations  are  carried  on  systematically,  and  the 
fences,  buildings  and  machinery  kept  in  good  repair. 

The  marriage  of  William  Scott  Arnold  and  Miss 
Mattie  E.  Story  was  celebrated  in  Bloomington. 
111.,  Oct.  25,  1866.  Mrs.  Arnold  was  born  in 
1846,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Palmer  and  Mary  A. 
(Morris)  Story,  natives  respectively  of  England 
and  Pennsylvania.  They  first  settled  in  Ohio,  on 
the  Muskingum  River,  whence  they  emigrated  to 
De  Witt  County,  111.,  in  1836;  and  from  there,  in 
1853,  came  to  Bloomington,  where  they  still  reside. 
Mrs.  A.  was  the  eighth  child  of  a  family  of  nine 
and  was  born  in  De  Witt  County,  111.,  Nov.  29, 
1846. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  have  become  the  parents 
of  six  children,  namely,  William  L.,  Hettie  M., 
Oliver  S.,  Alfred  S.,  Katie  L.  and  Mattie  E.  Mrs. 
A.  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  our  subject  politically  belongs  to  the 
Republican  party.  He  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow  townsmen,  as  exhibited  in  their 
election  of  him  to  numerous  offices  and  places  of 
trust. 


iLIAS  B.  JOHNSON,  one  of  the  respected 
and  prosperous  farmers  of  Blue  Mound 
Township,  is  a  native  of  Saratoga  County, 
N.  Y.,  born  Oct.  21,  1833.  He  is  the  son  of  Lem- 
uel and  Lydia  (Rowley)  Johnson,  the  former  a  na- 
tive of  New  England,  and  the  latter  of  New  York 
State,  in  which  latter  they  settled  after  their  mar- 
riage, In  1851  they  removed  to  Fulton  County, 
111.,  when  their  son,  our  subject,  was  about  eight- 
een years  of  age.  Lemuel  Johnson  was  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  but  after  locating  in  the  Prairie 
State,  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  He  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  home  in  Fulton  County,  where 


t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


933 


his  death  occurred  April  16,  1860;  the  mother  also 
died  there  in  about  1873. 

Of  the  ten  children  in  the  parental  family  Elias 
B.  Johnson  svas  the  seventh.  He  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing pursuits,  and  lived  with  his  parents  in  Fulton 
County  until  1869,  when  he  came  into  Blue  Mound 
Township,  this  county,  and  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  on  section  2 1 ,  which  comprises  a  part  of  his 
present  homestead.  He  has  brought  about  great 
changes  in  the  original  condition  of  his  purchase, 
and  has  added  to  its  extent  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  240  acres,  all  improved  and  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  He  has  also  erected  a  fine  set 
of  farm  buildings,  which  he  keeps  in  good  repair: 
Everything  about  the  premises,  including  the  stock 
and  machinery,  is  carefully  looked  after,  and  the 
homestead  in  all  respects  indicates  the  supervision 
of  an  intelligent  and  progressive  mind.  A  view  of 
the  place  is  shown 'on  another  page. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  first  married  in  Fulton  County, 
111.,  Nov.  27,  1856,  to  Miss  Phoebe  Lacey,  who  was 
a  native  of  Michigan.  One  of  their  children,  Juliett 
E.,  died  in  infancy;  the  other,  Lyman  II.,  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Blue  Mound.  Mrs.  Phoebe  Johnson,  who 
was  the  companion  of  her  husband  but  three  years, 
died  in  November,  1859.  Our  subject  was  again 
married,  in  Fulton  County,  111.,  Dec.  31,  1863,  to 
Miss  Emma,  daughter  of  William  B.  and  Sabiua 
(Rowland)  White,  who  was  born  in  Virginia,  Oct. 
24,  1843.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  four  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  those  surviving 
are  Elmer  H.,  Eva  8.  and  Roy  W.  Mr.  Johnson 
has  held  various  offices  in  his  township,  and  uni- 
formly casts  his  vote  with  the  Democratic  party. 


J"~  OHN  DAWSON,  a  prominent  and  successful 
farmer  of  Lexington  Township,  was  born  in 
I    Madison   County,   near  the   village   of  Mt. 
I    Sterling,  Ohio,    on    the    4th   of   December, 
1820.     His  father,  James  R.  Dawson,  was  a  native 
of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  born  in  1794,  and  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits.     The  Dawson  family 
were  of  Welsh  extraction  and  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica during  the  first  settlement  of  Virginia.     The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Mary,  the   daugh- 


ter   of   Albert   and    Margaret  Ogden,  an  old  and 
wealthy  family  of  much  influence  in  New  York. 

James  R.  Dawson  became  a  resident  of  Madison 
County,  Ohio,  when  a  youth  of  fifteen  years,  and 
was  married  in  1817.  He  first  farmed  on  rented 
land  and  then  purchased  150  acres  which  he  culti- 
vated and  occupied  until  1831.  He  then  removed 
with  his  family  to  Illinois,  and  coming  into  Mc- 
Lean County  in  the  fall  of  1832  settled  on  a  farm 
near  the  timber,  one  and  one-half  miles  southwest 
of  what  is  now  the  town  site  of  Lexington,  where 
he  made  a  purchase  of  240  acres  and  began  its  im- 
provement and  cultivation.  The  purchase  of  this 
exhausted  most  of  his  ready  means,  but  he  was 
an  excellent  financier,  turning  everything  to  good 
account,  and  became  very  successful  in  his  farm- 
ing and  business  transactions.  Three  years  after 
locating  upon  this  homestead  the  family  met  with 
a  severe  affliction  in  the  death  of  the  wife  and 
mother  in  1837.  The  children,  however,  were 
mostly  grown  to  mature  years,  and  were  twelve  in 
number,  nine  boys  and  three  girls.  All  are  living, 
the  youngest  being  past  forty-five  years.  James 
R.  Dawsou  departed  this  life  April  11,  1848. 

John  Dawson  was  about  twelve  years  of  age 
when  his  parents  left  Ohio  for  Illinois.  Most  of  his 
education  was  carried  on  in  the  Buckeye  State,  as 
there  was  no  school  in  this  vicinity  at  the  time  of 
his  coming  here,  and  he  early  commenced  assisting 
his  father  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  When  twenty- 
two  years  old  he  started  out  in  business  for  him- 
self upon  eighty  acres  of  raw  prairie,  which  his  fa- 
ther had  purchased  for  him,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  two  years  later,  was  enabled  to  offer  to 
his  bride  a  comfortable  home.  This  lady  was  Miss 
Arramintia  Adams.  She  was  born  in  Boone 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Mathew 
Adams,  who  removed  from  the  Blue  Grass  region 
to  McLean  County  in  1838.  Our  subject  was 
prospered  in  his  farming  operations  and  fortunate 
jn  his  investments,  and  in  due  time  found  himself 
the  possessor  of  600  acres  of  valuable  land.  Of 
this  400  acres  was  prairie,  for  which  he  paid  $20 
per  acre,  and  which  furnished  a  fine  range  for  the 
cattle  which  he  afterward  dealt  in  extensively,  and 
realized  a  handsome  income  from  his  purchases  and 
sales.  During  the  first  ten  years  he  worked  almost 


I 


934 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


night  and  day  to  establish  himself  upon  a  firm  busi- 
ness footing  and  lay  up  something  for  a  rainy  day. 
In  1875,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  took  a 
trip  to  California,  where  he  remained  four  years 
and  returned  greatly  improved,  and  since  that  time 
has  lived  comparatively  retired.  His  possessions 
now  consist  of  340  acres  of  good  land,  a  handsome 
and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  with  a  fine  barn  and 
all  necessary  out-buildings.  Some  of  his  property 
took  wings  on  account  of  his  going  security  to  the 
'amount  of  $8,262.50,  of  which  he  had  to  pay 
20  per  cent,  but  he  liquidated  this  debt  of  honor 
to  the  last  penny,  and  is  now  living  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  competency. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Only 
two  of  the  sons  survive — Thomas  A.,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  a  resident  of  Chenoa  Township,  and 
Orlando  F.,  at  home.  Mr.  Dawson  politically  is  a 
Jeffersonian  Democrat  and  uniformly  votes  to  up- 
hold the  principles  of  his  party. 

Mr.  Dawson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church 
and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  United  Brethren. 

The  brothers  and  sisters  which  constitute  the 
parental  family  of  our  subject  are  recorded  as  fol- 
lows: Albert  is  a  resident  of  Del  Norte,  Col.;  John, 
of  this  county;  Croghan  and  Samuel  reside  in  Lex- 
ington, and  George  is  in  Kansas;  Cynthia  became 
the  wife  of  Shadrach  Kemp;  Margaret  married  Will- 
iam Wroe,  and  resides  in  McLean  County  near 
Lexington;  James  M.  lives  in  Chenoa  Township: 
Lafayette  is  a  Judge  of  the  Territory  of  Alaska; 
Philander  is  in  Kansas  City,  Mo. ;  Mary  became 
the  wife  of  Daniel  Underwood,  also  of  Kansas 
City. 


J~"  AMES  V.  McCULLOUGH,  one  of   McLean 
County's  prominent  citizens  and   first-class 
farmers,  resides  on  section   12,  Lexington 
Township.     His  parents,  Robert  and  Louisa 
(Moore)   McCullough,  were   born   in  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  where  they  lived  until  1857.     In  the 
spring  of  that  year  they  came  to  this  county,  first  tak- 
ing up  their  residence  at  Bloomington,  where  they 


lived  one  year,  then  removed  to  a  farm  on  section 
1,  in  Lexington  Township.  There  they  lived  and 
labored  until  the  spring  of  1868,  when  they  re- 
moved to  Normal  Township,  and  after  a  residence 
there  of  six  years  returned  to  Lexington  Township, 
where  they  made  their  home  until  their  death.  The 
father  died  in  May,  1877,  and  the  mother  in  De- 
cember, 1882.  Their  nine  children  are  recorded 
as  follows:  Obadiah  is  a  farmer  of  Blue  Mound 
Township ;  Robert  was  a  member  of  the  20th  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  Mound 
City.  111. ;  Mary  J.  is  living  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship; James  V.,  our  subject,  was  the  fourth  child; 
Louisa  died  in  Washington  County,  Pa.,  in  1856; 
Ard  is  a  resident  of  Lexington  Township;  David 
died  in  Lexington  Township  in  1883;  John  is  a 
resident  of  one  of  the  western  Territories,  and 
Frances  died  in  Lexington  Township,  in  i  lay,  1862. 
Our  subject  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Pa.,  June  2,  1846,  and  was  about  eleven  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  came  to  this  county.  Here 
he  completed  his  schooling  and  was  reared  to  the 
calling  of  a  farmer,  which  vocation  he  has  followed 
thus  far  in  life,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  he 
spent  in  the  army.  He  enlisted  Oct.  24, 1863,  in  the 
8th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  until  May  4, 
1866,  when  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Lexington 
Township  and  again  entered  upon  the  peaceful 
pursuits  of  farming.  He  is  the  owner  of  180  acres 
of  good  land  and  is  meeting  with  success  in  the 
prosecution  of  his  vocation.  Mr.  McCullough  was 
married  in  Bloomington,  111.,  Jan.  23,  1877,  to 
Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Eliza  J. 
'  (Moore)  Power,  natives  of  Westmoreland  County, 
Pa.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  McCullough  moved  from 
Pennsylvania  to  this  county  in  1856.  After  liv- 
ing here  a  year,  they  went  back  to  the  Keystone 
State,  where  the  mother  died  in  1858.  The  father 
again  came  to  this  county  and  has  made  this  his 
home  until  the  present  time.  Three  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Power  and  named,  Mary  A., 
Jane  C.  and  John  M.  Jane  died  in  infancy  and 
John  is  a  resident  of  this  count}-.  Mrs.  McCullough 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  Sept.  18, 
1845,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  three  children — Frances  L., 
Linden,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Me- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4- 

937  t  , 


Cullough  has  held  the  office  of  School  Director  of 
his  township,  and  socially  is  a  member  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  belonging  to  Post  No.  240,  of  Lexington. 
In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


,  EV.  FATHER  M.  WELDON,  Rector  of  the 
11^..  Holy  Trinity  Church  of  Bloomington,  is 
cfc  «i  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  citizens  of 
^p) tli is  locality,  and  by  his  useful  life  and  cour- 
teous demeanor  has  gathered  around  him  a  circle  of 
warm  friends,  not  alone  including  those  of  his  own 
parish  but  embracing  the  community  at  large. 

Father  Weldon  was  born  in  the  city  of  New 
Orleans,  La.,  in  1845,  received  his  education  in 
Grand  Seminary  of  that  city,  and  was  ordained  in 
1870,  his  first  charge  being  in  Jackson,  La.  On 
account  of  failing  health  he  was  forced  to  abandon 
it,  and  coming  North,  became  an  assistant  in  the 
parish  of  Monmouth,  111.,  with  which  he  was  con- 
nected the  following  nine  months.  He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  Keithsburg,  and  after  eleven  months 
spent  there,  returned  to  Monmouth,  whence,  after 
ten  months,  he  was  sent  to  Bloomington,  and  has 
been  Rector  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  this  city 
since  July  2,  1879. 

Father  Weldon  found  the  church  here  in  a 
gloomy  condition,  with  an  indebtedness  of  $46,000 
and  the  church  building  unfinished.  Although 
realizing  the  heavy  burden  placed  upon  him,  he  at 
once  set  to  work  to  retrieve  the  condition  of  his 
people  here.  His  earnest  zeal  in  the  cause  to  which 
he  had  devoted  his  life  and  his  excellent  personal 
traits  of  character  paved  the  way  for  his  complete 
success  in  his  undertaking.  During  the  years  fol- 
lowing, besides  relieving  the  church  from  a  part  of 
its  indebtedness,  he  has  effected  the  reseating  of 
the  building,  put  in  steam .  heating  apparatus,  laid 
walks  around  the  block  included  in  the  church 
property,  which  contains  the  parochial  residence, 
school,  etc.,  and  in  1885  erected  the  present  school 
building  with  all  modern  improvements.  It  was 
built  of  brick  at  a  cost  of  $21,582.85.  In  this  he 
established  a  free  parochial  school,  equipped  with  a 
force  of  ten  Sisters  as  teachers,  and  which  now  has 
an  attendance  of  600  pupils.  Connected  with  the 

«• 


church  is  St.  Joseph's  Academy  for  girls,  under 
the  charge  of  Sister  Emalda,  Superior.  The  parish 
now  includes  about  500  families.  Father  Weldon 
has  two  assistants,  Fathers  Quinn  and  O'Dwyer. 

The  original  church  was  built  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  parochial  residence,  under  the 
ministrations  of  Father  O'Gara  in  about  1868.  The 
edifice  was  destroyed  by  a  hurricane,  and  the  present 
church,  commenced  by  Dr.  McGovern,  was  enclosed 
by  Father  McDermott  in  1878.  By  private  sub- 
scriptions and  fairs  Father  Weldon,  after  building 
the  school-house  and  adding  other  permanent  im- 
provements, has  reduced  the  indebtedness  to  $25,- 
915.12.  He  prepares  a  general  statement  each  year 
of  the  church  and  school  for  his  people,  so  that 
they  may  be  satisfied  with  the  disbursement  of 
funds  and  his  management.  In  looking  up  the 
statements  we  find  the  following  interesting  facts: 
$56,545.92  have  been  paid  on  permanent  improve- 
ments, interest  and  old  debt,  and  $10,940  for  edu- 
cational purposes,  making  a  grand  total  of  $67,- 
485.92  expended  for  the  work  done  for  seven 
years.  The  present  cost  of  the  church  property  in 
this  city,  including  the  school  and  residence,  is  over 
$135,000.  A  page  view  of  the  church,  parsonage 
and  school  buildings  is  shown  on  an  adjoining  page. 

Father  Weldon  has  exhibited  more  than  ordinary 
unselfishness  in  his  labors,  and  his  unostentatious 
life  is  worthy  of  the  highest  praise. 


eROGHAN  DAWSON,  an  extensive  land- 
holder of  this  county  and  residing  at  Lex- 
ington, is  entitled  to  a  place  among  the  old 
settlers  of  this  county,  having  come  here  in  Decem- 
ber, 1832,  from  Madison  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
was  born  on  a  farm  near  Mt.  Sterling,  Oct.  10, 
1822.  The  father  of  our  subject,  James  R.  Daw- 
son,  was  a  Kentuckian  by  birth,  and  first  saw  light 
in  Bourbon  County,  in  1794.  His  father,  grand- 
father of  Croghan,  was  killed  by  the  Indians  while 
on  his  way  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky.  The  Daw- 
sons  were  of  Welsh  extraction  and  the  great-great- 
grandfather of  our  subject  was  born  in  Wales,  but 
became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  locating  in 
Virginia.  He  was  twice  married,  having  sixteen 


I  938 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


children  by  each  of  his  two  marriages — making 
him  the  father  of  thirty-two  children.  The  strange 
part  of  it  is  that  they  all  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
manhood  and  womanhood,  and  the  father  at  the 
time  of  his  demise  had  reached  the  age  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  years.  He  dropped 
dead  while  carrying  a  basket  of  corn  to  his  pigs. 

James  R.  Dawson,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  reared  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  this 
writing.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  family 
in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  settled  on  the  south  side  of 
Mackinaw  Creek  in  Money  Creek  Township,  where 
he  purchased  two  eighty-acre  tracts  of  land.  On 
this  land  he  located  with  his  family  and  engaged 
in  farming,  where  he  met  with  success  and  where 
he  remained  until  his  death,  in  April,  1848.  The 
maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary  Ogden,  daugh- 
ter of  Albert  Ogden,  of  Ohio.  She  died  in  this 
county  in  about  1834.  Of  the  twelve  children, 
two  are  living  in  Kansas  City;  one  in  Alaska;  the 
other  nine  in  this  county.  La  Fayette,  the  son 
living  in  Alaska,  holds  the  position  of  Supreme 
Judge,  to  which  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Cleveland.  He  is  the  only  lawyer  in  the  family. 

Croghan  Dawson  is  the  third  child  of  his  parents, 
and  was  but  ten  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied 
them  to  this  county.  His  schooling  thereafter  was 
received  in  the  pioneer  log  school-house,  and  his 
years  were  passed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
twenty,  when  he  went  to  work  for  himself.  He 
had  prior  to  this  age,  bought  small  tracts  of  land, 
and  on  becoming  his  own  man,  worked  his  land  for 
a  time,  and  finally  traded  it  for  an  eighty-acre 
tract  in  Money  Creek  Township.  On  this  he  locat- 
ed and  kept  "  bach  "  with  his  brother,  John,  until 
the  latter  was  married ;  our  subject  then  lived  with 
him  two  years,  and  until  concluding  that  he  would 
join  the  army  of  benedicts  himself,  which  he  did 
on  the  2d  of  February,  1847,  being  then  married 
to  Elizabeth  Haner.  Mrs.  Dawson  had  been 
brought  to  this  county  from  Ohio,  by  her  parents 
in  1826,  when  an  infant  of  three  weeks  old.  After 
marriage,  Mr.  Dawson  settled  north  of  Lexington 
on  a  farm  that  he  had  improved  while  keeping 
"  bach."  On  this  place  be  engaged  in  general 
i  •  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  small  scale,  being 


"SpSLLIS 
P  Frei 
/I*— ^  citiz 


f 

T 


then  the  proprietor  of  but  little  of  this  world's 
goods.  He  soon  sold  this  place  to  his  brother 
John,  and  then  entered  185  acres  to  which  he  after- 
ward added  forty  acres,  and  where  he  made  his 
home  for  fifteen  years.  He  subsequently  bought 
U!7  acres  more  adjoining  his  farm,  which  gave  him 
a  total  of  842  acres  of  land  all  in  a  body,  and 
which  he  still  owns.  On  this  large  farm  our  sub- 
ject has  six  dwelling-houses.  He  rents  out  a  por- 
tion of  his  land,  and  cultivates  the  remainder  with 
the  assistance  of  his  son. 

In  1858,  on  the  completion  of  the  C.  &  A.  R.  R. 
Mr.  Dawson  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping 
of  hogs,  cattle,  sheep  and  horses.  During  the  war 
he  carried  on  this  business  quite  extensively,  and 
gradually  increased  his  exchequer,  and  was  thus 
occupied  until  1870,  when  he  settled  up  his  busi- 
ness and  abandoned  that  branch  of  his  vocation. 
In  1877  he  embarked  in  the  breeding  of  Norman 
horses  on  a  small  scale.  He  now  has  two  imported 
stallions  and  four  imported  mares,  all  registered  in 
the  National  Herd  Book,  together  with  some  fine 
yearling  colts. 

In  the  fall  of  1884  our  subject  leased  the  farm 
and  moved  into  the  village  of  Lexington,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  Politically  Mr.  Dawson  is  a 
Democrat,  and  voted  for  Andrew  Jackson.  He 
and  his  wife  .are  devoted  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church  at  Lexington,  and  our  subject  is 
Assistant  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  at 
that  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dawson  reared  an  inter- 
esting family  of  children,  all  of  whom  with  one 
exception  are  living,  and  are  respected  members  of 
society,  living  up  to  the  parental  precepts  in  a 
manner  reflecting  credit  upon  their  early  training. 


LLIS  DILLON,  importer  and  breeder  of 
French  draft  horses,  is  not  only  a  leading 
/I* — ^  citizen  of  McLean  County  but  is  numbered 
among  the  leading  stock  men  of  the  State.  Of  his 
ancestors  little  is  known  except  that  the  Dillons 
have  been  residents  of  the  United  States  for  sev- 
eral generations.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Jesse 
Dillon,  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  but  when  a 
young  man  removed  with  his  parents  to  Clinton 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 

939' 


I 


County,  Ohio.  He  was  there  married  to  Hannah 
Pugh,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  and  removed 
with  her  parents  to  Ohio  the  same  year  that  the  Dil- 
lons settled  there.  Jesse  Dillon  was  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  and  also  owned  and  cultivated  a  small  farm 
in  Ohio  until  1821.  He  then  took  a  trip  to  Illinois 
and  traveled  over  considerable  territory,  following 
the  Indian  trail  with  a  pocket  compass,  and  exam- 
ining the  country.  Returning  to  Ohio  he  contin- 
ued to  reside  there  until  1 822,  when  he  again  came 
to  Illinois  and  selected  Tazewell  County  as  his  fu- 
ture home,  and  the  following  year,  1823,  moved 
his  family  there.  He  soon  constructed  a  rude  log 
cabin,  in  which  the  family  passed  the  winter  of 
1823.  They  had  no  neighbors  except  the  Indians 
for  many  miles  around  and  the  father  hauled  corn 
from  Elkhart,  III.,  which  he  crushed  and  which  the 
good  wife  made  into  corn  cakes  for  the  sustenance 
of  the  family.  They  nevertheless  had  plenty  of 
fish  and  wild  game,  and  the  winter  being  mild 
they  did  not  suffer. 

In  the  spring  of  1824  Jesse  Dillon  erected  a 
double  log  house  in  Tazewell  County,  which  af- 
forded them  a  convenient  and  commodious  place 
of  shelter.  The  previous  summer  two  brothers* 
Nathan  and  William,  came  from  Sangamon  County 
111.,  where  they  had  lived  one  year,  and  his 
brothers  and  sisters  from  Ohio  came  that  year  and 
settled  in  his  neighborhood.  When  the  township 
was  formed  it  was  named  in  honor  of  Jesse  Dil- 
lon. The  first  post-office  in  the  township  was  Dil- 
lon, and  also  a  creek  in  that  township  bears  the 
family  name.  Jesse  and  Hannah  Dillon  were  the 
parents  of  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  six  of 
whom  are  now  deceased,  and  of  the  five  sons  liv- 
ing, our  subject  is  the  oldest. 

Ellis  Dillon  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio, 
March  25,  1816,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  years 
came  with  his  parents  to  this  State.  His  early  edu- 
cation was  somewhat  limited  on  account  of  the  lo- 
cation of  the  family  in  a  wild  and  undeveloped 
country,  where  no  public  school  facilities  existed. 
But  Ellis  D.  possessed  ambition,  and  being  en- 
dowed with  a  good  supply  of  common  sense,  he 
not  only  gained  information  from  practical  observ- 
ation, but  studied  at  home.  His  early  life  was 
passed  on  the  farm,  and  on  attaining  the  age  of 


manhood  for  seven  years  he  was' engaged  in  running 
a  sawmill.  Abandoning  the  latter  business  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  Delavau  Prairie,  Tazewell 
Countj',  in  which  he  met  with  success.  Like  his 
father  he  was  exceedingly  fond  of  horses.  In  1854 
he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Bloomington.  At 
that  time  he  owned  a  fine  imported  French  draft 
horse  and  had  about  $10,000  in  cash.  From 
the  time  he  made  Bloomington  his  home  he  has 
turned  his  attention  to  the  breeding  and  sale  of 
horses. 

In  1866  our  subject  moved  to  Normal,  but  had 
before  this  time  associated  himself  with  his  two 
nephews,  Isaac  and  Levi  Dillon,  and  established  the 
firm  of  E.  Dillon  &  Co.  In  1870  this  firm  im- 
ported four  horses,  and  in  1872  Adolphus  Dillon, 
son  of  our  subject,  was  admitted  as  a  partner  in 
the  business,  and  that  year  the  firm  imported 
twelve  horses.  After  that  they  imported  eleven 
lots  of  horses  and  met  with  signal  success  in 
the  conducting  of  their  business.  Our  sub- 
ject has  visited  France  twelve  times  for  horses 
thus  crossing  the  Atlantic  Ocean  twenty-four  times. 
The  firm  spoken  of  dissolved  partnership  in  1883. 

Mr.  Dillon  is  at  present  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm 
of  250  acres  adjoining  the  city  of  Normal,  for 
which  he  paid  $22,000.  He  has  added  many  fine 
improvements  to  the  place  since  he  has  owned  it, 
and  it  is  now  one  of  the  finest  farms  to  be  found 
within  the  boundary  lines  of  the  State,  and  al- 
though he  is  still  a  dealer  in  horses  he  is  enabled  to 
live  a  somewhat  retired  life,  enjoying  his  handsome 
competency.  His  business  career  has  been  marked 
and  successful,  and  to  each  of  his  children  he  has 
given  liberally  from  his  exchequer.  Politically  he 
was,  from  boyhood,  opposed  to  slavery,  and  dur- 
ing the  time  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  helped  the 
negroes  over  the  Underground  Railroad  to  a  place 
of  safety.  When  the  Republican  party  came  into 
existence  he  joined  its  ranks  and  is  still  a  stanch 
supporter  of  its  principles.  Four  years  he  held  the 
office  of  Supervisor  in  Tazewell  County,  and  for 
two  years  held  the  same  office  in  this  county.  He 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  since 
1838,  and  has  never  united  with  any  secret  society. 

Mr.  Dillon  has  been  three  times  married.  In 
1836  Mary  J.  Fisher  became  his  wife.  She  was  a 


^ 


J. 

t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


daughter  of  James  Fisher,  a  settler  in  Tazewell 
County,  and  lived  only  two  short  years  after  her 
marriage,  leaving  one  child  who  died  when  eleven 
years  old.  In  1830  Mr.  Dillon  was  married  to 
Mary  Hodgson,  who  died  iii  1844  without  issue. 
Feb.  24,  1845,  our  subject  formed  another  matri- 
monial alliance,  Miss  Martha  Fisher,  a  sister  of  his 
first  wife  being  the  other  contracting  party.  Of 
this  union  five  children  have  been  born,  two  dying 
in  infancy;  one,  a  daughter,  Sarah,  became  the  wife 
of  Ruben  Bright,  and  departed  this  life  in  1881. 
The  other  two  were  Adolphus,  who  was  married, 
Nov.  20,  1873,  to  Miss  Paulina  Britt,  and  resides 
in  Normal,  and  Emma,  who  is  at  home  with  her 
parents. 


LVAN  PACKARD,  of  Bloomington  Town- 
Ship,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful farmers  of   this  region,  is  the  pos- 
sessor of    167    acres  of   finely  cultivated 
land  located  on  section  11,  and  near  the  city  limits 
of  Bloomington.     In  connection  with  his  farming 
operations    he   is  giving  much   attention    to    the 
breeding  of  fine  stock,  in   which  he  has  been  suc- 
cessful, and  exhibits  some  of  the  choicest  animals 
to  be  found  in  the  county. 

Mr.  Packard  located  on  his  present  homestead  in 
1865,  having  purchased  it  the  year  previous.  He 
commenced  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  and  has  ac- 
cumulated his  present  possessions  solely  by  the  ex- 
ercise of  industry  and  economy.  When  he  came 
to  his  farm  it  was  a  tract  of  unimproved  land  and 
it  has  taken  years  of  laborious  and  persevering  toil 
to  bring  it  to  its  present  condition,  and  he  is  fully 
justified  in  viewing  the  result  of  his  labors  with 
pride  and  satisfaction. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Millbury,  Worcester 
Co.,  Mass.,  Sept.  19,  1821.  His  father,  Job  Pack- 
ard, was  a  native  of  Bridgewater,  Plymouth  Co., 
Mass.,  and  descended  from  one  of  the  prominent 
families  of  that  section  who  assisted  in  establishing 
and  maintaining  the  independence  of  the  colonies. 
•  They  were  originally  from  England,  the  first  repre- 


*»    • 


sentatives  of  the  family  in  this  country  being 
among  the  Puritan  settlers  in  Massachusetts,  and 
they  occupy  a  position  among  the  most  prominent 
of  the  old  families  of  Plymouth  County.  More  than 
1,000  of  that  name  are  registered  in  the  town  of 
Bridgewater. 

Job  Packard,  the  father  of  our  subject,  died  at 
his  home  in  Millbury  on  the  17th  of  August,  1836. 
He  was  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  community, 
was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  an  active  member  of 
the  Congregational  Society.  After  his  decease,  in 
1849  the  mother  of  our  subject  came  West,  and 
locating  at  Princeton,  Bureau  Co.,  111.,  died  there 
on  the  17th  of  February,  1868.  She  was  an  affec- 
tionate wife  and  mother  and  a  zealous  Christian, 
and  left  behind  her  a  record  of  good  deeds  and 
womanly  virtues.  Her  name  is  held  in  kindly  re- 
membrance by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances to  whom  she  had  endeared  herself  by 
generous  acts  of  kindness  and  her  excellent  traits 
of  character. 

Alvan  Packard,  our  subject,  was  the  youngest  son 
of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  four  sons  and  four 
daughters  lived  to  mature  years.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  old  academy  at  Leicester,  Mass.  He 
was  a  bright  and  studious  boy,  fond  of  his  books, 
and  ambitious  to  excel,  and  while  yet  a  young 
man  became  a  civil  engineer  and  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  State.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Hartford  <fe 
Springfield  Railroad  Co.  to  assist  in  surveying  their 
line  and  subsequently  on  the  Worcester  &  Nashua 
Railroad,  and  also  the  road  between  New  London 
and  Palmer.  In  1849  he  decided  to  visit  the 
Western  country,  and  accordingly  started  for  the 
prairies  of  Illinois.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Taze- 
well  County,  and  after  working  upon  it  for  nearly 
two  years,  became  connected  with  the  Military 
Tract,  now  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  and  was  en- 
gaged on  a  division  of  that  road  for  some  time  as 
civil  engineer.  While  thus  occupied  he  was  solic- 
ited by  Mr.  R.  B.  Mason,  Chief  Engineer  on  the 
Illinois  Central,  to  take  a  similar  position  on  their 
road.  He  was  connected  with  the  first  division 
during  the  building  of  the  road,  and  had  charge  as 
resident  engineer  in  the  spring  of  1853.  He  after-  i 


*r 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


943 


ward  came  to  Bloomiugton,  III.,  and  was  subse- 
quently employed  by  the  Missouri  &  Pacific  Com- 
pany, who  were  then  the  managers  of  what  was 
called  the  Brough  Road.  Mr.  Schuyler,  the  finan- 
cial manager  of  the  road,  failed  to  meet  his  obliga- 
tions and  business  on  that  line  suspended  indefinite- 
ly, so  that  Mr.  Packard,  with  many  others,  lost  his 
situation.  He  then  went  to  Macon  County,  and 
while  at  Decatur  was  employed  for  a  few  months 
on  the  Great  Western  Railroad.  He  subsequently 
purchased  a  farm  in  Woodford  County. 

While  in  Woodford  County,  Mr.  Packard  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Esther  J.  Ranney,  the 
wedding  taking  place  on  the  27th  of  March,  1855. 
Mrs.  P.  was  born  and  reared  in  Stockbridge,  Vt., 
and  came  West  with  her  parents  when  a  child  eight 
years  of  age.  Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  born  eight  children,  as  follows: 
Lenora  R.,  Charles  A.,  Almira  E.,  Luella  M.,  Joel 
R.,  Joel  A.,  Edith  J.  and  Edwin  S.  Joel  A.  is  at 
home;  Edwin  S.  is  attending  the  State  Normal 
School  at  Carbondale;  the  balance  of  the  children 
are  deceased.  Mrs.  P.,  the  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren, has  been  an  invalid  for  many  years,  but  al- 
though deprived  of  many  of  the  pleasures  of  life, 
she  bears  her  affliction  patiently  and  hopes  for 
something  better  in  the  future.  She  is  a  lady 
highly  esteemed  for  her  many  excellent  personal 
traits  of  character,  and  has  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances  in  this  vicinity.  With  her  hus- 
band she  is  connected  with  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  Bloomington,  of  which  Mr.  P.  has  been 
a  regular  attendant  since  its  organization.  In 
politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  heartily 
gives  his  influence  to  the  support  of  the  principles 
of  his  party  and  much  of  his  time  to  promote  its 
welfare  in  his  section. 

In  early  manhood,  before  his  marriage  with  his 
present  wife,  Mr.  Packard  was  united  in  wedlock 
with  Miss  Rebecca  Newton.  She  was  a  native  of 
Vermont.  Later  she  became  a  resident  of  Worces- 
ter, Mass.,  where  she  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
Mr.  Packard.  After  their  marriage  in  1850,  she  re- 
moved West  with  her  husband,  and  died  in  Taze- 
well  County,  III.  Of  this  union  there  were  no 
children,  but  the  young  wife  is  held  in  kindly  re- 
membrance for  her  amiable  disposition  and  lovable 


traits  of  character,  and  was  deeply  lamented  by  her 
youthful  partner. 

Accompanying  this  sketch  may  be  seen  the  por- 
trait of  Mr.  Packard,  who  is  a  truly  representative 
citizen  of  McLean  County. 


;ILLIAM  H.  VICTOR.      He   who  has   no 

regard  for  the  record  of  the  past,  no  inter- 
est in  the  present,  and  no  anxiety  for  the 
future,  is  scarcely  to  be  named  a  citizen  of  the 
world.  Few  can  look  back  to  the  history  of  their 
own  lives,  family  and  ancestry,  and  not  discover 
elements  which  have  shaped  their  destiny.  Like 
produces  like  in  the  moral  as  well  as  in  the  natural 
world.  William  H.  Victor,  of  whose  life  we  shall 
give  a  brief  outline,  is  a  gentleman  who  in  every 
way  honors  the  dignity  of  American  citizenship, 
and  who  toils  to  make  the  world  better  and  those 
around  him  happier. 

Mr.  Victor  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1864.  He  owns  and  occupies  a  fine 
farm  of  230  acres,  located  on  section  3,  Normal 
Township.  His  land  is  all  improved,  and  Mr.  V. 
is  giving  much  attention  to  the  raising  of  fine 
stock.  He  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky., 
June  8,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Ambrose  D.  and 
Eliza  (Sturgis)  Victor,  natives  of  the  same  State. 
The  father  resided  there  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred when  he  was  only  thirty-three  years  of  age. 
The  mother  is  still  living  upon  the  homestead  in 
Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  aged  seventy-five  years. 
Their  family  included  four  children  :  William  H.  ; 
Ed}T,  the  wife  of  James  A.  Mathers,  who  lives  in 
Carlisle,  Ky.  ;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Alanson  Brewington,  of 
Bates  County,  Mo.  ;  Martha,  Mrs.  Robert  S.  Will- 
iams, of  Nicholas  County,  Ky. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  oldest  of  his 
parents'  family,  and  the  only  son.  He  was  reared 
to  farming  pursuits,  attended  the  common  schools 
and  had  the  advantage  of  excellent  private  in- 
struction at  home.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he 
crossed  the  plains  to  the  Pacific  Slope,  and  for  four 
years  engaged  in  mining  in  California.  He  then 
returned  to  Kentucky  via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama, 
and  four  years  later,  in  September,  1854,  was  mar- 


f 

*-•-«• 


.  ,    944 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


riod  to  Miss  Susan  J.  Wood,  a  native  of  his  own 
county.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Victor,  Nirarod  Wood, 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  was  married  Feb. 
14,  1831.  to  Miss  Margaret  McClintock,  a  native  of 
the  same  .State;  there  was  but  one  month's  differ- 
ence in  their  age,  and  both  were  born  in  1796. 
They  are  now  deceased.  After  marriage  our 
subject  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Kentucky,  which 
he  occupied  and  cultivated  for  the  following 
ten  years.  He  then  came  to  Illinois  with  his 
family  and  purchased  his  present  farm.  He  has 
greatly  improved  its  condition  since  it  came  into 
his  possession;  has  now  a  substantial  dwelling,  a 
good  barn  and  all  necessary  conveniences  for  the 
storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter  of  stock.  He  is  in 
all  respects  a  representative  farmer  of  McLean 
County,  one  of  the  best  agricultural  counties  in 
the  Nation,  and  reckoned  among  its  foremost  citi- 
zens. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Victor  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  Ambrose,  Eliza,  the  wife  of 
Albert  Kneass;  Maggie  M.,  Annie  J.,  William  J., 
Mattie,  Katie  and  Nimrod.  Our  subject  politically 
adheres  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  religiously 
has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Christian  Church 
for  many  years. 

Mr.  Victor  has  been  fairly  successful  in  his  pres- 
ent occupation,  and  has  shown  rare  judgment  and 
good  management  in  his  business  and  farming 
operations.  In  the  various  relations  of  life  he  sus- 
tains the  character  of  an  estimable  citizen,  neigh- 
bor and  friend,  and  enjoys  the  full  confidence  and 
regard  of  those  who  know  him.  The  accompany- 
ing portrait  will  be  gladly  welcomed  by  many  who 
highly  esteem  him. 


THOMAS  C.  HASTINGS,  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1 855,  and 
owns  and  occupies  a  farm  of  240  acres  in 
Blue  Mound  Township,  where  he  has  a  handsome 
and  substantial  residence  and  all  modem  improve- 
ments, also  owns  a  valuable  tract  of  timber  land 
and  village  property  in  Cooksville.  This  farm  he 
has  occupied  since  1870,  and  materially  enhanced 
it-  value.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  great  energy  and 


resolution,  and  occupies  a  prominent  position  in 
the  agricultural  interests  of  this  section. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette  County,  Pa.,  Feb.  10,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Jane  (Carroll)  Hastings,  also  natives  of 
the  Keystone  State.  They  spent  their  entire  lives 
in  their  native  country,  and  there  their  remains  are 
buried.  John  Hastings  died  of  Asiatic  cholera  Dec. 
14,  1832,  when  but  thirty-seven  years  of  age.  Mrs. 
Jane  C.  Hastings  survived  her  husband  twenty-six 
years,  her  death  occurring  Dec.  19,  1858,  when  she 
was  sixty-two  years  of  age.  They  were  married 
Sept.  23,  1819,  and  became  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren— William,  Mary  A.,  James  J.,  Thomas  C.  and 
Jane. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  plasterer's  trade,  which  he 
followed  in  his  native  county  until  1855.  In 
March  of  that  year  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  worked 
one  month  at  his  trade  in  Bloomington,  then  went 
to  Atlanta,  Logan  County,  remaining  there  one 
summer,  and  for  three  years  afterward  followed  his 
trade  in  Champaign  County.  In  the  fall  of  1855 
he  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Chenoa  Town- 
ship, this  county,  which  he  sold  in  1858;  he  then 
became  a  resident  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  where 
he  remained  from  1859  until  1870,  when  he  dis- 
posed of  his  interests  there  and  came  into  this 
township,  locating  upon  his  present  homestead, 
which  by  his  industry  and  good  judgment  he  has 
transformed  into  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots 
in  the  township. 

The  marriage  of  Thomas  C.  Hastings  and  Miss 
Rachel  Hays  took  place  on  the  5th  of  July,  1860, 
in  Champaign  County.  Mrs.  Hastings  is  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Miller)  Hays,  the 
former  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Pa.,  and 
the  latter  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio.  They  set- 
tled in  the  latter  State  and  county  soon  after  their 
marriage,  and  after  a  residence  there  of  eight  years 
removed  to  Vinton  Count}',  where  they  lived  un- 
til 1857.  They  then  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
Champaign  County,  where  the  father  spent  his  last 
days  in  Homer,  dying  in  September,  1860.  The 
mother  afterward  removed  with  her  family  to  Piatt, 
where  she  has  since  resided.  Their  six  children  ' 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-4- 

945     , 


were — William,  Abraham,  Rachel.  Sarah.  Henry 
and  Langartha.  Rachel,  Mrs.  Hastings,  was  born 
in  Muskinguin  County,  Ohio,  April  4,  1844.  Of 
her  union  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  one,  a  little  daughter, 
Ada,  died  in  Blue  Mound  Township  in  the  fall  of 
1872,  when  about  five  years  old.  The  others  were 
Henry  M.,  Frank  C.,  William  M.,  Charles,  Odus 
and  Elmer. 

*Mr.  Hastings  has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices 
in  his  township;  with  his  wife  he  is  a  member  in 
good  standing  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  has 
been  an  Elder  since  1872.  Politically  he  casts  his 
vote  with  the  Democratic  party.  In  all  respects 
he  is  fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a  good  citizen, 
and  doing  his  full  share  toward  building  up  the 
agricultural  and  business  interests  of  Blue  Mound 
Township.  A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Hastings' 
residence  appears  elsewhere  in  this  book. 


IMON  A.  McCARTNEY,  Postmaster  at 
Weston,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  State 
since  1875,  during  which  year  he  located 
at  Gridley,  in  this  county,  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  vicinity,  with  the  exception  of 
about  eighteen  months,  since  that  time.  He  is 
held  in  high  respect  as  an  intelligent  and  thorough- 
going farmer,  a  good  citizen  and  valuable  member 
of  the  community.  Mr.  McCartney  comes  from 
excellent  Pennsylvania  stock,  having  been  born  in 
Fayette  County,  Pa.,  July  19,  1833.  His  father, 
William  McCartney,  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
County,  that  State,  and  became  one  of  the  promi- 
ment  boat  builders  of  that  section.  The  mother 
of  our  subject,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss 
Sarah  Sadler,  was  a  native  of  F'ayette  County,  Pa., 
of  which  she  remained  a  resident  during  her  entire 
life.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  eight  chil- 
dren, only  three  of  whom  are  living;  one  son,  J.  T., 
served  as  a  soldier  in  Co.  E,  14th  Pa.  Vol.  Cav., 
during  the  late  Civil  War,  and  I'eceived  a  gunshot 
wound  at  the  battle  of  Winchester  which  disabled 
his  right  arm.  After  the  war,  not  being  able  to 
perform  manual  labor,  he  educated  himself  for  the 
ministry  and  subsequently  became  a  noted  clergy- 


man  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  died 
April  21,  1885,  and  his  remains  are  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Nashville,  Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  eldest  child 
of  his  parents.  He  was  reared  to  habits  of  indus- 
try, and  his  school  days  were  limited  to  a  few 
short  terms  in  the  district  schools.  When  nineteen 
years  of  age,  with  the  permission  of  his  father,  he 
commenced  the  battle  of  life  for  himself  as  a  farm 
laborer,  receiving  the  munificent  salary  of  |>G  per 
month.  Not  being  satisfied  with  the  results  of  hard 
labor,  he  took  up  the  early  trade  of  his  father, 
boat  building,  and  located  in  Monongalia  County, 
W.  Va.  During  the  late  war  he  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  service,  becoming  a  member  of  Co. 
D,  14th  Pa.  Vol.  Cav.,  with  which  he  remained  un- 
til Aug.  28,  1865.  Although  his  term  of  service 
was  not  as  lengthy  as  that  of  some  others,  yet  he 
participated  in  no  less  than  fifteen  battles  and  skir- 
mishes, among  which  may  be  mentioned,  Solomon's 
Gap,  Harper's  Ferry,  Martinsburg,  Winchester  and 
Bunker  Hill.  After  receiving  his  honorable  dis- 
charge and  being  mustered  out,  he  joined  his 
family  in  West  Virginia,  and  they  continued  to 
reside  there  until  1875.  They  then  removed  to 
Illinois,  locating  first  in  Gridley  as  before  men- 
tioned, and  from  there,  after  eighteen  months, 
moved  to  Tazewell  County.  Thence,  in  the  spring 
of  1878,  he  returned  to  McLean  County  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Yates  Township.  In  1880  he 
removed  to  Weston  and  subsequently  entered  the 
employ  of  Haynes,  Rakestraw  <fe  Co.,  grain  mer- 
chants, with  whom  hi;  continued  until  Aug.  3,  1885, 
when  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as  Postmaster. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  history 
of  Mr.  McCartney  occurred  Oct.  14,  1852,  when 
he  was  united,  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  E. 
Wood,  in  Fayette  County,  Pa.  Mrs.  McC.  was 
reared  in  the  latter  county  although  born  in  Mo- 
nongalia County,  W.  Va.  Of  this  marriage  there 
were  born  six  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy: Clara  E.  is  the  wife  of  Joel  R.  Maxwell; 
Sarah  J.  married  J.  T.  Vance;  Willliam  I.,  George 
A.  and  Enoch  W.  are  in  charge  of  two  stock  farms 
about  eight  miles  from  Peoria,  111.,  owned  by  O. 
J.  Bailey.  William  I.  married  Miss  Syrenia  Smith, 
of  Gridley.  George  A.  is  single.  Enoch  W.  mar- 


t 


I 


946 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ried  Miss  Gayman,  of  Chenoa.  Mrs.  McCartney- 
has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
for  many  years. 

Our  subject,  politically,  is  a  stanch  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party.  He  has  been  prominent  in 
the  affairs  of  his  township,  served  as  Constable 
about  four  years  and  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  1885,  n  position  which  he  has  held  con- 
tinuously since  that  time.  He  is  also  a  mewber  of 
the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  192. 


WILLIAM  N.  McNAUGHT,  senior  member 
of  the  firm  of  McNaught  &  Mercer,  is, 
with  his  partner,  carrying  on  a  profitable 
trade  in  hardware  and  agricultural  implements  at 
Lexington.  Mr.  McNaught  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  having  been  born  on  a  farm  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  Jan.  7,  1848.  He  was  the  fourth 
son  and  child  of  George  and  Nancy  McNaught, 
and  resided  during  his  boyhood  and  youth  under 
the  parental  roof,  receiving  his  primary  education 
in  the  district  school.  Later  he  entered  Wesleyan 
University  at  Bloomington,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  His  father  then  died  and  our  subject  was 
called  home  to  assist  his  mother  in  her  farming 
business,  and  here  he  continued  until  1866,  when 
he  removed  to  Lexington  and  purchased  the  inter- 
est of  his  step-father,  Dr.  J.  L.  Brooks,  and  became 
the  partner  of  his  brother,  N.  F.  McXaught,  in  the 
drug-store  business.  This  they  carried  on  under 
the  firm  style  of  McNaught  Bros,  until  1882,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years,  during  which  his 
brother  retired,  and  his  mother  became  a  partner 
in  the  business.  In  1880  she  disposed  of  her  in- 
terest to  John  B.  Dawson,  and  in  1882  McNaught 
&  Dawson  sold  to  J.  D.  Packard  <fe  Co. 

Mr.  McNaught  after  disposing  of  his  drug  busi- 
ness engaged  in  buying  and  selling  horses  until 
1884,  and  then  became  the  partner  of  John  W. 
Powley  in  the  hardware  business.  After  one  year 
Mr.  Powley  sold  his  interest  to  Robert -F.  Mercer  of 
the  present  firm.  They  are  doing  a  profitable  and 
growing  business,  both  being  well  known  and 
highly  respected  for  their  straightforward  methods 
and  excellent  personal  character. 


.Mr.  McNaught  was  married,  in  his  twentieth 
year,  to  Miss  Theresa  L.  Dishon,  whose  mother 
was  named  Elizabeth,  and  whose  father.  William 
billion,  died  when  Mrs.  McN.  was  a  young  girl 
fourteen  years  of  age.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  become  the  parents  of  two  daughters — Ger- 
tie and  Edna.  Their  home  on  East  Main  street  is  a 
model  of  convenience  and  comfort,  and  the  family 
are  held  in  the  highest  respect  in  this  community. 
Mr.  McNaught  is  a  member  of  McLean  Lodge  No. 
206,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Damon  Lodge  No.  10,  K.  of 
P.  He  has  served  as  President  of  the  Board  of 
Councilmen  and  has  in  other  respects  been  identi- 
fied with  the  public  affairs  of  the  town,  and  at  the 
present  time  is  engaged  in  the  importation  of  Nor- 
man horses. 


]  AMES  McHUGH,  deceased,  was  a  farmer  on 
section  2,  Lexington  Township,  and  success- 
ful  in  the  prosecution  of  his  calling.  He 
was  born  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  Jan.  13, 
1822,  and  his  parents  were  William  and  Anna 
(Lewis)  McHugh,  of  Irisli  parentage. 

James  McHugh  was  the  eldest  of  seven  children 
born  to  his  parents,  who  died  in  Monroe  County, 
Ohio.  The  father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and 
our  subject  was  reared  partly  in  the  village  where 
his  parents  resided  and  partly  on  a  farm.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age  he  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Monroe  County,  Ohio,  which  his  father  had  given 
him,  and  there  industriously  labored  for  about  nine 
years.  He  then  sold  his  place  and  removed  to  De- 
catur  County,  Ind.,  where  he  purchased  another  farm 
and  lived  on  it  for  about  the  same  length  of  time. 
Disposing  of  this  latter  place  he,  in  1864,  came  to 
this  county  with  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife 
and  six  children,  and  settled  on  section  2,  Lexing- 
ton Township,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of 
land.  He  continued  to  live  and  labor  on  this  place 
until  summoned  to  another  world,  his  death  taking 
place  from  consumption,  Aug.  6,  1886.  He  had 
accumulated  a  fine  property,  including  240  acres 
of  valuable  and  productive  land,  with  all  the  ap- 
pliances of  a  modern  country  homestead. 

James  McHugh  was  married  in  Belmont  County, 
Ohio,  Aug.  20,  1844,  to  Miss  Anna  Farra,  daughter  '  ' ' 


T 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


947 


of  Rees  and  Rachael  (Broomhall)  Fnrrar,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  Her  father  was  a  tailor  by  trade 
and  also  carried  on  fanning  in  Behuont  County, 
where  both  parents  died.  They  had  live  children — 
Lavinia,  Milton,  Anna,  Rees  C.  and  Wilson.  Mrs. 
McHugh  was  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio, 
March  14,  1823.  She  lived  with  her  parents  until 
her  marriage  and  by  her  union  with  Mr.  McHugh 
became  the  mother  of  six  children — William  R., 
Thirsa,  Uriah  C.,  James  N.,  Clinton  and  Charles 
W.  The  only  surviving  child  is  James  N.,  who 
lives  with  his  mother.  William  R.  was  married  to 
Anna  E.  Guy,  and  at  the  date  of  his  death  was  a 
resident  of  Blue  Mound  Township.  Mrs.  McHugh 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as'was 
also  her  husband  and  three  of  the  children.  In 
politics,  our  subject  was  a  Republican.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Hugh controls  the  estate  left  by  her  husband  and_  is 
meeting  with  success  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm. 


ENRY  C.  LANGSTAFF,  an  old  and  hon- 
ored citizen  of  McLean  County,  is  a  native 
of  the  Buckeye  State,  being  born  near  Zanes- 
ville,  the  county  seat  of  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  March  18,  1816.  His  father,  Asa  Langstaff, 
of  New  Jersey,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  re- 
mained in  his  native  State  four  years  after  his  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Lany  Boylan  of  his  own  State.  He 
then  removed  with  his  family  to  a  tract  of  wild 
land  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  where  he  opened 
up  a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable  home 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days,  dying 
in  1868.  when  eighty -five  years  old.  His  father, 
the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  among  the  earli- 
est settlers  of  New  Jersey  and  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

The  children  of  Asa  and  Lany  Langstaff  were 
eleven  in  number,  -seven  sons  and  four  daughters, 
all  of  whom  were  living  at  the  time  of  the  father's 
death,  ten  reaching  maturity  and  being  married  and 
having  families  of  their  own.  Of  these,  seven  still 
survive.  The  mother  died  in  Union  County,  Ohio, 
at  the  home  of  one  of  her  sons  in  1876,  when 
eighty-seven  years  of  age. 

Henry  C.  Langstaff,  of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth 


son  and  fifth  child  of  the  parental  household.  He 
passed  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  in  his  native 
county,  and  received  a  limited  education  in  the 
pioneer  schools.  As  soon  as  old  enough  to  work 
he  piled  brush  with  his  brothers,  carried  the  chunks 
together  for  burning,  and  assisted  in  other  ways  to 
clear  the  land  and  fit  it  for  cultivation.  All  the 
boys  were  taught  to  work,  and  our  subject  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when 
he  was  bound  out  to  learn  the  cabinet  trade,  at 
which  he  served  four  years  and  six  months.  He 
afterward  took  up  the  carpenter's  trade. 

In  1839  our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Elsie 
Wintermide,  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and 
they  remained  in  that  State  for  ten  years  following. 
They  then  decided  to  remove  farther  West  for  the 
establishment  of  a  permanent  home.  Proceeding 
to  Illinois  they  located  in  Bloomington,  where  our 
subject  was  employed,  first  in  the  machine-shop  of 
Flagg  &  Ewing  for  a  period  of  six  years.  During 
this  time  he  saved  his  money  and  was  enabled  to 
buy  a  small  farm  in  Martin  Township,  where  he 
followed  general  agriculture  for  many  years,  and 
occasionally  took  a  contract  for  putting  up  a  build- 
ing,  either  a  school-house,  barn  or  dwelling.  In 
due  titne  he  sold  the  first  farm  and  purchased  a 
larger  one  in  Yates  Township,  which  he  occupied 
until  May,  1872.  He  then  practically  retired  from 
active  labor  and  removed  into  Lexington,  where 
he  is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  early  toil,  but  is  by 
no  means  idle,  always  finding  something  useful  to 
busy  himself  about.  Mrs.  Elsie  W.  Langstaff, 
after  becoming  the  mother  of  five  children,  one 
daughter  and  four  sons,  departed  this  life  in  April, 
1865.  Their  children  are  recorded  as  follows: 
John  is  assistant  cashier  in  the  Harness  Bank; 
j  Leonidas  lives  in  Cameron,  Mo.,  and  Brown,  at 
Nevada,  that  State ;  Rachel  became  the  wife  of 
William  Beddows,  and  they  reside  in  Ft.  Scott, 
Kan.,  being  the  parents  of  two  daughters;  Henry 
W.  is  a  practicing  physician  of  Colfax,  this  county. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  formerly 
Miss  Cynthia  A.  Smith,  tc  whom  he  was  married 
Dec.  10,  1868.  Mrs.  L.  is  the  daughter' of  Joseph 
and  Rebecca  Smith,  formerly  of  Ohio,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  two 
sons — Frank  G.  and  Oscar  P.,  who  are  now  in 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


f 


school.  Mr.  L.  served  as  Supervisor  six  years  in 
Martin  Township,  and  one  in  Yates.  He  has  also 
been  School  Treasurer,  and  for  many  years  a  mem- 
ber iu  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church, 
holding  the  office  of  Elder.  He  has  in  all  respects 
been  a  good  citizen  and  a  worthy  member  of  so- 
ciety and  enjoys  in  a  marked  degree  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  asso- 
ciates. 


j>ILLIAM  D.  JOHNSTON,  a  pioneer  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State,  is  now  a  citizen 
of  Lexington,  where  he  is  enjoying  his  later 
days  retired  from  active  labor.  He  was  born  near 
Mansfield,  Richland  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan.  5,  1816,  on  the 
farm  of  his  father,  Daniel  Johnston,  who  was  a 
prominent  man  in  that  vicinity  and  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  many  years.  His  birthplace  was  in  Penn- 
sylvania, whence  he  came  to  Ohio  when  a  young 
man,  and  there  married  Miss  Rachel  Scott,  who  was 
a  native  also  of  Pennsylvania  and  removed  to  Ohio 
with  her  parents  when  a  young  child,  they  being 
among  the  early  pioneers  of  the  Buckeye  State 
Daniel  Johnston  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
his  father,  William  D.  Johnston.  Sr.,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution  and  held  office  under  Gen. 
Washington.  He  was  an  Englishman  by  birth  and 
ancestry,  but  sympathized  with  the  colonists  in 
their  struggle  for  freedom. 

Daniel  Johnston  spent  his  declining  years  in 
Richland  County,  Ohio,  and  died  there  in  1831. 
His  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  grew 
to  mature  years,  and  became  established  in  com- 
fortable homes  with  families  of  their  own.  William 
D.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest  son  and  passed  his 
childhood  and  youth  in  his  native  county,  receiv- 
ing a  common-school  education.  After  attaining 
his  majority  he  turned  his  face  to  the  farther  West 
and  coming  into  Ogle  County,  111.,  took  up  a 
squatter's  claim.  In  the  fall  of  1838  he  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  was  married  in  Richland  County,  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Griffith,  who  was  born  there  and  lived 
with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  Shortly  after 
the  wedding  the  young  couple  started  for  their  new 
home  which  was  located  near  Byron.  When  the 
land  came  into  market  our  subject  secured  his  claim 


of  1 60  acres  and  immediately  began  its  improve- 
ment and  cultivation,  meeting  with  success.  In  due 
time  he  added  to  his  estate  until  he  became  the  owner 
of  240  acres  and  employed  himself  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising,  continuing  in  Ogle  County 
until  1856,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Mc- 
Lean County,  settling  near  Selma,  where  he  re- 
mained several  years  and  then  removed  to  a  farm 
two  miles  north,  whicli  embraced  240  acres.  There 
his  wife  died  in  1871,  leaving  three  children,  all 
daughters;  Lucretia  A.;  Alice  E.,  Mrs.  George 
Clayton  of  Ogle  County,  and  Mary  E.,  who  WHS 
married  to  David  B.  Ralston  and  is  living  on  his 
father's  farm  near  Lexington, 

Mr.  Johnston  was  the  second  time  married,  in 
September,  1873,  to  Mrs.  S.  R.  Sloan  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  located  upon  a  farm  near  Lexington, 
remaining  there  until  March,  1880,  when  they  re- 
moved to  a  homestead  of  ten  acres  just  outside  the 
corporate  limits.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of 
which  our  subject  has  been  Deacon  for  many  years. 

Mrs.  Johnston  by  her  former  marriage,  became 
the  mother  of  five  children,  four  now  living,  as  fol- 
lows: Samuel  Curtis  and  Anna,  Mrs.  Magee,  are  in 
Pennsylvania;  William  T.,  a  physician,  is  practicing 
in  Elmwood,  111. ;  Mary  S.  is  the  wife  of  E.  Gabries, 
a  druggist  of  Elmwood. 


F.  GODDARD,  a  native  of  Mc- 
Lean  County,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  Sep- 
tember,  1847.  He  was  the  eldest  child  of 
the  second  marriage  of  his  father,  Dr.  Abbott  God- 
dard,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  His  mother 
was  formerly  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Scott,  of  Virginia. 
They  removed  to  this  count}'  in  1842,  from  Indiana, 
to  which  State  they  had  emigrated  from  Ohio  at  an 
early  day.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  reared 
and  educated  in  the  Blue  Grass  State  and  practiced 
medicine  in  Indiana  before  coming  to  this  county. 
After  his  removal  here  his  professional  duties  ex- 
tended from  twenty  to  twenty-five  miles  in  the  sur- 
rounding country,  which  was  new  and  thinly  set- 
tled, with  almost  impassable  roads  and  unbridged 
streams.  Often  he  was  obliged  to  swim  the  creeks 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


049 


and  always  had  with  him  a  suit  of  clothes  so  that 
he  could  exchange  his  wet  garments  for  dry  ones 
after  reaching  the  other  side. 

In  addition  to  his  duties  as  a  physician,  Dr.  God- 
dard  often  filled  the  pulpit  of  the  absent  circuit  ri- 
der of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was 
possessed  of  rare  talent  for  either  calling.  Before 
his  removal  to  Indiana  he  had  had  some  experience 
in  merchandising  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  after  com- 
ing to  McLean  County  resumed  this  business  at 
Lexington,  carrying  a  general  stock  of  the  things 
most  needed  in  a  new  country.  By  his  second  mar- 
riage, to  the  mother  of  our  subject,  there  were  born 
four  children,  all  living,  and  residents  of  Lexington, 
namely,  Francis  F.,  Wesley  W.,  HattieE.,  and  Ella 
J.,  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Smith.  Of  the  first  marriage 
there  were  five  children :  Fletcher,  Addison,  Frank; 
Lydia  became  the  wife  of  Milton  Smith,  and  Frances 
M.  married  Milton  Bartholomew.  The  boys  are  de- 
ceased. The  father  died  in  the  seventy-fourth  year 
of  his  age. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  to  farming 
pursuits  and  after  a  primary  course  in  the  common 
schools,  entered  the  High  School  in  Lexington, 
where  he  graduated.  During  the  progress  of  the 
late  war  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in  March, 
1864,  in  Co.  C,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving 
twenty-seven  months  and  participating  in  many 
important  battles.  After  the  battle  of  Vicksburg 
he  was  sent  to  Texas  and  thence  to  the  coast.  He 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Spanish  Fort  and  other 
engagements  and  was  finally  transferred  to  the  37th 
Illinois  regiment.  He  crossed  the  Gulf  seven  times 
and  received  his  honorable  discharge  after  the  close 
of  the  war  in  May,  1866.  He  then  returned  to 
Lexington  and  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years, 
then  moved  into  town  and  conducted  a  transfer 
line  for  five  years  following.  He  was  then  clerk  in 
a  store  and  soon  afterward  embarked  in  his  present 
business  where,  as  a  caterer  to  the  public  appitite, 
he  has  built  up  a  good  reputation  and  carries  on 
one  of  the  best  restaurants  in  Lexington. 

Mr.  Goddard  was  married  in  March,  1872,  to 
Miss  Maggie  Hefner,  of  Blue  Mound  Township, 
whose  father  was  Nimrod  Hefner,  and  a  resident 
there  for  many  years.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  four  children — Wesley  Milton,  William 


F.,  Asa  P.  and  Ora  Lawrence.  Mr.  G.  is  connected 
with  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 


ANFORD  R.  CLAGGETT,  one  of  the 
prominent  and  successful  business  men 
and  capitalists  of  Lexington,  is  a  native  of 
Fauquier  County,  Va.,  born  near  Warren- 
ton  on  the  27th  of  April,  1822.  His  father,  Sam- 
uel Claggett,  also  of  Virginia,  was  the  son  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Claggett,  a  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary 
War.  The  latter  was  a  brother  of  Bishop  Claggett, 
of  Prince  George's  County,  Va.,the  first  person  of 
this  distinction  who  rendered  allegiance  to  the 
United  States.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
formerly  Miss  Lucy  Sanford,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  his  father  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
in  the  Old  Dominion  for  many  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  fine  edu- 
cation and  completed  his  studies  in  Granville  Col- 
lege, Ohio.  He  began  'teaching  school  when  nine- 
teen years  old.  which  occupation  he  pursued  after 
coming  West,  in  Iroquois  and  McLean  Counties. 
He  came  to  Illinois  in  1841,  journeying  through 
the  States  of  Ohio  and  Indiana  by  wagon,  and  mak- 
ing his  first  location  in  the  old  town  of  Bunkum,  in 
Iroquois,  where  he  operated  first  a  store  and  card- 
ing-machine  for  six  years,  then  abandoned  the 
carding  business  but  continued  merchandising. 
He  hauled  his  goods  from  Chicago  on  wagons  and 
at  the  same  time  bought  horses  and  sold  them  in 
the  Chicago  market.  He  was  married  in  Iroquois, 
111.,  to  Miss  Amanda  A.  Karr,  daughter  of  Adam 
Karr,  and  in  1854  removed  his  family  to  McLean 
County.  Here  Mrs.  Claggett  subsequently  died, 
leaving  one  daughter,  Ella,  who  was  married  to  S. 
3.  Van  Dyke,  the  present  Postmaster  at  Lexington. 
The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Nancy 
Terry.  After  removing  to  McLean  County  he  at 
first  carried  on  merchandising  in  a  small  way,  but 
his  business  soon  increased,  and  after  the  first  two 
years  he  transacted  an  annual  business  of  $35,000, 
which  subsequently  increased  to  8110,000.  At  this 
time  he  purchased  all  his  own  goods,  kept  his  own 


t. 


-  >    950 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


books  and  accounts,  and  made  his  own  collections, 
continuing  in  business  until  1882,  carrying  on  his 
operations  after  his  physical  strength  had  failed, 
and  when  he  was  unable  to  stand  and  would  sit 
down  in  making  sales.  His  mental  vigor,  however, 
remained  unimpaired  and  he  had  always  the  same 
bright,  energetic  mind,  capable  of  directing  and  at- 
tending to  all  the  details. 

Mr.  Claggett  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of 
the  Odd  Fellows'  Lodge,  of  Lexington,  which  is 
now  one  of  the  most  prosperous  in  the  State,  and 
in  which  order  he  has  always  retained  an  undimin- 
ished  interest.  When  coming  into  the  State  of 
Illinois  he  had  1824  in  money  and  has  since  turned 
every  dollar  to  good  account.  When  he  organized 
and  commenced  operating  his  bank  he  had  a  capi- 
tal of  150,000  and  since  it  commenced  business  in 
December,  1882,  not  a  dollar  of  its  earnings  has 
been  withdrawn,  its  capital  being  kept  always  equal 
to  the  first  amount,  and  surplus  equal  to  the  capi- 
tal, which  makes  the  actual  capital  of  the  bank 
$100,000. 


WASHINGTON  HISER,  a  pros- 
perous  and  enterprising  hardware  merchant 
of  Lexington,  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Ind.,  and  was  born  near  Centerville,  the  old  county 
seat,  on  the  2d  of  October,  1843.  His  father, 
Henry  Hiser,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  In- 
diana, to  which  he  removed  from  Dayton,  Ohio. 
He  was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  Nov.  20, 
1803.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss 
Deborah  Coffman,  was  a  native  of  Rockingham 
County,  Va.,  born  April  19,  1808,  and  removed 
with  her  parents  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  when  ten  years 
old.  She  was  married  to  Henr3'  Hiser  in  1824,  and 
they  located  in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in  1841. 
They  remained  there  until  August,  1856,  when  they 
came  over  into  Illinois,  settling  in  the  small  village 
of  Selma,  this  county.  They  lived  in  different  parts 
of  Lexington  Township  until -I860,  and  removed 
from  their  farm  into  the  village  of  Lexington, 
where  the  father  died  in  1876.  The  parental  fam- 
ily included  ten  children,  of  whom  three — John, 
Sarah  and  Amanda — departed  this  life  before  the 
death  of  the  father;  James  is  engaged  in  farming 


in  Lawndale  Township,  this  county ;  Jacob  resides 
in  Lexington;  Mary  lives  in  Iowa;  William  is  a 
farmer  of  Anderson  County,  Kan. ;  Martha  became 
the  wife  of  Jacob  Hiser  (no  relative) ;  George  W., 
of  our  sketch;  Francis  is  in  Lexington,  and  the 
mother  resides  here,  still  a  bright  and  active  old 
lady,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Hiser  of  our  sketch  was  thirteen  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  came  to  McLean  County.  He 
received  a  common-school  education,  and  when 
twenty  years  of  age  entered  the  store  of  S.  R.  Clag- 
gett as  clerk,  where  he  remained  six  months,  and 
then  took  a  similar  position  for  the  firm  of  Goddard 
&  McCurdy,  dealers  in  lumber,  sash,  coal,  etc.,  and 
remained  in  this  business  for  four  years,  contin- 
uing after  it  had  changed  hands.  In  1868  he  be- 
came clerk  for  George  W.  Knotts,  hardware  mer- 
chant, and  the  following  year  was  admitted  to  part- 
nership, and  they  continued  in  business  one  year 
under  the  firm  name  of  Knotts  &  Hiser,  when 
our  subject  sold  out  his  interest  to  his  partner 
and  resumed  his  former  position  as  clerk,  where 
he  remained  for  the  following  four  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  the  business  twice  changed  hands. 
In  1874  he  returned  to  Mr.  Claggett,  with  whom 
he  remained  until  1878,  and  after  one  more 
year  was  employed  as  clerk  for  Carnahan  & 
Poole.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  one  mile  south- 
west of  town,  which  he  operated  about  three  years 
and  then  sold  out.  In  January,  1882,  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  J.  B.  Breneman,  and  they  engaged 
in  the  hardware  trade  at  Knotts'  old  stand  until 
July,  1886,  when  they  dissolved  on  account  of  the 
failing  health  of  Mr.  B. 

Mr.  Hiser  put  up  his  present  business  house  in 
1882.  It  is  a  brick  building,  24x66  feet  in  area 
and  two  stories  in  height.  He  keeps  a  general  stock 
of  hardware  and  farm  implements,  and  has  been 
uniformly  successful  in  his  business  operations. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  27th  of  October, 
1864,  to  Miss  Ella  R.,  eldest  daughter  of  John  and 
Margaret  Popejoy,  of  Lexington  Township,  who 
were  formerly  from  Ohio.  Of  this  union  there  have 
been  born  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters— Claude  L.,  Dotta  L.,  Orrin  L.  and  Maidie  L. 
Both  daughters  are  deceased.  Mr.  Hiser  was  elected 
Supervisior  of  Lexington  Township  in  1879,  and 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


953  i 


served  four  years  in  succession.  He  was  a  stock- 
holder, Director  and  Vice  President  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Lexington,  and  belongs  to  the 
G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  served  as  Adjutant  and 
Quartermaster  for  some  time.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hiser  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Lexington. 

During  the  progress  of  the  late  war  Mr.  Hiser,  in 
June,  1862,  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  68th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
for  three  months,  and  was  sent  with  his  comrades 
to  Alexandria,  where  he  was  stationed  during  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run.  After  serving  foul- 
months  he  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111. 


i 


AMES  SMITH.  Engaged  in  farming  on  sec- 
tion 13,  Money  Creek  Township,  is  an  off- 
spring of  Sylvester  and  Catherine  (Daily) 
_  Smith,  who  is  a  well-to-do  farmer,  and  a 
most  highly  esteemed  citizen.  The  parents  of  our 
subject,  after  their  marriage,  settled  about  thirty 
miles  north  of  Toronto,  Ont.  There  the  father 
worked  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  carpenter,  and  was 
thus  employed  until  he  was  accidentally  killed  by 
the  falling  of  brick  upon  him  while  he  was  assist- 
ing in  the  erection  of  a  building.  His  wife  also 
died  iii  that  vicinity.  They  had  three  children, 
and  only  one  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  maturity. 

James  Smith  was  born  about  thirty  miles  north 
of  Toronto,  Ont.,  Nov.  10,  1837,  and  when  about 
two  and  a  half  years  old  was  orphaned  by  the 
death  of  his  father.  He  was  then  taken  by  a  fam- 
ily in  that  neighborhood  with  whom  he  lived  until 
he  was  a  lad  of  twelve  or  fourteen  years.  At  that 
early  age  in  life  he  began  to  do  for  himself  by 
working  at  different  occupations  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  continued  thus  to  labor  until  twenty 
years  of  his  life  had  passed.  In  the  summer  of 
1858  he  sailed  on  the  lake,  and  during  the  latter 
part  of  that  year  came  to  this  county.  Locating 
in  Money  Creek  Township,  he  worked  out  by  the 
month  and  was  thus  occupied  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  late  Civil  War. 

In  January,  1862,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Co.  K, 
2Gth  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  his  country  faith- 
fully and  well  for  two  years  in  that  regiment.  In 


February,  1864,  he  re-enlisted  in  the  same  com- 
pany and  continued  in  the  service  of  the  Union 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  mustered 
out  and  returned  to  Money  Creek  Township.  At 
the  battle  of  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  left  arm  while  bearing  the  colors  of 
his  regiment.  He  was  promoted  from  private  to 
Sergeant,  and  then  Color  Bearer  of  the  regiment. 
The  same  bullet  that  wounded  him,  struck  a  small 
pass-book  which  he  had  in  his  pocket,  and  glancing 
off,  left  its  bloody  mark  across  his  breast,  but  did 
no  further  damage  than  that  referred  to.  Mr. 
Smith  was  a  member  of  the  15th  Army  Corps,  com- 
manded by  Gen.  John  A.  Logan,  and  accompanied 
Sherman  in  his  famous  march  from  Atlanta  to  the 
sea. 

The  regiment  in  which  Mr.  Smith  so  valiantly 
served,  as  the  history  of  the  late  civil  strife  will  al- 
ways show,  saw  much  hard  and  dangerous  service. 
We  cannot  in  this  brief  sketch  rehearse  the  daring 
deeds  of  its  men,  their  loyal  sacrifices  and  heroic 
achievements,  but  all  the  experiences  of  the  war 
were  theirs.  Could  they  be  told,  they  would  speak 
of  early  reverses,  sad  disappointments,  gloomy  for- 
bodings  for  the  future,  of  sickness  in  camp  and 
hospital,  fearful  suspense,  of  midnight  marches,  of 
deadly  ambuscades,  of  labor  in  trenches,  and  dreary 
and  enforced  idleness  in  camp;  of  escapes,  of 
wounds,  of  imprisonments  in  foul  dens,  on  the  dead 
line,  and  of  death — of  all  the  horrors  of  fratricidal 
war.  But  they  would  speak  too,  of  privations 
willingly  endured,  dangers  voluntarilj"  incurred, 
ceaseless  labor  gladly  undergone,  risks  daringly  as- 
sumed, and  death  most  chivalrously  encountered ; 
of  dashing  assaults,  of  well  contested  fields,  of  the 
enemies'  retreat,  and  of  countless  victories.  They 
would  speak  of  disaster,  but  also  of  success;  of 
doubt,  but  yet  of  undying  hope;  of  transient  de- 
feats, but  still  of  final  and  enduring  victory. 

After  Mr.  Smith  returned  from  the  army,  for  a 
time  he  was  unable  to  do  manual  labor,  and  en- 
gaged in  buying  and  trading  stock.  He  then 
rented  land,  and  for  two  years  farmed  in  this  man- 
ner, at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  was  enabled 
to  buy  a  place  in  Blue  Mound  Township.  He 
lived  on  this  place  for  thirteen  years,  and  then,  in 
the  fall  of  1880,  moved  back  to  Money  Creek 


I 


-     554 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Township,  where  he  has  been  continuously  occu- 
pied in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  is  the  owner 
of  300  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  is  meeting  with 
signal  success  in  his  enterprises. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  in  Bloomington,  111.,  Dec. 

7,  1865,  to  Miss  Martha  E.,  daughter  of  Lemuel 
and  Nancy  (Mullen)  Biggs.     Her  father  was  born 
in  Philadelphia   and  her  mother  in  Ohio.     They 
were  married  in  this  county  and  subsequently  set- 
tled in  Money  Creek  Township,  where  he  died  May 

8,  1860.     She  survives  at  an  advanced  age,  and  re- 
sides   in  Money    Creek  Township.     Six  sons  and 
five  daughters  were  born  to  them,  and  Mrs.  Smith 
was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth.     She  was  born  in 
Money   Creek  Township,  Nov.   1,   1847,  and  has 
borne  our  subject  three  children — Sylvester,  Josiah 
and  Andrew.     Sylvester  died  in  infancy,  and  the 
Other  children  are  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Smith  has  held  the  office  of  School  Director 
of  his  township,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. Socially  he  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  and 
holds  fellowship  with  Lexington  Post  No.  240. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Accompanying  this  sketch  is  a 
portrait  of  Mr.  Smith. 


GREGORY.  A  splendid  illustra- 
tion of  what  may  be  accomplished  in  this 
country  by  an  honest,  hard-working,  ener- 
getic and  enterprising  man  is  given  in  the  record  of 
the  life  of  George  Gregory.  He  is  a  prosperous 
and  prominent  farmer  of  Normal  Township,  and  is 
pleasantly  located  on  section  23.  His  farm  com- 
prises 400  acres  of  valuable  land,  which  is  embel- 
lished with  fine  improvements,  the  result  of  his 
own  industry  and  enterprise.  The  family  residence 
is  a  model  of  convenience  and  comfort.  He  has 
good  barns  and  out-buildings,  all  the  appliances  for 
the  shelter  of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grass,  valua- 
ble farm  implements  and  the  entire  paraphernalia  of 
a  first-class  country  seat.  Besides  general  agricult- 
ure Mr.  Gregory  is  giving  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  fine  stock,  in  which  department  he  has 
built  up  an  enviable  reputation.  Besides  his  farm 
property  he  owns  valuable  real  estate  in  the  city  of 


Bloomington  and  in  all  respects  is  one  of  the  rep- 
resentative citizens  of  the  wealthy  county  of  Mc- 
Lean. 

George  Gregory  was  born  in  Derby,  England, 
Dec.  17,  1826.  He  was  fairly  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  country  and  served  an 
apprenticeship  at  the  blacksmith's  trade.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  years  he  sailed  for  the  United  States, 
landing  in  New  York  City,  whence  he  at  once  pro- 
ceeded to  the  State  of  Illinois.  He  first  located  at 
La  Salle,  stopping  from  June  until  October  witli  a 
brother  who  preceded  him  to  this  country  three 
years.  This  brother  died  at  Bloomington  in  about 
1878. 

In  the  fall  of  1848,  the  year  of  his  arrival  here, 
young  Gregory  proceeded  South  to  Mobile,  Ala., 
where  he  followed  his  trade  and  also  steam  boating 
between  Mobile  and  New  Orleans.  Three  years 
later  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  engaged  in  the 
blacksmith  business  at  Pekin.  After  a  short  time 
however,  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  where  he 
became  an  employe  of  the  Reaper  Manufacturing 
Company.  In  1852  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
plow  factory  of  Bunn  <fe  Ellsworth,  the  firm  style 
becoming  Bunn,  Ellsworth  <k  Co.,  afterward 
Brokaw,  Ellsworth  <fe  Co.,  and  later,  Brokaw  & 
Gregory.  He  remained  a  partner  until  1882,  when 
he  withdrew  from  the  business.  He  has  occupied 
his  present  homestead  about  fifteen  years  and  while 
in  the  plow  business  went  to  town  daily.  He  com- 
menced life  poor  in  pocket  and  did  not  accumulate 
much  until  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
plows,  which  business  proved  remarkably  successful. 

Mr.  Gregory  was  married  in  1856,  to  Miss  Fran- 
ces A.,  the  daughter  of  Zachariah  and  W.  B.  (Shan- 
non) Lawrence,  of  Bloomington.  Mrs.  Gregory 
was  born  at  McConnelsville,  Ohio,  and  came  with 
her  parents  to  Illinois  when  but  a  babe.  By  her 
union  with  our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother 
of  five  sons:  William  E.,  a  farmer  of  Normal; 
Edwin  L.,  farming  in  Buffalo  County,  Neb.,  and 
Harry,  Clyde  and  Richard,  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gregory  is  Republican,  and  al- 
though having  an  intelligent  interest  in  all  matters 
relative  to  the  public  welfare,  takes  no  part  in  poli- 
tics further  than  to  attend  the  polls  and  cast  his 
ballot.  Mrs.  Gregory  was  reared  an  Episcopalian, 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


955 


but  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church 
for  thirty-nine  years  and  at  the  present  time  is  con- 
nected with  the  church  at  Normal. 

The  portrait  of  Mr.  Gregory,  which  is  given  in 
connection  with  this  brief  outline  of  his  life,  shows 
the  features  of  a  sturdy  and  fair-minded  rnan  and  a 
most  excellent  citizen. 


yiLLIAM  FOWLER.  The  Fowler  family 
came  from  Wales  to  this  country  previous 
to  the  Revolutionary  War.  They  located 
in  New  Hampshire,  where  one  of  the  first  represen- 
tatives— Lemuel — remained  until  he  became  en- 
gaged in  assisting  the  Colonies  in  their  struggle 
for  liberty.  He  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith,  and 
after  his  retirement  from  the  army,  located  in 
Hillsboro  County,  N.  H.,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  was  married  to  an  Ameri- 
can lady  and  they  became  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  father  of  our  subject,  Lemuel 
Fowler,  Jr.,  was  the  eldest. 

Lemuel  Fowler,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Newbury,  N. 
H.,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he 
became  a  young  man.  He  followed  the  sea  for 
several  years  and  afterward  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits.  For  the  latter  purpose  he  located  in  the 
interior  of  the  Old  Granite  State  and  in  that  vicin- 
ity was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  S.  Swett,  who  was  a 
native  of  the  same  State  and  of  Irish  descent. 
They  reared  a  family  of  ten  children,  in  the  mean- 
time removing  to  Ohio,  where  the  youngest  child 
was  born.  Of  this  family,  William,  our  subject, 
was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth.  The  family  located 
in  Marietta  in  1819,  having  been  preceded  by  the 
eldest  son,  Royal,  one  year  before.  They  remained 
there,  however,  only  a  short  time  when  they  re- 
moved to  Morgan  County,  and  afterward  to  Noble 
County.  Both  counties  were  then  very  thinly 
settled  and  the  facilities  for  market  very  poor. 
The  father  of  our  subject  settled  upon  a  tract  of 
wild  land  which  he  succeeded  in  transforming  into 
a  fine  farm.  At  one  time  he  possessed  a  large 
amount  of  property,  but  lost  it  all  on  account  of 
going  security  for  his  friends.  He  was  a  public- 
spirited  man,  a  good  citizen  and  valued  member 


of  the  community.  He  established  a  comfortable 
home  in  Noble  County,  and  there,  with  his  wife, 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  only  the 
education  furnished  the  sons  of  the  early  pioneers 
in  a  new  country.  He  was  poor  in  purse  when 
married,  as  was  also  the  maiden  of  his  choice,  but 
both  had  been  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and 
were  willing  to  work  and  hope  for  the  result. 
They  were  married  in  Noble  County,  Ohio,  on  the 
14th  of  December,  1826,  the  bride  being  Miss 
Mary  Hutchins.  She  was  born  in  Lincoln  County, 
Me.,  in  1804,  and  remained  in  her  native  State  un- 
til nine  years  of  age.  Her  parents  then  came  to 
Noble  County,  Ohio,  it  being  then  called  Morgan. 
They  settled  in  a  timber  tract  and  after  years  of 
hard  labor  succeeded  in  opening  a  good  farm  and 
establishing  a  comfortable  home.  Mrs.  Fowler  was 
trained  to  spin  and  weave  and  made  the  cloth  for 
many  a  suit  of  clothes. 

Upon  the  marriage  of  our  subject  and  his  wife, 
thej'  resolved  to  "  pull  together."  Mr.  F.  made 
boots  and  shoes  during  the  winter  evenings,  and  in 
the  daytime  worked  at  whatever  he  could  find  to 
do.  In  summer  he  manufactured  salt  from  wells 
which  contained  water  impregnated  with  this  min- 
eral. After  boiling  great  quantities  of  the  water 
he  obtained  a  little  of  the  commodity  so  necessary 
as  an  ingredient  of  food.  After  a  few  years  of 
this  incessant  and  laborious  toil,  during  which  he 
and  his  wife  had  saved  every  penny  they  could 
spare,  he  found  himself  possessed  of  sufficient 
means  to  purchase  100  acres  of  land.  This  proved 
the  turning  point  in  his  life,  as  upon  it  he  found 
an  oil  well  which  proved  of  great  value  and  en- 
abled him  to  sell  his  farm  for  the  sum  of  $40,- 
000.  With  this  sum  in  his  pocket  he  then  started 
for  the  West  and  arrived  in  this  vicinity  in  April, 
1 865.  He  purchased  400  acres  of  land  in  Randolph 
Township,  and  for  several  years  labored  industri- 
ously and  succeeded  in  bringing  it  to  a  high  state 
of  cultivation.  Of  this  he  now  has  but  240  acres, 
having  given  the  balance  to  his  children.  Of  late 
years  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the  raising 
of  fine  stock,  in  which  he  has  been  uniformly  suc- 
cessful as  in  all  his  other  undertakings. 

There  were  born  to    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fowler  ten 


•*• 


I 


-  >  956 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


children,  two  sons  and  eight  daughters.  Of  these 
both  the  sons  and  three  daughters  are  deceased. 
xThe  parents  celebrated  the  sixtieth  anniversary  of 
their  wedding  on  the  14th  of  December,  1886,  at 
which  there  were  present  about  120  grand  and 
great-grandchildren  and  one  great-great-grandchild. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fowler  have  been  connected  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  the  past  forty 
years  and  have  built  up  for  themselves  a  record  of 
good  and  useful  lives,  filled  with  kindly  and  gener- 
ous deeds.  Mr.  Fowler,  in  politics,  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  supporj  of 
the  principles  of  this  party. 


4 


)  EORGE  W.  WHITE,  Supervisor  of  Towanda 
Township,  and  one  of  the  large  land-owners 
of  that  district,  as  well  as  one  of  its  success- 
ful farmers  and  respected  and  prominent  citizens, 
resides  on  section  10.  He  is  the  son  of  George  C. 
and  Julia  A.  (Noel)  White,  who  were  born  in 
York  State  and  Ohio  respectively,  the  former  of 
German  and  the  latter  of  Scotch  ancestry.  The 
parents  of  our  subject  after  their  marriage,  settled 
in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  to 
Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.,  and  taking  up  their  resi- 
dence at  Lafayette,  made  that  their  home  until 
1850.  In  October  of  that  year  they  came  to  this 
county  and  located  in  Towanda  Township,  where 
the  father  became  quite  an  extensive  farmer.  He 
continued  to  reside  in  that  township  for  several 
years  and  then  removed  to  Blue  Mound  Township, 
and  there  lived  for  about  seven  years.  His  good 
wife  departed  this  life  in  Towauda  Township  in 
March,  1864,  and  after  her  demise  he  spent  his 
time  at  the  homes  of  his  children  and  at  present 
resides  in  Lawndale  Township,  having  attained  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  became 
the  father  of  twelve  children,  namely :  Mary,  Eliza, 
Harriett,  Rachel,  Malinda,  William,  John,  Ellen, 
George  W.,  Adeline,  Edward  and  Frank.  Mary  is 
the  wife  of  John  M.  King,  and  they  live  in  Anchor 
Township;  Eliza  married  Nelson  Jones,  and  they 
are  living  in  Towanda  Township;  Harriett  and  Ly- 
man  Williams  were  united  in  marriage,  and  he  is  a 
farmer  of  Lawndale  Township;  Rachel  is  the  widow 


of  Sanford  Miller  and  resides  in  Bloomington;  Ma- 
linda  became  the  wife  of  John  Abbott,  a  farmer 
of  Lawndale  Township,  and  William  married  a 
Miss  Donovan,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Blue 
Mound  Township;  John  married  a  Miss  Hamilton, 
and  they  reside  in  Lawndale  Township;  Ellen  is  the 
wife  of  Aaron  Conger,  a  farmer  of  Blue  Mound 
Township;  the  next  in  order  of  birth  is  our  subject; 
Adeline  and  William  Myers  became  man  and  wife, 
and  are  living  in  Lawndale  Township;  Edward  is 
engaged  in  business  in  Bloomington;  Frank  married 
a  Miss  Williams  and  they  reside  in  Kansas. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  while  his  par- 
ents were  living  in  Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.  His 
birth  occurred  Aug.  19, 1 842,  and  when  eight  years 
of  age  became  with  his  parents  to  this  county.  His 
primary  education  was  received  in  the  common 
schools,  which  was  supplemented  by  a  course  of 
study  at  Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington.  He 
remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority, 
but  when  quite  young  began  the  handling  of  stock 
on  his  own  account.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
Towanda  Township  since  1850,  and  from  that  time 
until  the  p'resent  has  been  engaged  exclusively  in 
agricultural  pursuits  and  in  the  raising  and  import- 
ing of  stock,  and  in  both  departments  has  met  with 
more  than  ordinary  success.  Mr.  W.  has  on  hand 
at  present  twelve  imported  and  full-blood  Norman 
horses  and  some  sixty  head  of  high  grades. 

The  first  purchase  of  land  that  our  subject  made 
consisted  of  eighty  acres  and  was  located  in  To- 
wanda Township.  He  has  since  added  to  the  same 
by  subsequent  purchases  until  he  now  owns  400 
acres  in  Towanda  Township  and  1 20  acres  in  Lex- 
ington Township.  He  has  erected  a  residence  of 
modern  architecture  upon  his  place,  which  adds 
greatly  to  its  beauty,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  farm 
homes,  not  only  of  Towanda  Township,  but  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  pre- 
sent a  view  of  it  in  this  work. 

In  1863  our  subject  met  with  a  serious  accident 
which  resulted  in  the  loss  of  his  left  hand.  He  was 
in  the  field  husking  corn  and  having  his  shotgun 
with  him,  fired  it  at  a  hawk,  when  the  gun  burst  and 
so  mutilated  his  hand  that  he  was  compelled  to 
have  it  amputated. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  White  took  place  in  Lexing- 


' 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


959 


ton  Township,  April  G,  1870,  and  the  lady  selected 
as  his  life  companion  was  Miss  Flora  A.  Raridon.  Her 
parents  were  J.  S.  and  Martha  (Evans)  Raridon, 
natives  of  Indiana  and  of  German  ancestry.  The 
parents  were  married  in  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
where  they  lived  until  the  fall  of  1858,  when  they 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Lexington 
Township,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  1878.  He  then  removed  to  Livingston  County, 
this  State,  whereHhey  at  present  reside.  They  had 
eleven  children,  viz.  :  Samuel,  Flora  A.  (Mrs.  White), 
Ella,  Dane,  Emma,  Alice,  Etta,  Martin  L.,  Daisy, 
Minnie  and  Ray.  Samuel  is  marrried  and  living 
.  in  Ohio;  Flora  is  the  wife  of  our  subject;  Ella  is 
the  wife  of  Martin  Doyle,  and  they  live  in  Livings- 
ton County;  Dane  also  lives  in  that  county;  Emma 
is  the  wife  of  Price  Jones,  and  they  are  residents  of 
Towanda  Township;  Alice  married  AlonzoPierson, 
and  they  are  living  in  Livingston  County,  and  the 
remaining  children  are  living  with  their  parents  in 
Livingston  Count}'.  Mrs.  White  was  born  in  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  March  11,  1855,  and  came  with 
her  parents  to  this  county  in  1858.  She  has  borne 
our  subject  four  children  —  Warren  T.,  Emma  G., 
Maude  A.  and  Chloe. 

Mr.  White  was  elected  Supervisor  of  Towanda 
Township  in  April,  1886,  and  is  the  present  incum- 
bent of  that  office.  He  has  held  other  minor  offices 
in  the  township,  and  in  politics  is  Republican.  Mrs. 
White  is-  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 


ARMON  HEFNER.  Among  the  large  land- 
owners and  stock-raisers  of  Money  Creek 
Township,  the  name  of  the  subject  of  this 
notice  deserves  place.  He  resides  on  sec- 
tion 14,  where  he  has  447£  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which  is  under  an  advanced  .  state  of  cultivation, 
and  where,  in  addition  to  its  improvement,  he  is 
extensively  engaged  in  the  buying,  raising  and 
shipping  of  stock.  The  father  of  our  subject, 
Peter  Hefner,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  his  wife  in 
Ohio.  A  sketch  of  the  former  may  be  found  else- 
where in  this  work.  They  had  nine  children,  four 
of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  five  lived  to  attain 


the  age  of  man  and  womanhood,  namely,  Harmon, 
Mary,  Adeline,  John  A.  and  George  M.  Mary  is 
the  wife  of  J.  P.  Curry,  and  they  are  living  at 
Lexington;  Adeline  and  John  A.  Campbell  were 
united  in  marriage  and  also  reside  at  Lexington; 
John  A.  is  a  farmer  of  Money  Creek  Township; 
George  M.  died  in  that  township,  July  4,  1877, 
when  about  twenty-five  years  old. 

Harmon  Hefner  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents'  nine 
children,  and  was  born  in  the  township  in  which  he 
is  at  present  living,  July  18,  1834.  He  was  reared 
to  farm  labor,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  continuing  to  remain  with  the  old 
folk  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  was  then 
married,  and  settling  in  Money  Creek  Township, 
began  to  do  for  himself,  and  has  made  that  his  home 
all  his  life.  He  has  a  fine  farm  in  that  township, 
well  improved  and  stocked,  and  is  meeting  with 
signal  success  in  conducting  his  business.  He 
keeps  about  100  head  of  cattle  and  forty  head  of 
horses  on  his  place,  and  fattens  from  100  to  200 
head  of  hogs  annually  for  the  market. 

Harmon  Hefner  was  married  in  the  township  of 
his  nativity,  Nov.  15,  1855,  to  Miss  Isabelle  Wood. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Frances  (Hart) 
Wood,  who  after  their  marriage  settled  in  Tennes- 
see, thence  removed  to  Indiana,  and  after  a  resi- 
dence there  of  several  years,  in  1850,  came  to  this 
county  and  located  at  Lexington.  Up  to  the  time 
of  his  coming  to  this  county,  he  had  been  engaged 
in  farming,  but  on  locating  at  Lexington,  he  em- 
barked in  mercantile  pursuits,  which  he  followed 
at  that  place  for  several  years,  and  then  going  back 
to  his  first  love,  farming,  he  continued  at  that  vo- 
cation until  his  death.  His  wife  died  in  Money 
Creek  Township,  May  11,  1871,  and  he  died  in  the 
same  township  Nov.  11,  1875.  They  had  eleven 
children — Albert  A.,  Rufus,  James,  Zebedee,  Will- 
iam, Isaac,  Mary,  Isabelle,  Dorcas  A.,  Robert  C. 
and  Noah  A.  Albert,  James,  William,  Dorcas  and 
Mary  are  deceased  ;  Rufus  is  living  at  Lexington  ; 
Zebedee  is  a  retired  farmer  and  also  living  at  Lex- 
ington, and  Isaac  likewise  makes  that  his  home; 
Robert  C.  is  at  Girard,  Kan.,  and>  Noah  A.  is  a 
resident  of  Republic  City,  that  State. 

Mrs.  Hefner  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
May  25,  1836,  and  was  fourteen  years  old  when  ' 


M 


9 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


she  accompanied  her  parents  to  this  county,  and 
continued  to  reside  with  them  until  her  marriage. 
She  has  borne  our  subject  five  children,  namely, 
William  A.,  Alonzo  C.,  James  P.,  Delia  M.  and 
Joseph  F.  William  died  in  infancy;  Alonzo  mar- 
ried Miss  Winnie  Bush,  and  they  are  living  in 
Money  Creek  Township;  James  married  Carrie 
Carnahim,  and  is  also  a  resident  of  Money  Creek 
Township;  Delia  is  the  wife  of  Charles  C.  Busby, 
and  they  are  living  in  Gridley  Township;  Joseph 
is  still  an  inmate  of  the  parental  household.  Mr. 
Hefner  has  been  Collector  of  his  township  several 
years,  and  also  School  Director  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  is  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
In  the  illustrated  department  of  this  ALBUM  may 
be  found  a  view  of  the  pleasant  homestead  of  our 
subject. 


ILLIAM  D.  POWLEY,  of  the  firm  of  W. 
D.  Powley  &  Co.  of  Lexington,  deals  in 
stoves,  hardware  and  tinware,  and  is  car- 
rying on  a  satisfactory  and  profitable  trade.  He  is 
numbered  among  the  valued  factors  of  the  busi- 
ness community  and  is  contributing  his  full  share 
towards  its  prosperity  and  standing.  Mr.  Powley 
was  born  in  Shippensburg,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  on 
the  26th  of  March,  1842.  His  father,  William  Pow- 
ley, was  a  native  of  Lancaster,  Pa.,  born  near  the 
town  of  Elizabeth,  July  22,  1811.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  John  C.  Powley,  was  of  German 
birth  and  ancestry,  and  emigrated  to  America  in 
about  1798.  He  married  Miss  Catharine  Seitz,  who 
accompanied  him  to  this  country.  The  voyage  oc- 
cupied eight  weeks,  during  which  they  lost  their 
only  child,  who  died  on  the  Atlantic  but  was 
buried  in  Philadelphia.  They  afterward  located  in 
Elizabeth,  where  John  Powley  carried  on  white- 
smithing,  and  whence  he  afterward  removed  with 
his  family,  first  to  Carlisle  and  then  to  Shippens- 
burg, in  Cumberland  County,  where  he  died  in 
1840,  in  the  seventy  -first  year  of  his  age.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  his  family  consisted  of  his  wife 
and  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters  :  John 
C.,  now  deceased;  William;  Margaret,  who  became 
'  the  wife  of  Rev.  Joseph  Straubridge,  of  the  United 


Brethren  Church,  and  Wilmena,  who  married  Mi- 
chael Miller.  Of  this  family  only  two  now  survive, 
one  sister,  and  the  father  of  our  subject,  William. 

William  Powley,  Sr.,  spent  his  early  years  in 
Cumberland  County,  and  received  his  primary  ed- 
ucation in  the  common  schools.  I'pon  becoming  of 
suitable  years,  he  learned  the  locksmith's  trade, 
then  the  tinner's,  and  at  the  two  combined  has 
worked  over  fifty  years.  He  was  married  in  1 834, 
to  Miss  Susanna,  the  daughter  of  Phillip  Rhodes, 
Esq.  They  located  first  in  Cumberland  County, 
where  the}'  remained  until  1855,  and  then  Mr.  Pow- 
ley, with  his  family,  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  com- 
ing into  this  county  settled  in  the  town  of  Lexing- 
ton, where  he  has  followed  the  tinner's  trade  and 
carried  on  the  hardware  business  until  the  present. 
Although  now  in  his  seventy-sixth  year,  he  seems 
as  active  and  industrious  as  ever  and  is  happiest 
when  the  most  busily  employed.  He  has  not  lost  a 
day  by  sickness  in  fifty-two  years,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  that  his  remarkable  health  and  strength  are 
due  to  the  correct  and  temperate  habits  to  which  he 
was  trained  in  early  youth. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Powley,  Sr.,  became  the  pa- 
rents of  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, all  living,  and  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows : 
Joseph  A.  is  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  at  For- 
est, 111. ;  John  W.  is  in  the  same  business  at  Lex- 
ington; Annie  E.  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Am- 
brose, and  they  live  in  Arrowsmith  Township;  Will- 
iam D.,  our  subject,  was  next  in  order  of  birth;  Al- 
mira,  the  youngest,  married  Thomas  Henderson, 
and  lives  in  Fairbury,  111. ;  Henry  A.  is  also  in  that 
town,  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade ;  Susan  married 
John  W.  Elliott,  who  is  telegraph  operator  for  the 
Wabash  Railroad  at  Simerton,  111. ;  she  was  born  July 
4,  1816,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in 
Lexington  May  22,  1880.  Mr.  Powley  cast  his  first 
presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson,  but  is  now  a 
stanch  adherent  of  the  Republican  party. 

William  D.  Powley  of  this  sketch,  was  about 
twelve  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  McLean 
County  with  his  parents.  He  passed  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  in  the  town  of  Lexington  during 
his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  When  sixteen  years  old 
he  began  his  apprenticeship  at  the  tinner's  trade,  at 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


961 


which  he  worked  for  a  number  of  years,  and  then 
visited  the  States  of  Missouri  and  Kansas,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  in  those  States  for  about  three 
years.  He  then  returned  to  Lexington,  and  in 
April,  188G,  became  a  partner  of  his  father,  with 
whom  he  has  continued  until  the  present.  They 
give  employment  to  four  men,  accepting  only  those 
who  are  skilled  in  their  business  and  able  to  turn 
out  first-class  work. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  December,  1864,  to 
Miss  Carrie  Funk,  who  was  born  in  Urbana,  Ohio, 
Of  this  union  there  has  been  born  one  sou,  Charles 
E.,  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Carrie 
E.  Powley  departed  this  life  in  1876. 

Mr.  Powley  served  as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  late 
war  four  months,  on  garrison  duty  in  and  around 
Washington  City,  D.  C.  He  was  City  Marshal  of 
Lexington  three  years,  and  socially  is  a  member  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  and  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  con- 
nected with  Lodge  No.  482. 


J 


>EORGE  SCHLOSSER.  a  well-known  citi- 
zen of  Towanda  Township,  and  a  prosper- 
ous farmer  of  the  same,  is  pleasantly  located 
on  his  fine  farm  on  section  24.  George  and  Eliza- 
beth (Smith)  Sohlosser,  parents  of  our  subject, 
were  born  in  Germany.  They  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1853,  and  located  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  where  they  died.  Three  children  were  born 
of  their  union,  and  George  was  the  second  iu  order 
of  birth. 

George  Schlosser  was  born  in  Germany,  Jan.  5, 
1835.  He  came  to  this  country  in  the  spring  of 
1852,  and  joined  his  brother,  Henry,  who  had  pre- 
ceded him  and  was  residing  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
George  lived  with  his  brother  for  three  and  a  half 
years,  and  during  that  time  was  almost  exclusively 
engaged  in  farming.  He  then  took  a  trip  to  New 
Orleans,  and  after  an  absence  of  six  months  re- 
turned to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Butler  County,  re- 
maining there  variously  occupied  until  1859. 
Then,  renting  a  farm,  he  cultivated  it  until  1864, 
when  he  came  to  McLean  County  and  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  in  Money  Creek  Township.  This  he 
sold  the  following  year,  and  removing  to  Bloom- 


ington  made  that  his  home  for  about  three  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1867  he  settled  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship, on  section  24,  and  has  made  that  his  home 
until  the  present  time.  He  has  fair  improvements 
on  his  place,  which  consists  of  244  acres,  and  is 
doing  well  in  the  conducting  of  his  farm. 

Mr.  Schlosser  was  married  in  Butler  County, 
Ohio,  March  9,  1859,  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  .Henry  and  Caroline  (Dasch)  Hoffman,  natives 
of  Germany.  Her  parents  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1854,  and  settled  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
where  the  mother  died  in  the  fall  of  1854.  His  de- 
mise took  place  at  Columbus,  Neb.,  Feb.  13,  1885. 
They  had  three  daughters,  and  Mrs.  Schlosser  was 
the  youngest.  She  was  born  in  Germany  in  the 
fall  of  1838,  and  by  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
has  become  the  mother  of  twelve  children,  ten  of 
whom  survive.  The  living  are  William  H.,  Kate, 
Charlie  J..  Andrew  C.,  John,  Caroline,  Louisa, 
Freddie,  Henrietta  and  George.  George  and  Al- 
bert died  in  infancy.  The  names  of  the  children 
born  to  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Schlosser  are  Katie, 
Margaret  and  Elizabeth,  and  the  children  of  Mr. 
Schlosser's  parents  were  Henry,  George  and  Jacob. 
George  Schlosser,  Sr.,  died  at  Hamilton,  Ohio,  in 
February,  1860,  and  his  good  wife  departed  this 
life  in  the  same  city  in  August,  1866.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  S.  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and 
in  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


ORINUS  WILLETT  STRAYER,  deceased. 
The  subject  of  this  history  was  formerly 
an  attorney  at  law  of  Lexington.  He  was 
born  in  Logan  County,  Ohio,  near  West 
Liberty,  on  the  22d  of  June,  1835.  His  father, 
Nicholas  Strayer,  removed  from  Virginia  to  Ohio 
when  a  young  man,  and  his  mother,  formerly  Miss 
Esther  Kinnan,  was  born  and  reared  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  whence  she  removed  to  Ohio  and  was 
there  married.  The  parental  family  consisted  of 
ten  children,  seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  eight 
of  whom  still  survive.  Morinus  W.  was  the  eldest 
of  the  family  and  spent  his  childhood  and  youth  in 
his  native  county,  where  he  received  his  primary 
education. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  young  Strayer  was 


t 


!»r-2 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  by  the  death  of  his 
father.  The  mother  with  her  family,  in  about  1853, 
removed  to  Illinois  and  located  in  De  Witt  County, 
upon  a  small  farm,  which  they  improved  and  cul- 
tivated, our  subject  remaining  with  his  mother 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  then  left 
the  farm,  and  coming  to  Lexington  entered  the  law 
office  of  Judge  Tipton,  where  he  applied  himself 
closely  to  study  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Chicago  in  about  1860.  He  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  Lexington  and  was  an  act- 
ive and  clear-headed  exponent  of  law.  After  a 
successful  and  praiseworthy  career  of  ten  years  he 
was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life,  dying  on  the 
1st  of  October,  1870.  His  talents  and  genial  dis- 
position had  secured  for  him  a  wide  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances  who  mourned  him  as  a 
useful  and  valued  member  of  the  community. 

The  marriage  of  Morinus  W.  Strayer  and  Miss 
Sarah  F.  Smith  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  on  the  4th  of  September,  1862. 
Mrs.  Strayer  was  the  second  daughter  of  Milton 
and  Lydia  Smith,  of  Lexington,  who  were  among 
the  first  settlers  of  McLean  County.  She  was  born 
in  this  county  in  1842,  and  received  her  early  edu- 
cation upon  its  virgin  soil.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  three  children,  two  sons  and  one' 
daughter,  the  latter  dying  in  infancy.  One  of  the 
sons,  Frank  W.,  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Louisville, 
New  Albany  &  Chicago  Railroad  as  telegraph 
operator  and  clerk.  The  other.  Louis  B.,  is  assist- 
ant cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lexington. 

Mr.  Strayer  was  a  strong  temperance  man  and 
one  of  the  originators  of  the  charter  which  led  to 
the  incorporation  of  the  town  of  Lexington,  which 
had  for  its  purpose  the  abolition  of  saloons.  To 
this  work  he  gave  much  of  his  time  and  his  talents, 
being  a  fluent  and  convincing  speaker,  whose  heart 
was  thoroughly  in  his  work.  Socially  he  was  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  all  respects  ful- 
filled the  obligations  of  a  law-abiding  citizen. 


I ICH  ARD  BREESE,  a  prominent  and  wealthy 
citizen  of  Gridley,  whose  portrait  is  given 
in   this  volume,   with   that  of  his  old  and 
)  highly  esteemed  partner,  came  to  this  sec- 
tion in  1857,  and  by  his  energy  and  enterprise  es- 


tablished himself  in  a  short  time  as  one  of  its  most 
progressive  and  valuable  pioneers.  lie  is  descend- 
ed from  substantial  English  ancestry,  his  parents 
having  been  John  and  Ann  (Gunton)  Breese,  who 
were  born  in  Huntingdonshire,  England,  where  they 
married  and  settled,  and  where  their  children  were 
born,  and  there  the  old  folk  passed  their  lives.  Of 
the  household  circle,  which  included  four  sons  and 
three  daughters,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
fourth  in  order  of  birth. 

Richard  Breese  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire,  En- 
gland, Aug.  20,  1824.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
but  seven  years  old,  and  he  was  then  obliged  to 
look  out  for  himself.  This,  however,  was  a  good 
school,  teaching  him  self-reliance,  and  doubtless 
contributed  greatly  to  bring  about  his  later  suc- 
cess. He  commenced  by  working  on  a  farm,  and 
continued  in  his  native  England  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-eight years  of  age.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
been  married,  and  at  the  age  mentioned  started 
with  his  wife  and  child  for  the  United  States.  They 
landed  in  New  York  City,  and  thence  soon  pro- 
ceeded to  Butler  County,  Ohio.  There  our  subject 
worked  out  by  the  month,  farming,  for  two  years, 
and  until  the  fall  of  1854.  He  then  rented  land 
until  the  spring  of  1857,  and  at  this  time  decided 
to  try  his  fortunes  in  the  further  West.  After 
completing  his  preparations  he  came  into  Illinois 
and  settled  first  in  Waldo  Township,  Livingston 
County,  where  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  and 
entering  upon  its  cultivation  continued  to  live 
there  until  the  spring  of  1869. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  Mr.  Breese  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Gridley,  having  the  fall  pre- 
viously formed  a  partnership  with  W.  H.  Boies,  for 
the  purpose  of  dealing  in  grain  and  live  stock. 
They  operated  together  until  the  spring  of  1884, 
under  the  style  of  Boies  &  Breese.  Our  subject 
then  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  business,  and 
having  accumulated  a  fine  property  has  since  that 
time  retired  from  active  labor.  He  is  the  owner 
of  360  acres  of  land  in  Livingston  County,  which 
is  finely  improved,  and  240  acres  in  Gridley  Town- 
ship, this  county.  He  also  has  a  pleasant  family 
residence  in  the  town  of  Gridley. 

Mr.  Breese  was  married  in  England  in  1846,  to 
Miss  Mary  Miller,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Cam- 


4 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


965 


bridgeshire.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  two 
children  —  Eliza  and  Richard.  The  latter  died  in 
infancy.  Eliza  became  the  wife  of  Christian  Neu- 
hauser,  a  resident  of  Gridley,  and  the  mother  of 
eleven  children,  and  departed  this  life  April  14, 
1879.  Her  surviving  children  were  Sarah,  Katie, 
Lucy  L.,  Minerva,  Williametta  and  Mary  A.  ;  five 
are  deceased.  The  first  wife  of  our  subject  died  in 
England  in  the  fall  of  1849,  and  he  was  again  mar- 
ried in  his  native  county,  Jan.  16,  1862,  to  Mrs. 
Sarah  (Flanders)  Harvey,  daughter  of  James  and 
Catharine  (Gunton)  Flanders,  who  were  natives  of 
Huntingdonshire,  England,  where  they  spent  their 
lives.  Her  first  husband  was  Richard  Harvey, 
who  died  in  1851.  Of  the  parents'  marriage  there 
were  born  thirteen  children,  seven  daughters  and 
six  sous,  of  whom  Mrs.  B.  was  the  eldest  but  one. 
Her  birth  occurred  in  Huntingdonshire,  Oct.  30, 
1829.  Of  the  present  marriage  of  our  subject 
there  have  been  no  children.  Mrs.  Breese  is  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  politically  Mr.  B.  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. 


H.  BOIES.  The  late  W.  H.  Boies  was  one  of 
the  most  prominent  and  influential  citizens 
who  was  ever  a  resident  of  Gridley.  He 
was  largely  engaged  as  a  grain  and  stock  dealer, 
and  by  his  enterprise  and  activity,  for  many  years 
assisted  greatly  in  the  prosperity  of  the  business 
interests  of  this  section.  Mr.  Boies  was  a  native 
of  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  born  in  the  town  of 
Moscow,  Jan.  22,  1833.  He  was  the  son  of  James 
C.  and  Caroline  (Severence)  Boies,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Canada  and  Vermont.  After  marriage 
the  parents  of  our  subject  settled  in  Livingston 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  there  the  mother  died,  about 
1835.  James  Boies  then  came  to  Illinois  and  made 
his  home  in  Gridley,  this  county,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  January,  1886.  There  were 
only  two  children  —  Wilber  H.  and  George  W.  The 
latter  was  formerly  a  conductor  on  the  T.,  P.  &  W. 
R.  R.  for  twenty-one  years,  but  is  now  engaged  in 
the  real-estate  business  in  Kansas  City. 

W.  H.  received  a  good  common-school    educa- 
tion   and  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  county 


until  1856,  five  years  of  that  time  being  employed 
as  clerk  in  a  store.  In  the  year  named  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  made  his  home  in  El  Paso  for  about 
five  years,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  purchase 
and  sale  of  grain.  From  there  he  went  to  Wat- 
seka,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  freight  of- 
fice for  a  short  time,  and  in  the  spring  of  1862 
came  to  Gridley  and  took  charge  of  the  station  of 
the  T.,  P.  &  W.  R.  R.  as  their  agent,  a  position 
which  he  occupied  fourteen  years;  in  the  meantime 
he  was  also  engaged  in  the  buying  and  shipping  of 
grain.  After  retiring  from  the  employ  of  his  road 
he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  his  grain  and 
stock  operations,  to  which  he  added  that  of  farm- 
ing. He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  he  suc- 
cessfully operated,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  the  owner  of  400  acres  in  Gridlej1  Township. 
The  elevator  there,  which  has  a  capacity  of  about 
30,000  bushels,  was  projected  and  built  by  him,  in 
addition  to  a  warehouse  with  a  capacity  of  80,000. 

Wilber  H.  Boies  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  A.  Taylor,  in  Perry,  Wyoming  Co.,  N. 
Y.,  Nov.  18,  1857.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  Wyoming 
County,  Sept.  12,  1837,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  became  the  mother  of  four  children — 
George  V.,  Nettie  W.,  Charles  C.  and  Wilber  H.,  Jr. 

In  1884,  Mr.  Boies,  who  had  been  in  partnership 
with  R.  Breese,  purchased  the  interest  of  his  part- 
ner and  afterward  carried  on  his  business  alone. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Republican  party,  greatly 
interested  in  the  success  of  the  temperance  move- 
ment, and  served  as  a  member  of  the  Village  Board 
for  several  years.  Socially  he  was  connected  with 
El  Paso  Lodge  No.  246,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  also  be- 
longed to  Cceur  de  Leon  Commandery  at  El  Paso, 
and  the  .Royal  Arch  Chapter. 

The  following  eloquent  estimate  of  Mr.  Boies 
was  penned  by  an  old  friend,  and  one  who  knew 
the  man  of  whom  he  so  feelingly  writes.  Cer- 
tainly no  higher  tribute  could  be  paid  to  the  mem- 
ory of  any  man  than  that  by  this  writer  to  the 
memory  of  W.  H.  Boies. 

"Personally  Mr.  Boies  was  a  man  of  pleasant 
manners  and  genial  presence.  None  knew  him  but 
to  love  him,  and  to  all  in  this  section  of  the  county 
he  stood  in  the  light  of  a  personal  friend  and  ad- 
visor. He  was  the  most  unselfish  of  men;  his 


f 


t 


966 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


generosity  was  almost  proverbial ;  his  kindness  of 
heart  was  extended  to  everything  and  everybody; 
and  it  was  impossible  to  be  in  his  presence  without 
feeling  that  he  was,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  a 
good  man.  There  was  about  him  no  pretension  or 
hypocrisy;  his  way  of  life  was  open  and  could  be 
read  by  all  men.  There  was  in  him  an  overflowing 
charity,  a  large-heartedness,  a  philosophy  and  an 
unpretending  common  sense  that  was  peculiarly  his 
own,  that  lifted  him  above  the  ordinary  vexations 
of  life,  and  gave  him  a  serenity  and  a  cheerfulness 
that  influenced  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
We  knew  him  intimately  for  many  years,  and  we 
never  knew  of  his  doing  a  selfish,  or  small,  or  an 
ungenerous  thing,  or  to  make  uncharitable  remarks 
of  anyone. 

"In  his  death,  which  occurred  March  9,  1887, 
the  citizens  of  Gridle}'  and  vicinity  lost  their  best 
friend.  Words  cannot  express  his  worth — kind, 
genial,  pleas-ant,  loving  and  sympathetic,  a  noble 
mind  and  a  kindly  heart — he  was  the  friend  of  all, 
giving  advice  when  desired,  never  officious,  always 
obliging.  He  was  to  the  people  here  a  legal  ad- 
visor, counselor,  banker,  helper  and  friend  in  time 
of  trouble  and  adversity.  Had  it  not  been  for  his 
kindness  and  help  nine-tenths  of  the  farmers  in  this 
vicinity  could  not  have  extricated  themselves  from 
the  financial  embarrassment  brought  on  them  by 
the  hard  times  of  1873  to  1879.  He  aided  them 
to  tide  the  stream  by  advancing  money  on  pros- 
pective crops,  and  by  giving  with  a  free  hand  aid  to 
those  who  could  only  give  their  word  as  surety.  It 
mattered  not  whether  the  applicant  came  in  rags  or 
clothed  in  fine  linen;  his  noble  heart,  ever  open  to 
the  cry  of  distress,  turned  none  away  who  were  in 
need.  His  was  the  hand  to  raise  a  broken  spirit, 
to  cheer  a  disponding  heart,  and  bid  them  be  of 
good  cheer,  for  he  would  help  them,  and  his  prom- 
ises were  made  to  be  kept,  not  broken,  as  so  many 
are. 

"He  had  executive  ability  of  the  highest  order. 
He  could  execute  any  legal  business  that  was 
brought  to  his  notice,  or  give  such  advice  as  would 
lead  to  an  easy  settlement  of  the  difficulty  in  ques- 
tion. The  people  flocked  to  him  to  execute  deeds, 
mortgages,  contracts,  leases;  to  write  their  wills 
and  business  letters,  and  to  straighten  up  the  tan- 


gles in  their  own  business  ventures;  and  never  was 
he  so  busy  but  he  would  stop  his  own  work,  which 
was  most  voluminous,  and  help  them,  and  do  it 
with  so  much  kindness  that  all  were  drawn  instinct- 
ively toward  him.  Thus  was  a  bond  woven  that 
the  hand  of  death  can  never  sever.  With  so  much 
power  given  him  over  the  people,  never  did  he 
take  advantage  of  those  whose  business  affairs  were 
in  his  keeping,  but  gave  to  all  the  helping  hand  of 
the  kindest  parent. 

"Since  his  death  men  whose  heads  are  stooped  by 
age  and  whose  hair  the  hand  of  time  is  whitening, 
have  come  to  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  and  with 
tears'  streaming  down  their  faces,  told  of  how  he 
had  helped  them  in  some  hour  of  greatest  ireed, 
and  bewailed  his  loss  as  to  them  the  greatest  of  all 
calamities.  Of  such  a  man  volumes  could  not  tell 
his  worth,  nor  words  portray  his  kindness." 

The  portrait  of  Mr.  Boies  which  we  give  in  con- 
nection with  this  sketch  will  be  welcomed  by  the 
many  who  love  his  memory  so  dearly, 


ENN1S  KENYON,  an  extensive  land-hold- 
er and  stock-breeder,  is  a  pioneer  settler 
of  McLean  County,  who  became  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State  July  18,  1840. 
He  is  a  New  Englander  by  birth,  having  been 
born  in  Coventry,  Kent  Co.,  R.  I.,  on  the  24th 
of  October,  1833.  His  father,  Ezra  T.  Kenyon, 
was  the  son  of  John  Kenyon,  who  was  a  native  of 
Sterling,  Conn.,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He 
remained  a  resident  of  the  Nutmeg  State  until 
1852,  then  sold  out  and  carne  to  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, this  county,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  O.  Arnold,  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife,  the  grand- 
mother of  our  subject,  was  Susan  Thurston,  also  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  and  who  died  at  the  home 
of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Arnold  before  mentioned. 

Ezra  T.  Kenyon,  the  father  of  our  subject.  \\:i* 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  had  grown  to 
manhood,  and  then  engaged  to  work  in  a  cotton 
mill  in  his  native  State.  In  due  time  he  became 
foreman  of  the  spinning-room,  and  remained  in 
Windham  County  until  1840.  He  then  determined 


1 


t. 

t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


967 


to  visit  the  western  country,  and  on  April  fi  of  that 
year,  started  with  his  wife  and  two  children  on  a 
steamer  from  Norwich  to  New  York  City,  thence 
by  the  Hudson  River  to  Albany,  from  there  by  the 
Erie  Canal  to  Buffalo,  and  around  the  lakes  to 
Chicago.  Arriving  in  the  latter  city  they  hired  a 
private  conveyance  to  a  point  in  Indiana  fifty  miles 
distant.  After  visiting  there  with  friends  a  short 
time,  the  father  purchased  a  yoke  of  oxen  and  a 
wagon  and  started  for  Illinois,  arriving  after  nine 
days'  travel,  in  McLean  County,  and  landing  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township  on  the  1 8th  of  July,  ill  with 
the  ague.  Mr.  Kenyon  had  previously  purchased 
160  acres  of  land  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 32,  which,  before  it  was  named  Mt.  Hope,  was 
township  32,  range  1  west.  The  land  was  still  in 
its  original  condition,  and  there  were  no  buildings. 
Mr.  Kenyon  rented  a  house  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
property,  and  the  following  year  built  a  frame 
dwelling  on  his  own  land.  He  had  broken  eleven 
acres  the  first  year,  and  he  proceeded  with  the  im- 
provement and  cultivation  of  his  land  with  perse- 
vering industry,  living  to  improve  his  entire  farm, 
and  adding  to  his  real  estate  as  his  means  per- 
mitted, until  he  was  finally  possessed  of  400  acres. 
Upon  this  he  erected  a  substantial  set  of  frame 
buildings  comprising  a  handsome  farm  residence 
with  good  barns  and  outhouses,  and  all  the  con- 
veniences for  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  shelter 
of  stock.  He  also  planted  fruit  and  shade  trees 
and  lived  to  see  the  country  developed  and  settled. 
He  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  prosper- 
ity of  this  section,  and  was  a  remarkable  illustra- 
tion of  what  can  be  accomplished  by  resolution 
and  perseverance.  He  finally  closed  his  C3res  to 
the  scenes  of  his  earthly  labors  on  the  21st  of  July. 
1880,  and  his  name  is  held  in  kindly  remembrance 
by  all  who  knew  him.  His  aged  partner  still  sur- 
vives him,  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Be- 
fore her  marriage  she  was  Miss  Susan  S.  Rathburn; 
she  was  born  in  Exeter,  Washington  Co.,  R.  I.,  Oct. 
4,  1809.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Annie  Rath- 
burn,  natives  of  Rhode  Island  and  New  York  re- 
spectively. The  parental  household  consisted  of 
two  sons — Dennis  and  Ezra  W.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kenyon  were  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  the  former,  in  early  years  a 


Whig,  latterl}'  became  a  member  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  uniformly  cast  his  vote  in  sup- 
port of  its  principles. 

Dennis  Kenyon  was  in  his  seventh  year  when  he 
journeyed  with  his  parents  from  Connecticut  to 
the  prairies  of  Illinois,  and  has  consequently  been 
a  resident  of  McLean  County  for  a  period  of  forty- 
seven  years.  In  youth  he  attended  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  and  assisted  his  parents  in  the  duties 
around  the  homestead.  In  1852  he  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, via  the  Isthmus,  and  entering  the  mines, 
was  engaged  for  the  space  of  eighteen  months  in 
searching  for  the  yellow  ore.  Then,  being  satisfied 
with  his  far  western  experience,  he  returned  to  Mt. 
Hope,  of  which  he  has  been  a  resident  continuously 
since  that  time. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Kenyon  and  Miss  Adeline 
G.  Peck,  was  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  August, 
1854.  Mrs.  Kenyon  was  a  native  of  Dighton, 
Mass.,  and  was  born  Jan.  30/1827.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Leinira  (Mason)  Peck, 
both  natives  of  the  Bay  State,  and  descendants  of 
Joseph  Peck,  of  England,  who  came  to  America 
previous  to  1738,  and  settled  in  Hingham,  Mass. 
The  father  of  Mrs.  Kenyon  was  a  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral in  the  State  Militia. 

During  his  long  residence  in  this  section  Mr. 
Kenyon  has  fully  established  himself  in  the  confi- 
dence and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  As  a 
farmer  he  is  skillful  and  judicious,  and  as  a  busi- 
ness man  he  is  upright  and  straightforward  in  his 
transactions,  prompt  to  meet  his  obligations,  and  a 
man  whose  word  is  considered  as  good  as  his  bond. 
He  is  the  owner  of  nearly  2,000  acres,  all  lying  in 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  and  besides  this  has  valuable 
property  in  Kansas.  He  is  also  extensively  en- 
gaged in  the  feeding  and  shipping  of  stock,  and  his 
various  interests  yield  him  annually  a  handsome 
income.  He  has  filled  various  offices  of  trust  in 
his  township,  having  been  Supervisor  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  and  also  Trustee. 

During  the  progress  of  the  late  war,  Mr.  Ken- 
yon  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  in  Co.  A, 
117th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  of  which  he  was  commissioned 
Lieutenant,  and  served  until  1864.  when  he  re- 
signed and  returned  home  to  resume  fanning. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.    Kenyon   are   members   in   good 


t. 


.t 


968 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
socially  Mr.  Kenyon  is  a  Knight  Templar,  belong- 
ing to  McLean  Lodge  No.  469,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  De- 
Molay  Coinmandery  No.  24,  K.  T.,  and  Oriental 
Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  8.,  Chicago,  being  a  32d  de- 
gree Mason.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


ETER  HEFNER,  retired  farmer,  residing 
at  Lexington,  and  familiarly  known  as 
"Uncle  Peter,"  was  born  near  Franklin, 
Pendletou  Co.,  W.  Va.,  April  20,  1813.  His 
father,  Michael  Hefner,  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, a  native  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  ancestry. 
Our  subject's  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Barbara  Flesher,  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  likewise  of  German  ancestry.  Michael  Hefner 
and  family  moved  from  Virginia  to  Fayette  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  in  1816,  and  made  that  their  home  until 
1830.  During  that  year  they  moved  to  the  Mack- 
inaw timber,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Money  Creek 
Township.  There  Michael  Hefner  entered  a  tract 
of  240  acres  of  Government  land,  with  no  im- 
provements upon  it.  His  first  house  was  a  log- 
cabin,  and  it  was  in  this  rudely  constructed  dwell- 
ing that  the  family  passed  the  winter  of  the  deep 
snow  in  1830-31.  Michael  Hefner  was  in  every 
sense  a  pioneer,  and  lived  on  the  land  which  he 
located  in  Money  Qreek  Township,  engaged  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  same  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred some  ten  years  after  his  location  there.  His 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  six  sons  and 
five  daughters;  two  died  in  infancy.  Seven  of  the 
number  are  still  living. 

Peter  Hefner  was  the  oldest  of  his  parents'  chil- 
dren. He  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  receiving  but  a  limited  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  coming  to  this  county 
with  his  parents  when  seventeen  years  of  age. 
There  were  no  schools  here  at  that  time,  and  our 
subject,  to  his  knowledge  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  in  the  East,  added  a  fund  of  practical  in- 
formation, and  is  well  posted  to-day  on  affairs  of 
State  and  Nation. 

One  of  the  important  events  in  the  life  of  our 
subject  occurred  on  March  27,  1833,  when  he  was 


married  to  Miss  Betsey  Flesher.  The  parent*  of 
Mrs.  H.  moved  into  this  county  about  the  same 
time  that  the  Hefner  family  became  residents  here. 
After  his  marriage  our  subject  settled  on  a  new 
tract  of  land  and  began  farming  for  himself.  He 
was  the  proprietor  then  of  a  capital  of  $14,  but  he 
went  to  work  with  a  will  and  improved  his  land, 
and  during  the  late  Civil  War  bought  and  shipped 
cattle  and  hogs  to  the  Chicago  market  and  made 
money  quite  rapidly.  At  one  time  he  was  the 
owner  of  1,700  acres  of  land  in  Mone3r  Creek 
Township,  and  also  640  acres  in  Martin  Township, 
making  a  total  of  2,340  acres,  and  all  paid  for.  He 
continued  to  reside  on  the  home  farm  in  Money 
Creek  Township  until  1870,  when  he  sold  it  to  his 
son  Harmon,  and  moved  to  Lexington,  where  he 
has  since  lived  retired  from  active  labor. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hefner  reared  a  family  of  nine 
children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  four  only 
now  living.  These  are,  Harmon,  who  occupies  the 
old  place  in  Money  Creek  Township;  Mary,  the 
wife  of  J.  D.  Curry,  and  Adeline,  wife  of  John 
Campbell,  residents  of  Lexington,  and  John  A., 
living  on  a  farm  in  Money  Creek  Township. 
George  M.  died  in  July,  1879. 

Mr.  Hefner  has  a  commodious  residence-  in  Lex- 
ington, and  is  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in  the  en- 
joyment of  a  well-earned  competency.  He  is  a 
man  of  great  strength  and  nerve,  and  the  exposure 
of  a  country  life  has  not  injured  his  constitution  in 
the  least.  He  is  a  straightforward  man  in  his  deal- 
ings, 'and  prompt  to  meet  all  his  engagements.  He 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  in  which  he  has  served  many  years  as 
Class-  Leader.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. 


1LTON  SMITH,  a  pioneer  of  this  county 
of  1835,  was  born  in  Franklin  County. 
Ky.,  Feb.  19,  1808.  His  father's  name 
was  William  Smith,  and  his  mother's  maid- 
en name,  Obedience  Brown.  The  former  died 
when  our  subject  was  but  eight  years  of  age.  He 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  had  emigrated  to 
Kentucky  when  a  young  man.  Obedience  Brown 
was  the  daughter  of  George  Brown,  who  moved  to  ' 


. 


i 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


969 


Kentucky  when  Obedience  was  a  little  girl,  and 
lived  in  that  State  until  1818,  when  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  made  this  State  his  home  until  his 
death.  William  Smith  became  the  father  of  six 
children:  John  W.,  who  died  at  Lexington; 
James  H.,  deceased ;  Milton,  the  subject  of  this 
biography;  Joseph  G.,  deceased;  Matilda  P.  mar- 
ried Patrick  Hopkins,  and  died  at  Lexington  some 
years  ago :  Sarah  married  Henry  Hayes,  and  is  also 
deceased. 

Milton  Smith  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  of 
his  parents'  children.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  his 
native  county  on  a  farm,  and  attended  a  subscrip- 
tion school  in  which  he  received  his  education.  At 
the  age  of  eight  years  he  was  orphaned  by  the 
death  of  his  father,  who  left  to  the  care  of  the 
mother,  six  children.  The  family  had  sixty  acres 
of  land,  but  it  required  a  goodly  portion  of  their 
personal  property  to  pay  their  debts,  and  young 
Smith,  realizing  how  hard  a  time  it  was  for  his 
mother  to  get  along  with  the  children,  went  to  . 
work  with  a  will  to  aid  in  the  support  of  the  fam- 
ily. He  continued  a  resident  of  Kentucky  until 
the  fall  of  1835,  when  he  came  to  this  county. 
Here  he  bought  a  claim  of  eighty  acres  of  land 
which  had  been  pre-empted  and  on  which  he  erect- 
ed a  log-cabin.  It  was  located  in  Lexington 
Township,  and  is  the  same  tract  on  which  he  has 
lived  until  the  present  time.  Soon,  however,  after 
coming  here  he  entered  about  500  acres  of  land 
from  the  proceeds  realized  from  the  sale  of  the 
little  farm  in  Kentucky,  which  they  had  disposed 
of  at  $40  per  acre.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
and  two  sisters  accompanied  Milton  to  this  county 
and  located  with  him  on  the  land  purchased.  The 
mother  died  on  the  farm  some  thirty  years  ago. 

Nov.  23,  1837,  our  subject  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Lydia  A.  Gbddard,  eldest  daughter  of 
Dr.  Abbott  Goddard.  After  their  marriage  they 
settled  on  Mr.  Smith's  land,  and  he  began  its  im- 
provement and  cultivation,  and  they  have  made 
that  their  home  until  the  present  time.  He  has 
been  a  successful  agriculturist,  and  has  added  to 
that  department  of  his  vocation  the  raising  of  cat- 
tle and  hogs.  He  has  experienced  all  the  trials  in- 
cident to  the  settlement  of  a  new  country,  and 
hauled  his  pork  to  Chicago  when  the  present  me- 


tropolis  was  but  a  hamlet.  He  was  economical 
and  energetic,  and  kept  adding  to  his  landed  inter- 
ests until  at  one  time  he  was  the  proprietor  of 
1,500  acres.  A  portion  of  this  he  has  given  to  his 
children,  and  yet  retains  400  acres  in  his  own 
name. 

Mr.  Smith  and  wife  are  the  parents  of  eleven 
children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  and  nine 
of  the  number  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  alid 
womanhood.  Ann  M.  married  George  Okeson ; 
Sarah  is  the  wife  of  M.  W.  Strayer;  William  A., 
Fletcher  M. ;  Carrie,  wife  of  V.  D.  Pierson ;  Kate 
L.  married  D.  Poole;  Lewis  H.,  George  J.  and  Es- 
stelle  are  single  and  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Smith  is  now  in  his  seventy-ninth  year,  hale 
and  hearty,  and  superintends  the  cultivation  of  his 
farm.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  lady  of  culture  and  refine- 
ment, with  a  kind  and  loving  heart,  and  is  able 
even  in  her  old  age  to  attend  to  her  household 
duties.  Mr.  Smith,  under  the  old  law,  was  one  of 
the  County  Justices  who  constituted  the  County 
Court.  He  held  this  office  for  some  eight  years,  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  also 
served  as  Supervisor  of  Lexington  Township  for 
two  years.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian-Church,  and  he  has  been  one  of  its 
Elders  for  about  twenty-five  years.  Politically, 
our  subject  was  an  old-line  Whig,  but  on  the  birth 
of  the  Republican  party  joined  its  ranks,  and  has 
since  voted  for  its  success.  He  is  nevertheless  a 
strong  temperance  man  and  hopes  to  see  the  day 
when  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  shall  be  pro- 
hibited by  law.  His  temperance  ideas  are  also 
against  the  use  of  tobacco  and  he  neither  chews  nor 
smokes  the  filthy  weed. 


ON.  JOHN  M.  SCOTT,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  and  a  resident 
of  the  city  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of 
the  Prairie  State,  and  was  born  on  a  farm 
near  Belleville,  in  St.  Clair  County,  Aug.  1,  1823. 
He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Biggs)  Scott, 
the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of 
Illinois.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  Jan.  1, 


f 


•  •   970 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


! 


1779,  near  Kaskaskia,and  was  the  daughter  of  Hon. 
William  Biggs,  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Illi- 
nois, coming  with  George  Rogers  Clarke,  in  1778. 
He  selected  a  location  near  Kaskaskia,  and  soon 
afterward  sent  for  his  family.  The  family  is  de- 
scended from  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  and  possesses 
in  a  marked  degree  the  characteristics  of  their  fore- 
fathers. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  spent  his  childhood 
and  youth  under  the  parental  roof,  receiving  a 
common-school  education,  which  included  private 
instruction  in  the  English  branches,  and  later,  Latin 
and  the  higher  mathematics.  He  remained  a  resi- 
dent of  his  native  town  until  1848,  then  commenced 
the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  W.  C.  Kenney, 
and  immediately  after  being  admitted  to  practice 
opened  an  office  in  Bloomington,  where  he  has  since 
remained.  In  connection  with  his  law  business  he 
has  been  honored  with  various  responsible  positions. 
He  served  first  as  School  Commissioner  of  McLean 
County,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  with 
much  credit,  and  in  1852  was  elected  Judge  of  the 
County  Court.  He  steadily  grew  in  public  favor 
until  in  1862hewa« elected  Judge  of  the  Eighth  Ju- 
dicial Circuit,  and  served  with  such  ability  that  he 
was  unanimously  re-elected,  in  1867.  In  all  re- 
spects, both  as  jurist  and  as  a  citizen,  he  has  been 
an  honor  to  the  community,  and  has  received  an 
ample  reward  ID  the  universal  respect  and  esteem 
with  which  he  is  regarded. 

In  1870  Judge  Scott  was  elevated  to  the  Supreme 
Bench  of  the  State  over  Hon.  E.  S.  Terry,  of  Dan- 
ville. In  1879  he  was  re-elected  against  Hon.  B.  S. 
Edwards.  By  allotment  he  became  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  first  in  1875,  and  again  in 
1882,  also  receiving  a  like  distinction  in  1886.  At 
'the  expiration  of  his  present  term  he  will  have  been 
eighteen  years  on  the  Supreme  Bench,  thirteen  of 
which  he  has  served  as  Chief  Justice,  and  eight 
years  as  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court. 

Judge  Scott  possesses  a  mind  exceedingly  well 
adapted  to  judiciary  positions,  and  during  his  long 
term  of  service  has  distinguished  himself  for  his  clear 
analysis  of  legal  points,  and  his  decisions  will  be 
used  as  authority  in  the  State  as  long  as  courts  are 
held.  His  first  decisions  appear  in  Volume  54  of 
the  Illinois  Reports,  which  now  comprises  118  vol- 


umes. and  in  sixty-five  of  which  may  be  found  his 
clear  and  concise  views.  His  name  appears  in  the 
April  volume  of  Gillman's,  which  is  the  eighth  series 
of  Illinois  Reports.  In  most  of  the  volumes  since 
that  time  his  name  will  be  found  either  as  an  At- 
torney, Circuit  Judge  or  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court. 

In  politics  Judge  Scott  was  originally  a  Whig, 
but  after  the  abandonment  of  that  party  cordially 
endorsed  the  principles  of  the  Republican,  with 
whom  he  has  cast  his  lot  since  that  time.  He  has 
never  held  any  political  office,  although,  in  1  856, 
he  was  a  candidate  on  the  Republican  ticket  for 
State  Senator,  being  defeated  by  Hon.  Joel  S.  Post, 
of  Decatur. 

The  marriage  of  Judge  Scott  with  Miss  Charlotte 
A.  Perry  was  celebrated  in  Bloomington,  in  1853. 
Mrs.  Scott  is  the  daughter  of  Rev.  David  I.  Perry, 
a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  personal 
appearance  Judge  Scott  is  prepossessing,  in  man- 
ners courteous  and  dignified.  He  is  five  feet,  eight 
and  one-  half  inches  in  height,  with  dark  complexion 
^nd  hazel  eyes.  His  hair,  which  was  almost  black 
when  young,  is  .now  nearly  white.  He  has  to  this 
day  in  his  writing  mostly  used  the  old-fashioned 
quill  pen.  In  temperament  he  possesses  a  happy 
mien,  being  neither  boisterously  merry  nor  mor- 
bidly melancholy.  In  short  he  is  a  finely  balanced 
specimen  of  manhood,  both  physically  and  men- 
tally, and  with  his  devoted  partner  is  surrounded 
by  a  large  circle  of  congenial  and  faithful  friends, 
who  experience  no  greater  pleasure  than  meeting  at 
the  delightful  home  of  Judge  Scott,  talking  over 
the  early  days,  and  congratulating  him  upon  the 
success  which  has  followed  his  earnest  and  worthy 
efforts. 


BENEZER  B.  MITCHEL,  a  retired  farmer 
novv  ^'v'n£  'n  the  enjoyment  of  a  compe- 
tency   in    the  village  of  Danvers,  came  to' 
Illinois  with  his  parents  before   it  had   been  admit- 
ted  into  the  Union  as  a  State.     He  was  born  in 
Morganfield,  Union  Co.,  Ky.,  on  the  17th   of  Au- 
gust, 1813,  his  parents  being  Peyton  and  Elizabeth 
(Briggs)  Mitchel.    His  father  was  born  in  Virginia, 
Aug.  26*1791,  and  died  April   4,  1853.     He  emi-  . 


* 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


971    ' 


grated  to  Illinois  from  Virginia,  arriving  here  in 
November,  one  month  prior  to  the  time  when  the 
Territory  became  a  State.  It  is  believed  that  he 
was  the  fifth  man  to  settle  north  of  the  Sangamon 
River,  and  he  located  in  what  is  now  Sangamon 
County.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  also 
officiated  as  a  minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  His  time  was  about  equally  divided 
between  the  farm  and  pulpit,  and  sometimes  he 
would  ride  on  horseback  over  100  miles  to  his 
charge.  He  was  a  natural  orator,  having  great  in- 
fluence over  his  audiences,  and  was  very  successful 
in  making  accessions  to  the  Church.  Upon  one 
occasion,  when  his  appointment  lay  in  Putnam 
County,  being  late  in  his  arrival  one  Mr.  Payne  es- 
sayed to  occupy  his  pulpit  until  he  should  arrive. 
When  the  regular  incumbent  came,  however,  Mr. 
P.  vacated,  and  Mr.  Mitchel  taking  up  the  subject 
of  the  latter,  treated  it  with  such  force  that  one 
young  man  became  converted,  afterward  joined  the 
church,  and  in  due  time  was  ordained  a  minister  of 
the  same.  '  At  another  time,  in  Logan  County, 
while  filling  an  appointment  at  a  private  house, 
eight  or  ten  people  were  converted.  One  young 
man  hurried  to  the  minister  and  warmly  embraced 
him,  addressing  him  in  very  forcible  language  and 
evincing  great  emotion.  Our  subject  estimates  that 
his  honored  father  followed  the  ministry  as  oppor- 
tunity offered,  for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years. 
His  services  were  given  gratuitously. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  on  the 
3d  of  September,  1812.  The  mother  was  born 
Aug.  10,  1795,  and  departed  this  life  Jan.  12,  1850. 
The  household  circle  included  eight  children,  viz.: 
Ebenezer  B.  of  our  sketch ;  John  E.,  William  M.. 
Samuel  It.,  James  M.  C.,  Louisa  A.,  Mary  Jane  and 
Phoebe  E.  Of  these  only  three  are  living:  E.  B., 
our  subject;  Dr.  Robert  Mitchel,  and  Louisa,  now 
Mrs.  Vance,  of  Danvers. 

Ebenezer  Mitchel  came  to  Illinois  with  his  par- 
ents, and  remained  with  them  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age,  his  childhood  and  youth  being 
employed  in  attendance  at  the  common  schools  and 
assisting  his  parents  around  the  farm.  On  the  26th 
of  May,  1836,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Rachel  Vance,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  Illinois  the  year  before  her 


marriage.  The  birth  of  Mrs.  M.  occurred  Nov,  23, 
1813.  She  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
(Hay)  Vance,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and 
Virginia.  Her  mother  was  born  in  1794,  and  died 
in  1824.  James  Vance  died  in  1859,  when  seventy- 
two  years  of  age.  Their  family  consited  of  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.,  Eliza- 
beth, Rachel,  Peter  and  Andrew. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mitchel  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  three  now  living:  James  P.  was 
born  April  30,  1837;  John  O.,  Sept.  30,  1839  ;  Eliz- 
abeth M.,  July  16,  1842;  Mary  L.,  July  1,  1845; 
Emeline  M.,  Aug.  28,  1849;  Virginia  B.,  April  30, 
1853,  and  Ebenezer  B.,  Jr.,  Nov.  23,  1855. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Mitchel  followed  farming 
until  1854,  when  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  111., 
where  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff,  and  occu- 
pied the  position  for  ten  years  following.  In  the 
meantime,  however,  he  had  taken  the  census  of  the 
county,  completing  the  task  in  fifty-eight  days,  a 
feat  which  was  unprecedented  in  the  annals  of  the 
county.  After  his  term  of  office  had  expired  he 
became  the  agent  for  H.  B.  Metcalf  &  Co.,  of 
Providence,  who  were  engaged  as  grain  dealers,  in 
whose  employ  he  remained  for  about  three  years. 
He  had  removed  to  Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  good  educational  advantages  for  his  chil- 
dren. This  having  been  accomplished  he  returned 
to  the  farm,  and  from  1870  to  1885  was  engaged 
in  the  breeding  of  fine  horses.  Mr.  Mitchel  was  at 
one  time  the  owner  of  909  acres  of  land  in  McLean 
County.  In  1885  he  divided  his  real  estate  among 
his  children,  and  removed  to  Danvers,  where  he  is 
now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  early  labors,  and 
also  the  profound  respect  and  veneration  which  is 
tacitly  accorded  the  honored  pioneers. 

Mr.  Mitchel  is  not  connected  with  any  secret  or- 
ganization. When  twenty-three  years  of  age  he 
professsed  religion  and  united  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  Ruling 
Elder  for  a  period  of  twenty  years.  He  was  elected 
a  delegate  to  represent  the  church  at  the  Ecclesias- 
tical Syndicate,  a  general  assembling  of  the  synods 
of  the  United  States,  several  times,  and  was  other- 
wise very  prominently  identified  with  the  denoin- 
ation.  Since  that  time,  however,  his  religious 
views  have  experienced  a  change  in  regard  to  those 


f 


t  ,   972 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


i 


requirements  which  constitute  the  true  church,  of 
which  he  claims  there  is  but  one.  He  believes  that 
by  the  atonement  of  Christ  all  infants  will  be 
saved,  and  that  many  so-called  church  organizations 
are  unauthorized  by  the  Scriptures.  He  believes 
also  that  water  baptism  is  an  institution  of  man 
and  not  essential  to  salvation. 

Politically,  Mr.  Mitchel,  during  the  existence  of 
the  Whig  party,  warmly  indorsed  its  views,  but 
when  the  old  party  was  abandoned  by  the  organi- 
zation of  the  new  Republican  party,  he  cordially 
indorsed  the  principles  of  the  latter,  and  with  it 
uniformly  casts  his  vote. 


AVID  H.  VANDOLAH,  importer  .and 
dealer  in  Percheron  and  Norman  horses, 
owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable  and  hand- 
some home  in  Lexington,  and  is  meeting 
with  success  in  his  calling.  He  is  a  native  of  Money 
Creek  Township,  this  county,  and  was  born  Nov.  8, 
1841.  His  father,  James  Vandolah,  was  one  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  coming  here  in 
1835,  from  Ohio,  to  which  he  had  removed  from 
his  native  State  of  Pennsylvania  when  quite  young. 
He  was  married  in  Ohio  to  Miss  Nanc}'  Nntt,  lat- 
terly of  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  but  who  was  born 
in  Virginia.  Upon  their  removal  to  McLean  Coun- 
ty, 111.,  they  permanently  located  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  where  James  Vandolah  improved  a  farm 
and  engaged  extensively  in  stock-raising.  In  due 
time  he  became  the  proprietor  of  800  acres  of  land, 
and  continued  his  stock  business  until  he  retired  from 
active  labor,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son 
David  H.  His  family  consisted  of  seven  sons  and 
two  daughters,  of  whom  four  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter are  living,  David  H.  being  next  to  the  youngest. 
Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  fourteen 
years  of  age  and  then  started  out  with  his  father 
and  assisted  him  in  the  handling  of  stock  and  buy- 
ing and  shipping,  and  for  a  mere  boy  developed  un- 
usual business  talent.  These  early  experiences 
served  to  make  him  self-reliant,  and  were  of  great 
advantage  to  him  in  all  his  after  years. 

Mr.    Vandolah  was  married,    March  22,  1864,  to 
Miss  Britania,  daughter  of  Sion  Bray  of  Lexington, 


and  continued  his  occupation  as  a  stock-dealer,  mak- 
ing his  residence  in  Lexington.  In  1879  he  be- 
gan the  importation  of  French  draft  horses,  and  in 
1885  shipped  sixty-seven  head  of  magnificent  ani- 
mals to  different  parts  of  the  United  States.  He 
has  displayed  rare  talent  and  genius  as  a  judge  of 
horseflesh,  and  exhibits  some  of  the  finest  animals  to 
be  found  along  the  Mississippi  Valley.  For  the  ac- 
commodation and  comfort  of  these  he  erected  a 
fine  barn,  which  is  especially  arranged  for  the  pur- 
pose and  equipped  with  all  modern  appliances.  His 
name  has  become  familiar  in  this  section  of  coun- 
try as  one  of  the  leading  horsemen  of  the  Prairie 
State.  His  two  sons,  James  W.  and  Sheridan,  are 
assisting  their  father  in  his  business  and  bid  fair  to 
develop  his  own  talent  and  genius  in  this  direction. 
Mrs.  Vandolah  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  In  polities  Mr.  Vandolah  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 


ICIIAEL  H.  MILLER,  of  Randolph  Town- 
ship, owns  and  occupies  a  comfortable 
homestead  on  section  25,  which  comprises 
160  acres  of  land,  a  good  farm-house  and 
other  buildings,  and  all  the  necessary  appliances  for 
carrying  on  agriculture  in  a  progressive  manner. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born"  in  Hagers- 
town,  Washington  Co.,  Md.,  being  the  son  of  Joseph 
Miller,  who  was  of  English  and  Irish  parentage. 
Joseph  Miller  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  lo- 
cated in  Washington  County,  Md.,  after  his  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Margaret  Hager,  whence  he  re- 
moved to  Pennsylvania  where  he  farmed,  first  in 
Fayette  and  then  in  Westmoreland  County.  Mrs. 
Miller  was  of  German  ancestry,  and  born  in  Mary- 
land. Of  their  five  sons  and  four  daughters, 
Michael  H.  was  the  youngest  and  was  born  Sept.  1, 
1810.  When  he  was  five  years  of  age  his  parents 
removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio  and  there  set- 
tled in  Montgomery  County,  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  Joseph  Miller  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  farming  and  business  transactions  and 
accumulated  considerable  means,  providing  a  com- 
fortable home  for  his  family,  of  which  all  members, 
with  one  exception,  accompanied  their  parents  upon 
their  removal  to  Ohio. 


-• 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


975 


Michael  H.  Miller  was  reared  to  manhood  in 
Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  whence  he  afterward 
went  to  Indiana  and  was  there  married  in  Dear- 
born County  to  Miss  Matilda  Colwell  on  theiM  of 
April,  1832.  Mrs.  Miller  was  horn  in  about  1810, 
in  Indiana,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in 
Randolph  Township  in  about  1853.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  were  born  ten  children,  six 
now  deceased.  The  living  are,  Frank,  Samuel, 
Mary  and  Minerva,  all  married  and  settled  in  com- 
fortable homes  of  their  own. 

Mr.  Miller  after  his  marriage  located  in  Dearborn 
County,  Ind.,  whence  he  removed  after  one  year  to 
Hamilton  County,  living  there  until  in  October, 
1839.  He  then  came  into  McLean  County,  and  set- 
tled on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies. 

For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Miller  married  Mrs. 
Martha  (Miller)  Daniels,  in  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship, in  1855.  Mrs.  Martha  Miller  was  born  near 
New  Albany,  Floyd  Co.,  Ind.,  where  she  was  reared 
and  educated,  and  there  married  to  Mr.  Dan- 
iels. They  became  the  parents  of  five  children. 
By  her  marriage  with  our  subject  there  have  been 
born  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter,  Josephus  and 
Ellen,  who  are  both  now  married.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Miller  are  greatly  respected  in  their  community,  and 
our  subject  is  in  all  respects  fulfilling  the  obliga- 
tions of  a  law-abiding  citizen.  He  is  an  extensive 
reader,  well  informed,  liberal  in  religion  and  Demo- 
cratic in  politics.  He  possesses  great  force  of 
character  and  takes  an  intelligent  interest  in  current 
events. 


eURTIS  BATTERTON.  This  old  and  hon- 
ored citizen  of  Martin  Township  came  to 
this  vicinity  in  the  pioneer  days,  and  with 
others  who  ventured  upon  the  territory  of  a  new 
country,  endured  bravely  the  difficulties  encoun- 
tered before  the  advance  of  civilization  had  con- 
tributed so  much  to  make  life  more  pleasurable 
than  toilsome.  He  was  born  near  Richmond,  in 
Madison  County,  Ky.,  Jan.  11,  1810,  and  is  the 
descendant  of  a  family  well  known  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  this  country.  His  grandfather,  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 


tionary  AVar,  and  at  the  close  of  that  conflict  be- 
came a  resident  of  Kentucky.  There  he  reared  a 
family  of  sons  and  daughters,  among  whom  was 
Abraham,  the  father  of  our  subject.  The  latter 
after  arriving  at  years  of  manhood  married  Miss 
Susan,  daughter  of  George  Henline,  Esq.,  of  North 
Carolina,  who  also  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier. 
Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  eight  children. 
The  parents  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in 
Kentucky,  there  died,  and  there  their  remains  are 
buried. 

Curtis  Batterton,  who  was  the  third  child  of  his 
parents,  passed  his  earlier  years  in  his  native  county 
and  came  to  this  State  in  about  1837.  He  had 
previously  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber  land 
in  this  county  and  now  entered  240  acres,  and  later 
he  purchased  thirty-five  acres  more,  and  now  owns 
355  acres.  Upon  the  former,  for  which  he  paid 
1500,  he  erected  a  small  log  cabin  and  began  to 
open  up  a  farm.  The  following  summer  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Melinda,  daughter  of  William 
Henline,  a  resident  of  McLean  County.  The 
young  couple  went  to  housekeeping  in  the  humble 
cabin  and  bravely  encountered  the  many  hardships 
and  privations  incident  to  the  development  of  a 
new  country.  The  nearest  market  at  that  time  was 
Chicago  and  the  milling  for  the  family  was  done  at 
Peoria.  The  hogs  and  cattle  were  driven  to  the 
market,  a  week's  time  being  often  occupied  in 
reaching  the  place  of  destination.  Many  of  the 
streams  were  unbridged,  which  rendered  crossing 
difficult  and  dangerous,  and  teamsters  were  fre- 
quently compelled  to  go  a  long  distance  out  of 
their  way  to  reach  the  other  side  in  safety.  In  ad- 
dition to  this,  farm  produce  at  best  only  commanded 
a  low  price.  As  time  progressed,  however,  and  the 
population  began  to  increase,  their  difficulties  and 
labors  grew  less  and  the  products  of  the  farm 
brought  a  better  price.  Mr.  Batterton  being  lo- 
cated in  one  of  the  finest  corn  regions  in  this  State 
raised  this  cereal  in  large  quantities  and  fattened 
large  numbers  of  hogs  annually,  shipping  them  by 
rail  to  Chicago.  By  this  means  he  made  the  larger 
part  of  his  little  fortune  and  was  enabled  to  effect 
the  necessary  improvements  upon  his  farm,  adding 
both  to  its  beauty  and  value.  The  shapely  brick 
residence  which  the  family  now  occupy  was  one  of 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  first  of  its  kind  erected  in  Martin  Township, 
and  surrounding  it  are  the  necessary  barns  and 
out-buildings,  conveniently  arranged  for  the  shelter 
of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grain.  It  must  not  be 
imagined,  however,  that  he  has  not  encountered 
reverses  as  well  as  others,  but  he  has  ever  met  mis- 
fortune with  a  philosophic  spirit  and  never  allowed 
it  to  dismay  or  discourage  him.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  and  progress 
of  his  adopted  State,  and  has  been  prominent  in 
the  counsels  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  Politically, 
he  is  an  earnest  Republican  and  fully  believes  in 
the  rectitude  of  the  principles  of  that  party.  He 
has  not  tasted  liquor  for  thirty-five  years  and  does 
not  smoke  or  chew  tobacco. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batterton  became  the  parents  of 
four  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely  :  John,  Will- 
iam, Franklin,  Albert  and  Telitha.  The  latter  is 
the  wife  of  Miles  Waybright,  of  Lexington;  John 
died  of  measles  in  the  army.  Our  subject  is  now 
in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age  and  is  in  pos- 
session of  a  sound  mind  in  a  healthy  body.  He 
still  loves  to  recall  the  incidents  of  the  old  pioneer 
days  and  can  relate  many  an  interesting  story  of 
early  life  in  Martin  Township. 

In  the  galaxy  of  portraits  of  the  leading  men 
and  pioneers  of  McLean  County  given  in  this  AL- 
HUM,  none  will  receive  a  warmer  welcome  than  that 
of  Curtis  Batterton. 


<fj}  OHN  FLESHER,  one  of  the  numerous  suc- 
cessful agriculturists  of  McLean  County,  is 
living  on  his  fine  farm  on  section  3,  Money 
Creek  Township.  The  father  of  our  subject, 
John  Flesher,  and  his  wife,  Mary  (Seybery)  Flesher, 
were  natives  of  Pendleton  County,  W.  Va.  The  par- 
ents were  married  and  settled  in  their  native 
county,  whence  they  removed  to  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  in  1835.  They  made  the  latter  county  their 
home  for  about  six  years,  and  then,  in  1841,  came 
to  this  county  and  took  up  their  residence  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  where  they  lived  and  la- 
bored until  their  death.  His  demise  took  place  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  spring  of  1863,  and  she  died 
about  1873.  Of  their  union  were  born  the  follow- 


ing-named  children :  Jesse,  Elizabeth,  Peter,  Polly, 
Catharine,  John,  George,  Alcinda,  Andrew  and 
William. 

John  Flesher  was  the  sixth  child  born  to  his  par- 
ents. He  first  saw  light  in  Pendleton  County,  W. 
Va.,  July  4,  1816,  and  at  the  time  of  his  parents'  re- 
moval to  Ohio,  was  about  nineteen  years  old.  He 
lived  with  them  in  that  State  until  their  emigra- 
tion to  this  county,  when  he  accompanied  them. 
Mr.  Flesher  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  fact  all 
his  years  until  the  present  time,  have  been  devoted 
almost  exclusively  to  agricultural  pursuits,  al- 
though he  has  followed  shoemaking  in  connection 
with  his  calling.  He  has  resided  in  Money  Creek 
Township  since  1841,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  100 
acres,  the  major  portion  of  which  is  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation. 

May  19,  1849,  in  McLean  County,  our  subject 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Frances  J.  Eckels,  a 
native  of  Indiana.  She  bore  him  five  children — 
William  P.,  Alex  S.,  Andrew  W.,  Oscar  E.  and 
Lewis  D.  A.  William  P.  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Clara  Stretch,  and  is  a  farmer  of  Money 
Creek  Township;  they  have  one  child,  Ethel  A. 
The  remaining  four  children  are  deceased.  Mrs. 
Flesher  departed  this  life  June  14,  1862,  and  our 
subject  was  a  second  time  married  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  Nov.  26,  1865,  Miss  Catherine  E.  Bar- 
nard being  the  other  contracting  party.  Of  this 
union  one  child,  Viola  A.,  was  born,  and  is  now  the 
wife  of  Edward  Murphey,  who  resides  in  Money 
Creek  Township.  Mrs.  Catherine  Flesher  died  Oct. 
31,  1866,  and  April  1,  1867,  in  the  latter-named 
township,  Mr.  Flesher  formed  another  matrimonial 
alliance.  The  lady  of  his  choice  was  Vesta  A. 
(Potter)  Fultz,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Nancy 
(Berger)  Potter,  and  widow  of  Henry  Fultz.  Mr. 
Fultz  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  Civil  War,  belong- 
ing to  the  124th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  lost  his  life 
at  the  battle  of  Champion  Hills.  By  his  marriage 
with  Miss  Potter  he  had  three  children — Mary  C., 
Lucy  A.  and  Sarah  E.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Richards,  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek 
Township;  Lucy  married  A.  M  Flesher,  and  they 
live  in  Gridley  Township;  Sarah  is  the  wife  of 
George  W.  Curry,  and  their  home  is  in  Morton 
County,  Kan.  Mrs.  Flesher  was  born  in  Floyd 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


977 


County,  Ind.,  April  17,  1836,  and  with  her  hus- 
band is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 
In  politics  Mr.  Flesher  is  Republican.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  Highway  Commissioner,  and  is 
one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  his  township. 


ORREL  F.  BIDDLE,  proprietor  of  380 
)j  acres  of  valuable  land  on  section  1,  To- 
wanda  Township,  and  an  energetic  and 
thorough-going  farmer  of  this  count}',  as 
well  as  a  progressive  and  successful  one.  is  the  son 
of  Noble  and  Margaret  (Wright)  Biddle,  natives 
of  Ohio.  Noble  Biddle  and  wife  settled  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  after  their  marriage,  whence  in  1850, 
they  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Lexington 
Township.  There  the  good  wife  died,  Sept.  7, 
1858.  Mr.  Biddle  yet  survives.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  them,  three  sons  and  four  daughters, 
and  Dorrel  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth. 

Our  subject  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio, 
Nov.  3,  1836.  He  attended  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  county,  and  received  such  education 
as  was  to  be  obtained  therein,  and  also  assisted  his 
father  in  the  labors  on  the  farm.  In  1850  he  ac- 
companied his  parents  to  this  county,  and  lived 
with  them  until  1856,  when  he  worked  one  season 
by  the  month.  He  then  rented  land  in  Lexington 
Township,  which  he  farmed  for  two  years,  when  he 
was  enabled  to  buy  eighty  acres  on  section  1,  To- 
wanda  Township.  On  this  place  he  erected  a  resi- 
dence, which  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  fall  of 
1866.  He  has  since  rebuilt  his  house,  and  sur- 
rounded it  with  good  and  substantial  out-buildings, 
and  to-day  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  Towanda 
Township,  and  is  meeting  with  signal  success  in 
conducting  it.  A  view  of  the  place  is  shown  on 
another  page  of  this  volume. 

Mr.  Biddle  was  married,  in  Lexington,  111.,  Dec. 
22,  1859,  to  Miss  Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  John 
and  Rachel  (McDorman)  Lambert,  natives  of 
Clarke  County,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Biddle  was  born  in 
Fayette  Count}',  Ohio,  Oct.  24,  1836,  and  has  borne 
our  subject  seven  children—  Melissa  E.,  William  O., 
Noble  M.,  Edna  M.,  Elmer  F.,  John  P.  and  Wil- 
mer  O.  Melissa  is  the  wife  of  William  Merna,  and 


they  are  living  at  Bloomington;  William  died  in 
infancy;  Noble  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  R.  Fletcher,  and  they  are  living  in  Money 
Creek  Township;  Edna  is  the  wife  of  David  C. 
Fletcher,  and  they  are  residents  of  Normal  Town- 
ship. For  eight  years  Mr.  Biddle  has  held  the  of- 
fice of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  for  six  years  has 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  Road  Commissioner.  He 
has  also  served  as  Township  Trustee,  and  in  politics 
is  Republican^  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church. 


fjl  AMES  H.  LINCOLN,  deceased,  was  one  of 
the  earliest  .pioneers  of  McLean  County  and 
a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  from  1836  to 
his  demise.  He  was  a  gentleman  of  fine 
education  and  in  early  life  took  up  the  study  of 
law,  being  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Bloomington  in 
1849,  and  commenced  practice  at  Le  Roy.  Three 
years  later  he  opened  a  drug-store,  which  he  oper- 
ated in  connection  with  his  practice,  carrying  these 
on  together  for  about  sixteen  years,  and  remained 
a  resident  of  Le  Roy  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  6th  of  March,  1877. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Pa., 
Feb.  15,  1815,  and  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Jones)  Lincoln,  natives  of  that  State.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Mordecai  Lincoln,  was 
born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  and  upon  emigrat- 
ing to  America  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  There  the 
father  of  our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm, 
worked  for  a  time  in  a  woolen-mill,  and  spent  his 
entire  life  in  his  native  county.  The  parents  of 
James  H.  desired  him  to  become  a  minister  but  he 
preferred  the  law,  and  at  an  early  age  commenced 
studying  with  this  end  in  view.  When  nineteen 
years  of  age  he  taught  school  in  Pennsylvania  two 
years  and  pursued  this  occupation  after  coming  to 
Illinois,  at  Ottawa. 

In  1837  Mr.  Lincoln  came  to  Le  Roy  which  was 
then  but  a  hamlet  with  one  hotel  and  store.  Young 
Lincoln  conducted  the  first  school  in  Le  Roy  and 
soon  afterward  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his 
profession  as  stated.  He  was  married,  Sept.  12, 
1841,  to  Miss  Ellen  Merrifield,  who  was  born  in 


'  '  978 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


Greene  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  5,  1820,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Hannah  (ILunes)  Merri- 
field.  Her  father  was  of  Pennsylvania  and  her 
mother  of  English  parentage,  the  latter  born  in 
Virginia.  The  seven  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L. 
are:  Thomas  Abraham,  of  Kidgeway,  Mo.;  Ben- 
jamin F.,  of  Farmer  City,  111.;  Mary  E.,  Mrs. 
Alexander  Dixon,  of  Le  Roy ;  Mordecai,  of  Kan- 
sas; Edgar  C.,  of  Farmer  City;  James  T.. of  Le 
Roy,  and  Eliza  E.,  who  married  G.  B.  Dougherty, 
of  Leon,  Iowa. 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  Lincoln  came  to  McLean 
County  in  1832,  spending  the  following  winter  in 
Downs  Township.  In  the  spring  of  1833,  they  re- 
moved to  the  grove  near  Le  Roy,  being  the  third 
family  that  settled  there.  The  father  improved  a 
farm  and  lived  there  with  his  family  until  1857. 
He  then  spent  five  years  in  Missouri,  after  which 
he  returned  to  Le  Roy  and  remained  until  his  death 
in  1862.  The  mother  died  in  1838  in  Buckles 
Grove. 

Mr.  Lincoln  in  early  life  was  a  member  of  the 
Whig  party  but  later  a  Republican.  He  was  up- 
right in  his  business  transactions,  a  valued  member 
of  the  community,  and  his  name  is  held  in  kindly 
remembrance  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  ac- 
quaintances. 


I 

m 


ffiOHN  LAWRENCE,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
|  Hudson  Township,  who  owns  and  occupies  a 
fine  homestead  on  section  24,  where  for 
many  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture,  has  established  for 
himself  the  reputation  of  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen.  He  comes  from  that  Empire  upon  which 
the  sun  never  sets,  having  been  born  in  Gloucester- 
shire, England,  on  the  8th  of  June,  1828.  His  par- 
ents were  William  and  Ann  (Lewis)  Lawrence,  who 
had  a  family  of  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died 
while  young  and  one  was  lost  by  shipwreck  on  the 
voyage  from  Jamaica .  to  Quebec.  Two,  Edward 
and  Clara,  reside  in  England ;  Ann,  the  wife  of  John 
Langley,  lives  in  Nance  County,  Neb.,  the  remain- 
ing one  being  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 


John  Lawrence  received  a  good  business  educa- 
tion, his  earlier  studies  being  pursued  in  a  board- 
ing-school for  boys.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
he  boarded  the  ship  Water  Lily  with  the  purpose 
of  learning  to  be  a  sailor,  the  brother  who  was  lost 
being  then  Captain.  The  ship  was  wrecked  upon 
Europee  Point,  Gibraltar.  After  this  sad  occur- 
rence our  subject  completed  his  four  years'  appren- 
ticeship as  a  sailor  upon  other  vessels.  The  first 
year  of  his  sea  life  he  received  the  meager  com- 
pensation of  $1.25  per  month;  the  second,  $2.50 
per  month;  the  third,  $3.75,  and  the  fourth,  $5. 
He  followed  the  sea  for  ten  years,  during  which 
time  he  visited  different  ports  on  the  American 
coast  from  Quebec  to  LaPlatte,  S.  A.,  and  the  West 
Indian  Islands,  also  the  ports  of  Western  Europe, 
sailing  the  Mediterranean,  the  Black  and  the  Baltic 
Seas.  During  this  time  he  served  in  every  capacity 
up  to  chief  mate.  Sept.  20,  1853,  the  ship  was 
capsized  by  a  tornado  and  became  water-logged,  in 
which  position  they  left  her,  after  five  days  and 
nights,  during  which  time  the  crew  was  without 
food.  They  were  picked  up  by  another  vessel  and 
carried  to  Newry,  Ireland. 

In  1854,  while  at  home,  he  met  some  friends  from 
America  who  had  come  to  England  after  blooded 
cattle,  and  through  their  persuasions,  as  well  as  be- 
ing tired  of  sea  life,  he  sailed  with  them  for  the 
United  States,  accompanied  by  his  brother  who  is 
now  in  England.  After  reaching  American  shores 
he  went  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  with  his  friends, 
and  there  assisted  in  taking  care  of  cattle.  His 
knowledge  of  farm  life  was  very  limited  at  that 
time,  he  never  having  harnessed  a  horse.  He 
worked  for  various  parties  until  early  in  December, 
1857,  and  then  came  to  Hudson  and  worked  for 
different  parties  until  the  spring  of  1859. 

On  the  16th  of  February,  1859,  Mr.  Lawrence 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Harriet  Drew,  the 
wedding  occurring  in  Bloomington.  Mrs.  L.  is  a 
native  of  the  same  country  as  her  husband,  having 
been  born  in  Gloucestershire  on  the  21st  of  March, 
1824.  She  was  one  of  a  family  of  ten  daughters 
and  one  son,  the  children  of  William  and  Mary 
(Cowley)  Drew,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1854.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Law- 
rence located  upon  a  tract  of  rented  land,  where 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-*• 

981   t 


our  subject  engaged  in  fanning  and  his  wife  in  all 
necessary  household  duties.  They  had  but  $300 
in  cash,  but  were  rich  in  hope  and  courage,  and 
pulled  together  with  the  resolution  of  making  for 
themselves  an  honorable  name  and  a  comfortable 
home. 

In  the  spring  of  1865  Mr.  Lawrence  purchased 
160  acres  of  his  present  farm,  which  was  unim- 
proved and  for  which  he  paid  $17.50  per  acre.  He 
at  once  entered  upon  its  cultivation,  was  prospered 
in  his  farming  and  business  transactions  and  added 
to  his  landed  estate  as  time  passed  on.  He  is  now 
the  owner  of  240  acres  which  constitutes  the  home 
farm  and  has  given  to  his  son  eighty  acres  of  valua- 
ble property.  Of  late  he  has  given  much  attention 
to  stock-raising  and  exhibits  some  of  the  finest  ani- 
mals in  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lawrence  be- 
came the  parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom 
died  in  childhood.  One  sou,  Mathew,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  years,  was  killed  by  the  kick  of  a  horse, 
this  sad  accident  occurring  in  the  summer  of  1882. 
The  two  surviving  are  William  and  John  D. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  liberal  Republican 
in  politics  and  in  religion  a  Baptist.  He  has  never 
been  the  incumbent  of  any  office  although  re- 
peatedly solicited  to  do  so.  He  is  essentially  a 
self-made  man,  one  who  commenced  life  at  the 
foot  of  the  ladder  and  has  climbed  up  to  his  pres- 
ent position  solely  through  his  own  honest  and  per- 
severing efforts. 

McLean  County  is  noted  for  her  elegant  farm 
residences,  and  among  those  illustrated  in  this 
ALBUM  as  worthy  of  prominence  in  this  respect,  is 
that  belonging  to  John  Lawrence. 


ENOS  A.  TRIMMER.     Among  the    well-to- 
do  farmers  of  McLean  County,  those   who 
have  succeeded    through   individual    effort 
and  economy   in  acquiring  a  handsome  property, 
both  real  and  personal,  Enos  A.  Trimmer  deserves 
prominent  mention.      He  is  living  upon  his  large 
and  productive  farm   on  section   17,  Money  Creek 
Township,  and  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of 'the 
cereals,    is   extensively    engaged    in  stock-raising. 


Success  in  both  branches  of  his  vocation  is  crown- 
ing his  efforts. 

Mr.  Trimmer  is  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Amanda  (Gil- 
more)  Trimmer,  the  former  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sej'  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Coming  to  this  coun- 
ty, the  parents  located  in  Money  Creek  Township, 
on  the  same  section  on  which  our  subject  now  re- 
sides, and  made  that  their  home  until  they  passed 
to  the  better  land  beyond.  The  demise  of  the 
former  took  place  in  1876,  and  his  wife  joined  him 
two  years  later.  The  father  was  very  successful 
in  life,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner 
of  about  2,400  acres  of  valuable  land.  He  erected 
a  large  brick  house  on  his  farm,  together  with  other 
good  and  substantial  improvements,  and  at  the 
date  of  his  death  his  land  was  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.  He  became  the  head  of  a  family  of 
seven  children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man 
and  womanhood,  namely :  William,  Eliza  A.,  John 
F.,  David  F.,  Sarah  A.,  Mary  and  Enos  A.  Three 
died  in  infancy.  William  was  a  soldier  in  the  33d 
Illinois  Infantry.  He  enlisted  in  1861,  and  died 
at  his  father's  home  in  Money  Creek  Township  of 
disease  contracted  while  in  the  army;  Eliza  A.  is 
the  widow  of  John  McNaught,  and  is  living  at 
Normal;  John  F.  also  lives  at  Normal;  David  F. 
is  a  resident  of  Lexington ;  Sarah  A.  is  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Scott,  and  they  are  living  in  Howard  Lake, 
Minn.;  Mary  and  Frank  B.  Hobart  became  man 
and  wife  and  are  living  in  this  township. 

Enos  A.  Trimmer  was  born  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  this  county,  Oct.  13,  1856.  He  was 
reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  has 
known  no  other  home  since  his  birth  than  the  town- 
ship of  his  nativity.  All  his  years  thus  far  in  life 
have  been  passed  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  stock- 
raising,  and  he  is  at  present  making  a  specialty  of 
fast  stock.  He  is  the  owner  of  642£  acres  of  valu- 
able land,  and  keeps  about  100  head  of  cattle  and 
200  head  of  sheep,  and  fattens  for  the  market  an- 
nually from  100  to  200  head  of  hogs. 

Mr.  Trimmer  was  married  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  Sept.  4,  1879,  to  AuraO.  Ogden,  daugh- 
ter of  Albert  and  Sarah  (Pirtle)  Ogden,  whose 
sketch  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mrs.  Trim- 
mer was  born  in  Money  Creek  Township,  Dec.  9, 
1860.  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  three  chil- 


t  ,  982 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


dren  have  been  born — Elden,  Leslie  and  Fleeta  E. 
Mr.  Trimmer  has  held  the  office  of  School  Director 
for  several  years,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. One  of  the  finest  views  presented  in  this 
volume  is  that  of  the  farm-house  of  Mr.  Trimmer. 


HRISTIAN  WAHLS,  a  prosperous  German 
farmer  of  Yates  Township,  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  good  homestead  on  section  19,  where 
he  carries  on  general  agriculture,  and  by  his  indus- 
try and  straightforward  business  methods,  has  se- 
cured for  himself  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 
Mr.  Wahls  was  born  in  Mecklenburg,  Germany, 
May  8,  1830.  His  parents  were  Jokin  and  Doro- 
thea Wahls,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their 
native  country,  where  their  remains  were  laid  to 
rest.  Five  of  their  children  emigrated  to  the 
United  States:  John,  who  settled  in  McLean 
County,  is  now  deceased ;  Dorothea,  the  wife  of 
John  Seeman,  resides  in  Chenoa;  Sophia,  Mrs. 
Chris  Jacobs,  lives  in  Yates  Township;  Frederick 
lives  in  Le  Roy,  and  Christian,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  the  youngest. 

Mr.  Wahls  resided  in  his  native  country  until 
twenty-five  years  old.  He  then  came  alone  to  the 
United  States,  being  the  first  of  the  family  to  seek 
the  New  World.  He  sailed  from  Hamburg,  and 
after  a  voyage  of  seven  weeks,  landed  in  New  York 
City,  and  at  once  proceeded  westward  to  the  Prai- 
rie State.  His  first  stopping-place  was  at  Bloom- 
ington,  where  he  engaged  as  a  common  laborer. 
He  continued  working  at  whatever  his  hands  could 
find  to  do,  lived  plainly  and  economically,  and  in 
time  found  himself  possessed  of  a  sufficient  amount 
of  means  to  invest  in  a  small  tract  of  land.  This 
he  did  not  occupy  until  1872.  It  was  located  in 
Yates  Township,  and  comprises  a  part  of  his  pres- 
ent homestead,  but  he  has  made  great  additions  to 
the  first  purchase,  and  brought  about  a  great 
change  in  its  condition.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
400  acres  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  and  supplied 
with  all  modern  improvements.  Of  late  years  he 
has  given  considerable  attention  to  the  breeding 
of  fine  stock,  and  exhibits  some  of  the  finest  ani- 
mals to  be  found  in  this  part  of  the  county. 


Mr.  Wahls  was  married  after  corning  to  this 
country,  in  1856,  to  Miss  Sophia  Victi  Boldt,  who 
was  a  native  of  the  same  Province  as  himself,  and 
born  Dec.  25,  1831.  They  have  four  children: 
Sophia,  born  Jan.  4,  1856,  is  now  the  wife  of  Fred 
Brum,  of  Chenoa;  Minnie,  born  March  5.  1858, 
married  William  Schultz,  of  Chenoa  Township; 
William,  born  Sept.  18,  I860,  is  a  resident  of  Yates 
Township;  John,  born  March  18,  1865,  is  living 
with  his  parents  at  home.  Our  subject  politically 
is  Democratic,  and  religiously  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 


J~  OSKPH  M.  WEAK  LEY,  a  resident  of  Lex- 
ington, and  a  practitioner  of  law  at  that 
place,  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
near  Newark,  Sept.  23,  1843.  His  father, 
Thornton  Weakley,  was  a  farmer  by  vocation,  and 
born  in  Virginia  in  1817.  He  married  Barbara 
Jenkins  of  that  State,  and  soon  afterward  emigrated 
to  Licking  County,  Ohio,  where  he  settled  on  a 
farm,  and  followed  his  calling  there  until  1856. 
During  that  year  he  journeyed  West  and  located 
at  Lexington,  in  Money  Creek  Township,  this 
county.  From  there  he  moved  to  Gridley  Town- 
ship, and  then  into  the  village  of  Lexington,  where 
he  and  his  good  wife  both  died.  His  demise  oc- 
curred June  2,  1882,  and  hers  Jan.  5,  1861.  While 
a  resident  of  Lexington,  the  father  was  engaged  in 
the  grocery  business,  and  lived  to  attain  the  good 
old  age  of  eighty -six  years.  He  was  the  father  of 
seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  and 
Joseph  M.  is  the  youngest  living. 

Joseph  M.  Weakley  was  about  fifteen  years  old  • 
when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county. 
He  received  his  primary  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Ohio,  and  on  coming  to  this  county  he 
attended  Eureka  College,  Woodford  County,  this 
State  for  two  years,  and  then  entered  upon  the  du- 
ties of  a  pedagogue,  and  followed  that  profession 
for  upward  of  thirteen  years.  During  the  last 
three  years  of  his  teaching,  he  read  law  in  the  office 
of  M.  W.  Strayer,  attorney  at  Lexington,  and  in 
1871  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  After  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice,  he  opened  a  law  office  in  the 


1 


T 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


983  t  , 


rooms  of  his  preceptor,  he  dying  that  year,  and  at 
once  entered  upon  the  active  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  has  continued  in  the  same  until  the 
present  time,  in  all  the  courts,  and  has  built  up  an 
excellent  practice. 

Mr.  Weakley  was  married,  in  1872,  to  Miss 
Louisa  Waybright,  of  Lexington.  She  is  a  native 
of  Virginia,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1858. 
Three  children  have  been  born  of  this  union,  two 
daughters  and  a  son.  They  are,  Shelton,  Hattie 
M.  and  Minnie  May.  Mr.  Weakley  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  holds  fellowship  with  Lodge 
No.  206,  of  Lexington.  He  has  been  City  Attor- 
ney and  Clerk  of  the  city  of  Lexington  for  twelve 
years,  and  has  likewise  been  clerk  of  Lexington 
Township.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 


i 


ERNARD  J.  CLAGGETT,  Cashier  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Lexington,  is  the 
son  of  Sanford  II.  Claggett,  who  established 
that  institution  in  December,  1882.  The 
latter  was  also  President,  and  is  widely  and  favora- 
bly known  throughout  the  community  as  a  man  of 
remarkable  energy  and  business  foresight,  and  who 
was  uniformly  prosperous  in  all  his  business  under- 
takings. A  more  extended  sketch  of  this  gentle- 
man will  be  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  son  of 
his  parents'  family,  and  was  born  Feb.  12,  1861,  in 
the  village  of  Lexington,  where  he  passed  his  boy- 
hood and  received  his  primary  education.  In  1876 
lie  attended  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington 
for  one  year  and  then  went  to  Indiana  and  pursued 
his  studies  at  Notre  Dame  University  for  three 
years.  He  then  entered  Jones  Commercial  Col- 
lege at  St.  Louis,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1880. 
Returning  to  Lexington  he  entered  his  father's 
store  in  the  capacity  of  clerk,  continuing  thus  em- 
ployed until  March,  1882,  when  he  was  admitted 
as  a  partner,  and  the  firm  became  Claggett  Bros. 
&  Co.,  and  thus  continued  its  operations  until  De- 
cember, 1882.  The  bank  was  then  opened  for 
business  and  Bernard  was  made  its  cashier,  which 
position  he  has  since  held. 


Mr.  Claggett  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Nettie  McCurdy,  of  Bloomingtou,  on  the  13th  of 
December,  1882.  This  lady  died  Dec.  27,  1886, 
leaving  one  son — Ralph  B.  Our  subject  has  largely 
inherited  the  business  talents  of  his  father  and  has 
before  him  the  prospect  of  a  successful  future.  He 
is  a  Director  and  stockholder  of  the  First  National 
Bank  and  otherwise  identified  with  the  business  and 
industrial  interests  of  Lexington.  He  is  Treasurer 
of  Lodge  No.  206,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  having  succeeded 
his  father  in  the  office,  and  is  Senior  Deacon  in  Ma- 
sonic Lodge  No.  276. 


ONATHAN  L.  RALSTON,  a  resident  of 

Lexington,  is  engaged  as  a  contractor  and 
builder,  and  is  classed  among  the  enterpris- 
ing business  men  of  this  vicinity.  He  is  a 
native  of  Beaver  County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  on  a 
farm  about  forty  miles  from  the  city  of  Pittsburgh, 
Aug.  21,  1837.  His  father,  Adam  Ralston,  also  a 
native  of  the  Keystone  State,  was  a  blacksmith  by 
trade.  He  was  married  in  early  manhood  to  Miss 
Elinore  McNabb  of  Ohio,  and  afterward  served  as 
a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  After  their  marriage 
the  young  people  settled  in  Beaver  County,  Pa., 
where  Adam  Ralston  presided  at  the  forge  for 
many  years,  and  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
lived  retired  from  active  labor.  The  parental 
household  included  twelve  children,  six  sons  and 
six  daughters,  of  whom  five  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters are  yet  living. 

Jonathan  L.  Ralston  was  the  eighth  in  order  of 
birth  of  his  parents'  children.  His  boyhood  was 
passed  in  his  native  State  and  he  was  deprived  of 
the  affectionate  care  of  his  mother  when  twelve 
years  of  age.  He  was  then  thrown  mostty  upon  his 
own  resources,  and  employed  himself  fora  few  years 
at  whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do.  When  eight- 
een years  old  he  commenced  to  learn  the  carpen- 
ter's trade,  which  he  subsequently  followed  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  Ohio.  He  was  married  in  the  latter 
State,  in  1851,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  McNary  of  Trum- 
bull  County,  where  he  afterward  settled  and  re- 
mained until  the  spring  of  1857.  He  then,  with  his 
family,  removed  to  this  State  and  county,  locating 


•*• 


,  »B4 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


in  Lexington,  and  engaging  at  his  trade  until  his  re- 
moval, in  1865,  to  his  farm  in  Lexington  Town- 
ship. This  comprises  120  acres  of  valuable  land  in 
a  high  state  of  cultivation,  which  is  principally  de- 
voted to  stock-raising. 

Mr.  Ralston  left  the  farm  and  removed  with  his 
family  to  Lexington  in  the  fall  of  1883,  since  which 
time  he  has  followed  his  trade  there  with  success. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ralston  departed  this  life  on  the 
farm  in  Lexington  Township,  in  Februarj',  1876, 
leaving  seven  children :  Mary  E.  is  now  the  wife  of 
James  Arnold;  John  M.  was  the  second  born; 
Rosalia  J.  married  L.  H.  Smith,  of  Selma;  Cora  M. 
and  Clinton  A.  are  deceased;  Lillie  and  Grace  are 
at  home. 

The  present  wife  of  our  subject  was  Mrs.  Margaret 
Miller,  widow  of  William  Miller,  and  her  marriage 
with  onr  subject  took  place  in  1879;  there  have 
been  no  children.  Mr.  Ralston  was  President  of 
the  village  Council,  to  which  office  he  was  elected 
in  1885,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Their  town  residence 
is  a  tasteful  structure,  handsomely  furnished,  and 
the  family  enjoy  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  best 
people  of  the  community. 


P~  REEMAN  E.  HUDDLE,  editor  of  the  Odd 
i  Fellmcs'  Herald  in  Bloomington,  was  born 
March    6,    1856.     A    child    of   misfortune 
with  some  good  points  and  a  few  bad  ones  in  his 
character,  but  nothing  in  his  purse. 

The  Odd  Fellows'  Herald  was  first  issued  Aug. 
29,  1878,  at  Springfield,  111.  It  was  devoted  to  the 
interests  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  during  the  first 
year  of  its  existence  was  adopted  as  the  official  or- 
gan of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  It  was 
established  by  A.  D.  Sanders,  and  was  a  five-column 
folio.  In  1881  it  was  moved  to  Bloomington  and 
enlarged  to  a  five-column  quarto,  with  F.  E.  Huddle 
as  editor.  In  1882  it  was  purchased  by  the  Bulletin 
Company.  In  1884,  when  the  Bulletin  Company 
was  dissolved,  M.  T.  Scott  became  the  proprietor, 
and  Mr.  Huddle  editor  and  manager,  under  which 
arrangement  ^t  is  at  present  conducted.  It  is  now 
the  official  organ  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  three 


States  —  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Michigan.  Its  cir- 
culation is  about  5,400.  It  is  neatly  got  up,  and 
is  well  edited. 


ILLIAM  A.  SMITH,  a  prominent  citizen 
and  successful  and  progressive  farmer  of 
Lexington  Township,  was  born  in  the 
township  in  which  he  is  at  present  residing,  near 
Selma,  Sept.  27,  1846,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Mil- 
ton and  Lydia  Ann  (Goddard)  Smith.  Milton 
Smith  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ky.,  Feb.  19, 
1808.  His  father's  name  was  William  Smith  and 
his  mother's  maiden  name  Obedience  Brown.  Mil- 
ton's father  died  when  he  was  eight  years  old  and 
he  grew  up  in  Franklin  County.  In  the  fall  of 
1835  he  came  to  Selma,  this  county,  and  locating 
on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  place,  he  has 
made  it  his  home  until  the  present  time.  He  helped 
to  build  the  first  house  in  Lexington.  The  mother 
of  our  subject,  Lydia  Ann  Goddard,  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Abbott  Goddard,  one  of  the  early  phy- 
sicians and  ministers  of  this  county. 

William  A.  Smith  was  reared  on  his  father's 
fann  and  educated  at  the  district  schools,  supple- 
menting his  education  received  therein  by  a  course 
of  study  at  Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington. 
After  leaving  that  institution  he  returned  to  the 
farm  and  carried  on  that  industry  until  September, 
1870.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss  Tinnie  Day, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Allen  Day,  a  Methodist  minister 
of  note.  After  his  marriage  our  subject  settled  on 
the  farm  on  which  he  is  at  present  living,  on  sec- 
tion 32,  Lexington  Township,  where  he  has  160 
acres  of  good  farm  land.  He  also  owns  fifty  acres 
on  section  31,  making  his  landed  interests  in  the 
county  210  acres,  most  of  which  is  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  good  two- 
story  frame  residence  on  his  place  and  sub- 
stantial barn  and  out-buildings.  In  addition  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  cereals,  our  subject  has  devoted 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  and  feeding  of 
cattle.  He  is  at  present  feeding  thirty-six  head  of 
fine  steers,  also  has  a  fine  lot  of  hogs  and  is  meet- 
ing with  success  in  his  vocation.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife,  a  son  and 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


985 


daughter,  and  named  Albert  A.  and  Mary  V.  Our 
subject  has  always  been  identified  with  every  inter- 
est that  was  calculated  to  benefit  his  community, 
and  has  never  been  known  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to 
true  charity.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr. 
Smith  is  and  always  has  been  a  stanch  Republican. 


<fll  AMES  WOODARD.  Among  the  well-to-do 
and  prosperous  farmers  of  Lexington  Town- 
ship, residing  on  section  27,  is  the  subject 
of  this  notice.  In  addition  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  land,  he  is  and  has  been,  to  no  inconsid- 
erable extent,  occupied  in  the  raising,  trading  and 
shipping  of  cattle,  in  which  department  of  his 
vocation  he  has  met  with  signal  success.  Mr. 
Woodard  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  Jan. 
22,  1833.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Benedict 
Woodard,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  born  in 
Maryland,  and  was  an  early  settler  in  Indiana.  He 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Wright  in  Kentucky, 
whence  they  removed  to  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
where  he  and  his  good  wife  both  died.  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five 
daughters,  all  of  whom  lived  to  attain  the  age 
of  man  and  womanhood,  with  the  exception  of  one 
who  died  aged  twenty  years.  Six  are  still  living, 
and  James,  our  subject,  is  the  youngest  of  the  fam- 
ily- 
James  Woodard  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
common  schools.  He  remained  with  the  old  folk 
until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  when  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Luany  Evans,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Evans,  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  settled  on  a  farm  in  that  county,  and  there 
lived  until  the  fall  of  1800,  when  he  removed  to 
this  county  and  located  on  the  farm  on  which  he  is 
at  present  residing,  on  section  27,  Lexington 
Township.  The  place  was  then  owned  by  Mrs. 
Smith,  and  contained  only  ninety-eight  acres.  Our 
subject  purchased  it,  and  has  added  to  the  same 
until  he  is  now  the  proprietor  of  540  acres  of  choice 
land,  300  of  which  is  in  a  body.  He  has  two  good 
barns  on  his  place  and  a  comfortable  residence, 


and  is  at  present  the  owner  of  a  handsome  and 
valuable  property.  When  Mr.  Woodard  first  came 
to  this  county  he  had  but  little  means,  and  ran  in 
debt  for  two-thirds  the  value  of  the  farm  he  pur- 
chased. In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land 
he  embarked  in  the  raising  of  hogs,  and  met  with 
signal  success  in  this  branch  of  his  vocation,  and 
has  really  made  more  money  in  that  manner  than 
he  has  by  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals.  To  his 
hog-raising  he  has  added  that  of  buying  and  feed- 
ing cattle,  which  has  also  proved  a  successful  un- 
dertaking. During  the  year  1886  our  subject 
shipped  four  carloads  of  cattle  and  three  of  hogs 
to  the  Chicago  market.  The  cattle  numbered 
sixty-four  head,  and  averaged  713  pounds,  and  he 
thinks  that  it  is  as  large  an  average  as  any  ship- 
ment ever  made  from  this  county,  for  three-year 
olds.  His  hogs  are  of  the  Poland-China  breed,  and 
he  is  perhaps  the  most  successful  cattle  buyer  and 
feeder  in  this  county.  His  horses  are  of  the  Per- 
cheron  and  Clydesdale  breed. 

Mr.  Woodard's  marriage  has  been  blest  by  the 
birth  of  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters : 
Kansas  A.  is  the  wife  of  William  Patton;  Sarah 
married  John  Shafer;  Wesley  and  Alexander  are 
at  home.  Politically  Mr.  Woodard  officiates  with 
the  Democratic  party.  He  and  his  good  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


EVI  DILLON,  importer  and  breeder  of 
French  draft  horses  and  a  resident  of  Nor- 
mal, was  born  in  Tazewell  County,  111., 
Oct.  15,  1835.  He  is  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Melinda 
(Hodgson)  Dillon.  Levi  Dillon  was  orphaned 
when  only  one  year  old  and  immediately  thereafter 
became  an  inmate  of  his  uncle's  family,  Ellis  Dil- 
lon. He  continued  to  reside  with  his  uncle  until 
manhood,  engaged  the  while  in  farm  labor.  His 
uncle  always  kept  a  large  number  of  horses,  but  no 
matter  how  large  the  herd,  Levi  could  always  tell 
which  of  the  number  possessed  the  greatest  speed. 
In  fact,  from  early  youth  our  subject  formed  a 
likeness  for  horses  which  has  never  left  him. 

In    1857    Levi    Dillon    was    married    to    Mary, 
daughter  of  James  AVright,  in  Randolph  County, 
-•*- 


f 


9  86 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I  ml.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased  160  acres 
of  land,  located  in  Boynton  Township,  Tazewell 
C'onnty,  and  on  which  he  settled  and  engaged  in 
farming.  In  1858,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
he  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  "Old  Louis  Na- 
poleon," the  first  Norman  horse  imported  into  the 
United  States,  and  thus,  unawares,  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  a  future  competency  and  a  successful  busi- 
ness career.  No  breed  of  horses  has  attracted 
more  attention  in  this  country  during  the  last  fifty 
years,  than  the  Norman  horses  from  France. 

"Louis  Napoleon"  was  the  first  of  that  breed 
owned  in  Illinois  or  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mount- 
ains. In  1861  a  gentleman  from  California  visited 
Tazewell  County,  and  portrayed  the  advantages  of 
his  State  in  such  glowing  terms  as  to  induce  Mr.  Dil- 
lon to  sell  his  farm,  preparatory  to  moving  to  the 
Pacific  Slope.  His  brother  also  sold  out,  and  to- 
gether they  purchased  a  large  number  of  horses 
which  they  intended  to  take  to  California.  But 
just  at  this  juncture  the  late  Civil  War  caused  the 
price  of  horses  to  advance  and  they  disposed  of 
their  herd,  realizing  a  handsome  profit,  and  as  the 
finances  of  the  country  were  in  a  depressed  con- 
dition, they  gave  up  the  idea  of  emigrating  to 
California.  Our  subject  invested  a  portion  of  his 
means  in  an  eighty-acre  farm  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Normal. 

In  1863  Mr.  Dillon  removed  to  Bloomington, 
and  the  following  year  located  on  his  farm  near 
Normal,  and  there  lived  until  1884,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  made  two  trips  to 
France  after  horses  and  while  in  Europe  visited 
England.  During  the  years  he  was  connected  with 
the  firm  of  E.  Dillon  &  Co.,  he  also  handled  stock 
individually  and  in  1883  erected  his  present  barn 
at  Normal,  which  was  the  first  stock  barn  erected 
at  that  place.  He  then  associated  his  son,  Ellis  E., 
and  two  sons-in-law,  J.  C.  Duncan  and  James 
Railsback,  with  him  as  partners,  and  has  since  con- 
ducted the  business  as  Lev!  Dillon  <fe  Sons,  but  all 
advertising  and  exhibitions  made  are  in  the  name 
of  Dillon  Bros.  In  1883  this  firm  imported  twenty 
horses;  in  1884  twenty-five  head;  in  1885  twenty 
heads  and  in  1886  sixteen  head.  They  have  also 
imported  twenty  mares  for  breeding  purposes  and 
now  own  over  forty  full-blooded  mares.  Mr.  Dil- 


lon 1ms  exhibited  horses  at  every  State  Fair  in  Illi- 
nois siuce  1858,  besides  many  local  fairs,  and  has 
never  lost  a  horse  while  in  transportation,  although 
frequently  exhibiting  as  high  as  fifty  head  at  one 
time. 

The  agricultural  reports  of  Illinois  show  that  the 
Dillons  have  taken  more  premiums  than  all  other 
importers  of  horses  combined.  In  1884  Dillon 
Bros,  exhibited  fifty  horses  at  the  New  Orleans  Ex- 
position and  received  thirty  premiums.  They  lost 
three  horses  at  that  time  owing  to  the  sudden 
change  of  climate.  Our  subject  has  been  exceed- 
ingly successful  in  business  and  yet  owns  the  farm 
he  purchased  in  1863,  together  with  an  additional 
eighty  for  which  he  paid  $125  per  acre,  and  also 
another  eighty  that  cost  him  $100  per  acre.  In 
politics  he  is  an  earnest  worker  for  the  success  of 
the  Prohibition  party,  which  ranks  he  joined  after 
leaving  the  Republican  party.  He  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  from  boyhood  and  has 
been  a  zealous  worker  for  the  promotion  of  the 
cause  of  the  Master. 

Ten  children  have  been  born  of  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillon.  One  died  at  the  age  of  two 
years,  another  was  accidentally  drowned  in  a  well 
when  three  years  of  age;  Ida  died  while  on  a  visit 
to  Europe,  and  is  buried  at  Havre,  France.  The 
seven  living  are,  Flora,  wife  of  J.  C.  Duncan;  Lillie, 
wife  of  J.  Railsback;  Ellis  E.,  Willie,  Frank,  Mabel 
and  Guy. 


ETER  H.  JANES.  Among  the  large  land- 
owners of  McLean  County,  as  well  as  suc- 
cessful and  progressive  farmers  who  have 
succeeded  in  life  through  their  own  energy 
and  good  judgment,  the  name  of  Peter  H.  Janes 
deserves  place.  He  is  following  his  avocation  in 
life  on  his  fine  farm  on  section  22,  Money  Creek 
Township.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Janes,  John  S.  and 
Sarah  (Dunkle)  Janes,  were  born  in  West  Virginia 
and  Ohio  respectively.  They  settled  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  after  their  marriage,  and  there  the 
father  followed  farming  until  his  emigration  to 
this  county,  which  took  place  in  the  fall  of  1851. 
Arriving  here,  he  settled  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, and  continued  to  labor  at  his  vocation  until 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


987    ,  k 


his  death,  being  at  that  time  proprietor  of  upward 
of  fiOO  acres  of  land.  His  good  wife  survived  him 
until  Feb.  13,  1887,  her  demise  taking  place  in 
Money  Creek  Township.  Eight  children  were  born 
of  their  union — Peter  H..  Dona  M.,  Laura,  Jacinta, 
Joseph,  Elizabeth,  Serena  and  Barbara  E.  Dona 
M.  is  the  wife  of  Oscar  Redding,  a  resident  of 
Chenoa;  Laura  and  Edward  M.  Brown  were  united 
in  marriage,  and  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Jacinta  died  in  childhood;  Joseph  is  a  farmer 
of  Money  Creek  Township;  Elizabeth  married 
Patrick  Larkin,  and  departed  this  life  in  Money 
Creek  Township;  Serena  is  the  wife  of  William 
Douglas,  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Barbara  and  Adam  Carnahan  became  man 
and  wife,  and  are  living  in  Lexington  Township. 

Peter  H.  Janes  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  Dec.  27,  1834,  and  lived  there  until  1851, 
when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents. 
Here,  in  Money  Creek  Township,  he  was  reared  to 
manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools,  and  continued  to  live 
at  home  until  his  marriage,  which  event  occurred 
when  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  has 
always  followed  farming,  and  made  Money  Creek 
Township  his  home  since  he  first  settled  there  with 
his  parents.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  ,640  acres  of 
valuable  land,  the  major  portion  of  which  is  under 
an  advanced  state  of  cultivation.  He  keeps  about 
thirty  head  of  cattle  and  forty  head  of  Norrnan 
horses  on  his  farm,  and  fattens  from  seventy-five  to 
100  heads  of  hogs  for  the  market  annually. 

Mr.  Janes  was  married  in  the  township  in  which 
he  resides,  Dec.  31,  1857,  to  Miss  Louisa  Crose, 
daughter  of  William  and  Eliza  A.  (Busick)  Crose. 
William  Crose  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
and  his  wife  was  also  a  native  of  that  State.  They 
emigrated  from  their  native  State  to  this  county 
in  1837,  and  settled  in  Randolph  Grove,  whence 
they  removed  to  Smith's  Grove,  Towanda  Town- 
ship, and  later,  to  Money  Creek  Township.  Going 
to  Kansas  they  remained  a  short  time  and  then  re- 
turned to  this  county,  and  settling  in  Towanda 
Township,  lived  there  until  their  death,  his  demise 
occurring  July  24,  1880,  and  hers,  Dec.  13,  1883. 
Eleven  children  were  born  to  them,  namely,  Har- 
riet, Rebecca,  Louisa,  Elijah,  Termon,  William, 


Eliza  A.,  Emma,  George,  Sarah  and  Philip.  Har- 
riet and  John  Padget  are  man  and  wife  and  living 
at  Saybrook;  Rebecca  died  when  about  four  years 
old;  Elijah  is  a  farmer  of  Towanda  Township; 
Termon  is  a  resident  of  Kansas;  William  lives  in 
Bloomington  ;  Eliza  A.  is  the  wife  of  George  Janes, 
a  farmer  of  Lexington  Township;  Emma  married 
David  T.  Turnipseed,  and  they  reside  in  Lexing- 
ton Township;  George  is  living  in  Kansas;  Sarah 
is  the  wife  of  David  Wisner,  a  farmer  of  Towanda 
Township;  Philip  is  a  resident  of  Wilson,  Kan. 

Mrs.  Janes  was  born  at  Randolph  Grove,  March 
22,  1839.  Her  union  with  our  subject  has  been 
productive  of  the  birth  of  six  children — Annetta, 
Laura  O.,  Sarah  E.,  Allie  M.,  Barbara  E.  and  Min- 
nie E.  Annetta  is  the  wife  of  John  W.  Brown, 
living  in  Normal  Township;  Laura  and  James  S. 
Beasley  became  man  and  wife,  and  reside  in  Money 
Creek  Township;  Allie  M.  married  B.  B.  Francis, 
a  farmer  of  Monej'  Creek  Township.  Mr.  Janes 
has'  been  the  incumbent  of  the  office  of  School 
Trustee  for  upward  of  twenty  years,  and  is  much 
respected  for  his  many  good  qualities,  pleasant  dis- 
position and  kindness  of  heart.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  his  good  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church.  A  handsome  view  of 
the  home  of  Mr.  Janes,  with  its  pleasant  surround- 
ings, is  given  in  this  work. 


;HOMAS  CHAPMAN,  who  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  McLean  County  since  1863,  occu- 
pies a  comfortable  homestead  in  Yates 
Township,  on  section  24.  where  he  has  carried  on 
farming  intelligently  and  successfully  for  over 
twenty  years.  Our  subject  comes  from  excellent 
ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England, 
Dec.  14,  1830.  He  is  the  son  of  William  and  Fran- 
ces (Wilkinson)  Chapman,  and  was  the  eldest  of 
four  children  born  to  his  parents,  all  of  whom,  ex- 
cept himself  are  deceased,  namely:  John  W.,  Fran- 
ces and  Edward  W. 

Mr.  Chapman  spent  his  childhood  and  youth 
upon  his  father's  farm  in  England,  and  in  1852, 
accompanied  by  his  brother,  John  W.,  emigrated 


t 


,    988 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


to  the  United  States.  They  first  stopped  near  Roch- 
ester. N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  the  two  years 
following,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  spent  in 
looking  up  a  permanent  location.  They  first  went 
to  Wisconsin,  which  they  did  not  like,  and  after- 
ward to  Michigan,  where  they  followed  farming  and 
lumbering,  settling  down  near  lona,  that  State.  In 
1855  they  were  joined  by  their  parents  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  family.  The  parents  died  there,  the 
father  May  19,  1862,  and  the  mother,  March  30, 
1868. 

In  1858,  Thomas  Chapman,  who  was  not  satisfied 
with  the  outlook  in  Michigan,  went  southwest  into 
Missouri,  where  he  first  engaged  in  lumbering,  and 
afteward  in  the  Merrirnac  Iron  Works  in  Phelps 
County.  He  then  tried  farming  near  Sedalia, 
whence  in  June,  1863.  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
stopped  for  a  time  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  this 
county.  In  1865  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his 
present  farm,  which  was  mainly  unimproved. '  Upon 
it,  however,  was  a  house  14x20  feet  in  area,  which 
he  repaired  and  put  in  good  order,  and  in  due  time 
brought  about  other  improvements,  which  aided  in 
giving  the  place  a  homelike  appearance.  He 
worked  early  and  late,  and  by  the  exercise  of  per- 
severance and  economy,  in  due  time  added  eighty 
acres  of  land  to  his  first  purchase,  and  put  up  a  fine 
set  of  farm  buildings.  The  last  residence,  erected  in 
1883,  is  finely  located,  and  is  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive and  convenient  farm  dwellings  in  this  part 
of  the  county.  His  barn  and  outhouses  are  put  up 
in  a  substantial  manner,  and  his  stock  and  machin- 
ery are  of  tnat  order  which  indicates  the  progressive 
agriculturist  and  intelligent  business  man.  His  land, 
originally  very  wet,  is  now  drained  by  nearly 
1,300  rods  of  tile,  and  with  its  rich  soil  and  excel- 
lent cultivation  produces  generous  crops.  Of  late 
years  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the  raising  of 
stock,  and  has  produced  some  of  the  finest  animals 
in  this  part  of  the  county. 

The  marriage  of  Thomas  Chapman  and  Miss  Ma- 
randa  Buell  took  place  on  the  18th  of  July,  1857. 
Mrs.  C.  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  N.  Y., 
April  13,  1836,  being  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and 
Susan  (Smith)  Buell,  the  former  a  native  of  Con7 
necticut,  and  the  latter  of  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. 
The  family  finally,  removed  to  Grand  Rapids,  Mich., 


where  the  parents  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapman  became  the  parents  of  four 
children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy :  Fanuie  S. 
is  the  wife  of  William  E.  Brown,  and  resides  in 
Kent  County,  Mich.;  Austin  E.  is  a  resident  of 
Yates  Township,  and  Lizzie  J.  lives  with  her  par- 
ents. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapman  have  been  active 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  nearly  twenty 
years;  politically  our  subject  adheres  loyally  to  the 
Republican  party. 


J"~|  OHN  B.  CARSON,  a  well-to-do  farmer  and 
goodly  land-owner  of  Lexington  Township, 
,  resides  on  section  16.  He  is  the  son  of  Sam- 
'  uel  and  Abigail  (Black)  Carson,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  father  of  Lancaster,  and  the 
mother  of  what  is  now  Perry  County.  The  parents 
removed  from  their  native  State  to  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  at  an  early  day,  and  in  1821  to  Delaware 
County,  that  State,  where  they  lived  until  their 
death.  Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  two  of 
whom  died  in  infancy ;  five  sons  and  two  daughters 
lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood. 

John  B.  Carson  was  the  seventh  child  born  to  his 
parents,  and  first  saw  light  in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 
March  31,  1817.  He  followed  farm  labor  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old,  having  in  the  meantime 
received  an  education  in  the  common  schools.  He 
then  taught  school  for  about  fourteen  years,  most 
of  the  time  at  Dublin,  Ohio.  The  father  of  our 
subject  owned  a  large  tract  of  land,  1,000  acres, 
and  after  his  death  the  estate  was  divided,  and  our 
subject  receiving  his  portion  married  and  settled 
upon  it.  His  farm  was  located  in  Delaware  Coun- 
ty, and  from  the  time  he  first  located  upon  that 
place  until  the  present  he  has  followed  agricultural 
pursuits.  Living  in  Delaware  County  until  Janu- 
ary, 1865,  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in 
Lexington  Township,  where  he  purchased  252| 
acres  on  section  16.  He  now  owns  320  acres  on 
the  same  section,  and  his  farm  is  under  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  cultivation,  and  has  good  and  sub- 
stantial buildings  upon  it.  He  also  has  seventy- 
three  acres  of  timber  land  on  the  Mackinaw,  on 
section  28. 

Mr.  Carson  was  married   in  Ross  County,  Ohio, 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


989 


Nov.  13,  1851,  to  Miss  Nancy  Jane,  daughter  of 
Hugh  and  Elizabeth  (Berry)  Carson,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  settled  in  Ross  Coun- 
ty, Ohio,  after  their  marriage,  and  there  reared  a 
family  of  eleven  children,  seven  girls  and  four 
boys,  and  Mrs.  Carson  of  this  notice  was  the  sixth 
in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born  in  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  Oct.  23,  1817,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  has  become  the  mother  of  four  children — 
Elizabeth,  Abigail,  Samuel  B.  and  Frank  Henry. 
Samuel  B.  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Etta 
Brown,  and  they  are  living  in  Lexington  Township; 
Frank  Henry  died  when  two  years  old;  the  other 
children  are  unmarried  and  reside  at  home.  Mr. 
Carson  in  politics  was  an  old-line  Whig,  and  on 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  became 
identified  with  it.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 


ffiACOB  CURTIS  MAHAN.  the  oldest  mer- 
chant of  Lexington,  is  one  of  its  most  sub- 
stantial and  prominent  business  men,  and 
has  aided  materially  in  its  advancement  and 
importance  as  a  town.  He  is  a  native  of  the 
wealthy  and  populous  Buckeye  State,  having  been 
born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  near  the  line  of 
Brown  County,  on  the  21st  of  July,  1826.  His 
father,  William  Mahan,  was.  born  in  Kentucky  and 
jenioved  with  his  parents  to  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,  when  a  mere  lad,  and  there  grew  to  manhood. 
His  father,  also  Jacob  Mahan,  is  supposed  to  have 
been  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  for  many 
years  a  minister  of  the  United  Brethren  Church, 
and  was  among  the  pioneers  of  that  denomination 
in  Indiana.  His  earthly  career  closed  in  about 
1830. 

The  Mahan  family  came  originally  from  Ireland, 
and  possessed  in  a  remarkable  degree  the  generous 
traits  of  the  warm-hearted  Irish  race.  William 
Mahan,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  married  to 
Miss  Cassandra,  the  daughter  of  Jephtha  Curtis, 
Esq,,  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  mother's  name  was 
Mary.  Her  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  who,  after  his  enlistment,  never  re- 
turned to  his  home,  and  it  is  supposed  was  killed 


in  some  of  the  numerous  engagements  of  that  un- 
happy period.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
William  Mahan  settled  in  Highland  County,  Ohio, 
where  they  continued  until  1842,  and  then  with 
their  family  emigrated  to  Illinois,  first  settling  in 
Lexington  Township,  this  county,  on  section  16, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  general  farming.  In 
1864  they  removed  from  the  farm  into  the  village, 
where  they  spent  the  balance  of  their  days,  the 
father  dying  in  1883,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his 
age,  and  the  mother  the  year  following,  aged 
eighty-four.  Their  family  included  six  sons  and 
four  daughters,  of  whom  five  grew  to  mature  years, 
and  four  sons  still  survive,  Jacob  C.  being  the  eld- 
est; Isaac  S.  lives  in  Champaign,  111.;  Erasmus,  in 
Greenwood  County,  Kan.,  and  William  Quincy  in 
Lexington.  Paulina  became  the  wife  of  R.  H. 
McLean,  and  died  in  1881,  leaving  three  children. 
Jacob  C.  Mahan  was  sixteen  years  of  age  when 
he  came  to  McLean  County  with  his  parents.  His 
education,  begun  in  Ohio,  was  completed  in  Cherry 
Grove,  near  Abingdon,  this  State,  and  he  after- 
ward taught  school  for  two  years.  Then,  with  a 
capital  of  $200,  he  opened  a  small  store  in  Lexing- 
I  ton,  which  he  carried  on  until  1848,  and  then  en- 
j  gaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  After  the 
completion  of  the  C.  <fe  A.  R.  R.  he  put  up  an  ele- 
vator and  engaged  extensively  in  the  purchase  and 
sale  of  grain.  He  was  greatly  prospered  in  his 
farming  and  stock  operations,  and  in  1867  put  up 
one  of  the  best  business  blocks  in  the  city,  and 
afterward  built  the  business  house  now  occupied 
by  the  First  National  Bank.  He  was  one  of  the 
original  and  principal  stockholders  of  the  J.  C. 
Mahan  &  Co.  Bank  of  Lexington,  which  was  car- 
ried on  for  fifteen  years  and  of  which  our  subject 
was  President.  After  retiring  from  the  bank  he 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  and  farming, 
and  also  to  the  shipping  of  grain.  He  has  a  large 
and  valuable  stock  of  goods  and  has  built  up  an 
extensive  and  lucrative  trade. 

Mr,  Mahan  was  first  married  in  1849,  to  Miss 
Ann  E.  Brown,  the  daughter  of  Robert  Brown,  for- 
merly of  Money  Creek  Township,  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  seven  children,  six  living, 
three  sons  and  three  daughters :  Charles  K.  died 
when  fourteen  years  old ;  George  S.  is  a  resident 


•   990 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  Florida;  William  R.  is  manager  of  his  father's 
store;  Francis  E.  is  farming  iu  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Ella  G.  married  N.  K.  Jones,  of  Lexington; 
Permelia  C.  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools; 
Maude  P.  lives  with  her  father  and  assists  in  the 
store.  The  mother  of  these  children  departed  this 
life  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in  Lexington,  in 
1872. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Susie 
F.  Poore,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1873.  Mrs. 
Maban  was  the  daughter  of  Prof.  Daniel  J.  Poore, 
now  deceased,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject 
became  the  mother  of  three  children,  of  whom  only 
one,  Angie  F.,  is  living.  The  others  died  when 
quite  young.  Mr.  Mahan  has  been  a  member  of 
the  School  Board  in  Lexington  for  ten  successive 
years,  and  also  served  as  Councilman.  He  arid  his 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Mr.  Mahan  being  a  Trustee  and  Ruling  Elder.  He 
was  the  first  Supervisor  of  Lexington  Township, 
and  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Police  Mag- 
istrate, which  latter  position  he  has  held  since  1884. 
He  has  in  all  respects  been  a  useful  and  valued  cit- 
izen, and  has  contributed  his  full  share  toward  the 
development  and  prosperity  of  this  section. 


OHN  POPEJOY,  a  retired  farmer,  now  liv- 
ing in  peace  and  quiet  at  his  home  in  Lex- 
ington, settled  in  McLean  County  in  the 
pioneer  days,  and  has  contributed  his  full 
quota  toward  its  development  and  progress.  He  is 
a  native  of  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  and  was  born 
nine  miles  east  of  Washington,  the  county  seat,  on 
the  9th  of  November,  1825.  His  father,  who  was 
a  farmer  by^  occupation,  was  by  birth  a  Virginian, 
and  first  opened  his  eyes  to  light  in  Rockingham 
County,  in  January,  1795.  He  served  in  the  War 
of  1812  about  six  months,  and  for  his  wife  chose 
Miss  Nancy  Wiley,  a  maiden  of  sixteen  summers, 
and  who  was  born  in  1801,  being  the  daughter  of 
William  Wiley  of  Virginia. 

The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Pope- 
joy,  Sr.,  was  of  English  birth  and  parentage,  and 
married  an  Irish  lady.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  after  coming  to  this  coun- 


try. His  son,  William  Wiley,  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  also  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and 
the  name  of  his  wife  was  Margaret.  The  families 
were  widely  and  favorably  known  in  many  sections 
of  the  Old  Dominion,  being  represented  by  a  numer- 
ous following.  The  father  of  our  subject,  after  his 
marriage,  settled  on  a  farm  in  Fayette  County, 
Ohio,  and  remained  there  until  the  fall  of  1834,  when 
he  removed  his  family  to  McLean  County,  111.  The 
household  included  seven  children,  and  they  loca- 
ted upon  a  claim  in  Lexington  Township,  two 
miles  south  of  the  first  town  site.  Upon  it  stood  a 
small  round  log  house  with  a  mud  and  stick  chim- 
ney, and  in  this  they  spent  the  winter.  The  fol- 
lowing season  this  was  repaired  and  otherwise  im- 
proved, and  the  father  engaged  in  general  farming. 
The  nearest  mill  was  then  at  Ottawa,  and  when  short 
of  flour  they  pounded  corn  on  a  block,  with  which 
to  make  bread.  After  several  years  spent  on  the 
farm  Mr.  Popejoy  removed  to  Lexington  with  his 
family,  where  he  died  on  the  29th  of  August,  1861. 
The  parental  household  included  the  following  chil- 
dren: Elizabeth,  who  became  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Robert  Baker;  William,  who  lives  in  Nebraska; 
Margaret,  who  married  Isaac  Haner,  of  Harrison 
County,  Iowa;  John,  our  subject;  Henry  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Warren  County,  Iowa;  Harrison,  of  Lex- 
ington Township,  this  county ;  Sarah  married  Allen 
McMullen,  now  of  Wilson  County,  Kan.;  George 
lives  in  this  county ;  Commodore  Perry  is  in  Lex- 
ington; Edward  is  deceased,  and  one  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

John  Popejoy  of  this  sketch  was  a  little  less  than 
nine  years  old  when  he  came  to  McLean  County. 
His  childhood  and  youth  were  passed  on  his  fa- 
ther's farm,  and  he  attended  the  subscription 
schools  two  months  in  each  year.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  twenty  years  old,  and  was 
then  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Hefner,  sister  of 
Peter  Hefner,  and  daughter  of  Michael  Hefner,  who 
came  with  the  deep  snow  of  1830,  and  were  styled 
the  "snow  birds."  After  marriage  Mr.  Popejoy 
and  his  bride  settled  on  a  farm  of  140  acres  near 
his  father,  which  he  had  purchased  and  to  which  he 
afterward  added  300  acres,  making  a  fine  and  val- 
uable tract  of  land.  He  then  began  trading  in 
stock,  cattle  and  hogs,  which  he  fed  and  disposed 


: 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


991 


of  on  the  farm,  and  the  proceeds  of  which  yielded 
him  a  handsome  income,  especially  during  the  war, 
Mr.  Popejoy  occupied  this  homestead  with  his 
family  until  in  June,  1886,  when  he  and  his  wife 
moved  into  Lexington,  the  children  all  being 
grown.  Of  these  there  were  seven  in  number,  three 
daughters  and  four  sous,  five  of  whom  still  Survive: 
Ella  B.  is  the  wife  of  George  Hiser,  and  lives  in 
Lexington;  Manford  P.  died  in  1876,  aged  twenty- 
eight  years;  Peter  L.  is  in  Lexington  Township; 
Frances  A.  became  the  wife  of  William  Hefner,  of 
Lexington  Township;  Ida  J.  married  Robert  W. 
Ambrose,  of  Lexington  Township;  Edward  G. 
married  Miss  Emma  McGilvra,  and  lives  on  the 
homestead  ;  Michael  W.  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Popejoy  served  as  School  Director  in  Lex- 
ington Township  for  a  period  of  thirty  years.  Both 
he  and  his  excellent  wife  are  active  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  Mr.  P.  has 
served  as  Trustee  since  its  organization  forty-four 
years  ago.  He  has  also  been  a  Class-  Leader  for 
many  years,  and  one  of  the  pillars  whom  it  will  be 
hard  to  replace  when  he  shall  have  been  gathered 
to  his  fathers. 


t 


OAH  FRANKLIN,  a  prominent  and  highly 
respected  resident  of  Lexington  Township, 
and  one  of  its  most  extensive  farmers  and 
stock-growers,  owns  and  occupies  a  beautiful  home- 
stead. He  is  esteemed  as  one  of  the  most  valued 
members  of  the  farming  and  business  community 
of  that  section.  He  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind., 
near  Spencer,  the  county  seat,  in  June,  1831.  His 
father.  Col.  John  Franklin,  was  of  English  ances- 
try, and  his  grandfather,  John  Franklin,  Jr.,  a  na- 
tive of  England,  emigrated  to  this  country  and  lo- 
cated in  North  Carolina. 

John  Franklin,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  whence  he  emigrated  to 
Indiana  at  an  early  day.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Puette,  a  native  of  his  own  State,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  six  sons  and 
five  daughters,  all  of  whom,  except  the  youngest 
child,  a  son  who  died  when  two  years  old,  lived  to 
maturity,  and  seven  still  survive.  The  father  of 


our  subject  left  Owen  County,  Ind.,  in  May,  1855, 
and  coming  into  this  county  settled  on  a  farm  near 
the  village  of  Lexington  where  he  died  two  years 
later.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  the  son  Nel- 
son remained  with  his  mother,  assisting  her  in  the 
labors  of  the  farm  until  attaining  manhood. 

The  education  of  Noah  Franklin,  begun  in  Indi- 
ana, was  completed  in  the  public  schools  of  Lexing- 
ton. In  1854,  when  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  Jacob 
Spawr,  who  was  among  the  first  settlers  on  the 
Mackinaw  River.  Her  mother  was  formerly  a  Miss 
Trimmer,  and  her  father  died  shortly  after  his  re- 
moval to  McLean  Count}'.  After  their  marriage 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Franklin  settled  on  a  new  farm  which 
our  subject  had  entered  from  the  Goverment  and 
began  making  improvements  and  feeding  and  ship- 
ping stock  to  Chicago.  He  dealt  in  hogs  and  cat- 
tle and  met  with  success,  and  as  his  means  increased 
extended  his  operations  until  he  became  one  of  the 
largest  cattle  feeders  of  Lexington  Township.  He 
has  now  a  farm  of  1,200  acres  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  with  a  fine  extent  of  blue  grass  pasture.. 
He  feeds  annually  about  300  head  of  cattle,  and  on 
the  farm  are  three  fine  barn,s,  also  three  dwelling- 
houses.  The  land  is  well  fenced  and  all  the  build- 
ings neat  and  tasteful  and  kept  in  good  repair.  He 
raises  about  fifty  calves  every  year.  His  home, 
however,  since  1877,  has  been  within  the  limits  of 
Lexington,  where  he  occupies  an  elegant  brick  res- 
idence which  he  purchased  from  the  Trimmer 
heirs  at  a  good  round  sum.  He  still  superintends 
the  operations  of  his  farm  and  for  many  years  has 
been  classed  among  the  lead  ing  breeders  of  Short- 
horn cattle  in  this  part  of  the  State.  He  now 
breeds  altogether  for  full  blood  males,  believing 
that  a  good  calf  will  not  eat  any  more  than  a  poor 
one,  and  the  gain  in  meat  and  milk  will  more  than 
counterbalance  the  first  cost  of  the  introduction  of 
the  high  grade. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Franklin  there  were 
bore  five  children,  three  daughters  and  two  sons: 
Ida  M.  is  the  wife  of  C.  D.  Bush,  a  native  of  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y. ;  Lola  died  at  the  age  of  four  years; 
Minnie  was  married  to  Harry  L.  Fell  of  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  who  was  formerly  of  Normal;  the  sons  are, 
Noah  E.  and  Bertram  A.,  living  at  home.  Mr. 


992 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Franklin  was  Supervisor  of  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship two  terms  before  locating  in  Lexington.  His 
aged  mother  still  lives  on  the  homestead  there,  be- 
ing now  ninety -two  years  of  age.  Our  subject  and 
his  family  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Christian  Church  of  Lexington,  and  number  their 
friends  and  associates  among  the  best  residents  of 
the  township. 


J"?OHN  SPAWR,  known  throughout  the  county 
I  as  "  Uncle  John,"  is  one  of  the  "snow  birds" 
j  of  this  county,  he  having  located  here  some 
1  three  years  before  the  big  snow,  in  1827. 
Uncle  John  Spawr  was  born  in  Pickaway  County, 
Ohio,  April  15,  1812.  His  father,  Valentine  Spawr, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  of  German  ex- 
traction. Valentine  Spawr  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Margaret  Richy,  who  was  born  in  Germany. 
'She  was  brought  to  this  country  by  her  parents  when 
three  years  old,  and  on  the  voyage  the  good  mother 
died  and  her  remains  were  consigned  to  a  watery 
grave.  The  father  with  his  little  children  arrived  at 
New  York  City,  whence  they  went  to  Pennsylvania 
and  settled  in  that  State.  Valentine  Spawr  emigrated 
from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio  in  about  1806,  and 
made  settlement  in  Fairfield  County.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  Pickaway  County,  where  our  subject 
was  born,  and  made  that  his  home  until  the  fall  of 
1827.  During  that  year  he  came  to  this  county 
and  took  up  his  residence  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship. Living  there  three  years  he  moved  to  Lex- 
ington Township  and  located  on  section  25.  The 
children  of  our  subject  were  ten  in  number,  four 
brothers  and  six  sisters.  They  are  as  follows: 
Margaret,  wife  of  Francis  Lucas  of  Ohio;  Catherine, 
wife  of  Robert  Guthrie;  Susan  A.,  wife  of  Zacha- 
riah  McLean  of  Ohio;  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William 
Robbins  of  Ohio;  Mary,  wife  of  Charles  Beers  of 
Ohio;  Sarah,  wife  of  Harrison  Flesher  of  this 
county;  Jacob,  living  at  Lexington;  George,  who 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Rhoda  Waldon ;  Peter 
married  Elizabeth  Messer,  moved  to  Iowa  and  then 


to  Kansas,  where  he  died,  and  John,  our  subject,  is 
the  remaining  child.  Valentine  Spawr  died  on  the 
old  home  farm  in  this  county,  Feb.  5,  1855,  aged 
eighty-five  years.  His  good  wife  died  March  1, 
1852,  aged  eighty-one  years. 

John  Spawr  was  fifteen  years  of  age  when  he 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents.  He  received 
what  education  he  acquired  in  schools  in  Pickaway 
County,  Ohio.  Coming  to  this  county  with  his 
parents  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  until  he  was 
twenty-two  years  old,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Rachel  Higgs,  daughter  of  John  Higgs.  After  his 
marriage  Mr.  Spawr  continued  to  remain  on  the 
old  homestead  and  cared  for  the  old  folk  as  long 
as  they  lived.  His  occupation  has  always  been 
that  of  a  farmer  and  he  has  carried  it  on  in  all  its 
different  branches,  adding  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
cereals  that  of  the  raising  of  hogs  and  cattle.  He 
has  fed  large  numbers  of  steers  on  his  farm  and 
getting  them  in  good  condition  for  the  market, 
drove  them  to  Chicago  where  he  sold  them.  All 
of  the  improvements  on  his  fine  place  he  has 
placed  there  himself.  He  became  the  head  of  a 
family  of  thirteen  children,  ten  of  whom  lived  to 
attain  the  age  of  man  and  womanhood.  The  record 
is  as  follows:  Catherine,  wife  of  James  R.  Moon; 
Rebecca  married  Lewis  Whittaker  of  Indiana; 
Mary  is  the  wife  of  James  Golden ;  Thomas  J.  was 
a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  C,  94th  111.  VoL 
Inf.,  and  died  in  Missouri  in  1862;  John  M.  mar- 
ried Emily  Golden,  and  they  are  living  in  Kansas; 
Martin  V.  married  Elizabeth  Hedrick  and  they  are 
also  living  in  Kansas;  William  P.  was  married  to 
Charity  Larkey,  and  they  are  residents  of  this 
county;  Isabella  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Smith,  also 
a  resident  of  this  county ;  Joanna  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Simon  Wonerlin,  a  farmer  of  this 
county.  The  three  last  mentioned  children  are  by 
the  second  marriage  of  our  subject.  Mr.  Spawr's 
first  wife  died  May  7, 1845,  and  in  1846  he  was 
again  married,  Mary  A.  Pickering  being  the  other 
contracting  party.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  L. 
Pickering  and  has  borne  onr  subject  three  children 
as  named.  Mr.  Spawr  held  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  his  township  for  eight  years.  He  was 
School  Trustee  for  some  fourteen  years  and  School 
Director  about  twenty  years.  Mr.  Spawr  was  for 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


995  t  , 


many  years  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church  and  his  wife,  who  was  born  and  reared  a 
Quaker,  still  holds  fellowship  with  that  sect. 


ENRY  MOATS.  The  wealth  and  magnifi- 
cence of  this  county  to  the  early  pioneers 
grew  from  its  beautiful  groves  as  much  as 
from  any  other  one  thing.  These  goodly- 
forests  in  their  primeval  beauty  drew  the  pioneer 
as  the  magnet  does  the  needle.  No  other  consider- 
ation overbore  the  generous  shelter  which  these 
islands  of  shade  and  cool  streams  gave — about  the 
only  comfort  these  early  settlers  found  in  their  new 
home;  all  others  were  surroundings  of  discomfort. 
The  cramped  cabins,  the  absence  of  schools  and 
markets,  sickness — always  the  attendant  of  new  lo- 
cations— severe  storms,  depredations  of  wild  beasts, 
fires,  snakes,  poorly  paid  toil  and  the  uncertainty 
of  the  future — all  gave  way  to  the  supporting 
shelter  of  the  grove.  Our  subject,  who  is  one  of 
the  oldest  pioneers  in  this  county,  can  more  fully 
appreciate  this  statement  than  those  who  see 
the  fertile  prairies  of  to-day  so  well  settled  and 
carefully  tilled. 

Henry  Moats  is  a  progressive  farmer  and  resid- 
ing on  section  81,  Money  Creek  Township.  He  is  a 
son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Hinthorn)  Moats,  the  former 
a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  early  pioneers  of  this  county.  After 
their  marriage  they  settled  in  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  whence  they  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall 
of  1829,  and  in  February,  1830,  took  up  their  resi- 
dence in  Money  Creek  Township,  where  they  con- 
tinued to  live  and  labor  until  their  death. 

Henry  Moats  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents'  nine 
children  and  was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
Nov.  26,  1810.  He  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county  and  has 
been  a  resident  of  it  since  that  time.  Mr.  Moats 
was  reared  to  manhood  at  farm  labor  and  while  a 
young  man  employed  his  time  during  the  spring 
seasons  in  splitting  rails.  Thus  growing  up  into  man- 
hood and  passing  onward  in  the  rugged  pathway 
of  time,  disciplined  in  the  stern  school  of  experi- 
ence, he  was  prepared  to  meet  any  emergency  with 


a  steady  and  ready  hand.  All  his  years  thus  far  in 
life  have  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  and 
he  is  at  present  the  owner  of  293  acres  of  land,  100 
of  which  is  in  timber.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years  and  also  that  of 
Road  Commissioner  for  several  years,  and  has  been 
the  incumbent  of  the  office  of  School  Director  of 
his  township.  In  politics  he  is  a  Jacksonian  Demo- 
crat and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Old 
Hickory,  H*e  is  a  good  farmer  and  has  succeeded 
in  that  calling. 

Mr.  Moats  was  married  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, Nov.  2,  1837,  to  Elsie,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Ruth  (Haines)  Van  Buskirk.  Her  father  was 
a  native  of  Maryland  and  her  mother  of  Virginia, 
and  after  they  were  married  they  settled  in  Licking 
County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  to  Pickaway 
County,  that  State,  and  in  1829,  came  here  and  lo- 
cated in  Money  Creek  Township,  where  they  died 
at  an  advanced  age.  Eleven  children  were  born 
to  them,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  namely: 
Isaac,  Mary.  Sarah,  Thomas,  Elsie,  Jesse,  William, 
Eliza,  Susanna,  Lucinda  and  Mahala.  Mrs.  Moats 
was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  July  26,  1816, 
and  lived  in  that  county  until  she  came  here  with 
her  parents.  Four  children  have  been  born  of  her 
union  with  our  subject — William  J.,  Francis  M., 
Mary  J.  and  Thomas  B.  William  J.  died  in  in- 
fancy; F.  M.  married  Miss  Rebecca  Arbuckle  and 
they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Township;  Mary 
is  the  wife  of  John  Rankin,  also  of  Money  Creek 
Township;  Thomas  died  when  two  years  old.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Moats  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church  and  much  respected  for  their  kindness  of 
heart  by  all  who  know  them. 

As  one  of  the  venerable  and  respected  pioneers 
of  this  county  we  present  the  portrait  of  Henry 
Moats  in  this  ALBUM. 


J"  OHN  FULWILER,  an  old  resident  and  mer- 
chant of    Lexington,  first  visited  McLean 
I    County  in  1842.  having  made  the  trip  from 
/    Cumberland    County,    Pa.,    where    he    was 
born  in   December,   1810.      His   father,   Abraham 
Fulwiler,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Keystone  State 


996 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  a  man  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  county, 
being  one  of  those  who  assisted  in  its  division  when 
a  part  of  Cumberland  Count}'  was  laid  off  into 
Perry  County,  of  which  he  became  the  first  Regis- 
ter and  Recorder.  He  also  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  and  at  one  time  conducted  three  stores  in 
Perry  County. 

The  Fulwilers  were  of  German  ancestry,  and  the 
mother  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Miss  Mary,  the 
daughter  of  James  Black,  whose  family  originated 
in  Scotland.  The  parents  of  our  subject  both  died 
in  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Fulwiler  remained  with  his  parents  during 
his  boyhood  and  youth,  receiving  a  common-school 
education.  When  eleven  years  of  age  he  entered 
his  father's  store,  in  whicL  he  remained  for  about 
three  years,  and  was  then  placed  upon  the  farm 
where  he  lived  four  years,  and  then  returning  to 
the  store  was  there  occupied  until  he  became  of 
age.  Then,  desiring  out-door  pursuits,  he  took  a 
contract  for  grading  and  laying  ties  and  rails  on 
the  Cumberland  Valley  Railroad,  which  occupied 
him  about  three  years.  He  then  went  into  part- 
nership with  McGowen  &  McKeehan,  and  operated 
what  was  then  known  as  the  Juniata  Furnace  until 
1 842.  He  then  sold  out  and  made  his  western  trip 
to  McLean  County.  Upon  returning  to  Cumber- 
land County,  Pa.,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits in  Shippcnsburg,  where  he  lost  heavily  by  in- 
dorsing for  some  iron  men.  In  1853  he  returned 
to  the  West  and  made  his  arrangements  to  engage 
in  the  dry-goods  business  at  Lexington.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  removed  his  family  here,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  general  merchandising  with 
fair  success. 

Mr.  Fulwiler  was  married  in  Shippensburg,  Cum- 
berland Co.,  Pa.,  on  the  15th  of  January,  1834,  to 
Miss  Mary,  the  daughter  of  David  Mahon,  of  Cum- 
berland County,  Pa.  The  sons  and  daughters  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  are  recorded  as  follows:  William 
is  engaged  in  building  railroads  in  Arizona,  and 
the  Arizona  Canal  on  Salt  River;  Anna  became 
the  wife  of  Henry  Robinson,  and  the  mother  of 
three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter;  she  is 
now  deceased:  Laura  J.  is  the  wife  of  William  J. 
Murphy,  President  of  the  Arizona  Canal  and  Land 
Company;  David  is  a  graduate  of  the  State  Nor- 


mal School  at  Normal,  and  now  resides  in  Lexing- 
ington;  John  A.  is  a  lawyer  in  Bloomington;  J. 
Alvin  is  a  resident  of  Lexington;  Julia,  the  young- 
est daughter,  resides  at  home  with  her  parents. 

In  1H56,  Mr.  Fulwiler  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  Lexington,  which  office  he  held  four 
years.  He  has  served  as  Supervisor  of  the  Town- 
ship, and  was  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  Bloom- 
ington Convention  at  the  time  of  the  organization 
of  the  Republican  party  in  this  State.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  F.  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  with  which  they  both  became 
connected  before  their  marriage.  Our  subject  is 
seventy-seven  j'ears  of  age,  and  his  wife  a  few 
months  older,  and  they  have  lived  happily  to- 
gether for  over  fifty-three  years.  They  are  great- 
ly respected  in  this  community  on  account  of  the 
excellence  of  their  character  and  the  genuine  good- 
ness of  heart  which  has  enabled  them  to  sympa- 
thise with  the  afflicted  and  distressed,  and  to  exert 
their  influence  whenever  possible  in  the  cause  of 
truth  and  justice. 


J"~jOHN    A.   HEFNER,  a    resident  of   Money 
I    Creek  Township,  is  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  also  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  the  son  of 
'    Peter  and  Betsey  (Flesher)  Hefner,  the  for- 
mer of  whom  has  a  sketch  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
John  A.  Hefner  was  born  in  the  township  in  which 
he  is  at  present  residing,  Sept.   16,  1844.     He  was 
brought  upon  a  farm,  attended  the  common  schools, 
and  has  known  no  other  vocation  in  life  than  that 
in  which  he  is  at  present  engaged.  He  remained  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  household  until  twenty-two 
years  of  his  life  had  passed,  when  he  settled  on   a 
place  of  his  own  in  Money  Creek  Township  and  be- 
gan to  do  for  himself. 

Mr.  Hefner  is  now  the  owner  of  272  acres  of 
valuable  and  productive  land  and  is  meeting  with 
far  more  than  ordinary  success  in  the  prosecution 
of  his  calling.  We  give  a  view  of  his  residence 
and  surroundings  in  another  part  of  this  work.  He 
was  married  in  Money  Creek  Township,  Feb.  14, 
1867,  to  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Shook)  Stewart,  the  former  of  Scotch 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


99? 


and  the  latter  of  German  ancestry.  After  their  mar- 
riage they  lived  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  where  the 
father  followed  farming  until  1852,  when  they 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Lexington 
Township.  They  are  at  present  residing  at  Lexing- 
ton, where  they  are  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in 
peace  and  quiet  and  enjoying  the  accumulations  of 
years  of  labor  and  economy.  Nine  children  have 
been  born  of  their  union,  five  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, and  Mrs.  Hefner  was  the  eighth  in  order  of 
birth.  She  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
April  7,  1850,  and  was  about  two  years  old  when 
her  parents  came  to  this  county.  Her  union  with 
our  subject  has  been  blest  by  the  birth  of  four 
children — Joseph  H.,  Ida,  Andrew  P.,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy.  Ida  is  the  wife  of  J.  B.  McNaught 
and  they  are  living-  in  Gridley  Township.  Mr. 
Hefner  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  several  terms  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch 
Republican.  In  May,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the 
145th  Illinois  Infantry  and  served  for  something 
over  three  months,  when  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged and  returned  home  and  again  entered 
upon  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life  in  Money  Creek 
Township,  which  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
Religiously  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church. 


H 


AMUEL  F.  BARNARD.  Among  the  well- 
to-do  fanners  of  Money  Creek  Township, 
and  who  are  successful  in  the  prosecution 
of  their  calling,  we  take  pleasure  in  men- 
tioning the  name  of  Samuel  F.  Barnard,  who  is 
living  on  section  21.  He  is  the  son  of  Milman  N. 
and  Linias  (Philpot)  Barnard,  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia  respectively,  and  the  former 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  parents  were  married 
in  Tennessee,  and  soon  thereafter  removed  to  this 
county,  making  the  journey  overland  with  an  ox- 
team.  The  date  of  their  arrival  in  the  county  was 
182G,  and  they  consequently  were  among  the  very 
early  settlers.  Their  first  location  was  in  Dry 
Grove  Township,  but  they  made  that  their  home 
only  a  short  time,  when  they  removed  to  Money 
Creek  Township  and  located  on  the  same  section 


on  which  our  subject  now  lives.  She  died  there  in 
the  fall  of  1874,  and  his  demise  took  place  on  the 
same  farm,  Sept.  24,  1877. 

Milman  and  Linias  Barnard  had  eleven  children 
— Frances  J.,  Martha  E.,  Adelphia,  James  O.,  Cath- 
erine; Samuel  F.  and  Elizabeth  M.,  twins;  William 
I.,  Austin  Y.,  and  Ely  and  Levi,  twins.  Frances 
J.  is  the  wife  of  S.  S.  Scott,  a  resident  of  Lexing- 
ton; Martha  married  Arthur  A.  Busick,  who  died 
in  Money  Creek  Township  about  1875;  Adelphia 
is  the  wife  of  William  Gilmore,  and  they  are  living 
at  Lexington ;  James  O.  is  engaged  in  the  real-es- 
tate business  in  Kansas;  he  married  Miss  Phebe  A. 
Weakley.  Catherine  became  the  wife  of  John 
Flesher,  and  died  while  a  resident  of  Money  Creek 
Township,  about  1874;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  E. 
S.  Busick,  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek 
Township;  William  I.  married  Miss  Ellen  McMul- 
leu,  and  they  are  residents  of  Lexington;  Austin 
Y.  and  Miss  Tobitha  Trimmer  became  man  and 
wife  and  live  at  Normal;  Ely  married  Miss  Cerilda 
Shaw,  and  they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship; Levi  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Caro- 
line Morris,  and  is  also  a  resident  of  Money  Creek 
Township. 

Samuel  F.  Barnard  was  born  in  the  township  in 
which  he  is  at  present  residing,  May  31, 1837.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  has  known  no  other  occu- 
pation than  that  of  a  farmer  since  childhood.  He 
is  now  the  owner  of  151  acres  of  land,  all  of  which 
is  under  an  advanced  state  of  cultivation.  Mr. 
Barnard  was  married,  in  Lexington,  this  county, 
Nov.  28,  1859,  to  Miss  Nancy  Paulson,  a  native 
of  Ohio.  She  bore  him  four  children — Dora  A., 
John  M.,  Sherman  E.  and  Ethel.  Miss  Paulson's 
parents  were  John  and  Mary  A.  (Stumpff)  Paulson, 
natives  of  Ohio.  Mrs.  Barnard  departed  this  life 
in  Money  Creek  Township,  Feb.  28,  1871.  Dora 
A.,  eldest  child  of  our  subject  and  wife,  died  when 
two  years  old ;  John  M.,  second  in  birth,  married 
Miss  Susan  Mathias,  and  is  living  in  Money  Creek 
Township;  Sherman  E.  married  Miss  Delia  Z.  Hey- 
worth,  and  Ethel  is  living  at  home. 

The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  in 
Hudson  Township,  Nov.  2,  1872,  and  Miss  Ruth 
A.  Wilson,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Nancy  (May- 


t 

I 


f. 


998 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


hew)  Wilson,  was  the  other  contracting  party. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  she 
was  born  in  Washington  County,  that  "State,  July 
12,  1851.  Mr.  Barnard  held  the  offices  of  Town- 
ship Clerk,  Highway  Commissioner  and  School  Di- 
rector, and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mrs. 
Barnard  is  a  sincere  Christian  lady,  and  holds  fel- 
lowship with  the  Christian  Church.  The  comfort- 
able residence  of  Mr.  Barnard  and  its  surroundings, 
will  be  presented  to  the  eye  of  the  reader  on  an- 
other page  in  this  work. 

W.  RITTER.  Martin  Township  is 
fortunate  in  having  been  settled  by  a  re- 
markably enterprising,  industrious  and  intel- 
ligent population.  Prominent  among  its 
early  pioneers  is  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads 
this  biography.  He  is  a  native  of  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Chillicothe, 
on  the  8th  of  January,  1821.  He  comes  of  an  ex- 
cellent family,  his  grandfather,  John  Ritter,  who 
was  born  in  Maryland,  having  been  among  the 
prominent  and  highly  respected  men  of  that  State. 
In  early  life  he  married  Miss  Eleanor  Burke,  and 
reared  quite  a  large  family.  Among  their  sons  was 
Joshua,  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was  reared 
under  parental  care,  trained  to  habits  of  industry 
and  honesty,  and  after  reaching  manhood  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Harriett,  the  daughter 
of  Judah  Cadwallader,  who  was  a  Quaker  of  the 
old  style.  The  children  of  this  household,  five  in 
number,  included  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  of 
whom  John  W.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest:  Phebe 
A.,  now  deceased,  became  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Kern; 
William  C.  is  living  in  Martin  Township;  Hannah 
E.  and  Martha  M.  are  deceased.  The  parents  re- 
moved from  Maryland  at  an  early  day,  and  were 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  Buckeye  State. 
The  father  died  in  Pickaway  County,  and  the 
mother  in  Ross  County,  Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  history  lived  in  his  native 
county  until  he  reached  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
then  went  to  Indiana  and  spent  four  years.  Subse- 
quently he  returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until 
1849,  when,  being  seized  with  the  gold  fever,  which 
was  then  prevailing,  he  joined  hundreds  of  others 


going  to  California.  He  went  by  the  way  of  Cape 
Horn.  He  engaged  in  mining  on  the  Pacific  Slope 
for  a  period  of  three  years,  and  was  quite  success- 
ful. Returning  to  his  old  home  in  Ross  County, 
Ohio,  he  again  took  up  his  residence  there  until  the 
fall  of  1854,  when  he  once  more  set  his  face  west- 
ward, and  coining  to  Illinois  purchased  his  present 
farm  on  section  34,  Martin  Township.  It  bore  no 
resemblance  to  the  homestead  which  is  now  so  at- 
tractive, being  then  but  an  unbroken  prairie,  no 
part  of  which  had  been  turned  by  the  plow.  His 
first  purchase  consisted  of  eighty  acres,  upon  which 
he  built  a  small  cabin  and  a  cattle  pound.  He  then 
began  his  farm  operations  in  earnest,  and  by  de- 
grees gathered  together  a  fine  assortment  of  hogs, 
cattle,  horses  and  mules.  As  soon  as  possible  he 
opened  up  an  active  trade  in  stock,  and  was  re- 
markably successful  in  his  agricultural  operations 
from  the  start.  As  time  progressed  and  his  means 
accumulated  he  added  to  his  real  estate  until  he  is 
now  the  owner  of  640  broad  acres  in  one  body,  but 
which  lies  upon  three  different  sections.  His  aim 
has  been  to  build  up  one  of  the  handsomest  home- 
steads in  his  township,  and  in  this  he  has  succeeded 
remarkably  well.  In  1883  he.  put  up  a  fine  resi- 
dence. Before  this  he  had  his  land  all  enclosed 
with  substantial  fences,  and  has  built  a  good  barn 
and  other  necessary  farm  buildings.  The  premises 
in  all  respects  are  about  as  complete  as  the  industry 
and  ingenuity  of  man  could  make  them.  He  has 
kept  up  his  stock  operations,  and  of  late  years  has 
given  much  attention  to  the  breeding  of  blooded 
roadsters.  After  many  years  of  intermittent  la- 
bor, both  of  brains  and  hands,  he  has  availed  him- 
self of  the  leisure  afforded  by  ample  means.  Dur- 
ing the  last  three  years  he  has  spent  considerable 
time  in  Kansas.  His  three  daughters  some  time 
since  took  up  a  homestead  and  timber  tract  of  1,400 
acres  in  Rollins  County,  in  which  speculation  their 
father  also  joined,  and  which  bids  fair  to  prove 
very  successful. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Ritter  and  Miss  Maria 
Dawson  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents,  Nov.  13,  1855,  in  Padua  Township.  Mr*. 
R.  is  the  daughter  of  William  H.  Dawson,  who  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  Old  Town  Township,  where 
his  daughter  was  born.  Mr.  D.  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 


f. 


L. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1001 


and  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  when  a 
lad  seven  years  old.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Ritter 
are  both  living,  and  are  residents  of  Nebraska.  The 
six  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ritter  are  William  H. ; 
Harriett  A.,  now  Mrs.  William  Winger,  of  Rollins 
County,  Kan.;  Mattie;  Nellie;  John  W.,  Jr.,  and 
Mary.  The  four  latter  are  at  home. 

William  C.  Ritter,  a  younger  brother  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  the  second  son  and  third  child  of  the  fam- 
ily, and  was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  25, 
1823.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
his  native  county,  and  when  about  seventeen  years 
old,  his  father  having  died,  he  commenced  the  bat- 
tle of  life  for  himself.  The  first  property  he  owned 
was  a  colt,  which  he  purchased  with  money  he  had 
saved  little  by  little.  He  afterward  worked  by  the 
month,  practicing  a  most  rigid  economy,  and  in 
due  time  found  himself  in  possession  of  $1,000  as 
the  result  of  his  savings.  With  this,  which  was  a 
fine  capital  in  those  days,  he  began  trading  in  horses. 
In  partnership  with  our  subject  he  came  West,  and 
to  this  county,  in  1854.  Since  that  time  he  has 
been  buying,  feeding  and  shipping  cattle,  for  a 
period  of  twenty-three  years.  They  continued  in 
partnership  until  the  marriage  of  John  W.,  and 
then  dissolved  by  mutual  consent.  William  C. 
afterward  did  business  on  his  own  account.  A  part  of 
his  time  has  been  spent  in  Arrowsmith  Township, 
where,  during  some  winters  he  had  fed  from  200  to 
300  head  of  cattle.  He  took  a  trip  to  Connecticut 
in  1876,  and  returned  in  the  spring  of  1886,  since 
which  time  he  has  made  his  home  with  his  brother, 
John  W.  A  handsome  lithographic  view  of  Mr. 
Ritter's  residence  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this 
work. 


,  LFRED  HARPOLE,  one  of  the  most  en- 
ergetic  and  enterprising  farmers  of  Martin 
Township,  is  the  descendant  of  a  family 
which  has  been  distinguished  for  many 
generations  for  their  uniform  success,  both,  in  trade 
and  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Our  subject  is  the 
eldest  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Slaughter)  Harpole, 
and  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  Nov.  13, 
1840.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  he  is  in  the  prime 


of  life,  and  in  the  full  strength  of  his  physical  and 
intellectual  powers. 

Alfred's  grandfather,  William  Harpole,  who  was 
of  Gerrnan  ancestry,  was  born  in  Virginia  and  mar- 
ried Miss  Betsey  Peterson.  Their  son  John,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  married  Miss  Mary  Slaugh- 
ter, daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Cooper) 
Slaughter,  Mr.  S.  being  of  German  descent.  After 
marriage  John  Harpole  and  his  bride  located  in 
Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  he  became  an  exten- 
sive cattle-breeder,  and  built  up  for  himself  an  en- 
viable reputation  in  this  branch  of  agriculture  in 
the  Buckeye  State.  He  was  remarkably  successful 
in  his  business  and  stock  operations  and  accumu- 
lated a  small  fortune.  His  father,  William  Har- 
pole, was  also  the  owner  of  a  fine  estate,  including 
a  tract  of  5,000  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Ohio,  in 
Madison,  Greene  and  Clarke  Counties.  On  the 
other  side  of  the  house,  the  Slaughters  were  also 
people  of  means,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  being  the  proprietor  of  3,000  acres  of  land, 
and  also  engaged  in  stock-raising  in  Madison 
County,  Ohio.  In  1866,  Peter  Harpole  purchased 
1,035  acres  of  land  in  this  county,  lying  along 
Mackinaw  Creek  and  which  was  formerly  owned 
by  George  W.  Funk,  of  Bloomington.  Later, 
William  Harpole  purchased  640  acres  of  Peter 
Hefner,  of  Lexington.  John  Harpole,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  cattle  deal- 
ers of  Illinois,  having  first  herded  cattle  in  Logan 
County,  in  1838.  He  was  thus  engaged  in  this 
State  for  a  number  of  years,  but  finally  returned  to 
Ohio,  and  died  there  in  1849,  at  the  early  age  of 
twenty-nine  years,  having  been  born  in  1819.  The 
parental  household  consisted  of  six  ^children,  four 
girls  and  two  boys.  After  the  death  of  the  father, 
the  mother  of  our  subject  was  married  to  E.  Bo- 
zarth,  and  took  up  her  residence  with  him  in  Greene 
County,  Ohio. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  eight  years 
old  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  and  even  at 
this  early  age  it  became  evident  that  he  had  to  a 
remarkable  degree  inherited  the  business  talents  of 
his  parent.  Wh^n  nine  years  old  he  commenced 
trading  in  calves,  and  continued  his  stock  opera- 
tions until  arriving  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  then 
came  into  this  county  in  company  with  his  step- 


r 


1002 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


*• 


father  and  herded  cattle  during  the  summer  season. 
In  the  winter  they  gathered  these  up  and  fed  them 
with  corn,  large  quantities  of  which  was  raised  by 
Mr.  Bozarth. 

In  1858,  young  Harpole  visited  the  State  of 
Kansas,  and  two  years  later,  in  January,  1860,  was 
there  married  to  Miss  Jane  Miller,  of  Chase  Coun- 
ty. Mrs.  H.  was  born  and  reared  in  Ohio,  to 
which  State  Mr.  H.  and  his  young  wife  returned 
after  their  marriage,  in  order  that  our  subject 
might  take  charge  of  the  estate,  a  portion  of  which 
had  become  his  on  reaching  his  majority.  This 
consisted  of  a  farm,  upon  which  he  settled  and  re- 
mained until  1863.  They  then  removed  to  Logan 
County,  111.,  where  he  purchased  260  acres  of  land 
upon  which  he  lived  for  two  years,  when  he  sold 
out  and  thereby  cleared  $4,000.  He  then  bought 
another  160-acre  farm  near  Elkhart,  when,  owing 
to  the  depreciation  of  property  at  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  became  financially  embarrassed  by  having 
invested  too  largely  in  cattle  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Harpole  farmed  in  Logan  County  for  nine 
years,  then  removed  to  McLean  County  and  rented 
the  Peter  Harpole  farm  in  Martin  Township,  which 
he  has  occupied  for  the  last  twelve  years.  He  is 
the  owner  of  179  acres  in  Lawndale  Township,  and 
this,  together  with  the  land  he  rents,  comprises  an 
extent  of  1  ,500  acres,  upon  which  he  raises  thous- 
ands of  bushels  of  corn  each  year.  A  large  por- 
tion of  this  he  sells,  and  feeds  the  remainder  to  his 
stock,  which  includes  cattle  and  hogs.  He  takes  a 
genuine  delight  in  his  stock  operations  and  con- 
tinues a  personal  oversight  of  the  whole  business, 
being  rarely  found  out  of  the  saddle  either  in  rain 
or  shine.  At  present  Mr.  Harpole  has  three  fami- 
lies of  cattle,  viz  :  thoroughbred  Short-horn,  the 
Hereford,  and  the  Polled  Angus,  and  two  families 
of  horses,  the  driving  horse  and  the  heavy  draft 
horse.  Some  splendid  specimens  of  these  are 
shown  in  the  view  of  his  place.  Besides  these  he 
has  a  large  selection  of  Poland-China  hogs,  and  at 
present  has  about  500  head  of  swine.  Mr.  H.  has 
500  acres  of  corn  planted,  and  about  320  acres  of 
oats  sown,  which  gives  an  idea  of  the  magnitude  of 
h;s  operations. 

The  wife  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Jane  Harpole,  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  26th  of  May,  1885,  leaving 


nine  children,  namely:  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  L. 
R.  Wiley;  Gustie,  Phwbe  J.,  Archibald,  Sarah  R., 
Gillette,  Nellie,  Alfred  and  Pearl.  Mrs.  Harpole 
was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Miller,  who 
were  natives  of  Ireland,  but  who  died  in  McLean 
County. 

At  the  early  age  of  nineteen  years,  Mr.  Harpole 
had  already  saved  $1,000  as  the  result  of  his  stock 
operations,  which  commenced  with  the  buying  and 
selling  of  calves,  starting  out  with  an  assortment 
of  one  pig  and  one  calf.  Those  early  traits  of  self- 
dependence  and  enterprise  have  followed  him  all 
through  life.  He  is  a  man  of  decided  views,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  current  events.  He  is 
an  uncompromising  temperance  man,  and  has  never 
used  whisky  or  tobacco  in  any  form.  He  has 
been  public-spirited  and  liberal,  ready  to  assist  by 
his  means  and  influence  in  every  enterprise  calcu- 
lated to  further  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  his 
township  and  county.  He  is  widely  and  favorably 
known,  and  held  in  the  highest  respect  as  a  neigh- 
bor, friend  and  citizen.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Evergreen,  and  also 
an  Odd  Fellow,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Elk- 
hart,  Logan  Co.,  111.  A  handsome  lithographic 
view  of  Mr.  Harpole's  residence  and  fine  herds  of 
stock  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


"ji?       EW1S 

f  240  a 

ILM,  ship,! 


<|/  EW1S  J.  VVILLHOITE,  the  proprietor  of 
acres  of  valuable  land  in  Martin  Town- 
has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  the  fall  of  1855.  He  is  one  of  the  self-made 
men  who  started  out  by  himself  early  in  life  and  by 
his  perseverance  and  industry  has  accumulated  a 
fine  competency.  His  farm  is  furnished  with  all 
the  modern  appliances  required  by  the  first-class 
agriculturist.  The  residence  is  a  model  of  taste 
and  convenience,  and  his  barns,  farm  machinery 
and  stock  all  show  the  superintendence  of  the  intel- 
ligent and  progressive  business  man,  who  knows 
by  what  means  his  possessions  have  been  secured 
and  has  a  proper  realization  of  their  value.  When 
he  took  possession  of  his  prairie  land  there  was 
nothing  upon  it  but  u  small  shantj',  and  the  re- 
markable changes  which  he  has  brought  about  are 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1003 


silent  but  forcible  witnesses  of  the  character  of  the 
man. 

Mr.  Willhoite  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was 
born  near  Owenton,  the  county  seat  of  Owen 
County,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1829.  His  grand- 
father, John  Willhoite,  of  Virginia,  removed  from 
his  native  State  to  the  blue  grass  regions  when  a 
young  man,  where  he  married  and  raised  a  family. 
Among  his  sons  was  Lewis,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, who  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ky.,  was  there 
reared  to  manhood,  and  married  Miss  Patsey  Tay- 
lor, a  native  of  his  own  State,  who  became  the 
mother  of  two  children — William  and  Louisa.  The 
latter  died  in  girlhood.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren departed  this  life  in  Owen  County,  Ky..  at 
the  home  of  her  husband.  The  second  wife  of 
Lewis  Willhoite,  Sr.,  was  Miss  Polly  Sheets,  also  a 
native  of  his  own  county,  and  of  this  union  there 
were  born  four  children,  three  of  whom — Henry  A., 
James  Franklin  and  Emily — are  deceased,  Lewis  J. 
of  our  sketch  being  the  only  survivor  of  the  family. 

Lewis  J.  Willhoite  passed  his  childhood  and 
youth  in  his  native  county  and  was  educated  at  a 
private  school  under  the  oversight  of  his  excellent 
mother,  his  father  having  died  when  he  was  but 
five  years  of  age.  He  remained  with  his  mother 
until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  was 
then  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Willis 
C.  Willhoite,  of  Kentucky.  Mrs.  W.  was  born  •  in 
Owen  County,  that  State,  April  27,  1829.  After 
marriage  the  young  people  settled  on  a  farm  in 
their  native  county,  where  they  lived  until  the 
fall  of  1855.  They  then  gathered  together  their 
household  effects  and  came  North  to  Illinois,  lo- 
cating first  in  Downs  Township,  this  county,  where 
Mr.  W.  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  upon  which 
he  operated  until  the  purchase  of  his  present  farm 
on  section  21,  Martin  Township.  Of  this  they  took 
possession  in  1873,  and  since  that  time  Mr.  W.  has 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  beautifying  and  im- 
proving the  homestead,  which  from  the  first  he  had 
decided  should  be  a  permanent  one.  He  and  a  part 
of  his  family  now  live  here  surrounded  by  all  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 

The  household  circle  was  completed  by  the  birth 
of  five  children,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  as 
follows :  Maria  I.  is  the  widow  of  W.  S.  Horner, 


who  died  in  1882;  Henry  L.,  Willis  and  Franklin 
are  residents  of  Sumner  County,  Kan. ;  Mary  E., 
Mrs.  Joseph  Arnold,  lives  in  this  county;  Ellis  L. 
is  at  home  with  his  parents.  To  the  children  who 
are  married  Mr.  Willhoite  has  given  a  good  start 
in  life  and  still  has  a  fine  property  to  enjoy  in  his 
old  age.  Himself  and  the  various  members  of  his 
family  are  connected  with  the  Christian  Church, 
and  attend  religious  services  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship. 

Politically  Mr.  Willhoite  takes  pride  in  the  fact 
that  he  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  reliable  old 
Democratic  party,  although  in  early  yeai's  he  sup- 
ported the  principles  of  the  old-line  Whigs.  He  has 
served  four  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  Asses- 
sor of  his  township  one  year,  and  in  1884  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  from 
Martin  Township.  He  has  also  served  a  number 
of  terms  as  School  Director,  and  takes  a  genuine 
interest  in  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of 
educational  institutions. 


ILES  WAYBRIGHT,  engaged  in  the 
butcher  business  at  Lexington,  first  estab- 
lished himself  in  trade  at  that  place  in 
186G.  He  was  born  in  Pendleton  County, 
Va.,  Feb.  17,  1827,  on  his  father's  farm.  He  is  the 
seventh  in  order  of  birth  of  his  parents'  family  of 
ten  children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  woman- 
hood. The  father  of  our  subject,  Daniel  Way- 
bright,  was  likewise  a  native  of  Virginia.  Our  sub- 
ject's mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Rachel 
Arbogast,  was  the  daughter  of  John  Arbogast, 
an  ea.rly  settler  in  Virginia,  and  of  German  an- 
cestry. Daniel  Waybright  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Ohio,  and  after  a  year's  residence  in  that 
State  went  back  to  Virginia  and  there  lived  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days. 

Miles  Waybright  passed  his  youth  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  the 
neighborhood.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
twenty-two  years  old,  when  he  left  the  parental  roof 
tree  and  went  forth  in  the  world  to  do  for  himself. 
In  the  fall  of  1857  he  came  to  this  county,  and 


,  ,    1004 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


stopping  in  Money  Creek  Township,  spent  that 
winter  there,  and  then  went  to  Old  Town  Town- 
ship and  made  that  his  home  until  the  following 
March.  In  1859  he  removed  to  Mackinaw  Creek 
and  in  1861  took  up  his  residence  at  Lexington, 
where  he  lived  for  several  years,  at  first  engaged  in 
farming.  He  then  opened  his  meat  market  at  that 
place  and  has  continued  in  the  business  until  the 
present  time,  with  the  exception  of  a  short  interval. 
Mr.  Way  bright  is  a  practical  butcher  and  thoroughly 
understands  the  business  in  which  he  is  engaged. 
He  is  the  proprietor  of  a  good  residence  and  other 
town  property  and  has  met  with  financial  success 
in  his  enterprise. 

Miles  Way  bright  was  first  married  to  Miss  Re- 
becca Nicholas,  a  native  of  Virginia.  She  became 
the  mother  of  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three 
daughters.  The  record  is  as  follows:  Louisa,  wife 
of  J.  M.  Weakley ;  Catherine,  Amos,  Noah  F.,  Wil- 
lis M.,  Edward,  Jennie,  wife  of  L.  B.  Hefner.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  at  Lexington,  and 
our  subject  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Tabitha  Batterton,  daughter  of 
Curtis  Batterton,  in  1874.  Of  this  latter  union, 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Delia,  has  been  born. 


H.  HEWITT,  capitalist,  and  one  of  the 
leading  financiers  of  the  county,  lives  at  No. 
318  Locust  street,  Bloomington.  He  was 
born  in  Saratoga  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1839, 
and  is  a  son  of  Edmund  and  Lydia  (Mund)  Hewitt, 
natives  of  that  county.  The  father  was  a  large  and 
extensive  farmer  and  successful  in  following  his 
calling.  The  old  folk  were  married  June  18,  1825, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1865,  settling  in  El  Paso, 
Woodford  County,  where  the  father  lived  a  retired 
life  until  his  demise  in  1868,  aged  eighty  years. 
The  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  with 
the  subject  of  this  notice. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  a  native  of  Connecti- 
cut. Early  in  life  he  moved  to  Saratoga  County, 
N.  Y.,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  pioneers,  and 
there  purchased  a  tract  of  Government  land  con- 
sisting of  120  acres,  on  which  he  erected  the  cus- 


tomary log  cabin,  and  entered  upon  the  improve- 
ment of  his  land.  He  lived  on  that  place  until  his 
death,  in  1836,  aged  eighty-one  years.  His  good 
wife,  Hannah  Peckham,  was  also  born  in  Connecti- 
cut, and  bore  him  seven  children. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  Lydia  Hewitt,  our  subject's 
mother,  was  Thomas  Moon,  a  native  of  Rhode  Isl- 
and, as  likewise  was  his  wife,  Deborah  (Hoxie) 
Moon,  and  they  were  also  early  settlers  of  Saratoga 
County,  N.  Y. 

Edmund  Hewitt  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  was  of  ten  called  upon  to  fill  positions  of 
trust  and  honor  in  the  county  where  he  resided. 
He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance  and  was 
much  interested  in  education.  He  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he 
was  a  Deacon.  They  had  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living:  Hattie.  now  Mrs.  O'Brien,  of 
Lawrence,  Kan.;  Rev.  Charles  E.,  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  at  Peoria,  111.,  and  our  subject. 

H.  H.  Hewitt  was  reared  to  farm  labor  until  he 
attained  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He  then  sup- 
plemented his  education  which  he  had  received  in 
the  common  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  at  Ft. 
Edward  Institute,  Washington  County,  N.  Y. 
Leaving  the  latter  school  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  at  El  Paso,  Wroodford  County,  in  1857. 
There  he  taught  the  first  public  school  that  was 
ever  taught  in  El  Paso.  In  1860  he  opened  the 
first  hardware  store  in  P^l  Paso  and  continued  the 
business  witli  signal  success  until  1869.  Disposing 
of  his  interests  at  El  Paso,  Mr.  Hewitt  came  to 
Bloomington,  and  for  two  years  was  engaged  in 
the  book  business.  In  1873  he  embarked  in  the 
hardware  trade  at  Bloomington  and  occupied  his 
time  and  attention  in  this  direction  for  about  ten 
years,  when  he  retired  from  active  labor,  and  has 
since  lived  upon  his  handsome  competency,  which 
has  been  acquired  mainly  through  his  own  energy 
and  good  judgment. 

In  1881  Mr.«  Hewitt  erected  a  store  building  at 
No.  417  North  Main  street.  He  purchased  his 
handsome  residence  in  1 869,  and  has  since  his  resi- 
dence in  Bloomington,  operated  to  no  inconsidera- 
ble extent  in  city  property,  and  also  has  become  a 
stockholder  in  the  National  State  Bank.  He  like- 
wise has  a  tile  factory  near  McLean,  in  which  he  em-  '  ' 


r 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1005   'i  > 


ploys  from  fifteen  to  twenty  men  and  where  he  has 
invested  about  $10,000.  In  addition  to  his  posses- 
sions in  this  State,  Mr.  Hewitt  is  the  proprietor  of 
an  orange  grove  in  Florida,  and  interested  in  prop- 
erty at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  and  holds  numerous  mort- 
gages. He  was  among  the  largest  subscribers  to  the 
fund  for  building  the  Baptist  Church  at  El  Paso  in 
1864,  and  was  also  one  of  the  building  committee. 
He  was  a  Deacon  in  a  congregation  at  that  place 
and  was  also  Sunday-school  Superintendent  and 
chorister  there.  Since  coming  to  Bloomington  he 
has  been  twice  elected  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday-school  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  and 
was  also  the  incumbent  of  the  office  of  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Mission  School  for  five  years  and 
connected  with  it  for  nine  years.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Missions  and  Treasurer  of  the  Illi- 
nois General  Baptist  Association. 

Mr.  Hewitt  was  married  to  Miss  Hattie  G. 
Barker,  daughter  of  James  M.  and  Emily  (Gere) 
Barker,  Jan.  17,  1865.  She  was  born  in  Saratoga 
County,  N.  Y.,  as  likewise  were  her  parents.  Her 
father  Was  a  farmer  and  manufacturer,  and  by  his 
union  with  Miss  Gere,  became  the  head  of  a  family 
of  four  children  :  Jennie,  Mrs.  Larned,  of  Chicago; 
Hattie  G.,  Mrs.  Hewitt;  William  and  Julia.  The 
father  departed  this  life  in  1877.  He  was  a  consist- 
ent Christian  gentleman,  holding  fellowship  with 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  a  Deacon  in  a  congre- 
gation of  that  denomination.  His  widow  is  yet  liv- 
ing and  resides  at  Albion,  N.  Y.  Our  subject  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church. 


j;ILL!AM  McCRACKEN,  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  at  Selma,  was  born  in  Nor- 
wich, Franklin  Co.,  Ohio,  July  28,  1828. 
The  father  of  our  subject,  Henry  McCracken,  was 
by  birth  a  Pennsylvanian,  and  born  in  Cumberland 
Valley  in  1796.  His  ancestors  were  from  Ireland, 
the  grandfather  of  Henry  having  been  born  in  that 
country,  and  came  to  the  United  States  while  yet  a 
single  man.  Henry  McCracken  was  married  three 
times.  His  first  wife  was  Rebecca  Black,  daughter 
of  William  Black,  and  the  family  of  Blacks  were  of 


Scotch  extraction.  At  the  time  of  his  first  mar- 
riage he  was  living  in  the  Shenandoah  or  Cum- 
berland Valley,  Pa.,  and  after  the  marriage  they 
continued  to  live  there  for  a  short  time,  and  then 
removed  to  Franklin  County,  Ohio.  This  was 
about  1821,  and  they  located  in  what  is  known  as 
Old  Franklin  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Sciota  River. 
There  Henry  helped  to  clear  up  the  forest  where 
the  thriving  city  of  Columbus  now  stands.  He 
was  a  stonemason  by  trade  and  worked  in  the  vil- 
lage for  a  while  when  he  moved  onto  a  farm  and 
followed  that  calling.  He  reared  a  family  of  four 
children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  David  is 
deceased;  George  is  living  at  San  Jose,  Cal. ;  Will- 
iam, our  subject,  was  next  in  order  of  birth,  and 
Margaret,  who  married  Thomas  E.  Scrimger,  is  de- 
ceased. 

William  McCracken  passed  his  youth  in  his  na- 
tive county,  and  there  in  the  common  schools  re-, 
ceived  his  education,  supplementing  the  same  by 
an  attendance  of  one  term  at  Delaware  College. 
In  1852  our  subject  came  to  this  county  and 
stopped  at  Selma,  where  at  first  he  was  employed 
in  a  grist  and  saw  mill,  and  subsequently  engaged 
in  farming  and  followed  that  calling  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  Civil  War.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and 
his  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Western  army. 
He  served  there  until  February,  1863,  when  he 
was  transferred  to  a  gunboat  under  command  of 
Commodore  Foote,  and  took  part  in  the  bloody 
conflict  of  Donelson.  His  boat  ran  a  blockade  at 
Island  No.  10,  and  at  the  bombardment  of  Ft.  Pil- 
low. After  this,  in  July,  1863,  he  was  discharged 
from  the  service  on  account  of  disability  and  re- 
turned to  Selma,  where  after  convalescing  he  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business.  He  engaged  in 
partnership  with  William  Bratton,  and  they  opened 
a  grocery  •  store  and  continued  the  business  for 
about  three  years.  Mr.  McCracken  then  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  partner  and  carried  it  on  alone, 
and  by  honest  dealing  has  built  up  an  excellent 
trade,  and  is  yet  engaged  in  the  same  enterprise 
and  is  meeting  with  success. 

Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  with  Nancy 
J.  McKee,  in  July,  1864.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
James  W,  McKee,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ject  has  become  the  mother  of  six  children,  four 
daughters  and  two  sons — Maggie  C.,  James  H., 
George  W.,  Nellie,  Bessie  F.  and  Josie  R.  Mr. 
McCracken  served  as  Postmaster  of  Selma  under 
the  administration  of  President  Lincoln  for  six 
vr.'irs,  and  is  one  of  the  foremost  and  prominent 
men  of  that  place.  In  politics  he  is  and  always  has 
been  a  stanch  Republican. 


EVIN  P.  SCROG1N,  a  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  business  man  of  Lexing- 
ton, first  opened  his  eyes  to  light  near  Paris, 
Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  on  the  30th  of  March,  1823. 
His  father,  John  Scrogin,  was  born  in  Maryland, 
and  his  mother,  formerly  Miss  Patsey  Mills,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia.  John  Scrogin  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  and  of  Scotch  parentage  and  ancestry, 
with  an  admixture  of  the  German.  John  Scrogin 
went  to  Kentucky  when  a  3'oung  man,  and  from 
there  emigrated  to  Morgan  County,  111.,  with  his 
family,  in  the  fall  of  1828,  and  located  upon  what 
is  now  the  site  of  Jacksonville,  where  he  died  about 
two  years  later. 

Our  subject  was  one  of  a  family  of  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  only  two  of  whom  survived — our 
subject,  and  his  youngest  sister,  who  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Chico,  Butte  Co.,  Cal.  He  was  but  six 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death.  He 
remained  with  his  sister  and  attended  the  pioneer 
schools,  and  after  becoming  of  suitable  age  was 
employed  by  Jacob  Strawn,  the  then  "  cattle  king  " 
of  Illinois,  in  looking  after  his  herds  on  the  prairie, 
remaining  with  him  two  years,  and  was  then  occu- 
pied in  driving  stock. 

Mr.  Scrogin  was  married  in  1848,  to  Miss  Sarah 
E.  Holmes,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  111., 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Peris  Holmes,  of  that 
county.  Her  mother  was  formerly  Miss  Lois  Sweet, 
who  with  her  parents  were  numbered  among  the 
pioneers  of  Morgan  County.  Mr.  Holmes  was  born 
in  Connecticut  and  his  wife  in  New  York.  After 
his  marriage  our  subject  located  in  this  county,  on 
his  present  farm  in  Lexington  Township,  which 
consisted  of  523  acres,  and  for  which  he  paid 
$1 ,000,  which  at  that  day  was  considered  a  high  price. 


It  is  now  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  township, 
and  has  doubled  its  first  value  many  times.  To 
this  Mr.  S.  subsequently  added  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  870  acres,  all  in  one  body.  It  is  well 
fenced  and  highly  cultivated  with  a  substantial  and 
handsome  residence  and  two  good  barns.  Of  late 
years  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the  cattle 
trade,  of  which  he  ships  annuall3r  large  numbers  to 
the  markets  of  the  East,  and  which  has  yielded  him 
a  handsome  income.  His  herd  now  averages  ninety 
head,  and  he  raises  from  ten  to  twenty  calves  every 
year.  He  also  deals  in  Norman  horses,  and  the  se- 
cret of  his  great  success  is  that  he  has  been  enabled 
to  do  business  on  his  own  capital,  and  has  been  en- 
abled to  meet  his  obligations  promptly  and  without 
embarrassment. 

Mr.  Scrogin  has  been  largely  identified  with  the 
business  and  agricultural  interests  of  this  section 
since  he  began  business  on  his  own  account,  and 
has  contributed  his  full  quota  to  the  wealth  and 
prosperity  of  McLean  County.  He  was  one  of  the 
stockholder?  of  the  bank  of  J.  C.  Mahan  &  Co.,  at 
Lexington,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  four- 
teen years  and  until  it  was  closed,  and  owns  the 
building  in  which  the  National  Bank  is  now  carried 
on. 

The  family  of  our  subject  consisted  of  nine  chil- 
dren, of  whom  five  are  still  living:  Arthur  J., 
Austin  H.,  Carrie  E.,  Charlie  P.  and  Emma  L. ;  the 
others  died  in  infancy.  Both  parents  and  children 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Scrogin 
has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  an  esteemed  and  valued  citizen. 


EINHOLD  GRAFF,  a  prosperous  and  wide- 
awake grocer  of  Bloomington,  is  located  on 
the  corner  of  East  Grove  street,  where  he 

|;is  conducting  his  business  in  an  intelligent 
and  successful  manner.  He  is  a  native  of  the  Ger- 
man Empire,  having  been  born  in  Halle,  on  the 
Saale  River,  Prussia,  May  15,  1840.  He  came  to 
America  with  his  mother,  Amelia  (Krapfft)  Graff, 
in  1852,  his  father,  Ferdinand  Graff,  having  died  in 
Germany.  Mrs.  Graff  with  her  five  children, 
crossed  the  ocean,  landing  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
whence  they  proceeded  to  Buffalo,  thence  to  Chi- 


I 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1007 


cago  and  from  there  by  canal  to  LaSalle.  111.  They 
afterward  went  to  Peoria,  whence  they  came  to 
Bloomington  by  wagon,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Old  Town,  which  remained  the  home  of  the,  family 
for  sixteen  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  limited  ed- 
ucation, being  but  -eleven  years  of  age  when  he 
came  to  America,  and  since  which  time  his  educa- 
tion has  been  the  result,  principally,  of  his  own  ex- 
ertions. He  remained  upon  the  farm  of  his  mother 
until  twenty-five  years  old,  then  entered  the  store 
of  Ollis  Evans  <fc  Co.,  with  whom  he  remained  two 
years  as  clerk,  and  until  they  sold  out,  when  he  oc- 
cupied the  same  position  with  their  successors  for 
seven  years.  In  1879  Mr.  Graff  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  on  his  own  account.  He  com- 
menced on  a  small  scale  and  was  successful  from 
the  start.  As  his  business  increased  he  was  obliged 
to  enlarge  his  stock  and  for  this  purpose  put  up  a 
good  building  30x45  feet  in  area,  and  two  stories 
in  height,  and  in  which  he  keeps  a  full  assortment 
of  everything  required  in  his  line. 

Mr.  Graff  was  married,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Marga- 
ret Leiser,  of  Bloomington,  and  they  have  three 
children  —  Albert  W.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Anna  Bell. 
The  family  residence  is  pleasantly  located,  and  our 
subject  and  his  family  enjoy  the  association  of  a 
large  number  of  friends.  Mr.  Graff  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  holding  fellowship  with  Lodge 
No.  305,  Bloomington,  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Turner  Society  of  that  place. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  is  still  living  and 
makes  her  home  in  Wilson  County,  Kan.  She  is 
now  over  eighty-one  years  of  age,  but  is  hale  and 
hearty,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  her  faculties. 


~l  AMES  M.  McGINNIS,  one  of  the  prosper- 

I    ous   and    progressive  farmers  of  Lawndale 

Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on  section 

•     16,  on  the  farm  of  which  he  took  possession 

in   the  spring  of  1884.      His  homestead  includes 

120   acres  of   valuable   land,   upon   which  he  has 

erected   a   first-class  set  of  farm  buildings,   which 

bear  fair  comparison  with  any  in  the  count}7.     He 

js  in  all  respects  a  valuable  citizen,  and   by  his  en- 


ergy and  enterprise  has  already  proved  himself  an 
important  factor  in  the  agricultural  interests  of 
Lawndale  Township. 

Mr.  McGinnis  was  born  in  Parke  County,  Ind., 
July  26, 1824,  being  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Wolf)  McGinnis,  the  father  a  native  of  Tennessee 
and  the  mother  of  New  Jersey,  of  Irish  and  Hol- 
land-Dutch descent,  respectively.  They  came  into 
Butler  County,  Ohio,  soon  after  their  marriage, 
where  they  lived  about  three  years,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  Parke  County,  Ind.  The  father  was  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  teaching  alternately.  They 
lived  in  Indiana  until  in  November,  1834,  and 
thence  removed  into  Tazewell  County,  this  State, 
settling  near  Groveland,  where  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  days,  the  father  dying  in  Febru- 
ary, 1869,  and  the  mother  April  5,  1881.  Their 
family  consisted  of  nine  children,  as  follows: 
George  I.,  deceased;  Temperance,  James  M.,  John 
F.,  Nancy  and  Martha,  deceased ;  Mary  A.,  Andrew 
J.  and  Kizzie. 

Mr.  McGinnis  was  a  boy  of  ten  years  when  his 
parents  removed  into  Tazewell  County.  They 
made  the  trip  overland  with  horses  and  wagons. 
He  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  thirty-three 
years  old.  He  was  then  married  and  continued  to 
live  in  Tazewell  County  until  the  spring  of  1859, 
when  he  took  a  trip  overland  to  California,  the 
journey  consuming  about  five  months.  He  re- 
mained on  the  Pacific  Slope  two  years  following, 
.  and  engaged  in  mining,  with  fair  success.  After- 
ward he  took  up  his  home  in  Nevada  with  his  fam- 
ily, where  he  lived  twenty-three  years,  coming  to 
this  county  in  the  summer  of  1884.  His  home- 
stead consists  of  120  acres  on  section  13,  Lawndale 
Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  in  Meta- 
mora,  Woodford  Co.,  111.,  March  7,  1858,  to  Miss 
Patience  J.  Nesmith,  daughter  of  Cyrus  A.  and 
Marinda  (Hurlbut)  Nesmith.  Her  father,  a  native 
of  Antrim,  N.  H.,  was  born  in  1801,  and  her 
mother  in  Ontario,  in  1810.  After  marriage  they 
located  in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  N. 
pursued  the  occupation  of  a  farmer.  In  1847  they 
left  the  Buckeye  State  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois, 
arriving  in  Peoria  County  in  November.  They  i  ' 


f 

-I 


-  ,     1008 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


lived  there  until  the  spring  of  1849,  then  removed 
to  Metamora,  Woodford  County,  and  in  1877,  to 
Washington,  111.,  where  Mr.  N.  died  in  January, 
1884.  The  mother  still  survives,  and  makes  her 
home  in  the  latter  place.  Their  seven  children 
were  Arthur  E.,  Patience  J.,  Milton  W.,  Mary  A., 
George  W.,  John  1).  and  Charles  L.  Arthur  E.  is 
deceased;  Milton  resides  in  Nebraska;  Mary  is  the 
wife  of  E.  S.  Corpe,  of  Lawndale  Township ;  George 
and  John  are  deceased,  and  Charles  L.  resides  in 
Washington,  111. 

Mrs.  McGinnis  was  born  in  Medina  County, 
Ohio,  Sept.  24,  1 835.  She  received  careful  par- 
ental training,  a  good  common-school  education, 
and  remained  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage. 
Mrs.  McGinnis  taught  school  a  number  of  years, 
and  also  taught  the  first  public  school  in  Lyon 
County.  Xev.,  it  being  the  first  public  school  taught 
in  the  State.  This  was  in  18(52.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  has  been  born  but  one  child, 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  McGinnis,  while  a  resi- 
dent of  Nevada,  was  honored  with  various  offices, 
having  been  County  Commissioner  for  eight  years 
and  was  School  Trustee  for  seventeen  years,  and  is 
highly  respected  as  a  business  man  and  a  citizen. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
politically  an  active  Republican.  A  handsome 
lithographic  view  of  Mr.  McGinnis'  residence  is 
shown  on  another  page. 


JA.  LASSWELL,  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Colfax  Chronicle,  published  at   Colfax, 
is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  having  been 
born    in    Fulton    County,   May    22,    1861. 
He  is  the  son   of    William   and    Mary  E.  (Lippy) 
Lasswell,  natives  respectively  of  Illinois  and  Penn- 
sylvania.     His  father  is  a  farmer    by  occupation, 
and  is  now  carrying  on  agriculture  in  Peoria  Coun- 
ty, this  State.     The  four  children  of  the  parental 
household  were  Alice,  George,  William  P.  and  our 
subject,  John  A.     William  Lasswell  is  Democratic 
in  politics,  and  the  mother  of  our  subject  is  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  Christian  Church. 

The  subject  of   this  biography  spent   his  child- 
hood and   youth  on  his  father's   farm,  and   when 


sixteen  years  of  age  engaged  to  learn  the  printer's 
trade,  at  which  he  served  four  years.  He  then 
abandoned  this  temporarily  and  commenced  rail- 
roading on  the  Illinois  Central  as  brakeman  and 
express  messenger,  which  he  followed  for  four 
years.  Then  in  company  with  D.  A.  Creed  he  es- 
tablished the  Chronicle,  at  CoJfax  Village,  on  the 
5th  of  June,  1886.  This  is  a  six-column  folio,  a 
spicy  and  independent  sheet,  and  has  already  a 
good  circulation.  Mr.  Lasswell  is  a  free  and  easy 
writer,  and  in  the  conduct  of  his  paper  gives  abun- 
dant satisfaction  to  its  patrons. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  4th  of  April, 
1886,  to  Mrs.  Grace  H.  Webster  of  Michigan,  but 
who  since  a  child  has  made  her  home  in  Woodford 
County,  this  State,  whence  her  parents  came  and 
settled  on  a  farm  while  she  was  quite  young.  She 
is  the  third  of  four  children  who  completed  the 
household  circle,  and  her  parents  now  reside  at 
El  Paso.  Mr.  Lasswell  belongs  to  the  Democratic 
party,  and  occupies  a  good  position  in  the  editorial 
fraternity  of  this  section. 


R.  NELSON  LOAR,  a  prominent  physician 
and  surgeon  of  Bloomingtou,  has  his  office 
at  the  intersection  of  Front  and  Lee  streets, 
and  enjoys  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
practice.  He  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Pa., 
and  was  born  April  1,  1840.  His  parents  were  Ja- 
cob and  Maria  (Nelson)  Loar,  natives  of  the  same 
State,  where  his  father  carried  on  an  extensive  farm, 
but  is  now  practically  retired  from  active  labor. 
His  grandfather,  John  Loar,  was  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, and  married  a  lady  from  Pennsylvania,  in 
which  latter  State  they  settled  and  passed  their  last 
days  in  Greene  County.  Their  son  Jacob,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  twenty  years  in  Greene  County,  and  was  fiv^ 
quently  called  upon  to  administer  upon  large  es- 
tates. He  was  a  capable  business  man,  intelligent 
and  well  educated,  and  possessed  a  large  amount 
of  industry  and  enterprise.  The  parental  family 
included  ten  children,  six  now  living,  as  follows: 
John  remains  in  his  native  State  of  Pennsylvania ; 


t. 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1009    t  . 


Nelson,  our  subject,  is  the  second  son ;  Margaret, 
Mrs.  Allen,  lives  in  Jasper  County,  Iowa,  as  does 
also  Dr.  George  W. ;  Hester,  Mrs.  Gribben,  lives  in 
Greene  County,  Pa.,  and  Anna,  Mrs.  Burns,  lives 
in  the  same  county. 

Dr.  Loar  of  our  sketch,  spent  his  younger  days 
on  his  father's  farm,  and  in  attendance  at  the  dis- 
trict school  until  he  was  about  twenty-two  years 
old.  He  then  took  a  course  of  study  at  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant College  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  soon 
thereafter  commenced  the  study  of  medicine.  In 
November,  1864,  he  entered  the  Cincinnati  Medi- 
cal College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1867,  and 
began  his  practice  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.  After  one 
year  he  turned  his  face  westward,  stopping  for 
awhile  in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  and  then  came  to 
Bloomington,  where  he  has  continued  practice 
since  that  time.  He  was  successful  from  the  start, 
and  in  due  time  purchased  a  house  on  West  Wash- 
ington street,  which  he  occupied  with  his  family 
for  twelve  years.  He  then  purchased  two  lots  on 
Front  street,  and  erected  his  present  residence  and 
office  in  1881.  He  also  purchased  ground  at  the 
corner  of  Jefferson  and  West  streets,  where  he  built 
a  fine  brick  hotel  48x60  feet  in  area,  two  stories  in 
height,  and  equipped  with  all  modern  improve- 
ments. This  now  yields  him  a  handsome  income, 
being  conducted  in  a  manner  pleasing  to  both  per- 
manent guests  and  travelers.  The  hotel  is  con- 
ducted by  Mrs.  M.  A.  Baird,  on  the  European  plan. 

Dr.  Loar  was  married,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Olive 
Rinehart,  who  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Ewalt)  Rinehart,  natives  respectively  of  New  Jer- 
sey and  Ohio.  Her  paternal  grandfather  was  Chris- 
tian Rinehart,  of  New  Jersey,  and  her  maternal 
grandfather,  John  Ewalt,  of  Pennsylvania.  Both 
gentlemen  purchased  large  tracts  of  land  near  Mt. 
Vernon,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  last  years  of 
their  life.  Samuel  Rinehart  was  also  an  extensive 
farmer,  but  is  now  retired  from  active  labor.  His 
family  included  ten  children,  eight  now  living,  and 
the  record  is  as  follows:  Sarah,  Mrs.  Bonnett,  lives 
in  this  county ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Rightmire,  is  in  Potta- 
watomie  County,  Kan. ;  Christian  D.  is  also  in 
that  State;  Olive  is  the  wife  of  our  subject;  Clem- 
entine, Mrs.  Myers,  lives  in  Knox  County,  Ohio; 


Emeline,  Mrs.  Edwards,  in  Fredericktown,  Ohio; 
William  H.,  in  California,  and  Frank  E.,  in  Knox 
County,  Ohio. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  five  children — Eva,  Ira,  Ada,  Anna  and 
Arthur:  In  politics  Dr.  Loar  is  a  stanch  Prohibi- 
tionist, and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Christian  Church.  Dr.  Loar  de- 
serves credit  for  the  position  he  has  won,  not  only 
as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  but  in  having  the  con- 
fidence of  the  people  whom  he  serves.  As  a  phy- 
sician he  is  patient,  constant,  sympathetic,  yet  in 
the  hour  of  extremity  cool,  calm  and  courageous, 
thus  inspiring  the  sick  with  feelings  of  safety  in 
being  carried  through  the  scenes  of  impending 
danger. 


AMES  OSBORN  BARNARD.  The  name  of 
James  Osborn  Barnard  was  familiar  to  all 
the  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  and  his 
history,  from  beginning  to  end,  was  full  of 
interest.  He  was  a  remarkable  man  in  many  re- 
spects, being  from  his  earliest  childhood  of  an  act- 
ive, stirring  disposition,  inquisitive  and  acquisitive, 
always  ready  to  make  an  honest  penny  at  a  trade, 
bearing  losses  and  crosses  cheerfully,  and  never 
discouraged  under  adverse  circumstances. 

Mr.  Barnard  was  born  July  16,  1800,  in  States- 
ville,  the  county  seat  of  Iredell  County,  N.  C.  He 
was  the  son  of  Francis  and  Jane  (McCord)  Barnard, 
the  former  of  English-Quaker  descent  but  Ameri- 
can born,  and  the  latter,  partially  at  least,  of  Irish 
ancestry.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  James  O., 
being  a  Quaker,  did  not  take  part  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  but  his  mother's  father  was  a  very  differ- 
ent man.  He  was  no  Quaker,  but  on  the  contrary 
considered  it  his  duty  to  harrass  the  British  at 
every  opportunity.  He  was  not  a  regular  soldier 
but  was  in  every  scrimmage  in  which  he  could  find 
a  chance  to  engage.  The  British  took  revenge  by 
sacking  his  house,  tearing  everything  to  pieces,  and 
driving  off  his  live  stock.  Mr.  McCord  afterward 
made  many  of  them  pay  with  their  lives  for  the  de- 
struction of  his  property. 

The  early  youth  of  James  Barnard  had  been  dis- 
tinguished by  many  social  pleasures  after  the  man- 


*-•- 


,  ,  1010 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


ner  of  the  young  men  of  that  period,  and  he  had 
learned  to  dance  and  play  the  violin,  performing  to 
audiences  at  home  and  elsewhere,  for  which  he 
\\-:i»  p:iid  small  sums  of  money  and  which  he  in- 
vested, sometimes  fortunately  and  sometimes  other- 
wise. His  business  talents  were  conspicuous  at  an 
early  age.  Later  his  mind  took  a  more  serious  turn 
and  underwent  a  radical  change.  He  abandoned 
his  social  pleasures  and  turned  his  attention  more 
to  religious  matters,  and  sought  to  work  a  simi- 
lar change  in  the  minds  of  his  companians.  In 
early  youth  he  had  been  adverse  to  school  but 
his  natural  habits  of  observation  enabled  him  to 
transact  business  in  a  very  creditable  manner. 
When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  joined  Briar  Creek 
Baptist  Church,  and  was  baptized  in  the  Yadkin 
River.  His  twenty-first  birthday  was  celebrated 
by  taking  his  gun  to  the  same  river,  where  he  killed 
a  deer,  which  was  quite  an  event  at  that  time  as 
these  animals  were  becoming  scarce.  After  reach- 
ing his  majority  he  entered  school  at  Wilksboro, 
which,  however,  he  attended  but  a  short  time  as 
the  teacher  refused  to  give  his  pupils  a  holiday  on 
Christmas. 

Soon  afterward  young  Barnard  went  to  learn  the 
saddler's  trade  which,  however,  he  only  followed  a 
short  time,  and  the  family  soon  removed  to  Ten- 
nessee, where  they  rented  a  farm.  In  the  meantime 
James  engaged  as  a  trader  in  salt  and  groceries,  do- 
ing his  own  teaming  and  meeting  with  fair  success. 
Shortly  afterward  he  revisited  his  native  State  and 
from  thence  went  into  Alabama  and  afterward  to 
Ohio  and  Indiana.  Returning  afterward  to  his 
home  in  Tennessee  he  was  appointed  Postmaster 
under  Andrew  Jackson,  but  resigned  the  office  in 
1829,  to  come  to  Illinois.  In  the  meantime  he  had 
taken  a  load  of  provisions  and  live  stock  to  New 
Orleans,  this  trip  and  the  return  being  filled  in  with 
many  interesting  incidents  and  hairbreadth  escapes. 
In  his  absence  his  father's  house  with  all  its  contents 
was  consumed  by  fire.  The  family  soon  afterward 
removed  to  Illinois,  where  they  were  joined  by 
James  O.  The  latter  purchased  160  acres  of  land 
near  Dry  Grove  which,  however,  he  did  not  take 
possession  of  until  the  following  year.  The  city  of 
Chicago  was  then  only  known  as  Ft.  Dearborn,  of 
which  Mr.  Barnard  and  some  of  his  friends  had 


heard  much  but  had  never  seen,  and  in  company 
with  two  of  his  friends,  eacli  with  an  ox-team,  they 
set  out  to  find  it.  After  reaching  the  fort  and  re- 
maining  a  short  time  they  invested  in  a  loin)  of 
provisions  and  returned  home. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  1837,  Mr.  Barnard 
was  married  to  Miss  Lydia  Swallow,  and  they  com- 
menced housekeeping  after  the  fashion  of  those 
days.  Mr.  B.  became  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
the  county  before  many  years,  and  in  1834  was 
appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  and  Tax  Collector,  which 
positions  he  held  for  several  years.  He  identified 
himself  with  the  Masonic  fraternity  at  Bloomington 
on  the  18th  of  April,  1848,  of  whose  principles  he 
remained  an  admirer  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Oct.  17,  1873. 

After  becoming  a  ~  resident  of  McLean  County 
Mr.  Barnard  crossed  the  Mississippi,  visiting  Iowa 
and  Kansas,  where  he  had  a  brother  and  daughter. 
After  coming  to  Illinois  he  severed  his  connection 
with  the  Baptists  and  became  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  was  very  conscientious,  de- 
liberate in  forming  his  opinions,  and  adhered  to  them 
with  great  decision.  He  was  of  that  magnetic 
temperament  which  attracted  to  him  hosts  of  friends, 
and  his  record  was  that  of  a  useful  and  honest  citi- 
zen who  performed  his  whole  duty  in  assisting  to 
build  up  the  country  around  him,  and  by  his  in- 
fluence encouraged  the  march  of  emigration  and 
the  establishment  of  educational  and  religious  in- 
stitutions. 


J"|OHN    BERTELS  is   senior  member  of  the 
I    firm  of  Bertels  &  Stoll,  tile  manufacturers  of 
Lexington.     The  Lexington  Tile  Works,  by 
i    which  name  this  business  is  familiarly  known, 
was  established  in  the  spring  of  1883.    The  factory 
is  one  of  the  best  of  its  kind  in  this  part  of  the 
State  and  equipped  with  the  latest  improved  ma- 
chinery.    The  propelling   power  is   a   forty-horse 
power  engine  which  was  manufactured  in  Peoria 
by  Nicholas  Burr,  and  the  capacity  of  the  works  is 
albout  750,000  feet  of   tile  annually.     They  have 
three  kilns,  each  holding  about  12,000  feet  of  four- 
inch  tile.     There  is  a  constant  home  demand  for 


r; 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ion 


I 


the  products  of  the  factory  and  it  will  bear  fair 
comparison  with  any  in  the  West. 

Mr.  Bertels  was  formerly  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  brick,  his  yards  being  located  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,- and  he  furnished  material 
for  the  construction  of  some  of  the  most  important 
buildings  in  and  around  Lexington.  His  systematic 
methods  of  doing  business  and  his  excellent  per- 
sonal traits  of  character  have  gained  him  many 
friends  in  this  vicinity  and  he  is  widely  known  as 
a  valuable  factor  in  the  business  and  industrial  in- 
terests of  this  part  of  McLean  County. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  the  German  Empire 
and  was  born  on  a  farm  May  4,  1837.  His  father, 
Henry  B.  Bertels,  also  of  German  birth  and  an- 
cestry, and  his  mother,  Lovisa  Gravelok,  were  the 
parents  of  three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, our  subject  being  the  second  born.  They  were 
all  placed  in  school  when  six  years  of  age  and  con- 
tinued for  a  number  of  years. 

When  fourteen  years  old  our  subject  began  to 
learn  brick-making,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of 
three  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  embarked 
upon  the  sailing-vessel  "Von  Stine,"  bound  for  New 
York  City,  and  after  a  voyage  of  seven  weeks  ar- 
rived at  his  destination  and  at  once  set  out  for  the 
West.  After  arriving  in  McLean  County  he  was 
out  of  funds,  but  that  did  not  frighten  him  as  he 
had  his  strong  hands  and  his  willing  and  courageous 
spirit,  and  soon  found  employment  with,  a  farmer, 
Jacob  C.  Mahan,  where  he  remained  for  six  years — 
a  good  recommendation  both  for  master  and  man. 
Here  our  subject  was  principally  engaged  cultivat- 
ing the  soil  in  summer  and  feeding  cattle  during 
the  winter.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been  married 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Helmer,  a  native  of  his  own 
country  and  the  daughter  of  John  Helmer,  also  of 
German  birth  and  ancestry.  Mrs.  B.  came  to  this 
country  with  her  parents  when  a  young  girl.  Mr. 
Bertels  then  removed  into  the  town  of  Lexington, 
where  he  opened  a  brick-yard  near  where  the  C.  <fe 
A.  R.  R.  crosses  Mackinaw  Creek.  He  began  in  a 
modest  way  and  was  prospered  in  his  undertaking, 
his  business  some  years  aggregating  1,500,000  brick 
annually,  which  he  shipped  to  Chicago  and  other 
points.  In  1871  he  shipped  300,000  brick,  for 
which  he  received  $16  per  thousand  delivered  in 


the  city.  He  continued  his  manufactory  until  1883, 
and  then  established  the  tile  works  which  he  now 
operates,  their  manufacture  at  present  being  mostly 
for  home  use. 

Mr.  Bertels,  besides  his  town  property,  has  a 
neat  little  farm  of  fifty-five  acres,  upon  which  is  lo- 
cated his  residence  and  where  he  uses  four  teams  in 
carrying  on  its  operations,  and  that  of  the  factory. 
The  family  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  at  present 
consists  of  three  sons :  August,  now  of  Nebraska ; 
Edward,  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  J.  C.  Mahan  in 
Lexington,  and  Benjamin,  who  does  business  with 
his  father;  one  child  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Bertels  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church,  and  socially  our  subject  belongs  to 
McLean  Lodge  No.  206,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  to  the 
Encampment. 


O 


EV.  HENRY  O.  HOFFMAN,  pastor  of  the 
il^l  Independent  Church  of  Bloomington,  is  a 
l*±  fll  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  the  village 
\p)of  Birmingham,  Erie  County,  July  18, 
183C.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  Hoffman,  Esq.,  an 
attorney  at  law  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  his 
mother  was,  before  her  marriage,  Miss  Frances 
Reid,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State.  The 
Hoffmans  were  of  German  extraction,  the  grand- 
father, Peter  H.,  having  been  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Reids  were  of  New  England  and  of 
English  descent. 

The  father  of  our  subject  removed  from  Ohio  to 
Indiana,  when  Henry  of  our  sketch  was  about 
eleven  years  of  age,  and  settled  in  Crawfordsville, 
where  he  followed  merchandising,  but  subsequently 
removed  to  Montgomery  County,  where  he  died  in 
1882.  The  affectionate  wife  and  mother  had  closed 
her  eyes  to  earthly  scenes  while  still  a  young  woman, 
her  husband  surviving  her  thirty-five  years.  Their 
family  included  five  children,  four  sons  and  one 
daughter,  all  living. 

Henry  O.  Hoffman  was  the  third  child  of  his 
parents  and  passed  his  youth  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  where  his  father  owned  a  farm.  With 
his  brothers,  he  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits 


I 


I 


.  i    1012 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  received  his  primary  education  in  the  common 
schools,  after  which  he  entered  Thorn  town  Academy, 
where  he  pursued  a  thorough  course  of  study  for 
two  years.  Then,  in  1855,  he  entered  the  ministry, 
his  first  experience  being  on  Lebanon  Circuit,  in 
Boone  County,  Ind.  He  was  next  sent  to  the  Nor- 
thern part  of  the  State,  and  after  making  several 
removals,  was  appointed  Chaplain  of  the  17th  In- 
diana Infantry. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  sent  South  to 
assist  in  the  reconstruction  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  and  was  thus  occupied  for  three 
years,  being  afterward  appointed  general  agent  of 
the  Freedman's  Aid  Society,  which  duties  led  him 
over  a  large  tract  of  territory.  He  was  then  trans- 
ferred to  the  Illinois  Conference  and  stationed  at 
Stapps  Chapel,  in  Uecatur,  whence,  after  two  years, 
he  was  appointed  to  Rushville,  and  the  following 
year  to  Quinc}',  next  to  Hillsboro,  and  finally  to 
Bloomington,  his  present  charge. 

In  early  manhood  Mr.  Hoffman  was  married  to 
Miss  Anna  Perry,  a  descendant  of  Commodore 
Perry.  This  lady  died  in  1882,  leaving  two  sons  — 
H.  H.,  who  is  one  of  the  staff  of  the  Evening  Jour- 
nal of  Detroit,  and  H.  R.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Hoffman  was  married  to  his  present  wife, 
Mrs.  Jeannette  Raymond,  on  the  4th  of  January, 
1886.  She  is  the  daughter  of  E.  Burdette  of  Litch- 
field,  111.,  and  the  widow  of  George  M.  Raymond. 


TIMOTHY  KRAFT  is  another  of  those 
thrifty  German  citizens  who  have  done  so 
much  toward  the  progress  and  advancement, 
not  only  of  this  county,  but  of  the  different  States 
of  the  Union.  Coming  to  this  county  poor  in 
pocket  and  homeless,  as  a  rule  their  aim  has  always 
been  to  procure  a  home  for  themselves  and  fami- 
lies, and  in  a  majority  of  cases  they  have  suc- 
ceeded. Our  subject  is  a  self-made  man  in  every 
respect  the  word  implies,  and  what  he  has  of  this 
world's  goods  has  been  acquired  through  his  own 
indomitable  energy  and  perseverance.  He  is  pleas- 
antly located  on  his  large,  productive  and  valua- 
ble farm  on  section  3,  Towanda  Township,  where 
he  is  surrounded  by  everything  necessary  for  the 


carrying  on  of  his  vocation,  and  where  he  also  has 
a  pleasant  home.  His  parents,  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Fordenbarch)  Kraft,  were  natives  of  German y. 
The  father  was  a  weaver  by  trade,  and  in  accord- 
ance with  the  laws  of  his  country,  served  six  years 
in  the  army,  as  a  cavalryman.  Both  heads  of  the 
family  died  in  their  native  land.  They  had  four 
children  who  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  maturit}', 
of  which  number  our  subject  was  the  youngest. 

Timothy  Kraft  was  born  in  Attenau,  Baden,  Ger- 
many, July  2,  1832.  He  lived  in  his  native  land 
until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  there  learned 
the  potter's  trade,  working  at  the  same  for  about 
five  years.  In  1854  our  subject,  hoping  to  better 
his  financial  condition  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  for  five  years  thereafter  was  a  resident 
of  Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  The  first  year  of 
his  residence  there  he  worked  out  by  the  month, 
but  the  second  year  rented  a  small  farm,  and  con- 
tinued farming  in  that  county  until  the  fall  of 
1860.  During  the  fall  of  that  year  he  came  to 
McLean  County,  and  buying  eighty  acres  of  land 
on  section  3,  Towanda  Township,  settled  upon  it 
and  has  since  made  it  his  home.  Since  his  first  set- 
tlement in  Towanda  Township  he  has  labored  hard 
and  economized,  and  in  consequence  thereof  was 
enabled  to  add  to  his  original  purchase  until  he 
owned  600  acres,  of  which  he  still  retains  440,  hav- 
ing recently  sold  160  acres  to  his  son.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  progressive  farmers,  not  only  of  To- 
wanda Township,  but  of  McLean  County.  He 
keeps  about  fifteen  head  of  horses  and  eighty  head 
of  cattle  on  his  place,  and  fattens  some  forty  head 
of  hogs  annually  for  the  market.  He  also  raises 
about  7,000  bushels  of  corn  besides  several  thous- 
and bushels  of  oats  on  his  place  every  year,  and  is 
meeting  with  signal  success  in  the  prosecution  of  a 
vocation  he  has  followed  thus  far  in  life.  A  view 
of  his  residence  and  surroundings  is  shown  in  this 
work. 

Mr.  Kraft  was  married,  March  5,  1856,  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Walburg,  daughter 
of  Cornelius  and  Noteburg  (Schneider)  Hurley,  na- 
tives of  Baden,  Germany,  in  which  country  the  fa- 
ther was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  where 
both  died.  The  parents  had  four  children,  and 
Mrs.  Kraft  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  She 


t 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


1015  t 


first  saw  light  in  Germany  Nov.  28,  1835,  and  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  been  blest  by  the  birth 
of  seven  children — Sarah  A.,  Charles,  Daniel  W., 
Cornelius,  Frank,  William  and  Lula  M.  Frank 
died  when  three  years  old ;  Sarah  is  the  wife  of  Lee 
Hase,  and  they  are  residents  of  Towanda  Township. 
Mr.  Kraft  lias  held  the  office  of  School  Director, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  Trustee 
for  many  years.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican. 


)OBERT  M.  HOPKINS,  a  prominent  and 
successful  farmer  of  Lexington  Township, 
is  pleasantly  located  on  section  32,  where 
)he  is  following  his  peaceful  calling  in  a 
satisfactory  and  advantageous  manner.  Mr.  Hop- 
kins was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  Feb.  6, 
1830,  on  the  farm  of  his  father,  Patrick  Hopkins. 
The  latter  was  a  native  of  Sussex  County,  Del., 
born  June  7,  1799,  being  the  son  of  Robert  Hop- 
kins, Sr.,  who  was  of  Welsh  descent  and  married 
Miss  Nancy  Spence,  a  lady  of  Scottish  ancestry, 
and  they  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Dela- 
ware. The  mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss 
Mary  Bartholomew,  of  Clark  County,  Ind.,  and  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  Bartholemew,  was  married 
to  Patrick  Hopkins  in  1820.  She  departed  this 
life  when  her  son  Robert,  of  our  sketch,  was  but 
nine  years  of  age.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject 
was  a  General,  under  Wayne  in  the  Black  Hawk 
War  and  being  well  versed  in  Indian  warfare  was 
given  a  responsible  position  on  the  frontier,  where 
most  of  his  life  was  spent  and  where  he  obtained 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  Indian  customs,  trickery 
and  cunning. 

Patrick  Hopkins,  the  father  of  our  subject,  re- 
moved from  his  native  State  to  Kentucky  with  his 
parents  when  but  seven  years  of  age.  When  fifteen 
years  old,  he  went  to  Indiana,  where  he  remained 
for  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  engaged  as  a  brick-mason  until  1820.  He 
then  returned  to  Indiana,  where  he  married  as  be- 
fore stated  and  remained  in  Owen  County  for  ten 
years  following.  Then,  in  1830,  he  pushed  further 


westward  into  Illinois  and  settled  on  the  Mackinaw 
River  in  this  county,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1874.  During  his  resi- 
dence here  he  had  engaged  in  farming  and  working 
at  his  trade  alternately.  His  first  wife  had  preceded 
him  to  the  better  land  thirty-live  years,  her  death 
occurring  in  1839.  Of  this  marriage  there  were 
born  five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters: 
Joseph  H.,  who  was  married  three  times,  died  in 
1878  in  Missouri;  Nancy  A.  married  William  M. 
Smith  of  Lexington;  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Hefner  and  they  live  in  Seattle,  Wash.  Ter. ; 
Robert,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  fourth  child ;  Mary 
E.  married  F.  M.  Bowers,  and  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1885. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  an  infant  of  six 
months'  old  when  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
McLean  County.  He  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  and  attended  the  pioneer  schools,  and  when 
twenty-six  years  of  age  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  L.,  the  daughter  of  John  W.  and 
May  (Harper)  Smith,  a  niece  of  Milton  Smith,  Esq. 

The  father  and  mother  of  Mrs.  Hopkins  were  na- 
tives of  Ohio.  The  father  was  born  in  Madison 
County  in  1815  and  the  mother  in  Fairfield  County, 
in  1821.  They  came  to  McLean  County  in  1856, 
locating  first  in  Bloomington,  thence  to  Livingston, 
where  they  departed  this  life,  the  father  dying  in 
1883  and  the  mother  in  February,  1885.  The 
maiden  name  of  the  mother  was  May  Smith, 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Rachel  (Thistlewood) 
Smith.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  II.  set- 
tled upon  the  present  homestead  of  our  subject. 
M.rs.  Hopkins  died  in  1863,  leaving  two  children, 
one  of  whom,  William  G.,  died  in  infancy ;  Charles 
C.  married  Miss  Effie  Lily,  and  lives  in  Lexington 
Township. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  a  second  time  married,  to  Miss 
Letetia  Lily,  in  December,  1 865.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Mary  Lily,  with  whom  she  came 
to  McLean  County  when  a  maiden  of  sixteen  years. 
She  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  in  1847. 
Of  this  marriage  there  have  been  born  five  chil- 
dren— Orange  J.,  Mary  E.,  Ann  E.,  Theodocia  E. 
and  Bertha.  The  homestead  of  Mr.  Hopkins  and 
his  family  is  finely  located,  with  good  farm  build- 
ings which  are  kept  in  fine  repair.  The  farm  is 


• 


*-*• 


'  '  1016 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


well  stocked  with  the  good  grades  of  domestic 
animals  and  Mr.  H.  of  late  has  turned  his  attention 
to  the  breeding,  purchase  and  sale  of  Norman  and 
Clydesdale  horses,  keeping  an  average  of  about  six- 
teen head. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  our 
subject  is  a  Steward.  Politically  Mr.  H.  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party,  having  been  formerly 
an  old-Hue  Whig.  He  is  a  strong  temperance  man 
and  casts  the  weight  of  his  influence  against  the 
sale  and  manufacture  of  spirituous  liquors. 

Mr.  Hopkins  is  worthy  to  be  classed  among  the 
representative  men  of  McLean  County,  notwith- 
standing that  no  district  in  this  State  contains  a 
better  social  and  business  element  than  it  does, 
Being  a  man  of  such  character  and  reputation,  we 
take  pleasure  in  presenting  his  portrait  in  this 
volume. 


P.  BROPHY,  Treasurer  and  General  Super- 
intendent of  the  Bloomington  Stove  Com- 
pany, is  not  only  an  important  factor  of 
the  business  of  that  concern,  but  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  most  enterprising  men  of  the  city.  The 
company  over  which  he  presides  was  established  in 
1870,  and  is  located  on  the  "  Y"  of  the  C.  &  A. 
I ;.  R. ;  it  manufactures  all  kinds  of  cooking,  heat- 
ing and  parlor  stoves. 

Mr.  Brophy  is  a  native  of  East  Dorset,  Benriing- 
ton  Co.,  Vt.,  and  was  born  April  9,  1827.  He  is 
the  son  of  Patrick  and  Lydia  (Albee)  Brophy,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Ireland  and  Vermont.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  sent  as  a  soldier  to  Canada, 
and  ordered  back  after  a  service  of  one  or  two 
years.  He  remained  in  the  army  five  years  alto- 
gether, being  then  only  eighteen  years  old.  After 
leaving  the  service  he  returned  to  America  as  a 
private  citizen,  in  about  1816,  and  settled  in  Ben- 
nington  County.  Vt.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits  until  his  death  in  1862,  and  there  the 
mother  died  six  years  later.  Their  family  included 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living:  John 
M.,  of  West  Troy,  N.  Y. ;  Alonzo  and  Harvey  A., 
of  East  Dorset,  Vt.;  Mary,  Mrs.  William  H. 


Lampher,  of  Land  Grove,  Vt. ;  Rhoda  E.,  Mrs. 
James  E.  Frazier,  of  Londonderry,  and  W.  P.,  of 
our  sketch. 

The  time  of  our  subject  up  to  the  age  of  four- 
teen years  was  spent  on  the  farm  and  in  attendance 
at  the  district  school.  He  then  went  to  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  and  learned  the  stove-foundry  business, 
after  which  he  worked  a  short  time  as  journeyman, 
and  in  1859  accepted  a  position  as  Superintendent, 
where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1867.  He 
then  went  to  Salem,  Ohio,  and  established  a  stove 
foundry,  which  he  operated  for  three  years.  He 
then  sold  out  there  and  came  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing  and  estab- 
lishing the  present  company,  and  has  contributed 
materially  to  the  subsequent  success  of  the  under- 
taking. The  works  employ  about  forty  men.  The 
original  building,  which  was  built  of  brick,  was 
68x48  feet  in  area,  and  three  stories  in  height;  the 
foundry,  40x120  feet.  To  this  was  afterward  added 
a  building  40x60  feet,  and  for  the  offices  and  ware- 
house they  put  up  another  48x60,  with  three  sto- 
ries. The  pattern  storeroom  is  25x50  feet,  also 
of  brick.  All  the  buildings  are  good  and  substan- 
tial structures  and  finely  adapted  to  the  business. 

Mr.  Brophy  was  married  in  1850,  to  Miss  Mary 
E.  Brower,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  two  children — Dora  and  Isabel.  The 
former,  Mrs.  Harvey  Butts,  of  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  is 
the  mother  of  one  child,  Willie;  Isabel  is  the  wife 
of  George  Ijams,  of  Dodge  City,  Kan.  The  pleas- 
ant home  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is  located 
on  Division  street,  where  he  owns  six  lots  with 
good  improvements.  He  is  prominently  connected 
with  the  business  affairs  of  this  community,  and 
the  eucourager  of  every  enterprise  calculated  to 
advance  its  importance  and  prosperity.  In  July, 
1886,  he  was  elected  as  a  Director  of  the  Building, 
Saving  and  Loan  Association.  He  was  one  of  the 
original  organizers  of  the  same  in  1 882,  and  a  stock- 
holder. Socially  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, politically  a  Republican,  and  religiously  is 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  is  one  of  its  most  worth}-  members. 

An  excellent  type  of  the  business  man  of  to-day 
is  found  in  the  person  of  Mr.  Brophy.  He  is  known 
to  be  a  man  of  undoubted  integrity  and  substan- 


t 


i 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1017 


t 


tial  business  ability,  and  we  take  pleasure  in  pre- 
senting his  portrait  in  this  volume,  which  is  made 
from  a  recent  photograph. 


,,..,  DOLPHUS  DILLON,  of  the  firm  of  Dillon 
Oil  &  Bright,  importers  and  breeders  of 
French  draft  horses,  is  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  that  well-known  family.  The  firm 
arc  widely  and  favorably  known  as  being  skillful 
in  their  business,  and  furnish  to  this  and  various 
other  States  some  of  the  finest  horses  bred  in  the 
United  States. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  the  son  of  Elias 
and  Martha  (Fisher)  Dillon,  and  was  born  in  Taze- 
well  County,  111.,  Oct.  28,  1849.  His  boyhood  and 
youth  were  passed  upon  the  farm,  and  he  attended 
the  common  schools  until  1864.  Then,  when  a 
youth  of  fifteen  years,  the  family  removed  to 
Bloomington,  where  our  subject  for  a  time  at- 
tended the  city  schools,  and  began  to  turn  his  at- 
tention to  business  matters.  In  1872  he  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  E.  Dillon  &  Co.,  who  were 
engaged  in  importing  French  draft  horses,  and  this 
partnership  continued  for  ten  years,  after  which 
our  subject  continued  alone,  although  ostensibly 
operating  as  Dillon  &  Bright. 

Mr.  Dillon  in  1873  took  a  trip  to  France,  where 
he  obtained  a  valuable  acquisition  to  his  store  of 
knowledge  concerning  the  treatment  and  develop- 
ment of  the  noblest  animal  which  treads  the  face  of 
the  earth.  He  takes  pride  in  his  achievements  as 
connected  with  his  particular  branch  of  business, 
and  is  ambitious  to  excel.  Aside  from  his  prop- 
erty in  Normal,  with  its  convenient  stables  and 
other  appliances  necessary  to  his  business,  he  owns 
a  fine  stock  farm  of  130  acres,  his  landed  area  in 
all  embracing  500  acres.  Of  this  160  acres  lie  in 
Logan  County,  210  in  McLean,  and  a  quarter  sec- 
tion in  the  State  of  Nebraska. 

The  subject  of  oirr  sketch  was  married  in  No- 
vember, 1873,  to  Miss  Paulina,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam S.  Britt,  Esq.,  of  Logan  County,  111.,  in  which 
county  Mrs.  Dillon  was  born,  in  1850.  Of  this 
union  there  are  three  children — Harlen,  Myrtie  and 
Bessie.  Mr.  D.  and  his  family  occupy  a  beautiful 


residence,  and  are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
and  manj-  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  They  are  regu- 
lar attendants  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  politi- 
cally our  subject  simply  goes  to  the  polls  and  casts 
his  vote  for  the  men  who,  in  his  judgment,  pos- 
sess the  qualities  best  fitted  to  make  them  honest 
and  conscientious  office-holders.  Mr.  D.  quietly 
observes  that  his  own  business  keeps  him  constantly 
employed,  and  he  has  little  time  to  attend  to  that 
of  others. 


ENIS  MULCAHY,  deceased,  was  a  pros- 
perous and  prominent  farmer  of  Bloom- 
ington Township,  of  which  he  had  been  a 
resident  for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  industry,  honest 
and  upright  in  his  transactions,  and  possessed  in  a 
marked  degree  the  impulsive  and  generous  character 
which  is  a  characteristic  of  the  Celtic  race.  Besides 
the  homestead  which  he  had  established  by  the  ex- 
ercise of  his  native  energy  and  industry,  he  was 
also  the  owner  of  valuable  property  one  mile  from 
the  city  limits  of  Bloomington. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Water- 
ford  County,  Ireland,  and  departed  this  life  in 
Bloomington  Township  on  the  9th  of  March,  1876, 
at  about  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  He  was 
reared  in  his  native  .county,  received  a  limited  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  and  after  attaining 
to  years  of  manhood  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Catharine  Fitzpatrick,  of  Tipperary  County, 
and  of  pure  Irish  ancestry.  After  the  birth  of 
several  children  Mr.  Mulcahy,  not  being  satisfied 
with  his  condition  or  prospects  in  his  native  Ireland, 
determined  to  seek  his  fortunes  in  the  New  World, 
and  accordingly  set  sail  for  the  United  States,  ac- 
companied by  his  wife  and  children.  They  made 
their  first  location  in  Ohio,  about  sixteen  miles 
from  Cincinnati,  where  they  remained  for  four 
years  and  then  moved  to  Illinois,  locating  at  once 
in  Bloomington  Township,  this  county,  and  here 
the  mother  is  yet  living  with  her  children. 

The  household  circle  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mulcahy 
included  four  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 
Bridget,  the  wife  of  M.  Donohue,  is  a  resident  of 
Blooraington,  her  husband  having  been  connected 


1618 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


with  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  but  is  now  re- 
tired from  active  labor;  Michael  M.  married  Miss 
Ellen  M.  Welch,  a  native  of  the  South  of  Ireland, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children  — 
Katie  and  Denis;  this  son  was  born  in  Tipperary 
County,  Ireland,  March  6,  1849,  and  was  but  a 
child  when  his  father  and  mother  came  to  the 
United  States.  Denis  A.  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  lives  on  the  old  homestead  with  his  brother; 
he  was  born  in  McLean  County,  April  10,  1858, 
and  on  Christmas  Day,  1882,  was  married  in  Bloom- 
ington  to  Miss  Anna  Parrel,  a  native  of  Westmeath 
County,  Ireland.  She  was  twenty  years  old  when 
she  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  uncle. 
They  have  become  the  parents  of  one  child,  a 
daughter  —  Agnes.  The  family  are  all  adherents 
to  the  Catholic  faith  of  their  fathers.  In  politics 
Michael  M.  is  Republican,  and  Denis  A.  affiliates 
with  the  Democracy. 

The  mother  of  the  family  by  her  first  marriage, 
with  Joseph  Maxey,  became  the  mother  of  four 
children,  two  of  whom,  Bridget  and  Joseph,  are 
living;  the  former  was  married  to  P.  B.  Welch, 
who  is  carrying  on  the  grocery  trade  in  Blooming- 
ton  ;  Joseph  married  Miss  Cathrena  Lahey,  and  is 
employed  in  the  shops  of  the  Chicago  <fe  Alton 
Railroad. 


IRA  MUNSON,  a  prominent  and  influential  resi- 
dent of  Randolph  Township,  has  been  closely 
identified  with  its  history  for  a  period  of  fifty 
years,  and  has  fully  established  himself  in  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  his  fellow-townsmen.  The 
Munson  family  came  from  England,  first  settling 
in  Connecticut,  and  from  a  few  descendants  the 
family  became  one  of  the  largest  and  most  promi- 
nent in  New  England.  They  came  over  to  the 
New  World  many  years  before  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Revolutionary  War.  The  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject,  whose  name  is  believed  to  have  been 
Stephen,  went  from  Connecticut  to  New  Jersey  in 
company  with  another  brother. 

Stephen  Muuson  was  the  father  of  a  large  family, 
who  were  mostly  boys,  and  when  the  war  was  de- 
clared between  the  Colonies  and  England  he  and 
his  sons,  five  or  six  in  number,  were  among  the 


first  to  enlist  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  Stephen 
Munson  was  given  a  Captain's  commission,  and 
with  his  sons  remained  in  service  until  the  success 
of  the  Colonies  was  assured.  They  all  escaped  un- 
harmed and  lived  to  return  to  their  home.  Capt. 
Munson  afterward  engaged  in  farming  pursuits, 
and  remained  in  New  Jersey  until  his  death.  One 
of  these  sons,  Solomon,  was  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject.  He  located  in  Morris  County,  N.  J.,  near 
his  father's  old  homestead,  and  died  about  the  age 
of  fifty-five.  His  wife,  formerly  Miss  Lucy  Ball, 
was  of  New  England  birth  and  parentage,  and  by  her 
union  with  Solomon  Munson  became  the  mother 
of  nine  children,  seven  sons  and  two  daughters. 
John,  the  second  child,  was  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject. He  was  reared  and  married  in  his  native 
county.  His  wife,  formerly  Miss  Susan  Hopping, 
was  born  of  parents  who  were  natives  of  Long  Isl- 
and, AS  were  her  grandparents.  They  all  after- 
ward removed  to  Morris  County,  N.  J.,  being 
among  its  early  settlers,  and  there  their  lives  ter- 
minated. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  John  Munson,  was  a 
plasterer,  stonemason  and  bricklayer,  and  followed 
his  trade  in  New  York  City  some  time  before  his 
marriage.  He  removed  from  the  city,  however, 
on  account  of  yellow  fever,  and  returning  to  his 
native  county  in  New  Jersey  was  there  soon  after- 
ward married.  In  Morris  County,  also,  six  chil- 
dren were  born,  our  subject  being  the  second,  and 
his  birth  occurring  Feb.  15,  1808.  The  family 
emigrated  from  New  Jersey  to  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  in  1818.  This  section  of  country  was  then 
mostly  in  its  original  condition,  and  their  journey 
lay  over  rough  and  muddy  roads,  with  sometimes 
no  road  at  all.  The  father  was  poor  in  purse  but 
possessed  a  resolute  and  determined  disposition, 
and  by  following  his  trade  and  keeping  a  house 
open  to  travelers,  provided  a  comfortable  home  for 
his  family  and  saved  up  something  for  a  rainy  day. 
There  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life  and  died 
in  White  Water  Township  in  1840,  aged  about 
fifty-five  years.  The  faithful  wife  and  mother,  who 
had  cheerfully  shared  the  labors  and  anxieties  of 
her  husband,  removed  after  his  death  to  Illinois, 
and  died  in  Blomington  in  October,  1862,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-seven  years.  In  addition  to  the  six 

_ •»- 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1019 


children  born  in  New  Jersey  three  daughters  were 
added  to  the  household  circle  after  they  removed 
to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio.  There  are  yet  living: 
Ira,  our  subject;  Malinda,  who  lived  with  her 
brother  and  sister  several  years,  being  unmarried ; 
Ludisa,  the  wife  of  Aaron  Kitchell,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  Ann  is  married  to  Thomas  J.  Lucas,  of 
Lawrenceburg,  Ind.  The  average  age  of  these  is 
seventy -two  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  a  lad  ten  years 
of  age  when  his  father  removed  from  New  Jersey 
to  Ohio.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  un- 
til twenty-nine  years  old  and  learned  the  trade  of 
his  father  while  yet  a  youth.  On  the  1st  of  March, 
1837,  he  left  his  home  and  came  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing in  Randolph  Township,  and  on  the  10th  of  De- 
cember, 1847,  was  united  in  marriage  near  Hey- 
worth,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Noble,  who  was  a  native  of 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  and  born  Feb  11,  1820. 
She  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents,  David  and 
Rebecca  (Karr)  Noble,  in  1831.  Her  father  was 
one  of  the  first  white  children  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  Her  mother  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  of 
New  England  ancestry.  After  coming  to  this  State 
they  settled  on  a  farm  in  Randolph  Township,  and 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  days  near  Heyworth. 

Mrs.  Munson  was  the  second  child  of  a  family  of 
four  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  yet 
living  except  one  who  died  in  infancy.  By  her 
union  with  our  subject  she  became  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows : 
John  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years:  the  next 
was  an  infant  who  died  unnamed;  William  married 
Miss  Amanda  J.  Scogin  (see  sketch) ;  Henry  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years;  Charles  married 
Miss  Anna  McCarty,  and  they  live  in  this  town- 
ship; an  infant  girl  also  died  unnamed;  Ann  be- 
came the  wife  of  Isaac  Stround,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, and  she  lives  with  her  parents;  George  is 
unmarried. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is 
one  of  the  best  in  Randolph  Township.  It  is  beau- 
tifully located  and  commands  a  fine  view  of  the 
surrounding  country.  The  farm  estate  consists  of 
403^  acres,  finely  improved  and  cultivated,  em- 
bellished with  a  good  dwelling,  and  compact  and 
tasteful  out-buildings.  In  politics  Mr.  Munson  is 


a  Republican,  strong  and  steadfast  in  the  principles 
of  the  party.  Mrs.  Munson  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

The  grandmother  of  our  subject  was  formerly 
Mrs.  Betty  (Looker)  Hoppin,  whose  brother,  Otho 
Neal,  was  elected  Lieutenant  Governor  of  Ohio, 
and  became  Governor  by  the  death  of  the  reg- 
ular Executive. 


OSES  COCHRAN,  a  well-to-do  and  suc- 
cessful farmer,  living  on  section  10,  Lex- 
ington Township,  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Catherine  (Hoe)  Cochran.  both  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  parents  were  married  and  set- 
tled in  Shippensburg,  Pa.,  whence  in  December, 
1828,  they  removed  to  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  where 
they  continued  to  reside  until  their  death.  The  fa- 
ther was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  followed  his 
calling  during  life.  He  and  his  good  wife  were  the 
parents  of  four  children — Aaron,  Moses,  Samuel  and 
George.  Aaron  is  a  farmer  and  resides  in  Cedar, 
Mo. ;  Samuel  is  an  attorney  at  law  and  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Chicago; 
George  died  in  Ohio  when  in  his  twenty-third  year; 
his  demise  was  caused  by  an  accident  while  gath- 
ering apples,  he  falling  from  the  tree  and  receiving 
such  serious  injuries  as  to  cause  his  death. 

Moses  Cochran  was  born  in  Clarke  County, 
Ohio,  April  15,  1829.  He  received  his  education 
there  in  the  common  schools,  and  was  there  reared 
to  manhood  on  a  farm.  On  attaining  his  majority 
in  1850  he  came  to  this  county,  and  for  two  years 
worked  out  by  the  month,  at  $12  per  month.  He 
then  bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  Lexington 
Township,  on  which  he  settled  and  where  he  has 
since  lived.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  280  acres  of 
valuable  land  which  he  has  acquired  through  his 
own  energy  and  good  judgment.  When  he  bought 
his  first  forty  acres,  which  cost  him  $400,  he  only 
had  $300  with  which  to  make  a  payment  upon  it, 
and  he  made  the  trip  back  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  on 
horseback  during  the  winter  season  to  borrow  the 
other  $100  with  which  to  finish  paying  for  his  land. 

Mr.  Cochran  of  this  notice  was  married  in  Lex- 
ington Township,  June  15,  1852,  to  Miss  Margaret 


1020 


M CLEAN    COUNTY. 


J.,  daughter  of  Perry  and  Sarah  (Smalley)  Listen, 
natives  of  England  and  Ohio  respectively.  Her 
parents  died  in  Ohio,  and  Mrs.  Cochran  came  to 
McLean  County  with  the  late  David  Smalley,  her 
uncle.  She  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Ohio,  Feb. 
6,  1831,  and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  living,  namely,  Martha  J..  Bascom,  Kate,  Sam- 
uel, John  W.,  M.  Grant  and  William.  Martha  is  the 
wife  of  William  Crum,  and  they  are  living  in  Lex- 
ington Township;  Bascom  was  married  in  Dakota, 
and  is  a  resident  of  that  Territory ;  Kate  is  living 
at  home;  Samuel  is  a  farmer  in  Nebraska,  as 
likewise  is  . John  W.;  M.  Grant  and  William  are 
living  on  the  old  homestead.  Mrs.  Cochran  de- 
parted this  life  in  Lexington  Township,  May  2, 
1884.  Our  subject  has  held  the  office  of  School 
Director  for  nine  years,  and  that  of  Road  Commis- 
sioner for  six  years.  He  is  Republican  in  politics. 
Religiously  he  h&lds  fellowship  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  as  likewise  did  his  good  wife. 


v 


^ILLIAM  H.  SHEPHERD,  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Lexington  Review,  which 
was  established  by  himself  and  S.  A.  Stark 
in  April,  1883,  is  conducting  this  journal  with  abil- 
ity and  success,  so  that  it  has  become  an  indispens- 
able factor  in  the  business  interests  of  the  town. 
Our  subject  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner 
at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  and  has  since  conducted 
the  paper  alone.  It  is  a  neat  and  handsomely 
printed  folio  of  seven  columns,  has  a  good  circula- 
tion, and  is  high-toned  and  first-class  in  every  re- 
spect. In  connection  with  this  he  has  one  of  the 
best  equipped  country  job  offices  in  the  State,  and 
turns  out  annually  a  goodly  amount  of  job  print- 
ing. The  paper  is  independent  in  politics  and  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of  the  town  and  the  section 
of  country  from  which  it  receives  its  patronage. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Shepherd  began  the  publication 
of  the  Review  he  had  no  experience  as  a  writer  or 
publisher,  and  the  newspaper  business  at  Lexing- 
ton having  met  with  failures  heretofore,  was  at  a 


low  ebb  and  regarded  with  little  favor.  It  had 
been  undertaken  by  parties  who  possessed  both  ex- 
perience and  ability,  and  when  the  Review  was  es- 
tablished its  early  failure  was  predicted.  Mr.  Shep- 
herd, however,  was  possessed  of  great  energy  and 
resolution  and  determined  to  profit  by  the  mistakes 
which  had  caused  the  failures  of  his  predecessors. 
It  must  not  be  supposed  that  he  met  with  no  diffi- 
culties and  that  all  was  plain  sailing,  but  he  de- 
serves great  credit  for  the  determination  which  has 
led  him  to  success.  He  has  proven  himself  a 
writer  of  force  and  ability,  and  in  the  mechanical 
department  has  proven  himself  equal  to  most  prac- 
tical printers.  His  job  department  is  equipped 
with  all  necessary  material  and  machinery  for  the 
execution  of  plain  and  fancy  printing,  and  his 
patrons  receive  prompt  service  and  courteous 
treatment.  Socially  he  is  one  of  those  genial  and 
whole-hearted  men  who  make  friends  wherever 
they  are,  and  in  all  respects  he  occupies  an  enviable 
position  in  his  community. 

Mr.  Shepherd  was  born  in  Sardinia,  Brown  Co., 
Ohio,  April  6,  1855.  His  parents  were  David  D. 
and  Margaret  J.  Shepherd,  and  the  former  died 
when  William  H.  was  but  eight  years  of  age,  leav- 
ing the  mother  with  three  boys.  The  youthful 
days  of  our  subject  were  passed  partly  upon  the 
farm  and  partly  in  town.  Two  years  after  the 
death  of  his  father  he  went  to  live  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  McNeely,  near  Sardinia,  with  whom  he 
remained  about  three  years  and  attended  the  com- 
mon school,  and  two  years  afterward  he  lived  with 
a  relative  on  the  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1 870  his 
mother  with  her  three  boys  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Lexington,  where  our  subject  resumed 
his  school  studies  during  the  winter  seasons  and 
worked  on  a  farm  in  summer.  In  1872  he  entered 
the  law  office  of  Isaac  S.  Mahan,  where  he  was  clerk 
for  one  year,  and  was  then  employed  in  the  dry- 
goods  store  of  Dement  &  Co.  for  the  following 
year.  He  then  returned  to  Mr.  Mahan's  office  and 
began  reading  law,  and  was  afterward  taken  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Mahan  and  engaged  with  him 
in  the  real-estate,  loan  and  insurance  business. 
They  operated  together  for  two  years,  and  then 
Mr.  Shepherd  carried  on  business  for  himself  in  the 
same  line  for  three  years.  He  once  more  returned 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1021 


to  Mr.  Mahan,  with  whom   he  remained  until   he 
decided  to  establish  his  newspaper. 

Mr.  Shepherd  was  married  in  December,  1883, 
to  Miss  Edith  Mahan,  who  was  formerly  a  resident 
of  Lexington,  but  later  of  Kansas.  They  have  a 
pleasant  and  attractive  home  and  enjoy  the  society 
and  esteem  of  many  friends. 


bHOMAS  J.  GRIMSLEY,  one  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Lexington  Township,  and  yet  a  resi- 
dent of  the  same,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  the  raising  of  stock,  was  born 
in  Boone  County,  Ky.,  May  15,  1832.  His  father, 
John  B.  Grimsley,  was  born  in  Culpeper  County, 
Va.,  May  16,  1800,  and  the  paternal  grandfather 
of  our  subject  was  James  Grimsley.  The  Grimsley 
family  are  of  Irish  descent,  and  were  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Virginia.  Our  subject's  father  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  A.  Johnson,  of 
Boone  County,  Ky.  Her  father  was  Hezekiah 
Johnson,  a  native  of  Maryland,  whence  he  removed 
to  Kentucky  when  a  young  man.  The  Johnson 
family  were  of  French  extraction,  and  after  John 
B.  Grimsley  had  married  Miss  Johnson  he  settled 
in  Boone  County  Ky.,  and  engaged  in  farming. 
He  had,  however,  during  his  younger  days  been 
engaged  as  a  pilot  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
Rivers.  He  reared  a  family  of  six  children,  two 
by  his  first  wife  and  four  by  his  second  marriage. 

Thomas  J.  Grimsley  was  one  of  two  children 
born  to  his  father  by  his  first  marriage,  Elizabeth 
J.  being  the  other.  Of  the  second  marriage  three 
of  the  children  are  living,  namely,  Russell  R.,  Mary 
E.  and  William  W.,  all  of  whom  reside  in  Ken- 
tucky. Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Boone  County,  and  was  reared  to  man- 
hood on  his  father's  farm.  In  September,  1852, 
he  came  to  this  county  yet  a  single  man.  The 
journey  was  made  in  company  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  William  K.  Smith,  with  whom  he  made  his 
home  until  1856.  He  was  then  married  to  Martha 
A.  Fowler,  the  daughter  of  Washington  and  Martha 
L.  Fowler,  whose  mother  had  emigrated  from  Ken- 
tucky to  this  county  in  1854,  her  father  having 
died  in  the  latter-named  State.  After  our  sub- 


ject's  marriage  he  settled  where  he  is  at  present  liv- 
ing, on  section  26,  Lexington  Township.  At  that 
time  he  had  but  a  little  improved  land,  but  now 
has  three  forties,  one  on  section  23,  one  on  25  and 
one  on  26,  all  of  it  being  in  a  body  and  under  an 
advanced  state  of  cultivation.  After  improving 
his  farm  he  began  buying  hogs  and  cattle,  and  has 
been  more  .  or  less  connected  with  that  industry 
since  he  has  resided  here. 

Mr.  Grimsley  and  wife  had  nine  children,  six 
sons  and  three  daughters,  five  of  whom  are  living  at 
this  writing.  Charles  C.  married  Louie  Wonderlin, 
and  they  have  a  daughter,  Iva;  Mary  E.  died  when 
thirteen  months  old:  Richard  W.  married  Laura  J. 
Williams,  and  they  have  a  son,  Benona;  Nathaniel 
died  when  about  a  year  and  eight  months  eld ;  Ben- 
jamin A.  is  deceased ;  Fannie  L.  is  the  wife  of  Bazil  D. 
Starkey,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Delia ;  William  I. 
is  deceased,  and  John  B.  and  Nannie  A.  are  living  at 
home.  Mr.  Grimsley  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  having  joined  that  denomination 
some  twenty-five  years  ago.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


LBERT  OGDEN,  a  progressive  farmer  of 
McLean  County,  and  living  on  section  9, 
Money  Creek  Township,  is  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Nancy  (Vandolah)  Ogden,  the 
former  of  whom  has  a  sketch  elsewhere  in  this 
work.  Albert  Ogden  is  a  native  of  this  county  and 
was  born  in  Money  Creek  Township,  Jan.  9,  1838. 
Here  he  received  his  education  and  continued  an 
inmate  of  the  parental  home,  engaged  the  while  in 
farming,  until  his  marriage.  His  years  thus  far  in 
life  have  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  and 
he  is  at  present  the  owner  of  100  acres  of  valuable 
and  productive  land  where  he  is  living.  He  has 
first-class  improvements  on  his  place,  and  as  a  tiller 
of  the  soil  is  meeting  with  that  success  which  ener- 
getic effort  is  sure  to  bring.  A  good  view  of  his 
residence  is  gtven  in  this  work. 

Mr.  Ogden  was  married  in  Bloomington,  March 
8,  1860,  to  Miss  Sarah  C.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Elizabeth  (McNaught)  Pirtle.  Her  parents  settled 
in  Money  Creek  Township  at  an  early  day  and 
there  lived  until  their  death,  his  demise  occurring 


• 


T 


1022 


McLKAN  COUNTY. 


Dec.  12,  1865,  and  hers  Jan.  25,  1885.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Pirtle  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
.children  :  Ezra  S.,  Hariett  A.,  John  M.,  James  B., 
Sarah  C.,  Mary  E.  and  Thomas  M.  Mrs.  Ogden 
was  horn  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  July  21,  1843, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  twelve  children.  They  are  named,  Aura 
O.,  Ella  E..  Elmon  O.,  Dolly  E.,  Mary  J.,  Stella  A., 
Nora  E.,  Pearl  A.,  Coral  A.,  Verna,  Earnest  and 
Tressie  C.  Aura  is  the  wife  of  Enos  Trimmer,  and 
they  are  living  in  Money  Creek  Township;  Ella  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Manford  Trimmer,  and  they 
also  reside  in  Money  Creek  Township;  Mary  J. 
and  Verna  are  deceased.  Mr.  Ogden  has  been 
the  incumbent  of  the  office  of  Overseer  of  High- 
ways, School  Director  and  Highway  Commissioner, 
and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  Socially  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  in  religion  his 
good  wife  holds  fellowship  with  the  Christian 
Church. 


TEPHEN  B.  HOUGHTON,  a  retired  far- 
mer of  McLean  County,  is  now  a  resident 
of  Bloomington,  occupying  a  handsome 
and  commodious  dwelling  on  East  Front 
street,  No.  609.  He  is  one  of  the  representative 
men  of  this  locality  who  have  worked  their  way  up 
to  an  enviable  position  in  the  community  and 
acquired  a  competency  through  their  own  merits 
and  by  the  exercise  of  industry  and  perseverance. 
He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since 
1845,  and  has  watched  its  prosperity  with  the 
greatest  satisfaction  while  at  the  same  time  he  has 
contributed  his  share  toward  advancing  it  to  its 
present  position  among  the  commonwealths  of  the 
West. 

Mr.  Houghton  is  a  native  of  Muskingum  County, 
Ohio,  and  was  born  May  12,  1827.  His  parents 
were  Richard  and  Sarah  (Burkley)  Houghton,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  where  they  were  reared  and  mar- 
ried, and  whence  they  moved  to  Ohio  in  about 
1825.  There  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  but 
twelve  years  later  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Clark  County,  upon  a  farm  which  he 
had  purchased.  They  lived  there  until  1860,  and 
thence  removed  to  Bloomingtou,  where  they  spent 


their  declining  years,  the  father  dying  in  1875,  and 
the  mother  in  1866.  Of  their  family  of  fifteen 
children,  eleven  lived  to  become  men  and  women 
and  seven  still  survive.  These  are,  Joseph.  Stephen 
B.,  our  subject;  Samuel,  Deba  A.,  Elijah,  Emily 
and  Mahala. 

Stephen  B.  Houghton  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
when  old  enough  went  out  to  work.  He  made  his 
home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  nineteen  years 
old  and  removed  from  Clark  to  McLean  County  in 
1845.  He  was  employed  for  a  short  time  in  a  mill 
at  Bloomington,  then  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer  by 
the  month  for  six  months,  when  he  came  to  Bloom- 
ington and  was  employed  at  whatever  his  hands 
could  find  to  do.  He  was  finally  employed  by 
Judge  Davis  to  superintend  the  farm  of  the  latter 
and  was  occupied  four  years.  When  he  went  there 
the  Judge  had  one  cow  and  one  horse,  and  when 
our  subject  left  the  farm  it  was  supplied  with  large 
numbers  of  cattle  and  between  fifty  and  sixty 
mares. 

Mr.  Houghton  soon  afterward  purchased  a  farm 
in  Normal  Township.  This  consisted  of  seventy 
acres,  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years  and  then 
removed  to  Jefferson  County,  Iowa.  He  there 
purchased  160  acres,  and  after  remaining  upon  it 
eighteen  months,  returned  to  this  county  and  pur- 
chased ten  acres,  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of 
the  court-house  square  in  Bloomington.  He  after- 
ward added  sixty  acres  and  then  traded  his  latter 
purchase  for  the  Mason  farm  of  180  acres.  Siv 
years  later,  in  1 873,  he  purchased  the  Walker  farm 
consisting  of  100  acres,  and  the  following  year  two 
flats  on  South  Main  street  in  Bloomington,  upon 
which  he  built  a  dwelling.  He  purchased  his  present 
home  in  1885.  Besides  the  above  he  owns  the  old 
home  place  of  160  acres,  one  and  one-half  miles 
south  of  the  court-house. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1849  to  Miss  Vashti 
O.  Sumner,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Caleb  and 
Rachel  (Farmer)  Sumner,  natives  respectively  of 
New  York  and  Virginia.  They  were  married  in 
Indiana,  to  which  State  both  had  been  taken  by 
their  parents  when  quite  young.  Mr.  S.  after  mar- 
riage engaged  in  farming  pursuits  upon  a  tract  of 
land  which  he  had  purchased  in  Coles  County,  111., 
and  which  contained  160  acres.  He  sold  this  in 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1023 


1  849,  and  purchased  another  northeast  of  Bloom- 
ington,  which  he  occupied  two  years  and  then  re- 
moved into  the  city,  where  the  mother  died  in 
1861.  Mr.  Sumner  then  made  his  home  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Houghton,  until  his  death,  in  1882. 
Three  only  of  the  seven  children  are  now  living  — 
Alford,  Mrs.  Houghton  and  Horace.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  also  became  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  only  three  living.  James  married  Miss 
Lorinda  Gardner  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead; 
Richard  married  Miss  Katie  Harmon  and  they  have 
two  children,  Grace  and  Mabel;  Alice  L.,  now  Mrs. 
H.  P.  Hazel,  has  one  son,  Stephen  B. 

Mr.  Houghton  is  Republican  in  politics  and  with 
his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Cluirch.  He  gave  $1,100  toward  the  erection 
of  the  church  building  and  has  always  contributed 
liberally  and  cheerfully  to  the  maintenance  of  the 
society. 


eHARLES  M.  BEEBE.  Perhaps  no  county 
in  the  United  States  of  equal  size  with  Mc- 
Lean can  boast  of  so  many  enterprising  and 
wealthy  farmers.  One  of  this  number  and  who 
has  displayed  a  proportionate  degree  of  enterprise 
with  his  brother  farmers  is  C.  M.  Beebe,  who  resides 
on  section  32,  Lexington  Township.  Mr.  Beebe 
was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  near  Pleasant 
Valley,  Sept.  2,  1831.  Charles  Beebe,  Sr.,  died 
when  our  subject  was  but  four  days  old.  He  was 
born  in  New  York,  Feb.  19,  1799,  and  his  demise 
occurred  near  Pleasant  Valley,  Ohio,  Sept.  6,  1831. 
The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's  mother  was 
Eliza  McDowell.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Eber 
McDowell,  born  in  Montpelier,  Vt.,  May  11,  1801, 
and  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  Charles  Beebe.  Sr., 
after  his  marriage  settled  in  Ohio,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  followed  that  occupation  in 
Madison  County  until  his  death.  He  became  the 
father  of  two  children,  a  son,  Sylvester,  who  died 
in  infancy,  and  the  subject  of  this  notice.  The 
mother  subsequently  married  Henry  McCracken, 
and  they  removed  to  this  county  in  1852,  and  set- 
tled at  Selma,  where  her  demise  took  place  in  De- 
cember, 1859.  One  child  was  born  of  the  latter 
union,  who  died  in  infancy. 


Our  subject  on  first  coming  to  this  State  located 
in  Henderson  County  in  the  spring  of  1852,  where 
he  taught  school  one  term  and  then  returned  to 
Franklin  County,  and  then  with  teams  made  his 
way  to  this  county,  coming  with  his  mother  in  the 
fall  of  1852.  His  means  were  limited,  in  fact,  they 
were  exceedingly  so,  and  the  first  year  he  worked 
at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do. 

He  was  married  in  April,  1859,  to  Miss  Matilda 
B.  Hayes,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Hayes,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  who  removed  from  that  State  to  Ken- 
tucky with  his  parents  when  a  boy.  Henry  Hayes 
was  married  in  Kentucky  to  Sarah  B.  Smith,  sister 
of  Milton  Smith,  one  of  the  prominent  early  set- 
tlers of  this  county,  who  located  at  Selma.  Henry 
Hayes  came  to  this  county  in  company  with  Mr. 
Smith  in  1835,  and  Mrs.  Beebe  is  the  oldest  daugh- 
ter of  his  family  now  living. 

After  his  marriage  our  subject  located  in  Lex- 
ington, where  he  lived  one  winter  and  then,  dispos- 
ing of  his  interests  there  he,  in  1863,  moved  on  the 
farm  where  he  is  now  living.  This  farm  was 
known  as  the  Harrison  Sowards  Place,  and  was  one 
of  the  first  to  be  improved  in  that  part  of  the 
neighborhood.  It  is  located  on  section  32,  aud 
contains  105  acres.  Since  our  subject  has  resided 
upon  it  he  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming, 
and  not  long  since  turned  his  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing of  fine  horses  and  other  stock. 

Three  children  have  been  born  of  his  union  with 
Miss  Matilda  B.  Hayes,  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 
Luetta  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  P.  Owens,  and  they 
reside  in  Blue  Mound  Township ;  Charles  I.  is  re- 
siding in  Harper  County,  Kan.,  and  Rule  O.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Beebe  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 

11  /as   .>—;};..;;;..  .3   ^  -. 

ENJAMIN  C.  S.  OWENS,  who  is  prosper- 
ous as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Lexing- 
ton Township,  is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye 
State,  having  been  born  near  Circleville, 
Pickaway  County,  Sept.  25,  1825.  His  father, 
George  T.  Owens,  was  a  cooper  by  trade  and  died 
in  the  prime  of  life  when  his  son,  our  subject,  was 
a  child  three  years  of  age.  The  mother  of  Mr. 


t 


.  >     1024 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Owens,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Mary  Town,  was  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  parents  were  from 
Connecticut,  whence  they  removed  to  Pennsylvania 
and  afterward  to  Ohio,  settling  on  what  was  called 
the  Darba  Plains.  After  her  marriage  with  Mr. 
Owens  the  young  people  settled  in  Pickaway 
County,  where  the  mother  remained  for  some  years 
after  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  later  removed 
with  her  family  to  Clinton  County,  Ohio,  whence 
she  came  to  McLean  County.  She  had  six  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  lived  to  mature  years:  Har- 
riet became  the  wife  of  James  Fiuley;  Benjamin 
C.  S.,  our  subject,  was  the  second  child;  Archibald 
is  deceased,  and  Ruth  A.  married  William  Pendry. 
She  died  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  Archibald  Owens,  who 
followed  through  life  the  occupation  of  a  farmer 
near  Circle ville,  Ohio,  and  there  died. 

Benjamin  C.  S.  Owens  grew  to  manhood  in  Ohio 
and  obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools. 
Being  the  eldest  son  many  responsibilities  fell  upon 
him  as  the  assistant  of  his  widowed  mother  in  pro- 
viding for  her  family  and  keeping  them  together, 
and  he  remained  with  her  until  twenty-two  years 
of  age.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Pendry,  who  was  born  in  Clinton  County,  Ohio, 
Aug.  7,  1825,  her  father  being  William  Pendry,  of 
that  county.  After  marriage  the  young  people 
settled  in  Clinton  County,  where  our  subject  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  the  fall  of  1855.  He  then 
decided  to  move  further  westward,  add  coming 
into  Illinois  reached  McLean  County  on  the  1st  of 
October. 

Mr.  Owens  purchased  his  present  farm  of  George 
A.  Creamer.  It  includes  127  acres  and  is  located 
on  sections  28  and  33.  There  were  very  few  im- 
provements on  the  place  when  he  took  possession, 
but  he  industriously  set  himself  to  work  and  in  due 
time  was  rewarded  with  success.  He  now  has  a 
good  residence,  barn  and  out-buildings,  and  all  the 
appliances  of  a  first-class  agriculturist.  He  raises 
large  numbers  of  hogs  and  cattle  annually,  which 
he  feeds  and  disposses  of  on  the  farm,  having  ready 
for  shipment  at  the  close  of  each  year  one  or  two 
carloads.  In  later  years  he  has  given  much  atten- 
tion to  the  breeding  of  Norman  and  Clydesdale 
horses,  of  which  he  has  some  fine  specimens.  His 


stables  and  outhouses  are  kept  in  first-class  order 
and  everything  about  the  premises  is  indicative  of 
cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owens  became  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  five  now  living,  as  follows:  Mary  J.  is 
the  wife  of  Squire  Heller,  and  resides  in  Chester, 
Neb. ;  Susan  B.  married  Herbert  Bliss,  and  they 
live  in  Blue  Mound  Township;  Thomas  P.  and 
John  B.  are  also  in  Blue  Mound  Township;  Ida 
May  became  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Ramey,  and  they  are 
living  in  Chester,  Neb. ;  Sarah  A.  became  the  wife 
of  John  W.  Davis,  and  died  Nov.  24,  1886. 

Mr.  Owens  has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
his  township  and  served  as  Pathmaster  and  School 
Director  for  many  years.  He  prides  himself  upon 
being  an  old-fashioned  Jeffersonian  Democrat,  and 
in  all  respects  has  earned  for  himself  the  reputation 
of  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen. 

The  mother  of  Mrs.  Owens  before  her  marriage 
was  Miss  Mary  Slocum,  of  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  and 
departed  this  life  in  Logan  County,  111.,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1865.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owens  take  pride  in  the 
reflection  that  they  are  already  the  parents  of  eight 
grandchildren  who  are  as  hopeful  specimens  of 
Young  America  as  can  be  produced  in  the  State  of 
Illinois. 


J"|OHN  WALKER,  deceased.  Among  the  early 
|  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Lexington  Town- 
j  ship,  the  subject  of  this  history  was  widely 
'  and  favorably  known.  A  native  of  West- 
moreland County,  Pa.,  he  was  born  near  McCon- 
nellsville,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1804.  His  parents, 
John  and  Barbara  (Rice)  Walker,  lived  on  a  farm 
in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  and  there  their  son 
was  reared  to  manhood,  remaining  under  the  home 
roof  until  he  was  married.  The  Walker  family  was 
of  Irish  descent,  and  the  parental  household  of  our 
subject  included  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  of 
whom  John  was  the  eldest.  On  the  29th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1836,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine 
Rubey.  a  native  of  Bavaria,  born  June  11,  1817, 
and  daughter  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Martyl) 
Rubey,  who  emigrated  to  America  when  Catherine 
was  about  nine  years  of  age. 

After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  settled  on  a 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1025  , 


farm  in  Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  whence  they 
removed,  in  1852,  to  this  State,  and  located  on  a 
farm  near  the  city  limits  of  Bloomington.  From 
there,  in  1855,  they  removed  to  the  homestead 
where  Mrs.  Walker  now  lives.  It  consists  of  eighty- 
seven  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  located  on  sec- 
tion 2.  Mr.  Walker  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  and  the  establishment 
of  a  permanent  and  comfortable  home.  He  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  18th  of  February,  1886,  leav- 
ing his  wife  and  seven  children  to  mourn  the  loss 
of  a  kind  husband  and  father.  The  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living,  are  recorded  as  follows:  Mary, 
the  eldest,  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  M.  Hart,  and 
they  are  residents  of  Minier,  111.;  Nancy  married 
J.  B.  Forbes,  of  Kumler,  111.;  Thomas,  Anna,  John 
and  Katie  are  at  home  with  their  mother ;  Jessie  R. 
is  the  wife  of  R.  G.  Jones,  of  Lexington  Township ; 
John,  who  is  an  intelligent  and  industrious  young 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  manages  the 
farm,  and  is  the  chief  assistant  of  his  mother  in  the 
transaction  of  their  business.  In  politics  Mr. 
Walker  was  a  stanch  Republican.  He  was  reared  a 
Quaker,  but  the  family  now  attend  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 


N.  WILSON,  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers,  stock-raisers  and  feeders  of  Lex- 
ington Township,  is  also  one  of  the  self- 
made  men  of  this  county.  He  was  born  near 
Brookville,  county  seat  of  Franklin  County,  Ind., 
Sept.  18,  1828,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Wilson,  a 
farmer,  on  a  small  scale,  of  Indiana.  The  father 
was  born  in  South  Carolina,  and  moved  to  Indiana, 
in  1812,  with  his  parents.  Our  subject's  paternal 
grandfather,  William  Wilson,  married  Patsey 
Charles,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  and  they  reared 
a  family  of  five  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  man  and  woman- 
hood, and  were  married  and  had  families  of  their 
own.  John  Wilson  and  Mary  Jones,  daughter  of 
James  Jones,  were  united  in  marriage  in  Indiana. 
She  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  and  her  father  was 
a  native  of  that  State,  and  by  his  marriage  became 
the  head  of  a  family  of  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters.  The  children  born  to  the  parents 


of  our  subject  were  seven  in  number,  five  sons  and 
two  daughters.  They  are  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Will- 
iam Warren;  Noah  N.,  our  subject;  Oliver,  living 
near  Brookville,  Ind.;  William,  also  a  resident  of 
Indiana;  James,  who  died  in  1857;  George,  who  is 
living  in  Indiana,  and  Nancy,  deceased. 

Noah  N.  Wilson  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  his 
native  county,  where  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm 
and  attended  the  common  schools,  and  developed 
into  manhood.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Susan  P.  Coalscott,  a  na- 
tive of  Philadelphia,  and  daughter  of  Othniel  Coal- 
scott. He  was  born  in  Maryland,  and  married 
Rachel  Booth,  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  whose 
parents  moved  from  that  State  to  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

After  our  subject's  marriage  he  located  in  Indi- 
ana, whence  he  removed  in  the  spring  of  1857,  to 
Ford  County,  this  State.  Living  there  until  the 
spring  of  1864  he  came  to  this  county,  and  in 
1865  moved  on  his  present  farm  on  section  22, 
Lexington  Township.  The  place  contains  151  acres 
of  choice  land,  and  has  upon  it  a  good  residence 
and  barn,  together  with  numerous  out-buildings. 
Since  his  residence  there  he  has  been  engaged 
quite  extensively  in  the, raising  of  stock,  in  which 
department  of  his  vocation  he  has  met  with  suc- 
cess. 

Nine  children  have  been  born  to  our  subject  and 
wife,  of  whom  four  are  deceased.  The  living  are 
Henry  C.,  Ralph  C.,  Charles  C.,  Edwin  M.  and  Jen- 
nie F.  Mr.  Wilson  has  held  the  office  of  Road 
Commissioner  for  some  twelve  years.  He  has  also 
been  School  Trustee,  and  is  the  present  incumbent 
of  that  office.  Religiously  he  holds  fellowship  with 
the  United  Brethren  Church,  of  which  he  is  one  of 
the  Trustees,  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
strong  Republican. 


>ILLIAM  I.  BARNARD,  junior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Stevenson  &  Barnard,  grocers 
of  Lexington,  is,  with  his  partner,  carrying 
on  a  profitable  and  steadily  increasing  trade.  Mr. 
B.  is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  and  was  born  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  on  the  1st  of  January,  '  • 


t. 


'       1026 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1839.  His  father,  Melraan  N.  Barnard, 'removed 
from  Tennessee  to  McLean  County  in  the  winter 
of  1828,  being  classed  among  the  "snow  birds." 
He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1806,  and  died  in 
Money  Creek  Township,  on  the  23d  of  September, 
1873.  He  married  in  early  manhood  Miss  Sinia, 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  Philpot,  Esq.,  of  Virginia, 
who  subsequently  removed  from  the  Old  Dominion 
to  West  Tennessee,  and  thence  emigrated  to  Ma- 
coupin  County,  111.,  where  he  died.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1804,  and  died 
in  September,  1868,  at  the  home  of  her  husband  in 
Money  Creek  Township.  The  parental  family  in- 
cluded eleven  children,  six  sons  and  five  daughters, 
nine  of  whom  still  survive. 

.  William  I.  Barnard  was  the  third  son  and  eighth 
child  of  his  parents,  and  passed  his  boyhood  and 
youth  under  the  parental  roof  and  in  attendance  at 
the  district  schools.  He  remained  on  the  farm  un- 
til his  marriage,  on  the  14th  of  January,  18§4,  to 
Miss  Lydia  E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  McMullen,  of 
Money  Creek  Township.  He  then  settled  on  a  part 
of  the  old  homestead  of  his  father,  and  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  the  winter 
of  1886.  Renting  his  farm  that  year  he  removed 
to  Lexington,  and  became  interested  in  the  grocery  • 
business,  with  his  present  partner,  Richard  Steven- 
son. Both  gentlemen  are  well  known  in  this  local- 
ity, and  long  years  ago,  by  their  upright  manner  of 
living,  established  themselves  in  the  confidence  of 
this  community.  Besides  the  property  already 
mentioned  Mr.  Barnard  owns  a  good  farm  of  120 
acres  in  Money  Creek  Township,  on  section  21. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnard  there  were 
born  four  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Those  surviving  are  Walter  E.,  Hattie  E.  and 
Daisy  D. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Francis  Barnard, 
was  born  on  the  Island  of  Nantucket,  and  became 
a  Quartermaster  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  afterward 
went  to  North  Carolina,  whence  he  removed  to 
West  Tennessee,  and  from  there  came  North  into 
McLean  County,  in  1828,  and  died  in  about  1856. 
The  Barnards  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  an 
active  and  energetic  race  of  people,  who  made  good 
citizens  and  useful  members  of  society.  The  Phil- 
pots  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Virginia, 
«« 


but  the  origin  of  the  family  is  not  known.  The 
politics  of  William  I.  Barnard  is  that  of  a  stanch 
Republican  ;  he  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 


EONARD  A.  CRUMBAUGH,  who  is  at  the 
head  of  the  Citizens'  Bank,  of  Le  Roy,  is 
one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  McLean 
County,  and  located  here  in  the  fall  of  1830,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  intimately  identified  with 
the  industrial  and  agricultural  interests  of  this  sec- 
tion. Within  its  limits  he  received  his  early  train- 
ing and  pursued  his  studies  in  the  humble  log  cabin, 
which  served  as  a  temple  of  learning  for  the  chil- 
dren of  the  early  settlers.  He  was  born  at  Elkhart, 
Sangamon  County,  111.,  Nov.  13,  1829,  being  the 
son  of  Daniel  Crumbaugh,  who  was  a  native  of 
Frederick  County,  Md.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Solomon  Crumbaugh,  was  also  a  native  of 
Frederick  County,  Md.,  and  his  great-grandfather, 
Conrad  Crumbaugh,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who 
emigrated  to  America  with  his  family,  and  locating 
in  Maryland  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  in 
Frederick  County. 

Daniel  Crumbaugh,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
left  the  parental  roof  when  fourteen  years  of  age 
and  joined  an  elder  brother  in  Kentucky.  In  1812 
he  enlisted  in  the  army,  serving  under  Gen.  Harri- 
son, and  at  the  close  of  the  campaign  returned  to 
Kentucky  where  he  remained  a  short  time,  then 
went  north  into  Greene  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
operated  a  distillery  for  a  number  of  years.  Going 
back  to  the  Blue  Grass  regions,  he  was  married, 
and  opened  a  hotel  which  he  conducted  until  1829. 
In  the  spring  of  that  year  he  proceeded  northwest 
to  Illinois  and  rented  a  farm  near  Elkhart,  Sanga- 
mon County,  whence  he  removed  after  a  few  months 
to  that  part  of  Tazewell  now  included  in  McLean 
County,  and  made  a  claim  on  section  1  4  of  what  is 
now  Empire  Township,  but  was  then  designated  as 
township  22.  In  the  fall  of  1830  he  built  a  cabin 
of  round  logs,  into  which  he  removed  with  his  family. 
In  the  winter  following  occurred  the  deep  snow 
which  is  remembered  by  all  the  old  settlers,  and 
which  resulted  in  so  much  privation  and  distress  to 


f 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


1027 


them.  They  were  confined  in  their  cabins  for  sev- 
eral months  and  could  do  little  but  chop  wood  and 
keep  warm.  Many  of  the  domestic  animals  per- 
ished from  the  cold,  and  hunger  made  the  wild  ones 
tame,  especially  the  wolves,  who  became  altogether 
too  neighborly  to  suit  the  pioneers. 

Daniel  Crumbaugh  and  his  family  pulled  through 
safely,  however,  and  when  spring  finally  opened  he 
hired  a  team  to  turn  a  portion  of  the  sod,  and  upon 
this  planted  his  corn.  Before  the  new  crop  was 
ripened,  however,  a  frost  came  on  and  destroyed  it. 
He  had  plently  of  corn  in  Sangamon  County  but 
the  deep  snow  had  prevented  him  from  hauling  it 
home.  This  state  of  weather  had  also  prevented 
the  distant  journey  to  a  mill,  and  the  meal  for  the 
family  was  manufactured  from  corn  pounded  in  a 
mortar,  the  latter  being  made  by  digging  out  a  log. 
This  constituted  the  principal  article  of  food  dur- 
ing that  long  and  tedious  winter.  The  nearest 
markets  for  some  years  were  at  Ft.  Clark,  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Peoria.  Each  fall,  for  a  number  of 
years,  Mr.  Crumbaugh,  Sr.,  made  nine  trips  to 
Chicago,  taking  away  a  load  of  wheat  and  bringing 
back  supplies  of  provisions  and  dry-goods.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  ingenuity  and  made  all  the 
shoes  for  his  family,  shaping  his  own  lasts  and  manu- 
facturing his  own  pegs.  Through  difficulties  that 
would  appall  the  people  of  the  present  day  in  this 
region,  he  lived  to  improve  a  farm  of  450  acres 
and  to  see  the  wilderness  developed  into  smiling 
fields  and  growing  grain.  Upon  the  homestead 
•which  he  thus  established  he  passed  his  declining 
years  in  peace  and  quiet,  enjoying  the  reward  of 
his  early  toils  and  patient,  resolute  spirit.  He 
folded  his  hands  for  his  final  rest  and  left  behind 
him  a  record  of  a  useful  and  worthy  life. 

Daniel  Crumbaugh  was  twice  married,  and  by 
his  first  wife  became  the  father  of  three  children, 
of  whom  only  one  is  now  living,  William  H.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Johnson  County,  Mo.  The  second  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Martha  Robinson,  was  the  mother  of 
our  subject.  She  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and 
died  on  the  old  homestead  in  Empire  Township, 
this  county,  in  1856.  Of  this  second  marriage 
there  were  born  ten  children,  seven  now  living,  as 
follows :  Leonard  A.  was  the  eldest  born ;  James 
T.  and  Daniel  T.  were  twins;  the  former  lives  in 


Le  Roy,  this  county,  and  the  latter  is  living  in  Em- 
pire Township  on  a  farm ;  Emily,  Mrs.  Reese,  lives 
in  Missouri;  Martha,  Mrs.  Bartlett,  in  Brooks 
County,  Kan. ;  Nancy,  Mrs.  Hamilton,  in  Le  Roy, 
and  Francis  M.,  on  the  old  homestead. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  improved  his  early 
opportunity  for  study  in  the  subscription  schools, 
walking  a  distance  of  four  miles  and  return.  As 
soon  as  old  enough  his  services  were  required  upon 
the  farm  and  he  lived  with  his  parents  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  then  purchased  240  acres  of 
land  and  commenced  business  for  himself.  This 
was  located  on  section  24  of  Empire  Township. 
He  labored  for  a  few  years  incessantly,  improved 
his  land,  and  added  to  it  until  he  became  the  pos- 
sessor of  700  acres,  upon  which  he  farmed  continu- 
ously until  1882.  He  then  came  to  Le  Roy  and 
engaged  as  a  banker  until  February  following  when, 
in  company  with  his  brother,  J.  T.  Crumbaugh,  he 
opened  the  Citizens'  Bank,  and  since  that  time  has 
been  the  active  manager  of  the  business. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  was  married,  Sept.  27, 1856,  to 
Miss  Sarah  M.  Wiley,  a  native  of  Le  Roy  and  born 
Dec.  18,  1837.  Her  father,  James  Wiley,  was  a 
native  of  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  where  he  lived 
until  sixteen  years  old,  attending  school  and  re- 
ceiving a  good  education.  He  then  went  to  the 
Island  of  Jamaca  and  became  book-keeper  for  a 
large  sugar  and  rum  plantation,  which  position  he 
occupied  for  several  years  following.  The  slaves 
being  then  limited  and  business  practically  at  a 
standstill,  he  returned  to  Ireland,  whence  he  soon 
afterward  emigrated  to  America,  and  located  in 
Vermilion  County.  111.,  at  an  early  period  in  the 
history  of  that  section.  '  In  1 834  he  removed  into 
McLean  County,  stopping  at  Lytleville  for  over  a 
year.  He  then  came  to  Le  Roy  and  opened  up  a 
stock  of  merchandise,  engaging  in  trade  until  1848. 
Subsequently  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Empire  Town- 
ship which  remained  his  home  until  he  departed 
this  life  in  1 860.  His  wife  who,  before  her  marriage, 
was  Miss  Permelia  Waters,  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crumbaugh  of 
this  notice  there  were  born  five  children :  Permelia 
J.  who  died  when  two  years  of  age;  William  Frank- 
lin, who  lives  in  Empire  Township;  one  son  who 


f 


10-2.S 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


died  in  infancy  ;  Charles  and  Gertrude,  who  are  at 
home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  Crumbaugh,  relig- 
iously, is  connected  with  the  Universalist  society. 
He  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  socially  belongs  to 
Le  Roy  Lodge  No.  221,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  es- 
sentially a  self-made  man  and  has  accomplished  a 
vast  amount  of  work  and  business  during  the 
changes  of  an  active  and  busy  life.  He  has  con- 
tributed his  full  quota  toward  the  development  of 
the  industrial  interests  of  this  section  and  has  ful- 
filled all  his  obligations  as  a  good  citizen. 


ILTON  TOLBERT,  occupied  in  general 
farming  in  Downs  Township,  owns  eighty- 
five  acres  of  improved  land  on  section  4, 
where  he  is  living  in  a  manner  becoming  a 
worthy  and  useful  citizen,  and  following  the  peace- 
ful pursuit  of  agriculture  with  uniform  success. 
Mr.  Tolbert  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since 
the  time  when  a  child  three  years  of  age  he  was 
brought  here  with  his  parents.  They  first  located 
in  Randolph  Township,  where  our  subject  remained 
until  he  took  possession  of  his  present  homestead 
in  January,  1873. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  near  Thorn  - 
town,  Boone  County,  Ind.,  June  23,  1849.  His 
fattier,  William  Tolbert,  was  also  a  native  of  that 
county,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated,  and 
after  arriving  at  years  of  manhood,  was  married  to 
Miss  Caroline  McDaniel,  of  Virginia,  of  Scottish 
ancestry.  She  came  to  Indiana  with  her  parents 
when  nine  years  of  age,  and  is  yet  living  near  Hey- 
worth,  Randolph  Township.  The  father  died  in 
Randolph  Township  in  1859,  of  consumption,  and 
three  children  were  also  taken  from  earth  at  about 
the  same  time. 

Milton  Tolbert  was  one  of  the  elder  members  of 
the  family.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  and  after  attaining  to  manhood 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  A.  Cook, 
Dec.  29,  1870.  Mrs.  Tolbert  is  the  daughter  of  T. 
N.  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Ingersoll)  Cook,  natives  of 
Ohio,  who  came  to  this  county  with  their  parents 
and  located  in  Randolph  Township,  where  they 
were  married  in  December,  1846.  The  father  fol- 


lowed farming  pursuits,  and  both  parents  are  now 
living  in  Downs  Township.  Mr.  Cook  was  for- 
merly a  merchant  in  Lytleville,  111. 

Mrs.  Tolbert  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
April  20,  1851.  She  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Downs  Township,  and  by  her  union  with 
our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  six  children, 
one  of  whom  is  deceased.  Those  living  are  Lulu 
Belle,  Elizabeth  C.,  Eva  E.,  Ada  and  Ernest  M. 

After  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tolbert  located 
upon  rented  land  in  Randolph  Township.  Our 
subject  purchased  his  present  homestead  in  1873. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  are  active  and  useful  members  of 
society,  prominent  in  religious  and  social  matters, 
and  politically  Mr.  T.  uniformty  casts  his  vote  in 
support  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 


ON.  JOHN  EDDY.  The  hardy  growths  of 
nature  are  those  that  battle  the  storms. 
The  fiercer  the  conflict  the  more  robust  be- 
comes the  trunk,  and  the  deeper  down  the 
roots  descend.  Man  is  but  a  part  of  nature.  The 
successful  man  is  not  he  who  dreams,  but  he  who 
does,  and  when  we  see  a  man  who  has  hewn  his 
way  through  difficulties  and  enduring  the  storms  of 
life  in  childhood  and  youth,  he  is  the  strong 
growth;  the  man  of  mark.  Such  has  been  the  ex- 
perience of  Hon.  John  Eddy,  Representative  from 
McLean  County  to  the  Illinois  Legislature.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  Bloomington  since  1871,  and 
has  built  up  for  himself  a  reputation  as  one  of  its 
most  valuable  citizens. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  New 
York  City,  on  the  28th  of  August,  1852,  and  is  the 
son  of  David  and  Ellen  (Ten  Eyck)  Eddy,  natives 
respectively  of  Massachusetts  and  Greene  County, 
N.  Y.  His  father  was  the  owner  of  a  barge  on  the 
North  River,  but  resided  with  his  family  in  New 
York  City,  and  died  there  in  1855.  The  mother 
survived  until  1861.  Their  family  consisted  of 
three  children,  two  now  living — Edgar,  a  resident 
of  Oregon,  and  who  served  in  the  Union  army,  and 
our  subject. 

John  Eddy  remained  in  the  home  of  his  parents 
until  the  death  of  his  mother,  which  occurred  when 


MCLEAN  COUNTS. 


1029    ' 


t 


he  was  a  lad  of  only  nine  years  old.  Then,  an  or- 
phan without  means  or  friends  who  could  materi- 
ally assist  him,  he  was  thrown  upon  the  cold  world 
to  battle  for  himself.  He  was  industriously  in- 
clined, however,  and  was  willing  to  be  employed  at 
whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do.  For  three 
years  he  was  employed  as  office  and  errand  boy 
and  was  then  engaged  to  collect  freight  bills.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen  he  became  check  baggage  clerk 
on  the  side-wheel  passenger  steamer  "  Wyoming," 
which  position  he  occupied  for  three  years.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  obtained  a  fair  education  by  at- 
tending night  schools,  and  improving  other  oppor- 
tunities for  reading  and  study. 

In  the  spring  of  1868,  John  Eddy  went  to  De- 
troit, Mich.,  where  he  engaged  as  brakeman  on  a 
freight  train  of  the  Detroit  and  Milwaukee  Railroad 
for  two  years,  and  afterward  going  to  Chicago, 
served  in  the  same  capacity  on  the  C.  &  A.,  until 
1876.  At  this  time  he  was  accidentally  shot  through 
the  left  arm,  necessitating  amputation  above  the 
elbow.  After  recovering  from  this  terrible  afflic- 
tion, he  was  given  a  position  at  the  Union  depot  of 
the  same  road  as  flagman,  which  he  retained  four 
years. 

Mr.  Eddy  engaged  in  the  cigar  trade  at  the  Ash- 
ley House  in  1880,  and  has  continued  to  hold  his 
interest  in  that  business  until  the  present  time.  His 
manly  and  straightforward  course  obtained  him  the 
confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  he  was  elected 
Alderman  of  the  Second  Ward  for  two  years.  In 
1 885  he  was  appointed  Post  Trader  of  the  Indian 
Territory  for  the  Sac  and  Fox  Agency,  and  in  the 
same  year  was  a  candidate  for  Mayor  of  Bloom- 
ington  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  In  1886  he  was 
elected  Representative  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  State,  and  in  the  duties  of  this  position  has 
given  general  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 

Aside  from  the  duties  of  his  office,  Mr.  Eddy  is 
engaged  as  a  general  speculator.  He  takes  an  act- 
ive interest  in  everything  relating  to  the  public 
welfare,  being  the  supporter  and  encourager  of 
every  measure  tending  to  its  intellectual  and  moral 
advancement.  Socially  he  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  with  which  he  has  been 
connected  since  1877. 

The   marriage  of  John    Eddy  and    Miss  Nellie 


Long  was  celebrated  at  Bloomington  in  1879. 
Mrs.  E.  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Nora  Long, 
natives  of  Ireland,  and  was  born  in  1860.  They 
occupy  a  handsome  residence  at  No.  501  West 
Washington  street,  and  number  among  their  friends 
and  associates  the  cultivated  people  of  the  city. 


J~~l  OHN  ALLISON,  one  of  the  honored  pioneers 
I  of  McLean  County,  arrived  here  in  1-848, 
and  soon  afterward  took  possession  of  the 
'  land  in  Dale  Township,  on  section  15,  which 
he  has  since  transformed  into  a  comfortable  home- 
stead. He  traces  his  descent  from  a  long  line  of 
excellent  Scottish  ancestry,  both  his  grandfathers 
being  of  pure  Scotch  blood,  and  noted  for  their 
sterling  qualities  of  head  and  heart.  The  first  rep- 
resentatives of  the  family  in  this  country  probably 
settled  in  Pennsylvania,  of  which  State  our  subject 
is  a  native,  born  in  the  town  and  county  of  Bed- 
ford, on  the  5th  of  October,  1829.  He  is  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Jonathan  and  Hannah  Allison,  and  re- 
moved with  his  parents  from  his  native  State  to 
Ohio  when  a  boy  ten  years  of  age.  His  father's 
family  then  consisted  of  the  parents  and  five  chil- 
dren, and  the  journey  was  made  overland  with 
three  horses  and  one  wagon.  They  took  their  house- 
hold goods  and  provisions  with  them,  camping  out 
at  night  and  cooking  by  the  wayside.  They  locat- 
ed in  Miami  County,  where  the  father  rented  a 
tract  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  there  our 
subject  attended  the  common  schools  and  assisted 
his  parents  in  the  lighter  labors  around  the  home- 
stead. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Allison  remained  in  Ohio  un- 
til 1848,  and  then  again  started  overland  for  the 
farther  West.  John,  of  our  sketch,  was  then  in  his 
nineteenth  year.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county,  and  remained  with  them  until  he  was 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he  settled  on  the 
place  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Jonathan  Allison,  was 
born  in  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  in  November,  1800, 
and  was  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Bowen)  Alli- 
son, who  became  residents  of  Bedford  County  dur- 
ing the  pioneer  days.  Jonathan  Allison  spent  his 


t. 


1030 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  county,  and  was 
there  married  to  Miss  Hannah  Stiger,  who  was  of 
German  descent,  and  the  daughter  of  William  Sti- 
ger. After  leaving  Ohio  and  coming  into  this 
county,  in  1848,  they  located  first  on  the  north  side 
of  Twin  Grove,  whence,  the  following  year  they  re- 
moved into  Dale  Township,  settling  on  the  east 
half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  15.  There 
in  due  time  they  erected  a  frame  house  and  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  home,  which  they  occupied 
until  called  to  mansions  in  another  world.  The 
father  passed  away  on  the  4th  of  November,  1853; 
the  mother  survived  him  twelve  years,  her  death 
occurring  Sept.  6,  18(55.  They  are  remembered  by 
those  who  knew  them  as  people  of  most  exemplary 
character,  both  being  members  of  the  Friends' 
Church,  and  carrying  out  in  their  daily  lives  the 
simple  and  worthy  practices  peculiar  to  the  Quaker 
sect. 

John  Allison  plowed  the  first  furrow  of  his  pres- 
ent farm  of  132  acres  in  April,  1851,  and  after  the 
lapse  of  years  in  which  he  has  labored  industriously 
he  is  rewarded  with  the  possession  of  a  good  home- 
stead, with  fertile  fields  and  pasture  lands,  and, 
standing  upon  the  most  desirable  location,  a  set  of 
farm  buildings  which  are  a  credit  to  their  owner. 

The  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  January,  1865,  was  formerly  Miss  Christina 
Kent,  a  history  of  whose  parents  will  be  found  in 
the  sketch  of  William  B.  Kent,  published  elsewhere 
in  this  volume.  Mrs.  Allison  is  the  daughter  of 
Nathaniel  and  Annie  (Hawk)  Kent,  and  was  born 
in  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  Feb.  1,  1842.  Our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  have  but  one  child,  a  daughter, 
Eva  Caroline,  born  Oct.  5,  1865.  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  state  that  this  daughter,  now  an  inter- 
esting young  lady  of  over  twenty  years  of  age,  is 
the  light  of  the  household,  and  is  receiving  all  the 
benefits  which  good  society  and  a  superior  educa- 
tion can  bestow.  The  father,  mother  and  daughter 
are  members  and  regular  attendants  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  of  Dale  Township.  Mr.  A.,  formerly 
:i  Whig,  of  late  years  has  given  his  vote  and  influ- 
ence in  support  of  the  Democratic  party. 

As  an  important  factor,  socially  and  financially, 
of  Dale  Township,  and  one  who  has  contributed 
materially  to  its  excellent  reputation  as  a  farming 


section,  it  is  but  proper  that  the  partial  result  of 
Mr.  Allison's  labors  should  be  illustrated  by  the 
artist's  pencil,  and  we  herewith  present  a  view  of 
the  residence  and  its  surroundings,  which  admira- 
bly assists  in  embellishing  the  history  of  McLean 
County,  and  delineates  perhaps  in  the  most  effect- 
ive manner  the  character  of  one  of  its  most  worthy 
citizens. 

->o-A — (L-^^fc^.-iL    A  -pv_ 
'^  Y 7    ^<x^  7     ?  ^^ 

LIADA  DICKINSON,  of  Le  Roy,  is  one  of 
those  men  we  find  so  thickly  scattered  over 
the  county,  and  who  are  from  the  best 
element  of  her  society,  and  were  reared  under 
the  beneficent  influences  of  the  schools,  religious  in- 
stitutions and  the  culture  and  refinement  of  the  so- 
ciety of  the  older  settled  States.  Such  men  were 
well  equipped  to  go  forth  and  open  up  a  new  em- 
pire. They  could  lay  its  foundations,  broad,  deep 
and  solid,  so  that  the  colossal  edifice  of  a  great  com- 
monwealth might  be  reared  upon  it  without  haz- 
ard to  the  highest  pinacle  to  which  government  or 
human  society  reaches.  To  these  people  Illinois 
largely  owes  her  greatness,  and  to  this  class  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  belongs.  • 

Mr.  Dickinson  has  been  for  many  years  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  of 
this  section  and  is  now  living  in  retirement  at  his 
comfortable  home  in  the  village.  He  is  an  extensive 
reader  and  possesses  a  valuable  fund  of  general  in- 
formation. He  is  public-spirited  and  liberal,  tak- 
ing a  broad  view  of  life  and  tolerant  in  both  his  re- 
ligious and  political  opinions.  In  religion  he  has 
endevored  to  adhere  strictly  to  the  Golden  Rule, 
and  in  politics  has,  of  late  years,  affiliated  with  the 
Republican  part}7,  although  he  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Andrew  Jackson  and  in  early  years  upheld  the 
principles  of  Democracy. 

Mr.  Dickinson  was  born  in  Marlborough,  Hart- 
ford Co.,  Conn.,  Sept.  1,  1810.  His  father,  Jesse 
Dickinson,  was  a  native  of  the  same  town,  and  it  is 
believed  that  his  grandfather,  Nathan  Dickinson, 
was  also  born  there.  The  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  and  spent 
the  last  days  of  his  life  in  Marlborough,  and  this 
also  comprises  in  brief  the  history  of  his  son  Nathan. 


_    ^. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1033 


Jesse,  the  son  of  Nathan,  and  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  also  reared  to  farming  pursuits  and  in- 
herited the  homestead  of  his  father,  spending  his 
entire  life  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born.  His  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Annie  Welch,  was  born  in  East 
Hampton,  Conn.,  and  became  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  nine  of  whom  grew  to  mature  years. 

Eliada  Dickinson  was  the  fifth  child  of  the  par- 
ental union  and  received  careful  home  training, 
while  at  the  same  time  he  pursued  his  earty  studies 
in  the  public  schools.  He  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  then 
going  into  a  foundry,  learned  to  be  a  ruolder, 
which  trade  he  followed  until  1836.  He  then  went 
via  the  Connecticut  River  and  Long  Island  Sound 
to  New  York ;  thence  by  canal  to  the  mountains  of 
Pennsylvania,  proceeding  from  there  by  rail,  canal 
and  river  to  Naples,  in  Scott  County,  111. 

After  a  short  stay  at  the  last  mentioned  place  he 
proceeded  to  Pike  County,  and  by  entry  and  pur- 
chase secured  possession  of  400  acres  of  land  in 
Flint  Township.  Upon  this  he  erected  a  log  cabin 
after  the  primitive  style,  and  in  process  of  time 
had  improved  about  300  acres  of  the  land.  He  lived 
here  until  1857,  with  his  family,  then  sold  out  and 
purchased  a  foundry  at  Perry,  in  the  same  county, 
which  he  sold  the  following  year.  In  the  fall  of 
1858  he  purchased  a  stock  of  goods  and  engaged 
extensively  in  general  merchandise,  dealing  in 
about  every  article  then  in  use  in  the  country. 
Three  years  later  he  sold  this  also,  and  having  pur- 
chased 200  acres  of  land  in  Sangamon  County,  re- 
moved to  it.  It  was  unimproved  and  lay  about  one 
'  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Mechanicsburg. 
With  characteristic  industry  he  set  about  the  im- 
provement of  this  also,  and  in  1865  sold  it  at  a 
good  price  and  came  into  McLean  County.  Here 
he  had  previously  secured  280  acres  in  West  Town- 
ship to  which  he  added  140  acres,  and  occupied  this 
until  the  return  of  his  son  from  the  army,  when  he 
deeded  to  him  280  acres,  and  devoted  his  time  to 
the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  the  latter  pur- 
chase. In  1876  he  came  to  Le  Roy,  and  two  years 
later  purchased  twenty  acres,  ten  of  which  are  in  the 
corporate  limits.  Upon  this  are  a  good  set  of  frame 
buildings,  with  all  the  appliances  of  a  comfortable 
homestead,  nicely  fitted  up  and  furnished. 


The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Lois  B.  Fancher  on  the  24th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1833.  Mrs.  D.  was  born  in  Bristol,  Conn., 
Sept.  9,  1812,  and  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of 
her  husband  in  Sangamon  County,  Nov.  10,  1869. 
They  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  Sarah  A.  became  the  wife  of  Isaac  P.  Cook, 
now  deceased,  and  is  keeping  house  for  her 
father;  David  Monroe  lives  in  Bloomington;  Mary 
Thalia  married  James  C.  Williams,  and  lives  in 
Blanchard,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Dickinson  was  a  member 
in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  a  lady 
highly  respected.  Our  subject  has  held  the  various 
offices  of  his  township  in  Sangamon  and  McLean 
Counties  and  served  five  years  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Dickinson  is  shown  on 
another  page. 


LEAZER  MUNSELL,  a  highly  esteemed  ag- 
riculturist of  Dry  Grove  Township,  and 
whose  portrait  we  give  in  this  volume,  has 
been  a  resident  of  McLean  County  since  1837. 
He  was  then  a  lad  of  thirteen  years  and  came  with 
his  parents.  They  located  on  the  tract  of  land 
which  constitutes  a  part  of  his  present  homestead, 
his  father  at  the  time  making  a  purchase  of  400 
acres.  Here  both  parents  remained  the  balance  of 
their  lives,  the  mother  passing  to  the  better  land  in 
1850,  and  the  father  four  years  later,  being  fifty- 
nine  and  sixty-nine  years  old  respectively.  Both 
were  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  father  of  our  subject,  in  politics, 
was  an  uncompromising  Democrat. 

Eleazer  Munsell  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
Ohio,  July  28,  1824.  His  parents,  Roswell  and 
Sarah  (Austin)  Munsell,  were  natives  of  Vermont, 
where  they  were  married.  They  emigrated  to 
Ohio  about  1814,  and  located  in  Seneca  County,  of 
which  they  remained  residents  until  the  fall  of 
1830.  They  then  removed  to  La  Porte  County, 
Ind.,  whence,  after  a  residence  of  seven  years,  they 
came  to  McLean  as  above  stated.  Their  family  of 
three  children  included  Roswell.  who  married  Miss 
Mary  A.  Perry ;  Sybil,  who  married  Jesse  T.  Spit  • 
zer,  who  died  in  April,  1869;  she  died  in  1885; 

•» 


i 


'  •  1034 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


and  Eleazer.  The  parents  of  Eleazer  Munscll  had 
both  previously  been  married,  and  both  had  chil- 
dren by  their  former  partners. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation. He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  when  he  formed  a  mat- 
rimonial alliance  with  Miss  Zerelda  Perry,  the  wed- 
ding occurring  on  the  24th  of  October,  1850.  Mrs. 
Munsell  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky..  Jan. 
15,  1827,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Char- 
ity (Pugh)  Perry.  Mr.  Perry  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts;  the  mother  of  Kentucky,  of  Ger- 
man descent.  John  Perry  was  born  in  1792,  and 
the  parents  were  married  about  1818.  He  was  a 
shoemaker  by  trade,  and  served  his  apprenticeship 
in  Philadelphia.  After  their  marriage  they  located 
in  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  and  in  1836  came  to 
McLean  County,  111.,  and  engaged  in  farming  pur- 
suits, and  the  father  died  in  1865,  in  Dry  Grove 
Township.  The  mother  was  born  about  1801  in 
Kentucky,  and  survived  her  husband  about  six 
years.  Jn  religious  belief  he  was  a  Presbyterian, 
and  Mrs.  Perry  a  devoted  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  Their  family  of  seven  children  in- 
cluded the  following:  Nathaniel,  who  married 
Polly  M.  McCullough;  Mary  A.,  who  married  Ros- 
well  Munsell ;  John,  who  married  Miss  Susan  Hiatt, 
who  died  about  1872,  and  his  second  wife  was 
formerly  Mrs.  Sarah  (Noble)  Bethel;  Zerelda  was 
next  in  order  of  birth;  Susan  became  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Myers;  Louisa  first  married  Stephen  Mc- 
Quarter  who  died  .two  years  afterward,  and.  her 
second  husband  is  Edward  Wilson,  of  Dale  Town- 
ship; Samuel  married  Miss  Rebecca  Hiatt,  who 
died  in  September,  1886. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Munsell  are  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  as  follows:  Milon,  born  June  20,  1852, 
married  Miss  Emma  Strimple;  Stephen  A.  was 
born  Dec.  22,  1856,  married  Augusta  Staubus;  Ze- 
rilda,  born  March  6,  1858,  married  Andrew  Short- 
hose,  and  they  live  in  Dry  Grove  Township;  John 
R.,  born  Aug.  29,  I860,  and  lives  in  Sedalia,  Mo.; 
Josephine  H.,  Sept.  6,  1862;  Minnie  W.,  Sept.  13, 
1864;  Austin  E.,  June  15,  1867;  the  three  latter 
are  at  home. 

Mr.  Munsell  came  to  Illinois  in  1837,  with  his 


parents,  and  is  a  fine  representative  of  a  widely 
known  family  containing  many  prominent  citizens. 
He  has  held  the  various  offices  of  his  township  for 
several  years,  having  been  Assessor,  Road  Commis- 
sioner and  School  Trustee.  In  politics  he  is  a  con- 
scientious Democrat,  in  support  of  which  party  he 
uniformly  casts  his  vote.  His  stock  operations 
embrace  transactions  in  Norman  and  Clydesdale 
horses,  and  he  has  had  an  experience  in  the  busi- 
ness of  over  thirty-two  years,  having  commenced 
in  1854.  The  home  farm  comprises  about  400 
acres,  while  his  total  acreage  runs  up  to  600. 

Mr.  Munsell  has  been  a  devoted  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  a  period  of  over  thirty  years, 
and  has  officiated  as  Deacon  for  the  last  twenty- 
two  years. 


J~~l  OHN  T.  BROKAW,  who  is  the  owner  of  a 
snug  farm  in  Belleflower  Township,  is  a  na- 
I  tive  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  RaritanjjTown- 
'  ship,  Hunterton  County,  Jan.  4,  1836.  He 
is,  the  son  of  Abraham  Brokaw,  a  native  of  the 
same  State.  The  latter  learned  the  trade  of  a  tan- 
ner and  weaver  in  his  younger  days,  and  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  in  his  native  State.  He  in- 
herited a  tract  of  land  from  his  father  in  Raritan 
Township,  upon  which  he  established  a  tannery  and 
carried  on  the  business  there  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1876.  Abraham  Brokaw  was  married, 
early  in  life,  to  Miss  Rachel  Stivelle,  also  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  and  who  died  about  1845.  The 
parental  household  included  six  children,  four  of 
whom  lived  to  mature  years. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  third  child  of 
his  parents,  and  was  reared  under  the  home  roof, 
receiving  a  partial  education  in  the  subscription 
schools,  and  completed  the  same  in  the  free  schools 
after  their  establishment.  When  not  in  school  he 
assisted  his  father  in  the  tannery  and  on  the  farm, 
remaining  at  home  until  1861.  Then  desiring  to 
see  something  of  the  great  West,  he  came  to  the 
Prairie  State  and  located  in  this  county,  where  he 
worked  as  a  farm  laborer  for  two  years,  then 
rented  land  and  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count. He  was  industrious  and  economical,  and  in 


1= 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i  n;;;, 


1873  purchased  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and 
occupies,  consisting  of  367  acres.  There  was  upon 
it  at  the  time  a  log  house  and  stable.  These  have 
been  replaced  by  a  fine  set  of  frame  buildings, 
which  are  pleasantly  located  upon  a  rise  of  ground, 
and  invariably  attract  the  attention  of  the  passing 
traveler  as  being  the  home  of  a  modern  and  thrifty 
farmer,  who  takes  pride  in  his  estate  and  its  be- 
longings. The  land  is  tile  drained  and  principally 
devoted  to  grain  and  stock-raising. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Ada  L. 
Easterbrook  took  place  on  the  27th  of  March,  1873, 
in  Belleflower  Township.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph 
M.  and  Hannah  (Middletowu)  Easterbrook  (see 
sketch).  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  two 
children,  daughters  —  Adelaide,  and  Beatrice,  de- 
ceased. Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  in 
good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
at  Saybrook.  Mr.  Brokaw  was  formerly  a  Demo- 
crat, but  of  late  years  has  cast  his  vote  in  support 
of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 


\  OBERT  SEABORN,  an  influential  business 
man  and  farmer  of  West  Township,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  and  was  born  Oct.  15,  1828. 
)  His  father,  Robert  Seaborn,  born  Oct.  11, 
1804,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  grew  to  manhood 
in  his  native  county  and  was  there  married  to  Caro- 
line Beckford,  a  native  of  the  same  State.  They 
soon  afterward  removed  to  Ohio,  where  they  only 
remained  until  1834,  then  started  for  Illinois,  via 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers.  They  took  with 
them  their  three  children,  but  before  their  journey 
was  completed,  met  with  a  sad  calamity,  the  boat 
being  burned  and  the  youngest  child,  eighteen 
months  old,  perishing  with  it.  They  lost  all  their 
household  goods  and  clothing  at  the  same  time. 
Procuring  passage  on  another  boat,  they  proceeded 
to  their  destination,  first  locating  in  Maples,  where 
Mr.  Sanborn  worked  at  his  trade  of  blacksmithing. 
After  a  few  years  they  removed  to  Griggsville, 
Pike  County,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  he 
had  secured  enough  money  to  buy  a  small  tract  of 
land  near  Griggsville,  paying  $1.25  per  acre  for  it. 


There  he  erected  a  log  house  and  devoted  his  atten- 
tion to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture.  There  he  lost 
his  homestead  and  furniture  by  fire.  When  arriv- 
ing in  Illinois  he  had  nothing  but  the  clothes  upon 
his  back,  and  when  he  died  his  property  was  esti- 
mated at  $100,000.  He  was  essentially  a  self-made 
and  self-educated  man  and  by  his  own  efforts  ac- 
quired a  remarkably  good  insight  into  the  best 
methods  of  doing  business.  Seven  of  the  children 
of  this  family  lived  to  become  men  and  women. 

Robert  Seaborn  was  but  six  years  old  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents.  As  soon  as  large 
enough  he  began  to  assist  in  the  labors  around  the 
homestead.  The  nearest  mill  where  his  father  first 
settled  was  at  Exeter,  twenty  miles  away,  and  the 
nearest  market  at  Jacksonville,  twenty-eight  miles 
distant.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  un- 
til 1849,  and  was  then  attacked  with  the  gold  fever, 
which  was  taking  so  many  men,  young  and  old, 
across  the  plains  to  the  Pacific  Slope.  He  started, 
in  company  with  twenty-seven  others,  their  ontfit 
consisting  of  thirty-five  pairs  of  oxen  and  seven 
wagons.  In  this  manner  they  made  the  entire 
journey  to  California.  They  arrived  at  Oregon  in 
October,  after  a  journey  of  six  months  and  twenty 
days.  Mr.  Seaborn  remained  there  nearly  one  year, 
variously  employed.  He  afterward  went  to  San 
Francisco,  and  thence  to  the  Sacramento  River, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  mines  until  the  fall  of 
1856,  then  longing  for  a  sight  of  "the  old  folk  at 
home"  he  set  his  face  toward  the  East,  coming  by 
way  of  the  Isthmus,  Cuba  and  New  Orleans.  He 
landed  in  Griggsville,  this  State,  in  January,  and 
in  the  spring  resumed  farming  pursuits  on  prairie 
soil,  having  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  by  himself 
and  keeping  bachelor's  hall  until  his  marriage.  After 
this  important  event  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land 
in  Pike  County,  this  State,  upon  which  he  resided 
with  his  family  until  1874.  In  that  year  he  sold 
out,  and  coming  to  West  Township,  purchased  the 
place  which  he  now  occupies.  This  farm  is  finely 
improved  and  furnished  with  a  good  set  of  frame 
buildings,  pleasantly  located  and  kept  in  the  best  of 
repair. 

The  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was  married 
Nov.  27,  1851,  was  formerly  Miss  Nancy  Duff,  a 
native  of  Franklin  County,  111.,  and  who  was  born 


1036 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


May  22,  1 833.  Her  father,  Asahal  Duff,  and  her 
grandfather,  Phillip  Duff,  were  natives  of  South 
Carolina.  The  latter  was  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers of  Southern  Illinois,  having  emigrated  from 
South  Carolina  before  there  was  even  a  wagon  road, 
the  journey  being  made  on  pack-horses,  and  before 
Illinois  was  organized  as  a  Territory.  He  took  up 
a  tract  of  Government  land  in  Franklin  County, 
improved  a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable 
home,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
The  father  of  Mrs.  S.  was  a  small  boy  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Franklin  County  and  was  married  to  Miss 
Abagail  Miligan  in  what  is  now  Williamson  County, 
111.,  in  1810.  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Miligan,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  there  contracted  a  disease  from  which 
he  never  recovered.  He  also  settled  in  Southern 
Illinois  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  that  sec- 
tion. The  grandparents  of  Mrs.  S.,  both  maternal 
and  paternal,  spent  the  last  years  of  their  lives  in 
Southern  Illinois.  Her  parents  removed  to  Pike 
County  in  1834,  and  were  the  tenth  family  to  set- 
tle in  that  locality.  Their  nearest  neighbor  was  six 
miles  distant.  Her  father  spent  the  last  years  of 
his  life  in  that  county,  dying  in  1861.  He  was  a 
natural  mechanic  and  could  manufacture  a  wagon, 
spinning-wheel  or  wash-tub,  and  with  equal  facility 
repair  a  gun.  For  the  first  few  years  he  was  kept 
busy  in  this  line,  people  coming  from  long  dis- 
tances in  order  to  have  him  do  their  work.  His  wife 
survived  him  for  more  than  twenty  years,  her 
death  taking  place  in  1884. 

Mr.  f.nd  Mrs.  Seaborn  have  three  children :  Celia 
was  first  married  in  Pike  County,  111.,  to  John  Phil- 
lips, Oct.  8,  1871 ;  by  this  union  there  was  born  a 
daughter,  Carrie  A.,  who  was  given  to  her  grand- 
mother, Mrs.  Seaborn,  when  but  three  months  old. 
She  then  became  the  wife  of  Newton  Barnhart,  and 
she  and  her  brother  William  live  in  West  Town- 
ship. Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Frank  Jennings,  lives  in  Da- 
kota. Mrs.  S.  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  since  thirteen  years  old.  Both 
our  subject  and  his  wife  are  held  in  the  highest  re- 
spect by  all  who  know  them,  possessing  those  ami- 
able and  excellent  traits  of  character  which  make 
them  valuable  members  of  the  community.  Their 


attractive  home  is  the  resort  of  the  cultured  peo- 
ple of  West  Township  and  its  hospitable  doors  are 
always  open  to  their  hosts  of  friends,  while  the  dis- 
tressed are  never  turned  empty-handed  away. 


JOHN  M.  ARTIS,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Danvers  Township,  is  pleasantly  located  on 
section  24  and  has  been  a  resident  of  the 
Prairie  State  since  1859.  He  first  opened 
his  eyes  to  the  light  in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  on  the 
12th  of  September,  1840,  his  parents  being  Robert 
and  Fannie  (McDonald)  Artis,  natives  respectively 
of  Delaware  and-  Kentucky.  The  former  was 
brought  to  Kentucky  when  only  three  years  of  age. 
Robert  Artis  was  orphaned  when  a  child  of  ten- 
der years  and  never  had  much  recollection  of 
his  parents.  He  was  reared  in  Kentucky  by  Mr. 
George  Cramler  and  was  there  married.  In  the 
fall  of  1859  he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in 
Bloomington  Township,  whence,  after  three  years 
he  removed  to  Danvers  Township  and  established 
a  comfortable  home,  where  he  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  The  affectionate  wife  and 
mother  departed  this  life  in  1864,  having  been  a 
consistent  member  of  the  .Christian  Church  since 
1840,  and  the  father  of  our  subject  died  ten  years 
later,  in  1874.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  in 
all  respects  a  valued  member  of  the  community.  Of 
the  children  included  in  the  parental  family  one 
died  in  infancy,  and  later,  Marid,  Elizabeth  and 
Emily  also  passed  to  the  Silent  Land.  Those  now 
living  are :  Robert,  Parker,  William,  Harriet,  Nancy, 
John  M.  and  Henry. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  a  common- 
school  education  and  after  arriving  at  years  of  man- 
hood was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nancy  A. 
Barnard,  on  the  3d  of  November,  1864.  Mrs.  A. 
was  the  daughter  of  James  O.  and  Lydia  (Swallow) 
Barnard,  and  was  born  Jan.  1,  1841,  in  a  little  vil- 
lage then  known  as  Wilkesboro,  in  Danvers  Town- 
ship. The  Barnards  were  of  English  stock,  and  the 
tradition  runs  that  Francis  Barnard,  the  great-great- 


'4 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1039        k' 


grandfather  of  Mrs.  A.,  was  carried  away  in  a  vision 
while  at  sea  on  a  whaling  voyage.  The  wife  of  our 
subject  has  an  old  printed  copy  of  said  vision, 
which  speaks  of  the  wars  that  should  come  on 
the  nations  of  the  New  World,  and  of  the  overthrow 
of  the  nations  who  took  arms  against  it,  which  proph- 
esy has  thus  far  been  fulfilled  to  the  letter.  James  O., 
the  father  of  Mrs.  Artis,  was  born  in  1800,  and  when 
a  lad  of  twelve  years  old  became  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  with  which  he  was  connected  for 
many  years,  but  subsequently  became  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  with  which  he  continued  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  this  township  on  the 
1 7th  of  October,  1 873.  The  mother  was  born  in  Ohio, 
Sept.  15,  1820,  of  English  parentage.  She  was 
married  to  James  O.  Barnard,  Sept.  14,  1837,  and 
died  in  this  township  April  20,  1847.  They  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  both  daughters,  Jane 
E.,  who  married  Mr.  F.  M.  Hall,  of  Danvers,  and 
Nancy  A.,  now  Mrs.  Artis  of  our  sketch.  For  fur- 
ther mention  of  Mr.  Barnard  see  his  sketch  given 
in  this  volume. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  become  the  par- 
ents of  seven  children,  of  whom  one,  Robert  P.,  is 
deceased ;  John  W.  was  born  Dec.  19,  1865,  and 
received  a  good  education,  completing  his  studies 
at  Eureka  College;  Nancy  A.  was  born  Feb.  13, 
1868;Irvin  M.,  July  30,  1870;  Robert  P.  was  born 
Aug.  5,  1873,  and  died  when  two  weeks  old;  Har- 
vey C.,  June  21,  1876;  William  B.,  Aug.  30,  1878, 
and  Nettie,  April  24, 1881. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  comprises  238 
acres  of  flue  farming  land,  and  in  1883  he  erected 
a  handsome  and  substantial  dwelling  at  a  cost  of 
$2,500.  It  is  two  stories  in  height,  56x36  feet  in 
area,  handsomely  finished  and  furnished,  and  forms 
an  attractive  ornament  to  the  surrounding  land- 
scape. A  view  of  his  comfortable  and  elegant 
home  is  given  in  this  volume.  He  has  a  good  barn 
and  all  necessary  out-buildings,  and  is  carrying  on 
his  agricultural  operations  in  a  skillful  and  success- 
ful manner.  Mr.  Artis,  politically,  is  a  reliable 
Democrat,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  since  1863.  Mrs.  A.  united  with  this  church 
in  1852.  The  family  is  highly  esteemed  in  the 
community,  and  our  subject  in  all  respects  is  a  good 
citizen  and  valued  member  of  society. 


LFRED  FAGERBURG,  for  years  master 
mechanic  of  the  boiler  department  in  the 
construction  of  locomotives  at  Moberly, 
Mo.,  and  Bloomington,  is  now  a  prominent 
farmer  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  and  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  11.  He  is  a  Scandinavian  by 
birth  and  parentage,  and  first  opened  his  eyes  to 
the  light  in  the  eastern  part  of  Sweden  on  the  6th 
of  January,  1 836.  His  father,  George  Fagerburg, 
died  in  his  native  country.  The  maiden  name  of 
the  mother  was  Eve  Skogbreg.  She  is  living  in 
Sweden  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  xabout  seventy-five 
years. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1854,  when  a  youth  of  eighteen  years,  the 
voyage  consuming  seven  weeks.  He  had  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  carriage-making  and  black- 
smithing  in  his  native  country,  but  after  coming  to 
America  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  steam 
boilers,  and  after  a  brief  experience  was  considered 
one  of  the  most  expert  workmen  of  the  craft. 

After  a  short  time  spent  in  the  young  city  of 
Chicago,  Mr.  Fagerburg  went  to  Galesburg,  111., 
and  for  three  and  one-half  years  was  employed  in 
the  shops  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.  From  there 
he  went  to  Aurora,  and  lived  in  that  city  four  and 
one-half  years,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington, 
which  remained  his  home  for  the  following  eight 
years.  He  then  crossed  the  Mississippi  to  Moberly, 
Mo.,  where  he  was  given  charge  of  the  boiler  de- 
partment of  a  large  manufactory  which  he  super- 
intended for  a  period  of  six  years,  in  the  mean- 
time receiving  many  proofs  of  the  high  estimation 
in  which  his  skill  as  a  workman  and  his  character 
as  a  man,  were  held.  In  1878  he  was  recalled  to 
Bloomington  where  he  again  took  charge  of  the 
same  department  he  had  been  at  the  head  of  when 
here  before.  Two  and  one-half  years  later,  how- 
ever, he  resolved  to  change  his  occupation  and  resi- 
dence, and  leaving  the  dusty  shops  for  the  green 
pastures  and  yellow  fields  of  grain  of  the  country, 
took  up  his  abode  on  his  present  farm  in  Dry  Grove 
Township.  His  rural  property  consists  of  1 60  acres 
of  finely  improved  land,  upon  which  he  in  1885, 
erected  a  handsome  dwelling  at  a  cost  of  $2,100. 
In  1886  his  barn  was  destroyed  by  lightning,  but 
he  at  once  set  about  the  erection  of  another,  which 


t 


• 


1040 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


he  completed  at  a  cost  of  $1,600,  and  which  in 
point  of  convenience  and  shapeliness  is  scarcely 
equaled  in  this  county.  The  homestead  in  all  its 
appointments  denotes  the  thrift  and  intelligence  of 
its  owner,  and  presents  one  of  the  prettiest  pictures 
in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County,  and  it  is  with 
pleasure  that  we  include  it  in  the  pictorial  depart- 
ment of  this  work,  as  representing  one  of  the  many 
splendid  farm  residences  in  the  county. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  life  of 
Mr.  Fagerburg,  and  which  doubtless  had  much  in- 
fluence in  shaping  his  course  in  life,  was  his  mar- 
riage, which  occurred  soon  after  reaching  his  ma- 
jority. The  lady  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Catharine 
Johnson,  and  their  wedding  took  place  on  the  21st 
of  April,  1857,  in  Rockford,  111.  The  wife  of  our 
subject  is  a  native  of  his  own  country,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  the  same  year  he  did  and  lo- 
cated with  her  parents  in  Canada.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Parson)  Johnson,  na- 
tives of  Sweden.  The  father  died  there  in  1841 ; 
the  mother  died  on  the  ocean  while  coming  to 
America,  in  1854. 

To  the  household  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fagerburg  in 
due  time  there  came  a  family  of  bright  children, 
only  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  William  died 
at  Galesburg  at  the  age  of  seven  months;  the  sec- 
ond child  died  unnamed ;  Albert  P.  married  Miss 
Cora  Kemp;  Frank  B.  received  a  collegiate  educa- 
tion, and  is  Assistant  Paymaster  of  the  C.  &  A.  R. 
R.  Co. ;  Edward  is  also  finely  educated ;  George  A.  is 
a  bright  and  interesting  youth  of  sixteen  years, 
well  advanced  in  his  studies.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fager- 
burg are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in 
politics  our  subject  is  one  of  the  most  reliable 
members  of  the  Republican  party. 


EDWARD  SCHELL,  of  Bloomington,  is  fore- 
man  of  the  C.   &   A.  R.  R.  Round-House 
and  Engine  Dispatcher,  under  William  Wil- 
son, Superintendent   of   machinery.     He    has    the 
requisite  knowledge  of  the  duties  of  his  position, 
which  he  is  filling  with  credit  to  himself  and  sat- 
isfnction  to  all  concerned.     Mr.  Schell  is  a   native 
<>f  Tippeeanoe  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  in  1840. 


His  parents  were  James  and  Rebecca  (Dye)  Schell, 
natives  of  Ohio,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. The  latter  left  Ohio  and  came  to  Indiana  at 
an  early  day,  where  he  cultivated  the  soil  and  es- 
tablished a  comfortable  home,  and  where  he  spent 
his  declining  years,  dying  in  January,  1850.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  after  his 
death  his  sons  received  a  1  GO-acre  land  warrant  as 
a  pension.  The  mother  departed  this  life  in  Indi- 
ana, Dec.  23,  1868.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded eight  children,  of  whom  only  two  are  liv- 
ing— Sarah,  Mrs.  Wainscott,  of  Crawfordsville, 
Ind.,  and  our  subject.  Sarah  was  first  married  to 
James  Sparks,  of  Lafayette,  Ind.,  and  became  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Olive  E.  Mr.  Sparks  enlisted 
as  a  Union  soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  was  killed  in 
i  battle.  Mrs.  S.  afterward  married  -James  Wain- 
scott, and  has  one  child,  a  son,  Edward. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  eleven  years 
old  when  his  father  died.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
until  1856,  and  then  served  three  years  at  the 
blacksmith's  trade  at  Lafayette,  Ind.  In  the  fall  of 
1859  he  engaged  as  a  brakeman  on  the  F.  W.  & 
Western  R.  R.  until  1860,  and  then  accepted  a  po- 
sition as  fireman  until  August,  1862.  The  late 
war  being  then  in  progress  he  enlisted  in  the  llth 
Indiana  Battery  and  served  until  July  2,  1865.  He 
was  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Ghickamauga,  Look- 
out Mountain  and  Mission  Ridge,  together  with 
many  skirmishes,  until  they  arrived  at  the  Chatta- 
hoochee  River,  where  ensued  a  heavy  engagement 
with  the  enemy  across  the  river.  Afterward  the 
regiment  moved  on  to  Atlanta,  fighting  for  thirty- 
one  days,  the  next  regular  engagement  being  at 
Jonesboro.  Then  they  marched  back  to  Atlanta 
and  Nashville,  where  they  were  transferred  to  the 
18th  Battery  of  Indiana,  and  starting  once  more 
through  the  Southeast,  wintered  at  Waterloo,  Ala. 
In  the  spring,  with  Gen.  Wilson  in  command,  they 
marched  to  Selma  and  thence  to  Maytown,  Ga., 
where  they  captured  a  rebel  hospital,  disarmed  the 
soldiers,  and  remained  there  until  May,  1865,  near 
the  close  of  the  war.  Our  subject  was  soon  after- 
ward mustered  out,  and  returning  to  Lafayette, 
Ind.,  again  engaged  in  railroading,  as  fireman 
on  the  same  road.  The  following  year  he  com- 
menced running  extras  until  1867,  and  then  took 


^^P 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1041    '    , 


the  position  of  engineer,  being  thus  employed  un- 
til 1872.  He  then  engaged  with  the  Lake  Shore 
&  Michigan  Southern,  with  which  he  remained  un- 
til February,  1873,  and  then  went  on  the  Wabash 
Railroad  as  engineer  till  August,  1  880.  Then  engag- 
ing with  the  C.  <fe  A.  Company  he  continued  as  engin- 
eer until  1881,  when  he  accepted  his  present  posi- 
tion. He  has  the  supervision  of  about  200  men. 
Mr.  Schell  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Laura 
Trenary,  of  Lafayette,  Ind.,  who  was  born  in  Indi- 
ana and  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca 
Trenary,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  are  now  engaged  in 
farming  near  Lafayette,  Ind.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  three  children  —  Edgar  F.,  Mamie  R.  and 
John  C.  They  occupy  a  pleasant  home  on  Mul- 
berry street,  and  enjoy  the  friendship  and  associa- 
tion of  the  cultured  people  of  the  community.  Mr. 
S.  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  socially  belongs  to 
the  Brotherhood  of  Engineers,  the  I.  6.  O.  F.,  and 
K.  of  P. 


' 


B.  FUNK,  a  member  of  the  family  which 
is  so  widely  and  favorably  known  in  the 
Prairie  State,  and  a  resident  of  Blooming- 
ton,  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove,  this  coun- 
ty, on  the  4th  of  March,  1841.  He  is  the  son  of 
Hon.  Isaac  and  Cassandra  (Sharpe)  Funk,  natives 
respectivelj'  of  Kentucky  and  Maryland,  and  was 
one  of  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to  his  excel- 
lent and  worthy  parents. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eighth  child, 
and  while  at  home,  in  company  with  his  brothers, 
herded  his  father's  cattle  on  the  broad  prairies.  He 
would  start  out  in  the  morning,  taking  his  lunch  in 
a  basket,  and  returned  home  at  night  with  the  cat- 
tle, who  frequently  roamed  a  distance  of  from  five 
to  ten  miles  in  their  grazing.  Our  subject  being 
among  the  younger  members  of  the  family,  only 
once  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  an  overland  trip  to 
Chicago,  assisting  to  drive  his  father's  hogs  to 
market,  as  a  few  years  later  the  building  of  the 
railroads  did  away  with  the  necessity  of  going  on 
foot  and  horseback.  A.  B.  remained  on  the  farm 
until  1868,  having  received  a  practical  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  two  years'  instruction 
at  Wesleyan  College.  After  the  outbreak  of  the 


war  he  enlisted  in  1864,  in  Co.  K,  145th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  with  his  regiment  was  detailed  for  duty 
in  Southwestern  Missouri,  guarding  the  railroad 
for  five  months,  and  then  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
received  his  honorable  discharge. 

After  he  had  attained  his  majority,  Mr.  Funk  re- 
ceived as  his  portion  of  his  father's  estate  2,280 
acres  of  land,  to  which  he  has  since  added  300 
acres.  He  has  also  a  cattle  ranch  in  Montana, 
which  is  stocked  with  an  average  of  from  500  to 
2,000  head  of  cattle.  Upon  his  home  farm  are  • 
four  tenement  houses,  occupied  by  men  who  look 
after  his  stock,  which  here  consists  of  400  head 
of  cattle  and  forty  horses,  the  latter  being  Clydes- 
dale and  Norman,  which  he  sells  when  four  years 
old. 

Mr.  Funk  removed  to  Bloomington  in  1868,  and 
has  proved  a  valued  addition  to  its  business  inter- 
ests. He  is  a  stockholder  and  Director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Gas 
Company.  He  contributes  cheerfully  and  liberally 
to  every  worthy  enterprise,  and  in  all  respects  is 
the  worthy  son  of  his  honored  sire,  whose  name 
will  be  handed  down  to  future  generations  as  a 
man  whose  example  was  worthy  of  their  imitation. 

The  beautiful  family  residence  of  our  subject, 
which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $25,000,  is  located 
on  East  Grove  street,  and  commands  a  fine  view  of 
the  surrounding  country.  It  is  in  every  respect, 
with  its  appurtenances,  an  ornament  to  the  city 
and  a  credit  to  its  builder  and  projector.  The 
grounds  are  beautifully  laid  out  with  winding 
walks  and  shrubbery,  and  in  all  respects  give  evi- 
dence of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  and  Miss  Sophronia 
Vandevender  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the 
bride's  parents  in  Bloomington,  in  1870.  Mrs. 
Funk  is  a  native  of  Bloomington,  and  the  only 
daughter  of  James  and  Emeliue  (Smith)  Vande- 
vender, who  were  natives  of  Ohio,  whence  they 
came  to  McLean  County,  in  1846.  They  first  set- 
tled in  Le  Roy,  where  Mr.  V.  engaged  extensively 
in  the  buying  and  selling  of  stock.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  have  two  children,  a  son  and  daugh- 
ter, Lyle  and  Emeline. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Funk,  after  their  marriage,  made 
a  trip  to  Europe,  visiting  France,  Switzerland, 


Hi 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Italy,  Austria,  Germany,  Belgium,  England,  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  spending  about  one  year  abroad. 
Mr.  Funk  uniformly  fasts  his  vote  with  the  Re- 
publican party,  and  is  a  member  in  good  standing 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  His 
business  office  is  at  No.  '210  North  Center  street, 
where  he  overlooks  the  details  of  his  transactions. 
He  is  in  all  respects  one  of  the  solid  men  of  the 
county,  and  an  important  factor  in  its  business  and 
agricultural  interests. 


ATHANIEL  BECKHAM,  who  owns  a  com- 
fortable farm  homestead  on  section  21, 
West  Township,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
born  in  Warren  County,  May  11,  1836.  His  father, 
Nathaniel  Beckham,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
State,  and  his  grandfather,  John  Beckham,  of  Vir- 
ginia, was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  Blue 
Grass  regions.  He  removed  from  Virginia  to  Ken- 
tuck}'  before  even  the  day  of  wagon  roads,  the 
journey  through  the  trackless  wilderness  being  made 
with  pack  horses.  John  Beckham  was  a  skillful 
surveyor  and  civil  engineer  and  followed  his  pro- 
fession successfully  for  a  number  of  years.  After 
becoming  a  resident  of  Kentucky,  he  obtained  pos- 
session of  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Warren  County, 
where  he  cleared  a  farm  and  remained  until  his  death. 
Nathaniel  Beckham,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  reared  on  the  farm  in  Warren  County,  Ky., 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Low,  a 
native  of  that  county,  and  daughter  of  William 
Low.  one  of  its  earliest  pioneers.  After  marriage 
Mr.  Beckham  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land 
twelve  miles  east  of  Bowling  Green,  where  he  es- 
tablished a  permanent  home  and  passed  the  remain- 
der of  his  days,  his  death  occurring  while  he  was 
still  in  the  prime  of  life,  Aug.  31,  1844.  His  aged 
wife  still  survives  and  lives  with  her  daughter  in 
Warren  County,  Ky.,  being  now  eighty-four  years 
old.  The  record  of  her  eight  children  is  as  fol- 
lows: Anderson  lives  in  Warren  County,  Ky.  ; 
Isaac  W.  is  also  a  resident  of  that  county;  Eliza- 
beth and  Sarah  A.  are  deceased  ;  Susan  J.,  Mrs. 
(inrdener;  Nathaniel  is  our  subject;  Julia  E.,  Mrs. 
Dodd,  and  John  W.,  live  in  Warren  County,  Ky. 


The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  sixth  child  and 
third  won  of  the  parental  family.  He  was  reared 
liy  his  parents  on  the  farm  and  pursued  his  early 
studies  in  the  old  log  school-house.  When  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  started  out  for  himself,  first 
turning  his  face  toward  the  great  West.  He  spent 
one  season  in  Illinois,  then  returned  to  the  vicinity 
of  his  old  home  and  worked  out  by  the  month  for 
three  years'  following.  Then  wishing  to  see  some- 
thing more  of  the  world,  he  started  South,  trav- 
ersing the  States  of  Tennessee,  Alabama,  Misssis- 
sippi,  Louisiana,  Texas,  the  Indian  Territory,  Ar- 
kansas and  Missouri,  whence  he  recrossed  the 
Father  of  Waters  and  landed  in  this  county  on  the 
23d  of  April,  1861.  He  worked  as  a  farm  laborer 
for  two  years,  then  rented  a  tract  of  laud  upon 
which  he  operated  until  1870.  Subsequently  he  set- 
tled on  the  farm  which  he  now  occupies  and  which 
his  wife  inherited  from  her  father.  It  is  a  fine 
tract  of  land,  comprising  320  acres,  all  enclosed  and 
with  good  improvements. 

Mr.  Beckham  was  married  on  the  5th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1868,  to  Miss  Rachel,  daughter  of  James  and 
Margaret  Bishop,  of  whom  mention  is  made  in  the 
sketch  of  J.  Q.  Bishop,  published  elsewhere  in  this 
volume.  The  ten  children  born  of  this  union  are  as 
follows;  Charles  H.,  Margaret  E.,  Susan  A.,  Anna 
M.,  Eliza  J.,  James  B.,  Edward  W.,  Sarah  A.  and 
Mary  A.  (twins)  and  Francis  Keys.  Mr.  Beckham 
is  Democratic  in  politics  and  is  in  all  respects  en- 
titled to  be  classed  as  an  honest  man  and  a  good 
citizen. 


AMUEL  PERRY  is  a  representative  of  a 
class  of  men  who  are  to-day  active  in  carry- 
ing on  the  business  of  the  county,  who  were 
brought  here  by  sturdy  pioneer  parents, 
and  who  were  reared,  educated  and  entered  upon 
life's  labors  here.  He  is  now  a  prominent  and 
highly  respected  farmer  of  Danvers  Township,  oc- 
cupying a  comfortable  homestead  on  section  25. 

Mr.  Perry  was  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky., 
April  24,  1 834,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Charity 
(Pew)  Perry,  natives  also  of  the  Blue  Grass  State, 
who  were  reared  there,  and  married  July  25,  1815. 


t. 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1045 


John  Perry  was  of  Welsh  descent;  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa'.,  Feb.  22,  1790,  and  remained  in 
his  native  State  until  1836.  His  wife,  Charity  Pew, 
was  horn  March  10,  1800,  in  North  Carolina.  The 
former  came  to  Illinois  in  1836,  and  locating  in 
Dry  Grove  Township,  this  county,  soon  afterward 
purchased  107  acres  in  Danvers  Township,  where 
he  improved  a  farm  and  established  a  comfortable 
home,  which  he  occupied  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
In  early  manhood  he  had  learned  the  shoemaker's 
trade,  in  Philadelphia,  which  he  followed  for  a 
time  in  Kentucky,  and  also  after  coming  to  this 
State  in  connection  with  his  farming.  He  received 
but  a  limited  education,  and  was  of  a  quiet  and  re- 
tiring disposition.  He  departed  this  life  Aug.  18, 
1865,  and  the  mother,  March  24,  1873;  the  latter 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  at  Twin 
Grove.  In  politics  the  father  of  our  subject  was  a 
conscientious  Democrat.  The  parental  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Nathaniel; 
Mary  A.:  William  W.,  who  died  in  Kentucky 
while  young;  John;  Zerelda,  who  married  Mr.  E. 
Munsell;  Jane,  who  was  born  July  11,  1816,  and 
died  that  same  year;  Susan,  who  was  born  April 
18,  1830,  married  Joseph  Myers,  and  lives  in 
Mackinaw,  Tazewell  County;  Louisa,  who  first  be- 
came Mrs.  Stephen  McQuartz,  is  now  Mrs.  Wilson, 
and  Samuel,  our  subject. 

Mr.  Perry,  of  this  sketch,  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  attained  to  years  of  manhood, 
and  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Hiatt  Nov.  26, 
1863.  Mrs.  Perry  was  born  Sept.  15,  1837,  in 
Stout's  Grove,  this  county,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
Jesse  and  Sarah  Hiatt.  Her  parents  were  natives 
of  Ohio,  and  married  there  on  the  25th  of  March, 
1829;  they  were  of  Quaker  parentage.  A  few 
years  after  their  marriage  they  came  to  Illinois,  be- 
ing among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  State.  They 
became  the  parents  of  four  children,  as  follows: 
Rachel  married  Mr.  William  Veatch ;  Susanna  mar- 
ried John  Perry;  Matilda  married  William  Stewart, 
and  Rebecca  married  our  subject,  Samuel  Perry. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perry  became  the  parents  of  two 
children — Roscoe,  born  Nov.  21, 1864,  died  Sept,  21, 
1865,  and  Ella,  born  Jan.  6,  1866,  died  September 
12  of  the  same  year.  The  wife  of  our  subject  de- 
parted this  life  Sept.  23,  1886,  at  the  age  of  forty - 


nine  years,  and  after  an  illness  of  about  five 
months.  Although  not  a  member  of  any  church 
Mrs.  Perry  was  a  lady  endowed  witli  the  highest 
Christian  graces,  being  kind-hearted,  charitable,  and 
possessed  of  all  womanly  virtues.  She  was  fairly 
educated, and  proved  the  true  helpmeetand  sympa- 
thizer of  her  husband.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Perry  is 
shown  in  this  work. 


OHN  B.  FRINK.  The  Frinks  are  of  New 
England  extraction  and  are  descended  from 
that  element  of  our  Republic  who  exerted 
in  so  signal  a  manner  their  wisdom  and  en- 
ergy in  planting  the  seeds  of  freedom,  piety  and 
learning,  the  fruits  of  which  are  so  richly  enjoyed 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  John  B.  Frink, 
of  whom  we  now  write,  is  one  of  the  large  land- 
owners of  Old  Town  Township,  and  also  one  of  its 
successful  and  prosperous  farmers,  and  resides  on 
section  3.  His  father,  John  Frink,  was  a  native  of 
Connecticut,  and  his  mother,  Rebecca  (Sisson) 
Frink,  was  born  in  Rhode  Island.  Subsequent  to 
their  marriage  they  settled  in  Massachusetts,  whence 
they  removed  to  Luzerne  County,  Pa,,  and  in  1807 
moved  to  Western  New  York,  locating  in  what 
was  known  as  the  Holland  Purchase,  and  there 
lived  until  their  death.  The  demise  of  the  latter 
occurred  Nov.  5,  1837,  and  of  the  former  Dec.  28, 
1839.  Of  their  family  of  ten  children,  five  sons 
and  five  daughters,  all  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
man  and  womanhood. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  the  eldest  son  and 
fourth  child  in  order  of  birth  of  the  family.  He 
was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  April  24,  1802, 
and  was  five  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed 
to  the  Holland  Purchase.  There  he  passed  his  boy- 
hood days,  received  his  education,  worked  on  a 
farm,  and  continued  to  live  until  1869.  In  March 
of  that  year  he  came  to  this  county  and  purchased 
a  half  section  of  land  in  Old  Town  Township,  the 
same  being  one-half  of  section  3.  On  this  he  set- 
tled and  has  since  lived,  engaged  exclusively  in 
farming.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  700  acres  of 
valuable  and  productive  land  and  devotes  his  time 
to  its  cultivation  and  to  the  raising  of  stock. 


-4* 


t. 


104fi 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


Mr.  Frink  was  married  in  China,  Delaware  Co., 
N.  V.,  May  1,  1828,  to  Harriett  Frank,  daughter 
of  Simeon  and  Khoda  Frank,  natives  of  New  En- 
gland. Her  parents  settled  in  Delaware  County, 
N.  Y.,  after  marriage,  whence  like  Mr.  Frink's  par- 
ents they  removed  to  the  Holland  Purchase  in 
1809.  They  died  in  Arcade,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.  Y. 
They  had  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  Mrs.  Frink  was  the  eldest  daughter 
and  fifth  child  in  order  of  birth.  She  was  born 
in  Sidney,  Delaware  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  14,  1804, 
and  her  union  with  our  subject  has  been  blest  by 
the  birth  of  seven  children — Emirett  S.,  Corydon 
J.,  Sheridan,  Harriette  L,  Harrison,  Isadore  and 
Wells  C.  Emirett  S.  is  the  wife  of  Sherman  G. 
Lewis,  and  they  reside  in  Nevada  County,  Cal. 
They  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children — 
Harriett  M.,  Minnie,  Clara,  William  F.  and  Albert 
F.  Corydon  J.  Frink  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Par- 
ker, lives  in  Old  Town  Township,  and  has  become 
the  father  of  seven  children — Susan,  Allen,  George 
P.,  Arthur,  May,  Albert  H.  and  Clarence.  Sheri- 
dan Frink  departed  this  life  in  Bloom  ington  when 
in  his  twenty-first  year.  Harriette  I.  married  I.  W. 
Harris,  and  died  in  California.  Harrison  was  unit- 
ed in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  M.  Corey,  is  a  res- 
ident of  Old  Town  Township,  and  they  have  five 
children — Cora  M.,  Sheridan  J.,  Charles  H.,  Irene 
L.  and  Kittie  S.  Isadore  Frink  and  E.  II.  Bur- 
bank  became  man  and  wife,  live  in  Blue  Mound 
Township,,  and  have  one  child — Hattie.  Wells 
Frink  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Calkins;  they  live  in 
Dakota,  and  are  the  parents  of  five  children — Lewis, 
Emma,  Corydon,  Richard  and  Katie. 

Mrs.  Frink,  wife  of  our  subject,  departed  this 
life  in  Old  Town  Township,  April  24,  1886,  having 
attained  to  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
She  was  a  most  estimable  and  highly  esteemed  old 
lady. 

While  living  in  York  State,  Mr.  Frink  held  some 
of  the  minor  offices  of  his  county.  He  is  liberal 
in  his  religious  views,  and  in  politics  is  a  stancn 
Republican.  All  his  family  are  earnest  workers 
for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  and 
the  past  record  of  the  life  of  our  subject  sparkles 
with  deeds  of  kindness,  and  has  been  such  as  to 
make  him  many  friends  and  gain  for  him  the  re- 


spect  of  all  those   with   whom  his  active,  busy  life 
brought  him  in  contact. 

Among  the  large  number  of  portraits  of  the 
leading  men  of  McLean  County  given  in  this  vol- 
ume, none  will  be  more  welcomed  than  that  of  Mr. 
Frink. 


ANSON  T.  FORREST  is  one  of  the  goodly 
land-owners,  successful  and  progressive  farm- 
ers of  West  Township,  and  one  of  the  well- 
known  and  respected  citizens  of  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  Frederick  County,  Md.,  Dec.  24, 
1834.  His  father,  Solomon  Forrest,  was  also  a  na- 
tive of  Maryland,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
spent  his  entire  life  in  the  State  of  his  nativity,  dy- 
ing about  1867.  The  maiden  name  of  our  subject's 
mother  was  Elizabeth  Wolf.  She  was  born  in  Mary- 
land, and  was  the  daughter  of  David  Wolf,  likewise 
a  native  of  that  State,  and  departed  this  life  in 
Frederick  County,  Md.,  about  1857.  They  had  ten 
children,  and  our  subject  was  the  ninth  child  and 
sixth  son  in  order  of  birth. 

Hanson  T.  Forrest  was  reared  oiv  his  father's 
farm,  and  took  advantage  of  such  opportunities 
as  were  afforded  to  acquire  an  education.  Living 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old,  he 
then  went  to  Ohio  and  locating  in  Miami  County, 
worked  out  by  the  month  on  a  farm,  receiving  for 
his  services  $16  per  month  and  board.  His  em- 
ployer. however,  soon  increased  his  wages  to  $20 
per  month,  and  furnished  him  a  log  cabin  to  live  in 
and  he  boarded  himself.  He  continued  to  labor  on 
the  farm  by  the  month  for  three  years  after  his 
marriage,  when  with  his  savings  he  bought  a  team 
of  horses,  rented  some  land  and  worked  it,  and  for 
eight  years  was  engaged  in  farming  in  this  manner. 
By  this  time  our  subject  had  saved  about  $2,000, 
and  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  the  land  he  had  been 
working,  for  $5,000,  paying  $2,000  down  and  giv- 
ing a  mortgage  for  the  remaining  $3,000.  He  went 
to  work  with  a  will  and  a  determination  to  pay  off 
the  mortgage,  and  by  the  closest  economy  and  hard 
labor  succeeded  in  doing  so. 

In  1879  our  subject  rented  his  farm  and  came  to 
this  county,  and  settled  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  12,  West  Township.  This  land  at  that  time 


•4* 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1047 


belonged  to  his  father-in-law,  but  a  year  later  he 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  it,  and  his  father-in-law 
gave  our  subject  and  his  wife  another  eighty.  He 
now  owns  420  acres  in  West  Township,  all  enclosed 
and  improved.  Mr.  Forrest  was  married  to  Nancy 
Snook,  Dec.  15,  1859.  She  was  born  in  Miami 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  daughter  of  George  W. 
and  Mary  (Fuller)  Snook.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Frederick  County,  Md.,  and  being  orphaned  by  the 
death  of  his  father  when  quite  young,  he,  when 
thirteen  years  old,  removed  to  Ohio  with  his  uncle, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood,  married,  and 
whence  he  came  to  this  State,  and  after  a  residence 
of  one  year  in  Logan  County,  came  to  this  countv 
and  purchased  640  acres  of  laud  in  West  Town- 
ship. He  is  at  present  living  in  Minnesota,  and 
is  the  owner  of  upward  of  4,000  acres  of  land 
in  that  State.  He  started  out  in  life  a  poor  boy, 
and  his  good  judgment  and  energy  have  brought 
him  a  handsome  competency. 

Our  subject  and  wife  have  nine  children — George 
W.,  John  B.,  Celestia  A.,  Irving  G.,  Emra  F.,  Mary 
L.,  Alvah  G.,  Pearlie  A.  and  Elsa  B.  In  politics 
Mr.  Forrest  is  a  Republican.  He  is  quite  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  raising  of  stock  on  his  farm, 
and  turns  his  attention  to  the  Short-horn  breed  of 
cattle  and  the  Norman  breed  of  horses,  and  he  has 
some  as  fine  specimens  of  these  two  breeds  as  are  to 
be  found  anywhere  within  the  boundary  lines  of  the 
county. 


1 


'Jl  SAAC  S.  MAHAN,  deceased,  was  an  attorney 
at  law,  living  at  Lexington,  and  a  resident  of 
McLean  County  since  1 846,  and  during  a  period 
of  over  forty  years  was  prominently  identified  with 
the  interests  of  this  section.  He  was  well  read  in 
his  profession  and  in  his  law  transactions  uniformly 
met  with  success.  Mr.  Mahan  was  born  in  Ohio, 
near  the  line  between  Brown  and  Highland  Coun- 
ties, on  the  2d  of  January,  1832.  His  father,  John 
B.  Mahan,  was  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  member  of 
the  Chillicothe  Presbytery.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
force  of  character,  bitterly  opposed  to  slavery 
during  the  days  of  its  existence,  and  was-  President 
of  the  first  State  Abolition  Society,  and  also  State 


Lecturer  upon  this  subject  for  many  years.  He 
departed  this  life  in  Brown  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  1 6, 
1844,  having  all  his  life  cast  the  weight  of  his  in- 
fluence upon  the  side  of  justice  and  equality.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Miss  Mary 
Curtis,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Curtis. 

The  Mahan  family  were  of  Irish  extraction  but 
the  mother  of  our  subject  descended  from  German 
ancestry.  The  parental  household  included  ten 
children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  six  of  whom 
yet  survive. 

Isaac  S.  Mahan  came  with  his  parents  to  McLean 
County  and  they  first  settled  in  Lexington  where 
the  mother  died  in  August,  1879.  Our  subject 
completed  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Lexington 
and  then  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  at  which  he 
worked  for  three  years  and  then  began  the  study  of 
law  with  Judge  Tipton.  On  account  of  defective 
eyesight  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  his  chosen  pro- 
fession and  then  engaged  in  business  for  three 
years.  He  was  then  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
which  office  he  held  continuously,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  three  years,  since  1857,  being  elected  each 
term  successively.  He  thus  held  the  office  twenty- 
nine  years,  a  longer  period  than  any  citizen  of  Me-  . 
Lean  County  now  living.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  practice  of  law  in  July,  18G7,  and  devoted  his 
time  and  attention  to  his  practice,  in  connection 
with  insurance  and  conveyancing,  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Mahan  was  married  on  the  25th  of  January, 
1857,  to  Miss  Frances  8.  Luce,  the  sister  of  Dr. 
Luce  of  Bloomington.  This  lady  died  on  the  9th 
of  October,  1869.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  no 
children. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1870,  Mr.  Mahan  was 
married  the  second  time,  to  Mrs.  Maggie  J.  Shep- 
hard.  She  was  the  mother  of  William  H.  Shephard 
of  the  Lexington  Review,  and  sister  of  William  H. 
Kennedy,  manager  of  the  Lexington  Band.  She 
died  Sept.  20,  1883,  leaving  a  son  and  daughter — 
Isaac  S.  and  Neba  L. 

The  third  wife  of  our  subject  was  Miss  Anna  C. 
Poore,  of  Lexington,  to  whom  he  was  married  on 
the  28th  of  December,  1885.  Mrs.  Anna  C.  Mahan 
is  the  daughter  of  Prof.  D.  J.  Poore  who,  for  many 
years,  was  Principal  of  the  Lexington  schools.  She 
was  a  teacher  for  sixteen  years,  and  now  occupies  a  ^ 


' 


-  ,  1048 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


*-Hh 

-." 


pleasant  and  attractive  home  in  Lexington  where 
she  enjoys  the  association  of  the  cultured  people  of 
the  community.  Mr.  Mahan  was  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  for  seven  years  and  socially  belonged 
to  McLean  Lodge,  No.  206,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which 
he  became  a  member  in  1863.  He  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  Lexington  Encampment.  He  and  his  family 
were  regular  attendants  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 


V.  BENJAMIN  W.  BAKER,  Presiding  El- 
der in  the  Streeter  district  of  the  Central 
Illinois  Conference,  was  born  in  Coles 
J  County,  111.,  Nov.  25,  1841.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a  Baptist  clergyman  and  settled  in 
Coles  County  with  his  family  in  1837.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  our  subject.  Rev.  John  Adams, 
was  a  Methodist  Episcopal  clergyman,  and  also 
settled  in  Coles  County  with  his  family  in  1837. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  John  B.  Baker,  was 
born  in  Burlington,  Vt..  and  was  a  farmer  and 
f  school  teacher,  when  death  ended  his  career  at  the 
early  age  of  twenty-five  years.  Our  subject's 
mother,  Sarah  E.  (Adams)  Baker,  was  born  in 
Licking  County,  Ohio,  and  by  her  marriage  with 
John  Baker  became  the  mother  of  four  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  one  at  the  age  of 
ten  years.  One  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  123d  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Perry ville,  Ky. 

From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  Elder  Baker 
is  the  only  one  of  his  parents'  children  now  living. 
He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  the  family  of  his 
grandfather,  Rev.  John  Adams,  who  resided  on  a 
farm  in  a  timbered  country  and  our  subject  conse- 
quently grew  up  accustomed  to  hard  labor.  In  those 
days  there  were  no  public  schools,  but  our  subject's 
mother  wove  cloth  for  money  to  pay  his  tuition  in 
a  select  subscription  school  for  from  thirty  to  sixty 
days  annually.  The  teachers  were  not  the  best, 
but  young  Baker  was  a  faithful  student  and  thus 
mastered  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  com- 
mon branches  of  study. 

In  1861,  as  soon  as  the  report  reached  him  that 
rebel  shot  and  shell  had  been  thundered  against 


Ft.  Sumter,  his  heart  was  filled  with  patriotism  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  country  of  his  forefathers 
and  the  flag  for  which  they  had  fought,  and  he  at 
once  enlisted  in  the  Union  army.  Upon  the  call  of 
President  Lincoln  for  75,000  men  it  was  so  quickly 
filled,  that  the  company  in  which  he  enlisted  was 
not  accepted.  He,  however,  did  not  have  long  to 
wait,  for  our  martyred  President  soon  called  for 
more  men,  and  young  Baker  enlisted  and  was 
mustered  into  the  service  by  joining  Co.  E,  25th 
111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  his  country  faithfully  and 
well  on  many  a  bloody  battle-field  for  three  years. 
He  participated  in  all  the  engagements  and  inarches 
of  his  company  and  among  the  principal  battles  in 
which  he  took  part  were  Pea  Ridge,  Corinth,  Cham- 
pion Hills,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga  and  the  100 
days'  battle  from  Mission  Ridge  to  Atlanta.  At 
the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  he  received  a  gunshot 
wound  in  the  left  shoulder  which  disabled  him 
from  active  service  for  a  time,  but  at  his  earnest 
request  the  surgeon  permitted  him  to  remain  in  the 
regiment.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  received 
two  more  bullets  iu  the  shoulder,  one  of  which  still 
remains  there  and  in  consequence  of  which  he  was 
confined  to  the  hospital  one  month  and  permitted 
to  go  home  on  a  furlough  of  one  mouth.  In  the 
fall  of  1863  our  subject  was  mustered  out  and 
returned  home.  His  education  was  limited  but 
nevertheless  he  taught  school  the  following  winter. 

In  the  spring  of  1865  our  subject  engaged  in 
farming,  but  the  season  being  wet  he  only  realized 
$10  for  his  summer's  work,  after  settling  all  claims. 
He  now  determined  to  obtain  a  thorough  education 
and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  friends  he  entered 
the  Illinois  State  Normal  University,  and  to  pay 
his  tuition,  did  janitor's  work  about  the  building, 
and  by  taking  care  of  horses  and  doing  such 
odd  jobs  as  he  could  find,  he  was  enabled  by 
keeping  bachelor's  hall,  to  live.  He  also  taught 
school  two  terras  and  earned  a  little  money  in  that 
manner,  always  having  in  mind  the  completion  of 
his  education.  He  thus  overcame  all  obstacles, 
and  in  1870  graduated  with  honors  and  was  subse- 
quently retained  in  the  school  as  Principal  of  the 
grammar  department. 

The  aim  and  desire  of  our  subject  was  to  be  a 
preacher  of  the  Word,  he  having  been  converted  to  ' 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


1049- 


the  cause  of  the  Master  and  joined  the  Methodist 
Kpiacopal  Church  in  1864,  and  consequently  he.  in 
1874,  resigned  his  position  as  teacher  and  accepted 
the  charge  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at 
Lexington.  After  four  months'  preaching  he  joined 
the  Central  Illinois  Conference,  which  twice  re-ap- 
pointed him  to  the  charge  at  Lexington.  He  next 
preached  at  Watseka  two  years,  then  at  Shelden 
two  years,  then  at  Fairbury  six  months  and  was 
compelled  to  resign  his  charge  on  account  of  ill- 
health.  Going  to  Denver,  Col.,  he  took  charge  of 
St.  James'  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  while 
in  that  city  he  went  out  on  the  street  and  procured 
a  subscription,  sufficient  to  build  a  mission  church, 
which  is  now  known  as  the  Beckwith  Street  Chapel. 
In  1883  Rev.  Baker  returned  to  Illinois,  and 
accepted  the  charge  of  the  Christian  Union  Church 
at  Metamora,  a  church  composed  of  the  various 
religious  denominations  of  that  place,  and  served 
the  congregation  with  entire  satisfaction  until  1885, 
at  which  time  the  annual  conference  appointed  him 
to  his  present  position.  He  has  not  taken  a  vacation 
for  over  twenty  years  and  his  labors  have  been 
crowned  with  success.  In  1870,  after  graduating, 
he  took  a  post  graduate  course  in  the  Illinois  Wes- 
leyan  University. 

Elder  Baker  was  married,  Dec.  14,  1871,  to 
Miss  Martha  F.  Henry.  She  was  born  in-  Lisbon, 
Kendall  Co..  111.,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Zilpha  A.  (Wright)  Henry.  Their  union  has  been 
blest  by  the  birth  of  six  children.  The  eldest, 
John  E.,  died  aged  thirteen  years.  The  living  are, 
Mary  J.,  Webb  E.,  James  C.,  Lois  E.  and  Zilpha  E. 


J~~jOHN  WEEDMAN,  deceased,  son  of  one  of 
I    the  honored  pioneers  of  this  county,   was. 
with  his  father's  family,  among  the  first  who 
set  their   faces  toward  the  great  West,  with 
the  purpose  of  establishing  for  themselves  a  home 
upon  the  uncultivated  prairie.     He  was  a  descend- 
ant of  substantial  Pennsylvania  stock,  of  German 
ancestry,  but  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio,  Feb. 
3,    1828.     His  grandfather,  George  Weedman,  of 
Pennsylvania,  was  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Perry  County.     He  was  a  man  of  great  resolution 


and  energy,  and  established  one  of  the  first  hotels 
on  the  State  road  leading  from  Columbus  to 
Zanesville.  His  wife  was  an  excellent  manager, 
besides  being  skilled  in  cookery,  and  their  house  be- 
came one  of  the  favorite  stopping-places  along  the 
route.  The}'  lived  in  Ohio  until  1820.  Coming 
into  Illinois  they  located  in  Randolph  Grove,  this 
county,  where  they  established  a  comfortable  home, 
and  where  the  grandfather  died  at  an  advanced  age, 
in  1840. 

The  wife  of  George  Weedman,  before  her  mar- 
riage, was  Miss  Charlotte  Hume,  a  native  of  the 
same  State  as  her  husband.  She  also  died  at  the 
homestead  in  Randolph  Grove,  in  about  1835. 
Their  son  John,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1790,  and  was  but  a  lad  when 
his  parents  removed  to  Ohio.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  the  Buckeye  State,  and  was  there  married 
and  lived  until  1830,  when  with  his  wife  and  six 
children,  his  parents  and  a  brother-in-law,  he 
started  for  Illinois.  The  journey  was  made  over- 
land by  wagons.  They  arrived  at  what  is  now  the 
site  of  the  city  of  Bloomington  early  in  the  fall  of 
that  year.  Not  far  away  was  a  vacant,  double  log 
cabin,  into  which  the  emigrants  moved,  and  which 
they  occupied  while  the  male  members  of  the  party 
looked  around  for  a  permanent  location. 

John  Weedman,  Sr.,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  at 
Randolph  Grove,  upon  which  was  a  small  log  cabin. 
In  this  his  family  spent  the  winter,  which  is  ever  to 
be  remembered  by  the  deep  snow.  That  winter 
was  probably  the  most  severe  ever  known  by  the 
settlers  of  Illinois.  The  cabin  of  our  pioneers,  how- 
ever, was  in  good  repair,  and  Mr.  Weedman  spread 
blankets  upon  the  roof  to  keep  the  snow  from  drift- 
ing through  the  chinks.  The  snow  was  so  deep  it 
was  impossible  to  go  to  mill,  and  Mr.  W.  chopped 
down  a  large  tree  and  built  a  fire  in  the  stump.  In 
the  hole  thus  burned  they  placed  their  corn,  and 
by  the  aid  of  an  iron  wedge  pounded  it  in  this  im- 
provised mortar,  so  that  they  procured  a  very  good 
substitute  for  meal.  Deer  were  plenty  and  venison 
constituted  the  principal  meat.  They  passed  the 
winter  in  comparative  comfort,  doing  little  but 
keep  warm  and  get  enough  to  eat.  Mr.  Weed- 
man with  his  family  occupied  this  place  until  1837, 
then  sold  out  and  removed  to  Hurley's  Grove,  De 


-  .  1050 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


Witt  County,  where  be  established  a  comfortable 
homestead,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  years 
spent  in  Iowa,  passed  the  remainder  of  his  clays 
there.  He  departed  this  life  in  1866,  having  con- 
tributed much  toward  the  development  of  this 
county.  His  wife,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Rachel, 
daughter  of  Asa  Wilson,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Perry  County,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Maryland,  and 
became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Asa  died  in  De  Witt  County, 
in  186(5;  Harriett  became  the  wife  of  William  Y. 
McCord,  who  died  near  Farmer  City,  Jan.  18, 
1 880 ;  she  then  married  Rev.  J.  C.  Rucker,  and  now 
lives  in  Farmer  City;  George  and  Amos  are  resi- 
dents of  De  Witt  County ;  John,  our  subject,  was 
the  fifth  child ;  Isaiah  served  as  a  Union  soldier  .in 
the  2d  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Holly  Springs,  Dec.  20,  1862;  Lucinda  is  de- 
ceased ;  Eliza  C.,  the  widow  of  John  Williams,  is  a 
resident  of  Farmer  City;  Zadok  C.  is  a  resident  of 
Santa  Anna  Township,  and  Thomas  S.,  of  Farmer 
City. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  two  years  of 
age  when  he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents. 
He  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  1850,  and 
then,  in  company  with  three  brothers,  started  to 
California,  making  the  journey  by  the  old  Oregon 
route,  crossing  the  Rocky  Mountains  at  South  Pass 
and  arriving  at  Placerville  upon  the  26th  of  July 
of  that  year.  For  nine  months  following  young 
Weedman  engaged  in  mining  and  trading,  and  then 
began  to  long  for  a  sight  of  the  old  home.  Upon 
the  1st  of  April,  1851,  he  left  San  Francisco  for 
home  upon  a  sailing-vessel,  via  Panama  and  New 
York. 

After  this  experience  Mr.  Weedman  settled  down 
to  farming,  and  March  31,  1853,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  A.  McDonald.  Mrs.  W.  was 
born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  Sept.  22,  1834,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  (Erwin) 
McDonald.  After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weed- 
man settled  on  a  new  farm  on  section  11,  West 
Township,  where  our  subject,  in  addition  to  gen- 
eral agriculture,  gave  much  attention  to  stock-rais- 
ing, and  was  thus  industriously  engaged  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  He  embarked  in  the  banking 
business  at  Farmer  City,  in  1870,  which  he  also 


continued  until  his  death,  and  which  is  now  the 
John  Weedman  National  Bank.  John  Weedman 
rested  from  his  earthly  labors  on  July  31,  1885. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weedman  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  four  now  living:  Harriet  J.  became 
the  wife  of  C.  R.  Brodix,  and  is  a  resident  of 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  Cassius  M.,  Rachel  Rosella  and 
John  Sherman  are  at  home.  Mr.  Weedman  became 
one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  this  section, 
and  was  universally  respected  for  his  upright  busi- 
ness methods  and  his  genial  qualities  as  a  citizen, 
neighbor  and  friend.  As  years  rolled  on  he  be- 
came widely  and  favorably  known  as  a  man  whose 
judgment  could  be  relied  upon  in  matters  of  im- 
portance, and  whose  integrity  and  moral  worth 
were  without  question.  He  was  a  natural  gentle- 
man in  his  demeanor  toward  all,  and  a  self-made 
man,  who  had  obtained,  through  his  reading  and 
observation  of  human  nature  and  current  events, 
a  wide  and  useful  fund  of  information. 

Mrs.  Weedman,  with  her  three  younger  children, 
during  the  milder  months  of  the  year,  occupy  the 
old  farm  homestead  in  West  Township,  but  in  the 
winter  season  take  up  their  residence  at  Farmer 
City.  Through  the  industry  and  forethought  of 
her  husband  Mrs.  W.  is  in  the  enjoyment  of-a  com- 
petency, and  able  to  assist  those  less  fortunate.  She 
is  a  lady  highly  respected  in  this  locality  for  her 
genuine  goodness  of  heart  and  womanly  virtues. 
We  append  the  following  history  of  her  father's 
family : 

Thomas  McDonald  was  born  in  Washington 
County.  Tenn.,  Oct.  15,  1801.  He  was  the  son  of 
John  McDonald,  a  native  of  Virginia.  His  grand- 
father was  born  in  the  city  of  Glasgow,  Scotland, 
and  emigrating  to  this  country  when  a  young  man, 
settled  first  in  Virginia,  whence  he  removed  to 
Ohio,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Madi- 
son County.  His  son  John,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
W.,  was  married  in  Washington  County,  Tenn., 
where  he  lived  until  180J3,  then  moved  to  Ohio,  and 
was  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Madison  Comi- 
ty. There  he  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land  and 
cleared  a  farm,  erected  a  good  set  of  buildings,  and 
lived  there  the  balance  of  his  life.  His  son  Thomas, 
the  father  of  Mrs.  W.,  remained  under  the  parental 
roof  until  his  marriage,  then  settled  in  the  same 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1051 


neighborhood  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  when  he 
again  became  an  inmate  of  the  home  circle  until  his 
second  marriage.  In  1852  he  left  Ohio  and  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  De  Witt  County.  He  pur- 
chased fifty-three  acres  of  land  near  Farmer  City, 
and  G40  acres  a  mile  distant.  Upon  the  latter  he 
carried  on  farming  and  stock-raising  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  then  retired  to  Farmer  City.  His  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Erwin,  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Ohio.  Her  parents  were  Joseph  and 
Margaret  (Montgomery)  Erwin. 

Mr.  McDonald,  although  now  in  the  eighty-sixth 
year  of  his  age,  enjoys  good  health  and  maintains 
his  mental  faculties  to  a  remarkable  degree. 


t 


IYETT  ADAMS,  deceased,  late  a  resident 
of  Downs  Township,  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  Ky.,  Feb.  1,  1828,  and  died  at  his 
home  in  Downs  Township,  on  the  llth  of  Novem- 
ber, 1885.  He  was  the  son  of  Jesse  Adams,  also 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  who  spent  his  childhood 
and  youth  in  his  native  State,  where  he  was  also 
married,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Goodman.  She,  like  her  husband,  was  of 
American  parentage,  with  a  little  sprinkling  of  the 
warm  Irish  blood  which  constituted  of  them  the 
generous  and  kind-hearted  citizens,  beloved  and 
respected  wherever  known.  Jesse  Adams  and  his 
family  all  came  north  in  1830,  to  Illinois,  locating 
in  Old  Town  Township.  There  the  father  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  farm  homestead,  which  he  oc- 
cupied the  remainder  of  his  days,  his  death  taking- 
place  in  1840.  The  journey  to  this  county  was 
made  with  ox-teams,  after  the  manner  of  the  early- 
pioneers,  and  was  only  accomplished  after  several 
weary  weeks  of  travel.  They  came  into  a  new  and 
uncultivated  country,  where  neighbors  were  few 
and  far  between,  and  endured  cheerfully  the  priva- 
tions and  difficulties  of  life  in  a  new  country. 
Their  first  purchase  of  land  was  from  the  Govern- 
ment, and  thus  from  the  original  soil,  they  opened 
up  a  farm  in  the  wilderness,  and  contributed  their 
full  share  toward  the  growth  and  development  of 
the  great  West.  They  were  also  prospered  in  their 


labors,  and  were  enabled  to  spent  their  latter  years 
in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competency. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  j'oungest  but 
two  of  a  large  family  born  to  his  parents,  and  was  a 
mere  boy  when  they  removed  from  the  place  of  his 
birth  to  Illinois.  He  developed  into  manhood  on 
the  farm,  and  was  trained  by  his  excellent  parents 
to  those  habits  of  industry  and  economy  which  be- 
came later  in  life,  the  secret  of  his  success,  and 
which  gained  for  him  the  universal  respect  and  es- 
teem of  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  prospered  in 
his  farming  and  business  operations,  and  from  a 
very  small  beginning  accumulated  a  property  which 
included  430  acres  of  valuable  land,  all  improved 
and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  supplied 
with  one  of  the  finest  farm  residences  in  this  part 
of  McLean  County.  The  barns  and  other  out- 
buildings correspond  with  the  dwelling  in  every  re- 
spect, and  the  entire  premises  invariably  attract  the 
eye  of  the  traveler  passing  through  this  locality. 
Of  late  years  Mr.  Adams  made  a  specialty  of 
fine  stock  which  included  Short-horn  cattle  and 
thoroughbred  horses.  He  was  one  of  the  most  in- 
telligent and  progressive  farmers  of  this  section, 
but  in. the  midst  of  his  prosperity  ever  had  a 
thought  for  the  good  of  his  community,  -morally 
and  intellectually,  and  was  always  willing  to  con- 
tribute of  his  time  and  means  toward  the  support 
of  any  enterprise  calculated  to  this  end.  He  was 
honored  with  many  offices  of  trust  by  his  fellow- 
citizens,  and  politically  was  a  stanch  adherent  of 
the  Republican  party. 

The  marriage  of  Wiyett  Adams  and  Miss  Char- 
ity Bishop  was  celebrated  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents  in  Randolph  Township  on  the  25th  of 
March,  1845.  Mrs.  Adams  was  the  daughter  of 
Jacob  Bishop  and  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio, 
Oct.  18,  1826.  She  was  the  fourth  child  of  her 
parents'  family,  and  was  but  four  years  of  age 
when' they  emigrated  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  where  she  grew  to  womanhood 
and  received  her  education  in  the  pioneer  schools. 
She  remembers  distinctly  the  rude  log  cabin  which 
then  constituted  the  temple  of  learning,  and 
through  which  light  was  admitted  by  means  of 
greased  paper.  The  chimney  was  built  of  mud  and 
sticks,  and  the  benches  and  desks,  of  the  most  prim- 


* .      1052 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


itive  description,  knew  neither  plane  nor  paint. 
She  made  her  home  with  her  parents  until  her  mar- 
riage with  our  subject.  Of  this  happy  and  con- 
genial union  there  were  born  fifteen  children,  five 
of  whom  are  deceased.  Of  the  living  the  record  is 
as  follows;  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  John 
Harverty,  a  farmer  of  Downs  Township;  Joseph, 
unmarried,  is  connected  with  a  music  store  in 
Blooraington;  Emma,  Mrs.  Miller  Wamsley,  is  a 
resident  of  Hey  worth;  Luther  married  Miss  Lena 
Williams,  and  is  a  stock  breeder  at  Downsville; 
Dora,  the  wife  of  Alvin  Null,  resides  on  a  farm  in 
Downs  Township ;  Lida  married  Frank  Cowden,  a 
farmer  of  Old  Town  Township;  Celia,  Mrs.  Thomas 
Campbell,  resides  with  her  husband  on  a  farm  in 
Old  Town  Township;  Miller  is  farming  in  Downs 
Township;  he  married  Miss  May  Whitcomb;  Jen- 
nie, an  accomplished  and  well  educated  young  lady, 
lives  at  home  with  her  mother,  of  whom  she  is  the 
pleasant  companion  and  assistant ;  Nettie  is  attend- 
ing school  at  Downs  Village.  Those  deceased  are, 
John,  Jacob,  Martha,  Susan  and  Maggie. 

The  Adams  family  are  prominently  connected 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  this  county. 
Mr.  Adams  also  was  one  of  the  most  useful  and 
active  members  in  the  church  in  Downs  Township, 
and  officiated  as  Class-Leader  for  many  years;  he 
was  also  licensed  as  an  exhorter.  Since  the  death 
of  her  husband  Mrs.  Adams  has  superintended  the 
homestead  in  an  able  manner,  and  under  her  super- 
vision it  has  maintained  its  old-time  reputation  as 
one  of  the  best  conducted  farms  in  this  part  of 
McLean  County. 


US.  MARY  A.  NESMITH,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Wolf)  McGinnis,  is 
the  owner  of  a  comfortable  homestead  on 
section  21,  Lawndale  Township,  which  was 
purchased  by  her  husband,  Arthur  E.  Nesmith,  in 
1883.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Nesmith  was  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  and  her  mother  of  New  Jersey.  After 
marriage  they  located  in  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
whence  they  removed  to  Indiana  in  1822,  settling 
in  Parke  County.  They  resided  there  until  1834, 
then  came  to  Tazewell  County,  this  State,  where 


their  lives  terminated,  the  father  dying  Jan.  10, 
1870,  and  the  mother  April  12,  1882.  Mr.  Mc- 
(Jinnis  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  parental 
family  included  nine  children,  four  boys  and  five 
girls,  of  whom  Mrs.  Nesmith  was  the  seventh;  she 
was  born  in  Parke  County,  Ind.,  May  30,  1833, 
and  lived  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage  with 
Arthur  E.  Nesraith,  which  took  place  in  Tazewell 
County,  111.,  on  the  5th  of  June,  1859.  Mr.  Ne- 
smith was  the  son  of  Cyrus  A.  and  Marinda  (Hurl- 
but)  Nesmith,  natives  of  New  England.  After 
their  marriage,  Cyrus  and  Marinda  Nesmith  settled 
in  Medina  County,  Ohio,  whence  they  removed  in 
1847,  to  this  State,  locating  in  Peoria  County; 
from  there  they  removed  to  Woodford  County, 
and  thence  to  Washington,  111.,  where  the  father 
died  Jan.  9,  1884.  The  mother  still  survives  and 
lives  in  Washington,  111. 

Arthur  E.  Nesmith,  the  eldest  child,  and  hus- 
band of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Medina  County, 
Ohio,  Dec.  28,  1833.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common 
schools.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nesmith  of  this  notice,  in 
their  younger  days  were  both  school  teachers,  Mr. 
Nesmith  having  taught  two  years,  and  Mrs.  Ne- 
smith four  years.  He  also  taught  singing  school 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  very  successful  in 
that  calling.  The  daughters  are  all  musicians,  and 
Fannie  is  at  present  giving  music  lessons.  After 
marriage,  the  young  people  located  on  a  farm  in 
Christian  County,  111.,  where  they  remained  three 
years.  In  1 862  they  removed  to  Woodford  County, 
where  they  lived  until  February,  1883.-  Then  they 
came  to  Lawnsdale  Township,  this  county,  where 
Mr.  Nesmith  purchased  160  acres  on  section  21, 
where  he  made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred Jan.  22,  1884.  He  had  a  short  time  previ- 
ously been  visiting  his  father  in  Washington,  111., 
where  he  took  a  severe  cold,  which  developed  into 
pneumonia,  and  proved  fatal  in  less  than  two  weeks. 
Mr.  Nesmith  had  been  a  stirring  and  energetic  man, 
and  besides  the  homestead  where  the  family  resided 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  he  owned  120  acres  in 
Lawndale  Township,  which  constitutes  280  acres 
in  all. 

Arthur  Nesmith  was  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  had  held  various  offices 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1055  '  • 


while  living  in  Woodford  County.  Of  the  four 
children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nesmith,  one  died  in 
infancy ;  Jennie  E.  is  the  wife  of  Marion  A.  Kin- 
dig,  and  resides  in  Woodford  County;  they  have 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Vera.  May  and  Fannie  are 
at  home  with  their  mother.  Mrs.  Nesmith  is  also 
a  member  in  good  standing  in  the  Christian  Church. 
Her  home  is  pleasantly  located,  and,  surrounded 
by  her  children  and  friends,  she  is  enjoying  all  the 
comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  She 
has  managed  the  estate  left  her  by  her  husband 
with  ability  and  good  judgment,  and  is  highly  es- 
teemed by  all  who  know  her. 

A  handsome  lithographic  view  of  Mrs.  Nesmith's 
residence  is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


ISAAC  VANORDSTRAND.  In  Mr.  Vanord- 
strand's  life  we  find  an  excellent  example  for 
young  men  just  embarking  in  the  field  of  act- 
ive life,  of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  a  man  be- 
ginning poor,  but  honest,  prudent  and  industrious. 
In  early  life  he  enjoyed  but  few  advantages.  His 
school  days  were  limited,  nor  had  he  wealth  or  posi- 
tion to  aid  him  in  starting  in  life.  He  relied  solely 
upon  his  own  efforts  and  his  own  conduct  to  win 
for  him  success.  Nor  has  his  been  a  success  solely 
in  the  sense  of  accumulating  wealth,  but  in  doing 
good  to  others,  in  serving  others  well  and  in  win- 
ning their  respect  and  esteem.  He  has  ever  strictly 
observed  that  most  important  factor  in  the  success- 
ful public  or  business  life  of  any  one — honesty.  He 
is  a  careful,  conscientious  business  man,  ever  adher- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience  in  matters 
both  of  a  public  and  private  nature. 

Mr.  Vanordstrand  is  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Vanordstrand  &  Co.,  extensive  grain  and  stock- 
dealers  of  Hey  worth.  Their  grain  business  was  es- 
tablished in  1857,  and  it  is  conceded  by  all  that  the 
firm  of  Vanordstrand  <fe  Co.,  have  been  the  means 
of  making  Hey  worth  what  it  is,  and  bringing  it  to 
its  present  position  in  the  business  world.  Their 
elevator  has  a  capacity  of  15,000  bushels  and  their 
transactions  are  steadily  on  the  increase. 

For  ten  years  our  subject  was  engaged  in  general 
merchandising,  his  stock  being  located  on  his  farm 


near  what  was  then  Elm  wood,  but  now  Hey  worth. 
In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  store  was  Inde- 
pendence and  of  this  our  subject  was  also  Post- 
master until  his  resignation  in  1860.  He  operated 
the  store  from  1846  to  1855.  In  1860  the  name 
was  changed  to  Heyworth. 

Mr.  Vanordstrand  came  to  McLean  County  in 
1 845.  He  says  he  was  then  as  "  poor  as  a  church 
mouse."  He  landed  here  with  $5  which  he  loaned 
to  a  man  who  finally  beat  him  out  of  it.  Mr.  V. 
first  engaged  in  teaching  school  at  the  munificent 
salary  of  $14  per  month,  and  after  six  months  thus 
occupied,  during  which  time  by  the  closest  economy 
he  managed  to  save  a  small  sum  of  money,  he  com- 
menced clerking  in  a  store  at  Independence.  In 
the  fall  of  1846  he  began  merchandising  at  the 
same  place  in  partnership  with  J.  N.  Low  and  an- 
other. In  1848  he  bought  them  both  out  and  car- 
ried the  business  on  alone  until  1855.  Feb.  7, 
1857,  he  embarked  in  the  grain  business  at  Elm- 
wood,  now  Heyworth,  and  has  been  engaged  in  it 
since  with  O.  C.  Rutledge. 

Mr.  Vanordstrand  was  born  among  the  Pennsyl- 
vania hills  in  the  extreme  western  portion  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Feb.  11,  1824.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  the  same  county  and  was  the  son  of  Isaac 
Vanordstrand,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Trenton,  N.  J.,  and 
of  New  England  birth  and  parentage.  The  great- 
grandfather of  our  subject  was  Warden  of  the 
Penitentiary  at  Trenton  during  the  Revolutionary 
War  and  being  captured  \>y  the  soldiers  of  Gen. 
Howe,  in  order  to  delude  them,  gave  his  name  as 
Vauordstrand.  He  having  been  instrumental  in 
hanging  some  of  the  English  spies,  a  reward  was 
offered  for  his  capture,  and  he  afterward  retained 
the  name  which  the  family  bears  to-day.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  Isaac,  Sr.,  came  to 
Western  Pennsylvania  in  1780,  being  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Washington  County.  He  carried 
on  farming  there  for  a  period  of  fifty-four  years 
and  became  the  owner  of  a  vast  extent  of  land. 
His  death  occurred  when  he  was  seventy-four  years 
of  age. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  William  Vanordstrand, 
was  born,  reared,  married  and  died  in  Washington 
County,  Pa.  His  wife  was  Miss  Sarah  Smith,  a  na- 
tive of  the  same  county,  of  Scottish  ancestry  and 


i  i 


I 


1056 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


parentage.  She  died  in  Washington  County  in 
1861,  when  fifty-seven  years  of  age,  from  a  stroke 
of  paralysis  while  away  from  her  home.  Of  their 
family  of  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  four  only 
are  now  living  and  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
history  was  the  eldest.  He  remained  at  home  and 
assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  became  of 
age.  He  then  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  in 
the  West  and,  coming  to  Illinois,  selected  a  tract 
of  land  in  this  county  and  engaged  in  farming 
pursuits.  He  was  married  in  Randolph  Township 
to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Low,  who  was  born  in  this  county, 
April  30,  1832.  Mrs.  V.  was  the  daughter  of  Na- 
than and  Sarah  (Brooks)  Low,  natives  respectively 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  The  parents  of 
Mrs.  V.  were  married  in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  by 
the  late  Judge  Greenland  came  to  McLean  County, 
111.,  in  about  1830.  Here  Mr.  Low  purchased  land 
and  the  deed  for  it  was  the  first  recorded  in  this 
county.  Here  the  parents  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  days,  the  father  dying  when  fifty  years  of  age, 
and  the  mother  surviving  him  many  years,  being  at 
the  time  of  her  death  eighty-seven  years  old. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
three  children,  of  whom  one  is  deceased.  Willie 
married  Miss  Nancy  Noble,  and  they  are  living  on 
a  farm  in  Randolph  Township;  Craig  is  unmarried 
and  makes  his  home  with  his  parents.  He  has  a 
good  education  which  was  obtained  by  close  appli- 
cation to  his  books  in  the  schools  of  Hey  worth. 
The  home  of  our  subject  and  his  family  is  finely 
located  and  gives  evidence  of  the  culture  and 
means  of  its  occupants. 

Our  suttjeet  is  Democratic  in  politics  and  has 
held  the  minor  offices  of  his  township.  He  has 
been  prominent  in  political  matters  in  this  section, 
and  in  1876-1886  was  nominated  for  Representa- 
tive on  the  Independent  ticket,  but  was  defeated 
with  the  other  candidates.  This,  of  course,  was 
not  unexpected  but  Mr.  Vanordstrand  is  of  that 
temperament  which  perseveres  in  a  principle  as 
well  as  a  business  pursuit,  and  if  he  cannot  do  all 
that  he  wishes,  will  do  all  that  he  can  toward 
the  success  of  a  principle,  as  well  as  the  further- 
ance of  a  business  project.  He  is  rated  as  first 
and  best  among  the  men  of  this  community 
and  there  are  few  worthy  enterprises  or  at- 


tempts  at  reform  in  which  he  has  not  been  the 
leader  and  chief  supporter.  He  owns  about  1,200 
acres  of  land,  700  of  which  lie  in  this  county  and 
in  Randolph  Township.  He  is  tacitly  acknowl- 
edged to  be  the  father  and  founder  of  Hey  worth 
and  has  been  one  of  the  chief  pillars  in  its  indus- 
trial and  agricultural  interests,  and  as  such  we  take 
pleasure  in  presenting  his  portrait  in  this  volume. 


>ILLIAM  W.  MARMON,  a  wholesale  dealer 
in  drugs  and  medicine  in  Bloomington, 
where  he  has  fully  established  himself  in 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  business  associ- 
ates, is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  was  born  in  the 
village  of  Milton,  Dec.  7,  1832.  His  father,  Da- 
vid Marmon,  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
whence  he  removed  at  an  early  day  to  the  Hoozier 
State,  becoming  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wayne 
County.  He  engaged  in  merchandising  there  for 
many  years,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  dying  in  1840.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our 
subject,  who  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Mary 
Jane  Crookshank,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  about 
1815. 

The  Marmon  family  comes  of  good  old  Quaker 
stock,  the  maternal  grandmother  of  our  subject 
having  been  Miss  Rachel  Dick,  sister  of  Judge 
Dick,  one  of  the  eminent  jurists  of  North  Carolina. 
The  Crookshanks  were  of  Scotch  origin,  the  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  William  W.  having  been 
William  Crookshank,  who  removed  to  Ohio  at  an 
early  period  in  the  history  of  that  State.  Benja- 
min Marmon,  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Indiana.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  came  to  this  county  in  1846,  and  of 
the  four  children  included  in  the  parental  house- 
hold only  two  survive.  After  the  death  of  her 
first  husband,  David  Marmon,  she  married  the  late 
Dr.  Harrison  Noble,  of  this  county. 

The  subject  of  this  history  passed  his  boj^hood 
in  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  in  the  meantime  attaining 
a  good  common-school  education  in  Cambridge 
City.  When  fourteen  years  of  age  he  went  to 
Ohio,  where  he  attended  a  private  school,  and 
thence  removed  with  his  mother,  in  1846,  to  llli- 


- 


I  I-* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1057  ,  , 


nois.  They  located  in  this  county,  where  our  sub- 
ject worked  on  a  farm  for  two  years  and  then  en- 
tered the  drug-store  of  Messrs.  Park  &  Luce,  with 
whom  he  remained  as  clerk  until  1851.  He  then 
left  Bloomington  and  entered  upon  the  study  of 
medicine  in  1853,  and  after  returning  took  charge 
of  the  same  store  in  which  he  had  before  engaged, 
but  which  had  changed  hands,  the  successors  of 
Park  «fe  Luce  being  Paist  &  Elder.  Young  Mar- 
mon  continued  with  the  latter  firm  until  1856,  then 
purchased  the  interest  of  William  Elder,  and  con- 
tinued as  a  partner  of  Mr.  Paist  until  1874,  when 
the  latter  died,  Mr.  Marmon  then  purchased  his 
interest  and  has  conducted  the  business  alone  since 
that  time.  The  business  was  first  carried  on  as  a 
large  retail  house,  and  has  been  gradually  merged 
into  a  wholesale  trade.  The  main  building  is  23x 
80  feet  in  area,  and  this,  in  addition  to  another 
which  he  occupies  gives  him  a  floorage  of  560  feet, 
Mr.  Harmon  is  a  straightforward  business  man, 
obliging  and  courteous  in  his  manner  toward  his 
patrons,  and  prompt  in  meeting  his  obligations. 
He  has  consequently  been  very  successful  in  his 
operations  and  ranks  among  the  leading  and  pro- 
gressive citizens  of  Bloomington. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  A.  Cheney,  of  Bloomington, 
in  1858.  Mrs.  M.  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  born  in 
1837,  and  the  daughter  of  Owen  and  Maria  Che- 
ney. Of  this  union  there  has  been  born  one  child, 
a  son,  William  L.  The  family  residence  is  pleas- 
antly located,  on  Washington  street,  where  its  in- 
mates are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life. 
Mr.  Marmon  is  conected  with  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity as  a  member  of  Wade  Barney  Lodge. 


j>ESLEY  M.  DICKERSON,  of  Downs  Town- 
ship, is  the  son  of  Michael  Dickerson,  who 
was  of  Southern  parentage  and  it  is  sup- 
posed a  native  of  Kentucky.  The  latter  married  Miss 
Jane  Rutledge  and  they  located  in  Tennessee,  in 
which  State  Michael  Dickerson  enlisted  as  a  soldier 
in  the  War  of  1812,  and  served  faithfully  and 
courageously  through  that  struggle.  After  the 
war  he  removed  his  family  to  Kentucky,  whence 


they  came  to  White  County,  111.,  and  settled  near 
Maysville  upon  a  farm.  Owing  to  the  unhealthy 
condition  of  the  climate  which  induced  fever  and 
ague,  they  moved  to  what  is  now  DeWitt  County, 
but  then  included  in  McLean.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  thus  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this 
locality  and  afterward  located  at  Randolph  Grove, 
where  he  built  a  flour-mill  on  Kickapoo  Creek, 
which  was  the  first  structure  of  the  kind  put  up  in 
McLean  County,  being  erected  previous  to  1830. 
This  he  afterward  sold,  but  continued  his  residence 
nearLe  Roy,  where  he  died  Feb.  10,  1836.  Michael 
Dickerson  was  classed  among  the  "snow-birds"  of 
1831,  and  his  hardship  and  suffering  during  that 
period  was  the  immediate  cause  of  his  death.  While 
the  snow  was  still  falling  he  was  obliged  to  go  to 
mill.  The  road  became  impassable  and  after  toil- 
ing many  hours  through  the  drifts,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  wagon  and  tying  himself  to  the 
tails  of  his  two  oxen,  turned  them  loose  in  hopes 
they  would  find  a  human  habitation,  or  perhaps 
their  home.  He  was  drawn  by  them  to  a  house 
where  the  dogs  barking  at  the  approaching  cattle 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  inmate,  who  came 
out  to  find  Mr.  D.  in  a  perishing  condition.  He  was 
at  once  taken  in  and  cared  for  in  the  most  kindly 
manner  but  never  recovered  from  the  terrible  ex- 
posure. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  died  at  the  home  of 
her  son,  Wesley  M.,  in  April,  1873,  being  seventy- 
two  years  of  age.  Both  parents  were  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  reared  their  children 
in  those  principles  which  constituted  them  good 
citizens  and  worthy  members  of  society. 

Wesley  M.  Dickerson  was  the  youngest  of  a  fam- 
ily of  eight  children  and  was  born  in  Empire 
Township,  this  county,  Feb.  6,  1834.  He  was 
only  two  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  he 
remained  with  his  mother  until  he  went  to  farming 
on  his  own  account,  when  he  made  a  home  for  her 
and  she  remained  with  him  until  her  death.  He 
purchased  the  farm  which  he  now- owns  and  occu- 
pies several  years  before  his  marriage.  This  inter- 
esting event  occurred  on  the  27th  of  April.  1872, 
at  Le  Roy,  when  he  was  joined  in  wedlock  with 
Miss  Miranda  Chapman,  who  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  Ohio,  Oct.  14,  184G.  Her  father  died 

•*- 


'  '  1058 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


before  she  was  born,  and  the  maiden  name  of 
her  mother  was  also  Chapman.  This  lady,  after 
the  death  of  her  husband,  married  William  Curry 
of  Ohio,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  late  war. 
The  mother  of  Mrs.  Dickerson  subsequently  came 
West  and  died  at  Danvers  in  this  county,  Feb.  12, 
1887,  being  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Dicker- 
son  came  to  Illinois  with  her  mother  when  five 
years  of  age  and  was  reared  in  Empire  Township, 
where  she  lived  until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  were  born  five  children,  one 
of  whom,  Omer,  died  in  infancy.  Those  living 
are,  Vinnie  J.,  Alice,  Lulu  and  Earl  M.  Mr. 
Dickerson  is  Democratic  in  politics  and  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  principles  of  his 
party. 

,  HILIP  FAWCETT,  a  retired  farmer  living 
in  the  village  of  Saybrook,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State  for  over  thirty 
years.  He  located  in  De  Witt  County,  in 
1854,  where  he  remained  two  years,  then  removed 
to  Logan  County,  and  from  there,  in  1866,  took  up 
his  abode  in  McLean  County,  on  a  farm  in  Mt. 
Hope  Township.  After  eight  years  he  sold  that 
property  and  purchased  the  Rankin  Grove  Farm,  a 
valuable  tract  of  land  consisting  of  228£  acres, 
which  he  now  owns.  He  retired  from  active  labor 
in  1879,  and  is  passing  his  declining  years  m  ease 
and  contentment,  which  is  his  just  due  after  having 
performed  the  duties  of  a  long  and  worthy  life. 

Mr.  Fawcett  was  born  in  Knox  County,  Ohio, 
Sept.  13,  1818,  and  is  the  sou  of  Arthur  and  Susan 
(Smith)  Fawcett,  the  former  a  native  of  County 
Donegal,  Ireland,  and  the  latter  born  in  Ohio.  Ar- 
thur Fawcett  remained  in  his  native  country  during 
his  childhood,  and  was  orphaned  at  an  early  age. 
He  then  went  to  the  home  of  his  aunt,  and  when 
seventeen  years  old  ran  away,  and  taking  pass-' 
age  on  board  a  sailing-vessel,  started  for  the  New 
World.  After  landing  upon  American  shores  he 
proceeded  directly  to  Ohio,  locating  near  Steuben- 
ville.  He  employed  himself  at  whatever  he  could 
find  to  do,  was  industrious  and  economical,  and  in 
due  time  became  the  owner  of  about  900  acres  of 


land.  He  married  when  thirty  years  of  age,  and  in 
company  with  his  wife  became  a  worthy  member 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  Their  ten  children,  five 
sons  and  five  daughters,  included  Samuel,  Philip, 
Elizabeth,  Lucinda,  Anna,  Crawford,  John  M., 
Izates,  Catherine  and  Mary.  Of  these  six  are  still 
living. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  child 
of  his  father's  family,  and  remained  under  the  home 
roof  until  twenty-six  years  of  age.  At  that  age 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Martha  E. 
Vance,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1844.  Mrs.  F.  was 
born  April  27,  1826,  in  Guernsey  Count}',  Ohio; 
came  with  her  mother  to  Illinois,  and  died  in  Logan 
County,  Feb.  24,  1865,  after  having  become  the 
mother  of  seven  children.  Of  these  Angelo  V.  first 
married  Miss  Hattie  Thomas;  his  second  wife  was 
Corrie  Dodson,  and  she  dying,  he  formed  a  third 
matrimonial  alliance;  Susanna  E. ;  Margary  died 
Sept.  1,  1856;  Philip  D.  and  John  A. 

Philip  Fawcett  was  married  to  his  second  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Sarah  Elliott,  Dec.  31,  1865.  Mrs. 
F.  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ohio,  April  20, 
1836,  and  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
Elliott.  Her  father  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1812,  and 
the  mother  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1806.  The  latter 
lived  to  be  eighty  years  old,  her  death  occurring 
in  1886,  and  the  aged  father  is  still  living  in  Ohio. 
Their  five  children  included  three  sons  and  two 
daughters:  Sarah,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  our 
subject;  Julia  A.  married  Mr.  Worthington  Coffee, 
who  during  the  late  war  served  as  a  Union  soldier 
in  an  Ohio  regiment,  and  now  lives  in  Nebraska; 
Josiah  married  Miss  Jane  Imes,  and  is  a  resident  of 
Ohio;  Nancy  J.  became  the  wife  of  Elvin  Gouch- 
enour,  and  they  live  in  Ohio;  James  M.  is  deceased. 
Mrs.  Jane  Elliott,  by  a  previous  marriage,  became 
the  mother  of  three  children.  Her  son  Alfred  lost 
his  life  in  the  Mexican  War,  and-  the  others  were 
Alexander  and  Elizabeth. 

The  present  wife  of  our  subject  became  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Lillie  J.,  who  was  born  April 
12,  1870,  and  died  in  1873,  aged  three  years,  eight 
months  and  twelve  days. 

The  eldest  son  of  our  subject,  Angelo  V.,  during 
the  late  war  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  7th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
serving  as  a  soldier  two  years,  and  in  the  meantime 


T 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1059 


i 


receiving  an  honorable  wound,  which,  however,  he 
soon  recovered  from.  The  residence  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fawcett  is  a  handsome  and  commodious 
dwelling,  finely  located  in  the  midst  of  fifteen  acres, 
which  includes  a  beautiful  grove.  He  has  a  fine 
fruit  orchard,  a  good  barn,  and  all  other  accessories 
of  a  suburban  homestead.  Mr.  Fawcett  has  been 
incapacitated  for  labor  for  the  last  eight  years,  on 
account  of  rheumatism,  but  his  general  health  is 
good,  and  he  presents  the  picture  of  a  hale  and 
happy  old  gentleman,  who  is  entitled  to,  and  is 
fully  enjoying  the  good  things  of  life. 


BLUE.  One  of  the  large  land- 
owners of  Old  Town  Township,  and  a  gen- 
tleman prominent  as  an  agriculturist  and 
respected  as  a  citizen,  is  the  subject  of  this  notice, 
located  on  his  fine  farm  on  section  34.  The  par- 
ents of  Mr.  Blue  were  Zachariah  and  Jane  (John- 
son) Blue.  He  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  she  was 
born  in  Kentucky.  After  their  marriage  the  old 
folk  made  their  home  in  Champaign  County,  Ohio, 
whence  they  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  and  set- 
tled in  Bloomington  Township,  where  they  lived 
for  several  years.  They  then  removed  to  Downs 
Township  ;  subsequently  selling  his  farm  the  father 
took  up  his  residence  at  Bloomington.  There  he 
purchased  property,  which  he  afterward  traded 
for  a  farm  in  Downs  Township,  and  on  this 
place  the  lives  of  the  two  heads  of  the  family  ter- 
minated. Eight  children  were  born  of  their  union, 
and  the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  notice 
was  the  youngest  in  order  of  birth. 

William  Blue  was  born  in  Champaign  County, 
Ohio,  Feb.  11,  183G,  the  same  year  that  his  parents 
removed  to  this  county,  and  consequently  he  has 
lived  within  the  boundary  lines  of  the  county  all 
his  life,  and  during  these  years  has  followed  no 
other  occupation  than  that  of  a  farmer.  He  is  the 
owner  of  400  acres  of  valuable  and  productive 
land,  on  which  he  has  good  improvements,  and  has 
met  with  far  more  than  ordinary  success. 

William  Blue  was  married  in  Old  Town  Town- 
ship, Jan.  10,  1860,  to  Miss  Catherine,  daughter 
of  Joshua  and  Ann  (Hedrick)  Wood,  natives  of 


Virginia.  Her  parents  came  to  this  county  in 
1848,  and  both  of  them  departed  this  life  in  Old 
Town  Township.  They  had  seven  children,  and 
Mrs.  Blue  was  the  youngest.  She  first  saw  light  in 
Pendleton  County,  Va.,  June  17,  1840.  Of  her  un- 
ion with  our  subject  nine  children  have  been  born : 
Albert  married  Miss  Ottie  L.  Biggerstaff,  and  they 
are  living  in  Old  Town  Township;  Harriett  is  the 
wife  of  Robert  Carlisle,  a  farmer  of  Danvers 
Township.  Our  subject  and  wife  hare  buried  one 
child,  Agnes,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Blue  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  joining 
the  94th  Illinois  Infantry,  in  the  year  1861,  and 
served  for  about  one  year.  He  enlisted  as  a  pri- 
vate, and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Prairie 
Grove,  Ark.,  in  which  he  received  a  wound  in  the 
thigh  by  a  musket  ball,  and  in  consequence  of 
which  he  was  discharged,  and  returned  home,  and 
after  convalescing  again  entered  upon  the  peaceful 
pursuits  of  life.  In  politics  he  votes  for  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Republican  party. 


AMUEL  BECHTEL,  of  Downs  Township, 
is  pleasantly  located  on  section  34,  where 
he  is  carrying  on  general  farming.  He  is 

the  owner  of  160  acres  of  choice  land  with 
a  handsome  and  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings. 
He  located  upon  his  present  homestead  in  1853, 
and  has  occupied  it  continuously  since  that  time. 
Mr.  Bechtel  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio, 
Aug.  13,  1823,  being  the  son  of  John  and  Esther 
A.  (Myers)  Bechtel,  who  were  married  in  Picka- 
way County,  and  where  the  father  for  some  years 
afterward  followed  his  trade  of  cooper.  They 
afterward  removed  to  Knox  County,  same  State, 
settling  upon  a  farm,  where  they  lived  until  depart- 
ing from  the  scenes  of  earth. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  he  attained  his  majority,  being 
the  second  of  five  children  who  completed  the 
household  circle.  He  was  married  in  Knox  County, 
Ohio,  in  about  1849,  to  Miss  Catherine  Koutz,  who 
was  born  in  about  1821,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
George  and  Christina  (Frund)  Koutz,  natives  of 
Virginia,  where  they  were  reared  and  married,  being 


1060 


Mc-LKAN    COl' NT V. 


of  German  descent  and  parentage.  After  marriage 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Koutz  settled  in  Greene  County,  Pa., 
whence  the}'  removed  when  their  daughter,  Cather- 
ine, was  ten  years  of  age.  They  located  on  a  farm 
in  Knox  County,  Ohio,  where  they  remained  until 
after  the  close  of  the  war  and  then  came  to  McLean 
County,  locating  in  Bloomington,  and  there  passed 
the  remainder  of  their  days.  Mrs.  13.  remained 
with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  and  by  her 
union  with  our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of 
the  following  children :  George,  Samuel,  now  mar- 
ried, Joseph,  Lucy  A.  and  Harvey. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bechtel  lived  in  Knox  County, 
Ohio,  a  few  years  after  their  marriage,  when  they 
removed  to  the  Prairie  State,  and  have  made  their 
home  in  Downs  Township  since  that  time.  Mrs.  B. 
is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  and  our  subject  in  politics  affiliates  with  the 
Republican  party. 


ON.  JESSE  W.  FELL.  Until  long  after  the 
present  generation  has  passed  away  the 
name  of  this  lamented  citizen  will  be  held 
in  tender  and  grateful  remembrance  by 
the  residents  of  McLean  County.  He  was  not  only 
one  of  its  earliest  pioneers,  but  was  closely  identi- 
fied with  its  prosperity,  to  which  he  perhaps  con- 
tributed more  than  any  one  man.  In  the  building 
of  its  railroads,  the  establishment  of  schools  and 
other  educational  institutions,  he  not  only  contribu- 
ted largely  of  his  own  means  but  was  one  of  the  first 
to  secure  the  assistance  of  other  moneyed  men. 

Jesse  W.  Fell  was  born  in  New  Garden  Town- 
ship, Chester  County,  Pa.,  on  the  10th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1808,  and  departed  this  life  at  his  home  in 
Normal,  Feb.  2»,  1887.  He  was  the  son  of  Jesse 
and  Rebecca  (Roman)  Fell,  also  natives  of  the 
Keystone  State.  The  great-great-grandfather  of 
our  subject  emigrated  to  America  in  1705.  The 
Fell  ancestry  had  been  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  from  its  origin.  The  family  of  Jesse  Fell, 
Sr.,  was  a  large  one,  including  seven  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

Mr.  Fell  was  reared   to   manhood   amid    the  in-- 


fluences  of  a  country  life  and  a  Quaker  neighbor- 
hood and  received  a  good  education.  After  leav- 
ing school  he  engaged  in  teaching.  In  1828  he 
started  on  foot  for  the  Mississippi  Valley.  After 
reaching  Steubenville,  Ohio,  he  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  the  law  firm  of  Stokely  &  Marsh,  who 
offered  to  take  him  as  a  student  upon  such  terms 
that  he  was  glad  to  accept.  At  the  end  of  two 
years  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  proffered  a 
partnership  with  his  preceptors.  He,  however,  de- 
clined, still  determined  to  locate  in  the  West.  He 
started  out  on  foot  as  before,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1831  arrived  at  William  Brown's  near  Delavan, 
whose  acquaintance  he  had  made  when  a  teacher  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  stopped  there  for  the  winter, 
during  which  time  business  called  him  to  the  bud- 
ding village  of  Bloomington.  He  was  there  in- 
duced to  open  a  law  office,  the  first  one  in  town. 
Although  there  was  not  much  practice  then,  Mr. 
Fell  found  abundant  employment  in  the  adjustment 
of  land  claims.  It  was  then  not  uncommon  for  the 
party  who  desired  to  locate  a  particular  piece  of 
laud  to  be  compelled  to  make  a  race  for  it  to  Dan- 
ville with  other  claimants.  Mr.  Fell  became  the 
owner  of  a  horse  named  McLean,  and  on  this  gal- 
lant steed  he  would  frequently  make  the  ninety- 
mile  ride  to  Danville  within  daylight  hours  in  be- 
half of  some  friend  or  client.  In  1836  he  first  met 
David  Davis,  who  was  then  at  Pekin,  but  at  the 
solicitation  of  Mr.  Fell,  became  a  resident  of 
Bloomington,  the  latter  turning  over  to  him  his 
office,  books  and  law  practice.  Even  at  this  early  day 
Mr.  F.  was  regarded  as  a  man  of  large  wealth,  with 
the  certain  prospect  of  a  vast  fortune  in  the  near 
future.  In  the  financial  panic  of  1837,  however, 
his  wealth  vanished  like  that  of  many  others.  But 
he  was  of  too  brave  a  spirit  to  be  discouraged,  and 
a  few  years  later  found  him  again  upon  his  feet 
ready  to  push  forward  with  new  labors  and  pro- 
jects. The  first  newspaper  of  Bloomington  was  the 
result  of  his  enterprise  and  he  subsequently  became 
its  editor. 

On  the  26th  of  January,  1838,  the  marriage  of 
Jesse  W.  Fell  and  Miss  Hester  Brown  took  place. 
Mrs.  Fell  survives  her  husband  and  lives  on  the 
homestead  at  Normal.  After  his  marriage,  the 
financial  crash  having  depressed  real  estate  opera- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1061     ' 


tions,  Mr.  Fell  again  took  up  the  practice  of  law, 
and  among  other  eminent  men  enjoyed  the  friend- 
ship of  Lincoln,  Stuart,  Col.  Baker  and  others  who 
afterward  became  famous.  He  soon  tired  of  law, 
however,  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  spend- 
ing one  season  with  his  family  on  what  is  now  the 
Gregory  farm,  long  known  as  Ft.  Jesse.  This  was 
the  only  house  then  on  the  prairie.  At  the  end  of 
that  summer  they  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  Ad- 
ams County,  near  Quincy,  and  were  engaged  in 
nursery  fruit  growing  six  years,  at  the  expiration  of 
which  time  they  returned  to  Bloomington.  Mr. 
Fell  again  became  proprietor  of  a  newspaper  and 
embarked  in  the  land  business,  taking  an  active 
part  in  railroad  projects  and  working  as  the  agent 
especially  of  the  Alton  &  Springfield  road,  to  secure 
the  right  of  way  through  this  and  adjoining  coun- 
ties. He  also  led  the  successful  movement  for  the 
location  of  its  principal  shops,  in  the  young  and 
growing  city. 

One  of  the  great  efforts  of  Mr.  Fell's  life  was 
made  in  1857,  when  he  succeeded  in  locating  the 
State  Normal  University.  To  this  he  became  the 
largest  individual  donor  and  was  instrumental  in 
securing  $141,000  of  the  money  needed  for  its  es- 
tablishment and  equipment,  also  to  obtain  the  Sol- 
dier's and  Orphan's  Home,  Mr.  Fell  contributing 
one-fifth  of  the  $50,000  donated.  In  all  his  op- 
erations his  strong  temperance  principles  were 
brought  to  bear  and  he  procured  the  amendment  of 
the  city  charter  so  as  to  perpetually  restrain  the 
authorities  from  licensing  the  sale  of  liquor. 

In  politics,  as  in  other  public  matters,  Mr.  Fell 
usually  took  a  warm  interest.  In  his  younger  days 
he  was  a  Whig.  After  the  formation  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  he  joined  it.  In  the  midst  of  a 
complicated  business,  and  political  and  private 
affairs,  Mr.  Fell  still  found  time  to  gratify  his  love 
of  nature,  which  was  illustrated  in  his  passion  for 
trees  and  flowers.  In  Normal  alone  stand  30,000 
trees — maple,  willow,  walnut,  elm  and  scores  of 
others — which  were  planted  under  his  supervision 
around  the  blocks  and  along  the  highways.  The 
Normal  School's  campus  grounds  were  beautified 
from  a  design  made  by  .him  and  carried  out  by  a 
noted  landscape  gardener.  He  named  the  streets  of 
Normal  after  trees,  and  Blooinington,  Clinton,  Pon- 


tiacand  other  Illinois  towns  give  evidence  of  the 
enthusiastic  passion  of  his  life.  Upon  taking  up  a 
tract  of  land  in  Iowa  he  planted  sixty  miles  of 
willow  hedge,  transporting  the  scions  from  Normal. 


>ILLIAM  W.  ELDER,  of  Heyworth,  came 
with  his  father  to  McLean  County  in  1842. 
The  greater  part  of  the  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  merchandising,  and  in  partnership  with 
Isaac  Vanordstrand,  operated  in  the  purchase  and 
sale  of  grain.  They  carried  on  this  business  for  a 
period  of  fourteen  years,  adding  to  it  also  exten- 
sive dealings  in  live  stock. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  Cleves, 
Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio,  Sept.  19,  1828.  His  father, 
David  Elder,  was  born  and  reared  in  Franklin 
County,  Pa.,  and  descended  from  a  family  widety 
known  for  its  strong  moral  principles  and  force  of 
character.  Mingled  with  this  was  a  deeply  relig- 
ious vein  which  had  its  influence  on  all  their  trans- 
actions both  in  business  and  social  life.  In  early 
manhood  David  Elder  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Hannah  Wakefield,  the  sister  of  Campbell 
Wakefield,  whose  biography  appears  in  another 
part  of  this  work.  After  their  marriage  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  E.  located  in  Hamilton  County,  but  in  about 
1834,  with  their  family  of  four  children,  consist- 
ing of  Mary  J.,  William  W.,  our  subject,  Margaret 
and  John,  removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ind., 
where  they  settled  upon  a  •  farm.  In  1 842  they 
once  more  gathered  together  their  personal  effects 
and  came  into  Illinois,  locating  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship. Here  the  father  died  on  the  30th  of  April, 
1849;  the  mother  survived  until  Sept.  2,  1886. 
After  leaving  Ohio  two  more  children  were  born 
to  the  parents,  all  living  and  now  numbering  three 
sons  and  three  daughters.  Of  these,  four  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  our 
subject  has  been  an  Elder  at  Heyworth  for  several 
years. 

William  W.  Elder  was  married  in  Randolph 
Township,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  Feb. 
14,  1850,  to  Miss  Amanda  J.  Rutledge,  a  sketch  of 
whose  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  O.  Rutledge,  ap- 
pears elsewhere  in  this  AI.BUM.  The  marriage  cere- 
i .». 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


mony  was  performed  by  Rev.  W.  It.  Bishop.  Mrs. 
Elder  was  •  born  on  her  father's  old  homestead  in 
Randolph  Township,  Dec.  28, 1833,  and  was  reared 
by  pious  parents,  remaining  at  home  until  her  mar- 
riage with  our  subject.  She  fully  sympathizes  with 
her  husband  in  his  charitable  and  religious  efforts 
and  has  been  in  all  respects  his  faithful  helpmeet 
and  companion. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elder  have  no  children  of  their 
own  but  have  performed  the  duty  of  parents  to 
Wilbur  and  Laura  M.,  the  son  and  daughter  of 
Mr.  C.  C.  Lafferty,  of  Ohio. 


1 


OSEPH  T.  MARTIN.  This  gentleman  is 
one  of  the  many  active  business  men  of  this 
county  who  were  brought  here  when  quite 
young,  by  sturdy  pioneer  parents.  Here 
they  were  reared,  educated  and  found  a  splendid 
field  for  a  business  career.  He  is  now  pleasantly 
located  on  section  1,  Township  21,  where  he  is  the 
possessor  of  120  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land. 
He  secured  this  home  in  1874  of  John  II.  Graber, 
and  has  added  greatly  to  its  beauty  and  value. 
His  house  is  a  handsome  and  substantial  structure, 
built  after  modern  style  and  furnished  with  all  nec- 
essary appliances  of  a  first-class  farm  estate,  a  view 
of  which  may  be  seen  in  this  ALBUM.  Our  subject 
is  an  intelligent  and  progressive  citizen  and  a  val- 
ued member  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio, 
Sept.  30,  1831.  When  four  years  of  age  his  par- 
ents, with  their  family  of  three  children,  started  for 
the  Prairie  State,  and  coming  into  McLean  County 
located  at  Hey  worth,  in  the  fall  of  1835.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  George  Martin,  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  but  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ohio 
when  a  young  child.  They  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Hamilton  County,  where  George  Martin  was  reared 
and  educated,  and  married  Miss  Susanna  Harvey, 
who  was  of  New  England  parentage,  born  and 
reared  in  New  Hampshire,  and  of  German  and  En- 
glish descent.  George  Martin  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1802,  his  parents  being  of  Irish  ancestry. 
His  father,  Joseph,  and  his  mother,  Nancy  (Thomp- 
son) Martin,  were  both  natives  of  County  Down, 


Ireland,  where  they  were  married  and  became  the 
parents  of  one  child,  a  son,  John,  who  was  born  in 
1799.  After  the  birth  of  this  child,  they  started 
for  the  United  States,  and  while  on  the  ocean  an- 
other was  born  whom  they  christened  Jane.  After 
arriving  upon  American  shores  they  proceeded  to 
Kentucky,  where  the  father  of  our  subject  was 
born,  being  the  first  of  the  family  who  was  a  native 
of  the  United  States.  The  parents  afterward  went 
to  Ohio,  settling  in  Hamilton  County,  and  there 
the  family  circle  was  completed  by  the  birth  of 
three  more  children — Robert,  Leticia  and  Margaret. 
These  are  all  deceased. 

After  the  parents  of  Joseph  T.  Martin  located  in 
Heyworth,  this  county,  they  established  a  home 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the 
father  dying  in  April,  1878,  aged  seventy-six  years, 
and  the  mother  dying  on  the  7th  of  October,  1886. 
George  Martin  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  the  mother 
was  connected  with  the  Southern  Methodist. 

Joseph  T.  Martin,  the  eldest  child  of  his  parents, 
was  reared  and  educated  at  Heyworth,  and  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  his  marriage. 
The  maiden  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Sarah  L.  Rut- 
ledge,  and  their  union  took  place  at  the  home  of 
the  bride's  parents  in  Randolph  Township.  Mrs. 
Martin  was  the  daughter  of  Robert  H.  Rutledge, 
and  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Randolph 
Township,  March  13,  1833.  Her  education  was 
obtained  in  the  log  school-house  of  the  pioneers, 
and  she  grew  to  womanhood  amid  the  scenes  and 
associations  connected  with  the  first  settlement  of 
this  county.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  eleven 
children,  two  now  deceased :  Edgar  died  at  the 
home  of  his  parents,  Aug.  25,  1860,  and  Dixon, 
Aug.  20,  1869.  Those  living  are,  Cora  I.,  the  wife 
of  Frank  Rornine,  a  farmer  of  Wapello  Township, 
De  Witt  County,  and  they  have  one  child,  Leona 
B. ;  Laura  E.  is  the  wife  of  W.  D.  Nickerson; 
Linus  E.  is  a  machinist,  and  lives  in  Santa  Anna, 
Los  Angeles  Co.,  Cal.,  he  married  Miss  Sada  V. 
Connor;  Seth  A.  is  farming  in  Polk  County,  Iowa; 
Harvey  W.  is  assisting  his  father  on  the  homestead, 
also  Albert  C. ;  Campbell  W.,  Mary  J.  and  Eli/a 
A.  are  all  living  at  home.  The  parents  and  three 
eldest  children  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 


i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1063 


Church  of  Gibson,  Ford  County,  and  the  three 
youngest  are  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  in  Randolph  Township. 

Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  Mr.  Mar- 
tin, laying  aside  his  personal  plans  and  interests, 
proffered  his  services  to  aid  in  the  preservation  of 
the  Union,  by  enlisting  in  Co.  B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
under  Capt.  McFarland,  of  Heyworth.  He  partic- 
ipated with  his  regiment  in  its  several  battles  and 
skirmishes  throughout  Mississippi  and  adjoining 
States.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  he 
received  an  honorable  discharge  at  Galveston,  Tex., 
July  17,  1865.  He  then  returned  to  Heyworth, 
where  he  lived  until  1871,  and  removing  thence  to 
Ford  County  lived  there  three  years,  then  returned 
to  McLean  County  and  located  upon  his  present 
farm  in  Randolph  Township,  which  he  has  occupied 
since  that  time. 


\j=-T>REDERICK  C.  I3OHRER,  a  prosperous 
pagi)  German  farmer  of  Normal  Township,  owns 
l]k  and  occupies  294  acres  of  valuable  land  on 
sections  18  and  19,  which  is  finely  improved  and 
in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  in  all  respects 
a  representative  citizen  and  a  fine  type  of  that  in- 
dustrious and  enterprising  element  which  has  so 
materially  assisted  iu  developing  the  resources  of 
the  Great  West. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  the 
German  Empire  and  was  born  in  Bavaria  on  the 
29th  of  September,  1822.  He  is  the  son  of  George 
and  Catharine  Bohrer,  of  excellent  German  ances- 
try and  parentage,  who  emigrated  from  their  native 
land  in  1826,  and  after  reaching  the  shores  of  the 
New  World  proceeded  directly  to  Brown  County, 
Ohio,  where  they  settled  upon  a  tract  of  laud  and 
engaged  in  farming  pursuits  until  1856.  They 
then  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Bloomington, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the 
mother  dying  in  March,  1876,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five  years,  and  the  father  on  the  29th  of  December, 
1879,  aged  eighty-eight.  The  parental  family  in- 
eluded  nine  children,  six  of  whom  were  born  in 
Germany,  and  five  are  now  living:  Henry  is  a 
resident  of  Danvers  Township;  George  V.  resides 


in  Montgomery  County,  Mo. ;  Frederick  C.,  of  our 
sketch;  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Phillip  Schwaek- 
art,  and  lives  in  Brown  County,  Ohio;  Lewis  H. 
lives  in  Normal  Township,  this  county. 

Mr.  Bohrer  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  came  with  their  family  to  the  United  States. 
He  grew  to  manhood  in  Ohio  and  assisted  his 
father  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
on  the  14th  of  February,  1853,  his  bride  being 
Miss  Anna  M.  Zeigler,  a -native  of  his  own  country, 
and  who  was  born  Nov.  21,  1832.  Mrs.  B.  came 
to  the  United  States  with  her  parents,  Jacob  and 
Louisa  Zeigler,  in  1851. 

After  their  marriage  our  subject  and  his  wife  re- 
mained in  Ohio  until  1856,  and  then  came  to  Illi- 
nois, accompanied  by  the  father  of  our  subject  and 
his  family.  They  settled  in  McLean  County,  where 
Frederick  C.  Bohrer  purchased  209  acres  of  laud  in 
Normal  Township,  on  section  18.  He  improved 
and  cultivated  this  until  1884,  and  then  removed 
to  his  present  homestead  which  embraces  eighty- 
five  acres,  located  on  section  19,  in  the  meantime 
keeping  possession  of  the  other  farm.  His  present 
possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own  industry,  and 
a  wise  investment  of  profits.  He  has  never  been  a 
speculator  but  has  been  willing  to  make  his  money 
by  downright  hard  and  honest  labor.  II  is  real 
estate  is  now  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  His  two 
farms  are  furnished  with  good  dwellings  and  out- 
buildings and  possess  all  the  appliances  for  carry- 
ing on  agriculture  in  a  first-class  manner. 

Of  the  union  of  our  subject  and  his  wife  there 
were  born  five  children:  George;  Louisa  B.,  the 
wife  of  J.  N.  Hilton;  Mary,  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Otto; 
Lewis  F.  and  Jacob  A.,  all  residing  in  McLean 
County.  Mrs.  Bohrer  has  been  an  excellent  house- 
wife and  mother,  the  sincere  helper  of  her  husband, 
and  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church. 

Mr.  Bohrer  early  in  life  was  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  Whig  party,  but  upon  the  abandonment  of 
the  old  by  the  formation  of  the  new  Republican 
party  he  cheerfully  indorsed  the  principles  of  the 
latter,  which  he  has  labored  to  uphold  since  that 
time.  He  was  always  opposed  to  the  idea  of  hu- 
man bondage,  and  during  the  old  slavery  days, 


\ 


1064 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


whenever  opportunity  occurred,  assisted  the  fugi- 
tives along  the  underground  railway  and  was  the 
means  of  opening  the  way  to  freedom  for  many 
of  the  oppressed.  He  has  thus  made  for  himself  a 
good  record  as  a  man  and  a  citizen  and  in  his  later 
days  is  enjoying  the  rewards  of  a  well-spent  life. 


ENRY  WEST  CRUMBAUGH,  general  mer- 
chant and  grain  dealer  at  Sabina.  is  a  na- 
tive of  this  county,  having  been  born  in 
Empire  Township,  Feb.  6,  1851.  His  fa- 
ther, Montgomery  Crumbaugh,  a  native  of  Bour- 
bon County,  Ky.,  was  born  June  3,  1813,  and  his 
grandfather,  Solomon  Crumbaugh,  was  born  in 
Frederick  County,  Md.  His  great-grandfather 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  on  emigrating  to 
America,  settled  in  Maryland,  where  he  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life.  Solomon  Crumbaugh  was 
an  early  settler  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  where  he 
reared  his  family  and  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  married,  in  his  na- 
tive State,  to  Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Henry 
West,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  West  Township,  this 
county,  and  in  whose  honor  the  township  was 
named.  The}-  resided  in  Kentucky  until  1841, 
then  came  to  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Crumbaugh  entered 
a  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now  Empire  Township, 
on  sections  31  and  32.  There  was  a  log  house  on 
the  prairie,  which  he  purchased,  and  into  which  he 
removed  his  family,  where  they  lived  for  several 
years.  Here  the  father  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days,  tilling  the  soil  and  adding  improvements 
from  year  to  year.  He  lived  to  see  the  county 
finely  developed  and  improved,  and  departed  this 
life  July  15.  1880.  The  mother  had  preceded 
him  to  the  better  land  nearly  nineteen  years  before. 
Of  their  nine  children  the  record  is  as  follows: 
Mary  J.  became  the  wife  of  Michael  Curtis,  and 
lives  in  Tazewell  County;  Martha  died  when  three 
years  of  age ;  Margaret  E.  married  A.  J.  Deffen- 
baugh,  and  is  now  deceased ;  Sarah  L.,  Mrs.  J.  B. 
Savage,  lives  in  Le  Roy;  Henrjr  W.  is  the  next 
child:  Louisa  E.  became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Kraffs, 
and  lives  in  Forest  City,  Dak. ;  Milton  M.  is  a  resi- 


dent  of  Empire  Township;  Mattie  E.  married 
Enoch  Brock,  and  lives  in  Bloom  ington;  Clarence 
S.  is  farming  in  Empire  Township. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  of  this  history  attended  the 
district  schools,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm, 
remaining  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  then  crossed  the  Mississippi,  and 
spent  two  years  in  Iowa  and  Nebraska.  After  his 
return  he  located  upon  the  farm,  on  section  21, 
West  Township,  which  he  now  owns.  He  devoted 
his  time  exclusively  to  farming  until  1885,  and 
then  engaged  in  the  grain  and  coal  trade  at  Sabina, 
while  at  the  same  time  he  has  superintended  the 
operations  of  his  farm.  This  consists  of  1  40  acres, 
all  enclosed  and  improved,  and  with  a  fine  stretch 
of  pasture. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Permelia  F.  Ross,  Oct.  22,  1874.  Mrs.  Crum- 
baugh was  born  in  Empire  Township,  Oct.  22, 
1858,  being  the  daughter  of  Talmadge  and  Mar- 
garet Ross  [see  sketch].  By  her  union  with  our 
subject  she  became  the  mother  of  six  children,  as 
follows:  Talmadge  Oleff,  who  was  born  Nov.  25, 
1875,  died  Jan.  11,  1882;  Chloe  was  born  May  24, 
1878;  Montgomery,  June  1,  1880;  Pearl,  May  27, 
1884;  two  infants,  twins,  not  named,  were  born 
July  6,  1886. 

Mr.  Crumbaugh  politically,  is  an  uncompromis- 
ing Democrat,  and  has  been  a  man  of  influence  in 
his  locality.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Sa- 
bina, in  March,  1886. 


WILLIAM  D.  JOHNSTON,  a  pioneer  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State,  is  now  a  citizen 
of  Lexington,  where  he  is  enjoy  ing  his  later 
days  retired  from  active  labor.  He  was  born  near 
Mansfield,  Richland  Co.,  Ohio,  Jan.  5,  1816,  on  the 
farm  of  his  father.  Daniel  Johnston,  who  was  a 
prominent  man  in  that  vicinity  and  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  many  years. 

The  earlier  record  of  the  Johnston  family,  who 
were  of  English  and  Irish  descent,  is  as  follows; 
James  Johnston,  the  great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  in  Ireland,  Sept.  28,  1724,  and  mar- 
ried Jeannet  Gaston,  who  was  born  June  11,  1731, 


• 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1065 


their  union  taking  place  April  24,  1755.  Their 
eldest  son.  William,  was  born  in  Elizabeth  Town- 
ship, Monmouth  Co.,  N.  J.,  Feb.  16,  1756,  and 
served  as  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  War  under 
the  immediate  command  of  Gen.  George  Washing- 
ton. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  married  Miss  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Insley  and  Providence  (Davidson) 
Douglas,  of  English  ancestry,  the  latter  born  while 
her  parents  were  on  the  voyage  to  this  country. 
She  was  named  Providence  at  the  earnest  request 
of  the  captain  and  crew,  because  the  Divine  hand 
was  so  manifest  in  saving  the  ship  during  a  severe 
storm.  She  was  married  to  Insey  Douglas  Dec.  17, 
1761.  The  third  Son  of  the  marriage  of  Will- 
iam and  Sarah  Johnston  was  Daniel,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  who 
when  quite  young  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Allegheny  County,  Pa.,  and  from  there,  in  1809, 
to  Knox  County,  Ohio,.  When  the  War  of  1812 
broke  out,  a  block-house  was  built  on  his  father's 
farm,  to  which  the  neighbors  often  repaired  for 
safety.  After  serving  in  this  war,  and  soon  after 
its  close,  Daniel  Johnston  was  married  to  Miss 
Rachel  Scott,  by  whom  he  had  six  sons  and  three 
daughters,  our  subject  being  the  eldest  child. 

Daniel  Johnston  spent  his  declining  years  jn 
Richland  County,  Ohio,  and  died  there  in  1831. 
His  children  all  grew  to  mature  years,  and  estab- 
lished homes,  with  families  of  their  own.  William 
D.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest  son  and  passed  his 
childhood  and  youth  in  his  native  county,  receiv- 
ing a  common-school  education.  After  attaining 
his  majority  he  turned  his  face  to  the  farther  West 
and  coming  into  Ogle  County,  111.,  took  up  a 
squatter's  claim.  In  the  fall  of  1838  he  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  was  married  in  Richland  County,  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Griffith,  who  was  born  there  and  lived 
with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  Shortly  after 
the  wedding  the  young  couple  started  for  their  new 
home  which  was  located  near  BJTOII.  When  the 
land  came  into  market  our  subject  secured  his  claim 
of  160  acres  and  immediately  began  its  improve- 
ment and  cultivation,  meeting  with  success.  In  due 
time  he  added  to  his  estate  until  he  became  the  owner 
of  240  acres  and  employed  himself  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising,  continuing  in  Ogle  County 
until  1856,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to 


McLean  County,  settling  near  Selma,  where  he 
remained  several  years  and  thence  removed  to 
a  farm  of  240  acres  two  miles  north.  There 
his  wife  died  in  1871,  leaving  three  children,  all 
daughters;  Lucretia  A.;  Alice  E.,  Mrs.  George 
Clayton  of  Ogle  County,  and  Mary  E.,  who  was 
married  to  David  B.  Ralston  and  is  living  on  his 
father's  farm  near  Lexington, 

Mr.  Johnston  was  the  second  time  married,  in 
September,  1873,  to  Mrs.  S.  R.  Slonn  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  located  upon  a  farm  near  Lexington, 
remaining  thereuntil  March,  1880,  when  they  re- 
moved to  a  homestead  of  ten  acres  just  outside  the 
corporate  limits.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  are  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of 
which  our  subject  has  been  Deacon  for  many  years. 

Mrs.  Johnston  by  her  former  marriage,  became 
the  mother  of  five  children,  four  now  living,  as  fol- 
lows :  Samuel  Curtis,  and  Anna,  Mrs.  Magee,  are  in 
Pennsylvania;  William  T.,  a  physician,  is  practicing 
in  Elmwood,  111. ;  Mary  S.  is  the  wife  of  E.  Gabries, 
a  druggist  of  Elmwood. 


EANDER  BAKER,  a  prominent  factor 
among  the  agricultural  interests  of  West 
Township,  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  home- 
stead on  section  7,  where  he  is  carrying  on  farming 
after  the  most  approved  methods  and  meeting  with 
more  than  ordinary  success.  He  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  his  birthplace  being  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, and  the  date  thereof,  March  19, 1842. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Dr.  Isaac  Baker, 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County,  to  which 
he  emigrated  at  an  early  day.  He  was  born  in  Fair- 
field  County,  Conn.,  Sept.  13,  1873,  and  traced  his 
ancestry  back  to  the  settlement  of  Plymouth  colony, 
the  first  representative  of  his  family  in  this  country 
having  come  over  in  the  Mayflower.  Dr.  Isaac 
Baker,  when  a  young  man,  removed  to  Marietta, 
Ohio,  and  during  the  War  of  1812,  lived  in  the 
block-house  at  that  place,  where  it  was  his  duty  a 
part  of  the  time  to  watch  from  the  tree-top  for  In- 
dians, while  the  men  were  at  work  in  the  field.  He 
learned  surveying  in  Ohio,  at  which  he  became 
quite  skillful.  In  1850  he  went  to  New  York  and 


t. 


1006 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


from  there  to  Bath,  Me.,  where  he  assisted  in  build- 
in"  the  first  steam  mill  erected  in  that  State.  Seven 

O 

years  later,  he  set  his  face  toward  the  great  West 
and  after  arriving  in  Illinois,  located  in  McLean 
County,  in  1827.  He  settled  first  at  Barley's 
Grove,  where  he  built  a  house,  but  shortly  after- 
ward removed  to  Funk's  Grove.  In  1831  he  as- 
sisted in  surveying  and  laying  out  the  city  of  Bloom- 
ington  and  was  afterward  chosen  Clerk  of  the  first 
County  Commissioners'  Court,  which  position  he 
held  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  Postmasters  at  Bloomington,  having  the 
office  at  his  residence  on  South  Center  street.  Dr. 
Baker  remained  a  resident  of  that  city  until  about 
1854,  when  he  removed  to  Le  Roy  and  died  there, 
April  28,  1872.  His  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Su- 
sanna M.  Dodge. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Seth  Baker,  was  born 
in  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  a  com- 
mon-school education,  and  when  a  young  man  emi- 
grated to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  locating  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  Here  he  was  married  in  1840  to 
Miss  Sarah  Orendorf,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  William  Orendorf,  a  native 
of  Georgia,  familiarly  known  as  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  this  county.  His  father,  Christopher  Orendorf. 
removed  from  Georgia  to  Spartanburg,  S.  C.,  and 
from  there  to  Tennessee,  thence  to  Kentucky,  and 
in  1823  the  whole  family  came  North  and  were 
among  the  very  first  to  settle  in  this  county.  The 
Indians  still  lingered  here  and  in  fact  claimed  that 
they  had  never  sold  their  original  j)ossessions,  at 
the  same  time  requesting  the  Orendorfs  to  leave. 
They  staid  however,  and  were  not  molested.  He 
was  visited  by  Indians  and  ordered  to  leave,  but 
Mr.  O.  was  firm  and  threatened  to  call  Gen.  White- 
sides  to  his  aid.  The  Indians  seemed  to  fear  him,  and 
by  his  strategy  he  put  a  hundred  of  them  to  flight. 
Christopher  Orendorf  was  a  man  of  sound  judg- 
ment and  very  popular.  In  1825  he  was  appointed 
Justice  of  the  Peace  by  Gov.  Coles,  being  first 
nominated  by  the  House  of  Representatives  and 
confirmed  by  the  Senate.  When  the  new  Constitu- 
tion of  Illinois,  making  his  office  elective,  went 
into  effect,  Mr.  O.  was  continued  in  his  office,  the 
election  being  held  at  the  house  of  his  son  William. 
The  latter  inherited  genial  qualities  of  his  father, 


was  hospitable  and  generous  and  always  ready  to 
assist  a  friend  or  neighbor.  He  departed  this  life 
May  12,  1869,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his 
age,  universally  lamented. 

After  marriage  the  father  of  our  subject  located 
in  the  city  of  Bloomington.  He  had  learned  the 
trade  <jf  carpenter,  was  a  good  mechanic,  and  estab- 
lished a  fanning-mill  manufactory  from  which  he 
turned  the  first  machine  of  the  kind  in  this  county. 
After  a  time  he  laid  down  his  carpenter  tools  and 
entering  into  partnership  with  his  father,  engaged 
as  a  dry -goods  merchant  in  Bloomington.  A  few 
years  later  he  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  busi- 
ness and  crossing  the  Mississippi,  located  in  Wa- 
pello  County,  Iowa,- and  once  more  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  fanniug-mills,  remaining  there 
until  his  death.  He  was  three  times  married,  his 
second  wife  being  the  mother  of  our  subject  and 
the  latter  the  only  child  of  this  marriage.  Mr. 
Baker  has  two  half-sisters  by  a  former  marriage  of 
his  father,  Mrs.  Frank  Packard  and  Mrs.  Alonzo 
Sargent,  both  of  Bloomington. 

Mr.  Baker  of  this  history  was  but  six  years  old 
at  the  time  of  his  mother's  death.  He  then  went  to 
live  with  his  maternal  grandfather,  by  whom  he  was 
reared  and  received  a  good  common-school  educa- 
tion. He  remained  with  his  grandfather  until  his 
marriage  and  then  located  on  his  uncle's  farm  for 
one  year.  In  December,  1864,  he  settled  on  a 
farm  in  West  Township,  which  he  now  owns  and 
occupies,  and  which  he  has  greatly  improved  since 
it  came  into  his  possession.  There  was,  originally, 
a  small  plank  house  and  twelve  acres  were  broken 
when  he  settled  here.  He  has  now  the  whole  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation  with  a  fine  and  con- 
venient farm  residence  and  other  good  frame  build- 
ings. 

The  marriage  of  Leander  Baker  and.  Miss  Mary 
Canouse  took  place  at  Blooming  Grove,  Nov.  26, 
1863.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio, 
March  10,  1842.  Her  parents,  Joseph  and  Katie 
(Turnipseed)  Canouse,  were  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ohio  respectively.  Mrs.  B.  was  quite 
young  when  her  mother  died  in  Ohio,  and  in  1844, 
soon  after  this  sad  event,  she  came  to  McLean 
County  with  her  father,  who  located  in  Lexington, 
and  died  there  the  following  year.  She  then  became  ' 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1007 


an  inmate  of  the  home  of  Samuel  Noggle,  with 
whom  she  lived  until  her  marriage.  Of  this  union 
there  have  been  two  children,  only  one  of  whom  is 
living,  Effie  Alice,  who  was  born  Jan.  23,  18C5. 
Their  only  son,  Eddie  Alvin,  was  born  April  18, 
1867,  and  died  Feb.  1,  1880.  The  parents  and 
daughter  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
Mr.  Baker  is  a  reliable  Democrat. 


H.   STRINGFIELD,  dealer  in  all 
kinds  of  groceries,  shelf  hardware,  etc.,  islo- 
cated  on  West  Main  street,  Hey  worth,  where 
he  has  been  successfully  operating  since  January, 

1884,  being  the  successor  of  Ross,  Miller  &   Co. 
He  has  dealt  in   farm  implements  for   about  two 
years  in  company  with  a  partner,  but  since   July, 

1885,  has  been  sole  proprietor  and  Very  successful 
in  his  business  transactions.     In   former  years  he 
engaged   in  general  farming  and  dairying,  and  at 
the   same   time    was   connected   with    the    public 
schools  of  McLean  County  for  about  eleven  years. 
He  has  been  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and  useful 
citizens  of  this  locality,  taking  an  active  interest  in 
its  welfare  and  advancement. 

Mr.  Stringfleld  was  born  in  Randolph  Township, 
April  7,  1840,  on  his  father's  homestead,  which  was 
among  the  first  laid  out  in  this  section.  See  sketch 
of  Capt.  A.  M.  Stringfleld.  George  made  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  1863,  and  in  the  meantime 
taught  school  two  years  and  read  law  three  years 
in  the  city  of  Bloomington.  In  1864  he  started 
across  the  plains  in  company  with  his  wife  and 
others,  driving  teams  of  oxen  to  Salt  Lake  City 
and  thence  by  horse-teams — having  sold  their  ox- 
team  and  bought  horses — on  to  Sacramento  County, 
Cal.,  where  they  halted  and  our  subject  began  to 
teach  school.  A  year  later  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
land,  on  which  he  began  to  farm  and  operate  a 
dairy,  at  the  same  time  having,  by  his  straightfor- 
ward and  courteous  manners,  established  himself  in 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  people  of  that 
vicinity.  He  was  appointed  Constable  and  Deputy 
Sheriff,  which  offices  were  at  that  time  quite  valu- 
able. These  he  held  for  eight  years  and  was  absent 
from  his  native  county  nearly  ten  years  in  all.  Re- 


turning  to  this  county  on  Thanksgiving  Day.  1873, 
he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  lying  on  sec- 
tions 11  and  14  of  Randolph  Township,  and  at 
once  began  to  farm,  teaching  during  the  winter. 
He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  three 
summers,  but  found  he  had  undertaken  too  much, 
so  he  rested  from  his  labors  in  the  winter  and 
attended  to  his  farming  in  the  summer  seasons. 

Mr.  Stringfield  was  married  in  his  native  town- 
ship near  his  old  home,  March  15,  1863,  to  Miss 
Zipporah  Wright,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
Sept.  1,  1846.  She  was  the  daughter  of  William 
T.  and  Amanda  (Hooton)  Wright,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  her  father  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  Mrs.  S.  was  only  three  years  of  age 
when  her  parents  came  to  the  Prairie  State.  A  few 
years  later  they  settled  in  McLean  County,  and  in 
about  1868  removed  to  Lee's  Summit,  Jackson  Co., 
Mo.,  where  they  are  now  living..  Their  daughter 
was  carefully  trained  by  her  excellent  parents  and 
is  a  lady  greatly  esteemed  in  the  community  where 
she  resides.  She  has  been  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  seventeen  years 
of  age  and  her  husband  since  he  was  eight  years 
old.  They  occupy  a  handsome  residence  on  New- 
ton street,  and  our  subject  is  the  owner  of  con- 
siderable property  in  the  town.  In  politics  he  is  a 
reliable  Democrat. 


'ERNANDO  A.  EYESTONE,  Supervisor  of 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State  since  1865.  He 
was  then  a  young  man,  and  came  to  this  vicinity 
with  his  father's  family.  He  was  born  in  Wyan- 
dotte  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  22,  1842,  and  is  the  son 
of  Ezekiel  and  Lucretia  (Babcock)  Eyestone,  both 
natives  of  Ohio.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
John  Eyestone,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
of  German  ancestry. 

Ezekiel  Eyestone  was  a  farmer  and  an  extensive 
dealer  in  hogs  and  cattle,  which  he  shipped  to  New 
York  City.  In  1865  he  sold  his  property  in  Wyan- 
dotte  County,  Ohio,  and  removing  to  Illinois,  pur- 
chased a  half  section  of  land  in  Mt.  Hope  Town- 
ship, this  county.  Here  he  industriously  cultivated 
and  improved  his  purchase  and  gathered  around  him 


f 


1 

'  '    1068 


MCLEAN  COUNT?. 


all  the  comforts  of  life  and  many  of  its  luxuries. 
He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  died  in  Ohio  in  about  1848;  his 
second  wife,  formerly  Miss  Susan  Augustine,  is 
still  living  on  the  old  homestead.  There  were  four 
children  by  the  first  marriage  and  six  by  the  sec- 
ond. Ezekiel  Eyestone  departed  this  life  at  his 
home  in  Mt.  Hope  Township  ia  1 870. 

Fernando  A.  Eyestone  was  the  second  child  of  his 
father's  first  marriage  and  spent  the  days  of  his 
childhood  and  youth  under  the  parental  roof  after 
the  manner  of  most  farmers'  boys.  He  was  still  at 
home  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  Civil  War, 
and  in  August,  1862,  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  123d  Ohio 
Vol.  Inf.,  serving  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and 
participating  in  many  of  the  most  important  battles 
of  that  army.  He  was  captured  at  Winchester  and 
confined  in  the  prisons  of  Belle  Isle  and  Libby  for 
two  months.  After  being  exchanged  he  went  with 
Sheridan's  army  in  the  campaign  of  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  and  was  in  the  battle  before  Petersburg, 
where  he  was  again  captured  and  held  a  prisoner 
until  the  time  of  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee.  Too 
great  honor  cannot  be  paid  to  these  brave  defend- 
ers of  our  country.  The  suffering  in  camp,  on  the 
inarch,  in  prison,  and  on  the  bloody  field  endured 
by  them  can  never  be  too  highly  appreciated  by  a 
grateful  people. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  young  Eyestone  received 
his  honorable  discharge  and  returned  to  Ohio.  He 
was  there  married,  April  26,  1866,  to  Miss  Minerva 
J.  Ralston,  who  was  born  in  Seneca  County,  that 
State,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth Ralston.  They  remained  in  Ohio  until  Janu- 
ary, 1868,  and  then  came  to  McLean  County,  lo- 
cating on  the  farm  of  Mr.  E.'s  father,  where,  they 
lived  two  years.  Then  our  subject  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  his  present  homestead,  to  which  he 
subsequently  added,  and  has  now  160  acres,  which 
is  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation  and  supplied  with  a 
set  of  handsome  and  substantial  farm  buildings. 
This  is  located  on  section  6,  and  possesses  many 
natural  advantages  to  which  Mr.  Eyestone  has  added, 
and  which  have  contributed  to  make  it  one  of  the 
most  attractive  homes  in  this  section.  A  view  of 
the  place  is  given  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  have  no  children.    Our  subject, 


in  politics,  is  strongly  Republican.  He  has  been 
Collector  of  the  township  for  five  years  and  is  now 
serving  the  third  term  as  Supervisor.  Both  lie  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  greatly  respected  among  their  neigh- 
bors and  associates. 


J"  OSEPH  BORLANB  owns  and  occupies  a 
comfortable  homestead  on  section  21,  where 
he  is  successfully  carrying  on  the  mauufact- 
1  ure  of  tile  and  lumber,  turning  out  about 
6,000  of  the  former  per  day,  and  of  the  latter 
4,000  feet. 

Mr.  Boland  put  his  sawmill  in  operation  in  1882, 
and  the  same  year  began  the  manufacture  of  tile. 
He  also,  in  connection  with  this,  has  a  small  black- 
smith-shop, and  a  storeroom  stocked  with  commod- 
ities for  the  local  trade.  He  ships  both  tile  and 
lumber  to  different  parts  of  the  West,  his  trans- 
actions in  the  latter  especially  being  quite  extensive. 
He  came  to  McLean  County  in  1868,  and  soon  aft- 
erward purchased  the  property  which  he  now  holds. 
He  at  one  time  owned  several  hundred  acres  of 
land,  which  he  disposed  of  and  turned  the  pro- 
ceeds into  his  business  here. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  near  Bucy- 
rus,  Crawford  Co.,  Ohio,  April  11,  1840.  His  fa- 
ther, Samuel  Borland,  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  served  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Mexican  War.  In  early  manhood  he  was  mar- 
ried, in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Jane  Wilson, 
who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  became  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Buckeye  State  when  a  child  six  years 
of  age.  The  father  of  our  subject  died  in  1849, 
and  the  mother  was  afterward  married  to  William 
Johnson,  and  they  located  in  Ilardin  County,  Ohio, 
where  Mr.  J.  died  in  about  1866.  She  afterward 
came  to  Illinois,  in  1868,  and  made  her  home  with 
her  son,  our  subject,  until  her  death,  which  oc- 
curred Sept.  24,  1883. 

The  father  of  Joseph  Borland  was  a  man  of  in- 
tegrity and  energy,  but  departed  this  life  before  our 
subject  learned  much  of  his  history  or  that  of  Ins 
ancestors.  The  mother  was  the  (laughter  of  John 
Wilson,  who  is  believed  to  have  been  of  Irish  birth 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1069 


and  parentage,  but  emigrated  to  America  with  his 
parents  when  quite  young.  There  was  also  an  in- 
termingling of  Scottish  blood  in  the  family.  John 
Wilson  lived  in  Pennsylvania  for  many  years,  and 
was  married  there,  removing  later  to  Ohio,  where 
he  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  Hardin  County.  He 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  after- 
ward engaged  in  fanning. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  younger  of 
the  only  two  children  of  his  parents.  His  brother 
Garrett  was  born  Oct.  11,  1838,  was  reared  and  ed- 
ucated in  Harding  County,  and  during  the  late  wav 
enlisted  in  the  4th  Ohio  Infantry,  from  which  he 
was  later  transferred  to  the  33d.  After  having 
served  eighteen  months  he  died  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
from  disease  contracted  in  the  army.  During  this 
time  he  was  captured  by  the  rebels  in  Virginia, 
and  lay  in  Libby  Prison  for  several  months. 
Later  he  was  paroled  and  taken  to  the  hospital  at 
Columbus,  which  he  never  left  alive.  His  remains 
were  taken  to  his  old  home  and  buried  in  the  cem- 
etery there. 

The  early  life  of  Joseph  Dorland  was  spent  on 
the  farm  and  in  attendance  at  the  public  schools. 
He  was  married  in  Hardin  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  25, 
1864,  to  Miss  Phoebe  Sophia  Chamberlain,  who  was 
born  in  Logan  County,  that  State,  Feb.  20,  1840. 
Her  parents  were  Reuben  and  Elizabeth  (Hooper) 
Chamberlain,  natives  respectively  of  New  Jersey 
and  Ohio,  the  former  being  of  New  England  an- 
cestry. He  possessed  a  fine  education,  being  a 
graduate  at  Marion,  Ohio,  where  he  afterward 
taught  school  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death 
occurring  when  he  was  only  thirty  years  of  age. 
The  mother  was  subsequently  married  to  Henry 
Wilcox,  and  they  live  on  a  farm  in  Hardin  Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

There  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  seven 
children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  The  record  is 
as  follows:  Jennie  M.  became  the  wife  of  Albert 
Brown,  who  is  engineer  in  the  mill  of  his  father-in- 
law,  and  they  live  with  the  parents;  their  two  chil- 
dren are  John  Homer  and  Florence  M. ;  Mary  E. 
died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years;  Anna  F.,  Will- 
iam S.,  Charles  W.,  Hugh  H.  and  Maggie  M.  are  at 
home. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  Dorland  enlisted  in  Co. 


K,  180th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  and  with  his  comrades 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Kingston,  N.  C.,  and 
various  other  engagements,  escaping  unharmed  and 
receiving  his  honorable  discharge  on  the  23d  of 
July,  1865.  His  first  purchase  of  land  in  this 
county  consisted  of  160  acres.  He  now  has  115  in 
the  township,  aside  from  the  homestead,  which  em- 
braces forty  acres.  The  family  residence  is  a  hand- 
some structure,  convenient  and  commodious,  and 
of  modern  style  of  architecture,  and  is  shown  by  a 
view  in  this  volume.  The  premises  are  neatly 
kept  and  in  good  order,  and  indicate  the  thrift  and 
prosperity  of  the  proprietor.  Most  of  the  members 
of  the  family  are  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject  has  served  as 
Trustee  and  Road  Commissioner,  and  in  politics 
affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party. 


ARRY  P.  HAZLE,  a  prosperous  farmer  of 
Mt.  Hope  Township,  owns  and  occupies  a 
comfortable  homestead  on  section  ] ,  and  in 
the  pursuit  of  his  dairy  business  and  farm- 
ing operations,  is  meeting  with  deserved  success. 
Mr.  Hazle  is  a  worthy  representative  of  his  excel- 
lent German  ancestry,  and  was  born  in  Mechanics- 
burg,  Ohio,  Nov.  19,  1841.  His  father,  James 
Heazle,  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign County,  March  4,  1828.  His  grandfather, 
Jacob  Heazle,  was  a  native  of  Pennsj'lvania,  and 
his  great-grandfather,  William  Heazle,  of  German 
ancestry  and  parentage,  was  also  born  in  the  Key- 
stone State. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Jacob  Heazle, 
emigrated  from  his  native  State,  and  became  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio. 
He  cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  and  erected 
a  brick  house,  which,  when  the  township  was  laid 
off,  was  found  to  be  in  Goshen.  There  he  remained 
until  his  death,  having  provided  a  comfortable 
home  for  his  family,  and  building  up  for  himself  a 
good  record  as  an  honest  man  and  a  useful  citizen. 
James  Heazle,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ohio,  and  also  was 
engaged  in  a  flour  and  saw  mill.  The  estate  of 
his  father  consisted  of  1,160  acres  of  land,  and 


f 


. '    1070 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


when  James  w:is  married,  his  father  removed  to 
Mechanicsburg,  and  left  the  son  in  charge  of  the 
farm  and  mills,  which  he  operated  until  1851.  He 
then  emigrated  West  to  Illinois,  and  purchased  a 
farm  near  Bloomington,  upon  which  he  lived  a  few 
years,  and  then  removed  into  the  city.  In  1864 
he  purchased  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  which,  after 
eighteen  months,  he  traded  for  a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope 
Township.  He  removed  upon  the  latter  and  fol- 
lowed farming  for  a  few  years,  then  rented  it  and 
returned  to  the  city,  where  he  afterward  lived  a  re- 
tired life  until  his  death  in  1 880. 

The  maiden  name  of  the  mother  of  our  subject 
was  Martha  J.  Bay.  She  was  a  native  of  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio,  and  born  Feb.  16,  1824.  Her 
father,  William  Bay,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  her  grandfather,  David  Bay,  removed  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  William  Bay 
afterward  removed  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  being 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  locality,  and  for 
many  years  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick. 
In  1843  he  started  with  his  family  overland  on  a 
journey  to  Illinois.  He  located  at  Blooruington, 
and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick  there, 
making  that  city  his  home  until  his  decease.  He 
was  a  man  of  deep  piety,  one  of  the  earliest  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  denomination  in  that  place, 
and  earnestly  devoted  to  Christian  work.  He  often 
supplied  the  pulpit  in  the  absence  of  a  minister, 
and  as  an  exhorter  was  widely  and  favorably 
known,  being  especially  efficient  in  conducting  re- 
vivals. He  was  married,  in  his  native  .State,  to 
Miss  Susanna  Corbin,  who  was  born  in  Maryland, 
accompanied  her  husband  to  Illinois  and  died  in 
Bloomington.  Of  the  three  children  born  to  James 
Heazle  and  wife,  only  two  are  living:  Elizabeth, 
the  wife  of  B.  V.  Sharpe,  of  Mt.  Hope  Township, 
and  our  subject.  The  first  born,  William,  died  in 
infancy. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  two  years 
old  when  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents. 
After  becoming  of  suitable  age,  he  attended  the 
public  schools  in  Bloomington,  and  advanced  his 
education  by  an  attendance  of  one  year  at  Wes- 
leyan  University,  and  two  years  at  Normal.  He 
afterward  entered  the  commercial  college  of  Bry- 


ant  &  Stratton,  at  Chicago,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1871.  lie  then  formed  a  partnership 
with  Charles  II.  Curtis,  to  engage  in  the  clothing 
trade  and  merchant,  tailoring,  at  Fanner  City. 
With  the  design  of  going  to  Cincinnati  to  purchase 
goods,  they  boarded  a  railroad  train,  and  while  go- 
ing through  Champaign  County  the  cars  were 
thrown  from  the  track,  and  our  subject,  in  some 
unaccountable  manner,  thrown  from  the  car.  He 
was  picked  up  unconscious  and  remained  so  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  for  three  weeks.  This  de- 
lay in  perfecting  his  business  arrangements,  in- 
duced him  to  abandon  commercial  pursuits  for  the 
time,  and  he  engaged  in  teaching  school,  pursuing 
this  for  twenty-seven  terms.  In  1876  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  four  miles  south  of  Bloom- 
ington, upon  which  he  lived  until  1881,  and  then 
purchased  160  acres  of  the  homestead  which  he 
now  owns  and  occupies. 

Mr.  Hazle  was  married,  in  September,  1875,  to 
Miss  Alice  L.  Houghton,  who  was  born  in  Bloom- 
ington  Township,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Stephen 
and  Aurilla  Houghton  [see  sketch  in  another  part 
of  this  volume].  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  deceased ; 
the  living  is  a  son — Stephen  H.  Our  subject  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  socially  is  a  member  of 
Remembrance  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Bloomington. 


OSEPH  P.  SHELTON,  one  of  the  leading 
druggists  of  Heyworth,  is  located  on  East 
Main  street,  where  he  established  business  in 
December.  1883,  and  has  since  steadily  in- 
creased his  stock  and  his  trade.  He  is  a  gentleman 
of  great  energy  and  superior  business  talent,  and 
the  prospects  are  that  he  will  continue  as  he  has 
begun.  Previous  to  his  settlement  in  this  place  he 
was  engaged  for  two  years  with  the  druggist,  J.  E. 
Espey,  of  Bloom  iugton,  where  he  gained  a  rich  and 
valuable  experience.  He  studied  pharmacy  when 
quite  a  youth,  and  his  first  experience  in  the  busi- 
ness was  as  a  clerk  in  Normal,  where  he  was  occu- 
pied for  about  three  years.  His  business  now  ag- 
gregates a  trade  of  about  $7,000  annually.  Mr. 
Shelton  exercises  the  greatest  care  in  filling  pro- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1071 


scriptions,  and  has  thus  far  escaped  blame  and  cen- 
sure on  account  of  those  accidents  which  now  too 
frequently  happen  with  druggists,  and  have  often 
been  the  cause  of  great  suffering  and  frequently 
destruction  of  life. 

Our  subject  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State,  hav- 
ing been  born  in  Washington  County,  Dec.  13, 
1858.  He  was  reared  in  Normal,  to  which  his  par- 
ents came  when  he  was  a  lad  of  eight  years.  Here 
he  completed  his  primary  education,  but  later  at- 
tended the  Commercial  College  at  Quincy,  and  also 
the  Gem  City  schools  for  a  business  education,  pur- 
suing his  studies  in  that  direction  for  a  period  of 
four  years.  After  perfecting  himself  as  a  business 
man  he  took  up  the  study  of  pharmacy  and  applied 
himself  to  this  until  he  had  mastered  the  most  im- 
portant branches.  To  this  he  seemed  naturally 
adapted  and  finally  resolved  to  choose  it  as  his  fu- 
ture calling. 

Joseph  P.  Shelton  and  Miss  Sarah  Jamison  were 
united  in  marriage  on  the  8th  of  May,  1883,  in 
Shelby  County,  III.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  and  reared 
in  New  York  City,  and  came  with  her  parents  to 
Shelby  County,  in  girlhood.  Here  she  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  public  schools  and  remained  under 
the  parental  roof  until  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  are  favorites  in  the  society  of  Heyworth,  and 
possessed  of  those  social  qualities  which  are  so  at- 
tractive and  engaging  among  the  sterner  duties  of 
life.  Our  subject  is  connected  as  Treasurer  with 
Blue  Lodge  No.  251,  of  Heyworth,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  politics 
he  is  a  reliable  Democrat. 


-£>• 


HOWARD  STEELE,  an  enterprising,  suc- 
cessful and  prominent  young  farmer  of 
Bloom  ington  Township,  is  finely  located  on 
section  2,  his  birthplace,  and  his  father's 
old  homestead,  and  of  which  he  is  now  the  owner 
of  eighty-eight  acres.  He  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising,  and  bids  fair  to  become 
prominent  among  the  business  and  industrial  inter- 
ests of  McLean  County. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  May  2, 1857, 
upon  the  farm   which  his  father  established  more 


than  forty  years  ago.  The  latter,  James  Steele  by 
name,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born,  reared 
and  married  in  Washington  County.  The  maiden 
of  his  choice  was  Miss  Harriet  Jackman,  a  native 
of  his  own  State  and  county,  where  they  located 
and  lived  until  after  the  birth  of  two  children. 
They  then  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  became  resi- 
dents of  McLean  County  in  1855.  Here  James 
Steele  purchased  264  acres  of  land,  the  present 
homestead,  and  industriously  improved  and  culti- 
vated it  until  1864,  when  he  was  called  from  his 
earthly  labors,  dying  in  the  prime  of  life  at  the  age 
of  thirty -seven  years.  He  was  a  man  of  great  en- 
ergy, a  hard  worker,  and  very  successful  in  his  bus- 
iness and  farming  pursuits. 

The  parental  household  consisted  of  the  follow- 
ing: William  J.  is  married  and  is  a  clerk  in  the 
United  States  Express  Office  in  Bloomington;  Se- 
lena A.  died  in  infancy ;  James  W.  died  in  this 
township  in  1856;  S.  Howard,  our  subject,  was  the 
next  in  order  of  birth;  an  infant  son  following, 
died  April  18,  1859;  John  R.  died  in  1868;  Theo- 
dore J.,  born  Dec.  21,  1862,  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  this  township,  and  now  lives  with  his 
brother,  our  subject,  on  the  farm,  of  which  he  also 
owns  eighty-eight  acres  and  likewise  the  family 
residence. 

After  the  death  of  James  Steele,  Mrs.  S.  was 
married  to  Mr.  George  Hill,  a  farmer  of  Galva, 
Henry  County,  and  the  owner  at  that  time  of  320 
acres  of  choice  land.  Of  this  union  there  were 
born  three  children — Marshall  P.,  Hattie  M.  and 
Charles  E.  The  mother  died  at  her  home  in  this 
township,  from  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  on  the  8th  of 
March,  1884.  She  and  Mr.  Hill  with  all  the 
children  except  Hattie  and  Charles,  were  members 
of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 

S.  Howard  Steele  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Cathrena  L.  Roth,  at  the  residence  of  the 
bride's  uncle  in  the  city  of  Bloomington,  May  2, 
1882.  Mrs.  Steele  was  born  in  Victor,  Ontario 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  8,  1855.  Her  parents  are  still 
living  in  the  Empire  State,  on  a  small  farm  in  Ba- 
tavia,  her  father  being  a  cooper  by  trade.  Mrs. 
Steele  was  reared  at  the  home  of  her  parents,  and 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Victor.  In  1877 
she  came  to  Illinois  and  made  her  home  with  her 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


uncle  in  Bloomington,  until  her  marriage.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  S.  have  become  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Harvey,  who  was  born  May  21,  1884.  They  have 
lived  upon  the  homestead  since  their  marriage.  It 
is  pleasantly  located,  and  the  inmates  are  in  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  comforts  of  life,  and  many  of 
its  luxuries.  The  brothers  work  harmoniously  to- 
gether, and  in  the  breeding  of  stock  their  aim  is  to 
excel.  They  deal  in  cattle,  Poland-China  hogs 
and  thoroughbred  horses.  The  Steele  boys  are  all 
Republican  in  politics,  and  have  inherited  from 
their  forefathers  those  principles  of  honor  and  hon- 
esty for  which  the  family  has  been  noted  for  gen- 
erations. 


T 


^ILLIAM  COLAW,  a  large  land-owner  and 
successful  farmer  of  Downs  Township,  is 
finely  located  on  section  1,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  breeding  of  Short-horn  cattle  and 
Poland-China  hogs.  His  landed  property  consists 
of  840  acres,  320  of  which  are  on  section  1,  and 
160  on  section  2  in  Downs  Township,  and  the  re- 
mainder is  in  Old  Town  Township.  He  has  a  fine 
residence,  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary  out-build- 
ings for  the  shelter  of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grain. 
The  farm  machinery,  fences  and  everything  about 
the  premises  are  kept  in  first-class  order,  and  the 
entire  estate  indicates  the  supervision  of  an  intel- 
ligent business  man,  possessed  of  cultivated  tastes 
and  ample  means. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  near  Mon- 
terey, Highland  Co.,  Va.,  Jan.  30,  1813.  His  fa- 
ther, George  Colaw,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
of  substantial  German  ancestry,  and  removed  from 
his  native  county  to  Virginia  with  his  family  when 
our  subject  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  of  age.  There 
he  followed  his  former  occupation  as  a  farmer,  and 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  George  Colaw 
was  reared  to  manhood  in  Highland  Count}',  Va., 
and  was  there  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Wymer. 
This  lady,  it  is  supposed,  was  a  native  of  the  Old 
Dominion,  but  descended  from  an  old  Pennsylva- 
nia family  of  German  descent.  Her  father  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  at  the 
termination  of  this  conflict  located  in  the  Old  Do- 
minion and  there  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 


George  Colaw  and  his  wife  settled  upon  a  farm 
in  Virginia  and  remained  residents  of  Highland 
County  until  their  decease,  v/hich  occurred  when 
they  were  well  advanced  in  years,  the  father  reach- 
ing the  age  of  eighty-nine.  Of  their  family,  which 
included  ten  children,  our  subject  was  the  second 
son  and  child,  and  three  sire  deceased. 

William  Colaw  was  reared  in  his  native  county, 
and  remained  with  his  parents  until  his  first  mar- 
riage, which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  March,  1834, 
the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Sabina  Gum. 
She  was  born  and  reared  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Monterey,  removed  West  to  Illinois  with  her  hus- 
band, and  died  at  the  home  of  our  subject,  in 
Downs  Township,  Jan.  30,  1859.  She  became  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living 
and  married — William,  Amos,  Benjamin  W.,  Dyer 
W.  and  Martha  Jane.  Those  deceased  are  Laban, 
Harmon  and  Ellen.  Mr.  Colaw  was  married  the 
second  time,  in  this  township,  May  16,  1860,  to 
Miss  Phebe  Wood,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, born  in  Pendleton  County.  She  came  to 
Illinois  when  a  j'oung  woman,  and  by  her  marriage 
with  our  subject  became  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren— Harvey,  George,  and  Lucinda,  deceased. 
Mrs.  Colaw  departed  this  life  at  the  home  of  her 
husband  in  Downs  Township,  Sept.  28,  1858.  Mr. 
Colaw  was  the  third  time  married,  in  Bloomington, 
Dec.  22,  1872,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  James 
H.  and  Barbara  (Slafor)  Wilson,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky.  They  were 
of  German  ancestry,  and  the  father  was  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He 
was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania  but  removed 
to  Kentucky  when  a  young  man,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried. He  afterward  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
near  Pekin,  where  Mrs.  C.  was  born  July  11,  1836. 

When  she  was  about  two  years  of  age  the  family 
removed  to  Lee  Count}',  Iowa,  where  the  mother 
died  in  1852,  aged  forty -eight  years.  The  father 
afterward  removed  to  Chambersburg,  Clark  Co., 
Mo.,  where  his  death  occurred  July  10,  1879,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  having  been  born 
March  19,  1797. 

After  the  first  marriage  of  Mr.  Colaw,  in  Ken- 
tucky, he  located  upon  a  farm,  where  he  lived  sev- 
eral years  and  then  decided  to  try  his  fortunes  on 


, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1073    <  . 


i 


the  prairie  lands  of  Illinois.  Coming  into  this 
county  he  purchased  240  acres  of  land  on  section 
1,  Downs  Township,  to  which  he  subsequently 
added  as  before  stated.  He  has  been  remarkably 
successful  in  his  fanning  and  stock  operations, 
and  by  his  straightforward  business  methods  and 
promptness  in  meeting  his  obligations  has  firmly 
established  himself  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  an  active  member  and 
Trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 
a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Democratic  party. 


YLVESTER  PEA8LEY,  one  of  the  best 
informed  men  in  McLean  County,  has  been 
a  resident  of  Downs  Township  since  a  boy 
of  thirteen  years  old,  in  1836.  His  father 
at  that  time,  who  had  settled  near  the  grove,  re- 
moved into  Downs  Township,  and  being  a  man  of 
great  enterprise  and  energy,  soon  made  his  mark  in 
this  vicinity  as  a  business  man  and  a  citizen.  He 
was  for  some  time  styled  "  Lord  of  the  Prairie," 
and  did  much  toward  encouraging  its  settlement 
by  men  of  his  own  ambition  and  resolution.  The 
history  of  the  Peasley  family  has  been  quite  an  in- 
teresting one,  its  various  members  having  been 
distinguished  for  the  reliable  and  substantial  traits 
of  character  handed  down  to  them  from  their  ex- 
cellent Scottish  ancestry.  The  great-grandfather 
of  our  subject,  who  immigrated  from  Scotland 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  spelled  his  name 
Paisley.  He  settled  in  North  Carolina,  and  from 
him  descended  the  Peasleys  of  the  United  States. 
It  is  believed  from  the  meager  history  which  has 
been  preserved,  that  this  sturdy  old  gentleman  was 
an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  War  on  the  side  of 
the  Colonists.  To  him  there  was  born  John  Peas- 
ley,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  grandson.  He  was 
born  and  reared  to  manhood  in  North  Carolina, 
and  also  fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War  by  the 
side  of  his  father.  In  early  manhood  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Holt,  whom  it  is  supposed  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  and  of  Scottish  ancestry.  They 
spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in  Wilkes 
County,  N.  C.,  where  John  Peasley  followed  farm- 
ing. They  reared  a  family  of  ten  children,  of 


whom  a  son  and  daughter  were  twins.  The  name 
of  the  former  was  Isaac,  who  became  the  father  of 
Sylvester  Peasley  of  this  sketch. 

Isaac  Peasley  started  out  early  in  life  on  his  own 
account,  and  was  employed  by  Gen.  Lanor,  of 
Wilkes  County,  as  overseer  of  his  plantation.  Af- 
terward Isaac  Peasley  engaged  in  teaming  and 
hauling  cotton  to  the  seaport.  He  operated  in  his 
native  State  and  through  the  southern  part  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  met  his  wife  in  Grayson  County,  the 
latter  State.  She  was  Miss  Rachel  Halsey,  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  of  New  England  parentage  and 
English  ancestry.  Her  father,  William  Halsey, 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
After  his  marriage,  Isaac  Peasley  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Grayson  County,  Va.,  where  four  children  were 
born,  of  whom  Sylvester  of  our  sketch  was  the 
eldest. 

In  1836  the  family  left  the  Old  Dominion  for 
Illinois,  making  the  journey  overland  with  a  four- 
horse  team.  After  a  journey  of  forty-one  days, 
they  arrived  near  the  home  of  Mr.  Dawson,  in  Old 
Town  Township.  Their  intended  destination  was 
Putnam  County,  111.,  but  after  meeting  Mr.  D.,  who 
gave  them  glowing  accounts  of  the  prospects  in 
this  section,  he  resolved  to  remain  here,  at  least 
until  spring.  In  the  meantime  he  visited  Putnam 
County,  but  failing  to  find  a  satisfactory  location, 
concluded  to  settle  in  Downs  Township.  He  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  wild  land,  and  immediately  began 
its  improvement  and  cultivation.  Here  he  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  home,  upon  which  he  remained 
until  his  death,  in  1851.  The  mother  survived 
only  until  the  following  year.  Both  were  earnest 
members  of  the  Regular  Baptist  Church.  Isaac 
Peasley,  although  a  native  of  the  South,  was  en- 
tirely opposed  to  human  bondage,  and  left  that 
section  of  the  country  on  account  of  his  opposition 
to  slavery.  Aside  from  this  he  was  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party. 

Sylvester  Peasley  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  Randolph 
Township,  this  county,  in  November,  1842.  The 
lady  of  his  choice  was  Miss  Mary  Stillman,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Morris  Count}',  N.  J.,  and 
of  New  England  parentage.  She  came  West  with 
her  parents  when  a  young  woman.  Her  father  was 


4   /\( 


•  •  1074 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


I 


a  farmer  of  Randolph  Township,  being  among  its 
earliest  pioneers.  The  parents  there  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  days,  and  were  greatly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  them  for  their  excellent  traits  of 
character,  as  citizens,  friends  and  neighbors. 

Of  Mrs.  Peasley's  union  with  our  subject  there 
was  born  quite  a  family  of  children,  and  the 
mother  departed  this  life  at  her  home  in  Downs 
Township  in  1854.  The  children,  one  of  whom  is 
deceased,  were  Granville,  Isaac,  Susan  R.,  John  C., 
Bissell,  deceased,  and  Esther  C.  The  living  are  all 
married. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Peasley  occurred  in 
Downs  Township,  April  6,  1864,  when  he  was 
united  with  Mrs.  Susan  T.  (Barclay)  Crosby.  This 
lady  was  born  in  Mason  County,  Ky.,  June  7, 1822, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Down- 
ing) Barclay,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and 
Ohio.  They  were  of  Scottish  descent,  and  farmers 
by  occupation.  The  mother  died  in  Mason  Coun- 
ty, Ky.,  when  her  daughter,  Susan  P.,  was  a  young 
girl  twelve  years  of  age.  Later  the  father  moved 
to  Lebanon,  Ind.,  where  he  died  in  about  1855. 
He  was  an  honest  man  and  a  good  citizen,  and 
politically  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party. 
Mrs.  Peasley  was  the  eldest  of  six  children,  three 
sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  only  one  son 
and  Mrs.  P.  are  now  living.  The  latter  was  first 
married  to  Andrew  J.  Crosby,  in  Mason  County, 
Ky.  He  was  a  native  of  that  county  and  died 
there  in  1849,  leaving  his  wife  and  four  children — 
William  A.,  Nancy  J.,  Harriett  E.  and  James  M. 
Of  the  present  union  there  has  been  born  one  child, 
a  daughter,  Sarah  E. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Peasley  includes  265 
acres  of  land  supplied  with  a  fine  set  of  frame 
buildings  erected  after  a  modern  style  of  architect- 
ure. When  Mr.  P.  took  possession  of  his  land  it 
was  scarcely  removed  from  its  original  condition. 
He  turned  the  first  furrow  and  set  the  posts  for  the 
first  fence  ever  built  upon  it.  He  has  taken  pride 
in  its  adornment,  and  besides  abundant  fruit  trees, 
h:is  planted  around  the  house  fine  shade  and  orna- 
mental trees. 

For  his  first  labor  on  a  farm  he  received  $6  per 

month,  but  from  these  small  earnings  he  managed 

r   to  save  enough  to  set  him  upon  his  feet,  and  fur- 


nish  him  a  good  start  in  life.  His  energy  and 
industry,  and  straightforward  manner  of  doing 
business,  in  a  short  time  secured  for  him  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  he  was 
accorded  an  honored  place  among  their  councils 
and  deliberations  while  yet  the  township  was  new. 
He  was  the  first  Supervisor,  which  office  he  has  held 
for  many  years.  He  was  Postmaster  of  Downs 
post-office  for  a  period  of  twelve  years,  and  in 
the  year  1875  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
County  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  was 
first  President  and  has  held  the  office  since  that 
time.  He  is  also  President  of  the  Agricultural  So- 
ciety of  McLean  County.  He  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  ordained 
a  Christian  minister  by  the  Baptist  Church  in  1843, 
at  Lytleville,  this  county,  and  continued  actively 
until  about  1853,  when  he  was  obliged  to  abandon 
speaking  on  account  of  sore  throat,  but  is  called  to 
officiate  at  funerals  by  his  numerous  friends  of  this 
vicinity.  At  one  time  he  was  pastor  of  five 
churches,  and  traveled  all  over  the  State.  Mrs.  P. 
is  connected  with  the  Christian  Church. 

¥~>ILLIAM  T.  BRADBURY,  Supervisor  of 
Belleflower  Township,  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  Prairie  State  since  1860,  and 
has  witnessed  with  deep  interest  the  remarkable 
changes  which  have  occurred  during  a  period  of 
over  twenty-five  years.  He  was  born  in  Clermont 
County,  Ohio,  June  26,  1830.  His  father,  John  E. 
Bradbury,  and  his  grandfather,  Benjamin  Bradbury, 
were  natives  of  Maine  and  descended  from  excellent 
English  ancestry.  Benjamin  Bradbury  emigrated 
from  his  native  State  to  Ohio  previous  to  1830,  be- 
coming one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Clermont  Coun- 
ty. In  1834,  he  proceeded  still  further  Westward, 
to  Illinois,  and  spent  two  years  in  that  part  of  Mor- 
gan which  is  now  included  in  Scott  County. 
Thence  he  went  to  Pike  County,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  wild  land,  improved  a  farm  and 
remained  there  until  one  year  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Hill,  about  1859. 

John  E.  Bradbury,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 


r 


i 


MoLEAN    COUNTS. 


1075    t  , 


reared  in  his  native  State  and  came  West  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio.  He  was  there  married  and  re- 
mained in  that  State  until  1836,  then  joined  his 
father  in  Pike  County,  111.  Soon  afterward  he  was 
taken  fatally  ill  and  died  in  August  of  that  same 
year.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  formerly  Miss 
Maria  Thomas,  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  in 
Clermont  County,  Ohio,  where  she  was  married  to 
John  E.  Bradbury.  After  the  death  of  her  first 
husband  she  became  the  wife  of  William  McMahon, 
in  1840,  and  spent  the  last  years  of  her  life  in  Pike 
County,  111.  There  were  three  children  by  the  first 
marriage:  William  T.,  our  subject;  James  W.,  de- 
ceased, and  Ruth  A.,  second  in  order  of  birth,  who 
married  C.  B.  Mock  and  lives  at  Lebanon,  Ind. 

William  T.  Bradbury  was  but  six  years  of  age 
when  his  father  died.  After  that  sad  event  he  went 
to  live  with  an  uncle  until  his  mother  removed  to 
Indiana.  He  then  lived  with  her  three  years  and 
afterward  with  different  parties  in  Marion  County, 
Ind.  He  received  a  fair  education  in  the  early 
schools  of  that  day,  which  were  carried  on  in  a  log 
cabin.  He  commenced  teaching  when  seventeen 
years  old  and  after  two  and  one-half  years  thus  oc- 
cupied engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Putnam 
County,  Ind.  This  venture  proved  to  be  unsuc- 
cessful and  he  rented  a  tract  of  land  in  Boone 
County,  that  State,  upon  which  he  remained  until 
1860,  then  came  to  McLean  County,  and  operated 
upon  rented  land  for  nine  years  following.  He 
afterward  purchased  eighty  acres,  partially  im- 
proved, which  he  sold  one  year  later  and  purchased 
the  same  amount  in  Belleflower  Township,  on  sec- 
tion 17.  To  this  he  has  added  from  time  to  time 
until  he  has  now  a  half  section,  all  improved,  with 
a  fine  stretch  of  of  pasture  land,  and  here  he  raises 
grain  and  gives  much  attention  to  graded  stock. 
Of  late  years  he  has  been  very  successful  in  his 
farming  and  business  transactions  and  is  now  one 
of  the  representative  and  popular  citizens  of  his 
township. 

Mr.  Bradbury  was  married  in  Jamestown,  Ind., 
April  4,  1852,  to  Miss  T.  E.  Gibson,  who  was  born 
in  Boone  County,  Ind.,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Hopper)  Gibson.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  nine  children,  six  now  liv- 
ing: John  E. ;  Edgar  S.  and  Edward  S.,  the  latter 


twins,  are  at  home  with  their  parents  ;  Myrtle  M. 
married  W.  D.  Barnhart  and  lives  in  North  Loup, 
Neb.;  Thomas  W.  and  James  are  at_home;  Louisa, 
the  second  child,  died  when  eighteen  months  old; 
Hattie  E.,  the  third,  became  the  wife  of  N.  B.  Car- 
son, and  died  in  Belleflower  Township  in  May, 
1  886,  aged  twenty-nine  years. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  forms  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  the  landscape  of  Belle- 
flower  Township.  The  parents  and  children  are 
surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the 
luxuries  of  life  and  are  held  in  high  esteem  by  all 
who  know  them  on  account  of  their  high  principles 
and  excellent  character.  Mr.  B.  is  Republican  in 
politics  and  has  held  the  offices  of  School  Treasurer 
and  Collector  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years.  He 
is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  Steward 
for  seven  years.  He  has  been  Supervisor  of  Belle- 
flower  Township  for  four  years. 


>RANK  H.  BLOSE,  the  "Village  Black- 
smith "  of  Delana,  is  a  native  of  the  Buck- 
eye State,  born  near  the  village  of  Ridge- 
ville,  in  Warren  County,  May  16,  1860.  It  will 
thus  be  seen  that  he  is  a  young  man,  and  is  pos- 
sessed of  that  energy  which  indicates  that  he  will 
make  his  mark  in  a  world  increasing  in  enterprise 
and  ambition.  The  father  of  our  subject,  John  W. 
Blose,  of  Virginia,  was  the  son  of  Adam  Blose,  a 
native  of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents  when  but  an  infant.  They 
settled  in  Virginia,  whence  Adam  Blose  removed 
after  he  had  attained  his  majority  to  Ohio,  in  1836. 
The  removal  from  the  Old  Dominion  was  made 
with  wagons,  after  the  fashion  of  the  emigrants  of 
those  days.  There  the  grandfather  of  our  subject 
purchased  a  farm  near  Springboro,  Warren 
County,  and  remained  a  resident  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  about  1884. 

John  W.  Blose,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
but  four  years  old  when  his  parents  made  the  re- 
moval from  Virginia  to  Ohio.  He  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  and  made  his  home  with  his  parents 
until  his  marriage.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  near 


t. 


L  ,    107fi 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


i- 


Ridgeville,  and  was  there  engaged  in  farming- until 
1878.  Selling  out  he  removed  to  Springboro, 
where  he  now  lives  in  ease  and  comfort,  retired 
from  active  labor.  He  was  married  in  early  man- 
hood to  Miss  Jacqueline  M.  Hayner,  who  was  born 
in  Virginia,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  Hayner, 
who  was  of  German  ancestry  and  parentage.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  B.  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in 
Ohio.  The  family  of  John  W.  Blose  included  two 
children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  elder.  The 
only  daughter,  Jennie,  became  the  wife  of  Charles 
W.  Smith,  and  lives  near  Springboro,  Ohio. 

Frank  H.  Blose  remained  on  his  father's  farm 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  and  was  variously 
employed  for  the  following  two  years.  He  then 
commenced  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  Spring- 
boro, at  which  he  remained  two  years  and  six 
months,  when  he  started  for  Illinois,  arriving  in 
this  county  on  the  27th  of  October,  1881.  He 
worked  at  his  trade  as  a  journeyman  three  months, 
then  purchased  the  shop  and  tools  of  his  employer, 
Mr.  Snook,  and  has  since  carried  on  business  for 
himself.  His  courteous  demeanor  toward  his  pat- 
rons and  his  upright  business  methods  have  secured 
for  him  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Blose  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ora 
B.  Batson.  on  the  5th  of  April,  1883.  Mrs.  B.  was 
born  near  Kokomo,  Howard  Co.,  Ind.,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  May  C.  (Babbit)  Bat- 
son,  of  Kokomo.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  two  children,  Gertrude  aud  Anna  M. 


m 


AMES  B.  WILLIAMS,  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  in  Lexington 
Township,  on  section  26,  owns  and  occupies 
a  comfortable  homestead,  where  he  is  lead- 

•s~r»^ 

ing  the  life  of  a  law-abiding  and  worthy  citizen, 
and  contributing  his  share  toward  the  development 
and  prosperity  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Williams  was  born  in  Coshocton  County, 
Ohio,  near  its  county  seat  of  the  same  name,  on 
the  headwaters  of  the  Muskingum  River,  March 
13,  1831.  His  father,  also  James  B.  Williams,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  removed  to  Ohio, 


and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in 
the  War  of  1812.  When  this  conflict  was  ended 
he  returned  to  Ohio  and  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  was  also  an  expert  bee  hunter,  and 
gathered  scores  of  pounds  of  sweets  where  another 
man  would  not  suspect  their  existence.  He  was 
also  engaged  in  boating  on  the  Muskingum,  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  Rivers,  and  transported  flour,  bacon 
and  potatoes  from  one  point  to  another,  and  invest- 
ed the  monej'  thus  made  in  lands,  of  which  he  be- 
came the  proprietor  to  a  large  extent.  After  at- 
taining to  years  of  manhood  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Nancy  Ballentine,  who  was  born  in  Muskin- 
gum County,  Ohio,  and  who  was  the  daughter  of 
Hugh  Ballentine,  of  Irish  parentage  and  ancestry. 
After  marriage  he  located  in  Coshocton  County, 
Ohio,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
The  mother,  later,  removed  to  McLean  County 
with  her  children,  and  died  in  1878.  The  parental 
family  included  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity,  with  only  one  now  de- 
ceased. Rebecca  married  John  Cumbecker;  Mary 
became  Mrs.  John  Bechtel,  and  both  are  deceased ; 
Richard  B.  is  a  resident  of  Washington  Territory, 
and  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  fourth  child ; 
Perry  is  in  Dakota,  and  Alexander  in  this  county, 
near  Potosi;  Catharine  married  John  Hamilton,  of 
this  county,  and  Nancy  became  the  wife  of  C. 
Kilsey;  John  is  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio. 

James  B.  Williams  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth 
in  the  State  of  his  birth,  and  when  twenty-two 
years  of  age  took  a  trip  to  California  in  search  of 
gold.  He  went  into  the  mines  and  worked  four 
years,  being  fairly  successful  in  his  labors.  He 
then  returned  to  Ohio,  and  in  April,  1855,  was 
married  to  Miss  Julia  Powelson,  of  Coshocton 
County,  where  she  was  born  June  18,  1838.  Mrs. 
W.  was  the  daughter  of  Conrad  and  Lucinda 
(Honey)  Powelson,  of  Virginia,  and  both  parents 
are  still  living  in  Ohio.  After  marriage  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  came  West  to  McLean  County, 
and  settled  in  Lawndale  Township,  after  which  he 
removed  to  his  present  farm  in  Lexington.  The 
homestead  comprises  eighty  acres  of  choice  land 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  well  stocked  with 
grades  of  the  domestic  animals.  lie  has  a  com- 
fortable aud  convenient  residence,  and  other  nee- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1077  <  , 


I 


cssary  out-buildings,  and  realizes  a  handsome  in- 
come from  the  rearing  and  feeding  of  hogs,  num- 
berfe  of  which  he  ships  to  market  every  winter. 

Mr.  Williams  was  a  musician  during  the  progress 
of  the  Mexican  War,  and  while  yet  a  resident  of 
Ohio,  he  assisted  in  raising  volunteers  for  that  war. 
During  the  late  Civil  War  lie  served  in  the  same 
capacity,  as  musician,  in  assisting  to  raise  volun- 
teers. His  services  consisted  in  playing  the  drum 
at  the  musters  which  took  place  preparatory  to  se- 
curing volunteers. 

The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. Williams  included  one 
daughter,  Olive,  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  H.  W.  Lang- 
staff,  of  Colfax.  Living  with  our  subject  and  his 
wife  are  two  grandchildren,  James  Hartsel  and 
Henry  Wellington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  in  which  our  subject  has  served  as  local 
preacher  for  many  years.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 


ELIJAH  ELLSWORTH.  The  subject  of  the 
following  sketch,  who  is  now  one  of  the 
most  successful  farmers  of  Cheney's  Grove 
Township,  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  Dec. 
15,  1815.  He  continued  a  resident  of  his  native 
State  until  the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  sought  the 
great  West  with  the  view  of  establishing  a  perma- 
nent home.  No  State  pleased  him  better  than  Illi- 
nois and  no  county  better  than  McLean.  He 
accordingly  located  here  and  has  been  an  honored 
and  valued  resident  since  that  time. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Jacob  and 
Rachel  (Bibbe)  Ellsworth,  the  father  a  native  of 
Virginia  and  the  mother  of  Delaware.  Jacob  Ells- 
worth was  born  in  1775,  followed  the  occupation  of 
a  farmer  all  his  life  and  lived  to  an  advanced  age. 
His  last  years  were  spent  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  departed  this  life  in  1873.  He  was  pos- 
sessed of  an  active  and  energetic  disposition,  was  a 
great  hunter,  and  in  religious  belief  adhered  to 
the  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Church.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  was  born  in  1771,  and  departed  this 
life  at  her  home  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  in  1855, 
having  lived  worthily  and  adorned  her  profession 
as  a  Christian  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 

* 


Episcopal  Church.  Of  their  eleven  children  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Nancy  married  Rev.  William 
Kurl,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  both  are  now  deceased;  John  married  Miss 
Susan  Runyan  and  is  deceased ;  Susanna,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Jesse  Evans,  died  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  in  1886;  Abraham  died  at  his  home 
in  Ohio  when  twenty-one  years  of  age;  Hannah  be- 
came the  wife  of  Joseph  Wilkinson,  and  also  died 
in  Clarke  County;  Jacob  married  Miss  Sarah  Run- 
yan ;  William  married  Miss  Lydia  Whitcomb ;  Betsey 
married  Martin  Spines  and  lives  in  Iowa. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  June 
18,  1836,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Ellen 
Powell.  She  was  born  in  Harrison  County,  W. 
Va.,  June  18,  1818,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
husband  in  this  township,  Nov.  15,  1884.  She  was 
a  most  worthy  and  excellent  Christian  lady,  a  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  greatly  respected  by  all  who  knew  her.  Their 
four  children  are  recorded  as  follows:  Walter  was 
born  Sept.  6,  1838,  and  is  living  at  home  with  his 
father;  Charlotte  became  the  wife  of  George  Corn- 
well  and  both  she  and  her  husband  died  of  consump- 
tion ;  they  had  no  children ;  Hamilton  P.  married 
Miss  Martha  A.  Cunningham  in  August,  1865. 
This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  B.  and  Lu- 
cinda  (Hamilton)  Cunningham.  They  became  the 
parents  of  five  children — Mary  E.,  Laura  A.,  Char- 
lotte I.,  Levi  H.,  now  deceased,  and  Charles  W. 

Hamilton  Ellsworth  is  an  extensive  grain  buyer, 
operating  at  switch  D  on  the  line  of  the  L.  E.  & 
W.  R.  R.  in  Ford  County,  111.  The  first  year  he 
sent  off  165  cars  loaded  with  grain  and  the  next 
year  200  cars.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and 
is  Republican  in  politics.  During  the  late  war 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  the  107th  111.  Vol.  Inf., 
with  which  he  served  three  years  and  was  in  several 
general  engagements.  He  suffered  much  from  ill- 
ness in  the  army,  but  by  a  great  effort  kept  at  his 
post  and  received  his  honorable  discharge  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  in  Virginia, 
May  22,  1865.  The  next  youngest  son  of  otirsub- 
ject  was  Duncan,  also  in  the  army  three  years,  and 
who  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Pefly.  They  have 


' 


-I 


i i  ,  107» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


seven  children — Rose  L.,  Mary  Lucy,  one  de- 
ceased, Elmer  E.,  Timothy,  Holla  and  Maude  S. 
Walker  Ellsworth  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
at  Saybrook.  Mr.  Ellsworth  politically  affiliates 
with  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  straightfor- 
ward, conscientious  business  man  and  citizen,  and 
enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle 
of  friends  and  acquaintances. 


OBERT  HARRIS  BAKER,  of  Funk's  Grove 
Township,  was  born  near  McConnelsville, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ohio,  Sept.  7,  1829.  His 
father,  James  Baker,  was  also  born  in  that 
State,  and  his  paternal  grandfather,  Samuel  Baker, 
was  a  native  of  New  England,  and  of  English  an- 
cestry. The  grandfather  was  an  early  settler  in 
Ohio,  and  lived  there  until  about  1832,  when  he 
came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  De  Witt  County 
on  a  farm,  and  was  a  pioneer  there.  He  improved 
his  farm  in  that  county,  and  there  lived  until  his 
death,  which  took  place  June  21,  1852. 

The  father  of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  in 
Ohio.  He  was  married  there,  and  remained  a  resi- 
dent of  that  State  until  1834.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  seven  children, 
he  started  for  Illinois  overland  with  a  team  of 
horses  and  a  wagon.  They  camped  and  cooked 
their  frugal  meal  by  the  wayside  and  terminated 
their  journey  at  Bloomington  after  about  sixteen 
days'  travel.  That  city  was  then  but  a  hamlet,  and 
Mr.  Baker  being  a  cooper  by  trade  and  handy  with 
tools,  worked  at  lathing  and  shingling.  In  1837 
he  entered  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  1 1 ,  Funk's 
Grove  Township,  and  erected  a  log  cabin  thereon. 
Moving  his  family  on  the  place  he  began  its  im- 
provement, and  as  he  could  obtain  means  to  do  so 
he  entered  other  land  adjoining  his  until  he  was 
the  owner  of  160  acres.  His  nearest  market  for 
grain  and  provisions  for  many  years  was  Pekin, 
111.,  about  fifty  miles  distant,  and  which  required 
three  days  to  make  the  trip.  Salt  was  one  of  the 
dearest  commodities  and  at  that  time  cost  $8  per 
barrel  at  Pekin.  Mr.  Baker  continued  a  resident 


of  this  county  for  many  years,  thoroughly  identi- 
fied with  its  growth  and  development,  and  then 
returning  to  Ohio  spent  the  latter  years  of  his  life 
in  Morgan  County.  He  was  three  times  married. 
His  first  wife,  Sarah  Alden,  died  in  Ohio,  leaving 
two  children.  The  second  wife,  Christiana  Rob- 
erts, was  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  notice. 
She  was  born  near  Philadelphia.  Pa.,  and  was  first 
married  to  Robert  II.  Stanberry.  She  died  in 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  after  having  borne  her 
husband  three  children.  The  third  wife  of  James 
Baker  was  the  widow  of  Joseph  Roberts. 

Our  subject  was  the  eldest  child  of  his  father's 
second  marriage,  and  was  five  years  of  age  when 
his  parents  came  to  Illinois.  He  remembers  dis- 
tinctly the  overland  journey  that  was  made  to  this 
State,  the  swollen  streams  that  were  crossed,  and 
the  numerous  times  they  were  compelled  to  unload 
their  goods  to  extricate  their  wagon  from  the  mud. 
Attaining  a  suitable  age  he  assisted  his  father  on 
the  farm,  and  being  the  oldest  son  did  most  of  the 
marketing  at  Pekin.  He  continued  to  live  at  home 
until  his  marriage,  and  then  bought  forty  acres  of 
wild  land  on  section  11,  Funk's  Grove  Township. 
He  had  worked  hard  and  economized,  had  saved 
$50  to  pay  for  his  land,  and  besides  this  was  the 
possessor  of  a  horse  and  considered  himself  exceed- 
ingly fortunate.  With  this  capital  he  began  life 
and  soon  had  a  little  frame  dwelling,  16x18,  erected 
on  his  land,  which  served  him  as  a  home  for  quite 
a  time.  He  is  now  the  proprietor  of  an  estate  com- 
prising 420  acres  of  improved  laud,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  forty  acres  which  is  in  timber. 

Mr.  Baker  was  married  Nov.  13,  1851,  to  Mary 
Taylor.  She  was  born  in  Perry  County,  Ohio, 
Jan.  12,  1832.  Her  father,  Joseph  Taylor,  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  his  father,  Thomas  Taylor, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  fought 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  and  died  in  Virginia. 
Joseph  Taylor  went  to  Ohio  when  seventeen  years 
of  age.  He  was  married  to  Eletha  Gardener,  a  na- 
tive of  Maryland,  and  they  lived  in  Perry  County, 
Ohio,  until  1837,  and  then  came  to  this  State  with 
a  team  of  horses  and  a  wagon,  and  located  in  De 
Witt  County.  Mr.  Taylor  bought  laud  there  and 
improved  a  farm,  and  there  lived  until  the  spring 
of  1 850,  when  he  made  an  overland  trip  to  Cali- 


T 


t. 

I 


•»  i 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1081 


fornia.  He  died  in  that  State  in  September  of 
that  same  year,  and  his  widow  passed  the  latter 
years  of  her  life  on  the  old  homestead  in  De  Witt 
County. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  are  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren. Joseph  P.  lives  on  the  old  homestead ;  El- 
mira;  Christiana;  Letha,  wife  of  James  Scott,  is  a 
resident  of  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  Kittie  is 
the  wife  of  Oscar  Samuels,  and  they  are  living  in 
De  Witt  County.  The  deceased  are  Alice,  who 
married  Martin  Hammill,  and  died  Sept.  28,  1877; 
Almeda,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  William- 
son, and  died  on  the  old  homestead  April  20,  1885. 
In  religion,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  hold  fellowship 
with  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a 
stanch  Republican. 


ARIE  EUGENIA  VON  ELSNER,  whose 
professional  cognomen  was  Mademoiselle 
Litta,  was  born  June  1, 1856,  in  Blooming- 
ton.  Her  father,  Prof.  Hugo  Von  Eisner, 
was  of  noble  German  birth  and  highly  educated. 
He  was  a  civil  engineer.  From  Freeport,  111.,  he 
came  to  Bloomington  and  engaged  in  teaching 
music.  To  her  father  Litta  owed  her  musical 
genius  and  also  the  rigid  early  training  which 
proved  the  foundation  stone  of  her  lyric  studies 
and  insured  her  later  success.  Prof.  Von  Eisner 
died  a  short  time  before  his  daughter  became 
famous. 

The  mother  of  Litta  «Vas  Amanda,  daughter  of 
William  Dimmitt,one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Bloom- 
ington, and  was  married  to  Prof.  Von  Eisner  in 
1855.  She  was  a  devoted  mother.  Litta  in  return 
was  greatly  attached  to  her  home  and  her  parents. 
Her  musical  education  began  out  of  a  little  circum- 
stance which  occurred  when  she  was  but  four  years 
old.  In  attending  a  Methodist  Church  with  her 
parents  she  joined  with  the  worshipers  in  singing  a 
familiar  old  hymn,  which  probably  the  child  had 
never  before  heard,  taking  it  up  at  the  second  verse 
and  going  through  with  it  correctly,  attracting  the 
attention  of  all  who  heard  her.  A  few  weeks  after- 
ward, after  careful  training  by  her  father,  she  sang 
the  "  Last  Rose  of  Summer "  before  a  gathering 


of  soldiers  at  Springfield.  She  soon  afterward  be- 
came known  as  the  "Child  Wonder"  and  her 
studies  were  pursued  regularly.  At  the  age  of  ten 
and  after  she  probably  earned  more  than  $2,000 
annually.  When  twelve  years  old  she  sang  before 
President  Grant,  and  was  afterward  engaged  in 
various  concerts  under  the  management  of  her 
father,  in  which  the  peculiar  excellence  and  purity 
of  her  voice  attracted  universal  attention.  In  due 
time  she  entered  the  family  of  Prof.  John  Under- 
ner,  the  leading  vocal  teacher  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  under  his  instruction  and  that  of  a  private 
tutor,  an  Italian,  became  highly  accomplished  in 
her  art.  She  was  ambitious  to  excel  and  pursued 
her  studies  with  unremitting  industry,  her  voice 
developing  marvelous  progress  each  year.  Prof. 
Underner  saw  that  she  was  to  become  an  operatic 
leader  and  that  she  had  reached  that  stage  where 
the  training  of  the  great  conservatories  of  Europe 
was  needed  to  give  her  the  advantages  which  she 
deserved.  Accordingly,  in  1874  she  left  America 
and  entered  upon  her  studies  in  the  cities  of  the 
Old  World.  In  London  she  sang  before  the  ven- 
erable Sir  Julius  Benedict,  who  had  been  the  teacher 
of  Jenny  Lind,  and  whose  opinion  of  her  voice 
was  highly  flattering.  Litta,  during  her  studies  in 
Paris,  fully  justified  the  hopes  of  her  friends  and 
went  through  with  an  immense  amount  of  labor 
during  the  following  year.  Her  vocalization  was 
declared  simply  perfect.  She  was  engaged  by  Mr. 
Mapleson  for  the  London  season,  who  would  gladly 
have  retained  her  had  his  financial  condition  made 
it  possible.  His  friendship  and  recommendation, 
however,  secured  her  advantages  perhaps  wluch  he 
could  not  have  personally  given.  She  studied 
dramatic  training  and  vocalization  under  Madame 
LaGrange,  Uie  leading  teacher  of  the  age,  and  in 
due  time  reached  the  zenith  of  the  musical  art  and 
was  able  to  challenge  the  most  competent  critic, 
sing  to  the  most  captious  manager,  and  appear  be- 
fore the  exacting  though  generous  Parisian  public. 
About  this  time  Litta  made  the  acquaintance  of 
the  Countess  De  Truubiand,  a  wealthy  and  kind- 
hearted  lady  who  greatly  interested  herself  in  the 
fortunes  of  the  young  artiste  and  opened  her  ele- 
gant home  for  musical  soirees  for  Marie's  especial 
benefit,  introducing  her  to  critics  and  influential 


•-«• 


,  ,     1082 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


operatic  managers.  Following  this  Mon.  Escudier, 
in:iii;igcr  of  the  Grand  Opera  House  of  Paris,  was 
induced  to  give  Marie  an  engagement,  her  flrst  ap- 
pearance being  in  Lucia  di  Lammermoor,  in  which 
she  sang  for  the  flrst  time  under  the  name  of  Marie 
Litta.  Of  this  appearance  Miss  Kate  Field  wrote 
with  great  enthusiasm  concerning  her  success  and 
the  ovation  which  was  rendered  the  young  Ameri- 
can prima  donna.  In  this  letter  she  states  that  la- 
dies stood  up  in  their  boxes  and  burst  their  gloves 
clapping.  Bouquets  were  showered  upon  the  stage 
and  thundering  calls  brought  the  singer  before  the 
curtain  many  times.  From  this  severe  test  Litta 
came  out  fully  triumphant  and  with  her  reputation 
established  as  one  of  the  first  artists  of  the  age. 
Litta  was  deeply  attached  to  her  family  name  and 
the  circumstances  which  led  to  her  adopting  the 
stage  name  of  "Litta  "  are  as  follows:  The  feel- 
ing engendered  by  the  Franco-Prussian  War  had 
not  died  out  when  Marie  made  her  debut  in  Paris, 
in  1878.  It  was  thus  a  perilous  time  on  account 
of  her  German  origin.  Her  manager  and  friends 
happily  thought  of  "  Litta,"  a  noble  Italian  family 
name,  which  Marie  adopted  to  oblige  them,  and  it 
proved  a  line  stroke  of  policy.  The  next  morning 
Count  Litta  called  upon  her  and  thanked  her  for 
honoring  his  family  name  by  adopting  it. 

The  success  of  Litta  in  Paris  was  followed  by 
similar  success  at  Vienna  and  other  important  cit- 
ies. Her  first  appearance  in  America  was  made  in 
her  native  city  and  was  attended  by  one  of  the 
largest  audiences  ever  gathered  there.  She  was 
then  under  engagement  with  Max  Strakosch,  and 
she  afterward  sang  in  all  the  great  cities  of  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  closing  at  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  where  she  received  probably  the  greatest  ova- 
tion of  any  singer  who  had  appeared  on  the  Pacific 
slope.  She  was  with  Mr.  Strakosch  several  seasons 
and  then,  concluding  to  abandon  the  opera  for  a 
time,  in  1880  accepted  an  engagement  with  Mr. 
Henry  L.  Slayton,  of  Chicago,  under  whose  man- 
agement she  had  a  company  of  her  own,  which  was 
known  as  the  Litta  Concert  Companj'. 

Litta  sang  her  last  song  at  Escanaba,  Mich.,  in 
May,  1883.  She  was  there  taken  ill  and  compelled 
to  return  to  Bloomington,  where  after  a  long  sea- 
son of  painful  suffering  she  died,  July  7,  1883. 


The  news  of  her  death  was  quick!}'  telegraphed  to 
points  all  over  the  world,  and  in  her  native  city, 
which  had  witnessed  her  studies  and  her  triumphs, 
the  sorrow  was  widespread  and  universal.  Long 
before  the  hour  appointed  for  the  funeral  people 
flocked  from  all  directions  by  thousands.  The  serv- 
ices were  conducted  from  the  First  Methodist 
Church,  and  the  pastor,  Rev.  F.  C.  Iglehart,  in  the 
course  of  his  eloquent  sermon  said :  "  It  was  the 
custom  of  Litta  to  go  to  the  groves  to  hear  the 
birds  sing.  Her  soul  of  melody  sought  melody 
everywhere.  She  took  lessons  and  the  feathered 
songsters  were  her  teachers.  The  beauty  of  the 
absolute  came  through  the  chorus  of  the  trees  to 
her  beautiful  soul.  You  who  heard  her  sing,  did 
not  know  why  it  was  that  she  sang  so  much  like  a 
bird.  It  was  because  she  was  with  the  birds  so 
much  and  learned  of  them  so  well.  It  may  be  she 
heard  the  singing  in  the  distant  palm  groves  and 
went  to  listen  to  it  and  mingle  in  it.  According 
to  an  Indian  custom  I  take  a  bird  out  of  the  cage 
and  cover  it  with  the  kisses  of  the  family,  witli  the 
kisses  of  this  whole  city,  with  your  caresses,  and 
send  it  out  to  the  spirit  that  has  flown  to  bear  to 
her  our  love." 

The  life  and  death  of  Litta  made  such  an  im- 
pression on  the  people  of  Bloomington  that  a  fine 
granite  monument  was  erected  to  her  memory  in 
the  cemetery,  which  was  dedicated  July  4,  1885,  on 
which  occasion  the  Hon.  David  Davis  delivered  a 
brief  address,  in  which  he  voiced  the  sentiments  of 
the  world  at  large  in  regard  to  the  accomplished 
singer  and  the  beautiful  and  lovely  woman.  He 
was  followed  by  the  Hon.  James  S.  Ewing,  who  de- 
livered a  very  appropriate  eulogy.  In  speaking  of 
Litta  personally  he  made  use  of  these  words,  which 
may  very  properly  close  this  sketch : 

"Any  analysis  of  her  character  which  ignored 
her  loving  and  kindly  nature,  would  be  like  taking 
away  the  rich  coloring  from  a  beautiful  picture. 
She  was  generous,  and  charitable,  and  kind.  She 
shared  everything  she  had  with  those  she  loved. 
The  flrst  fruits  of  the  harvest  she  laid  with  thanks- 
giving upon  the  altar  of  filial  affection.  Even  the 
praise  and  admiration  she  won  she  sought  to  divide 
with  those  who  were  dear  to  her.  She  spoke  kindly 
of  all.  She  was  mindful  of  favors  and  grateful 


f 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1083 


for  kindnesses.  She  had  no  false  pride.  When 
the  noon  had  more  than  fulfilled  the  promise  of 
the  morning,  she  was  the  same  gentle,  modest  and 
winsome  woman.  And  so  we  have  written  on  this 
monument :  '  She  was  loved  most  for  her  pure  and 
gentle  life,  and  loving  hands  weave  roses  with  the 
laurel  in  the  chaplet  of  her  fame.'  " 


ft]  OHN  R.  WILLIAMS,  Postmaster  of  Delana, 
is  also  carrying  on  a  trade  in  general  mer- 
chandise,  and  is  one  of  the  valuable  mem- 
bers  of  that  community.  He  was  born  in 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  Feb.  2,  1834.  His  fa- 
ther, John  Williams,  was  born  in  the  same  county, 
and  his  grandfather,  Thomas  Williams,  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and 
cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  and  there  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  about  1 840.  His 
property  lay  on  the  national  turnpike,  three  miles 
west  of  Zanesville,  and  there  John  Williams,  Sr., 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  to  manhood. 
He  was  also  married  there,  the  maiden  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Caroline  Rodman,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Rodman,  and  granddaughter  of  Gen.  Rodman,  of 
Revolutionary  fame.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage, 
John,  Sr.,  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  near 
Zanesville.  He  lived  but  two  years  after  his  mar- 
riage, his  death  occurring  in  November,  1833,  be- 
fore the  birth  of  his  son,  our  subject.  His  widow 
subsequently  married  John  Brown,  and  they  re- 
moved to  Bloomington,  where  she  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  her  life. 

John  R.  Williams  was  the  only  son  of  his  parents, 
and  was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandparents.  He 
attended  school  during  the  winter  seasons,  and  the 
balance  of  the  year  assisted  in  the  labors  of  the 
farm.  His  grandfather  died  when  onr  subject  was 
twenty  years  of  age.  and  the  latter  was  given 
charge  of  the  farm  until  1856.  On  the  14th  of 
February,  that  year,  he  set  out  overland  for  the 
West  with  three  horses  and  a  wagon  loaded  with 
household  goods,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  an- 
other family.  After  twenty-one  days'  travel,  they 
arrived  at  Bloomington,  and  Mr.  Williams  pur- 
chased forty  acres  of  land  in  Old  Town  Township, 


upon  which  he  located  and  commenced  its  improve- 
ment and  cultivation.  After  a  few  years  he  sold 
out  and  purchased  another  small  farm  in  the  same 
township,  which  he  occupied  until  1861,  then  sold 
again  and  removed  to  Bloomington.  Here  he  was 
employed  in  a  flouring-mill  for  a  year  following, 
and  was  also  engaged  in  the  purchase  and  shipping 
of  grain  for  five  years.  He  afterward  became  $n 
employe  in  the  hardware  store  of  Harwood  Bros., 
where  he  officiated  as  clerk  for  ten  years.  Subse- 
quently he  served  in  the  same  capacity  for  J. 
Thompson,  grocer,  six  years.  In  November,  1884, 
he  came  to  Delana,  and  in  company  with  Mr. 
Thompson,  purchased  a  stock  of  goods,  and  has 
managed  the  business  here  since  that  time.  This 
consists  of  almost  everything  required  for  the  farm 
and  household,  excepting,  of  course,  the  larger 
machinery. 

Mr.  Williams  was  married  in  Ohio,  five  miles 
from  Zanesville,  Sept.  15,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Fogle,  who  was  born  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  George  and  Maria  (John- 
son) Fogle,  natives  of  Maryland.  Of  this  union 
there  were  born  two  children — Julia  E.,  now  living 
at  home,  and  Laura,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eight 
years.  Mr.  Williams  is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


;ILLIAM  HIETT,  leading  representative  of 
the  saddle  and  harness  trade  in  Say  brook, 
also  carries  an  excellent  stock  of  carriage 
supplies,  trunks,  and  other  manufactured  articles 
in  leather.  Our  subject  came  to  the  Prairie  State 
in  1858,  and  purchased  135  acres  of  land  near  Say- 
brook,  upon  which  he  farmed  for  a  number  of 
years  and  then  sold  out.  He  next  purchased  115 
acres  still  nearer  town,  of  which  he  still  holds  pos- 
session. His  present  business  was  established  in 
August,  1883.  His  establishment  is  the  leading 
one  of  the  city  and  he  gives  employment  to  two 
men. 

Mr.  Hiett  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ohio, 
Dec.  13,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Hawk)  Hiett,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  were  married 


-  .     1084 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


in  1829.  John  Hiett  was  born  in  1808,  and  is  still 
living.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1833. 
Their  four  children  were  Mary,  James  and  Philip 
(twins)  who  died  in  infancy,  and  William  of  our 
sketch,  who  was  left  motherless  when  three  years 
old.  The  second  marriage  of  John  Hiett  was  with 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Odell,  and  of  this  union  there  were 
born  four  children — John  W.,  Frank,  Susan  and 
Samuel.  This  lady  died  in  Indiana  and  the  father 
of  our  subject  was  then  married  to  Miss  Mary  F. 
Davison,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  two  dying 
in  infancy.  Albert  C.  died  when  twenty-one  years 
'  of  age.  The  remainder  were,  Edward,  George  W., 
Luella,  Sarah  A.  and  Charles  F.  John  Hiett  is  Re- 
publican in  politics  and  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Our  subject  remained  under  his  father's  roof 
during  his  childhood  and  youth,  and  in  1877  was 
married  to  Miss  Ortha  Nelson,  who  was  born  in  In- 
diana in  1862.  They  have  no  children.  Mr.  H.  is 
a  worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  politically  affiliates  with  the  Republican 
party.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  be- 
ing a  member  of  Cheney's  Grove  Lodge  No.  468, 
of  Saybrook.  During  the  late  war  he  was  a  sutler 
in  the  Wilder  Brigade,  98th  Illinois  Infantry. 


'      ' 

t 


^ILLIAM  E.  HENRY,  JR.,  who  is  a  native 
of  this  county,  owns  a  good  farm  of  160 
acres  in  Anchor  Township,  on  section  20, 
and  is  devoting  much  of  his  time  to  stock-raising. 
His  land  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  sup- 
plied with  a  substantial  set  of  frame  buildings.  As 
a  citizen  and  a  business  man  he  is  contributing  his 
full  share  toward  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his 
township,  and  is  held  in  universal  respect  for  his 
excellent  traits  of  character  and  straightforward 
business  methods. 

Mr.  Henry  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  E.  and 
Mary  (Snell)  Henry,  who  were  among  the  earliest 
pioneers  of  Dry  Grove  Township,  this  county, 
where  they  are  still  residing.  William  E.  was  born 
in  Dry  Grove  Township,  Oct.  14,  1841,  and  there 
grew  to  manhood.  His  education  was  begun  in 
the  district  schools  of  his  native  township,  and  he 


also  attended  the  public  schools  of  ISloomington, 
in  which  city  his  parents  resided  for  about  three 
years.  He  remained  under  the  home  roof  until  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  Feb.  18,  1875.  The 
maiden  of  nis  choice  was  Miss  Caroline,  daughter 
of  Francis  and  Elizabeth  (Boyer)  Fantz.  She  was 
born  in  Somerset  County,  Pa.,  Oct.  8,  1850.  After 
their  marriage  the  young  people  settled  in  Danvers 
Township,  where  Mr.  Henry  followed  farming  un- 
til the  fall  of  1878.  He  then  removed  to  his  pres- 
ent homestead  in  Anchor  Township. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  have  become  the  parents  of 
three  children,  as  follows:  Harvey,  who  was  born 
March  18,  1877;  Mary  E.,  Feb.  26,  1881,  and  Car- 
oline D.,  Jan.  24,  1883.  Mr.  Henry  uniformly 
casts  his  vote  with  the  Republican  party,  and  in  all 
respects  is  a  citizen  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  his  county  and  community. 


J  OHN  B.  GEARHART,  favorably  known  in 
Belleflower  Township  as  an  industrious  and 
prosperous  farmer,  is  a  native  of  the  wealthy 
and  populous  State  of  Ohio,  born  in  Miami 
County,  Oct.  7,  1833.  His  father,  Daniel  Gear- 
hart,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  our  subject's 
grandfather,  it  is  believed,  was  born  in  Maryland, 
and  was  of  German  parentage  and  ancestry.  The 
grandfather  removed  from  Maryland  to  Virginia, 
thence  to  Ohio,  and  located  in  Miami  County  as 
early  as  1803.  There  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land, 
a  small  portion  of  which  was  cleared,  and  the  bal- 
ance was  heavy  timber.  There  was  a  log-cabin 
upon  the  place,  which  the  family  occupied  for  a 
time.  Subsequently  he  cleared  160  acres  and 
erected  a  substantial  brick  house  and  large  frame 
barn.  Upon  the  homestead  thus  established  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days,  dying  in  1866, 
having  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-seven 
years. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  but  three  or  four 
years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio  and 
settled  in  the  wilderness.  He  there  grew  to  man- 
hood, assisted  his  father  in  clearing  the  farm  and 
remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his  mar- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1085 


riage.  He  then  purchased  160  acres  of  land  about 
eight  miles  from  the  old  homestead,  only  five  of 
which  was  cleared..  In  due  time  he  placed  120 
acres  more  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  In 
1863  he  returned  to  Winchester,  Va.,  to  visit  his 
son,  who  was  a  soldier  and  at  the  time  confined  in 
the  hospital.  While  there  nursing  his  son,  the 
rebels  captured  the  town  and  made  them  both 
prisoners,  Daniel  Gearhart  being  confined  twenty- 
two  months  in  a  rebel  stronghold  at  Salisbury,  N.  C. 
He  was  released  about  the  time  of  the  close  of  the 
war,  and  returning  home  died  three  weeks  after- 
ward. The  mother  of  our  subject  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Mary  Beatty,  a  native  of  Virginia. 
Of  her  marriage  with  Daniel  Gearhart  there  were, 
born  eight  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the 
third  child  and  eldest  son. 

John  B.  Gearhart,  of  this  notice,  assisted  his 
father  in  opening  up  the  farm,  and  made  his  home 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty -two  years  old. 
He  then  married  and  commenced  his  new  life  upon 
a  rented  farm  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio.  He  con- 
tinued a  resident  of  the  Buckeye  State  until  1858, 
when  he  set  his  face  toward  the  great  West,  and 
coming  into  Illinois  located  first  in  Tazewell  Coun- 
ty. There  he  rented  land  one  year,  and  then  pur- 
chased sixty  acres  in  Logan  County,  where  he  re- 
moved, remaining  until  1868.  He  then  sold  out 
and  purchased  the  place  which  he  now  owns  and 
occupies  on  section  20,  Belleflower  Township,  and 
which  consists  of  160  acres.  This  was  wild  prairie 
at  the  time  of  his  purchase,  but  he  now  has  the  en- 
tire tract  enclosed  and  brought  to  a  good  state  of 
cultivation.  Upon  it  is  a  comfortable  and  substan- 
tial frame  dwelling,  with  fruit  and  shade  trees  and 
all  the  other  acquirements  of  a  first-class  agricult- 
urist. 

Mr.  Gearhart  was  married  in  August,  1856,  to 
Miss  Minerva  Fuller,  who  was  born  in  Clarke 
County,  Ohio,  March  11,  1835.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  and  Margaret  (Thompson)  Fuller, 
natives  of  Virginia,  whence  they  removed  to  Ohio, 
and  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Clarke 
County.  Mr.  Fuller  purchased  a  tract  of  timber 
land  from  which  he  cleared  a  farm,  built  up  a  com- 
fortable home,  and  there  both  parents  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  At  onetime  they  were  the 


possessors  of  640  acres  of    fine  land    in    Clarke 
County. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  three  children,  a 
daughter  Flora,  now  the  wife  of  W.  II.  Harrison, 
and  they  live  near  Farmer  City  ;  the  other  two 
children,  Franklin  and  Elmer,  are  both  at  home 
with  their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gearhart  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  politics  our  subject  is  an  earnest 
Republican.  He  has  been  School  Trustee  several 
terms,  and  in  1  886  was  Township  Assessor.  He 
has  also  served  as  Road  Commissioner. 


GUIS  A.  BURK,  a  prominent  and  skillful 
artist  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  Davis 
County,  Ky.,  born  in  1845,  and  the  son  of 
Edward  A.  and  Nancy  (King)  Burk,  who  were  also 
born  in  the  Blue  Grass  State.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  engaged  in  farming,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1848,  settling  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  this 
county.  Here  he  occupied  his  farm  until  1851, 
then  removed  to  Logan  County  and  engaged  in 
farming  near  Atlanta,  for  a  period  of  fifteen  years; 
thence  he  moved  to  Missouri,  where  his  life  ter- 
minated in  1874.  The  mother  is  still  living  in 
Lathrop,  Clinton  Co.,  Mo.  Of  a  family  of  ten 
children,  three  only  are  now  living:  James  A.,  re- 
siding in  Lathrop,  Mo.  ;  Louis  A.,  and  Nancy  M., 
Mrs.  Waers,  of  Iowa. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  remained  at  home 
until  seventeen  years  old,  and  then,  the  late  Civil 
War  being  in  progress,  he  enlisted  in  the  three 
months'  service.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time, 
lie  re-enlisted  in  Co.  E,  7th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  serving 
until  July,  1865.  At  the  battle  of  Altoona,  Ga., 
he  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder.  When  the 
war  was  ended,  he  returned  home  and  remained 
six  months.  He  was  soon  afterward  married,  and 
lived  for  a  brief  season  at  Spring  Hill,  Mo.,  spent 
two  years  at  Lathrop,  then  came  to  Bloomington 
and  engaged  in  carpenter  work  for  five  years.  He 
then  commenced  sketching  for  publishing  houses, 
and  was  thus  occupied  for  seven  years,  when  he 
took  up  stock  sketching  and  painting,  in  which  he 
is  at  present  engaged.  He  receives  orders  from 


f 


•" 


>    1086 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


both  Eastern  and  Western  States,  to  sketch  and 
l>aint  the  cattle  and  other  animals  of  the  leading 
stockmen,  and  has  proved  himself  an  adept  in  the 
art. 

Mr.  Burk  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Maria 
K.  Platt,  a  native  of  Bloomington,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ephraim  and  Sarah  Platt,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Virginia  respectively.  Their  seven  children 
were  named  as  follows:  Lucy,  Kittie,  William, 
Minnie,  Nettie,  Birdie  and  Louis.  Mr.  Burk  is 
Republican  in  politics,  and  belongs  to  the  G.  A. 
R.  He  purchased  his  present  home  in  1879,  where 
he  and  his  family  are  surrounded  by  all  the  com- 
forts of  life  and  many  evidences  of  his  art.  He 
ranks  second  to  no  one  in  his  line  in  the  western 
country,  and  in  a  few  years  will  doubtless  be  able 
to  retire  upon  a  competency. 


I.  DOOLEY,  a  retired  farmer  of  Downs 
Township,  living  at  ease  on  his  elegant 
homestead  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
Down;!  Village,  is  widely  and  favorably  known 
throughout  this  section  as  a  man  who  has  been 
identified  with  its  business  and  agricultural  inter- 
ests, and  has  contributed  his  full  share  toward  the 
progress  and  prosperity  of  McLean  County.  The 
family  residence  is  finely  located  in  the  midst  of 
beautiful  surroundings,  and  everything  about  the 
premises  denotes  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 
The  life  of  our  subject  has  been  marked  by  indus- 
try and  enterprise,  and  he  has  evaded  no  duty, 
either  socially  or  in  a  business  way,  when  the  per- 
formance would  tend  to  the  welfare  of  his  neigh- 
borhood and  his  township  at  large. 

Mr.  Dooley  is  a  descendant  of  excellent  Scottish 
ancestry.  His  grandfather,  Obediah  Dooley,  of 
Virginia,  was  the  son  of  one  of  the  early  represent- 
atives of  the  family  in  this  country  and  was  mar- 
ried in  the  Old  Dominion  to  Miss  Anna  Irvin,  who 
was  also  of  Scotch  descent  but  born  and  reared  in 
Virginia.  A  few  years  after  their  marriage  they 
removed  into  Kentucky,  settling  in  what  is  now 
Clark  County.  One  of  their  acquaintances  was 
Daniel  Boone,  the  famous  Kentucky  pioneer  and 
hunter.  There  they  built  up  a  home  in  the  wilder- 


ness,  clearing  a  tract  of  timber  land,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  They  became 
the  parents  of  a  large  family,  of  which  William 
Dooley,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  about  the 
fifth  child.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  near 
Boonsboro  and  there  met  and  was  married  to  Miss 
Minerva  Morris,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  but 
whose  parents  were  from  Virginia.  She  was  the 
youngest  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Martha  Morris. 

After  their  marriage  William  Dooley  and  his  wife 
located  on  a  part  of  the  old  Obediah  Dooley  farm 
and  became  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest.  He  was  carefully 
reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  remained  at 
home  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  On  the  27th 
of  December,  1849,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Mary  Scobee,  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky. 
Mrs.  D.  is  the  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  (Bur- 
roughs) Scobee,  natives  of  Kentucky.  Her  grand- 
father was  Robert  and  her  grandmother  Elizabeth 
(Crawford)  Scobee,  of  Virginia.  Robert  Scobee 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  spending  his  early 
manhood  in  his  native  State.  Later  in  life  he  re- 
moved to  Clark  County,  Ky.,  where  he  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits  successfully  and  died  there  in 
about  1838.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Dooley  died  at 
her  home  in  Montgomery  County,  Ky.,  and  there 
her  father  yet  lives,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-five  years. 

Mrs.  Dooley  was  the  eldest  child  of  her  parents, 
with  whom  she  lived  until  her  marriage.  By  her 
union  with  our  subject  she  became  the  mother  of 
four  children,  as  follows:  James  W.,  a  farmer  of 
Downs  Township,  married  Miss  Elizabeth  G.  Cow- 
den,  of  Old  Town  Township;  Jennie  B.  became 
the  wife  of  Rev.  T.  D.  Fyffe,  a  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Rossville,  Ind. ;  George  G. 
married  Miss  Lou  G.  Baremore,  and  they  live  on 
the  farm  of  our  subject;  Anna  is  at  home  with  her 
parents. 

Two  years  after  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Dooley  he 
and  his  wife  and  his  father's  family  all  came  to  Illi- 
nois, first  locating  in  Bloomington,  and  increasing 
the  population  of  that  city  by  thirteen  souls.  One 
child  was  born  to  the  father  and  mother  of  our 
subject  after  their  removal  to  this  State.  The 
mother  died  in  Bloomington  when  seventy-four 


t 

t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1087 


years  of  age.  The  father  subsequently  located  in 
Old  Town  Township,  whence  he  removed  later  to 
Padua  Township,  and  there  died  on  the  7th  of 
June,  1870,  aged  sixty-six  years. 

After  coming  to  this  State  our  subject  was  a  resi- 
dent of  Old  Town  Township  until  1855,  and  then 
removed  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.  After  residing 
there  sixteen  years,  during  which  time  he  had  been 
engaged  in  farming,  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  lo- 
cated in  Downs  Township,  this  county.  Here  he 
now  has  a  farm  of  257  acres,  the  greater  part  of 
which  is  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  In  1881  he 
began  dealing  in  coal,  grain  and  lumber  in  Downs 
Village,  in  which  commodities  he  operated  four 
years  and  then  practically  retired  from  active  busi- 
ness. He  is  now  living  in  ease  and  comfort  upon 
the  competency  which  he  has  richly  earned.  Po- 
litically he  is  a  sound  Democrat,  and  the  wife  of 
our  subject  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


EICESTER  S.  RUPERT,  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Normal  Township,  is  successfully  en- 
gaged as  a  breeder  of  road  horses,  in  which  he 
is  experienced,  and  exhibits  some  of  the  finest  ani- 
mals in  McLean  County.  Mr.  Rupert  was  born  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  on  the  10th  of  December,  1855, 
being  the  son  of  Elon  W.  Rupert,  of  Virginia.  The 
latter,  during  the  greater  portion  of  his  life,  was  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  drug  business  in  Louisville, 
but  retired  upon  a  competency  twenty  years  before 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1874,  aged  sixty-five 
years.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Lucy  B.  (Sar- 
gent) Rupert,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  is  still 
living,  and  resides  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  The  paren- 
tal family  comprised  three  children  only:  Elon  S. 
is  a  practicing  physician  of  Philadelphia;  Minnie 
B.  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Holland,  Dean  of  the 
Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia;  and 
Leicester. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  pursued  his  primary 
studies  in  the  public  schools  of  Louisville,  which 
were  supplemented  by  attendance  at  the  grammar 
schools  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1875.  He  then  returned  to  Louisville  and 


engaged  in  the  breeding  of  trotting  horses  until 
1882,  when  became  to  Illinois,  locating  first  in 
Woodford  and  subsequently  in  Tazewell  Coun- 
ty, in  which  latter  place  he  sold  his  interest  to  his 
brother-in-law,  A.  G.  Danforth,  and  removed  to 
Normal.  His  stables  now  include  forty  head  of 
Hambletonian  and  Mambrino  horses,  and  include 
specimens  of  some  of  the  finest  animals  to  be  found 
in  this  section.  He  exhibited  several  years  at  St. 
Louis  and  Chicago  fairs  but  has  now  become  so 
well  known  that  he  no  longer  incurs  this  expense, 
his  stock  always  being  in  demand.  Mr.  Rupert  has 
a  fine  farm  estate  of  500  acres,  besides  his  town 
property  in  Normal,  and  has  fully  established  a 
reputation  as  one  of  the  leading  horsemen  of  the 
State.  He  is  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Illi- 
nois Association  of  Trotting-horse  Breeders,  and  his 
judgment  and  opinions  in  regard  to  this  industry 
are  held  in  great  value. 

The  marriage  of  Leicester  S.  Rupert  and  Miss 
Katie  May  Danforth  was  celebrated  at  Washington, 
III,  on  the  5th  of  November,  1879.  Mrs.  R.  was 
born  in  Washington,  and  by  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject has  become  the  mother  of  one  child — 
Emily  Bush. 


;ILLIAM  L.  DRYBREAD,  formerly  an  ex- 
tensive farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  West 
Township,  is  now  a  resident  of  Santa  Anna, 
De  Witt  County,  but  is  entitled  to  a  prominent 
place  among  the  worthy  citizens  of  McLean  County, 
as  having  by  his  enterprise  and  intelligence  greatly 
assisted  in  the  development  of  the  business  and 
agricultural  interests  of  this  section.  Mr.  B.  was 
born  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  near  the  little 
city  of  Edinburg,  Aug.  28,  1821.  His  father,  John 
Drybread,  was  a  native  of  Butler  County,  Ohio, 
and  his  grandfather,  who  was  born  in  Germany, 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man, 
locating  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and  being  among 
the  earliest  settlers  of  that  region.  He  opened  up 
a  farm  in  the  wilderness,  which  he  cultivated  and 
improved,  and  where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his 
life.  There  also  his  son  John,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  grew  to  manhood,  married,  and  resided 


f 


1088 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


there  until  about  1816,  then  removed  to  Bartholo- 
mew County,  Intl.  being  among  the  first  settlers 
who  went  into  that  Territory.  He  purchased  a  tract 
of  timber  land  and  worked  as  his  father  had  done 
in  Ohio,  in  clearing  a  farm  from  the  wilderness, 
and  there  made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred about  1 833.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our 
subject,  formerly  Miss  Nancy  Lewis,  was  born  in 
Wales,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  America  when 
a  young  child,  receiving  her  early  education  in 
Ohio.  She  accompanied  her  husband  to  Indiana, 
remained  his  faithful  and  affectionate  companion 
during  his  lifetime,  surviving  him  several  years, 
and  died  on  the  old  homestead.  Of  their  eight 
children  seven  grew  to  become  men  and  women,  as 
follows:  Margaret,  Mrs.  Ball,  died  -in  Fulton 
County,  Ind. ;  William  L.,  of  our  sketch,  was  the 
second  child;  Joseph,  and  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Cox,  died 
in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind. ;  George  is  a  resident 
of  Kansas;  Henry  lives  in  Bartholomew  County, 
Ind.,  and  Eliza  A.,  Mrs.  Durbin,  in  Piatt  County,  111. 
William  L.  Drybread  was  the  eldest  son  of  his 
parents,  and  was  but  twelve  years  old  when  his  fa- 
ther died.  Being  the  eldest  child  he  assisted  his 
mother  until  he  was  old  enough  to  manage  the 
farm  alone,  then  took  charge  of  it  and  remained 
there  until  1849.  In  the  meantime  he  had  been 
married,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  started  for  Illi- 
nois, accompanied  by  his  wife.  Their  outfit  con- 
sisted of  two  yoke  of  oxen  and  two  wagons,  in 
which  were  packed  their  household  goods,  and  they 
camped  and  cooked  by  the  wayside.  After  ten 
days'  travel  they  landed  in  De  Witt  County  and 
moved  into  a  house  occupied  by  Phineas  Page, 
where  they  remained  until  our  subject  could  erect 
a  dwelling  on  his  own  land,  which  he  had  purchased 
in  Santa  Anna  Township.  This  cost  him  ninety 
cents  per  acre,  he  having  obtaned  it  on  a  land  war- 
rant. In  1848  he  rented  an  improved  farm,  and 
during  the  summer  following  broke  the  first  sod  on 
his  own  land.  By  an  unfortunate  train  of  circum- 
stances he  lost  his  land,  and  for  a  time  decided  to 
abandon  fanning.  Removing  to  Farmer  City  he 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  for  one  year,  then 
opened  a  grocery  store  and  bakery.  At  that  time 
many  people  were  emigrating  to  Iowa,  and  much 
of  his  patronage  came  from  the  traveling  public 


who  then  journeyed  mostly  by  wagon,  the  Pullman 
palace  cars  not  then  being  put  on  the  road,  and  in 
fact  the  railroads  were  not  even  graded. 

Mr.  Drybread  continued  in  business  until  1862, 
and  then,  the  war  being  in  progress,  enlisted  as  a 
Union  soldier  August  -2  of  that  year,  in  Co.  I, 
107th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  in  which  he  served  until  the 
close  of  the  conflict.  For  more  than  a  year  he  par- 
ticipated actively  with  the  movements  of  his  regi- 
ment, and  then  on  account  of  ill- health  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  invalid  corps.  To  this  move,  how- 
ever, he  greatly  objected,  and  was  subsequently 
made  driver  of  an  ambulance.  In  July,  1865,  he 
received  his  honorable  discharge  with  his  comrades 
at  Springfield,  111.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  set- 
tled on  a  tract  of  land  which  he  had  previously  pur- 
chased in  West  Township,  and  thereafter  gave  his 
entire  attention  to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture  and 
the  breeding  of  fine  cattle.  This  land,  which  was 
partially  improved  when  he  purchased  it,  is  now 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  tile  drained,  and 
supplied  with  a  set  of  first-class  farm  buildings. 
The  whole  premises  indicates  the  supervision  of  an 
intelligent  and  progressive  mind,  and  invariably 
attracts  the  attention  of  the  traveler  to  that  region. 
In  1 884  Mr.  D.  purchased  eighty  acres  across  the 
road  from  the  main  farm,  and  which  lie  in  De  Witt 
County.  His  live  stock  includes  a  herd  of  sev- 
enty head  of  graded  cattle  of  the  Holstein  breed, 
and  he  has  some  of  the  finest  animals  in  this  part 
of  McLean  County. 

Mr.  Drybread  was  married,  in  August,  1847,  to 
Miss  Mary  Lowery,  who  is  a  native  of  the  same 
county  as  her  husband,  and  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  Lowery,  who  were  among  the  early 
pioneers  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.  Of  this 
union  there  are  nine  children,  the  record  of  whom 
is  as  follows:  Nancy,  Mrs.  Watson,  lives  in  Farmer 
City;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Latimer,  lives  in  Santa  Anna 
Township,  De  Witt  County ;  Rebecca.  Mrs.  Welsh, 
is  residing  in  Rock  County,  Minn.;  Henry  lives 
at  home;  Ollie,  Mrs.  .Mitchell,  is  a  resident  of 
De  Witt  County;  Lucy  is  married  and  lives  in 
West  Township;  Annis,  Jessie  and  Clarence  are 
at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are 
members  in  good  standing  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  our  subject  in  all  the  relations  of  life  has  dis- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1089  4  , 


tinguished  himself  as  a  worthy  citizen,  neighbor 
and  friend,  one  who  is  always  willing  to  contribute 
his  share  toward  the  building  up  of  his  county  and 
community.  He  has  been  one  of  the  important 
factors  in  the  agricultural  interests  of  this  section, 
and  is  universally  respected  wherever  known. 


eHARLES  DE  GARMO,  Ph.  D.,  Chair  of 
Modern  Languages,  Illinois  State  Normal 
University,  is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed 
professors  in  this  institution,  who  has  many  warm 
friends  in  this  vicinity  both  on  account  of  his  in- 
tellectual attainments"  and  his  excellent  personal 
traits  of  character.  Prof.  De  Garmo  was  born  in 
Waukesha  County,  Wis.,  on  the  7th  of  January, 
1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Rufus  and  Laura  (Wilbur) 
De  Garmo,  natives  of  New  York  State.  They  came 
with  their  family  to  Illinois  in  1851,  locating  in 
Sterling,  whence  they  removed  ten  years  later  to 
St.  Clair  County.  Rufus  De  Garmo  was  Quarter- 
Master  Sergeant  of  the  1 49th  Illinois  Regiment,  and 
after  the  war  the  family  made  their  home  in  Shelby 
County,  this  State.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
died  in  Wisconsin,  and  the  father,  who  was  married 
a  second  time,  now  resides  in  Kansas. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  history  pursued  his 
primary  studies  in  the  district  school  and  passed 
his  early  life  on  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  3'ears  the  Civil  War  being  then  in  progress, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  1, 149th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served 
as  a  private,  with  his  father,  until  the  regiment 
was  mustered  out.  He  then  joined  the  family  in 
Shelby  County  and  followed  farming  until  1870, 
when  he  began  a  course  of  study  in  the  institution 
with  which  he  is  now  connected,  and  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1873. 

In  December,  1875,  Mr.  De  Garmo  was  married 
to  Miss  Ida  Witbeck,  of  Belvidere,  111.,  who  was 
born  in  the  State  of  New  York  and  completed  her 
studies  in  the  Illinois  State  Normal  University. 
After  marriage  Prof.  De  Garmo  became  Assistant 
Training  Teacher  of  the  above-  named  institution, 
and  held  that  position  until  1883,  when  he  re- 
signed and  with  his  family  went  to  Germany, 
where  he  attended  the  University  of  Jena  one  year, 


and  the  University  of  Halle  for  two  years.  From 
this  last  institution  he  received  the  degree  of  Ph. 
D.  He  returned  to  the  United  States  in  August, 
1886,  and  was  afterward  appointed  to  his  present 
position.  So  great  was  his  desire  to  perfect  him- 
self in  his  intellectual  attainments  that  he  staked 
the  whole  of  his  worldly  possessions,  mortgaged 
his  property  and  resigned  a  good  position  to  enter 
upon  his  studies  in  the  Old  World.  He  has  been  a 
frequent  contributor  to  educational  journals  and  is 
the  author  of  "  De  Garmo's  Language  Work  below 
the  High  Schools,"  and  has  gratuitously  given  his 
time  to  conducting  Teachers'  Institutes  during  the 
summer  vacations,  in  different  counties. 

Onr  subject  and  his  amiable  and  accomplished 
lady  became  the  parents  of  three  children :  Walter 
C.,  who  was  born  in  1876;  Mabel  L.,  born  in  1880, 
died  in  Halle,  Germany,  in  1 884 ;  Robert  Max  was 
born  in  1885,  in  Halle,  Germany. 


J~  OHN  NICCOLLS.  Few  of  the  old  pioneers 
of  this  section  will  be  held  in  more  grate- 
ful or  pleasant  remembrance  than  the  above- 
'  named  gentleman.  He  came  here  at  an 
early  day  and  experienced  with  scores  of  others, 
the  hardships  and  privations  common  to  the  open- 
ing up  of  a  tract  of  unimproved  country,  and  was 
largely  instrumental  in  contributing  to  the  early 
and  rapid  settlement  of  McLean  County,  turning 
the  attention  of  many  to  this  section  who,  but  for 
his  earnest  efforts,  would  probably  have  located 
elsewhere.  He  was  the  faithful  friend  and  en- 
courager  of  those  who  were  limited  in  means,  and 
by  his  own  example  induced  them  to  overcome 
many  difficulties  and  to  pave  the  way  for  a  more 
prosperous  future. 

John  Niccolls  is  a  native  of  Westmoreland 
County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  on  the  23d  of  April, 
1810.  His  parents,  John  and  Jane  (Hurst)  Nic- 
colls, were  natives  of  the  same  county  and  State 
and  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage.  Of  their  family  of 
six  children,  all  lived  to  attain  their  majority  and 
three  still  survive,  viz.,  Dr.  Robert  Niccolls,  of 
Bloomington;  Rebecca,  the  wife  of  Elza  Paull,  and 
our  subject,  who  is  the  eldest  of  those  living.  He 


I 


1090 


McLEAN  COUNTY. 


is  now  seventy-six  years  of  age  and  during  his 
long  life  has  never  smoked  a  cigar  or  taken  a  chew 
of  tobacco,  and  never  took  any  whisky  except  as 
medicine. 

The  childhood  and  youth  of  Mr.  Niccolls  were 
passed  upon  his  father's  farm.  His  education  was 
somewhat  limited,  for  as  soon  as  his  age  and  size 
would  permit  he  was  required  to  assist  his  father 
in  his  store  and  in  various  other  duties.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen,  under  the  instruction  of  his 
father,  he  purchased  live-stock  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ohio,  which  he  drove  through  to  the 
Philadelphia  market  and  there  disposed  of  it  at  a 
reasonable  profit.  Three  years  later  this  parent 
died,  and  our  subject  received  $1,300  as  his 
share  of  the  estate,  and  continued  his  live-stock 
transactions  as  before. 

In  1846  John  Niccolls  removed  from  his  native 
State  to  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  where  he  continued 
his  operations  in  live-stock  and  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits.  He  made  his  first  visit  to  Illinois  in 
1850,  and  purchased  15,000  acres  of  land  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  The  following  year  he  removed  to 
the  county  and  located  near  the  city  of  Blooming- 
ton.  The  first  year  he  was  in  the  Prairie  State  he 
purchased  2,200  head  of  cattle  and  as  this  was  be- 
fore the  era  of  railroads  he  drove  the  cattle  to 
Eastern  Pennsylvania  to  market.  For  many  years 
thereafter  he  continued  to  handle  from  2,000  to 
X3,000  head  annually,  with  continued  prosperity. 
In  the  meantime  he  also  increased  his  real-estate 
interests  by  entering  land  in  Missouri,  Nebraska, 
Iowa  and  Kansas,  in  each  of  which  he  secured  a 
large  acreage.  At  one  time,  for  a  period  of  ten 
years,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  which 
he  was  successful  as  in  all  his  other  undertakings. 
In  1870,  had  he  so  chosen,  he  could  have  retired 
with  at  least  a  half  million  of  dollars. 

At  this  period,  however,  he  invested  largely  in 
Short-horn  cattle  at  high  prices  and  then  com- 
menced to  lose.  The  hard  times  of  1873  caused 
a  great  decline  in  real  estate,  and  this,  with  other 
misfortunes,  contributed  greatly  to  diminish  his 
property. 

The  finest  farms  in  this  county  to-day  were  first 
owned  by  Mr.  Niccolls.  McLean  owes  much  of  its 
prosperity  to  his  kindly  and  generous  assistance 
«• 


which  was  proffered  the  early  pioneers  in  their 
struggles  to  establish  and  maintain  their  homes. 
Through  his  influence  many  excellent  families  from 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  were  induced  to  remove  to 
Illinois  and  settle.  When  a  poor  family  came  into 
the  county  Mr.  Niccolls  would  open  to  them  his 
hospitable  doors  and  feed  them  freely  from  his 
bountiful  table.  He  would  sell  to  them  their  land 
at  a  very  low  price,  give  them  a  team  and  whatever 
else  they  needed,  and  allow  them  their  own  time  to 
pay  for  the  same.  He  was  familiarly  known  as  the 
poor  man's  friend,  and  received  the  blessings  of 
those  who,  without  his  aid,  would  have  abandoned 
what  seemed  to  them  a  hopeless  undertaking.  The 
records  of  that  time  show  more  transfers  of  land 
in  the  name  of  Mr.  Niccolls  than  of  any  other 
three  men  in  the  county;  but  not  one  will  show 
that  he  ever  wronged  any  one  or  committed  any 
act  in  the  least  approaching  to  oppression. 

The  marriage  of  John  Niccolls  with  Miss  Alvira 
Smith  was  celebrated  in  1829,  in  the  town  of 
Greensburg,  Pa.  Mr.  Niccolls  was  then  nineteen 
years  of  age.  His  bride  was  the  daughter  of  Dr. 
B.  Smith,  of  AVestmoreland  County,  Pa.,  and  after 
two  short  years  he  was  bereaved  of  the  companion 
of  his  youth,  who  died,  leaving  one  son,  Eben  S., 
who  is  now  engaged  in  mining  in  Old  Mexico. 

The  second  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  on  the  31st  of  December,  1833,  was  for- 
merly Miss  Maria  Steele,  a  native  of  Fayette  Count}", 
Pa.,  who  was  born  Nov.  11,  1807.  This  excellent 
couple  have  now  lived  peacefully  together  for  a 
period  of  fifty-three  years.  Of  their  union  there 
were  born  eight  children,  as  follows:  John  T.  died 
at  the  age  of  forty-one  years;  one  daughter  died 
in  childhood.  Those  living  are:  AVilliam  S.,  a 
farmer  of  this  county;  Cassius  M.  is  a  merchant  of 
New  Berlin,  111. ;  Albert  is  in  El  Paso,  Tex. ;  Elliott 
is  a  resident  of  Kansas  City,  Mo. ;  Violet  became 
the  wife  of  J.  B.  Moore,  and  died  in  1875,  leaving 
four  children ;  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  H.  G.  Reeves, 
of  Bloomington. 

In  early  life  and  during  the  existence  of  the 
AVhig  party,  Mr.  Niccolls  was  one  of  its  strongest 
adherents  and  a  stanch  supporter  of  Henry  Clay. 
When  the  old  party  was  abandoned  and  the  Repub- 
lican party  built  upon  its  foundations,  he  cordially 


.t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1091    i  > 


supported  the  principles  of  the  latter,  with  which 
he  has  uniformly  cast  his  vote  since  that  time.  He 
lias  never  been  an  office  seeker,  but  has  wisely  filled 
up  the  generous  measure  of  his  days  with  good 
deeds.  In  religion  he  has  for  many  years  been  an 
honored  and  prominent  member  of  the  Presbyter- 
ian Church.  As  a  man  and  a  citizen  his  record  is 
without  spot  or  blemish,  and  he  is  fully  entitled  to 
hear  the  words :  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant." 


TEPHEN  SMITH,  one  of  the  prosperous 
and  successful  merchants  of  Bloomington, 
is  proprietor  of  the  dry-goods  house  lo- 
cated at  No.  117  East  Jefferson  street. 
Mr.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  and 
was  born  Oct  22,  1830,  being  the  son  of  Aaron  and 
Matilda  (French)  Smith,  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia  respectively.  Aaron  Smith  left 
his  native  State  when  about  eighteen  years  old, 
and  going  into  Tennessee,  purchased  a  plantation, 
and  engaged  in  raising  cotton  and  tobacco,  the 
work  being  done  by  his  slaves.  Some  of  these  he 
liberated  before  and  some  after  coming  into  Illi- 
nois, in  1834-35.  After  coming  to  this  State  he 
engaged  in  stock,  and  grain  raising,  his  property 
being  located  in  Greene  County,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  in  1849.  The  mother  had  died  in 
1830,  in  Tennessee.  Both  parents  were  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Of  their  three 
sons  and  one  daughter,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is 
the  only  one  living. 

Stephen  Smith  remained  under  the  parental  roof 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  having  received  a 
practical  education.  After  leaving  home  he  went 
to  Carrollton,  Greene  Co.,  111.,  and  engaged  as 
clerk  for  his  brother,  Clark  M.,  two  years,  and  then 
secured  an  interest  in  the  business.  They  then 
sold  out,  and  in  1850  removed  to  Springfield,  where 
they  engaged  in  the  same  business  for  the  follow- 
ing ten  years,  having  branch  houses  at  Jackson- 
ville, Decatur  and  Bloomington.  They  then  dis- 
solved partnership,  and  Stephen  came  to  Blooming- 
ton,  in  1860,  and  established  the  business  which  he 
now  controls.  He  purchased  the  ground  upon 


which  the  Metropolitan  Block  now  stands  in  1860, 
and  soon  afterward  erected  the  building.  He  gives 
employment  to  from  four  to  seven  clerks,  and  sell- 
ing only  for  cash,  always  knows  how  his  business 
stands,  and  the  amount  of  his  obligations  and 
profits.  This  systematic  manner  of  doing  busi- 
ness has  been  the  groundwork  of  his  success  and 
influence,  and  is  what  has  placed  him  in  the  front 
ranks  among  the  business  interests  of  Bloomington. 
The  marriage  of  Stephen  Smith  and  Miss  Eliza- 
beth L.  Dorian  was  celebrated  on  the  6th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1857.  Mrs.  Smith  is  the  daughter  of  Lewis 
Dorian,  of  Philadelphia,  and  by  her  union  with 
our  subject  has  become  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren— Dudley  M.  and  Howard  L.,  graduates  of 
Bloomington  High  School,  and  Nettie  B.,  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Misses  Grant's  School  of  Chicago.  The 
fine  residence  of  the  family  is  pleasantly  located  at 
No.  406  West  Jefferson  street,  where  its  inmates 
enjoy  the  good  things  of  this  life  and  are  surrounded 
by  hosts  of  friends.  Mr.  Smith  is  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 


JOHN  HALLIDAY,    one  of  the  prosperous 
farmers  and   self-made  men  of  Belleflower 
Township,  was  born  in  Dumfriesshire,  Scot- 
land,   April  7,  1837,  being  the  son  of  Adam 

and  Isabella  (Wells)  Halliday,  natives  of  the  same 
shire  as  their  son,  where  they  spent  their  lives. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  John  when  but  eleven  years  of  age  went 
out  to  work  for  his  great-uncle,  living  with  him  two 
and  a  half  years.  After  that  he  engaged  with 
different  parties  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old, 
then  started  for  the  New  World  with  the  hope  and 
strength  of  youth  and  the  belief  that  he  could  bet- 
ter his  condition.  He  embarked  on  the  16th  of 
June.  1855,  and  after  a  tedious  voyage  of  nine 
weeks  and  three  days,  landed  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  with  only  a  few  dollars  in  his  pocket.  He 
spent  one  day  in  the  city,  and  then  going  to  Cum- 
mingsville.  Canada,  engaged  in  a  sawmill  for  f  18  to 
$20  a  month.  He  remained  in  that  vicinity  for  about 
two  and  a  half  years,  then  concluded  to  return  to 


f 


1092 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


the  States,  and  went  first  to  Michigan,  where  he  fol- 
lowed his  former  employment  until  1859.  In  August 
of  that  year  he  caine  to  this  vicinity,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  commenced  farming,  first  on  rented 
land,  and  in  due  time  purchased  eighty  acres  on 
section  33,  in  Belleflower  Township,  which  with  the 
additions  he  has  made,  constitutes  his  present  home. 

The  farm  of  our  subject  now  comprises  240  acres 
of  good  land,  200  of  which  is  enclosed  and  improved, 
and  besides  the  ordinary  routine  of  farming,  he  has 
of  late  years  given  the  most  of  his  attention  to  the 
raising  of  grain  and  a  good  breed  of  stock. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Halliday  and  Miss  Mary 
Mclntyre  occurred  on  the  16th  of  August, 
1865.  Mrs.  H.  was  the  daughter  of  Allen  and  Eu- 
phemia  (Monroe)  Mclntyre,  natives  of  Scotland. 
The  wife  of  our  subject  departed  this  life  on  the  9th 
of  November,  1872.  They  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy;  those 
surviving  are  Allen  and  Isabel. 


ORODON  WINSLOW,  a  retired  farmer  re- 
siding in  the  village  of  Danvers,  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1852,  at 
which  time  he  purchased  a  Mexican  War  land 
warrant  of  1 60  acres  in  Danvers  Township,  and  for 
many  years  worked  early  and  late  improving  and 
cultivating  it.  He  was  prospered  in  his  undertak- 
ing and  is  now  living  in  ease  and  comfort,  the  just 
reward  of  his  industry  and  perseverance. 

Mr.  Winslow  was  born  in  Pittsford,  Rutland  Co., 
Vt.,  July  1,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Job  and  Lucy 
(Spenser)  Winslow,  natives  of  Massachusetts, 
who  died  in  their  native  State  many  years  ago,  our 
subject  being  left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  ten  years. 
His  father  had  no  worldly  possessions  and  conse- 
quently our  subject  was  left  to  depend  upon  him- 
self, and  at  once  began  to  work  for  his  board  and 
what  clothing  people  were  disposed  to  give  him. 
He  possessed,  however,  a  large  amount  of  courage 
and  resolution  even  at  an  early  age,  and  as  soon  as 
possible  began  to  save  what  he  could  of  his,  at  first, 
scant}'  earnings. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  Corodon  Winslow 


found  himself  possessed  of  $700  and  with  this  he 
started  West,  and  after  reaching  Licking  County, 
Ohio,  purchased  100  acres  of  unimproved  land, 
upon  which  he  began  to  labor  industriously,  culti- 
vating the  soil  and  putting  in  crops.  In  due  time 
he  built  a  small  frame  house  but  soon  after- 
ward met  with  a  great  misfortune  in  the  loss  of  his 
little  property,  which  had  been  mortgaged  and 
which  he  was  unable  to  pay  at  the  time  specified. 
He  was  then  thrown  upon  the  world  again,  his  only 
possessions  being  $100  and  a  span  of  horses.  With 
these  he  set  his  face  westward  again  and  with  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  his  team,  secured  the  land 
already  spoken  of  and  once  more  commenced  the 
improvement  of  a  farm.  From  1845  until  1874, 
his  time  was  filled  in  with  unremitting  toil,  mak- 
ing improvements  upon  his  purchase,  raising  his 
annual  crops  and  engaged  in  the  breeding  of  stock. 
He  became  very  successful  and  the  tract  of  wild 
land  has  now  become  a  highly  cultivated  farm, 
valued  at  $10,000. 

On  the  27th  of  October,  1844,  our  subject  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  A.  Wheaton  in 
Danvers  Township.  Mrs.  W.  was  born  in  Essex 
County,  N.  J.,  May  2,  1824,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Silas  and  Mary  (Egbert)  Wheaton,  natives  of  the 
same  State,  whence  they  removed  to  Ohio  in  1841. 
Her  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  comfortable  homestead  in  Ohio,  where 
the  old  folk  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  his 
death  occurring  in  1866,  and  that  of  the  mother 
five  years  later,  in  1871.  They  were  the  parents  of 
ten  children,  as  follows:  Sarah  A.,  George  W.  and 
Mary  A.  (deceased),  Silas  P.,  Emens,  Edgar,  Eliza- 
beth (Mrs.  John  Bailey),  Elihu,  Loyal,  and  Leviti- 
cus who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winslow  became  the  parents  of 
six  children,  of  whom  only  two  are  living:  Corin- 
tha  A.  was  born  June  17,  1846,  became  the  wife 
of  Josiah  Day  and  now  lives  in  Calhoun  County, 
Iowa;  William  F..  born  in  1848,  married  Miss 
Emeline  Gregg  and  lives  in  Adams  County,  W.  T. ; 
Francis  and  James  M.  died  in  infancy,  also  a  babe 
unnamed;  Mary  E.  became  the  wife  of  Frederick 
Gansaw,  and  died  three  years  later. 

Mr.  Winslow  is  a  striking  illustration  of  what 
may  be  accomplished  through  perseverance,  indus- 


— 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1093    4 


try  and  courage  amid  the  most  adverse  conditions. 
His  earliest  recollections  arc  of  the  influence  which 
strong  drink  possessed  over  his  father,  who  finally 
came  to  his  death  by  its  use,  under  the  most  dis- 
tressing circumstances.  It  is  scarcely  to  be  won- 
dered at  then  that  Mr.  Winslow  is  one  of  the 
strongest  of  temperance  advocates  and  bitterly  op- 
posed to  the  use  of  whisky  in  any  form.  The 
greatest  credit  is  due  him,  in  that  he  so  bravely 
fought  his  way  amid  misfortunes  and  discourage- 
ments, and  has  become  a  man  among  men  in  the 
strongest  sense  which  the  term  implies.  He  is  now 
one  of  the  most  wealthy  and  respected  citizens  of 
McLean  County,  and  an  esteemed  member  of  socie- 
ty. With  his  family  he  is  prominently  connected 
with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  in 
politics  is  a  reliable  Republican. 

The  brothers  and  sisters  of  Mr.  Winslow  were: 
Elkanah,  Horace,  William  Loyal  (now  deceased), 
Franklin,  Charles,  Mary  and  Harriet,  the  latter  two 
dying  when  quite  young.  Mr.  Winslow  was  the 
third  in  order  of  birth. 


ENRY  A.  NICHOLS,  jobber  in  cigars  and 
tobacco,  is  located  at  No.  210  West  Wash- 
ington street,  Bloomington,  and  attending 
strictly  and  successfully  to  the  details  of  a 
thriving  and  increasing  trade.  Mr.  Nichols  was 
born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1836,  being  the 
son  of  Solomon  and  Caroline  (Chapman)  Nichols, 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York  respect- 
ively. Solomon  Nichols  removed  with  his  parents, 
Joseph  and  Sarah  (Hemingway)  Nichols,  from  his 
native  State  when  a  child  four  years  of  age.  They 
settled  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  and  afterward  re- 
moved to  Monroe  County,  that  State,  where  they 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  days. 

Solomon  Nichols  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and 
during  life  was  mostly  occupied  with  agricultural 
pursuits.  Of  his  family  of  fourteen  children,  Henry 
A.  was  the  ninth,  and  eleven  of  the  fourteen  are 
still  living.  Both  parents  died  in  Monroe  County, 
N.  Y.,  the  father  in  1864,  and  the  mother  in  1879. 
They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
wherein  Solomon  Nichols  held  the  offices  of  Deacon 


and  Elder.  He  was  a  Whig  in  early  life,  but  on 
the  abandonment  of  the  old  party,  cordially  united 
with  the  Republicans.  His  influence  was  recog- 
nized wherever  he  was  known,  as  he  was  the  friend 
of  education,  temperance,  morality  and  everything 
tending  to  the  advancement  and  prosperity  of  his 
county  or  community.  He  was  connected  with  the 
School  Board,  and  filled  various  other  local  offices. 
To  his  children  he  gave  the  advantages  of  a  good 
education,  and  was  in  all  respects  the  model  citizen, 
husband,  father  and  friend. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  in  the  meantime  having 
graduated  from  the  State  Normal  School  at  Al- 
bany. He  soon  afterward  engaged  in  teaching  in 
Monroe  County,  and  for  three  years  presided  over 
a  public  school  in  the  city  of  Rochester,  as  Princi- 
pal. In  1861  he  went  to  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and 
took  a  two  years'  course  in  the  State  University, 
and  was  afterward  Principal  of  one  of  the  schools 
of  Detroit,  Mich.,  for  one  year.  He  also  spent  one 
year  at  New  Baltimore,  Mich.,  similarly  occupied. 
Upon  removing  from  here  he  was  employed  as  a 
book-keeper  for  a  lumber  firm  in  East  Saginaw, 
whence  he  returned  to  Ann  Arbor  and  conducted 
the  Union  School  there  for  one  year.  He  then  en- 
gaged as  a  traveling  salesman,  selling  goods  from 
Chicago  through  Michigan,  Indiana  and  Illinois, 
and  was  thus  engaged  for  four  years. 

Mr.  Nichols  came  to  Bloomington  in  1871,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  dealing  in  cigars  and  to- 
bacco; his  trade  is  steadily  increasing  and  he  has 
three  men  on  the  road.  He  deals  in  only  the 
choicest  material,  and  has  a  good  understanding  of 
his  business  in  all  its  details. 

Mr.  Nichols  was  married  in  1863,  to  Miss  Flora 
Robinson,  who  was  born  in  Michigan,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Loami  and  Isabel  (Edmunds)  Robin- 
son, who  were  natives  respectively  of  Vermont  and 
New  York.  Her  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  departed  this  life  in  1872;  the  mother  is 
still  living  in  Michigan.  Mrs.  Nichols  is  the  ninth 
of  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  and  remained  with 
her  parents  until  her  marriage,  except  when  away 
at  school  and  three  years  as  teacher  in  the  Bishop 
Union  School  at  Detroit.  By  her  union  with  our 


t 


in:)) 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren—Harry W.,  Lyell  S.  and  Isabel  R.  They 
have  a  pleasant  and  attractive  home  located  at  No. 
216  East  Washington  street.  Mrs.  Nichols  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  our  sub- 
ject is  a  regular  attendant.  He  is  Republican  in 
politics,  and  socially  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 


JAMES  FULTON,  of  Downs  Township,  is  the 
owner  of  100  acres  of  choice  land,  part  of 
which  is  located  in  Randolph  Township. 
His  residence  is  situated  on  section  31.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since  1852, 
and  since  he  has  made  his  home  in  this  locality  has 
proved  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens.  Our  sub- 
ject is  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  having  been 
born  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  Sept.  10,  1826. 
His  father,  William  Fulton,  of  Westmoreland 
Count}7,  Pa.,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry,  and  a 
descendant  and  kinsman  of  Robert  Fulton,  who 
first  discovered  the  application  of  steam  as  a  means 
of  locomotion.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  county,  and  was 
there  married  to  Miss  Leah  Thompson,  a  native  of 
the  same  State,  and  of  ancestry  similar  to  that  of 
her  husband.  Soon  after  marriage  they  located  in 
Harrison  County,  Ohio,  and  became  the  parents  of 
two  children,  and  there  the  mother  died  about 
1822.  These  children  are  both  now  deceased,  one 
having  lived  to  mature  years,  and  being  married. 
The  second  wife  of  William  Fulton  was  Miss 
Mary  Moore,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  County, 
Ohio,  about  1803.  They  afterward  came  to  Illi- 
nois, and  Mrs.  Mary  Fulton  departed  this  life  in 
November,  1  883,  at  the  home  of  her  grandson,  Al- 
bert Fulton,  in  Randolph  Township.  The  father 
died  in  Bloomington  in  1872.  Of  this  marriage 
there  were  born  four  children  :  William  married  Miss 
Eliza  Boyd,  who  is  now  deceased,  and  he  is  a  prac- 
ticing physician  of  Colorado;  our  subject  was  the 
second  son  and  child.  The  others  are  deceased. 

James  Fulton  was  about  twenty-six  years  of  age 
when  he  came,  a  single  man,  with  his  father  to  Illi- 
nois, and  he  has  since  made  this  county  his  home. 
He  was  first  married  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio, 


Jan.  6,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  Boyd,  who  died  at  her 
home  in  Bloomington,  in  August,  1856.  She  was 
reared  in  her  native  county,  being  the  daughter  of 
an  Ohio  farmer  and  merchant.  By  her  marriage 
with  our  subject  she  has  become  the  mother  of  two 
children,  both  living.  Eliza  A.  is  the  wife  of  Bone 
Block,  of  Harrison  County,  Ohio;  Albert  married 
Miss  Mattie  Morrow,  and  they  reside  with  Mr. 
Morrow  in  Randolph  Township. 

The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Fulton,  to  whom  he  was 
united  in  Randolph  Township  on  the  Oth  of  Sep- 
tember, 1858,  was  Miss  Mary  E.  Bishop,  who  was 
born  on  her  father's  homestead  in  this  county, 
June  24,  1836.  Mrs.  Fulton  is  the  sister  of  George 
Bishop,  of  whom  a  sketch  may  be  found  in  another 
part  of  this  work.  She  was  reared  under  the  par- 
ental roof,  and  remained  at  home  until  her  mar- 
riage. Of  her  union  with  our  subject  there  were 
born  five  children,  two  now  deceased.  Mary  B. 
became  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Welch,  a  farmer  of  Downs 
Township;  Mattie  E.  is  a  teacher,  having  received 
her  education  in  the  State  University  at  Normal, 
and  holds  a  position  in  the  public  schools  of  Ran- 
dolph Township;  James  F.  is  at  home  with  his  par- 
ents. The  deceased  are  Sarah  E.  and  John  C. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fulton  are  members  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which 
our  subject  was  formerly  Steward  for  fifteen  years, 
and  is  now  Trustee.  He  has  served  as  School 
Director,  Road  Commissioner  and  Assessor,  and  in 
politics  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party. 


AMUEL  C.  WARE,  Postmaster  of  Towun- 
da,  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  1863,  to  which  he  came  from  Rich- 
mond, Ky.,  with  his  family.  He  was  born 
in  Massachusetts,  Dec.  9,  1810,  being  the  son  of 
Jason  and  Jemima  (Cowell)  Ware,  natives  of 
Wrentham,  Mass.  The  parental  family  consisted  of 
five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters — Mar- 
tha, Harriet,  Leander,  Angenette  and  Samuel  C. 

Our  subject  was  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and 
was  about  fourteen  years  old  when  lie  left  his  na- 
tive town  and  went  to  Worcester,  where  he  learned 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


- 


1095   i  , 


the  trade  of  cabinet-maker.  When  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  went  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  re- 
mained there  until  he  was  .thirty-five.  Thence  he 
proceeded  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  after  two  years 
to  Richmond,  Ky.,  where  he  taught  singing  and 
day  school  for  about  ten  years,  and  followed  his 
trade  as  opportunity  afforded  until  1863.  In  June 
of  that  year  he  came  to  this  county,  settling  soon 
afterward  in  Towanda,  and  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  village  since  that  time.  He  at  first  engaged  in 
carpentering  and  farming,  which  he  followed  until 
1873,  and  was  then  appointed  Postmaster,  which 
position  he  has  since  held. 

Mr.  Ware  was  married  in  Richmond,  Ky.,  April 
•29,  1839,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Milieu,  daughter  of 
Frederick  Milleri,  whose  family  included  six  chil- 
dren: Samuel  F.  is  Supreme  Judge  of  the  United 
States;  Sarah  J.,  Amelia,  William,  Mary  and  An- 
geline.  Mrs.  Ware  was  born  in  Richmond,  Ky., 
Feb.  2,  1818.  Of  her  marriage  with  our  subject 
there  have  been  born  eight  children — William  F., 
Martha,  Leander  M.,  Samuel  M.,  Amanda,  Stephen 
W.,  Angenette  and  Edward.  They  have  a  pleas- 
ant home  in  Towanda,  and  number  among  their 
friends  and  acquaintances  the  most  cultured  people 
of  the  city.  •  Mr.  Ware  has  served  as  Township 
Clerk  and  Police  Magistrate,  and  in  politics  is  a 
stanch  Republican.  The  parents  and  all  their  chil- 
dren are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
which  Mr.  Ware  has  been  an  Elder  for  many  years. 


-*- 


ENRY  F.  HAWLEY,  Assistant  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Chicago  Division  of  the  C. 
<fe  A.  R.  R.,  is  an  honored  resident  of 
Bloomiugton,  having  his  home  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Lucust  and  East  streets.  He  is  a  native  of 
Chittenden  County,  Vt.,  and  was  born  in  October, 
1835,  being  the  son  of  Don  C.  and  Mary  (French) 
Hawley,  also  natives  of  the  Green  Mountain  State. 
Don  Hawley  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1853, 
when  he  emigrated  West,  and  locating  in  Chicago 
became  extensively  engaged  as  a  contractor,  and 
was  Street  Commissioner  on  the  South  Side  for  a 


number  of  years.     He   departed   this  life  in  1863. 
The  mother  died  in  Michigan  in  May,  1886. 

The  Hawley  family  descended  from  Welsh  an- 
cestry, and  the  father  of  our  subject  inherited  in  a 
marked  degree  the  substantial  qualities  of  his  an- 
cestors. He  was  Republican  in  politics,  and  be- 
longed to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  exerted  a  good  in- 
fluence upon  all  who  knew  hirt,  and  was  universally 
respected  for  his  integrit}'  and  kindness  of  heart. 
The  family  of  Don  Hawley  included  four  children, 
one  now  deceased.  Henry  F.  was  the  eldest ;  Sarah, 
Mrs.  Lewis,  is  a  resident  of  Kansas  City ;  Lucius 
L.  is  connected  with  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and 
Montana  Railroad. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  and 
completed  a  practical  education  in  the  village 
academy.  While  with  his  parents  he  assisted  in 
the  labors  of  the  farm,  and  after  coming  to  Chi- 
cago was  employed  for  a  short  time  as  clerk  in  a 
retail  store,  and  then  in  a  wholesale  house  until 
1857.  He  then  became  brakeman  on  the  C.,  B.  & 
Q.  R.  R.,  where  he  continued  two  years  and  was 
promoted  to  conductor.  The  war  then  coming  on, 
he  enlisted  in  the  89th  Illinois  Infantry  for  three 
years,  and  marched  with  his  regiment  to  the  scene 
of  conflict.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Cassville, 
Ga.,  and  put  in  the  Miller  stockade,  which  greatly 
resembled  Andersouville  prison  in  its  horrors  and 
suffering.  After  remaining  a  captive  forty-two 
days  he  was  liberated  by  a  "Yankee"  trick,  and 
this  being  near  the  close  of  the  war  he  received  his 
discharge  and  returned  North.  Coming  to  Gales- 
burg  he  again  engaged  on  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  as 
conductor,  and  from  that  went  into  the  Superin- 
tendent's office  as  Trainmaster,  continuing  until 
1873.  Thence  he  was  transferred  to  Aurora,  and 
afterward  to  Chicago. 

In  December,  1874,  Mr.  Hawley  went  into  the 
employ  of  the  M.  C.  R.  R.  as  Trainmaster  at  De- 
troit, whence  he  was  transferred  to  Michigan  City, 
to  take  charge  of  the  Western  Division  of  the  same 
road,  where  he  remained  three  and  one-half  years. 
From  there  he  went  to  Jackson,  Mich.,  and  had 
charge  of  the  car  service  two  years.  He  accepted 
his  present  position  with  the  C.  <fe  A.  R.  R.  in  Sep- 
tember, 1880,  and  has  charge  of  from  200  to  250 


.  •  1096 


MoLEAN   COUNTY. 


men.  He  possesses  a  large  fund  of  information  in 
regard  to  railroad  matters  and  is  well  fitted  for  his 
responsible  duties. 

Mr.  Hawley  was  married  in  October,  1865,  to 
Miss  Marietta  Chapman  of  Connecticut,  who  was 
born  in  1844,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Joshua  P.  and 
Jane  (Hyde)  Chapman.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Meta  C. 


T 


K  WITT  R.  GOOCH,  a  wealthy  and  pros- 
perous fanner  of  Belleflower  Township,  has 
.been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  since 
the  spring  of  1858.  He  is  the  possessor 
of  a  fine  homestead,  pleasantly  located  on  section 
9,  and  is  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life. 
He  may  be  properly  numbered  among  those  intel- 
ligent and  enterprising  men  who  have  assisted  in 
bringing  McLean  County  to  its  present  proud  po- 
sition, and  made  it  the  home  of  the  best  class  of 
people,  noted  for  their  intelligence,  and  as  citizens 
worthy  and  valuable. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  born  in  New 
York  City  Sept.  17,  1841.  His  father,  Thomas 
Gooch,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  his  grand- 
father, also  a  native  of  the  Bay  State,  enlisted  as  a 
soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  died  in  the  service. 
Thomas  Gooch  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  na- 
tive city,  and  received  a  good  education  in  its 
public  schools.  When  of  suitable  age  he  com- 
menced learning  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  but 
from  1825  to  1835  held  the  position  of  book-keeper 
for  the  mercantile  firm  of  Viles,  Atkinson  <fe  Co. 
In  the  year  last  named  he  removed  to  New  York 
City  to  take  a  similar  position  with  Hayes,  Dorr 
<fe  Co.,  importers  of  dry-goods.  He  was  in  their 
employ  and  that  of  their  successors,  Allen, 
Hazen  &  Co.,  until  after  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war,  and  remained  a  resident  of  New  York  City 
and  suburbs  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1869. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Lydia  C.  Roulstone,  was  also  born  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  and  departed  this  life  in  the  city  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1851.  Three  or  four  children 
belonging  to  the  parental  household  grew  to  ma- 


ture years;  only  one  married.  Thomas  R.  died  in 
1876,  at  Dorchester,  Mass.;  De  Witt  R.  was  the 
second  child ;  Caroline  ¥.  lives  in  Delavan,  Taze- 
well  Co.,  111.  Thomas  Gooch  contracted  a  second 
marriage,  and  of  that  union  there  is  one  son  living, 
Camille  D.,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Gooch  of  this  notice  was  a  child  two  years 
of  age  when  his  parents  removed  from  New  York 
City  to  Brooklyn.  Eight  years  later  they  moved 
to  West  Farms  which  is  now  included  in  New 
York  City,  and  remained  there  until  1858.  There 
young  De  Witt  attended  school  quite  steadily,  and 
being  naturally  intelligent  and  fond  of  his  books 
gained  a  good  insight  into  his  studies  at  an  early 
age.  Before  he  had  completed  his  education  he 
suffered  greatly  from  ill-health  and  was  obliged  to 
abandon  his  studies.  Coming  West,  accompan- 
ied by  a  friend,  he  located  in  Tazewell  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  outdoor  work  on  a  farm  un- 
til the  spring  of  1 860.  He  then  rented  and  engaged 
in  farming  for  himself  until  the  summer  of  1862. 
The  Civil  War  being  then  in  progress  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  B,  73d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  with  which  he  served 
until  March  following,  when  his  health  began  to 
fail  and  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital.  In  August, 
1863,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  from  which  he  received  his  honorable  dis- 
charge the  following  November.  Mr.  G.  •  was  in 
several  engagements,  among  which  we  mention 
Perryville  and  Stone  River. 

After  receiving  his  discharge  he  then  returned  to 
New  York  City,  visited  three  months  among  his 
old  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  thence  came 
back  West.  He  was  soon  afterward  married,  in 
Tazewell  County,  and  settled  down  on  a  farm 
owned  by  his  wife  two  miles  east  of  Delavan, 
where  he  lived  until  1885.  He  then  sold  out  and 
came  into  this  county  and  purchased  the  place  in 
Belleflower  Township  which  he  now  ow'ns  and  oc- 
cupies. Here  he  has  a  tasteful  and  comfortable 
farm  residence,  with  a  good  barn  and  all  necessary 
out-buildings,  and  is  industriously  engaged  in  rais- 
ing grain  and  stock. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  to  Miss  Rosetta 
Rathmell  took  place  in  Delavau,  Feb.  14,  1864. 
Mrs.  G.  is  the  daughter  of  James  Rathmell,  who  WMS 
born  in  Pennsylvania.  Her  grandfather,  John 


t. 
• 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


4 


t 


Rathmell,  was  widely  and  favorably  known  in  the 
Keystone  State,  where  he  followed  milling  and  was 
one  of  its  most  substantial  citizens.  His  son  James 
removed  from  his  native  State  to  Tazewell  County, 
111.,  when  a  young  man,  and  was  among  the  earli- 
est settlers  there.  He  was  there  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Ann  Moseley,  who  was  born  in  that  county. 
Her  grandfather,  John  Arthur  Moseley,  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  settled  in  Tazewell  County  about  1826, 
took  up  a  tract  of  Government  land  and  improved 
three  or  four  farms.  Later  he  removed  to  Logan 
County,  and  died  in  1858.  His  wife,  before  her 
marriage,  was  Miss  Delilah  Barker,  also  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  She  is  still  living,  having  arrived  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years,  and  resides 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Ball,  in  Tazewell 
County.  She  has  been  a  cripple  for  the  last  twenty- 
eight  years  or  more,  but  her  mind  is  still  active 
and  vigorous,  and  she  remembers  well  the  many 
incidents  connected  with  pioneer  life.  The  parents 
of  Mrs.  Gooch  died  when  she  was  quite  young  and 
she  was  reared  by  her  grandmother.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  four  children 
— Arthur  Francis,  De  Witt  R.,  Jr.,  Oliver  C.  and 
Maude  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gooch  are  Universalists 
in  religious  belief,  and  politically  he  is  independent. 


ATTHIAS  KAMPF,  deceased,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Madison  County,  Ohio,  and  born 
Jan.  7,  1826.  His  parents.  Henry  and 
Polly  (Travers)  Kampf,  were  natives  of 
Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  and  were  of  Pennsyl- 
vania-Dutch descent.  The  childhood  of  Matthias 
Kampf  was  spent  in  his  native  township,  the  dis- 
trict schools  furnishing  his  education,  and  in  which 
he  improved  every  opportunity  for  acquiring  use- 
ful knowledge.  When  nineteen  years  of  age  he 
started  out  for  himself  in  life,  coming  first  to  this 
State,  where  he  taught  two  terms  in  a  district 
school  in  Logan  County,  where  the  city  of  Lincoln 
now  stands,  then  returning  eastward  to  Ohio,  he 
employed  his  winters  in  teaching,  and  the  balance 
of  the  year  as  a  farm  laborer.  While  in  that  State 
he  was  married,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1848,  to  Miss 
Nancy  A.  Paugh,  who  was  born  in  Madison  County, 
that  State,  Nov.  14,  1829.  Her  parents,  Henry 


and  Jane  (Bradley)  Paugh,  were  also  natives  of 
the  same  county. 

After  their  marriage  our  subject  and  his  wife  re- 
sided two  years  in  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Kampf  still 
pursued  his  profession  as  a  teacher  during  the  win- 
ter, and  farmed  during  the  summer  until  he  started 
for  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1850.  After  reaching 
Tazewell  County,  they  located  on  the  edge  of  Hit- 
tie's  Grove,  about  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of 
the  present  homestead  of  the  family.  Two  years 
later  Mr.  Kampf  took  possession  of  a  forty-acre 
tract  of  railroad  land  on  section  7,  in  Mt.  Hope 
Township,  McLean  County,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was 
naturally  industrious  and  enterprising,  and  became 
prosperous,  adding  from  time  to  time  to  his  first 
purchase,  until  he  was  the  owner  of  250  acres  of 
excellent  farming  land  in  the  counties  of  Tazewell 
and  McLean.  After  a  protracted  illness,  he  closed 
his  eyes  upon  the  scenes  of  his  earthly  labors  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1874. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kampf  are  re- 
corded as  follows:  Polly  Jane,  born  Feb.  7,  1851, 
died  June  28,  1880;  Mary  Alma,  born  Aug.  28, 
1855,  died  July  8,  1876;  David  Henry,  born  June 
20,  1857,  died  July  7,  1880;  Hannah  Belle,  born 
Aug.  3,1859,  died  Dec.  6,  1874;  Sarah  A.,  born 
Nov.  17,  1861,  and  Matthias,  Oct.  27,  1863. 
Sarah  A.,  on  the  18th  of  January,  1883,  became  the 
wife  of  Mr.  James  M.  Murphy,  a  sketch  of  whom 
will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Since  the 
death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Kampf  has  added  to  the 
estate  which  he  left,  by  the  purchase  of  120  acres. 
She  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
with  which  she  became  connected  in  1877.  Mr. 
Kampf's  belief  was  that,  of  a  Universalist.  His 
sympathies,  politically,  were  with  the  Republican 
party,  with  which  he  uniformly  cast  his  vote.  A 
view  of  the  homestead,  in  whose  improvement  he 
delighted  to  spend  his  time,  will  be  found  on  an- 
other page. 

j»     .-"ffi"-,      fc"      •***•  •*!*•     i '+      -<^>-     •*- 
*—*f*+*gif^tr"V 

ISAAC  E.  FUNK,  son  of  one  of  the  earliest  pio- 
neers of  the  Prairie  State,  was  born  in  Funk's 
Grove  Township,  Feb.  10,  1843,  and  is  conse- 
quently now  a  gentleman  in  the  prime  of  life,  pos- 
sessing the  full  energy  of  his  youth,  and   perform- 


f 


1098 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ing  his  part  as  a  valued  citizen  and  useful  mem- 
ber of  society.  He  is  located  on  a  good  farm  in 
Belleflower  Township,  which  is  supplied  with  the 
necessary  farm  buildings,  the  grounds  around  the 
residence  being  ornamented  with  fruit  and  shade 
trees,  and  presenting  in  all  respects  a  comfortable 
homestead. 

Our  subject's  father,  John  Funk,  was  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  his  father  was  also  named  John.  The  great- 
irivat-grandfatlier  of  Isaac  E.,  Adam  Funk,  a  native 
of  Germany,  emigrated  to  America  with  his  father 
when  a  lad  six  years  old,  settling  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  reared,  and  in  due  time  established  a 
home  and  family  ties  of  his  own.  His  son  John 
came  to  McLean  County  at  an  early  period  in  the 
history  of  this  section,  and  here  spent  the  last  years 
of  his  life.  Here  also  the(  father  of  our  subject 
grew  to  manhood,  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and 
was  married  here  to  Miss  Bettie  Hongham.  She 
was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Annie  (Gordan)  Hougham.  John  Funk  and  wife 
remained  residents  of  this  county  until  the  father's 
death  in  Allin  Township  in  1847. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  John  and  Bettie 
(Hongharn)  Funk,  were  widely  and  favorably 
known  throughout  this  section,  and  the  mother 
was  especially  noted  for  her  kindness  of  heart  and 
ready  sympathy  with  the  afflicted  and  distressed. 
Their  names  are  held  in  kindly  remembrance  by  a 
large  circle  of  friends  whom  they  made  during 
their  long  residence  here.  Of  their  five  children, 
two  only  are  now  living — Elizabeth  Ann,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  James  C.  Finley,  of  Kansas,  and 
our  subject.  Mrs.  Funk  was  a  second  time  mar- 
ried, to  John  Finley,  in  1853,  and  lives  in  Kansas. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  four  years 
old  when  his  father  died.  He  lived  with  his  mother 
until  he  was  fifteen  and  then  started  out  to  earn 
his  own  living  by  working  on  a  farm.  He  at  first 
received  $10  per  month,  which  was  afterward 
raised  to  $15.  After  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier,  Oct.  27,  1862,  in  Co. 
A,  117th  III.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  engaged  with  his  comrades  in  the 
battles  of  Ft.  De  Russy,  Pleasant  Hill,  Nashville 
and  Ft.  Blakesley,  and  was  in  ofcher  minor  engage- 
ments. He  was  transferred  to  the  33d  Illinois  In- 


fantry, and  was  mustered  out  in  October,  1865. 
After  returning  from  the  army  Mr.  Funk  continued 
his  labors  by  the  month  for  a  year,  and  then  fanned 
on  rented  land  until  1870,  when  he  purchased  his 
present  homestead,  which  was  then  unimproved 
prairie. 

Our  subject  was  married,  Dec.  24,  1867,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Jenkins,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  born 
March  23,  1848.  Her  father,  Henry  Jenkins,  a  na- 
tive of  the  Old  Dominion,  was  born  in  Madison 
County,  whence  he  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
1850.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  F.  died  when  she  was 
quite  young.  Her  mother  was  formerly  Miss  Julia 
A.  Price.  Mr.  and  Mrs  F.  of  this  notice  have 
seven  children — Bettie  L.,  Guy  J.,  Lafayette,  Min- 
nie M.,  Lucy  B.,  Isaac  Logan  and  Charlie  Delight. 
Julia  A.  died  in  the  fourth  year  of  her  age.  Mr.  F. 
is  Republican  in  politics. 


JEORGE  W.  BLAND,  who  is  industriously 
engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  a  calling 
upon  which  the  wealth  of  the  nation  de- 
pends, and  is  meeting  with  success  in  his  la- 
bors, came  into  the  Prairie  State  and  located 
in  Champaign  County  in  1869.  He  lived  there  un- 
til 1885,  and  then  took  possession  of  his  present 
homestead  on  section  35,  Cheney's  Grove  Town- 
ship. His  farm  comprises  one  of  the  finest  bodies 
of  land  in  this  section,  and  includes  twenty  acres 
under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  a  taste- 
ful and  convenient  residence,  a  good  barn  and  all 
the  out-buildings  and  machinery  required  by  a  first- 
class  modern  agriculturist. 

Mr.  Bland  was  born  in  Pendleton  County,  W. 
Va.,  April  25,  1836.  His  parents  were  Eli  and  Annie 
(Hager)  Bland,  natives  of  West  Virginia,  where 
the  father  died  in  1862.  The  mother  still  survives, 
making  her  home  in  West  Virginia,  and  is  now  sev- 
enty-seven years  old,  a  stout  and  healthy  old  lady, 
who  retains  her  mental  faculties  as  good  as  ever. 
Her  ten  children  included  eight  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters— Miles  H.,  William,  Amos,  Luciuda,  George 
W.,  John  W.,  Mary,  Eli  P.,  James  S.  and  Benja- 
min F. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained   in  his  na- 


f 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


I  Oil!)    ,    \ 


tive  State  until  he  reached  his  majority,  then  de- 
cided to  seek  his  fortunes  elsewhere.  Going  into 
Indiana  he  worked  out  by  the  month  until  twenty- 
four  years  old,  and  was  then  married  to  Miss  Vir-. 
ginia  Whitecotton.  She  was  born  in  Virginia,  July 
6,  1843,  and  when  six  years  of  age  removed  with 
her  parents  to  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  where 
she  was  married  to  our  subject,  Oct.  30,  1861.  Her 
parents  were  James  and  Catherine  (Robinson) 
Whitecotton,  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Her  fa- 
ther, born  in  1792,  served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
after  the  termination  of  that  conflict  removed  to 
Indiana,  where  he  died,  Dec.  19,  1855.  The 
mother  was  born  Oct.  30,  1808,  accompanied  her 
husband  to  Indiana  and  survived  him  about  twenty- 
seven  years,  dying  in  Montgomery  County,  Ind., 
in  1882.  Their  sixteen  children  were  as  follows  : 
Cornelius,  Noah,  Salem,  Mordecai,  Mary,  James, 
William,  Wayne,  Zephaniah,  Esau,  Francis  M., 
George,  Jacob,  Virginia,  Luciuda  and  Isaac. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bland  have  seven  children  —  James, 
John  W.,  William  S.,  Mary  C.,  Franklin,  Manson 
and  Annie  J.  Mr.  Bland  is  Democratic  in  politics. 
During  the  late  war  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier 
in  the  120th  Indiana  Infantry,  serving  eighteen 
months  in  Company  C,  in  the  meantime  being  pro- 
moted Orderly  Sergeant.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  and  in  the  engagements  at 
Peachtree  Greek  and  Jouesboro.  After  going  into 
Tennessee  lie  was  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and 
Nashville,  escaping,  however,  without  injury. 
After  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  he  resumed 
the  peaceful  pursuit  of  agriculture,  in  which  he  has 
since  been  engaged  with  fair  success.  A  litho- 
graphic view  of  Mr.  Eland's  residence  is  shown 
elsewhere  in  this  ALBUM. 


J-  OHN  HOWARD    BURNHAM,  of    Bloom- 
ington,  one  of  its  well  known    and    most 
highly  respected    citizens,  is   a    native    of 
Massachusetss,  born  at  Essex,  on  the  north 
side  of  Cape  Ann,  Oct.    31,  1834.       His   parents 
were  of    the    old  Puritan  stock,  his   father,  John 
Burnham,  being  a  descendant  of  John  Burnham 
who  came  to  this  country  in"  1634,  and  located  on 


a  farm  which  has  descended  from  father  to  son  for 
six  generations.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
Sarah  Choate  Perkins,  and  on  her  mother's  side 
a  Choate,  a  second  cousin  to  Rufus  Choate,  the 
famous  lawyer. 

The  paternal  grandmother  of  our  subject  was  a 
Goodhue.  Mr.  Burnham  is  quite  proud  of  his  an- 
cestry. He  possesses  the  printed  genealogy  of  the 
Burnham  and  Perkins  families,  and  can  trace  both 
sides  back  to  their  homes  in  England.  He  is  quite 
antiquarian  in  his  tastes,  and  a  corresponding  mem- 
ber of  the  Historical  Society  of  Chicago.  He 
wrote  a  history  of  Bloomington  and  Normal  in 
1879,  and  besides  this  has  prepared  quite  a  number 
of  historical  sketches  of  other  localities  in  this  re- 
gion. 

Mr.  Burnham  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of 
1855,  and  for  two  years  afterward  lived  at  Barring- 
ton,  Cook  County,  where  he  taught  school  two 
winters.  In  the  spring  of  1858  he  came  to  Bloom- 
ingtou  and  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  in  the 
Normal  School,  from  which  he  graduated  July  4, 
1861.  Then,  the  Rebellion  being  in  progress,  he 
entered  the  army  in  August,  as  First  Lieutenant  of 
the  Normal  students,  Co.  A,  in  the  33d  Regiment 
111.  Vol.  Inf.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
town,  Mo.,  Oct.  25,  1861,  in  the  fight  at  Cotton 
Plant,  or  Cache  River,  Ark.,  July  7,  1862,  and  in 
several  skirmishes.  He  was  promoted  Captain, 
Sept.  5,  1862.  During  that  summer  he  was  taken 
ill  with  malarial  fever,  caused  by  exposure  in  the 
swamps  along  the  bottom  lands  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  disabil- 
ity, in  April,  1863. 

In  the  year  following  his  retirement  from  the 
army,  having  lost  none  of  his  interest  in  the  cause 
of  education,  he  was  appointed  Superintendent  of 
the  Bloomington  schools,  and  in  July,  1864,  be- 
came editor  of  the  Pantograph,  occupying  this  po- 
sition nearly  three  years.  He  has  also  done  con- 
siderable literary  work  of  a  miscellaneous  character 
for  the  Pantograph  and  other  newspapers. 

Capt.  Burnham  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Almira  S.  Ives,  on  the  23d  of  January,  1866.  Mrs. 
B.  is  the  daughter  of  A.  B.  Ives,  of  Bloomington. 
She  is  an  accomplished  and  highly  respected  lady, 
who  has  cultivated  a  natural  talent  for  art,  to  such 


•  -«. 


n    1100 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


an  extent,  in  fact,  that  the  products  of  her  brush 
have  quite  an  enviable  reputation  in  local  art  cir- 
cles. Their  beautiful  home  in  this  city  is  the  re- 
sort of  its  most  cultured  and  intelligent  people, 
whose  friendship  and  society  they  enjoy  in  a  marked 
degree.  Capt.  Burnham,  in  1 8G7,  became  general 
contracting  agent  for  an  iron  highway  bridge  com- 
pany, which  position  he  now  fills. 


RS.  LYDIA  A.  SAUNDERS,  a  well-known 
and  highly  respected  lady  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  West  Township  since  1866,  oc- 
cupies a  comfortable  homestead  on  section 
30.  She  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  the  1st 
of  January,  1825,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  R. 
Coletnan,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
Oct.  29,  1803.  Her  paternal  grandfather  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  and  one  of  the  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
cleared  a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  four  miles  from 
what  became  the  site  of  the  city  of  Dayton,  and 
where  he  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life.  Upon 
this  farm  Henry  R.  Colemau  lived  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  and  then  engaged 
in  teaching  school.  In  1823  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
then  an  embryo  city,  where  he  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising a  short  time,  and  whence  he  removed  to 
Millville,  Butler  County.  He  pursued  the  same 
business  there  until  1849,  when  he  joined  the  great 
caravan  that  was  pushing  toward  the  California 
gold  fields.  He  choose  his  route  via  the  Isthmus, 
and  remained  on  the  Pacific  Slope  until  1852.  In 
that  year  he  returned  as  far  East  as  Illinois,  and 
coming  into  this  county,  purchased  a  tract  of  wilci 
land  on  section  30  of  what  is  now  West  Township, 
being  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  township. 
Here  he  improved  a  good  farm  and  remained  a  res- 
dent  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1865. 
His  wife  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Rachel 
Watkins.  She  was  born  in  Montgomery  County 
Ohio,  accompanied  her  husband  to  Illinois,  and 
died  on  the  old  homestead  in  West  Township,  in 
1877.  Of  their  nine  children,  eight  grew  to  man 
and  womanhood. 

The  subject  of  this  history  made  her  home  with 


her  parents  until  her  marriage  with  William  A. 
Saunders,  which  occurred  in  1844.  Mr.  Sauuders 
was  born  in  Maysville,  Ky.,  Feb.  7,  181C,  being 
the  son  of  Clark  Saunders,  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
who  was  a  painter  by  trade  and  spent  his  entire 
life  in  his  native  city.  William  A.  Saunders  w:is 
raised  at  Maysville  and  there  learned  his  trade  of 
house  and  sign  painting.  He  went  to  Ohio  when  a 
young  man  and  carried  on  business  in  Cincinnati 
for  a  period  of  twenty-five  years.  In  September, 
1866,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  having  bought  out 
the  interest  of  the  heirs  in  the  Coleman  homestead, 
settled  On  the  farm  which  remained  his  home  until 
his  death,  March  12,  1881.  He.  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  hav- 
ing assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  society  at 
Mt.  Olive  and  in  the  erection  of  the  building.  Mrs. 
Saunders  is  connected  with  the  same  church.  Her 
father  was  a  Presbj'terian,  and  her  mother  a  Meth- 
odist in  belief. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Saunders  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  two  of  whom  are  still  living:  Sarah 
Florence  became  the  wife  of  John  R.  Palmer,  and 
lives  in  Normal,  111. ;  Lida  A.  married  Alvin  Whit- 
taker,  and  lives  on  the  homestead.  This  is  a  fine 
tract  of  land  containing  160  acres,  and  supplied 
with  all  the  necessary  and  convenient  farm  build- 
ings. Since  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Saun- 
ders has  filled  his  place  in  a  worthy  and  capable 
manner,  and  is  greatly  respected  in  her  commun- 
ity for  her  excellent  personal  traits  of  character. 


J-  OHN   S.  McCLURE,  Deputy  County  Clerk, 
residing  at  Bloomington,  is  one  of  the  most 
highly    respected    citizens   of    the    county. 
I    Our   subject    was    born   in   Logan  County, 
Ohio,  on  the  llth  of  January,  1844,  his  parents  be- 
ing John  and  Sarah  (Slaughter)   McClure,  natives 
of  Virginia,   the  former  born  in  1808,  and  the  lat- 
ter in  1815.  John  McClure,  Sr.,  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation and  Republican  in  politics.     He  removed 
with  his  family  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  in  1832,  and 
located  in  Logan   County,   remaining   there   until 
1858.     The  father  then  came  to  McLean  County. 
where  he  still  lives.     The  mother  died  in   Ohio  in  ^ 


4 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1101  , , 


t 


1846.  The  record  of  their  seven  children  is  as  fol- 
lows: The  eldest  born  died  in  infancy;  Charles; 
Sarah,  Lucy  and  Mildred  are  deceased:  John  S., 
our  subject,  and  Susan. 

John  S.  McClure  remained  at  home  until  he  had 
arrived  at  years  of  manhood,  receiving  a  common- 
school  education  and  assisting  in  the  labors  of  the 
farm.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
E.  Workman,  Jan.  14,  1869.  She  was  born  in  the 
same  county  and  State  as  tier  husband,  on  the  10th 
of  June,  1846,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Daniel  M. 
and  Helen  (Pratt)  Workman,  who  were  also  na- 
tives of  the  Buckeye  State,  and  are  both  still  living 
there.  Their  five  children  were  named — Mary,  Sa- 
rah, Lucy  Clara,  Ella  and  John. 

During  the  progress  of  the  late  Civil  War  Mr. 
McClure  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  4th  Illinois 
Cavalry,  at  Bloomingtoii,  on  the  27th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1861.  He  served  in  the  same  regiment 
until  October  of  the  following  year  when  he  was 
discharged  for  disability.  In  July,  1863,  he  re- 
enlisted  in  the  2d  Ohio  Artillery,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  in  August,  1865,  having  participated  in 
several  general  engagements,  among  them  being 
Ft.  Henry,  Donelson  and  Shiloh.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  home  and  soon  afterward  came 
to  Tazewell  County  in- this  State,  whence  after  re- 
siding there  three  years  he  came  to  McLean 
County,  which  with  the  exception  of  four  years 
spent  in  Ohio,  has  been  his  residence  since  that 
time.  He  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  Post  No.  146, 
at  Bloom  ington.  In  politics  he  is  a  straight  Re- 
publican, and  Mrs.  McC.  is  a  member  in  good 
standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Of  the  children  born  to  our  subject  and  his  wife 
the  eldest,  Willie,  died  when  one  year  old;  the  five 
living  are  Howard,  Daniel,  Arthur,  Alice  and  Wal- 
ter. The  family  homestead  in  Dry  Grove  Town- 
ship embraces  eighty  acres  of  fine  land,  upon  which 
is  a  good  farm  dwelling  and  all  necessaiy  barns  and 
out-buildings,  with  implements  and  machinery  for 
the  carrying  on  of  agriculture  after  the  most  ap- 
proved methods. 

Mr.  McClure  represented  the  people  of  Dry 
Grove  Township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for 
three  terms;  has  been  Township  Clerk  two  years, 
and  is  now  Deputy  County  Clerk.  He  has  been 


a  member  of  the  Central  Republican  Committee. 
He  exercises  a  marked  influence  upon  the  politics 
of  this  section  and  is  a  man  whose  judgment  is 
universally  respected. 


fif?  M.  DOOLEY,  President  of  the  Third  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Bloomington,  has  been  a  res- 
ident of  the  Prairie  State  since  1853,  and 
thereafter  extensively  engaged  in  farming. 
He  is  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  was  born  in  Win- 
chester, Clark  Co.,  Mo.,  Nov.  11,1830.  His  par- 
ents were  William  and  Minerva  (Morris)  Dooley, 
both  born  in  Kentucky,  and  the  father  an  extensive 
farmer  and  stock-grower.  He  came  to  McLean 
County  in  1  85  1  ,  and  purchased  land  of  the  Gov- 
ernment in  Old  Town  Township.  He  became  pos- 
sessor of  a  large  area,  some  of  which  he  sold  and 
upon  some  he  farmed,  and  remained  a  resident  of 
this  county  until  his  death,  in  1869.  The  mother 
had  died  in  1844,  before  the  removal  of  the  fam- 
ily from  Kentucky.  Of  their  thirteen  children 
eleven  are  still  living;  all  received  a  practical  edu- 
cation, and  those  living  are  capable  and  prosperous 
business  men. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  after  leaving  the  primary  schools  attended 
Bartlett  College,  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1849.  He  then  returned  to  the  farm 
in  Kentucky,  and  subsequently  came  with  his  fa- 
ther to  Illinois.  Two  years  later  he  purchased  land 
in  Old  Town  Township,  where  he  operated  500 
acres  and  raised  cattle,  horses  and  hogs.  He  con- 
tinued stock-raising  and  general  farming  until 
1883,  when  he  sold  his  farm  property  and  pur- 
chased a  residence  on  East  Grove  street,  Blooming- 
ton,  where  he  is  now  living  and  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  early  labors.  He  has  been  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  this  section  since  coming  here,  and  was. 
Supervisor  of  Old  Town  Township  three  years. 

Mr.  Dooley  was  married,  in  January,  1853,  to 
Miss  Susan  Nelson,  a  native  of  Montgomery.  Ky., 
and  the  daughter  of  William  and  Annie  (Smith) 
Nelson,  natives  of  that  State.  Of  this  union  there 
were  born  eleven  children,  as  follows:  Florence. 
Mrs.  Singleton,  resides  in  Bainbridge,  Putnam 


f. 


*-¥• 


1102 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Co.,  Ind.,  and  has  three  children—  Edith,  Sylvia 
and  Stella;  William  L.  married  Miss  Stella  Law- 
rence, and  is  a  resident  of  Hiunboldt,  Kan.  ;  Romu- 
lus W.  is  engaged  in  teaching  at  Bloomington;  An- 
nie, Mrs.  Charles  Brown,  is  a  resident  of  this  county, 
and  has  one  child,  a  daughter,  Alice;  Henry  S. 
married  M  i.-s  Edith  Reyburn;  Samuel  C.,  Charles 
W..  Emma  C.,  Raymond  D.,  Edna  and  Berenice 
are  all  residents  of  Bloomington.  Mr.  Dooley  be- 
longs to  the  Democratic  party,  and  socially  as  well 
as  in  a  business  capacity  is  considered  a  useful 
member  of  society. 


E.  SWAP,  who  is  engaged  in  merchandis- 
ing at  Weston,  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois  in  about  1847,  settling  first  in  La 
Salle  County.  He  has  been  a  resident  of 
this  county  since  1844,  and  is  now  an  important 
factor  among  the  business  interests  of  Yates  Town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Erie  County,  Pa.,  Jan.  21, 
1«:;(J,  and  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Sybil  (Hitch- 
cock) Swap.  The  former  was  a  native  of  New 
York  and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  The  parental 
family  included  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  grew 
to  mature  years,  and  eight  are  still  living.  Upon 
leaving  New  York,  the  parents  of  our  subject  re- 
moved first  to  Wisconsin,  whence,  eighteen  months 
later,  they  came  to  Illinois  and  the  father  followed 
farming  in  La  Salle  County  for  a  number  of  years. 
From  there  he  removed  to  Kansas,  and  after  a  res- 
idence there  of  a  few  years  returned  to  his  old  home 
in  Erie  County,  Pa.,  where  the  mother  died  in  Au- 
gust, 1884,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-nine 
years.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  1802,  is  still 
living. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools,  and  was  reared  to 
manhood  on  his  father's  farm.  At  the  outbreak  of 
the  late  Civil  War  he  enlisted  as  a  Union  soldier  in 
Co.  C,  7th  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  entering  the  service  Aug. 
13,  1862,  and  serving  until  July  12,1865.  He  partic- 
ipated in  all  the  engagements  of  his  regiment  and 
escaped  serious  wounds  and  illness,  receiving  his 
honorable  discharge  at  the  close.  He  then  re- 
turned to  La  Salle  County.  111.,  and  was  there  en- 


gaged in  farming  until  February,  1879.  He  then 
sold  out  and  removed  to  Eppard's  Point,  Livings- 
ton County,  where  he  purchased  1(30  acres  of  land, 
of  which  he  still  retains  the  ownership.  In  1884 
he  removed  to  Meriden,  La  Salle  County,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  for  nine  months. 
He  then  sold  out,  and  coming  to  \Vcston  purchased 
the  business  of  John  Poole,  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued to  carry  on  with  profit  and  success.  He  is  a 
stanch  Republican  politically,  served  as  Town 
Clerk  seven  years  in  La  Salle  County,  and  for  a 
long  term  was  a  member  of  the  Boai'd  of  Educa- 
tion. Socially  he  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R.,  con- 
nected with  the  post  at  Fairbury,  111. 

Mr.  Swap  was  married  on  the  13th  of  December, 
18C6,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Elsie  Ann*  (Phillips)  Watson.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  in 
Windham  County,  Conn.,  Feb.  8,  1843,  and  when 
a  young  girl  of  eleven  years  came  to  Illinois 
with  her  father.  Her  mother  died  in  Mt.  Hope, 
Conn.,  in  1848.  They  first  located  in  La  Salle 
County,  and  her  father  was  a  second  time  married, 
March  15,  1849.  He  now  resides  near  Mendota, 
111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  became  the  parents  of  four 
children,  one  of  whom,  Claude  L.,  died  at  the  age 
of  nine  years;  Elsie  died  in  infancy.  Albert  J. 
and  Ethel  L.  are  at  home  with  their  parents.  A 
lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Swap's  store  building  is 
given  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 


GlEORGK  H.  WELCH,  an  enterprising  far- 
^  mer  and  stock-grower  of  Downs  Township, 
__  i  owns  and  occupies  a  fine  homestead  of  240 
acres  on  section  16,  the  most  of  which  is  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  The  whole  estate  is  en- 
closed with  good  fencing  and  the  land  drained  with 
800  rods  of  tile.  The  stock  operations  of  Mr. 
Welch  have  been  quite  extensive  and  successful 
and  he  bears  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the 
most  thorough  and  intelligent  agriculturists  of  this 
section. 

Mr.  Welch  is  the  youngest  son  of  a  family  of 
four  sons  and  four  daughters  born  to  his  parents. 
Of  these,  five  are  yet  living,  married  and  comforta- 
bly settled  in  homes  of  their  own.  Our  subject  is 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1103 


1    ' 

t 


a  native  of  Downs  Township,  born  June  13,  1858, 
and  pursued  his  early  studies  in  the  district  schools. 
These  were  completed  at  Wesleyan  University  and 
the  Evergreen  City  Business  College.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  his  studies  he  returned  to  the  farm,  and 
since  that  time  has  devoted  his  whole  attention  to 
its  peaceful  occupation.  lie  remained  at  home 
until  some  time  after  the  death  of  his  father,  Henry 
Welch,  which  occurred  April  17,  1881.  His  mother, 
formerly  Miss  Mary  Caldwell,  is  still  living,  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  eldest  son,  James  A.,  in 
Randolph  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  in  Le 
Roy,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents,  on  the  6th 
of  February,  1884,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Phillipps,  a 
brief  history  of  whose  parents  will  be  found  in  the 
sketch  of  D.  F.  Phillipps,  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
Mrs.  Welch  was  born  in  Dale  Township,  this  county, 
Nov.  23,  1863.  Her  parents  afterward  removed 
to  Downs  Township  and  she  remained  with  them 
until  her  marriage,  receiving  a  good  education  in 
the  common  schools.  Of  her  union  with  our  sub- 
ject there  has  been  born  one  child,  a  son,  Henry. 

After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  they 
settled  on  their  present  farm,  Feb.  14,  1884,  where 
Mr.  W.  had  already  prepared  a  home  for  his  bride, 
having  erected  a  fine  residence,  finished  with  all  the 
conveniences  of  modern  life.  The  barn  and  other 
out-buildings  correspond  with  the  dwelling  and  the 
entire  premises  is  well  cared  for  and  kept  in  good 
order.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  regular  at- 
tendants of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  with 
which  Mrs.  W.  has  been  connected  for  several 
years.  Mr.  Welch  is  a  firm  supporter  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  uni- 
formly casts  his  vote. 


ISAAC  HARNESS,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  McLean  County  and  prominently  engaged 
as  a  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  is  a  native  of 
Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  near  what  is 
now  known  as  Cane  Ridge,  on  the  17th  of  March, 
1811.     His  father,  Jacob  Harness,  of  Virginia,  was 
born  and  reared  on  the  Potomac,  being  the  son  of 
Peter  Harness.     Jacob  Harness  removed  with  his 


father  to  Kentucky  and  there  married  Miss  Chris- 
tina, the  daughter  of  Jacob  Smith,  whose  family 
were  of  German  ancestry  and  settled  in  Virginia  at 
an  earty  period  in  the  history  of  that  State,  whence 
they  removed  to  Kentucky.  Jacob  Harness  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  181,2,  and  remained  in 
Kentucky  until  his  son  Isaac,  our  subject,  was 
seventeen  years  of  age.  Then,  with  his  family,  he 
removed  to  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  locating  near 
Washington  Court  House.  His  father.  Peter  Har- 
ness, had  preceded  him  to  what  was  afterward  the 
Buckeye  State  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  1,200 
acres  in  extent,  and  gave  to  each  of  his  seven  sons 
100  acres  of  timber  land.  These  sons  having 
been  reared  on  a  Southern  plantation  where  the 
work  was  done  by  slaves,  were  at  first  quite  unequal 
to  the  task  of  opening  up  a  farm  in  the  wilderness, 
but  they  came  of  a  sturdy  race  and  in  time  proved 
themselves  equal  to  the  emergency.  Jacob,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  and  one  of  these  seven  sons, 
cleared  the  timber  from  his  land  and  proceeded 
with  its  cultivation,  establishing  a  comfortable 
homestead  where  he  reared  his  family.  Subse- 
quently he  went  to  Indiana  and  located  on  Wolcott 
Prairie,  where  he  remained  for  many  years.  The 
parents  of  our  subject  both  died  near  Lexington, 
where  their  remains  were  laid  to  rest. 

Isaac  Harness  came  to  McLean  County  in  1832, 
and  was  joined  about  four  years  later  by  his  father 
and  mother  and  they  settled  on  the  Vermilion 
River,  near  Pontiac.  The  country  was  new  and 
very  sickly,  and  soon  they  all  removed  to  Lexing- 
ton and  settled  on  a  farm  one  mile  south  of  the 
present  village.  This,  which  now  constitutes  the 
homestead  of  our  subject,  comprises  2,000  acres 
all  in  one  body,  and  he  has  1,000  acres  in  another 
part  of  the  county.  He  owns  beside,  in  the  States 
of  Missouri  and  Kansas,  1,140  acres.  His  farms 
are  well  stocked.  Much  of  this  is  leased  and  his 
rents  amount  to  over  $50,000  per  annum. 

When  Isaac  Harness  came  to  McLean  County 
his  possessions  consisted  of  one  horse,  and  his  career 
is  a  most  remarkable  illustration  of  what  may  be 
accomplished  by  .a  resolute  and  determined  will. 
Hard  work  was  never  a  bugbear  to  him  and  he 
only  asked  for  his  health  and  strength.  This  was 
granted  him  and  he  proceeded,  with  the  courage  of 


f 


i  >    1104 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


•^ 


r 

I 


youth  and  high  hopes  for  the  future,  to  cultivate 
the  little  tract  of  ICO  acres  which  comprised  his 
first  purchase.  Even  a  part  of  this  he  was  obliged 
to  give  up  in  order  to  keep  other  parties  from  bid- 
ding ugainst  him  when  the  land  came  into  market. 
After  this  first  backset  he  industriously  set  himself 
about  the  improvement  of  his  land  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  home.  His  first  transactions  in  live- 
stock consisted  in  the  purchase  of  three  poor, 
scrawny  little  calves,  which  he  fed  until  they  be- 
came of  good  value.  He  enlarged  his  facilities  as 
fast  as  possible  and  was  soon  fattening  a  drove  of 
300  hogs  which  he  sold  at  $1.50  per  hundred,  re- 
ceiving one-half  cash  in  nine  months,  and  the  other 
half  in  store  pay  to  be  drawn  at  such  times  as  he 
might  need  goods.  He  then  commenced  to  buy 
steers  as  his  money  accumulated  and  finally  secured 
forty  head  which  he  fattened  on  grass  and  corn 
and  which,  when  three  years  old,  he  sold  at  $4  per 
head.  This,  in  those  days,  was  a  good  profit,  and 
encouraged  him  to  continue  his  operations  as  a 
stockman.  lie  soon  afterward  began  to  accumulate 
money  rapidily  and  then  formed  a  partnership  with 
a  Jew  by  the  name  of  Joe  Greenebaum  (now  in 
Chicago),  and  embarked  in  the  clothing  trade,  es- 
tablishing trade  both  at  Lexington  and  Pontiac, 
the  goods  being  purchased  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Mr.  Harness  furnished  funds  to  the  extent  of 
$10,000,  which  he  put  in  a  carpet-sack  and  started 
for  Cincinnati,  having  previously  given  his  note 
for  $37,765.  He  paid  the  $10,000  and  ten  per  cent 
interest  on  the  notes  until  they  were  paid  up. 

In  18C7  Mr.  Harness  organized  the  Lexington 
Bank,  and  became  its  President.  It  has  a  large 
paid-up  capital  and  has  become  one  of  the  perma- 
nent institutions  of  the  town. 


BENJAMIN  M.  QUINN.  During  the  years 
from  1854  to  1860  the  fertile  prairies  of 
McLean  County  were  more  rapidly  settled 
up  than  during  any  other  half  dozen  years. 
Enterprising  men  began  to  come  in  then  and  im- 
prove them,  and  to-day  what  was  thought  by  the 
earliest  settlers  to  be  only  fit  for  grazing  purposes. 


are  the  most  highly  cultivated  and  productive 
fields  found  within  the  borders  of  the  Prairie  State. 
A  well-known  gentleman  who  came  in  during  the 
earliest  part  of  the  above  mentioned  period  is  B. 
M.  Quinn,  of  Dale  Township.  He  was  born  in 
Madison  County,  Ky.,  on  the  3d  of  September, 
1820,  and  is  the  third  child  and  second  son  of 
Hiram  and  Elizabeth  Quinn,  a  sketch  of  whom  will 
be  found  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  history  was  reared  in 
his  native  county  and,  as  soon  as  he  was  large 
enough,  assisted  his  parents  in  the  labors  of  the 
farm,  and  attended  the  subscription  school  which 
was  held  in  the  log  cabin.  He  inherited  a  part  of 
the  old  homestead  and  lived  there  with  his  mother 
until  1854,  when,  accompanied  by  her  and  his 
brother  James  W.,  with  the  wife  of  the  latter, 
started  overland  for  the  prairies  of  Illinois.  Their 
outfit  consisted  of  five  horses,  two  wagons  and  a 
carriage.  Their  journey  was  commenced  on  the 
9th  of  October,  and  they  arrived  in  McLean 
County  on  the  2d  day  of  November.  The  house- 
hold goods  were  brought  with  them  and  they 
camped  and  cooked  by  the  way.  They  spent  the 
first  winter  with  the  brother  Hiram  and  Mr.  Jona- 
than Park,  and  in  the  spring  moved  to  a  tract  of 
land  on  section  34,  which  they  occupied  until  the 
following  November  and  then  Benjamin  Quinn  set- 
tled upon  the  place  which  he  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies. At  the  time  of  his  purchase  there  was  upon 
it  a  one-story  dwelling  which  included  two  rooms, 
and  a  shed  with  a  straw  roof.  He  at  once  set  about 
the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  his  land  and 
in  due  time  erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings 
and  planted  fruit  and  shade  trees.  In  this  home, 
which  he  had  provided  for  her,  his  mother  lived 
until  the  6th  of  October,  1881,  when  she  closed  her 
eyes  forever  to  the  scenes  of  earth. 

From  his  early  boyhood  Mr.  Quinn  had  been 
reared  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy  and  he 
has  all  his  life  pursued  a  course  in  accordance  with 
his  early  teachings.  He  has  thus  become  a  good 
citizen,  promptly  meeting  his  various  obligations 
in  life  and  taking  an  interest  in  everything  pertain- 
ing to  the  welfare  of  his  community.  He  was  a 
Whig  in  politics  during  the  existence  of  that  party, 
but  since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  he 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1107    t 


has  uniformly  cast  his  vote  in  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  latter. 

The  features  of  Mr.  Quinn  are  shown  on  an  ac- 
companying page  and  portray  those  of  one  of  the 
most  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 


IRAM  W.  QUINN,  a  leading  member  of  the 
family  bearing  that  name  so  well  known  in 
this  section,  is  a  native  of  Madison  County, 
Ky.,  and  was  among  the  first  settlers  who 
came  from  that  region  to  the  territory  of  Illinois. 
He  located  in  Dale  Township,  McLean  County,  be- 
fore the  hand  of  cultivation  had  redeemed  the  soil 
from  its  original  condition,  and  has  assisted  materi- 
ally in  developing  the  resources  of  the  Prairie  State. 
The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  on  the  8th 
of  January,  1825.  His  father,  Hiram  Quinn,  was 
also  a  native  of  Madison  County,  Ky.,  and  his 
grandfather  was  born  in  Virginia.  The  family 
removed  at  an  early  day  from  the  Old  Dominion 
to  the  Blue  Grass  State,  Hiram  Quinn,  Sr.,  being 
ing  then  quite  young.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
Madison  County  and  was  there  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Moberly,  a  native  of  the  same  locality 
as  her  husband.  After  their  marriage  Hiram  Quinn, 
Sr.,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  Madison  County, 
where  he  established  a  home,  which  he  occupied 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1827.  He  had 
served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  his  widow  received 
a  pension  from  the  Government  during  the  last 
years  of  her  life.  She  removed  to  this  State  late  in 
life  and  died  in  Dale  Township,  in  October,  1884, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  nearly  eighty-six  years. 
The  parental  family  included  five  children:  Sid- 
ney, who  died  in  Bloomington  Township;  Benja- 
min M.,  who  lives  in  Dale  Township ;  Barthana,  who 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Jonathan  Park  (see 
sketch) ;  James  W.,  who  lives  in  Dale  Township, 
and  our  subject. 

Hiram  W.  Quinn,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  fourth 
child  and  third  son  of  his  parents,  and  was  but  two 
years   old    when   he  was  deprived   by  death  of  a 
father's  care  and  protection.     The  mother  bravely 
'    kept   her  children  together  on  the  old  homestead 


and  Hiram  W.  remained  with  the  family  until 
March,  1852.  He  then  determined  to  see  some- 
thing of  the  Western  country  and  accordingly 
started  for  the  Prairie  State.  He  went  by  rail  to 
Louisville,  then  by  river  to  Pekin,  in  Tazewell 
County,  and  there  he  secured  a  team  to  bring  his 
family  and  goods  to  McLean  County.  He  rented 
a  house  in  the  village  of  Bloomington,  which  he 
occupied  for  seven  months  and  in  the  meantime 
purchased  240  acres  of  land  on  section  35,  in  Dale 
Township.  Upon  this  there  was  a  log  cabin  and 
sixty  acres  of  it  were  broken.  In  the  fall  of  the 
Same  year  Mr.  Quinn  erected  a  comfortable  frame 
house  and  in  1853  commenced  to  improve  and 
cultivate  the  land.  He  was  prospered  in  his  farm- 
ing and  business  operations  and  added  to  his 
landed  possessions  as  time  passed  on.  He  now 
owns  2GO  acres,  all  enclosed  and  improved,  with  a 
fine  area  of  pasture  and  the  balance  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation.  His  residence  and  other  farm 
buildings  are  of  the  best,  description  and  the  home- 
stead in  all  respects  presents  the  picture  of  one  of 
the  finest  farm  estates  in  McLean  County. 

Mr.  Quinn  was  married  to  Miss  Elzira  Barclay, 
Dec.  16,  1847.  Mrs.  Quinn  was  a  native  of  the 
same  count}'  as  her  husband  and  was  born  May  18, 
1832.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  seven 
children,  who  are  recorded  as  follows :  James  L.  is  a 
resident  of  Dale  Township;  Flora,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  Stubblefield,  lives  in  Allin  Township; 
William  Quinn  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington  Town- 
ship j.Bell  married  Mr.  John  Norris  and  also  lives 
in  Dale  Township;  Ellen  and  Frank  are  at  home 
with  their  parents;  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Olie  Norris, 
of  Dale  Township.  All  the  members  of  the  family 
are  connected  with  the  Christian  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  O.  has  been  Elder  and  Deacon.  In  earlier 
years  he  affiliated  with  the  Whig  party,  but  after 
its  abandonment  by  the  organization  of  the  Re- 
publican party  he  cheerfully  indorsed  the  principles 
of  the  latter  and  since  that  time  with  it  has  uni- 
formly cast  his  vote. 

Mr.  Quinn  has  always  been  the  encourager  and 
supporter  of  everything  "calculated  to  advance 
the  welfare  of  his  community,  socially,  morally, 
religiously  or  educationally.  He  has  served  as 
School  Director  in  his  district  for  many  years  and 


',  •   1108 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


is  greatly  respected  by  his  fellow-citizens  for  his 
excellent  personal  traits  of  character  and  his  ability 
as  a  business  num. 


M.  BATES,  General  Superintendent  of  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  with  residence 
at  Bloomingtou,  is  a  native  of  Pierpont, 
Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio.  Mr.  Bates  was  born  in  1840, 
and  is  a  son  of  Melzo  and  Laura  H.  (Gould)  Bates, 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York  respectively. 
The  father  of  our  subject  moved  to  Ohio  from 
Massachusetts  in  1836,  and  settled  at  Pierpont, 
Ashtabula  County,  where  he  embarked  in  mercan- 
tile business,  first  as  a  clerk  and  then  for  himself, 
and  followed  this  calling  through  life.  He  held  the 
office  of  Postmaster  and  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
from  about  1 840  to  1 860.  He  was  a  prominent 
citizen,  a  successful  business  man,  and  always  took  a 
deep  interest  in  count}'.  State  and  Nation.  He  was 
a  strong  advocate  of  temperance  and  held  fellow- 
ship with  the  Congregational  Church.  His  demise 
occurred  in  1875. 

Melzo  Bates  was  of  Scotch  lineage  and  a  de- 
scendant from  three  Scotch  brothers  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1770,  and  made  settlement  in  the 
New  England  States.  Melzo  became  the  father  of 
three  children:  T.  M.,  our  subject;  Ozro,  who  was 
an  engineer  on  the  Erie  &  Pittsburgh  Railroad  and 
was  killed  by  a  collision  at  Middlesex,  Pa.,  Sept.  8, 
1885.  He  was  married  to  Miss  KateRitz  and  they 
had  one  daughter,  Irma,  and  mother  and  child  are 
now  living  in  Erie,  Pa.;  Vesta  L.  became  the  wife 
of  Herbert  A.  Mixer,  of  Pierpont,  Ashtabula 
Co.,  Ohio,  and  they  have  one  child,  Grace.  The 
mother  of  these  children  is  still  living  and  resides 
at  Pierpont.  She  is  a  devout  Christian  lady  and 
holds  fellowship  with  the  Congregational  Church. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  lived  at  home  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  old,  employed  the  while  in  clerk- 
ing in  his  father's  store.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  supplemented  the  same 
by  a  practical  education  deceived  while  clerking  in 
his  father's  store.  While  clerking,  he  became  much 
interested  in  the  study  of  electricit}',  and  purchas- 
ing books  on  chemistry  and  other  scientific  works, 


lost  no  time.  He  made  a  telegraph  instrument,  some- 
what after  the  Morse  patent,  but  not  being  satisfied 
with  it  he  purchased  a  Morse  telegraph  instrument 
and  learned  to  manipulate  it  with  rapidity  in  an  ex- 
ceedingly short  time.  In  1859  he  attended  the 
academy  at  Conneaut,  Ohio,  and  while  there  spent 
his  leisure  hours  in  the  railroad  office.  During  the 
same  year  he  accepted  a  position  as  telegrapher  on 
the  Cleveland  &  Erie  Railroad,  now  the  Lake  Shore 
<fe  Southern.  He  remained  in  this  position  until 
1861,  when,  on  account  of  the  small  wages  he  re- 
ceived, he  gave  it  up  and  returned  home  and  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  his  father  in  the 
mercantile  business.  This  relationship  existed  un- 
til the  fall  of  1864,  when  our  subject  disposed  of 
his  interest  and  accepted  a  position  with  the  lion. 
William  L.  Scott,  President  of  the  Erie  &  Pitts- 
burgh Railroad,  as  clerk  and  telegraph  operator.  He 
remained  with  this  gentleman  until  1879,  in  that 
capacity,  when  he  was  promoted  to  Train  Dis- 
patcher, Superintendent  of  Telegraphy  and  Train- 
master. He  held  this  position  until  he  received  a 
call  from  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  as  Division 
Superintendent  of  200  miles  of  its  track  between 
Bloomington  and  Mexico,  Mo.,  which  he  accepted. 
Two  years  later  he  was  given  charge  of  the  Kansas 
City  Division,  together  with  the  St.  Louis  Division, 
making  in  all  600  miles  directly  under  his  immedi- 
ate charge.  June  1,  1883,  Mr.  Bates  was  called  to 
Bloomington,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  entire 
system  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  as 
Superintendent  of  transportation  and  having  the 
entire  charge  of  operating  the  road,  900  miles,  and 
in  doing  which  he  employs  about  3,000  men.  The 
gradual  but  constant  promotion  of  Mr.  Bates  since 
he  has  engaged  in  railroading  speaks  for  itself  and 
is  all  the  encomium  needed. 

In  1872  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  for  railroad  men  was 
started  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  The  second  one  that 
was  started  was  at  Erie,  Pa.,  and  Mr.  Bates  was  the 
instigator.  In  1881  he  started  another  at  Rood- 
house,  111.,  and  in  1884  he  started  one  at  Blooming- 
ton,  which  had  a  membership  at  that  time  of  only 
three.  At  the  present  time  over  200  railroad  men 
are  members  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  at  Bloomington. 
There  are  sixty-nine  organizations  of  its  kind  in 
the  United  States.  In  politics  Mr.  Bates  is  a  lie- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1109  t  > 


publican  and  socially  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Frances  F. 
Dutcher,  daughter  of  Daniel  R.  and  Rowena 
(Wright)  Dutcher,  residents  of  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  and 
of  this  union  there  are  the  following  children: 
Charles  T.,  born  Jan.  10,  1864;  Flora  F.,  Nov.  18, 
1865;  Frank  A.,  May  27,  1868;  Blanche  R.,  Dec.  7, 
1875.  The  residence  of  our  subject  is  at  No.  508 
East  Douglas  street. 


t 


GEORGE  M.  STUBBLEFIELD,  of  Mt.Hope 
Township,  is  the  son  of  Robert  Stubblefield^ 
so  widely  known  throughout  this  section, 
and  whose  decease  in  1870  was  so  universally  la- 
mented. Quite  an  interesting  episode  occurred  to 
Robert  Stubblefield,  the  father  of  our  subject,  in 
May,  1840.  It  will  be  remembered  that  at  that 
early  day  the  county  was  new  and  unsettled  and 
plenty  of  horse  thieves  infested  the  country. 
About  the  middle  of  May,  1840,  two  men  came  to 
Mr.  Stubblefield's  home,  then  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township,  being  directed  there  by  a  citizen  of 
Funk's  Grove,  for  information  concerning  horse 
thieves.  Purporting  to  be  detectives,  they  wanted 
to  ascertain  something  about  a  family  by  the  name 
of  Reading.  Mr.  S.  replied  that  he  only  knew 
them  by  reputation,  which  was  not  very  good,  and 
that  they  were  supposed  to  be  horse  thieves.  After 
talking  some  time,  he  proposed  to  go  with  them, 
and  staid  all  night  with  a  settler,  'Squire  Robbs, 
about  three  miles  from  Mosquito  Grove.  Sunday 
morning  they  went  to  within  one-half  mile  of  the 
grove,  and  sent  some  spies  in  to  see  if  the  Read- 
ings were  at  home.  Whilst  they  were  parleying. 
Jack  Reading  and  a  man  named  Holmes  mounted 
horses  and  tried  to  escape.  Mr.  Stubblefield  said 
to  the  detectives  and  other  men,  "  Now  is  your 
time,  if  you  wish  to  capture  them."  They  ran 
about  four  miles  in  a~southeast  course,  near  where 
the  iron  bridge  spans  Sugar  Creek,  nearly  east  of 
Stanford.  When  Mr.  Stubblefield  got  there  the 
only  persons  in  sight  were  the  two  horse  thieves. 
After  crossing  the  creek,  they  continued  the  race 
and  ran  about  four  miles  farther,  when  Mr.  S.  came 
up  with  the  two  men,  and  Reading  recognized  Mr. 


S.  and  swore  if  he  did  not  go  back  he  would  kill 
him.  They  rode  about  twelve  miles  farther,  to 
Hill's  Grove,  Tazewell  County,  where  Mr.  S.  came 
up  with  them  again,  and  talked  to  them.  Holmes 
remarked  that  he  did  not  know  him,  but  Reading 
replied  that  he  knew  him,  and  that  he  was  Old  Bob 
Stubblefield,  a  brother-in-law  of  Ike  Funk.  They 
followed  them  to  near  Delavan,  where  they  cap- 
tured Holmes,  and  Reading  escaped.  Holmes  was 
brought  back  and  tried  and  convicted,  and  sent  to 
the  penitentiary  for  five  years.  Two  days  after, 
the  Readings  were  notified  to  leave  the  county  by 
the  4th  of  July  following,  or  they  would  hang  them, 
and  they  left  for  parts  unknown. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  Aug.  29,  1823,  and  was  the  eldest 
son  of  Robert  and  Dorothy  (Funk)  Stubblefield. 
He  was  but  little  over  one  year  old  when  his  par- 
ents removed  from  Ohio  to  Funk's  Grove,  McLean 
County,  the  date  being  Dec.  18,  1824,  and  this 
county  has  remained  his  home  since  that  time,  a 
period  of  sixty-three  years. 

Mr.  Stubblefield  received  his  early  education  in 
the  subscription  schools  of  McLean  County,  and  as 
soon  as  large  enough  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm.  The  first  flourmill  in  the  vicinity  was  at 
Waynesville,  De  Witt  County,  nine  miles  distant, 
and  the  nearest  post-office  for  some  time  was 
Springfield,  fifty  miles  distant,  which  also  was  the 
nearest  trading-post.  Later,  a  post-office  was  es- 
tablished at  Mackinaw  Town,  eighteen  miles  dis- 
tant, and  much  time  was  spent  in  going  to  and 
from  these  places.  Our  subject  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  and 
was  then  married  and  located  with  his  wife  on  the 
farm  which  he  managed  for  two  years.  Then,  in 
1853  he  removed  to  the  place  which  he  now  owns 
and  occupies. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Stubblefield  took  possession  of 
his  present  homestead,  the  land  was  unimproved 
and  without  buildings.  He  put  up  a  one-story  and 
a  half  frame  house,  20x30  feet  in  dimensions,  and 
a  stable,  and  then  commenced  to  improve  and  cul- 
tivate the  land.  In  1869,  the  first  residence  be- 
coming insufficient  for  the  needs  of  the  family,  he 
erected  his  present  comfortable  mansion,  and  sub- 
sequently built  the  fine  barn  and  supplied  other 


.  .  1110 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


necessary  out-buildings.  He  is  now  the  possessor 
of  530  acres,  all  of  which  is  improved  with  the  ex- 
ception of  twenty  acres.  This  land  is  laid  off  into 
three  separate  farms,  all  enclosed  and  tile-drained, 
and  all  managed  by  Mr.  S.  and  his  sons. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  on  the 
14th  of  March,  1850,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Murphy. 
Mrs.  S.  is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  and  was 
born  July  30,  1832.  Her  father,  Samuel  Murphy, 
was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  born  Jan.  10,1799, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  River.  He  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Ohio  when  a  little  lad  of  ten 
years  old,  and  they  settled  in  Muskingum  County, 
being  among  the  early  pioneers  of  that  region.  In 
this  locality  Mr.  Murphy  grew  to  manhood,  and 
was  there  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Goodwin,  a  na- 
tive of  his  own  State,  who  was  born  March  29, 
1808,  and  who  removed  to  Ohio  when  she  was  a 
young  lady.  After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
M.,  Sept.  8,1829,  they  removed  to  Illinois,  making 
the  entire  journey  overland  with  teams,  and  set- 
tled in  Funk's  Grove,  entering  land  in  the  township 
of  the  same  name  and  opening  up  a  farm.  They 
remained  there  until  1856,  and  then  Mr.  Murphy 
sold  out  and  moved  into  Caldwell  County,  Mo., 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1862.  His  wife, 
the  mother  of  Mrs.  S.,  survived  her  husband  for 
twelve  years,  and  also  died  there,  in  1874. 

Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stubblefield,  there 
have  been  born  seven  children,  six  sons  and  one 
daughter,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows : 
Charles  W.,  the  eldest  born,  is  single  and  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  makes  his  home 
with  his  parents ;  Mary  E.  became  the  wife  of  Al- 
bert Longworth,  and  resides  in  Funk's  Grove 
Township;  Samuel  M.  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Still- 
well,  and  they  live  in  Mt.  Hope  Township ;  Joseph 
W.  married  Miss  Louie  McCormick,  and  they  are 
residents  of  Mt.  Hope  Township;  Isaac  and  Thad- 
deus  are  at  home  and  both  single.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  and  three  of  the  children  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  S. 
-was  formerly  a  Whig,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Henry  Clay,  and  is  now  a  stanch  Republican. 

-Mr.  Stubblefield  is  in  all  respects  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  the  family  so  well  and  widel}-  known 


in  this  section  of  the  State.  He  has  been  a  man  of 
energy  and  enterprise,  and  has  received  the  just 
reward  of  his  labors  in  a  handsome  competency, 
and  a  high  position  in  his  community.  He  has 
been  the  encourager  and  supporter  of  everything 
calculated  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  county, 
morally,  socially,  educationally  and  religiously. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  is  finely  located, 
and  is  the  observed  of  all  travelers  throughout  this 
section.  The  residence  commands  a  fine  location; 
the  grounds  are  commodious  and  tastefully  ar- 
ranged, and  within  and  without  there  are  abundant 
indications  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 
Mr.  Stubblefield  has  contributed  his  full  quota  to- 
ward the  development  of  the  resources  of  the  Prai- 
rie State,  and  is  deserving  of  the  esteem  in  which 
he  is  held  as  one  of  its  most  valued  citizens. 


EDWARD  M.  BROWN,  a  goodly  land-owner 
and  successful  farmer  of  Money  Creek 
Township,  has  his  residence  on  section  14 
He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Sheridan  (McGinnis) 
Brown,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Ireland  respect- 
ively. After  their  marriage  they  settled  at  Frank- 
fort, Ky.,  whence  they  removed  to  Morgan  Coun- 
ty, 111.,  and  from  there  they  came  to  this  county, 
in  1846.  They  located  in  Money  Creek  Township 
and  there  lived  and  labored  until  their  death.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  followed  the  same 
until  he  was  about  thirty-seven  years  old,  when  he 
also  engaged  in  farming  and  followed  those  two  vo- 
cations connectedly  during  life.  They  had  five 
children,  two  of  whom  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
man  and  womanhood  —  Permelia  and  Edward  M. 
Permelia  departed  this  life  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship when  in  her  twenty-first  year. 

Edward  M.  Brown  was  born  in  Morgan  County, 
111.,  April  24,  1841,  and  was  but  five  years  old  when 
his  parents  made  their  home  in  this  county.  He 
was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  and  received 
what  education  he  possesses  in  the  common  schools. 
Agriculture  has  been  his  vocation  during  life  and 
Money  Creek  Township  has  been  his  home  since 
1846.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  272£  acres  of  land, 


I 


=4* 

llll  n 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


all  of  which  is  under  an  advanced  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. 

Mr.  Brown  was  married  in  Blooraington,  111., 
Aug.  8,  1851,  to  Laura  D.  S.,  daughter  of  John  S. 
and  Sarah  (Duiikle)  Janes.  Mrs.  Brown  was  born 
in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  Dec.  28,  1839,  and  by 
her  union  with  our  subject  nine  children  have  been 
born — Permelia  A.,  Francis  E.,  Sarah  S.,  Nellie, 
Charlie,  Mary,  John,  Willie  and  Lillie.  The  last 
five  children  died  in  infancy  and  the  others  are  liv- 
ing at  home.  Mr.  Brown  has  never  sought  office, 
preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  attention  to  the 
cultivation  and  improvement  of  his  land  and  to  his 
own  business.  In  politics  he  is  Republican,  and  re- 
ligiously he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 


^jl  AMES  STEELE,  a  prominent  and  influential 
citizen  of  West  Township,  besides  being  an 
extensive  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  carries  on 
$&))  general  merchandising  at  Weedman,  and  is 
largely  identified  with  the  business  and  industrial 
interests  of  this  section.  He  comes  from  excellent 
Scottish  ancestry  and  is  in  all  respects  a  fine  repre- 
sentative of  the  sturdy  honesty  and  industry  which 
is  characteristic  of  his  race.  He  was  born  in  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  Sept.  20, 1835,  being  the  son  of  John 
Steele,  and  the  grandson  of  John  Steele,  Sr.,  who 
were  both  natives  of  Scotland.  The  latter,  who 
was  born  in  Haddington,  entered  the  English  army 
when  young,  in  which  he  received  an  officer's  com- 
mission. He  participated  in  the  principal  battles 
of  the  Peninsula  campaign,  and  was  under  Welling- 
ton at  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  receiving  an  honora- 
ble wound.  After  the  termination  of  that  conflict 
he  emigrated  to  America,  in  about  1841,  and  set- 
tled among  friends  near  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  he 
departed  this  life  in  about  1851,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-five  years. 

John  Steele,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  continued  a 
resident  of  his  native  Isle  until  1842.  He  then 
joined  his  father  in  America,  making  his  first  loca- 
tion with  him  near  Louisville,  Ky.  Thence  he  re- 
moved to  Clark  County,  Ind.,  where  he  followed 


farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  ten  years 
later,  in  1852.  He  had  married,  in  Scotland,  Miss 
Margaret  Weir,  who  was  a  native  of  Ayrshire. 
She  accompanied  him  to  the  United  States,  and  died 
in  Louisville,  Ky.  Of  their  ten  children,  nine  grew 
to  mature  years.  The  two  youngest  were  born  in 
America. 

James  Steele,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  second  child 
of  his  parents,  and  was  seven  years  of  age  when 
they  came  to  this  country.  He  lived  with  his  par- 
ents until  eleven  years  of  age,  then  went  to  Indi- 
ana and  began  to  work  out  on  a  farm  at  $8  pel- 
month.  In  1853  he  came  to  Sangamon  County, 
111.,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  three  years. 
Although  not  receiving  the  educational  advantages 
accorded  to  many  boys,  he  possessed  the  love  of 
learning,  and  pursued  his  studies  unaided  as  well  as 
he  could,  so  that  at  the  expiration  of  the  time 
mentioned  he  was  well  fitted  to  teach,  which  he  did 
for  several  years  following.  During  the  years  of 
his  farm  work  he  had  saved  his  earnings  so  that  he 
might  pursue  his  studies,  and  devoted  his  winters 
mainly  to  attendance  at  the  district  schools,  doing 
chores  for  his  board.  In  1855  he  made  such  good 
progress  that  he  entered  the  Illinois  State  Univer-1 
sity  at  Springfield,  where  he  was  a  classmate  of 
Robert  T.  Lincoln,  in  the  Preparatory  and  Fresh- 
man, and  part  of  the  time  in  the  Sophomore  class.- 
He  attended  this  institution  until  the  fall  of  1860, 
with  the  exception  of  one  term  spent  as  a  teacher 
in  the  family  of  John  T.  Stewart,  and  then  engaged 
in  teaching  elsewhere  until  he  was  called  to  canvass 
the  Sixth  Illinois  District  in  the  interest  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  and  the  Republican  party.  After  dis- 
charging this  obligation  he  continued  teaching  un- 
til the  fall  of  1862. 

During  the  summer  of  1862  Mr.  Steele  raised 
a  company  of  soldiers,  in  Menard  County,  of 
which  he  was  elected  Captain,  and  which  when  or- 
ganized, was  named  Company  K,  and  assigned  to 
the  115th  Illinois  Infantry.  In  less  than  a  year  he 
resigned  his  commission  and  took  up  his  former  oc- 
cupation, as  teacher  in  Athens  and  Sweet  Water, 
Menard  County,  which  he  continued  for  thirteen 
years  following. 

In  1876  Mr.  Steele  came  to  Weedman,  this  coun- 
ty, having  previously  purchased  a  farm  in  West 


1112 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Township.  That  same  year  he  purchased  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  1 1 ,  of  what  is  now  West 
Township,  and  soon  afterward  secured  a  railroad 
station  jn  this  land.  In  1878  he  commenced  buy- 
ing grain,  the  following  year  opened  a  grocery 
store,  and  two  years  later  added  a  stock  of  dry 
goods  to  his  other  merchandise.  He  now  conducts 
a  large  general  store,  including  almost  everything 
required  by  the  farmer  and  villager,  while  he  still 
manages  his  farm  intelligently  and  successfully. 
He  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Weed  man  in  1879, 
which  position  he  has  held  since  that  time.  The 
marriage  of  James  Steele  and  Miss  Sarah  Elizabeth 
Ham,  a  native  of  Sangamon  County,  111.,  took  place 
on  the  1 1th  of  April,  1861 .  Mrs.  S.  was  the  daughter 
of  Hezekiah  and  Mary  (Arnold)  Ham,  who  were 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  pioneers  of  Sangamon 
County.  Their  four  living  children  are  John  H., 
Albert  H.,  Laura  B.  and  Minnie.  Mrs.  Steele  de- 
parted this  life  at  the  home  of  her  husband,  Jan.  6. 
1883.  The  second  marriage  of  our  subject  oc- 
curred in  May,  1884,  to  Miss  Emma  Hall,  who  is 
a  native  of  Menard  County,  and  the  daughter  of 
James  P.  Hall.  Of  this  union  there  has  been  born 
one  child,  a  daughter,  Inez.  Mr.  Steele  is  Presby- 
terian in  religious  views,  and  politically  a  stanch 
supporter  of  the  Republican  party  since  its  organi- 
zation, in  1856.  He  was  Secretary  of  the  Re- 
publican Club  at  Springfield,  in  1858,  which  con- 
ducted the  campaign  between  Lincoln  and  Douglas. 


M.  FUNK,  a  well-known  resident  of 
Bloomington,  belongs  to  a  family  whose 
name  has  been  familiar  since  the  settlement 
of  McLean  County.  He  was  born  in  Funk's  Grove, 
Aug.  13,  1836,  being  the  son  of  Hon.  Isaac  Funk, 
and  was  raised  on  the  home  farm,  remaining  with 
his  parents  until  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  was 
trained  to  habits  of  industry  in  early  childhood, 
his  first  labors  being  on  the  farm,  when  at  eight 
years  of  age  he  commenced  to  drop  corn  in  the 
field.  His  early  education  commenced  when  he 
six  years  old,  in  the  log  school-house  with  its  pun- 
cheon floor,  and  seats  and  desks  of  slabs,  and  the 
huge  fireplace  which  occupied  nearly  one  end  of  the 
structure.  Light  was  admitted  through  a  square 


hole  sawed  out  of  the  logs,  and  the  window-panes 
were  made  of  greased  paper.  Here  our  subject 
pursued  his  studies  during  the  winter  season,  and 
during  the  summer,  when  only  nine  years  old  was 
engaged  in  herding  his  father's  cattle,  which  em- 
braced a  large  drove,  and  with  which  he  was  often 
left  alone  for  six  weeks  at  a  time.  He  could  then 
pick  out  any  one  of  them  from  a  drove  of  1,000. 
In  connection  with  this  duty  he  always  rode  a  pony 
and  had  many  interesting  and  lively  experiences 
in  keeping  the  drove  together.  At  the  age  of  ten 
years  he  took  his  first  trip  to  Chicago,  assisting  in 
driving  a  drove  of  cattle  to  that  point.  The  fol- 
lowing spring  he  assisted  in  driving  the  last  hogs 
to  Chicago  which  were  taken  through  overland 
from  McLean  Count}',  being  accompanied  by  his 
father  and  a  man  named  George  Stokes.  On  ac- 
count of  high  water  in  the  Kankakee  River  they 
could  not  cross  at  Kankakee,  so  they  turned  and 
crossed  at  Morris,  swimming  the  animals  and  hav- 
ing only  two  drowned.  They  had  a  spring  wagon, 
the  box  of  which  they  removed,  and  took  apart  the 
other  pieces,  which  they  loaded  on  a  skiff,  rowing  it 
across,  then  returned  and  caused  one  horse  to  swim 
besides,  and  after  they  had  got  him  safely  landed 
went  back  for  the  other.  They  recovered  the 
drowned  hogs,  loaded  them  into  the  wagons  and 
took  them  to  Chicago,  and  Mr.  Stokes  went  on 
ahead  with  them  as  rapidly  as  possible,  so  that  they 
would  make  good  soap  grease. 

Our  subject  continued  each  fall  to  assist  in  driv- 
ing cattle  to  Chicago  until  about  1853-54,  when 
they  were  enabled  to  ship  by  rail.  When  twenty- 
one  years  old  our  subject,  wishing  to  add  to  his 
store  of  knowledge,  entered  the  Illinois  Wesleyan 
University  at  Bloomington,  where  he  spent  three 
years  in  study.  He  returned  to  the  farm,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1864  was  married,  and  began  to  improve 
and  cultivate  the  land  which  his  father  had  set 
apart  for  him,  and  which  then  amounted  to  160 
acres.  This  he  fenced  and  built  a  comfortable 
house  upon  it. 

By  the  death  of  his  father  Mr.  Funk  came  into 
possession  of  about  2,000  acres  additional  land, 
which  adjoined  the  first,  and  he  was  occupied  for 
ten  or  eleven  years  following  in  raising  stock  and 
corn  and  buying  and  selling.  In  the  meantime  he 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


•»   I 

1113 


erected  three  tenement  houses  upon  his  land,  and 
has  given  employment  to  from  ten  to  fifteen  men, 
including  his  tenants.  Later  he  commenced  rais- 
ing high-grade  cattle,  and  Berkshire  and  Poland- 
China  hogs,  the  proceeds  of  which  have  added 
greatly  to  his  fine  income.  He  never  plowed  over 
GOO  or  700  acres.  He  ships  cattle  and  hogs  to  the 
Eastern  market  several  times  a  year,  and  keeps  in 
stock  about  400  head  of  cattle,  from  200  to  400 
head  of  hogs  and  thirty  head  of  horses.  The  last 
three  years  he  has  turned  his  attention  principally 
to  the  breeding  of  Norman  draft  horses. 

In  1875  Mr.  Funk  left  the  farm  and  removed  to 
Bloomington,  having  erected  an  elegant  residence 
at  No.  317  Chestnut  street,  where  he  now  lives,  but 
still  superintends  the  management  of  the  farm.  In 
connection  with  this  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
drug  business  for  the  last  six  or  seven  years.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  and  in  the 
Walton  Plow  Company,  of  Bloomington.  He  was 
Supervisor  of  Funk's  Grove  Township  for  four  or 
five  years,  and  at  present  is  a  member  of  the  city 
School  Board.  He  has  large  interests  in  Kansas, 
with  a  ranch  stocked  with  250  head  of  three-year- 
old  cattle,  which  he  employs  a  man  to  care  for. 

Our  subject  was  married,  in  1864,  to  Miss  Mary 

E.  Houser,  who  was  the  fifth  child  of  Jonathan  and 
Susan  (Mason)  Houser,  natives  of  Kentucky.    Mrs. 

F.  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents  when  a  child 
six   years   old.     They    settled    first   at    Randolph 
Grove,   whence  they  removed  to  Bloomington  in 
1878,  and  made  their  home  with  our  subject  and 
his   wife.     Here   the  father  died    in  1880  and  the 
mother  is  still  living.  The  parental  household  con- 
sisted of  seven  children,  five  now  living — Wilson, 
Anderson,  Mary,  John  and    Mrs.    Isabell    Rector. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  have  two  children — Grace   8.  and 
Dwiglit  J.     Laura  died  in  1881,  when  eleven  years 
of  age.     Mr.  Funk   is  Republican  in  politics,  and 
socially    belongs    to   the  A.  F.  &.  A.  M.,  and  the 
Royal  Arcanum.     He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  Bloom- 
ington, to  the  support  of    which    they    contribute 
liberally  and  cheerfully. 

The  changes  which  our  subject  has  witnessed  dur- 
ing a  busy  and  eventful  life  would  make  an  inter- 
esting volume.  The  family  name  is  held  in  honor 


far  and  wide,  and  will  go  down  to  successive  gen- 
erations long  after  the  bodies  of  its  founders  have 
crumbled  into  dust.  No  more  enduring  monument 
could  be  erected  than  a  history  of  their  deeds  and 
virtues,  which  their  descendants  and  others  may 
read  and  profit  by. 


ISAAC  FUNK,  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and 
stock  dealers  of  McLean  County,  is  widely  and 
favorably  known  throughout  this  section,  as 
senior  member  of  a  family  who  have  distinguished 
themselves  by  their  industry  and  energy  of  char- 
acter, their  straightforward  business  methods,  and 
excellence  as  citizens,  neighbors  and  friends.  The 
subject  of  this  history  was  born  on  the  13th  of 
May.  1844,  in  Funk's  Grove  Township.  His  par- 
ents were  Isaac  and  Cassandra  (Sharp)  Funk,  whose 
biographies  appear  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Isaac  Funk  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and 
began  to  assist  in  herding  stock,  numbering  all  the 
way  from  one  to  2,000  head,  when  a  lad  eight 
years  old.  Two  years  previously  he  commenced 
attending  school,  and  pursued  his  studies  winters, 
being  engaged  on  the  farm  in  the  summer  time 
until  twenty  years  of  age.  The  war  being  then 
in  progress,  he  enlisted  in  the  146th  Illinois 
Infantry,  serving  for  one  year,  until  the  20th  of 
March,  1865.  His  father  had  died  in  January 
of  that  year,  and  our  subject  made  a  special 
application  to  President  Lincoln  for  a  discharge, 
which  was  granted.  He  then  returned  home  and 
with  the  other  brothers  carried  on  the  farm  for 
three  years.  In  the  winter  of  1866  he  attended 
Wesleyan  University,  where  he  remained  for  a 
year,  then  returning  to  the  farm  he  was  occupied 
there  until  the  fall  of  1881.  In  the  meantime,  on 
the  28th  of  October,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Frances  Correll,  a  native  of  Sangamon  County,  and 
the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (McDaniel) 
Correll,  of  Kentucky.  They  removed  from  the 
Blue  Grass  region  to  Illinois  in  1832,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Sangamon  County.  The  family  in- 
cluded eight  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Funk  was  the 
youngest.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Funk  became  the  parents 
of  four  children,  three  now  living  —  Arthur  C., 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Lawrence  P.  and  Helen  F.  The  second  child, 
Mabel,  was  born  in  1873,  and  died  when  eight 
months  old. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1881  Mr.  Funk  pur- 
oliased  the  fine  residence  on  East  Chestnut  and 
Prairie  streets,  which  he  occupies  winters  and  goes 
to  the  farm  in  summers.  He  owns  2,260  acres  of 
land  in  Funk's  Grove  Township,  and  is  largely  en- 
gaged as  a  dealer  in  live  stook.  He  has  upon  the 
farm  130  head  of  Norman  and  other  fine  horses, 
and  also  400  head  of  cattle.  He  has  upon  this  vast 
extent  of  territory,  four  tenement  houses  which  are 
occupied  by  the  employes  who  look  after  the  stock 
and  attend  to  the  other  necessary  duties  on  the 
farm.  The  land  which  comprises  this  valuable  es- 
tate, is  highly  improved  and  cultivated,  the  greater 
portion  being  enclosed  with  a  board  fence.  Mr. 
Funk  gives  his  chief  attention  to  the  buying  and 
selling  of  cattle  and  horses,  and  as  a  breeder,  has 
attained  an  enviable  reputation.  Aside  from  his 
valuable  farming  and  stock-breeding  interests,  he 
is  identified  with  various  other  important  enter- 
prises calculated  to  advance  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  this  section.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Bloomington.  In  politics 
he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  socially  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  aside 
from  his  duties  as  a  citizen,  is  one  of  the  most 
genial  and  kind-hearted  of  men,  who  has  made 
many  friends,  and  is  held  in  the  highest  respect  by 
all  classes  of  the  community. 


H.  HILL,  druggist  of  Heyworth,  estab- 
lished his  business  there  in  1879.  He  has 
since  that  time  industriously  devoted  him- 
self to  the  requirements  of  his  business,  and  has 
been  successful  in  building  up  a  lucrative  and 
steadily  increasing  trade.  In  1885  he  put  up  the 
largest  brick  building  in  the  place,  and  has  in  all 
respects  a  finely  appointed  store. 

Mr.  Hill  was  born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  Feb. 
3,  1850.  His  father,  Samuel  Hill,  was  a  native  of 
Washington  County,  Pa.,  and  came  to  Ohio  when 
a  young  man,  where  he  was  married,  in  Holmes 
County,  to  Miss  Permelia  Edgar,  a  native  of  that 


county.  Both  were  of  excellent  Scottish  ancestry, 
and  the  father  engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  After 
the  birth  of  four  children,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  youngest,  the  family,  in  18C4,  came  to  Illi- 
nois, and  locating  in  Heyworth  the  father  pur- 
chased a  stock  of  general  merchandise  and  engaged 
in  trade.  He  was  thus  occupied  until  1871,  at 
which  time  he  retired  from  active  business.  He 
departed  this  life  on  the  4th  of  May.  1881;  the 
mother's  death  had  occurred  previously,  Nov.  26, 
1870.  Of  their  four  children,  three  arc  living,  as 
follows:  Capt.  J.  E.  Hill  is  a  stock-dealer  of  Bea- 
trice, Neb.,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Laura  Stew- 
art ;  Annie  M.  is  the  wife  of  Nathan  Low,  and  they 
reside  in  Heyworth;  Alexander  died  when  only 
three  years  of  age. 

Samuel  Hill,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  a 
Democrat  of  the  Jackson  school.  He  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-two, 
and  served  as  such  in  Ohio  about  twenty  years,  and 
was  also  County  Commissioner  of  Defiance  Coun- 
ty, Ohio.  He  was  also,  during  his  residence  in 
Heyworth,  a  Ruling  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  was  likewise  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Heyworth  school  district,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death  President  of  the  Board  of  Education. 

After  completing  his  education  in  this  county, 
Mr.  Hill,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  followed  teach- 
ing for  a  period  of  eight  years.  He  had  attended 
Wesleyan  University  two  years,  and  while  teaching 
gave  his  leisure  hours  to  the  study  of  pharmacy. 
In  this  he  was  greatly  interested  and  it  seemed 
adapted  to  his  tastes,  and  he  has  been  successful  in 
his  operations  in  connection  therewith.  The  build- 
ing which  he  erected  and  in  which  is  located  his 
store  and  adjoining  rooms,  contains  the  Town  Hall, 
which  occupies  the  upper  floor,  and  is  40x80  feet 
in  area.  Besides  his  village  property,  he  also  owns 
160  acres  of  laud  on  section  4,  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship. Of  this  Mr.  Hill  is  sole  manager;  superin- 
tends its  improvements  and  has  a  general  oversight 
of  the  operations  conducted  thereon.  As  may  be 
supposed  his  time  is  all  occupied,  but  he  is  equal 
to  the  emergency,  being  of  that  energetic  and  in- 
dustrious temperament  which  is  able  to  accomplish 
much  in  a  brief  space  of  time. 

Mr.  Hill  was  married  on  the  5th  of  June,  1873, 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1115 


to  Miss  Maggie  B.,  the  daughter  of  J.  E.  Wake- 
field,  of  Randolph  Township,  the  wedding  taking 
place  in  Hey  worth.  Mrs.  Hill  was  born  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  July  6,  1853,  and  completed  her 
education  at  Steubcnville,  Ohio.  Of  her  union 
with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  four  children 
— Myrtle  E.,  A.,. Fern,  Raymond  C.,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Hill  is  Democratic  in  poli- 
ties, and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


AMUEL  STRAWN,  who  has  been  an  hon- 
ored citizen  of  McLean  County  for  a  per- 
iod of  over  seventeen  years,  owns  and  oc- 
cupies a  valuable  farm  estate  in  Blooming- 
ton  Township,  on  section  21,  where  he  is  success- 
fully engaged  in  general  farming.  His  homestead 
consists  of  107  acres,  and  besides  this  he  operates 
249^  acres  in  another  part  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Strawn  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Pa.,  on 
the  14th  of  November,  1839,  and  remained  in  his 
native  State  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old.  Then, 
in  the  fall  of  1854,  his  parents'  family  emigrated 
to  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  locating  in  La  Salle 
County,  established  a  comfortable  home  where  the 
old  folk  still  live,  the  possessors  of  a  fine  property. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  John  R.  and  Ade- 
line (Dance)  Strawn,  natives  of  the  same  county 
and  State  as  their  son,  and  engaged  there  in  farm- 
ing pursuits.  John  Strawn  was  born  in  1812,  and 
his  wife,  Adeline,  two  years  later.  Samuel  Strawu 
was  the  eldest  of  his  parents'  children,  and  re- 
mained with  them  until  he  was  about  thirty  years 
old.  He  then  came  to  this  county,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  closely  identified  with  its  industrial 
and  business  interests. 

The  marriage  of  Samuel  Strawn  and  Miss  Hester 
J.  Knapp  took  place  in  Fulton  County,  111.,  on  the 
27th  of  December,  1874.  Mrs.  Strawn  was  born 
in  Logan  County,  111.,  Dec.  11, 1850,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Porter  and  Martha  (Brittenhaur) 
Knapp,  natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Ohio. 
They  were  married  in  Madison  County,  the  latter 
State,  whence  they  removed  to  Fulton  County, 
111.,  in  1851,  where  the  father  died  eleven  years 


later,  in  the  city  of  Canton.  He  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade,  an  honest,  industrious  and  highly  re- 
spected citizen.  The  mother  is  now  living  with 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Strawn,  and  is  sixty-nine  years 
old. 

Of  the  union  of  Samuel  Strawn  and  his  wife 
there  were  born  five  children,  one  of  whom.  John, 
is  deceased.  Those  living  are:  Fred  L.,  Mattic 
A.,  Spencer  N.  and  Alice  L.,  tht  latter  twins.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Strawn  have  ''  pulled  together "  in  their 
efforts  to  secure  a  permanent  and  comfortable  home 
and  are  now  reaping  the  reward  of  their  self-sacri- 
fice and  industry.  They  have  an  attractive  farm 
residence,  good  barns  and  out-buildings,  and  all 
the  appliances  of  a  first-class  country  estate.  Mr. 
Strawn,  politically,  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat 
and  a  loyal  citizen,  actively  interested  in  every- 
thing that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  community. 


?ALTER  W.  ROGERS, a  wealthy  and  enter- 
prising farmer  of  Normal  Township,  is  a 
fine  illustration  of  the  industrious  business 
man,  who  has  improved  his  opportunities,  kept  his 
eyes  open  to  what  was  going  on  around  him  and 
has  profited  thereby.  As  a  citizen  he  is  held  in 
high  esteem,  on  account  of  his  courteous  demeanor 
toward  all,  and  his  excellent  traits  of  character. 
He  has  occupied  his  present  homestead  only  about 
five  years,  but  in  that  time  has  made  $10,000  worth 
of  improvements,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive spots  in  the  landscape  of  McLean  County. 
He  has  a  beautiful  residence,  good  barns  and  out- 
buildings, and  all  the  appliances  for  the.  shelter  of 
stock,  the  storing  of  grain  and  the  carrying  on  of 
agriculture  in  a  first-class  manner.  The  homestead 
invariably  attracts  the  eye  of  the  traveler  passing 
through  this  section,  and  reflects  great  credit  upon 
its  proprietor  as  being  a  model  home  in  every  re- 
spect. 

Mr.  Rogers  te  a  native  of  Kinderhook,  Columbia 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  April  4,  1841.  His  fa- 
ther, John  Rogers,  was  a  native  of  the  same  county, 
and  in  early  life  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
prints.  He  then  became  occupied  in  general  iner- 


f 


Jl    1116 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


rhandising,  which  yielded  him  a  handsome  compe- 
tency, and  now,  although  having  attained  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-eight  years,  is  engaged  in 
banking  in  his  native  county.  The  mother  of  our 
subject,  Eliza  (Shipman)  Rogers,  was  born  in  the 
same  county  and  State  as  her  husband  and  son  and 
is  still  living,  being  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  Of 
this  household  there  were  but  two  children — Martha, 
who  married  Edmund  S.  Best,  and  resides  on  the 
homestead  with  her  parents,  and  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  who  was  the  elder. 

Mr.  Rogers  entered  upon  his  primary  studies  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  and  after- 
ward attended  the  old  Hadley  Academy  of  New 
Amherst,  Mass.  He  also  took  a  course  at  Claverack 
Institute  in  Columbia  County,  being  the  first 
student  to  occupy  a  room  in  the  building,  and  later 
studied  in  Kinderhook  Academy.  Finally,  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health,  he  was  obliged  to  leave 
school,  weighing  only  1 1 5  pounds  when  seventeen 
years  of  age.  It  was  then  thought  that  a  change 
of  climate  would  be  beneficial  and  young  Rogers 
accordingly  came  West.  After  a  few  months  spent 
in  Bloomington,  he  weighed  152  pounds  and  once 
more  experienced  the  delights  of  perfect  health. 
He  returned  home  and  spent  the  winter  and  came 
back  in  the  spring  to  Bloomington,  where  for  nearly 
three  years  afterward  he  was  book-keeper  for  Mr. 
E.  S.  Benjamin,  engaged  in  general  merchandising. 

In  1863,  Walter  W.  Rogers  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Caroline,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Allen  of  Bloomingtou,  and  a  native  of  this  city. 
After  marriage  the  young  people  went  to  New 
York,  where  our  subject  engaged  in  farming  near 
his  native  place  for  the  following  five  years.  He 
then  removed  into  the  village  of  Valatie  in  the 
same  county,  where  he  resided  fourteen  years,  after 
which  he  was  engaged  in  looking  after  the  landed 
interests  of  his  father  in  the  Western  States  and 
Territories.  In  1882  he  returned  to  Illinois  and 
settled  upon  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  oc- 
cupies. Here  he  has  200  acres  of  valuable  land,  the 
cultivation  of  which  he  superintends,  and  also  still 
continues  as  the  agent  of  his  father.  His  stock  con- 
-ists  of  Hambletonian  and  Norman  horses  and  Jer- 
sey and  Holstein  cattle.  Of  this  business  he  has  a 
thorough  understanding  and  exhibits  some  of  the 


finest  animals    to    be    found    along  the  Mississippi 
Valley. 

Mr.  Rogers  in  early  life  took  a  great  interest  in 
politics  but  has  now  practically  abandoned  it,  al- 
though he  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  support  of 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party.  Religiously 
he  was  reared  a  Quaker  and  adheres  to  the  faith 
which  was  taught  him  from  his  earliest  childhood. 
He  is  in  all  respects  fulfilling  the  obligations  of  a 
good  citizen  and  numbers  hosts  of  warm  friends  in 
this  part  of  McLean  County. 


HARLES  E.  HAYWARU,  M.  U.,  represents 
the  medical  profession  at  Cropsey,  where  he 
has  been  located  since  the  spring  of  1881. 
He  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State  and  was  born 
in  Brimfield,  Peoria  County,  Feb.  10,  1853.  His 
parents,  Charles  and  Harriett  Hayward,  were  na- 
tives of  England,  and  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1851,  settling  in  Peoria  County,  where 
the  father  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Brim- 
field.  From  there,  in  1857,  they  removed  to  Wood- 
ford  County,  and  located  on  a  farm  near  El  Paso. 
There  Charles  Hayward,  Sr.,  became  the  owner  of  a 
farm,  but  only  applied  himself  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits fora  few  years.  After  selling  his  land  he  re- 
moved to  Minonk,  and  pursued  his  former  business 
of  a  merchant,  which  he  continued  until  1876,  when 
having  arrived  at  an  advanced  age,  he  retired  from 
active  labor.  He  now  resides  at  El  Paso  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  competency  which  he  accumulated 
during  his  earlier  years  of  active  enterprise  and  in- 
dustry. His  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject, 
died  in  November,  1853,  leaving  five  children: 
Stephen  K. ;  Elizabeth,  now  the  wife  of  William 
Edwards;  Edward;  Annette,  now  Mrs.  William 
Renord,  and  our  subject,  who  at  the  time  was  not  a 
year  old.  The  father  was  again  married,  in  1854, 
to  Miss  Cordelia  Gilbert.  The  result  of  this  union 
was  one  child,  a  daughter,  Jessie,  now  the  wife  of 
S.  W.  Smith  of  Cropsey. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  good  com- 
mon-school and  literary  education,  and  when  nine- 
teen years  of  age,  commenced  reading  medicine  in 
the  olflce  of  Drs.  Wilcox  &  Blanchard,  of  Minonk. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1117    ,  , 


He  took  his  first  course  of  lectures  in  the  winter  of 
1875,  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1877.  After 
receiving  his  diploma,  he  located  in  Morton,  Taze- 
well  County,  whence,  in  1881,  he  removed  to  Crop- 
sey,  which  has  since  been  his  home  and  where  he 
has  built  up  a  flattering  patronage. 

Dr.  Hayward  was  married  at  Morton,  Tazewell 
County,  in  1880,  to  Miss  Sylvia  C.,  daughter  of 
Joseph  L.  and  Mary  (Seeley)  Hayward.  Mrs.  H.  was 
born  at  Morton,  and  by  her  marriage  with  our  sub- 
ject, has  become  the  mother  of  two  children — 
Louise  and  Eugenia.  Aside  from  the  income  de- 
rived from  his  practice  Dr.  Hayward  is  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Loar  &  Hayward,  who  are  carrying 
on  a  thriving  drug  business  at  Cropsey.  The  Doctor 
occupies  a  high  position  among  his  professional 
brethren  in  this  locality,  and  socially  enjoys  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances. 


WILLIAM  BROWN.  On  section  15,  in 
Downs  Township,  lies  a  snug  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  finely  improved  and  in  a  good  state 
of  cultivation,  and  which  invariably  attracts  the 
eye  of  the  passing  traveler  as  being  the  home  of 
thrift  and  prosperity,  and  under  the  supervision  of 
an  intelligent  and  enterprising  proprietor.  This 
pretty  and  comfortable  homestead  is  the  property 
of  the  gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of 
this  sketch.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county 
and  township  since  the  spring  of  1 853,  and  since 
taking  possession  of  his  present  homestead  has 
brought  about  many  improvements,  among  them  a 
tasteful  and  substantial  dwelling,  handsomely  fin- 
ished after  the  most  approved  style. 

Mr.  Brown  studied  his  first  lessons  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  township,  and  completed  his 
education  in  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington, 
He  afterward  engaged  in  the  hard  ware  and  grocery 
trade  at  Le  Roy.  In  this  he  was  very  successful. 
Being  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind,  in  1873  he 
patented  the  well-known  Brown  Hog  Ring  and 
Ringer.  He  obtained  his  first  patent  the  following 
year,  subsequently  improved  and  repatented  it, 


and  after  still  further  improvement  started  :t 
manufactory  in  Le  Roy  and  controlled  the  whole 
business  until  1S75.  He  then  received  what  he 
considered  a  good  price  for  his  patent  and  sold  it, 
but  afterward  found  that  he  had  parted  with  it  for 
far  less  than  its  real  value,  and  had  allowed  a  small 
fortune  to  slip  out  of  his  hands.  This  contrivance 
has  since  been  manufactured  and  sold  at  great 
profit.  After  disposing  of  this  Mr.  Brown  also 
sold  out  his  hardware  business  and  going  to  La 
Fayette,  Ind.,  engaged  as  a  traveling  salesman  for 
the  firm  of  Harding,  Barber  &  Co.,  manufacturers 
of  ornamental  fencing,  etc.  He  was  thus  engaged 
two  years,  then  returned  to  Le  Roy  and  began 
business  on  his  own  account  in  the  grocery  trade, 
which  he  carried  on  for  some  years  and  until  he 
purchased  his  present  farm,  in  the  fall  of  1885. 
This  he_has  since  operated  successfully  and  is 
bringing  it  to  the  condition  of  a  first-class  modern 
farm  estate. 

Mr.  Brown  was  only  thirteen  years  of  age  when 
his  mother  died  and  since  that  time  he  has  been 
battling  for  himself.  He  came  to  Le  Roy  in  1869. 
His  father,  Elijah  Brown,  carried  on  the  hardware 
trade  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  for  some  years  and  at  the 
same  time  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  finally  re- 
moved to  Kingman,  Kan.,  and  died  there  in  1881. 
The  parents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Ohio, 
but  of  German  descent  and  parentage.  The  mother 
before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Rebecca  Peck.  Our 
subject  was  the  youngest  but  two  of  a  family  of 
three  sons  and  four  daughters,  one  of  the  latter  be- 
ing now  deceased.  Those  living  are  married  and 
settled  in  comfortable  homes.  Two  brothers,  John 
W.  and  George  P.,  served  as  soldiers  of  the  Union, 
enlisting  in  an  Illinois  company.  One  was  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  other  in  the  Army  of  the 
West.  George  P.  was  wounded,  being  shot  through 
both  knees.  He  was  in  the  last  battle  of  the  war 
and  present  at  the  time  of  Lee's  surrender.  He  is 
now  a  traveling  salesman  for  Marshall  Field  of 
Chicago. 

William  D.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Laura  Barnett  on  the  21st  of  January,  1873, 
in  the  village  of  Le  Roy.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  and 
reared  in  McLean  County,  of  which  her  parents 
were  among  the  earliest  settlers.  Her  father  opened 


t 


,t 


r 


>    1118 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


one  of  the  first  stores  at  Le  Roy,  keeping  a  stock 
of  general  merchandise,  suited  to  all  the  needs  of 
the  pioneers  both  for  the  household  and  farm.  The 
name  of  her  father  was  Thomas  J.  Barnett  and  her 
mother  before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Kmeline 
Gibb.  The  latter  was  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  College, 
Ohio,  and  is  now  living  in  Le  Roy,  being  sixty- 
nine  years  of  age.  Thomas  Barnett  departed  this 
life  at  Le  Roy,  Sept.  1,  1882,  and  the  latter  part  of 
his  life  lived  in  retirement. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  one  child  only,  a  son, 
Orrin.  Both  our  subject  and  his  wife  arc  members 
in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  politi- 
cally Mr.  Brown  is  a  solid  Republican. 


5>ILLIAM  PFITZENMEYER,  a  well-to-do 
and  an  enterprising  German  citizen  of 
Empire  Township,  was  born  in  the  village 
of  GroszAspach,  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  April 
14,  1827.  He  is  the  son  of  Joshua  and  Catherine 
Pfit/.enmeyer,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  upon  a 
farm  in  their  native  land.  In  accordance  with  the 
laws  and  customs  of  his  native  country,  our  sub- 
ject commenced  attending  school  at  a  very  early 
age,  and  continued  his  studies  until  fourteen  years 
old.  He  then  served  two  years  at  brick-making, 
after  which  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  at  a  salary 
of  $30  per  year.  Not  being  satisfied  with  his  con- 
dition or  his  prospects  in  his  native  land,  he  de- 
cided to  emigrate  to  the  United  States,  and  in 
MMV,  1848,  set  sail  from  the  city  of  Antwerp. 
After  a  voyage  of  forty-two  days  he  landed  in  New 
York,  whence  he  came  directly  to  Illinois,  locating 
first  at  Pulaski.  The  trip  from  New  York  was 
made  via  the  Hudson  River  to  Albany,  by  rail  to 
Buffalo,  and  by  the  lakes  to  Cleveland.  Thence  he 
proceeded  to  the  Ohio  River,  by  that  and  the  Illi- 
nois to  Pekin.  He  worked  at  his  trade  in  Pulaski, 
and  was  soon  enabled  to  pay  the  debt  which  he  had 
contracted  in  order  to  come  to  America.  After 
four  or  five  years  he  became  a  resident  of  Bloora- 
ington,  and  in  1854  returned  to  the  old  country  to 


visit  among  his  old  friends  and  acquaintances.  He 
also  attended  to  some  important  business  while 
there,  namely,  the  taking  unto  himself  a  partner 
and  helpmeet,  in  the  person  of  Miss  Sophia  C.  II. 
Ruter,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  the  27tli  of 
March,  1855.  The  young  couple  soon  set  sail  for 
the  new  home,  which  the  husband  had  prepared  in 
Le  Roy,  this  county,  where  they  remained,  how- 
ever, only  one  year  and  a  half.  Mr.  P.  then  pur- 
chased five  acres  of  wild  land,  which  was  the  be- 
ginning of  his  present  homestead.  This  land  w:is 
covered  with  hazel  brush  and  stumps.  He  erected 
a  small  frame  house  in  accordance  with  his  means, 
and  commenced  the  manufacture  of  brick,  which 
he  has  continued  successfully  since  that  time.  By 
adhering  to  his  first  purpose  of  living  within  his 
income,  he  soon  found  himself  with  quite  a  little 
capital  at  his  disposal.  This  he  invested  in  real 
estate,  and  from  time  to  time  purchased  small 
tracts  of  land  until  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  210 
acres,  upon  which  he  has  erected  a  fine  brick 
dwelling  and  frame_barn.  These  and  other  improve- 
ments rank  with  the  best  in  the  county,  and  while 
still  carrying  on  his  brick  manufactory  he  has  en- 
gaged successfully  in  general  agriculture  and  stock- 
raising.  A  view  of  his  place  is  shown  in  this  vol- 
ume. 

The  wife  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Eibensbach, 
Wurtemberg,  Germany,  Jan.  18,  1827,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  (Beilhartz) 
Ruter,  both  natives  of  the  same  Province.  Her 
father  was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  for  a 
period  of  sixteen  years,  and  a  member  of  the 
Teachers'  Association  there,  from  which  his  widow 
now  draws  a  pension.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  became  the 
parents  of  two  children,  of  whom  only  one  is  now 
living,  a  son,  Hugo  G.  Their  first-born,  a  daugh- 
ter, whose  birth  occurred  April  9,  1857,  met  her 
death  by  falling  into  a  well  and  drowning,  on  the 
10th  of  July,  1862.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  were 
reared  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Mr.  P.,  politically,  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

Four  sisters  of  our  subject  emigrated  to  America 
after  his  arrival  here.  A  brother  of  Mrs.  P.  came 
in  about  1854,  and  after  a  brief  residence  in  Mon- 
treal came  to  Bloomington,  where  at  the  commence-. 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1121    , 


ment  of  the  war  he  joined  the  engineer  corps  of 
Col.  Bissel,  and  died  in  the  United  States  service  at 
Vicksburg. 


J^  OSEPH  JENNINGS,  one  of  the  most  suc- 
'cessful  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of  Padua 
Township,  has  for  many  years  given  special 
attention  to  the  breeding  of  Short-horn 
cattle,  in  which  business  he  has  made  for  himself 
an  enviable  reputation.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  great 
energy  and  industry  and  nothing  pleases  him  more 
than  to  see  everything  about  him  in  a  thriving  and 
prosperous  condition,  whether  it  pertains  to  his 
own  premises  or  to  his  community  and  county  at 
large.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  McLean  County 
since  the  spring  of  1865,  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
560  broad  acres  of  the  best  land  in  Padua  Town- 
ship. This  is  all  improved  and  supplied  with  a 
shapely  and  substantial  set  of  farm  buildings.  The 
residence  is  a  handsome  and  convenient  modern 
structure,  finely  located,  and  invariably  attracts 
the  attention  of  the  passing  traveler.  This  ALBUM 
is  embellished  with  a  view  of  this  dwelling  and  its 
surroundings.  The  farm  with  its  appurtenances 
constitutes  one  of  the  prettiest  spots  in  the  land- 
scape of  McLean  County  and  indicates  in  all 
respects  the  supervision  of  the  intelligent  and  pro- 
gressive farmer. 

Mr.  Jennings  is  a  descendant  of  excellent  En- 
glish and  Irish  ancestry  and  is  the  son  of  John 
Jennings,  who  was  born  in  the  Empire  State,  of 
which  our  subject  is  also  a  native,  having  been 
born  in  Niagara  County,  May  17,  1818.  When 
about  five  years  of  age  the  parents  removed  from 
Niagara  to  Erie  County,  locating  on  a  farm  where 
the  mother  died  a  few  years  later.  The  father  then 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Tazewell  Count}', 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  dying  at 
the  home  of  his  son,  our  subject,  in  the  fall  of 
1864.  The  mother  before  her  marriage  was  Miss 
Polly  Sherman. 

Joseph  Jennings  grew  to  manhood  in  Erie 
County,  N.  Y..  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the 
common  schools.  He  was  married  Jan.  12,  1845, 
to  Miss  Polly,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucinda 
(Dewey)  Arnold,  natives  of  Hartford,  Washing- 


ton  Co.,  N.  Y.  There  they  were  both  reared 
and  after  marriage  removed  to  the  southern  part  of 
Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Collins 
Township,  where  all  their  children  were  born.  Of 
these  Mrs.  J.  was  the  third  child  and  second  daugh- 
ter, in  a  family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters. 
The  parents  late  in  life  removed  to  Illinois,  where 
the  mother  died  in  Tazewell  County,  Aug.  20, 
1865.  The  father  afterward  removed  to  Peoria, 
where  he  departed  this  life  in  about  1866. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  first  located  upon  a 
farm  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.,  where  five  of  their 
children  were  horn.  In  1857  they  came  to  this 
State,  locating  on  a  new  farm  of  160  acres  in  Taze.- 
well  County,  which  remained  their  home  until  they 
came  to  this  county.  Here  three  children  were 
added  to  the  home  circle;  one  is  deceased. 

Their  family  record  is  as  follows:  Malinda  be- 
came the  wife  of  George  Wells,  a  farmer  of  Pax- 
ton,  Ford  Co.,  111. ;  Josephine  married  AVilliam 
Murphy,  a  farmer  of  Woodbury  County,  Iowa; 
Emeline  married  Howard  Larue,  a  lumber  dealer  of 
Corning,  Iowa;  Rebecca,  Mrs.  Oliver  Story,  resides 
with  her  husband  on  a  farm  in  Blue  Mound  Town- 
ship; Lucinda,  Willis  and  James  are  all  living  on 
farms  in  Martin  Township;  Sarah,  who  married 
John  Dickey,  a  farmer,  lives  in  Belleflower  Town- 
ship; Wilford  remains  with  his  parents  and  assists 
his  father  in  conducting  the  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jennings  are  members  in  good  standing  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  politically  our 
subject  is  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 


^  EORGE  KIRK,  one  of  the  most  highly  re- 
spected  citizens  and  successful  farmers  of 
Belleflower  Township,  is  a  native  of  Mason 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  Aug.  24,  1843.  His 
father,  Benedict  Kirk,  was  a  native  of  Maryland, 
and  descended  from  excellent  Scotch-Irish  ances- 
try. Benedict  was  but  one  year  old  when  his  par- 
ents removed  from  Maryland  to  Kentucky,  where 
they  were  among  the  earliest  pioneers,  and  there 
his  father  died.  His  widow,  the  grandmother  of  our 
subject,  afterward  removed  to  Rush  County.  Ind., 
where  she  spent  the  remainder  of  her  life.  Her 


f 


I 
'  '    1122 


t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


son  Benedict  grew  to  manhood  in  Mason  County, 
K\..  where  he  married,  purchased  a  farm  and  es- 
tablished :\  permanent  homestead,  and  where  he 
sjieiit  the  remainder  of  his  life,  tiis  death  occurring 
Jan.  25,  1887.  Benedict  Kirk  was  up  to  the  time 
of  the,  war  one  of  the  most  prominent  farmers  and 
stockmen  in  Mason  County,  Ky.  Being  an  un- 
compromising Union  man  he  lost  heavily  in  con- 
sequence of  the  war.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
before  her  marriage  was  Miss  Ellen  Curtis,  who  was 
born  and  spent  her  entire  life  in  Mason  County, 
Ky.  Her  death  occurred  over  thirty  years  before  her 
husband,  on  the  20th  of  March,  1855.  Their  seven 
children  were  named  James  N.,  John,  Maggie, 
George,  Rochester  B.,  Robert  and  Charles.  Mag- 
gie became  Mrs.  Joseph  Wood,  and  lives  in  Mason 
County.  Ky. ;  Robert  C.  is  a  resident  of  Maysville, 
Mason  Co.,  Ky.,  and  in  fact  all  the  family  are  resi- 
dents of  the  latter-named  county  except  our  sub- 
ject. 

George  Kirk  remained  under  the  home  roof  un- 
til 18G1.  The  Civil  War  being  then  in  progress  he 
enlisted  in  November  of  that  year  in  Company  L, 
2d  Kentucky  Cavalry,  and  was  in  active  service 
three  years  and  three  months.  He  was  assigned  to 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  and  was  taken  prisoner  just  prior  to  the 
battle  of  Murfreesboro.  He  performed  his  duties  as 
a  soldier  in  a  brave  and  faithful  manner,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  in  February,  1865.  His  com- 
pany served  as  escort  to  Gen.  Nelson  for  some 
time,  and  later  for  Phil  Sheridan.  Our  subject  was 
present  at  various  minor  engagements,  but  escaped 
unharmed. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Kirk  resumed 
farming  in  his  native  county,  in  the  Blue  Grass 
regions,  of  which  he  remained  a  resident  until  1868. 
He  then  went  to  a  point  near  Louisville,  where  he 
engaged  in  agriculture  and  also  dealt  in  fancy 
horses.  In  1874  he  came  to  this  county,  first  rent- 
ing a  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  and  in  the  fall 
of  the  year  purchased  100  acres  of  land  in  Belle- 
flower  Township,  which  constitutes  his  present 
homestead.  He  has  brought  about  a  great  change 
from  its  original  condition,  the  land  being  now  all 
improved,  and  he  has  erected  a  good  set  of  frame 
buildings.  In  1882  lie  purchased  the  northeast  quar- 


ter of  section  6,  which  is  also  finely  improved,  so 
that  his  possessions  in  all  amount  to  263  acres, 
for  the  cultivation  of  which  he  has  all  the  machin- 
ery and  appliances  required  by  the  intelligent 
farmer. 

The  subject  of  this  history,  on  the  4th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1873,  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Bracken 
County,  Ky.,  with  Miss  Euphrasia  Reynolds,  who 
was  born  in  Bracken  County,  that  State,  Jan.  9, 
1 846,  and  the  daughter  of  W.  H.  and  Lucretia  Rey- 
nolds. Mrs.  K.  became  the  mother  of  five  children 
—Linden,  Theodore  H.,  May  F.,  Cary  B.  and  Ar- 
thur R. — and  after  having  been  the  faithful  and 
affectionate  companion  of  her  husband  for  over 
twelve  years,  departed  this  life  on  the  25th  of  No- 
vember, 1 886.  She  was  a  most  amiable  and  highly 
respected  Christian  lady,  and  was  greatly  mourned 
by  her  husband  and  family,  and  a  large  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Sharon,  Ky.,  and  her 
remains  were  taken  there  for  burial. 

Mr.  Kirk  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  personal  appear- 
ance, and  by  his  excellent  character  and  straight- 
forward business  course  in  life,  has  fully  established 
himself  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  asso- 
ciates and  fellow-citizens. 


J~~  ACOB  SPAWR,  an  old  pioneer  of  this  county 
of    1826,  and    residing   at    Lexington,  was 
born  Jan.  24, 1802,  in  Westmoreland  County, 
1    Pa.    His  father's  name  was  Valentine  Spawr, 
and  his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Margaret  Richer. 
Valentine  Spawr  was  American  born  but  of  Ger- 
man descent.     His  wife  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  when  only  two  years  of 
age.     Valentine    was  a  soldier   and  served    under 
Gen.  Anthony  Wayne  against  the  Indians,  and  re- 
ceived quite  a  severe  wound  while  in  the  service. 

In  the  fall  of  1826  Jacob  Spawr  came  to  Illinois 
in  company  with  the  Fox  family  and  Robert  Guth- 
rie.  His  father's  family  came  the  following  year. 
The  journey  was  made  overland  and  Mr.  Spawr  was 
active  in  driving  the  sheep  and  cattle  which  they 
brought  with  them.  On  arriving  here  he  located 
in  Money  Creek  timber  and  there  commenced  work- 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ing  for  Mrs.  Trimmer,  who  had  a  large  family  of 
children  and  had  lost  her  husband  by  death  a 
short  time  previous.  Dec.  3,  1S26,  Jacob  Spawr 
married  one  of  his  employer's  daughters,  Eliza  Ann 
Trimmer.  He  had  no  license,  for  the  distance  to 
Vandalia  was  too  great  for  him  to  make  the  jour- 
ney, and  he  consequently  posted  up  notices  to  the 
effect  that  he  intended  to  marry  one  Eliza  A. 
Trimmer.  William  Orendorff,  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  married  him  and  made  return  of  the  mar- 
riage to  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  at  Vandalia,  and  it 
was  pronounced  legal.  Six  or  seven  years  later 
Mr.  Orendorff  married  a  second  wife,  and  our  sub- 
ject, who  had  been  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
had  the  pleasure  of  returning  the  compliment  by 
performing  the  marriage  ceremony. 

After  our  subject's  marriage  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account.  In  1827  the  settlers  were 
much  excited  by  the  Winnebago  War,  which  was 
threatened  by  Red  Bird,  chief  of  the  Winnebagoes. 
While  the  excitement  continued,  Old  Machina, 
chief  of  the  Kickapoos,  came  down  to  Mr.  Spawr 
to  inquire  the  condition  of  affairs,  whenever  the 
latter  returned  from  Bloom ington,  where  he  went 
to  attend  a  militia  drilling.  Machina  declared  that 
in  case  of  war  the  Kickapoos  would  help  the  whites. 
After  a  while  an  order  came  to  send  fifteen  men, 
and  Mr.  Spawr  being  First  Lieutenant  of  the  com- 
pany, was  ordered  to  go  with  them.  But  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Latta  insisted  on  taking  Mr.  Spawr's  place  and 
at  last  was  allowed  to  do  so.  The  fifteen  men  were 
taken  to  Peoria,  but  the  Indian  troubles  were  soon 
quieted  and  the  soldiers  came  home.  During  the 
winter  of  the  deep  snow  our  subject  was  compelled 
to  pound  corn  to  provide  sustenance  for  his  family. 
For  nearly  sixty  days  the  sun  did  not  shine  with 
sufficient  warmth  to  make  even  a  wet  spot  in  front 
of  the  south  door.  During  that  winter  a  gentle- 
man by  the  name  of  Rook  came  down  from  Rook's 
Creek  (Little  Vermilion)  with  a  hand-sled,  walking 
with  snow-shoes,  and  obtained  corn  for  his  family 
from  Conrad  Flesher,  who  lived  where  Lexington 
now  stands. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  War  the  people  of 
Mackinaw  and  Money  Creek  timber  were  excited 
and  apprehensive,  and  many  of  them  moved  to 
Sangamon  County.  Many  parties  from  Eppard's 


Point,  on  the  Little  Vermilion,  moved  their  fami- 
lies into  Money  Creek  Township.  The  volunteers 
from  Indiana,  about  600  in  number,  camped  with- 
in twenty  or  thirty  rods  of  Mr.  Spawr's  house,  and 
during  the  night  they  had  two  false  alarms.  At 
one  time  a  lightning  bug  showed  its  phosphorous 
and  one  of  the  guards  fired  at  the  harmless  insect 
and  the  camp  was  in  an  uproar.  But  after  awhile 
matters  were  quieted.  Soon  another  gun  was  dis- 
charged and  it  was  found  that  a  soldier,  who  had  a 
pique  against  two  others,  had  fired  into  their  tent. 
The  excitement  among  the  soldiers  was  very  great 
for  awhile,  and  one  of  them  while  loading  his  gun, 
mistook  a  can  of  buttermilk  for  a  powder-horn  ami 
loaded  his  gun  accordingly.  The  soldiers  woke 
Mr.  Spawr  to  issue  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  the 
man  who  attempted  to  shoot  his  comrades,  but  Mr. 
Spawr  told  them  that  their  own  martial  law  should 
settle  such  matters. 

The  town  of  Lexington  was  laid  off  in  1835,  and 
in  1836  Mr.  S.  moved  there  from  Money  Creek 
timber.  It  was  during  December  of.  that  year 
that  the  great  sudden  change  of  the  weather  oc- 
curred, and  Mr.  Spawr  says  that  he  saw  the  water 
blown  into  waves  and  frozen  that  way.  He  speaks 
of  another  sudden  change  almost  as  severe.  In 
November,  1842,  he  started  for  Chicago  with  a 
part}'  to  drive  hogs.  The  weather  had  been  mild 
but  it  snowed  and  melted,  and  by  the  7th  of  No- 
vember, it  froze  up.  On  the  return  of  the  party 
from  Chicago  they  crossed  the  Kankakee  on  the  ice 
at  the  rapids,  where  the  water  runs  as  swiftly  as  a 
mill  race.  The  thaw  came  in  January  but  the  cold 
weather  again  returned,  and  winter  continued  until 
March. 

The  union  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Trimmer  has 
been  blest  by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  and  five 
are  living  at  this  writing,  all  daughters.  He  has 
twenty-four  grandchildren  living  and  four  de- 
ceased, and  also  nine  great-grandchildren  living  and 
one  dead.  Our  subject  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  Money  Creek  Township  for  about  nine  years, 
and  also  Postmaster  for  a  number  of  years,  in  the 
early  history  of  Lexington.  He  was  likewise 
Notary  Public  for  several  years,  and  in  1840,  took 
the  census  of  the  county.  He  was  familiarly  ac- 
quainted with  President  Lincoln,  Judge  David 


t. 


L    1124 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Davis,  Judge  Sweet  of  Chicago,  and  other  lending 
men  of  the  State,  who  used  to  stop  at  his  house 
frequently  in  early  days,  and  our  subject  takes 
great  delight  in  relating  stories  of  these  great  men 
as  they  appeared  in  those  good  old  days.  His 
good  wife  died  about  seven  years  ago,  and  he  is 
now  passing  the  sunset  of  life  in  peace  and  quiet, 
retired  from  active  labor  at  Lexington.  He  is  of 
medium  height,  rather  stoutly  built,  and  seems  to 
be  enjoying  good  health  in  his  old  age.  He  is  of  a 
quiet  disposition,  kindly  disposed,  and  much  looked 
up  to  among  the  old  settlers.  He  is  universally 
resected  for  his  worth  and  integrity  and  is  well 
known  throughout  the  entire  county. 


ON.  GEORGE  W.  FUNK,  of  Bloomington, 
is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  and  was  born 
May  14,  1827,  at  Funk's  Grove.     He  is  the 
son  of   Isaac  and  Cassandra  (Sharp)  Funk, 
and  spent  his  earlier  years  upon  his  father's   farm. 
His  early  education  was  begun  when  he  was  seven 
3' oars  of  age,  and  he  traveled  one  and  one-h/ilf  miles 
from  his  father's  house  to   the   school   at   Funk's 
Cruve,  which   was  conducted  in  a  log  cabin.     He 
was  considered  honored  by  the  schoolmaster  when 
he   was  requested  to  remain  after  study  hours  to 
roll  u p  the  logs  which  were  to  be  used  next  da3'  for 
fire. 

Our  subject  pursued  his  studies  in  this  manner 
until  he  was  ten  years  old,  and  after  that  time  at- 
tended only  in  the  winter  and  worked  on  the  farm 
in  the  summer  season  until  he  was  eighteen.  Then 
the  old  log  school-house  gave  place  to  a  smart 
frame  building,  and  he  pursued  his  studies  in  this 
until  twenty-one.  During  the  summer  season  he 
spent  part  of  his  time  in  the  saddle  herding  his  fa- 
ther's cattle  on  the*  prairies,  the  balance  being 
employed  plowing  corn,  wielding  the  cradle  in  the 
grain  fields,  and  the  scythe  mowing  grass.  He  con- 
tinued on  the  parental  homestead  until  the  death 
of  his  father,  in  18C5,  and  being  the  eldest  of  the 
family  had  become  general  manager,  buying  and 
selling  stock  and  shipping  the  same  to  New  York. 
From  the  age  of  eighteen  until  twenty-five  he 
,  drove  cattle  and  hogs  to  the  Chicago  market.  Be- 


fore leaving  home  the  hogs  had  to  be  weighed  by 
means  of  a  pole  laid  across  the  fence,  the  steelyards 
being  upon  one  end  and  the  hog  in  a  sort  of  har- 
ness on  the  other.  A  man  at  the  end  of  the  pole 
hoisted  up  the  porker,  and  after  his  weight  was  as- 
certained he  was  ready  for  market.  In  these  da3-s 
this  would  be  considered  a  tedious  process,  but  the 
pioneers  of  that  time  gloried  in  the  resolution  with 
which  they  overcame  difficulties,  and  this  little  in- 
convenience was  only  one  of  the  many  which  they 
cheerfully  encountered  and  overcame. . 

Mr.  Funk  continued  his  stock  operations  in  this 
manner  until  about  1854,  and  then  commenced 
shipping  to  New  York  City.  He  has  been  remark- 
ably successful  in  his  business  transactions,  and 
nearly  every  week  he  and  his  brother  have  sent 
carloads  of  stock  either  to  Chicago  or  New  York. 
He  assisted  in  the  settlement  of  his  father's  estate 
in  1865,  and  received  1,000  acres  more  than  any 
other  member  of  the  family  on  account  of  having 
remained  upon  the  homestead  and  taken  care  of  it 
after  the  other  sons  had  left.  A  peculiarity  of  this 
family,  probably  not  possessed  by  any  other  in  the 
State,  is  the  fact  that  the  land  which  passed  from 
father  to  son  has  been  religiously  retained  and  in- 
variably added  to  by  thrift  and  industry. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  now  the  possessor 
of  4,400  acres  of  land  in  McLean  County,  1,600  of 
which  lie  in  Funk's  Grove  Township.  In  West 
Township  he  owns  the  old  Indian  Town.  The  farm 
buildings  appertaining  to  his  estate  are  beautiful 
and  substantial  structures,  and  invariably  attract 
the  eye  of  the  traveler  through  this  section.  The 
agricultural  operations  on  this  large  tract  of  land 
have  been  carried  on  in  the  most  systematic  man- 
ner, everything  moving  with  the  precision  of  clock 
work;  the  farm  machinery  being  after  the  most  ap- 
proved patterns,  and  the  barns  and  other  out-build- 
ing furnished  with  all  the  appliances  necessary  for 
the  shelter  of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grain. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  married  in  Janu- 
ary, 1868,  to  Miss  Susan  Pumplley,  a  native  of 
Ohio,  who  was  reared  in  Kentucky  and  came  with 
her  parents  to  Illinois  in  1863.  Mrs.  Susan  Funk 
departed  this  life  on  the  15th  of  December,  1868, 
IcMving  one  child,  Isaac  G.,  now  eighteen  years  of 
age,  and  a  student  at  Lawrenceville,  N.  J.  Mr. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


; 


1127  f I 


Funk  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Miss  Rose, 
the  daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  Fitzwilliams, 
of  Bloomington,  and  they  have  two  children — 
Madeline  and  Julius  F.  The  town  residence  of 
Mr.  F.  and  his  family  is  located  at  No.  401  East 
Washington  street,  where  they  are  surrounded  by 
all  the  refinements  and  luxuries  of  modern  life. 

George  W.  Funk  is  a  worthy  member  of  the 
family  so  well  known  throughout  this  section  as 
having  been  closely  identified  with  its  agricultural 
and  industrial  interests,  and  who  have  so  materially 
assisted  in  the  development  and  progress  of  one  of 
the  richest  counties  of  the  Prairie  State.  The  word 
of  Mr.  Funk  is  considered  as  good  as  his  bond. 
Socially  he  is  kind  and  generous  in  disposition, 
charitable  and  hospitable,  and  a  liberal  contributor 
to,  and  supporter  of  every  measure  calculated  for 
the  well-being  of  society.  In  earlier  years  he  was 
identified  with  the  old  Whig  party,  but  later  has 
cheerfully  endorsed  the  principles  of  the  Repub- 
licans. In  1870  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  Illinois,  and  served  two  years 
with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  con- 
stituents. He  has  been  Supervisor  of  Mt.  Hope 
Township;  is  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Bloomington,  a  stockholder  and  Director 
in  the  Gas  Company  and,  in  short,  identified  with 
most  of  the  enterprises  which  have  been  set  on  foot 
and  were  calculated  for  the  material  good  of  the 
county  and  township.  It  may  be  truly  said  that  in 
all  respects  Mr.  Funk  has  fulfilled  the  obligatons  of 
a  good  citizen  in  a  manner  not  excelled  by  any 
before  him,  or  that  could  be  excelled  by  any  who 
may  come  after. 


J~~  ACOB  M.  MINTON.     Worthy  of  mention 
among  the  successful  stock-raisers  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  and  their  number  is  not  a  few, 
is  J.  M.   Minton.     Though  young  in  years 
as  well  as  in  his  chosen  department  of  business,  he 
has   already   established    for  himself   an  enviable 
reputation  as  a  good  citizen  and  a  thorough-going 
and  enterprising  member  of  the  agricultural  and 
industrial  community.     Mr.  Minton  is  comfortably 
located  near  Heyworth,  on  section  9   of  Randolph 

-4* — ' • 


Township.  Upon  his  farm  he  is  making  a  specialty 
of  Poland-China  swine,  and  is  in  possession  of 
some  valuable  registered  animals.  His  herd  was 
started  at  Wapella,  111.,  in  1882,  and  he  has  mate- 
rially increased  it  since  that  time.  He  has  now  one 
of  the  best  herds,  and  probably  the  largest,  in  Cen- 
tral Illinois,  and  his  animals  have  taken  more  pre- 
miums than  any  others  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
His  herd  was  started  with  Young  Roe,  No.  2,201, 
Vol.  5,  of  Central  Poland-China  Record.  He  has 
since  had  at  the  head  of  his  herd  the  well-known 
J.  C.  Eye,  registered  No.  2,803,  in  the  same  book. 
He  has  now  Arnold's  Choice,  who  will  be  registered 
in  Vol.  8  of  the  Central  Herd  Book,  and  is  among 
the  best  hogs  in  the  State.  This  department  of 
stock-raising  yields  our  subject  a  handsome  in- 
come, and  he  has  gained  a  reputation. 

Mr.  Minton  was  born  in  Claiborne  County,  Tenn., 
July  16,  1850.  His  father,  Phillip  Minton,  was  a 
native  of  the  same  State  and  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. During  the  late  Civil  War,  he  served  in  the 
Confederate  army,  and  was  shot  through  the  head 
at  Kennesaw  Mountain.  He  survived  nine  days, 
and  then  died  at  Atlanta  Hospital.  The  maiden 
name  of  Mrs.  Minton  was  Marinda  Huddleson,  and 
she  is  still  living  on  the  Minton  homestead  in 
Claiborne  County,  Tenn.,  being  seventy-five  years 
old.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  was  mar- 
ried a  second  time.  The  subject  of  this  history 
was  the  eldest  of  his  father's  family.  Following 
him  came  Frank  M.,  who  is  now  living  with  Jacob 
M.,  and  also  W.  B.  and  Cornelia  M.,  who  came 
North  in  1884. 

Jacob  M.  Minton  received  a  good  education  in 
his  native  county,  and  remained  at  home  after  his 
father's  death,  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  went  West,  first  settling  in  Atchison  County, 
Kan.,  whence,  after  three  years,  he  returned  to 
Tennessee  and  remained  until  1873.  He  then 
came  to  Illinois,  and  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer  for 
a  few  years,  living  temperately  and  within  his 
means,  and  becoming  well  fitted  for  the  further 
struggle  of  life.  Thus  growing  up  into  manhood 
and  passing  onward  in  the  rugged  pathway  of 
time,  disciplined  in  the  stern  school  of  experience, 
he  was  prepared  to  meet  every  emergency  with  a 
steady  and  a  ready  hand. 


-     1128 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  on  the 
19th  of  December,  1878,  at  Hey  worth,  in  this 
county,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Mary  A. 
Creswell,  of  Quebec,  Canada,  who  was  born  Aug. 
14,  1856.  Her  parents  were  of  Scotch  ancestry, 
and  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland  to  Canada, 
where  her  father  died  when  she  was  a  child  of 
about  six  years  old.  Her  mother,  formerly  Miss 
Sarah  Lowrey,  now  lives  in  Hey  worth  with  her  two 
daughters — Jennie  and  Maggie. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Minton  have  become  the  parents 
of  four  children,  all  living — Charlie  C.,  Chesley 
W.,  Wiley  B.  and  John  P.  Mrs.  Mintou  is  a  mem- 
ber in  good  standing  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  their  pleasant  home  is  the  resort  of 
many  warm  friends  who  are  hospitably  entertained. 
Mr.  Minton,  in  politics,  is  a  stanch  Democrat,  and 
while  in  De  Witt  County,  held  the  office  of  Town- 
ship Collector. 

As  a  splendid  example  of  what  may  be  accom- 
plished by  an  energetic,  enterprising  and  deter- 
mined man,  we  point  to  Mr.  Minton,  and  take 
pleasure  in  giving  his  portrait  in  this  volume. 


1 LFRED  J.  WELCH,  a  very  successful  far- 
mer of  Downs  Township,  is  proprietor  of 
311  acres  of  valuable  land,  finely  located 
on  sections  17  and  18,  and  twelve  acres  on 
sections  5  and  7,  the  residence  being  on  the 
first.  The  greater  part  of  the  farm  is  improved  and 
under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  well  drained 
with  700  rods  of  tile.  The  place  is  furnished  with 
good  buildings  and  fences,  and  all  the  appliances 
of  the  modern  and  progressive  agriculturist. 

Mr.  Welch  is  a  native  of  this  count3r,  born  in 
Downs  Township  July  5,  1855,  and  the  youngest 
of  four  sons  and  four  daughters  born  to  his  parents. 
He  pursued  his  earlier  studies  in  the  district  schools 
and  completed  his  education  in  Wesleyan  Univer- 
sity. He  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  his 
marriage,  Nov.  19,  1879,  to  Miss  Bell,  the  daughter, 
of  James  Fulton,  of  whom  a  sketch  will  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Mrs.  W.  was  born,  reared 
and  educated  in  Downs  Township,  and  when  six- 
teen years  of  age  commenced  teaching,  which  she 


followed  successfully  for  :v  short  time.  Of  her 
union  with  our  subject  there  have  been  born  three 
children,  of  whom  one,  Walter  H.,  is  deceased. 
The  two  daughters  living  are  Grace  and  Martha. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  since  their  marriage  have 
lived  upon  their  present  homestead,  where  our  sub- 
ject has  followed  his  chosen  vocation  with  more 
than  ordinary  success.  The  farm  is  well  stocked 
with  cattle,  horses,  sheep  and  swine,  and  everything 
about  the  premises  is  kept  in  the  best  condition. 
Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  not  connected  with 
any  church  organization  but  have  endeavored  as 
well  as  they  knew  how,  to  do  unto  others  as  they 
would  be  done  by.  Mr.  Welch  politically  is  an 
earnest  supporter  of  Republican  principles. 

-^ <S|>c|».—        — v— 


.  JOHN  G.  CAMPBELL,  a  highly  re- 
spected  resident  of  Bloomington,  resides  at 
No.  906  Moulton  street,  and  enjoys  the 
)  friendship  and  association  of  the  cultured 
people  of  the  city.  He  is  a  native  of  Bourbon 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  born  Aug.  1,  1813.  Mr. 
Campbell  is  the  son  of  James  and  Nancy  A.  Camp- 
bell, natives  of  Virginia,  who  were  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  the  father  was  engaged  in 
farming  pursuits.  The  parents  removed  from  the 
Old  Dominion  to  Missouri,  in  1856,  and  there 
spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Of  their  fam- 
ily of  seven  children,  four  are  now  living — Hugh, 
John  G.,  James  O.,  and  Mary  E.,  now  Mrs.  Rich- 
ards, of  Missouri. 

The  younger  days  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
were  spent  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  school. 
When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  went  to  Indiana 
and  attended  the  State  University  one  year.  He 
afterward  engaged  in  farming  and  preaching  alter- 
nately, being  connected  with  the  Christian  Church. 
He  was  a  resident  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  for 
eleven  years,  and  then  returned  to  his  former  home, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  and  in  October, 
1849,  came  to  this  State  and  county,  and  located 
at  Bloomington,  where  he  was  engaged  as  formerly 
until  1880,  when  on  account  of  failing  health, 
he  retired  from  active  life. 

When   twenty -one  years  of   age,  in   1834,   Mr. 


I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


— •*- 

1129    , 


Campbell  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sallie 
A.  Campbell,  a  native  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
and  the  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Mary  (Alexander) 
Campbell,  who  were  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. The  mother  died  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
and  the  father  in  Indiana.  Nine  of  their  eleven 
children  are  now  living,  as  follows:  Nancy  J.,  Mrs. 
Alexander;  Sallie  A.,  Mrs.  Campbell;  William  A., 
Hugh  B.,  James  T.,  Grennberry  W.,  Wright,  Rob- 
ert, and  Mary  Catherine,  Mrs.  Dr.  Molett,  of  Flor- 
ida. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  of  this  notice  have 
two  children :  Newton  M.,  who  married  Miss  Mary 
Guinn,  and  they  have  two  sons — Charles  L.  and 
Ira  C. ;  Minnie  M.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Blooming- 
ton  High  School,  and  resides  with  her  parents. 
All  the  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  our  subject  in  politics  is  Republican. 


PRANK  A.  WEISIIAAR,  a  contractor  and 
builder,  with  an  office  on  the  corner  of 
Mulberry  street  and  Morris  avenue,  Bloom- 
ington,  enjoys  a  successful  and  lucrative  trade.  Our 
subject  is  a  native  of  Lee  County,  Iowa,  and  was 
born  Nov.  5,  1849.  His  parents  were  Anthony 
and  Josephine  (Hizer)  Weishaar,  natives  of  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  America  with  their  parents 
when  children.  They  settled  in  New  Orleans,  and 
after  arriving  at  suitable  years  were  married  there. 
In  184C  they  removed  to  Iowa,  where  Anthony 
Weishaar  purchased  220  acres  of  wild  land  and 
commenced  the  improvement  of  a  farm.  He  was 
successful  in  his  agricultural  and  business  opera- 
tions, and  the  home  which  he  established  remained 
in  his  possession  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1879.  The  mother  still  lives  on  the  old  farm. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  whose  name  was 
also  Anthony,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Lee 
County,  Iowa,  where  he  opened  up  a  large  farm 
and  became  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  that  sec- 
tion. His  son,  Anthony,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
possessed  the  traits  of  his  sire  in  a  marked  degree, 
and  in  early  manhood  held  the  offices  of  Supervisor 
and  Pathmaster,  and  with  his  wife  and  children 
was  prominently  connected  with  the  German  Cath- 
olic Church.  Their  household  included  nine  chil- 


dren,  six  of  whom  are  living:  William,  of  Lee 
County,  Iowa,  is  engaged  as  a  carpenter  and  coo- 
per; Malinda,  now  Mrs.  Keiner,  lives  in  Lee  County, 
Iowa;  Frank  is  a  resident  of  Bloomington;  Charles 
is  engaged  in  farming  in  Lee  County,  Iowa,  as  is 
also  George;  Lizzie,  who  married  a  brother  of  the 
aforesaid  Mr.  Keiner,  lives  in  Lee  County,  Iowa. 

Frank  A.  Weishaar  remained  with  his  parents 
until  the  7th  of  August,  1864,  in  the  meantime  re- 
ceiving a  practical  education  and  doing  farm  work. 
He  then  went  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  of  his 
cousin,  Lewis  Weishaar,  of  Lee  County,  Iowa,  with 
whom  he  served  for  three  years,  and  then  worked 
as  a  journeyman  for  seven  years.  In  1870  he  came 
to  Bloomington,  and  after  two  years  returned  to 
Lee  County,  where  he  remained  six  years.  He 
then  again  came  to  Bloomington  and  started  out  as 
a  builder  and  contractor,  which  business  he  has  fol- 
lowed since  that  time.  He  is  a  skilled  mechanic,  a 
straightforward  business  man,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  city. 

The  marriage  of  Frank  A.  Weishaar  and  Miss 
Frances  Angersbach  took  place  in  1872,  at  Bloom- 
ington. Mrs.  W.  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  -and 
Frances  Angersbach,  and  by  her  union  with  our 
subject  has  become  the  mother  of  one  child,  Gus- 
sie  J.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  members  of  the  Ger- 
man Catholic  Church,  and  the  former  belongs  to 
the  German  Benevolent  Society. 


?ILLIAM  ELLSWORTH,  one  of  the  young- 
er children,  but  eldest  son  of  John  and 
Phebe  Ellsworth,  of  New  York,  is  of  Amer- 
ican parentage.  John  Ellsworth  grew  to  manhood  in 
his  native  State,  and  enlisting  in  the  Revolutionary 
War,  served  seven  years  as  a  soldier  in  defense  of 
American  liberty.  He  fought  under  Gen.  Wayne, 
and  miraculously  escaped  death  on  several  occa- 
sions, his  clothing  being  pierced  through  and 
through  with  the  enemies'  bullets.  He  passed 
through  many  of  the  thrilling  scenes  of  that  period, 
and  much  of  the  time  performed  special  duty  as  a 
messenger,  carrying  important  dispatches.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  received  an  honorable  discharge, 
and  lived  many  years  to  talk  of  its  thrilling  inci- 


•  >  1130 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


dents  and  the  glorious  victory  which  followed. 
John  Ellsworth  had  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter 
when  a  young  man,  and  after  his  return  from  the 
war  pursued  this  and  farming  the  Remainder  of  his 
life. 

After  marriage  they  settled  near  Bowling  Green, 
Ky.,  where  their  son  William,  of  our  sketch,  was 
born,  on  the  1st  of  September,  1817.  Six  years 
later  John  Ellsworth  set  out  with  his  family  for 
Illinois,  and  located  in  St.  Clair  County,  about 
thirty  miles  from  St.  Louis,  where  the  parents 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father  hav- 
ing attained  the  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

William  Ellsworth  set  out  early  in  life  to  earn  his 
own  livelihood,  working  first  upon  a  farm  in  St.  Clair 
County,  111.,  and  employing  himself  for  a  number 
of  years  at  whatever  his  hands  could  find  to  do. 
After  reaching  manhood  he  was  married  to  Sarah 
Tolbert,  of  St.  Clair  County,  111.  Three  children 
were  born  of  this  union :  John,  who  lives  in  Wich- 
ita, Kan. ;  George,  a  resident  of  Cowley  County,  that 
State,  and  Jane  married  Joseph  Bishop,  and  they 
are  living  at  Heyworth.  Mrs.  Sarah  Ellsworth  died 
in  St.  Clair  County,  in  1 847.  The  second  marriage 
of  our  subject  took  place  in  St.  Clair  County,  111., 
Nov.  8,  1848,  with  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Chesney,  widow 
of  Robert  Chesney,  and  daughter  of  Kincheon  and 
Elizabeth  (Elder)  Pitts.  By  her  union  witli  Rob- 
ert Chesney  there  was  born  a  daughter,  Harriet, 
who  married  John  S.  Bishop,  and  they  live  in  Ran- 
dolph Township.  Mrs.  Ellsworth  was  born  near 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  May  10,  1823.  Her  parents 
were  natives  of  the  same  State,  her  father  being  en- 
gaged in  farming.  They  left  their  native  State  in 
1828,  and  came  with  their  two  children,  Mary  E. 
and  Nancy,  to  St.  Clair  County,  111.,  where  they  lo- 
cated upon  a  farm.  Afterward,  in  1873,  they  re- 
moved to  Nashville,  Washington  County,  this  State, 
where  the  father  died  in  November,  and  the  mother 
in  March,  1875,  both  aged  seventy-five  years,  and 
both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  also  were 
John  Ellsworth  and  his  wife  before  they  died. 

Mrs.  Ellsworth  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  her  marriage,  assisting  her  parents  in  the  la- 
bors of  the  farm  and  household  duties.  By  her 
marriage  with  our  subject  she  became  the  mother 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows: 


Kincheon,  who  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Bishop,  and 
they  live  on  a  farm  in  Downs  Township;  William 
S.  married  the  adopted  daughter  of  William  Elders, 
and  is  engaged  in  butchering  in  Heyworth;  James 
M.,  deceased ;  Emily  became  the  wife  C.  I.  Mc- 
Combs,  a  farmer  and  blacksmith  of  Downs  Town- 
ship; C.  Walter  married  Miss  Minnie  Candle,  and 
is  carrying  on  a  real-estate  business  at  Wichita, 
Kan. ;  E.  W.  is  unmarried,  and  does  business  with 
his  brother,  C.  W.,  in  Kansas,  and  Mary  B.  is  the 
wife  of  John  Crookshank,  and  resides  with  her  fa- 
ther on  the  old  homestead. 

After  marriage  Mr.  Ellsworth  staid  in  St.  Clair 
County  until  the  fall  of  1859,  when  he  removed 
with  his  family  to  McLean  County,  and  located  in 
Downs  Township,  where  he  has  since  lived.  He  at 
one  time  owned  considerable  land.  The  homestead 
embraces  170  acres,  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation, 
with  a  handsome  and  convenient  residence  and  all 
necessary  out-buildings.  He  is  considered  one  of 
the  representative  men  of  this  county,  being  enter- 
prising and  industrious,  prompt  to  meet  his  obli- 
gations, and  in  all  respects  is  fulfilling  the  duties  of 
a  good  citizen.  Mrs.  Ellsworth  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  our  subject,  po- 
litically, affiliates  with  the  Republican  party. 


ETER  R.  NAFFZINGER  owns  and  occu- 
pies a  fine  homestead  in  Montgomery 
Township,  Woodford  County,  where  he 
lives  retired  from  active  labor,  the  farm 
being  managed  by  his  son.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  Oct.  11,  1824. 
His  parents  were  Peter  and  Barbara  (Beck)  Naff- 
zinger,  natives  of  Germany,  the  father  born  Feb. 
23,  1789,  and  the  mother  in  1796.  They  were 
married  March  8,  1812,  and  ten  years  later  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States.  They  landed  in  New 
York  City,  whence  they  proceeded  to  Canada, 
where  they  remained  three  years,  then  returned  to 
the  States  and  located  in  Butler  County,  Ohio. 
There  Mr.  N.  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  which 
he  cultivated  and  upon  which  he  lived  until  1 843. 
He  then  removed  to  Woodford  County,  111.,  where 
his  death  occurred  in  September,  1885.  The  fol- 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ll.'JI 


lowing  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter 
Naffzinger:  Elizabeth,  who  married  Michael  Kist- 
ler;  Jacob,  who  married  Magdalena  Rokie;  Mag- 
dalena,  who  became  the  wife  of  Michael  Kinzinger ; 
Barbara,  who  became  Mrs.  Daniel  Otto;  Phebe, 
Mrs.  Christian  Scheattler;  Peter  R.,  of  our  sketch; 
Catherine,  who  married  Michael  Zimmerman;  Val- 
entine married  Miss  Elizabeth  Stiger.  The  parents 
were  connected  with  the  Mennonite  Church. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  two  years  of 
age  when  his  parents  came  to  America.  He  was 
reared  at  home;  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  his 
marriage,  which  occurred  in  Woodford  County, 
111.,  Jan.  26,  1851.  The  lady  of  his  choice  was 
Miss  Magdalena,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Bar- 
bara (Rokie)  Ingle,  natives  of  Germany,  where 
they  were  married  in  1816.  Joseph  and  Barbara 
Ingle  became  the  parents  of  eight  children — Jos- 
eph, Catherine,  Barbara,  Magdalena,  Mary,  Chris- 
tian, and  two  who  died  in  infancy  unnamed.  They 
also  are  members  of  the  Meunonite  Church. 

After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Naffzinger  purchased 
100  acres  of  good  land,  upon  which  he  erected  a 
handsome  and  substantial  farm  dwelling,  which  he 
still  occupies.  He  subsequently  added  to  his  orig- 
inal purchase  and  now  has  200  acres  of  good  and 
productive  land. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  N.  became  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, of  whom  Barbara  and  Mary  are  deceased ; 
Catherine  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Garber;  Val- 
entine married  Miss  Susan  Knapple;  Joseph  is  de- 
ceased ;  Benjamin  married  Miss  Florence  McLach- 
lin ;  Phebe  is  deceased ;  Samuel,  Rosa  and  Anna 
are  at  home.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  belong  to 
the  Mennonite  Church,  and  politically  Mr.  Naff- 
zinger is  a  stanch  Democrat.  During  the  late  war 
he  was  drafted  into  the  army,  but  secured  a  sub- 
stitute and  returned  home. 


/^^EORGE  McN AUGHT,  deceased,  was  one  of 
[Ij  <=,  the  most  substantial  business  men  of  Lex- 
^^5)  ington,  where  he  was  engaged  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind., 
born  near  Indianapolis,  Jan.  17,  1812,  his  parents 


being  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Bartholomew)  Mc- 
Naught,  the  former  a  native  of  the  North  of  Scot- 
land, and  the  latter  the  daughter  of  Gen.  Bartholo- 
mew who  fought  under  Gen.  Harrison  in  the  battle 
of  Tippecanoe. 

Thomas  McNaught,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
emigrated  to  America  when  a  young  man,  before 
his  marriage.  George  was  the  first  born  son  and  one 
of  fourteen  children,  seven  sons  and  seven  daugh- 
ters, twelve  of  whom  lived  to  become  men  and 
women  who  married  and  had  families  of  their  own. 
Of  these  seven  still  survive.  The  father  removed 
to  Indiana  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the 
State.  Our  subject  only  enjoyed  the  advantages 
of  a  nine  months'  education  in  school,  but  he  was 
fond  of  reading  and  through  his  own  exertions  be- 
came a  fair  scholar  and  well  informed  upon  all  mat- 
ters of  general  interest.  He  remained  under  the 
home  roof  until  he  attained  to  years  of  manhood 
and  in  August,  1839,  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Nancy,  the  daughter  of  Col.  John  and  Mary 
Franklin.  In  the  fall  of  1840  our  subject  made 
his  first  trip  to  McLean  County,  and  purchased 
from  Gen.  Bartholomew  a  tract  of  land  three  miles 
west  of  Lexington.  He  then  returned  to  Indiana 
after  his  family  and  the  following  spring  took  pos- 
session of  his  purchase,  where  he  became  success- 
full}'  engaged  as  an  agriculturist  and  stock-trader. 
This  was  before  the  time  of  railroads,  and  during 
the  first  year  he  drove  his  animals  to  Chicago 
which  was  then  a  small  town.  (He  continued  in  this 
business,  shipping  later  by  railroad,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  May  25,  1864. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McNaught  had  become  the  parents 
of  six  sons,  all  of  whom  were  living  at  the  time  of 
his  death.  John  T.  is  now  deceased ;  James,  who 
has  become  prominent  as  a  law  practitioner,  is 
attorney  for  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  and  re- 
sides at  Seattle,  the  Queen  City  of  Washington 
Territory,  where  he  has  accumulated  a  fine  prop- 
erty ;  M.  Frank  is  in  the  grain  and  stock  business  in 
Southwestern  Kansas;  George  W.  is  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  in  the  northern  part  of  Iowa ; 
William  N.,  of  Lexington,  is  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware trade  and  also  conducts  the  business  of  his 
farm ;  Joseph  F.  is  the  partner  of  his  brother  James 
in  Washington  Territory;  John  T.,  deceased,  left  a 


I 


1132 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


wife  and  son,  Elza,  the  latter  being  an  importer  of 
and  dealer  in  Norman  horses  at  Normal. 

After  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  Mrs.  Me- 
Naught  was  married  to  Dr.  J.  L.  Brook,  an  old 
physician  and  druggist,  who  departed  this  life  in 
September,  1867.  Mrs.  B.  was  then  married  in 
1870  to  Rev.  Butler,  who  was  a  pastor  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  twenty-five  years, 
and  who  died  Oct.  16,  1886.  He  was  a  most 
efficient  minister  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who 
knew  him. 


DIAS,  one  of  the  prominent  cigar  manufact- 
urers of  Bloomington,  established  his  present 
business  in  1875,  and  is  located  in  the 
Royce  Block  at  No.  103  East  Front  street,  and  also 
No:  103  North  Main  street.  Mr.  Dias  was  born  in, 
England  in  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and 
Rachel  (Noble)  Dias,  who  were  of  English  birth 
and  ancestry  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1856,  landing  on  the  4th  of  January,  and  soon 
afterward  settled  in  Boston,  Mass.  Elisha  Dias 
was  an  appraiser  and  auctioneer  and  died  in  Cam- 
bridgeport  in  1865.  The  mother  departed  this 
life  in  Boston  the  year  of  their  arrival  here.  Of 
their  family  of  nine  children,  only  three  are  living : 
Priscilla  and  Rebecca,  the  latter  of  whom  is  married, 
and  both  are  residents  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  our 
subject. 

Young  Dias  received  his  early  education  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  country  and  soon  after  com- 
ing to  the  United  States  commenced  to  do  for  him- 
self. He  was  first  employed  by  S.  <fe  J.  Myers  of 
Boston  and  then  engaged  to  learn  cigar-making, 
serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years.  The  war 
then  coming  on,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the 
3d  Massachusetts  Infantry,  serving  a  three  months' 
term  and  then  re-enlisted  in  the  38th  Massachusetts 
and  served  for  two  and  one-half  years.  He  partici- 
pated in  several  battles  and  skirmishes  and  was 
slightly  wounded  at  Winchester.  Soon  after  enter- 
ing the  army  he  was  promoted  Corporal  and  served 
bravely  and  faithfully  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  array  Mr.  Dias 
went  to  St.  John's,  N.  B.,  and  was  foreman  of  a 
cigar  manufactory  there  for  four  years.  Thence 


he  went  to  Detroit  and  engaged  in  business  for 
himself  until  1872.  Selling  out  he  proceeded  to 
South  Bend,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture 
of  cigars  from  1870  to  1875.  He  then  came  to 
Bloomington  and  established  his  present  business. 
From  a  modest  beginning  he  has  made  good  pro- 
gress and  now  employs  sixteen  men,  keeping  one 
on  the  road  continuously. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Esther, 
daughter  of  Daniel  J.  and  Amelia  (Solomon) 
Holland,  natives  of  England.  Mrs.  D.  was  born 
in  New  York  City  and  of  her  marriage  with  our 
subject  there  have  been  born  four  children — Alex- 
ander E.,  Amelia  R.  Henry  N.,  and  Rachel,  deceased. 
Their  pleasant  and  comfortable  home  is  located  at 
No.  601  East  Jackson  street,  and  they  enjoy  the 
friendship  and  association  of  some  of  the  best 
people  in  the  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members 
of  the  Moses  Montefiore  (Hebrew)  Congregation, 
and  in  politics  our  subject  uniformly  casts  his  vote 
with  the  Republican  party.  Socially  he  belongs  to 
the  Order  of  Red  Men  and  to  the  B'nai  B'rith. 


J"  AMES  H.  SCOTT,  a  resident  of  this  county 
since  the  spring  of  1 880,  and  a  prosperous 
j  and  well-to-do  farmer  living  on  section  7, 
'  Towanda  Township,  is  an  offspring  of  Sam- 
uel and  Nancy  (Biggs)  Scott.  The  father  was  born 
in  Virginia,  in  1777,  and  the  mother,  in  1787,  in 
what  is  now  Monroe  County,  111.  James  Scott, 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  emigrated  from  Ken- 
tucky to  Illinois  and  settled  in  St.  Clair  County. 
There  Samuel  Scott  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm.  It  was  during  this  time  that  Will- 
iam Biggs,  father  of  our  subject's  mother,  came  to 
this  State  from  Georgia  and  settled  in  Monroe 
County.  Wrhile  acting  as  Sheriff  of  that  county 
Mr.  Biggs,  while  on  his  way  to  Kaskaskia,  111.,  with 
a  load  of  furs,  was  attacked  and  taken  prisoner  by 
the  Indians  and  held  as  such  at  what  is  now  Vin- 
cennes,  Ind.,  for  about  nine  months.  During  his 
absence  the  mother  of  owr  subject  was  born,  the 
year  being  1787. 

Our  subject's  parents  were  married   in  St.  Clair 
County,  111.,  and  there  reared  a  family  of  eleven 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1133  <  , 


children,  all  of  whom  arc  deceased  except  two: 
John  M.,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Illinois,  and  the  other,  James  H.,  subject  of  this 
notice.  Samuel  Scott  departed  this  life  in  1837, 
and  his  good  wife  survived  him  until  1861,  when 
she  crossed  the  river  to  meet  him  on  the  other 
shore. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  near  Turkey 
Hill,  St.  Clair  Co.,  111.,  Oct.  20,  1821.  He  was 
reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm,  and  re- 
ceived a  good  education  in  the  common  schools. 
Living  with  the  old  folk  until  1849,  engaged  the 
while  in  agricultural  pursuits,  he  then  made  an 
overland  trip  to  California,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
plenishing an  almost  empt}'  exchequer,  by  mining. 
On  the  route  they  were  attacked  once  or  twice  by 
Indians,  but  escaped  without  loss  of  life,  and  his 
party  were  among  the  first  trains  to  arrive  in  Cali- 
fornia from  the  States  after  the  discovery  of  gold. 
They  arrived  at  Sacramento  City,  July  23,  1849, 
having  been  eighty-seven  days  on  the  route  from 
St.  Joseph,  Mo.  Our  subject  remained  in  Califor- 
nia for  about  two  yeai's,  meeting  with  moderate 
success,  and  then  returned  via  the  Isthmus  to 
New  Orleans,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  there 
back  to  St.  Clair  County.  Again  he  engaged  in 
farming,  and  was  thus  occupied  in  that  county 
until  the  spring  of  1880,  when  he  came  to  this 
county.  He  was  the  owner  of  quite  an  extensive 
farm  in  St.  Clair  County,  together  with  considerable 
stock,  farm  implements,  etc.,  and  disposing  of  them, 
he  on  his  arrival  here  purchased  272  acres  of  good 
land  in  Towanda  Township,  the  same  being  known 
as  the  "  Duncan  farm,"  where  he  at  present  resides, 
and  is  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising. 

Mr.  Scott  was  married  in  St.  Clair  County,  111., 
April  27,  1853,  to  Miss  Eliza  C.,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Barbara  (Teter)  Eutherford,  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  Virginia  respectively,  and  both  of 
whom  departed  this  life  in  St.  Clair  County,  his  de- 
mise occurring  in  1849,  and  hers  in  1864.  They 
had  six  sons  and  seven  daughters.  Mrs.  Scott  was 
born  in  St.  Clair  County,  111.,  Jan.  4,  1830,  and  by 
her  union  with  our  subject  two  children  have  been 
born — Millard  and  Anne  E.  Millard  married  Miss 
Belle  Begole,  a  relative  of  ex-Governor  Begole,  of 


Michigan,  and  they  are  living  in  Towanda  Town- 
ship, having  become  the  parents  of  one  child,  Har- 
riett. Anne  is  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Falkingham,  and 
they  are  also  living  in  Towanda  Township.  Mr. 
Scott,  while  a  resident  of  St.  Clair  County, 
held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  sixteen 
years.  Since  coming  to  this  county  he  has  served 
one  term  as  Supervisor  of  Towanda  Township. 
He  and  'his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  socially  our  subject  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  politics  he  was  a 
Democrat  until  the  birth  of  the  Prohibition  party, 
since  which  time  he  has  voted  for  its  success,  and 
believes  it  a  sin  against  God.  and  humanity  to 
vote  a  man  the  right  to  sell  liquor  by  license. 


>ILLIAM  HANNA.  On  section  21,  Yates 
Township,  may  be  found  the  pleasant 
homestead  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
which  he  established  in  1874,  and  where  he  has 
lived  for  manjr  years  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits 
of  industry,  and  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  and  acquaintances.  Mr.  Hanna  was 
born  in  County  Antrim,  in  the  North  of  Ireland, 
in  1836.  His  parents,  James  and  Nancy  Hanna, 
both  died  in  that  country.  The  parental  family 
consisted  of  fifteen  children,  ten  of  whom  came  to 
the  United  States,  namely :  Isabella,  John,  James, 
Mary,  Catherine,  Jane,  Nancy,  Eliza,  Samuel  and 
William.  All  of  these  are  living,  seven  residing  in 
Illinois,  one  in  Pennsylvania  and  two  in  Nebraska. 
William  Hanna  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm 
in  his  native  country,  where  he  resided  until  about 
twenty  years  of  age.  He  emigrated  alone  to  the 
United  States,  his  first  stopping-place  being  at 
Phcenixville,  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  where  his  brother 
James  had  preceded  him.  Young  Hanna  first 
engaged  in  a  rolling-mill  at  that  place,  where  he 
worked  four  years.  He  then  started  westward, 
and  coming  into  Illinois,  located  first  in  Putnam 
County,  where  he  worked  a  few  years  as  a  farm 
laborer.  Thence  he  went  to  Winona,  in  Marshall 
County,  where  he  rented  land  for  about  nine  years, 
meeting  with  fair  success.  He  then  began  looking 
about  for  a  permanent  homestead,  and  coming  into 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


this  county  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Che- 
noa  Township,  where  he  made  his  home  for  the  fol- 
lowing six  years,  and  then  selling  out  he  purchased 
his  present  farm,  in  Yates  Township.  This  consists 
of  160  acres  of  finely  improved  land  furnished 
with  a  good  set  of  farm  buildings.  His  possessions 
have  been  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and  per- 
severance, and  he  can  look  back  upon  the  past  with 
a  clear  conscience  and  the  satisfaction  derived  from 
steady  habits  and  a  well-spent  life. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Hanna  took  place  in  the  fall 
of  1  863,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Anna 
Burns,  a  native  of  his  own  county,  and  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  with  her  parents,  Rob- 
ert and  Mattie  Burns,  when  a  young  girl.  Of  this 
union  there  were  seven  children,  as  follows  :  Mary, 
born  in  Putnam  County,  111.,  became  the  wife  of 
Samuel  McAllister,  and  resides  in  Marshall  County, 
111.  ;  Nancy  was  born  in  Winona,  111.  ;  Matilda,  born 
near  Chenoa;  Cassie,  James,  William  and  Isabella, 
were  born  in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanna  are 
connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  po- 
litically our  subject  uniformly  casts  his  vote  with 
the  Republican  party. 


RANK  OBERKOETTER,  one  of  the  relia- 
ble and  substantial  business  men  of  Bloorn- 
ington,  is  senior  member  of  the  well-known 
wholesale   grocery    firm  of  Oberkoetter  &  Co.  of 
Bloomington.    He  came  to  this  vicinity  in  Septem- 
ber, 1857,  and  during  his  residence  of  thirty  years 
in   this   county   has  contributed   his  full  share  in 
building  up  its  industrial  and  mercantile  interests. 
Mr.  Oberkoetter  is  a  representative  of  that  na- 
tionality which  has  done  more,  perhaps,  than  any 
other  in  assisting  to  develop  the  resources  of  the 
Prairie  State  and  the  great  West.     His  birthplace 
was  in  the  Empire  of  Germany,  where  he  was  born 
on  the  25th  of  January,  1828.     His  parents,  Henry 
and  Katie  (Lemme)  Oberkoetter,   were  natives  of 
the  same  country,  and  came  of  excellent  German 
ancestry,   who  illustrated  in  a  marked  degree  the 
reliable  characteristics   of   their   race.     Their   son 
Frank  was  placed  in  school   when  seven  years  of 
,  .    age,    where   he  pursued  his  studies  until  fourteen. 


After  serving  a  brief  apprenticeship  at  the  carpen- 
ter's trade  and  agricultural  pursuits  he,  in  1850, 
boarded  a  vessel  bound  for  the  United  States,  and 
after  a  safe  voyage  landed  in  the  city  of  New  Or- 
leans. After  four  months  spent  there  he  went  up 
the  river  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  passed  one 
summer,  returning  in  the  fall  to  the  Crescent  City. 
The  following  spring  he  went  back  to  St.  Louis, 
which  remained  his  home  for  five  years  following. 

In  September,  1857,  Mr.  Oberkoetter  started 
North,  and  coming  into  Bloomington,  this  State, 
opened  a  small  retail  grocery  store,  which  he  oper- 
ated successfully  until  1871.  That  same  year  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Jacob  Jacoby,  and  they 
are  operating  together  profitably.  The  business 
has  been  merged  into  the  wholesale  trade,  and  un- 
der the  new  regime,  as  before,  it  has  steadily 
grown,  and  their  trade  extends  throughout  this 
and  adjoining  counties  where  they  have  built  up 
a  fine  patronage.  Both  partners  are  practical  busi- 
ness men,  and  well  and  favorably  known  in  busi- 
ness circles.  Their  present  building  on  Main  street 
was  put  up  in  1875.  It  is  54x105  feet  in  area  and 
three  stories  in  height,  besides  a  good  basement, 
and  the  whole  is  devoted  to  their  extensive  opera- 
tions. They  employ  three  traveling  salesmen  be- 
sides five  men  at  the  store.  Mr.  Oberkoetter  be- 
gan life  at  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  and  has  climbed 
up  to  his  present  position  solely  by  his  own  indus- 
try and  energy.  He  started  in  business  with  £900, 
$600  of  which  he  made  after  coming  to  the  United 
States,  and  during  the  financial  crash  of  1857  he 
lost  about  half  of  this.  He  was  not  of  the  spirit  to 
be  dismayed,  however,  but  applied  himself  closely 
to  business  and  in  due  time  recovered  his  losses. 
Besides  his  interest  in  the  building  occupied  by  the 
firm  he  has  another  on  South  Main  street,  equal  to 
this  in  dimensions,  and  a  good  residence  in  the 
same  locality.  Although  now  beyond  his  prime  he 
still  possesses  the  energy  and  resolution  of  his  ear- 
lier years,  and  is  a  fine  illustration  of  the  well-pre- 
served man,  both  physically  and  mentally,  who  has 
been  temperate  in  his  habits  and  pursued  that  hon- 
est and  upright  life  which  enables  him  to  look  the 
whole  world  in  the  face. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  at  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  in  February,  1857,  the  lady  of  his 


RESIDENCE    OF    G.    T.    MU  RPHY  ,  SEC  .  18  .  MT  HOPE  TP. 


RESIDENCE  OF    F.  W.   LOWENTROUT,  603  MARKET     ST  .,  BLOOMINGTON  ,  ILL  . 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1 1 37 


choice  being  Miss  Mary  Schroeder,  of  that  city,  but 
who  was  a  native  of  his  own  country.  Of  this  un- 
ion there  were  born  nine  children,  seven  of  whom 
still  survive,  four  boys  and  three  girls:  Frank,  Jr., 
is  a  partner  in  the  business  of  his  father;  Henry  is 
a  traveling  salesman;  Harmon  a  shipping  clerk,  and 
William  the  bill  clerk  of  the  firm ;  Anna,  Rose  and 
May  are  at  home.  The  parents  and  children  are 
members  and  regular  attendants  of  the  German 
Catholic  Church  of  Bloomington.1 


PW.  LOWENTROUT,  one  of  Bloomiugtou's 
highly  respected  citizens,  now  retired  from 
active  business,  occupies  a  pleasant  and 
commodious  residence  at  No.  603  West  Market 
street.  He  is  a  native  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Ger- 
many, and  was  born  April  15,  1830,  and  is  the  son 
of  Peter  and  Anna  M.  (Maus)  Lowentrout,  natives 
of  the  same  Province.  Peter  Lowentrout  entered 
the  German  army  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and 
was  in  the  military  service  for  the  following  twelve 
years  and  eleven  months,  all  this  time  being  actively 
engaged.  He  captured  a  Richmond  flag  of  the 
English  troops  in  Spain,  being  at  that  time  Fort 
Master,  and  having  a  horse  and  sword.  He  at  one 
time  captured  five  men  with  their  flag,  and  the  fol- 
lowing day  was  presented  a  Captain's  commission, 
which  was  signed  by  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  After- 
ward, in  battle  with  the  Spaniards,  he  was  taken 
prisoner  and  held  by  the  enemy  for  two  years. 
After  being  released  he  was  transferred  to  the  1st 
Regiment  of  Infantry.  He  remained  in  the  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  then  given  the 
position  of  Harbor  Master  at  Germersheim,  which 
he  held  until  his  death,  in  1847.  The  parental 
family  consisted  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom 
are  now  living:  Barbara,  Mrs.  Lieandecker,  is  a 
resident  of  New  York  City;  our  subject  is  the 
next  in  order ;  Peter  lives  in  Newark,  N.  J. ;  Lizzie, 
Mrs.  Bort,  Charles,  and  Anna,  Mrs.  Salch,  are  in 
Bloomiugton.  The  mother  came  to  Bloomington' 
with  her  son  Charles,  and  remained  an  inmate  of 
his  home  until  her  death,  in  1863. 

F.  W.  Lowentrout   received   a   common-school 
education  and  during  his  earlier  years  worked  upon 


a  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1846  he  commenced  to  deal 
in  grain  on  commission,  and  the  following  year  es- 
tablished a  business  on  his  own  account.  The  first 
year  he  was  successful  and  made  considerable 
money.  In  18411,  while  with  a  party  of  friends, 
he  made  some  remarks  derogatory  to  the  Duke 
of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  and  upon  this  account  was 
soon  afterward  obliged  to  leave  the  country.  He 
came  to  America  in  1851,  landing  in  New  York  on 
Christmas  Day.  He  was  there  variously  occupied 
for  two  years,  and  then  learned  the  trade  of 
japanning,  which  he  followed  until  1854.  He  after- 
ward, in  company  with  his  brother,  engaged  in 
that  business  and  they  operated  until  December, 
1 859,  when  their  shop  and  machinery  were  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  involving  a  loss  of  $150,000,  and 
throwing  their  200  men  out  of  employment.  He 
was  then  penniless  and  obliged  to  employ  himself 
at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do.  He  engaged  with 
T.  P.  Howell  in  the  patent-leather  business,  and  re- 
mained with  him  until  1861,  and  then  with  his 
family  came  to  Bloomington. 

For  eight  years  after  his  arrival  in  this  county, 
Mr.  Loweutrout  was  in  the  employ  of  the  C.  &  A. 
R.  R.  Co.,  during  which  time  he  was  enabled  to 
considerably  repair  his  shattered  fortunes.  He  then 
purchased  ground  on  the  corner  of  Market  and  Oak 
streets,  and  started  a  saloon  in  the  basement  of  a 
building.  He  operated  this  until  1872,  and  then, 
by  reason  of  a  broken  limb,  lay  on  his  back  for 
ten  months,  and  in  the  meantime  lost  money.  After 
being  sufficiently  recovered  for  business  he  began 
the  purchase  and  sale  of  city  property,  and  was 
soon  once  more  upon  his  feet.  He  now  owns  the 
front  half  of  the  block  at  the  corner  of  Oak  and 
Market  streets,  besides  five  dwellings  and  several 
other  buildings.  In  addition  to  this  he  has  a  farm 
of  176  acres  in  Old  Town  Township,  which  is  all  , 
improved  and  under  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  He 
was  one  of  the  projectors  and  a  charter  member 
of  the  Third  National  Bank,  and  in  all  respects  is 
a  solid  and  prominent  member  of  the  business  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Lowentrout  was  married  in  1852,  to  Miss 
Lessate  Hoffman,  a  native  of  his  own  country,  and 
the  daughter  of  Freidrich  Hoffman.  Of  this  union 
there  were  born  seven  children,  six  now  living: 


t 

I 


t      1138 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Margaret,  Lewis,  .lohn,  a  twin  brother  of  Lewis, 
who  died  Due.  16,  1 885,  at  the  age  of  twenty -seven 
years;  Li/.zie,  Mrs.  Diedrich;  Otto,  Clara  and 
Oscar.  The  residence  of  our  subject  and  his  family, 
a  handsome  and  commodious  structure,  and  a  view 
of  which  is  given  in  this  volume,  was  built  in  1 880, 
at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  Here  they  enjoy  all  the  com- 
forts and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  Politically 
our  subject,  on  local  matters,  is  independent,  vot- 
ing for  those  he  considers  the  best  men,  but  in 
National  affairs  he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket. 


GE  W.  STUBBLEFIELD,  importer  and 

breeder  of  Percheron  and  Norman  horses, 
with  his  father,  John  .Stubblefield,  has  been 
engaged  for  thirteen  years  in  the  importation  of 
French  horses,  of  which  they  have  brought  300 
head  of  valuable  animals  across  the  ocean  and  to 
this  State.  With  the  exception  of  the  summer  of 
1882,  during  which  they  suffered  terrible  losses  by 
fires  and  otherwise,  they  have  been  remarkably  suc- 
cessful, and  it  is  universally  conceded  that  to  their 
enterprise  and  excellent  judgment  in  selecting 
draft  stock,  there  is  due  not  a  little  credit  for  the 
high  standard  to  which  the  stock  of  Central  Illinois 
has  been  raised.  Mr.  Stubblefield  is  President  of 
the  Security  Live  Stock  Insurance  Company  of 
Bloomingtou,  the  office  being  located  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Madison  and  Grove  streets,  and  is  connected 
with  every  measure  of  importance  which  is  set  on 
foot  and  has  for  its  object  the  advancement  of  this 
branch  of  industry  in  the  State. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  this 
State,  having  been  born  in  this  county  in  1849. 
His  father,  John  Stubblefield,  was  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  in  Marion  County  in  1820,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois with  his  father,  Robert  S.,  when  a  child  of  four 
years  old.  The  family  settled  in  Funk's  Grove  at 
an  early  period  in  the  history  of  this  county,  and 
purchased  a  large  tract  of  laud.  There  Robert 
Stubblefield  remained  until  his  death,  in  1876.  Of 
his  family  of  thirteen  children,  twelve  are  still  liv- 
ing, John  being  the  fourth  of  the  family.  He  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits,  received  a  common- 
school  education  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 


years,  settled  upon  a  claim  of  160  m-ivs  one  mile 
north  of  Funk's  Grove,  eighty  acres  of  which  he 
improved  and  upon  which  he  built  a  frame  house 
and  set  out  an  orchard.  To  this  tract  he  subse- 
quently added  and  is  BOW  the  possessor  of  2,000  acres 
in  this  county.  He  married  Miss  Kllisannah  Howser, 
daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth  Howser,  natives 
of  Fayctteville,  Ohio.  Of  this  marriage  there  were 
born  nine  children,  eight  now  living,  as  [follows: 
Sarah  E.,  Mrs.  Rayburn,  lives  in  Shirley,  this  county ; 
David  R.,  in  Covell;  George  W.  of  our  sketch; 
Phineas  M.,  also  living  in  this  county;  Mary  F., 
Mrs.  Crumb  of  Virginia,  Cass  County;  Henry  15., 
of  Shirley ;  Simon  P.,  of  McLean,  and  John  W.,  at 
home. 

The  subject  of  this  history  spent  his  earlier  years 
upon  his  father's  farm,  and  after  pursuing  his  pri- 
mary studies  in  the  common  schools,  entered 
Wesleyan  College,  where  he  completed  his  studies 
in  1872.  He  had  already  indicated  unusual  busi- 
ness talent  and  commenced  purchasing  and  feeding 
stock.  Two  years  later  he  made  his  first  importa- 
tion, which  included  Percheron,  English  draft  and 
French  coach  horses.  He  was  joined  in  this  busi- 
ness by  his  father,  John  Stubblefield,  in  187o,  and 
has  been  successful  from  the  start.  In  pursuance 
of  this  he  has  crossed  the  ocean  fifteen  times,  bring- 
ing over  at  one  time  thirty-seven  fine  blooded  ani- 
mals. They  operated  with  remarkable  success  and 
profit  until  the  night  of  Sept.  1,  1882,  when  the  barn 
and  twelve  noble  steeds,  valued  at  $18,000,  were 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  same  summer  they  had 
lost  six  horses  valued  at  $8,000.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  that  summer  they  have  lost  only  three  horses 
in  all  the  time  they  have  been  importing.  In  1886, 
their  importations  consisted  of  twenty  head,  which 
is  about  the  average  of  the  number  they  annually 
import  and  keep  on  hand  in  their  stables.  Mr. 
Stubblefield  spent  one  summer  in  Oregon  and 
California  in  connection  with  his  business  and  their 
horses  are  now  sent  all  through  the  Western 
States. 

Mr.  Stubblefield,  besides  his  large  investment  in 
the  business  which  occupies  the  most  of  his  time  and 
attention,  is  the  possessor  of  620  acres  of  valuable 
land  in  Missouri,  and  has  an  interest  in  the  jewelry 
firm  of  Walker  &  Stubblefield  of  Bloomington.  He 


r 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1139 


ranks  among  the  leading  biisinos  men  of  McLean 
County  and  in  all  respects  is  a  fair  representative 
of  the  family  which  is  so  widely  and  favorably 
known  thoughont  the  State.  Politically  our  sub- 
ject affiliates  with  the  Republican  party,  and  socially 
belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  Modern  Woodman 
of  America  and  the  Improved  Order  of  lied  Men. 


J~~l  AMES  B.  RUTLEDGE,  dealer  in  groceries 
I  on  Main  and  Colman  streets,  Heyworth,  is 
|  the  son  of  Thomas  O.  and  Cynthia  A.  Rut- 
'  ledge,  a  sketch  of  whom  is  also  given  in  this 
work,  and  was  born  on  his  father's  old  homestead 
in  Randolph  Township,  Aug.  5, 1845.  He  remained 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old, 
pursuing  his  studies  in  the  common  schools  and  at 
the  Normal  University.  He  was  married  in  Wood- 
ford  County,  Dec.  30,  1868,  to  Miss  Willie  Sma- 
ding,  daughter  of  Frederick  and  Christina  Smarting, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  descended  from  pure 
German  ancestry.  Her  parents  were  reared  and  mar- 
ried in  their  native  land  and  there  six  children  were 
born  to  them,  Mrs.  Rutlertge  of  this  notice  be- 
ing one  of  twins.  She  was  eighteen  months  old 
when  her  parents  with  their  family  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  and  settled  near  Eureka,  Wood- 
ford  County,  where  the  father  successfully  engaged 
in  farming  and  where  he  now  lives  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-three  years.  The  mother  died  there 
in  September,  1873.  There  also  Mrs.  R.  grew  to 
womanhood  and  was  educated. 

After  his  marriage  in  18C8  Mr.  Rutledge  began 
to  cultivate  and  improve  a  farm,  which  he  had 
previously  purchased  on  section  36,  then  compris- 
ing ninety-five  acres.  He  has  since  added  to  the 
tract  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  170  acres  of 
valuable  land,  which  is  supplied  with  good  frame 
buildings.  Mr.  Rutledge  was  extensively  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock-raising  there  until  he  embarked 
in  the  grocery  business  in  1874.  He  first  started 
in  company  with  William  W.  Elder,  and  has 
since  successfully  represented  this  department  of 
trade  at  Heyworth.  They  began  business  on  the 
first  Monday  in  January,  1874,  under  the  firm  name 


of  Elder  &.  Rutledge.  The  partnership  existed  until 
1*7*.  when  they  dissolved,  and  the  stock  became 
the  property  of  Mr.  Robb.  It  was  subsequently 
purchased  by  Mr.  Rutledge  and  Mr.  Battershell, 
who  operated  together  until  1881  and  then,  owing 
to  the  death  of  Mr.  B.,  Mr.  Rutledge  became  sole 
proprietor,  and  has  conducted  the  business  alone 
since  that  time.  Besides  his  finely  improved  farm, 
which  is  worked  by  a  tenant,  he  is  also  the  owner 
of  some  valuable  town  property. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rutledge  have  one  child,  Lyrnan 
T.,  who  was  born  April  5,  1872.  He  has  an  excel- 
lent education  obtained  by  a  thorough  course  of 
study  in  the  schools  of  Heyworth.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
R.  are  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
In  politics  the  former  subscribes  himself  as  a 
"  thoroughbred  Democrat." 


ARCELLUS  SYPULT,  an  enterprising 
young  farmer  of  West  Township,  is  a  na- 
tive of  West  Virginia,  born  in  Monongalia 
County,  March  3,  1855.  His  father,  Jesse 
Sypult,  a  native  of  the  same  State  and  of  French 
ancestry,  "was  taken  by  his  parents  when  a  young 
child  to  Virginia,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood, 
and  married  Miss  Amelia  A.  Rogers,  a  native  of  the 
Old  Dominion.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in 
Mouougalia  County,  and  lived  there  until  the  fall 
of  1863.  The  mother  had  died  July  28,  1859.  In 
the  year  first  mentioned,  Jesse  Sypult  removed  to 
Illinois,  first'  locating  in  Woodford  County,  and 
thence,  in  1866,  came  to  this  county  and  purchased 
land  on  section  23,  West  Township.  The  journey 
from  Woodford  County  was  made  overland  with 
three  wagons.  At  Bloomington  he  unloaded  some 
of  his  goods,  which  he  exchanged  for  lumber,  and 
after  arriving  in  West  Township,  put  up  a  tempor- 
ary shanty  in  which  the  family  lived  until  a  more 
substantial  dwelling  could  be  erected.  They  oc- 
cupied this  place  until  1876,  when  the  father  sold 
out  and  purchased  160  acres  of  land  in  Ford  Coun- 
ty. After  four  years  he  sold  that  farm  likewise  and 
removed  to  Buena  Vista  County,  Iowa,  where  he 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  which  he  cultivated  and 
improved  until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  March, 


t. 


1110 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1883.  He  had  thus  opened  up  four  different  farms 
in  three  States.  The  one  in  Virginia  he  cleared 
from  the  wilderness  and  erected  a  log  house  where 
the  young  people  first  set  up  housekeeping. 

Mr.  Sypult  was  Republican  in  politics  and  a 
stanch  Union  man  during  the  war.  Although  not 
going  into  active  service  in  the  field  he  did  what  he 
could  by  his  voice  and  influence  at  home,  and  was 
Captain  of  a  company  of  minute  men  in  Virginia. 
He  was  strictly  temperate  in  his  habits,  and  although 
suffering  for  a  long  period  from  ill-health,  was  never 
heard  to  complain,  but  bore  his  affliction  with  man- 
ly fortitude.  Religiously,  he  was  connected  for 
many  years  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  parental  family  included  six  children  by  the 
first  marriage  and  three  by  the  second,  our  subject 
being  the  fifth  child  of  the  first. 

Mr.  Sypult  was  but  eight  years  old  when  he  came 
to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  and  three  years  later  lo- 
cated in  West  Township,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
resident  since  that  time.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm 
until  eighteen  years  old,  then  bought  his  time  and 
rented  land  of  his  father  two  years.  He  then  pur- 
chased eight}'  acres  of  the  old  homestead,  which  he 
has  occupied  since  that  time.  He  was  married,  Dec. 
2  t,  1874,  to  Miss  Anna  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
Clark  Comity^  Ind.,  Jan.  4,  1857.  Mrs.  S.  is  the 
daughter  of  Jacob  Johnson,  of  Ohio,  who  removed 
after  his  marriage  to  Indiana  and  from  there  to  this 
State  in  about  1860.  Nine  years  later  he  returned 
to  Indiana,  and  in  1871  came  back  to  Illinois,  set- 
tling in  Brown  County,  where  he  remained  until  his 
removal  to  Fairbury,  Livingston  Count}',  where  he 
still  lives.  He  was  married  in  early  life  to  Miss 
Mary  A.  Neal,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  James  Neal,  a  minister  in  the 
Christian  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sypult  have  three 
children  living — William  Rolla,  Clyde  Delbert  and 
Earnest  Edward.  Arthur  B.,  twin  brother  of  Ear- 
nest, died  when  seven  months  old.  Our  subject  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  straight  Republican. 

When  the  parents  of  our  subject  first  removed  to 
Illinois,  they  found    themselves  in  a  wild  country 
where  but  few  settlers    had  made  a   claim.       Deer 
roamed  at  will  over  the  prairie  and  other  wild  game 
'  was  plenty.      The  father   of  our  subject  possessed 


remarkable  energy  and  resolution,  and  contributed 
his  full  share  toward  the  development  and  progress 
of  the  different  localities  where  he  at  times  made 
his  home.  The  son  possesses  in  a  marked  degree 
those  elements  of  character  which  have  made  all 
the  family  of  that-  name  good  citizens  and  worthy 
members  of  the  community.  He  is  yet  a  young 
man,  but  bids  fair  to  take  a  prominent  position  in 
the  business  and  agricultural  community,  because 
he  is  industrious,  enterprising,  and  willing  to  do  his 
share  in  the  busy  world. 


EN.  JOHN  McNULTY,  senior  member  of 
the  law  firm  of  McNulty  &  Weldon  of 
Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  New  York  City 
and  was  born  Nov.  9,  1837.  He  remained  under 
the  home  roof  until  reaching  manhood,  in  the  mean- 
time receiving  his  education  at  a  private 
school  in  his  native  city.  In  1857  he  drifted 
West  to  Bloom  ington,  and  subsequently  com- 
menced reading  law  with  the  firm  of  Sweet  &  Orme, 
prominent  attorneys  of  the  city.  About  the  time 
he  had  completed  his  studies  the  breaking  out  of  the 
late  Civil  War  materially  altered  his  plans  for  the 
future. 

In  April,  1861,  Gen.  McNulty  enlisted  in  a  New 
York  cavalry  company,  of  which  he  was  made 
Captain,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  July, 
1862,  under  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  at  that  time 
Colonel  of  a  regiment.  After  serving  with  distinc- 
tion he  was  promoted,  Aug.  20,  1862,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  94th  Infantry,  and  became  Brigadier 
General  in  1865.  He  suffered  with  his  command 
bravely  and  faithfully  the  vicissitudes  of  war  and 
at  its  close  was  mustered  out,  in  the  fall  of  1865. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army  Gen.  Mc- 
Nulty returned  to  Bloomiugton.  He  became 
prominent  in  the  political  affairs  of  this  county,  and 
in  1872  was  elected  State  Senator.  He  served  four 
years,  which  included  five  sessions  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, and,  still  advancing  on  the  road  to  honor,  was 
made  a  member  of  the  Forty-third  Congress. 

General  McNulty  served  as  Master  in  Chancery 
in  this  county  for  a  period  of  six  years,  which  posi- 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1141    t 


tion  he  resigned  in  the  summer  of  1885,  having 
been  appointed  Receiver  of  the  Toledo  &  Cleveland 
Railroad.  He  is  now  President  of  the  National 
Mutual  Accident  Association  of  Bloomington,  serv- 
ing also  as  attorney  for  the  same.  He  at  present 
spends  a  goodly  portion  of  his  time  in  Chicago,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  Receiver  of  the  Wabash  Rail- 
road Company,  and  having  headquarters  in  that 
city.  In  the  various  positions  of  trust  and  re- 
sponsibility to  which  he  has  been  called  he  has  dis- 
tinguished himself  as  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  with  a  clear  head  for  business  and  a  keen 
sense  of  honor  and  principle.  He  has  been  con- 
nected with  many  important  enterprises  and  always 
lends  his  influence  and  more  substantial  aid  to  what- 
ever project  is  calculated  to  advance  the  progress 
and  prosperity  of  one  of  the  most  wealthy  counties 
of  the  Prairie  State. 

General  McNulty  was  married,  July  15,  18G2, 
to  Miss  Laura,  daughter  of  Robert  Felton,  Esq.,  of 
Litchfield,  Conn.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
three  children  —  Herbert,  Robert  and  Donald. 


eHARLES  S.  JONES,  of  the  firm  of  C.  Wake- 
field  &  Co.,  of  Bloomington,  is  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  the  Wakefield  Family 
Medicines,  which  have  gained  so  wide  a  celebrity  in 
the  United  States.  Our  subject  ranks  among  the  pio- 
neer settlers  of  the  State,  having  come  here  when  a 
boy  ten  years  of  age  from  Madison  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  born  May  30,  1833.  He  is  the  son 
of  James  and  Julia  (Dunham)  Jones,  natives  of  the 
same  county  and  State  as  above  mentioned.  James 
Jones,  in  early  life,  was  a  manufacturer  of  boots 
and  shoes  in  Madison  County,  and  removed  thence 
to  Illinois  and  settled  on  a  farm  four  miles  west  of 
Bloomington,  in  1843.  Subsequently  he  located  in 
Twin  G  rove,  and  died  the  following  year  ;  the  mother 
had  died  in  1841,  before  the  removal  West,  in 
Madison,  N.  Y.  Both  parents  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  James  Jones  in  early  man- 
hood served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  The 
parental  household  included  four  children  :  Will- 
iam B.  resides  at  Excelsior,  Minn.,  where  he  lo- 
cated in  1854,  and  is  engaged  in  general  merchan- 


dising; Warren  L.  is  a  druggist  of  Atlanta,  111. ; 
Charles  S.,  our  subject,  and  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Page, 
of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

The  subject  of  this  biography,  after  the  death  of 
his  father,  went  to  live  with  an  uncle,  Oliver  Pease, 
at  Twin  Grove,  and  worked  on  the  farm  witli  him 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  Then,  preferring 
to  go  elsewhere,  he  started  out  to  seek  his  fortune. 
The  first  day  he  walked  twenty-five  miles  across 
the  prairie,  and  the  second  day,  after  proceeding 
ten  miles,  he  secured  work  on  a  farm  at  $10  a 
month,  which  was  the  first  money  he  ever  received 
as  wages.  He  was  subsequently  employed  in  the 
harvest  field  at  $1  per  day  and  the  following  win- 
ter he  stopped  witli  Jacob  Brining,  in  Logan  Coun- 
ty, and  worked  for  his  board.  He  passed  the  fol- 
lowing summer  at  the  same  place  and  the  next 
spring  commenced  breaking  prairie  with  five  yoke 
of  oxen  and  was  thus  employed  until  he  had  turned 
over  the  sod  on  125  acres.  In  the  fall  of  1851  he 
returned  to  Twin  Grove,  where  he  attended  school 
and  worked  nights  and  mornings  for  his  board,  and 
was  similarly  employed  until  1853,  when,  in  the 
spring  of  that  year,  he  came  to  Bloomington  and 
engaged  to  learn  the  drug  business  with  James  E. 
Parke.  Six  months  afterward  Mr.  Parke  died,  and 
the  store  being  sold  young  Jones  accepted  a  clerk- 
ship in  the  post-office  where  he  was  occupied  for 
six  months  and  then  became  mail  agent  between 
Bloomington  and  Chicago. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  Mr.  Jones  resumed  his  ex- 
perience In  the  drug  business  under  the  instruction 
of  Drs.  Wakefield  and  Thompson,  and  on  the  1st 
of  January,  1857,  purchased  the  interest  of  the  for- 
mer and  the  firm  became  R.  Thompson  &  Co. 
This  relation  continued  until  September,  18C4, 
when  Mr.  Jones  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Dr.  J.  M. 
Major,  and  going  to  Chicago  became  traveling  sales- 
man for  the  firm  of  Fuller,  Finch  &  Fuller,  being 
promoted  to  head  salesman,  and  continued  in  that 
position  until  March,  1871.  Mr.  Jones  then,  in 
company  with  a  partner,  engaged  as  a  wholesale 
dealer  in  druggists'  sundries,  operating  under  the 
style  of  Jones  &  Torrey.  This  firm  continued  its 
transactions  until  the  Chicago  fire,  in  October  of 
that  year,  when  their  entire  stock  was  destroyed, 
and  from  an  insurance  of  $57,000  they  only  re- 


f 


t 


114-2 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


:ili/.«-d  *1 1,000.  Mr.  Jones  then  left  Chicago,  and 
returning  to  Bloom ington  became  associated  with 
his  old  employer,  C.  Wakefield,  and  under  the  linn 
mime  of  C.  Wakefleld  &  Co.,  has  continued  the 
manufacture  of  the  medicines.  The  firm  gives  em- 
ployment to  forty  hands  and  keeps  four  men  on 
the  road. 

Charles  S.  Jones  and  Miss  Martha  Richardson 
were  united  in  marriage  on  the  6th  of  November, 
1  s.Mi,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Water- 
town,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Jones  was  born  on  the  3d 
of  March,  1835,  in  Watertown,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Josiah  and  Cynthia  (Tolman)  Richardson,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Sterling,  Mass.,  and  Nelson, 
N.  II.  The  marriage  of  Mrs.  Jones'  parents  oc- 
curred at  Watertown,  and  they  trace  their  ances- 
tors to  stanch  old  families  of  Scotch  and  English 
origin.  Josiah  Richardson  removed  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  in  1803,  when  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years,  he  having  been  born  in 
17*4.  His  wife  was  his  junior  by  one  year.  After 
removing  to  New  York  State  he  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1854.  Mrs.  Richardson  survived  her  husband 
until  1870,  when  she  too  passed  to  the  land  of  the 
hereafter.  Of  their  ten  children  seven  are  now 
living;  Charles,  and  Juliet,  now  Mrs.  Dodge,  are 
residents  of  Watertown,  N.  Y. ;  Harriet  is  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Wakefleld,  the  partner  of  our  subject;  Cyn- 
thia, now  Mrs.  Robert  Thompson;  Josiah,  Mary, 
Mrs.  Orrin  Waters,  and  Martha,  Mrs.  Jones,  all 
live  in  Bloomington.  Mr.  Jones  is  Republican  in 
politics  and  socially  is  identified  with  the  A.  O.  U. 
W.  His  pleasant  and  comfortable  home  is  located 
at  No.  514  East  Douglas  street,  where,  in  1872,  he 
erected  a  fine  residence  at  a  cost  of  $7,000. 


JAMES  IIKAGLKU.     On  section  29,  Martin 
Township,  is  located  one  of  the  finest  home- 
steads in  this  section  of  country.     It  is  the 
home  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  he 
has  occupied  it  since  1857.     He  has  made   great 
improvements  since  taking  possession  of  it  and  has 
built  up  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  an 


honest  man  and  M  good  citizen,  .lames  Heagler  is 
a  native  of  the  wealthy  and  populous  State  of 
Ohio,  born  in  the  town  of  Washington  Court  House, 
Fayette  County,  on  the  29th  of  February,  1827. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  George  Heagler, 
a  native  of  Virginia,  removed  to  Ohio  in  the  pio- 
neer days,  becoming  a  resident  of  Fayette  Count)' 
in  1814.  His  death  occurred  while  on  a  visit  to 
Lancaster,  that  State.  His  son,  Zebedee  W.,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  married  Miss  Rosanua  Grove, 
who  was  of  Holland  descent  but  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  reared  principally  in  Hagerstown,  Md. 
After  their  marriage  the  young  people  located  at 
Washington  Court  House,  Fayette  Co.,  Ohio,  where 
the  mother  died  in  1863.  The  father  is  still  living, 
having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  He  served  as  County  Treasurer  in  Fayette 
County,  first  by  appointment  and  then  by  election 
under  a  Whig  administration,  beginning  in  1837 
and  serving  continuously  for  a  period  of  fourteen 
years.  Subsequently  he  was  elected  Recorder,  and 
has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  long  period, 
and  Mayor  of  Washington  when  it  was  first  incor- 
porated as  a  city.  Their  family  consisted  of  two 
sons  and  one  daughter — James,  Ellis  H.  and  Elvira 
Rose.  The  latter  became  the  wife  of  Mortimer 
Collier. 

James  Heagler  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents' 
children,  and  passed  his  childhood  and  youth  in  his 
native  town,  receiving  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until 
his  twenty-third  year,  when  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Samantha  J.,  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza 
Pope  (Dawson)  Henton.  After  their  marriage  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  H.  settled  in  Washington  Court  House, 
where  they  remained  five  years,  whence  they  re- 
moved in  1855  to  this  county,  and  took  up  their 
abode  in  Padua  Township.  From  there  they  re- 
moved in  the  spring  of  1857  to  their  present,  farm 
in  Martin  Township.  It  was  then  but  an  unculti- 
vated prairie,  but  James  Heagler  was  possessed  of 
a  good  stock  of  courage  and  resolution,  and  began 
his  farming  operations  with  the  intention  to  succeed. 
In  this  he  has  realized  his  expectations  and  has  now 
120  acres  of  valuable  land  under  a  fine  state  of  culti- 
vation. Upon  it  he  has  erected  a  comfortable  and 
substantial  residence,  a  good  barn  and  all  other 


M 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


r 

1143    < ' 


buildings  required  by  the  intelligent  and  progres- 
sive farmer.  He  lias  been  a  man  of  note  in  his 
township  since  coining  here,  and  has  distinguished 
himself  as  a  Jeffersonian  Democrat  of  the  old 
school. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heagler,  of  this  notice,  have  be- 
came the  parents  of  seven  children,  five  sons  and 
two  daughters,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows : 
Alphonso  died  when  eighteen  years  of  age;  Frank 
II.  and  Charles  A.  are  residents  of  Martin  Town- 
ship; Eliza  R.  became  the  wife  of  William  McClure, 
and  is  living  in  Nebraska;  Alice  L.,  Jane  C.,  Rob- 
ert Lee  and  Harry  are  at  home,  the  latter  attending 
school.  Our  subject  is  not  a  member  of  any 
church,  but  lives  a  pure  life  and  enjoys  the  friend- 
ship and  society  of  the  best  people  of  Martin 
Township. 

-*- 


t 


R.  T.  F.  WORRELL,  one  of  the  skillful 
and  experienced  physicians  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  holding  a  high  position  both  so- 
cially and  professionally,  is  a  native  of 
North  Carolina  and  son  of  Rev.  Thomas  and  Susan 
(Ellis)  Worrell,  natives  of  Granville  County,  N. 
C.  The  father  of  our  subject  received  a  fine  edu- 
cation at  the  Academy  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  in 
about  1810  entered  the  Methodist  ministry,  while 
at  the  same  time  being  engaged  as  Principal  of  an 
academy  for  a  number  of  years.  The  parents  were 
married  in  1807,  and  had  a  family  of  ten  children, 
seven  of  whom  lived  to  mature  years,  four  being 
now  deceased.  Dr.  T.  F.  of  our  sketch  was  born 
in  1821;  Rev.  Wesley  W.,  in  1822,  and  is  now  a 
resident  of  Mayfield,  Ky. ;  Susan  J.,  born  in  1823, 
married  Thomas  Hutchinson  of  Bloomington.  Rev. 
Thomas  Worrell  departed  this  life  in  1 838 ;  the 
mother  had  preceded  him  to  the  better  land  in 
1825. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  pursued  his  pri- 
mary studies  in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  entered  Stewart  College  at  Clarks- 
ville,  Tenn.,  and  pursued  a  course  of  instruction 
there  for  six  months,  and  afterward  attended  a 
private  classical  aqademy  in  Christian  County,  Ky. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  charge  of  a  classic 


school  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  im- 
proved the  oportunity  to  read  medicine,  and  after- 
ward entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Louisville,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
the  spring  of  1 845.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  medicine  in  Trigg  County,  Ky.,  whence,  in  the 
fall  of  1850,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  where  he  fol- 
lowed his  practice  continually  until  the  present,  but 
is  now  gradually  withdrawing  from  its  more  active 
duties. 

Dr.  Worrell  has  built  up  for  himself  an  enviable 
reputation  for  skill  and  fidelity  to  the  interests  of 
his  patients,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  pro- 
fession as  well  as  the  citizens  of  this  locality. '  He 
belongs  to  the  Illinois  Medical  Society,  of  which  he 
has  been  President,  and  is  connected  with  the 
National,  and  the  McLean  County  Medical  Societies, 
of  which  latter  he  was  President  two  years.  He  ic, 
also  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Central  District  So- 
ciety, and  for  several  years  has  been  Medical 
Director  of  the  Bloomington  Mutual  Life  Associa- 
tion. He  is  connected  with  the  Board  of  Pension 
Examiners  of  this  district,  and  has  been  identified 
with  all  measures  tending  to  the  elevation  of  the 
profession  in  McLean  County.  He  has  also  been 
largely  connected  with  other  interests  in  this  portion 
of  the  State,  having  been  one  of  the  original  stock- 
holders of  the  McLean  County  Coal  Company,  its 
President  for  twelve  years  and  since  its  organiza- 
tion one  of  its  Directors.  In  1854,  he  was  elected 
Alderman  and  politically  is  a  stanch  supporter  of 
the  Democratic  party.  Socially  he  belongs  to 
Bloomington  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  being  one  of 
the  oldest  members  now  living. 

Dr.  Worrell  was  married  on  the  8th.  of  Sep- 
tember, 1841,  to  Miss  Catharine  A.  Ewing,  a  native 
of  Christian  County,  Ky.,  and  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
and  Sophia  (Wallace)  Ewing,  of  Iredell  County,  N. 

C.  They  have  no  children  of  their  own  but  several 
years  ago  adopted  two,  one  of  whom,  William  W. 
Stephenson,  is  a  brother  of  the  First  Assistant  Post- 
master General,  A  E.  Stephenson,  of  Washington, 

D.  C.,  and  is  Assistant  Superintendent  and  a  stock- 
holder of  the  Bloomington  Coal  Mines.  He  became 
an  inmate  of  the  family  of  our  subject  at  the  age  of 
ten  years  and  was   given  the-  advantages   of  a  fail- 
education.     After  arriving  at  years  of  manhood  lie 


t. 


1144 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


married  Miss  Catharine  Williams,  a  native  of 
Christian  County,  Ky.,  and  the  daughter  of  M.  D. 
Williams.  They  have  become  the  parents  of  five 
children — Charles,  James,  William.  Henry  and  Ida. 
The  second  child  of  adoption  was  Ida  Harwood 
who,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  months,  was  taken  into 
the  household  and  received  parental  care  and  train- 
ing. 

Dr.  Worrell  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  prop- 
erty, his  present  home  being  located  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Albert  and  Olive  streets.  He  built  the 
house  in  1851,  hauling  the  lumber  from  Pekin,  111., 
forty-five  miles,  over  the  prairie.  It  is  the  abode 
of  comfort  and  cultivated  tastes  and  forms  one  of 
the  landmarks  in  the  development  of  the  city. 

The  business  office  of  Dr.  Worrell  is  in  the  Royce 
Block,  at  the  intersection  of  Main  and  Front  streets. 
lie  is  now  in  his  sixty-seventh  year,  and  still  re- 
tains his  physicial  and  mental  powers  unimpaired, 
except  a  recent  affliction  which  will  soon  terminate. 
The  Doctor  is  a  friend  of  every  human  being  of  his 
acquaintance  and  is  not  aware  of  a  living  enemy. 


E  W.  PARKE,  a  retired  merchant  of 
Bloomington,  owns  and  occupies  a  hand- 
some  residence  at  the  corner  of  North  and 
Lee  streets,  where  he  is  enjoying  his  later  days  in 
ease  and  comfort,  surrounded  by  the  friends  whom 
his  life  of  virtue  and  rectitude  long  ago  attached 
to  him.  Mr.  Parke  has  been  a  native  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1837.  He  was  born  near  Parkesburg, 
Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  on  the  29th  of  April,  1815,  his 
parents  being  George  W.,  Sr.,  and  Mary  (Fleming) 
Parke,  natives  of  the  same  county  and  State  as 
their  son. 

Our  subject's  paternal  grandfather  was  Joseph 
Parke  and  his  grandfather  on  his  mother's  side 
was  John  Fleming,  also  of  Chester  County,  Pa. 
Both  families  descended  from  the  Scotch-Irish,  and 
were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  town  where  our  subject  was  born  taking  its 
name  from  the  first  representatives  of  the  Parke 
family  in  that  State.  This  town  was  then  the 
terminus  of  the  Pennsylvania  State  Railroad,  which 
afterward  extended  to  Harrisburg.  This  road  ran 


out  from  Philadelphia  to  Petrolia,  twenty  miles 
distant,  the  ears  to  this  point  being  propelled  by 
horse  power  and  afterward  supplied  with  steam. 

The  Parke  family  were  mostly  agriculturists  and 
all  well-to-do.  They  raised  large  families  and 
trained  their  children  to  habits  of  industry,  and  to 
principles  of  honor  and  strict  integrity.  The  par- 
ental household  of  our  subject  included  seven 
children,  three  only  now  living.  The  families  on 
both  sides  were  Presbyterians,  and  almost  without 
exception  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Pennsylvania. 

George  W.  Parke  spent  his  childhood  and  youth 
upon  the  farm  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  en- 
gaged as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Coatesville.  He  then 
attended  Moscow  Academy  for  two  years.  In  1836 
he  left  his  native  town  and  went  to  Pittsburgh  and 
soon  afterward  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  became  em- 
ployed as  freight  clerk  on  a  steamer  bound  for 
New  Orleans.  After  one  winter  thus  occupied  he 
returned  to  the  old  homestead,  where  he  remained 
until  the  following  year  and  then  came  to  the 
Prairie  State.  He  first  stopped  at  Metamora,  Wood- 
ford  County,  and  in  company  with  friends  laid  out 
a  town  which  was  first  called  Hanover,  but  subse- 
quently changed  to  Metamora  and  there  the  county 
seat  was  established.  He  remained  there  until  1840, 
and  then  returned  with  his  brother,  John  F.,  to 
Pennsylvania.  There  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  Joseph  Stott  and  was  occupied  in  general 
merchandising  for  one  year.  He  then  went  to 
Philadelphia,  where  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  whole- 
sale dry-goods  store  for  a  year,  then  purchasing  a 
general  stock  of  goods  he  shipped  them  to  Illinois 
and  set  up  a  store  in  Metamora,  which  he  operated 
for  two  years.  Part  of  his  goods  were  sold  on 
credit,  but  he  was  successful  in  making  his  collec- 
tions and  enjoyed  a  good  profit  from  his  trade. 

In  1845  Mr.  Parke  sold  out  in  Metamora  and 
went  to  Blooraington  in  company  with  two  brothers, 
John  F.  and  Samuel  S.,  and  they  put  up  a  three- 
story  brick  building  on  North  Center  street  for  the 
purpose  of  manufacturing  furniture,  and  two  years 
later  the  building  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The 
brothers  partially  rebuilt  and  continued  their  busi- 
ness, and  soon  afterward  erected  the  first  three- 
story  brick  building  in  the  city  pn  Center  street, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  square,  and  in  this  carried 


4 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1147   i 


on  the  grocery  trade,  their  store  being  the  first  of 
its  kind  in  Bloomington.  In  about  1848  they  dis- 
solved partnership.  George  W.  took  the  store  and 
his  brothers  continued  the  manufactory  until  they 
sold  to  its  present  proprietors,  Hayes  and  Evans. 
Our  subject  continued  his  grocery  trade  for  nearly 
four  years,  then  sold  out  and  purchased  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  block  now  occupied  by  H.  H. 
Green  as  a  drug  and  jewelry  store.  After  Mr.  Parke 
abandoned  merchandising  he  engaged  in  real-estate 
business  and  purchased  the  forty-acre  addition 
laid  out  by  Perry  in  1865,  and  west  of  the  C.  <fe  A. 
R.  R,  shops.  He  also  laid  out  thirty  acres  east  of 
the  cemetery  which  is  called  the  G.  W.  Parke 
Addition. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr.  Parke,  from  the 
time  of  his  arrival  here,  has  been  intimately  identi- 
fied with  the  business  and  industrial  interests  of 
Bloomington.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  of  the 
People's  Bank,  was  its  first  President  and  held  the  of- 
fice until  failing  health  compelled  him  to  abandon  it. 
lie  was  Alderman  of  the  Second  Ward  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  always  took  an  active  interest  in 
every  measure  calculated  to  advance  the  interests 
of  his  adopted  county  and  city. 

Mr.  Parke  built  his  present  residence  in  1870, 
and  has  within  the  last  three  years  put  up  two 
tenement  houses  adjoining.  He  still  remains  con-, 
nected  with  the  People's  Bank  as  a  stockholder.  He 
has  been  the  cheerful  and  liberal  supporter  of 
everything  tending  toward  the  intellectual  and 
moral  advancement  of  the  city,  and  a  law-abiding 
and  peaceable  citizen  who  has  performed  all  his 
obligations  in  a  faithful  and  creditable  manner. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  New  Year's  Day, 
1857,  to  Miss  Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  John  and 
Rebecca  (Hilyard)  Rodgers,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey,  respectively.  Mrs.  Parke 
was  born  at  Valley  Forge,  Pa.,  in  1828,  and  was 
the  youngest  of  her  parents'  family,  there  having 
been  seven  children,  five  now  living.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Parke  have  only  one  child,  a  daughter,  and 
now  the  wife  of  Theodore  Braley,  one  of  the  edi- 
tors of  the  Bulletin. 

Mr.  Parke  politically  affiliates  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party  and  uniformly  casts  his  vote  in  sup- 
port of  its  principles. 


ETER  WHITMER,  President  of  the  Peo- 
ple's Bank  of  Bloomington,  and  a  citizen 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  people  of 
McLean  County,  is  a  native  of  Franklin 
County,  Pa.,  and  was  born  Feb.  22,  1828.  He  is 
the  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Hess)  Whitmer,  also 
natives  of  the  Keystone  State.  His  father  was  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  farming  pursuits.  The  latter 
was  born  in  1777,  and  died  in  the  same  house 
which  witnessed  his  birth,  his  decease  taking  place 
in  1852.  The  mother,  who  was  born  in  1785,  had 
preceded  her  husband  to  the  better  land,  she  dying 
in  1844.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  only 
four  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Catharine,  Mrs. 
George  Grove,  of  Sterling,  111. ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Chris- 
tian Royer,  of  Franklin  County,  Pa. ;  Peter,  our 
subject,  and  Rev.  A.  C.,  a  minister  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  of  Lancaster,  Pa. 

The  father  of  our  subject  occupied  the  farm  of 
his  father,  also  Peter  Whitmer,  who  purchased  it 
of  John,  Thomas  and  Richard  Penn,  the  sons  of 
William  Penn.  Originally,  the  Whitmers  were  of 
German  birth  and  parentage,  the  early  ancestors  of 
our  subject  settling  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  and 
all  engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Peter  Whitmer  spent  the  most  of  his  time  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  re- 
ceiving his  education  in  the  district  school.  He 
then  left  the  parental  roof  and  went  to  Chambers- 
burg,  where  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  five 
years  at  saddlery  and  harness-making.  In  1849  he 
set  out  on  a  tour  through  the  Western  States,  con- 
tinuing his  travels  until  the  spring  of  1 852.  He 
then  located  at  Bloomington,  and  formed  a  part- 
nership with  M.  L.  Moore,  with  whom  he  continued 
in  the  saddlery  and  harness  business  for  two  years 
following,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  partner  and  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  trade  on  Center  street,  in 
company  with  Messrs.  Parke  and  Hoopes,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Parke,  Whitmer  &  Hoopes.  They 
operated  together  for  three  years  and  then  our  sub- 
ject disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  business  and  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  trade,  having  one  office  on  the 
East  and  one  on  the  West  Side. 

Mr.  Whitmer  continued  his  successful  operations 
in  this  line  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  when 
he  practically  abandoned  it.  During  this  time, 


•  ,  1148 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


however,  lie  had  distinguished  himself  as  a  man  of 
the  strictest  integrity,  and  the  people  who  had 
known  him  so  long  and  well  singled  him  out  as  one 
of  the  few  who  could  be  depended  upon  to  look 
after  their  concerns  and  preserve  their  interests. 
In  1875  he  was  elected  President  of  the  People's 
Bank,  which  position  he  has  held  since  that  time. 
He  was  also  elected  President  of  the  Chair  Factory, 
which  position  he  retained  from  its  commencement 
in  1873  until  its  abandonment  in  1885,  when  it 
was  merged  into  the  Walton  Plow  Factory.  Mr. 
Whitmer  is  a  stockholder  and  Director  of  that 
company,  and  also  has  an  interest  in  the  Stove 
Works.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  affairs  of  his  city  and  township  for  many  years, 
and  materially  assisted  in  building  up  a  community 
noted  for  its  intelligence  and  progress.  He  was 
Alderman  of  the  Second  Ward  in  1867-68,  Super- 
visor of  Bloomington  Township  for  ten  years,  and 
has  been  President  of  the  Northwestern  Benevo- 
lent Aid  Society  for  the  past  four  years.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the,  I.  O.  O.  F.  since  1849.  Re- 
publican principles  receive  his  heartiest  support, 
and  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  valued 
member,  represents  his  religious  belief. 

The  marriage  of  Peter  Whitmer  and  Miss  Lucy 
McDonald  took  place  in  1855,  in  Bloomington,  111. 
.  Mrs.  W.  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Lucy  (McCoy) 
McDonald,  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  Win- 
chester, that  State.  Her  parents'  family  consisted 
of  seven  children,  five  now  living:  Harriet,  Mrs. 
Rodgers,  resides  in  Boone  County,  Mo.;  Mary, 
Mrs.  Harding,  of  Westchester,  Ky. ;  Margaret,  Mrs. 
Patten,  is  in  Illinois,  and  Mildred  is  Mrs.  Brigham ; 
the  wife  of  our  subject  was  the  third  child  of  the 
family.  John  McDonald  removed  from  Kentucky 
to  McLean  County  in  1852,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing pursuits,  which  he  continued  until  his  decease 
in  1881 ;  the  mother  died  in  Kentucky. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whitmer  have  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren :  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Hooper,  and 
resides  in  Hutchinson,  Kan.;  they  have  three  chil- 
dren— Bertha,  Lucy  and  Elsie ;  Olie  married  J.  O. 
Wilson,  teller  in  the  People's  Bank  at  Bloomington; 
the  next  were  Charles,  Ida,  Ira  S.  and  LeRoy  G. 
The  latter  two  have  been  students  of  Eureka  Col- 
lege, Eureka,  111.  The  residence  of  our  subject  is 


lo.-.-iled  at  No.  924  West  Front  street,  where  Mr. 
Whitmer  and  his  family  are  enjoying  all  the  com- 
forts of  life  and  many  of  its  luxuries. 

As  a  man,  citizen,  husband,  father  and  friend, 
the  life  of  Peter  Whitmer  has  rounded  into  perfect 
manhood.  Whether  in  private  or  public  life  he  is 
the  same  courteous,  Christian  gentleman,  with  the 
air  and  manner  which  at  once  impress  the  stran- 
ger with  his  true  character.  When,  in  connection 
with  his  daily  walk  in  life,  there  is  voluntarily 
given  the  testimony  of  those  who  have  been  inti- 
mately associated  with  him  for  years,  there  is  little 
for  the  biographer  to  add,  and  in  placing  his  por- 
trait among  those  of  other  honored  men  of  McLean 
County,  we  are  preserving  to  posterity  the  features 
of  one  of  the  best  men  of  this  generation. 


ON.  ISAAC  FUNK,  deceased,  and  the  first 
representative  of  that  well-known  family  in 
this  locality,  was  born  November  17,  1797, 
in  Clark  County,  Ky.  His  grandfather, 
Adam  Funk,  immigrated  from  Germany  at  an  early 
day  and  became  the  father  of  a  family  among  whom 
was  Adam,  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was 
reared  in  Virginia,  was  married  to  Miss  .Sarah 
Moore,  also  of  German  extraction,  and  became 
one  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
He  moved 'to  Kentucky,  and  in  1807  to  Fayette 
County,  Ohio.  The  family  included  nine  children, 
six  sous  and  three  daughters.  Isaac  received  a 
common-school  education;  was  reared  to  habits  of 
industry  and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  after  he  be- 
came of  age.  In  1823  he  started  with  his  brother, 
Absalom,  to  visit  the  Prairie  State.  They  were 
attracted  to  a  spot  which  is  now  Funk's  Grove, 
where  they  entered  a  tract  of  land,  and  soon  com- 
menced to  break  the  soil  and  to  buy  and  sell  cattle. 
In  due  time  the  father  joined  his  children,  but 
lived  only  a  few  years  afterward,  his  death  occur- 
ring in  1832.  The  mother  had  died  in  Ohio,  in 
about  1822. 

Isaac  and  Absalom  Funk  entered  claims  to  a 
large  extent  of  land,  and  set  themselves  industri- 
ously to  work  to  earn  money  to  pay  for  it  when  it 
should  come  into  market.  They  operated  in  liar- 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1149 


mouy,  and  continued  buying  and  selling  stock  of 
all  kinds  until  1840,  when  they  dissolved.  They 
had  practiced  the  strictest  economy  and  each  work- 
ing moment  was  employed  at  something  useful. 
The  people  of  the  present  day,  who  enjoy  the  use 
of  modern  inventions  and  conveniences,  can  in  no 
manner  realize  the  hardships  to  which  the  early 
settlers  were  subjected.  For  the  first  seven  years 
after  his  arrival  here,  Isaac  Funk  did  not  own  a 
wagon,  but  carried  his  corn  to  mill  to  Springfield, 
fifty  miles  away,  on  the  backs  of  horses.  When  a 
plow  required  sharpening  or  repairing,  he  loaded  it 
on  the  back  of  a  horse  to  have  it  conveyed  to  and 
from  the  blacksmith-shop,  and  one  time  conveyed 
a  barrel  for  sauer  kraut  in  the  same  manner  ten 
miles  to  his  home.  Nothing  seemed  too  great  for 
him  to  undertake,  and  he  was  in  the  main  remark- 
ably successful,  seldom  having  to  abandon  a  proj- 
ect which  he  had  in  view. 

When  he  found  that  the  means  would  justify 
the  step,  Mr.  Funk  took  unto  himself  a  partner  and 
helpmeet  in  the  person  of  Miss  Cassandra  Sharp, 
of  Peoria.  their  wedding  occurring  in  June,  1826. 
Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  was  well 
fitted  by  disposition  and  training  to  be  the  com- 
panion of  such  a  man  as  our  subject.  She  was 
possessed  of  practical  good  sense  and  sterling 
worth  of  character,  and  was  the  faithful  encourager 
and  assistant  of  Isaac  Funk  during  those  days  when 
the  struggle  was  to  "  keep  his  head  above  water." 
The  father  of  Mrs.  F.  emigrated  to  Ohio  when  she 
was  a  child  three  years  old.  They  remained  there 
thirteen  years,  then  came  to  Illinois,  and  her  mar- 
riage occurred  when  she  was  twenty- four.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  ten  children,  and  those  now 
living  are  numbered  among  the  substantial  people 
of  McLean  County. 

The  industry,  energy  and  intelligence  of  Isaac 
Funk  soon  received  a  suitable  recognition,  and  he 
became  prominent  in  his  community,  and  in  1840, 
he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  on  the  Whig 
ticket,  and  in  1862  to  the  Senate  to  fill  the  unex- 
pired  term  of  Gen.  Oglesby,  who  had  taken  his 
sword  and  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  an  Illinois 
regiment.  Mr.  Funk  was  re-elected,  and  remained 
:i  member  of  the  General  Assembly  until  his  death. 
lie  was  an  uncompromising  Union  man,  and  a  tcr- 


ror  to  traitors  and  secessionists.  His  whole  course 
through  life  was  one  amplj-  worthy  of  imitation  by 
those  who  can  but  peruse  his  history  with  thought- 
fulness  and  admiration. 

Isaac  Funk  departed  this  life  in  Bloomington, 
Sunday  morning,  Jan.  '29,  1865,  and  four  hours 
later,  Mrs.  Funk  closed  her  eyes  to  earthly  scenes. 
The  funeral  services  of  this  honored  pioneer  and 
his  devoted  wife  were  perhaps  the  most  impressive 
ever  held  in  this  county. 

Mr.  Funk  at  his  death  was  worth  about  $2,000,- 
000,  which  included  20,000  acres  of  land.  All  this 
was  left  to  his  children  without  will,  and  the  family 
settled  up  the  estate  without  the  aid  of  an  admin- 
istrator, but  all  within  themselves  by  quit-claiming 
to  each  other. 


JAMES  H.  TILGHMAN,  deceased,   was  the 
husband  of  Mrs.  Caroline  Tilghman,  who  is 
comfortably  located  on  a  good  farm  of  1 20 
acres  in  Randolph  Township,  on  section  14. 

The  property  of  Mrs.  T.  is  well  improved  with  a 
good  set  of  frame  buildings,  and  she  has  occupied 
it  since  1849.  She  has  conducted  the  affairs  of  her 
homestead  for  the  last  nine  years  in  a  creditable 
and  successful  manner  and  is  a  lady  of  more  than 
ordinary  business  ability.  She  was  born  in  Monroe 
County,  Va.,  Dec.  7,  1826,  being  the  daughter  of 
William  and  Nancy  (Goar)  McDaniel,  both  also 
natives  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Her  father  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  her  mother  of  German  descent. 
After  marriage  they  located  upon  a  farm  in  West 
Virginia  where  they  remained  until  after  the  birth  of 
all  their  children,  Mrs.  T.  being  the  youngest  in  the 
family.  She  was  only  nine  years  old  when  her  par- 
ents removed  to  Boone  County,  Ind.,  where  they 
improved  a  farm,  established  a  comfortable  home 
and  remained  until  the  close  of  their  lives.  Both 
lived  to  an  advanced  age.  The  father,  in  politics, 
was  strongly  Democratic  and  both  were  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  McDaniel  has  been 
Probate  Judge  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many 
years  in  Virginia  and  advanced  the  freedom  of  the 
slaves  by  purchase  from  their  owners.  He  had  a 
presentiment  that  the  existence  of  the  peculiar  in- 
stitution was  of  short  duration,  as  has  since  been 


4 


i 

', '  H5o 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


proved.  William  McDani.-l  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812,  and  held  a  Captain's  commission. 

Mrs.  Tilghman  remained  with  her  parents,  assist- 
ing in  the  duties  around  the  home  and  obtaining 
her  education  in  the  public  schools.  On  the  12th  of 
August,  1847,  she  was  united  in  marriage  with 
William  Tolbert  of  Boone  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
was  born  in  1 829,  and  reared  of  American  parents. 
His  father,  Elias  Tolbert,  was  born  in  New  Jersey 
and  was  of  New  England  ancestry  and  parentage. 
He  came  West,  and  locating  in  Boone  County,  Ind., 
died  thereat  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years. 
He  married  Miss  Sarah  Robinson,  who  is  yet  living 
near  Thornton,  Ind.,  and  is  about  seventy-six 
years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tolbert  located  in  Indiana 
after  their  marriage  and  remained  there  until  after 
the  birth  of  their  second  child,.  They  then  re- 
moved to  McLean  County,  111.,  and  located  in  Ran- 
dolph Township,  where  Mr.  Tolbert  departed  this 
life  April  20,  1858.  He  was  successful  in  his  busi- 
ness pursuits,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  religiously 
adhered  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  six 
children,  of  whom  four  are  deceased,  viz.,  Nancy, 
Benjamin  F.,  William  and  Newton  J.  The  latter 
married  Miss  Sallie  Marker,  now  also  deceased ; 
they  left  two  children.  Those  surviving  are :  Mil- 
ton, who  married  Miss  Alice  Cook,  of  Downs  Town- 
ship, and  is  engaged  in  farming;  and  Henry,  who 
married  Miss  Minerva  Thompson,  and  is  carrying 
on  agriculture  successfully  in  Dickinson  County, 
Kan. 

Mrs.  Tolbert  was  married  to  James  H.  Tilghman 
May  20,  1863,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  two 
children,  Arihur  L.  and  Charles  N.,  who  are  both 
on  the  homestead  with  their  mother. 


j;ILLIAM  W.  HAMMOND,  of  West  Town- 
ship, came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of 
1855,  and  seven  years  later  commenced 
fanning  on  his  own  account.  In  1867  he  removed 
to  the  homestead  which  he  now  occupies  and  which 
comprises  a  quarter  section  of  land,  finely  culti- 
vated and  improved.  He  has  a  good  farm  resi- 
dence with  barns  to  correspond,  and  all  other  nec- 
<•  — 


c".-i  ry  appurtenances   of   the  intelligent  and  pro 
gressive  agriculturist. 

Mi-.  Hammond  was  born  in  Staley bridge,  Lanca- 
shire, England,  April  2,  1839.  His  father,  William 
Hammond,  was  a  native  of  the  same  shire,  where 
he  was  reared  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  black- 
smith. He  followed  this  in  his  native  country  un- 
til 18.41,  and  then,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  six 
children,  started  for  the  United  States.  After  ar- 
riving here  he  first  located  in  Trenton,  N.  J., 
where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1857,  then  ciuiic 
Westward  to  Illinois,  and  purchasing  a  tract  of 
land  in  Empire  Township,  this  county,  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  In  1863  he  sold  this  prop- 
erty, and  returning  to  Trenton,  N.  J.,  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  there,  dying  on  the  13th  of 
October,  1867.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  formerly  Miss  Elizabeth  Shaw,  also  a  na- 
tive of  Lancashire.  She  survived  her  husband 
until  Oct.  12,  1875.  her  death  also  occurring  in 
Trenton,  N.  J.  Of  their  children  the  record  is 
as  follows:  Thomas  served  as  a  soldier  during 
the  late  war,  in  Co.  G,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  after 
returning  from  the  army  located  in  Trenton,  N.  J., 
where  he  died  in  January,  1885;  Martha  married 
.George  W.  Lanning,  and  Sarah  A.  became  the  wife 
of  Joseph  Y.  Lanning,  both  living  in  Trenton; 
John  died  there  when  four  years  of  age;  William 
W.,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  fifth  child;  James  H. 
lives  in  Trenton;  James  and  Henry  (twins)  died 
in'  infancy. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  two  years 
old  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  America. 
He  lived  with  them  in  Trenton  until  sixteen  years 
of  age,  in  the  meantime  securing  a  good  common- 
school  education.  After  coming  to  this  county  he 
labored  industriously  and  honestly,  and  soon  gained 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 
His  present  possessions  are  the  result  of  his  own 
energy  and  industry,  and  he  is  numbered  among 
the  substantial  and  reliable  citizens  of  West  Town- 
ship. 

Mr.  Hammond  was  married,  Dec.  9,  1861,  to 
Miss  Catherine  Bishop,  who  was  born  in  Empire 
Township,  this  county,  April  4,  1842,  being  the 
daughter  of  Mahlon  and  Catherine  Bishop  [see 
sketch].  Of  this  union  there  have  been  six  chil- 


i 


t. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1151 


dren:  Ida  married  Thomas  J.  Kutledge,  and  lives 
in  West  Township ;  .lames  Walter,  Charles  B.,  Eliz- 
abeth C.  and  Oral  Mildred  are  at  home  with  their 
parents;  William  Malon,  the  fifth  child,  died  when 
seven  months  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammond  are 
consistent  members  of  Mt.  Olive  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  our  subject,  politically,  is  an 
uncompromising  Democrat.  He  has  held  the  vari- 
ous offices  of  his  township,  and  is  a  gentleman 
highly  respected  for  his  sterling  worth,  and  takes 
an  active  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the 
welfare  of  his  county  and  community. 


GEORGE  STEPHENSON.  The  subject  of 
this  brief  history  is  a  carpenter  and  joiner, 
and  a  skilled  mechanic,  whose  work  attests 
the  thoroughness  With  which  he  has  learned  his 
trade.  He  is  at  present  a  resident  of  Normal  and 
has  been  in  McLean  County  since  the  spring  of 
18C6.  He  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio, 
Nov.  8,  1838.  His  father,  John  Stephensou,  lived 
and  died  in  Bowling  Green,  Jefferson  Co.,  Ohio, 
and  was  also  a  skillful  carpenter.  The  family  is  of 
Irish  ancestry,  and  represented  by  many  descend- 
ants in  the  United  States.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, formerly  Miss  Julia  Anderson,  was  for  many 
years  a  resident  of  Bowling  Green,  and  died  there 
in  I860,  several  years  before  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  our  subject  were 
passed  under  the  parental  roof,  and  he  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade  under  the  instruction  of  his  fa- 
ther. When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  set  out  on 
his  own  account  as  a  journeyman,  and  followed  his 
trade  in  his  native  State  for  several  years.  He 
afterward  went  to  Pennsylvania,  and  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  war,  with  others  set,  out  for  the 
West,  finally  landing  in  the  Hawkeye  State.  He 
visited  some  of  its  principal  cities  and  worked  at 
his  trade  there  until  1866,  when  he  recrossed  the 
Father  of  Waters,  and  came  back  East  as  far1  as 
McLean  County,  locating  in  Hey  worth  and  follow- 
ing his  trade.  That  same  year  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Maria  Vanordstrand,  who 
was  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Pa.,  born 


Sept.  12,  1848.  (For  parental  history  see  sketch 
of  Isaac  Vanordstrand.) 

Mrs.  Stephensou  was  reared  in  her  native  county 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  attending  the  com- 
mon schools.  She  then  came  to  Illinois  with  her 
parents,  and  afterward  attended  a  select  school  at 
Hey  worth,  and  was  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  short 
time  previous  to  her  marriage.  They  located  at 
Hey  worth  after  marriage,  and  resided  there  until 
the  latter  part  of  1886,  Mr.  Stephenson  pursuing 
his  trade,  and  his  wife  faithfully  devoting  her  time 
and  energies  to  the  duties  of  the  household,  and 
the  rearing  of  their  five  children.  Of  these  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Nannie  J.  is  attending  the 
Normal  University,  and  preparing  herself  for  a 
teacher;  she  is  a  bright,  independent  and  spirited 
young  lady,  and  great  things  are  expected  of  her 
in  the  future.  Oakley  V.,  Charles  A.,  Anna  M. 
and  William  M.  commenced  their  education  in  the 
schools  of  Heyworth,  but  will  probably  finish  them 
at  Normal. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  have  greatly  interested  them- 
selves in  the  education  of  their  children,  and  in 
training  them  to  lives  of  honor  and  virtue.  Both 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
greatly  esteemed  in  the  community.  Our  subject 
is  a  man  of  strong  views,  and  politically  casts  his 
vote  in  support  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic 
party. 


>ILLIAM  YOUNG.  Much  attention  is 
given  to  stock-raising  by  the  farmers  of 
McLean  County,  and  a  gentleman  who  is 
eminently  successful  in  this  industry,  as  well  as 
an  influential  and  prosperous  farmer,  is  William 
Young,  of  Padua  Township.  He  owns  and  oc- 
cupies a  beautiful  homestead  of  375  acres,  upon 
which  is  erected  a  modern  farm  residence,  good 
barns  and  other  out-buildings,  which  we  take  pleas- 
ure in  showing,  in  a  view  given  in  this  volume. 
Mr.  Young  has  brought  his  laud  to  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  all  the  buildings  are  kept  in  good  re- 
pair, and  altogether  the  homestead  presents  one  of 
the  most  attractive  spots  within  the  boundary  of 
McLean  County. 

Mr.  Young  was    born    in    Darke   County,  Ohio, 


• 


fe- 
ll 52 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Jan.  10,  1843,  being  the  son  of  Isaac  Young,  a  na- 
tive of  the  same  State  and  descended  from  ex- 
cellent German  ancestry.  Our  subject  was  the  sec- 
ond child  of  a  family  of  four  sons,  two  of  whom  are 
deceased.  Anderson,  the  eldest,  is  a  successful  far- 
mer and  stock-raiser  of  Arrowsmith  Township, 
this  county,  and  married  Miss  Rachel  Wampler; 
William  was  but  a  young  child  when,  in  June,  1851. 
his  parents  started  for  Illinois.  They  lived  one 
year  in  Bloomington  Township,  this  county,  and 
thence  removed  to  Padua.  Township,  where  the 
father  purchased  200  acres  of  land  on  section  21, 
which  was  the  scene  of  his  labors  and  is  now  the 
homestead  of  his  son.  Isaac  Young  was  a  man  of 
great  energy  and  force  of  character,  and  after  com- 
ing to  the  West  opened  up  a  fine  farm  and  estab- 
lished a  comfortable  home  for  his  family.  He  de- 
parted this  life  in  November,  1856.  The  mother 
was  afterward  married  to  William  Harrison  and 
lives  in  Padua  Township.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Barbara  Naggle,  and  she  was  born  in  Darke  Coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

William  Young  lived  at  home  until  his  father's 
death.  He  completed  his  education  in  Wesleyan 
University  at  Bloomington,  having  taken  a  three 
years'  course  of  study.  He  afterward  engaged  in 
teaching  school,  and  after  the  outbreak  of  the  late 
war  responded  with  thousands  of  others  to  the  sec- 
ond call  for  troops  and  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  68th  Illi- 
nois Infantry.  He  was  in  the  service  nine  months 
without  being  in  any  active  engagement  with  the 
enemy.  After  the  expiration  of  his  first  term  of 
enlistment,  he  again  entered  the  ranks,  becoming  a 
member  of  Co.  G,  145th  Illinois  Infantry,  serving 
with  the  100-day  men,  returning  home  after 
receiving  his  honorable  discharge.  He  then  went 
to  Denver,  Col.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  prospect- 
ing. He  then  returned  home,  and  was  married, 
Jan.  27,  1867,  to  Miss  Adelaide,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Mary  J.  (Dawson)  Harrison.  The  parents 
of  Mrs.  Y.  were  natives  respectively  of  Ohio  and 
Illinois,  the  mother  being  born  and  reared  in  Mc- 
Lean County.  She  died  in  Padua  Township  in 
1864.  when  about  forty  years  of  age.  Mr.  Harri- 
son was  then  married  to  Mrs.  Barbara  Young,  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Young  of  this  sketch, 
the  second  daughter  of  her  parents,  was  born  in 


Padua  Township,  Dec.  19,  1845,  and  after  the  death 
of  her  mother,  officiated  as  her  father's  house- 
keeper until  her  marriage.  Of  her  union  with  our 
subject  there  were  born  seven  children,  of  whom 
one.  Marj-  E.,  died  when  about  three  years  of  age. 
Those  living  are  Charles  E.,  who  is  preparing  him- 
self for  a  teacher;  Dora,  Etta  A.,  Frank  W.,  Grace 
J.  and  Mattie  L. 

Politically  Mr.  Young  is  a  solid  Democrat,  aiid 
a  more  than  ordinarily  intelligent  citizen,  who 
has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  establish- 
ment and  maintenance  of  the  school  system.  He 
has  held  some  of  the  minor  offices  of  his  township. 
and  is  regarded  with  genuine  esteem  and  con- 
fidence. 


ATRICK  W.  COLEMAN,  of  Bloomington 
Township,  is  one  of  the  rising  young  far- 
mers of  this  section,  and  is  the  owner  of 

forty  acres  of  land  on  section  15,  which  is 
all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  yields  its 
proprietor  a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Coleman  was  born  in  the  city  of  Blooming- 
ton,  July  31,  1858,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Coleman. 
who  was  of  Irish  descent  and  parentage,  and  born 
in  the  city  of  Cork,  June  24,  1810.  He  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  while  a  young  man,  in  1.846, 
before  his  marriage,  and  settled  in  Tarry  town,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  became  connected  with  the  Hudson 
River  and  New  York  &  Erie  Railroads,  as  foreman. 
He  'afterward  became  a  foreman  of  the  C.  <fc  A., 
and  in  the  interest  of  that  company  came  to  Illi- 
nois. For  sixteen  years  he  occupied  the  position 
of  foreman,  and  was  held  in  great  favor  by  the  olB- 
cials  of  the  road.  After  coming  to  this  part  of 
Illinois  he  established  a  home  for  himself  and  fam- 
ily in  Bloomington,  where  he  departed  this  life  on 
the  6th  of  June,  1886.  He  was  a  remarkably 
strong  man  physically,  and  retained  his  eyesight 
perfectly  until  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death, 
having  been  able  to  read  without  glasses.  He  was 
well  informed,  and  possessed  a  good  knowledge  of 
the  current  affairs  of  his  country,  both  generally 
and  politically.  He  remained  a  stanch  adherent  of 
the  Catholic  faith  of  his  fathers,  and  in  politics 
was  an  active  Democrat.  It  may  be  said  that  in 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1153 


every  respect  John  Coleman  was  esteemed  as  one 
of  the  best  citizens  of  his  community.  He  was 
kind  and  generous  in  his  disposition,  always  ready 
to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  those  who  needed,  and 
was  strictly  upright  and  honorable  in  his  business 
transactions.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject, 
before  her  marriage,  was  Miss  Mary  Joncsr  born  in 
Ireland  in  the  same  city  as  her  husband,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  when  a  young  woman.  She 
was  married  to  John  Coleman  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  came  West  with  him  in  1851.  She  is 
now  living  with  her  son,  our  subject,  and  is  about 
sixty-seven  years  of  age.  She  also,  with  her  chil- 
dren, is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church.  She  became  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom,  John,  died  when  eighteen 
months  old  ;  Mary  A.  resides  with  her  brother,  our 
subject. 

Patrick  \V.  Coleman  is  considered  one  of  the 
representative  citizens  of  this  locality,  and  none 
are  held  in  higher  respect.  He  -seems  to  have  in- 
herited the  excellent  qualities  of  his  father  before 
him,  whose  memory  he  holds  in  that  reverence 
which  is  due  to  so  good  a  man  and  parent.  In 
both  religion  and  politics  he  follows  in  the  foot- 
steps of  his  sire,  being  connected  with  the  Cath- 
olic Church  and  the  Democratic  party. 


=^  EORGE  W.  PAYNE,  who  is  widely  and  fa- 
vorably known  throughout  McLean  County, 
and  now  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  and 
business  men  of  Delana,  was  born  in  Bloomington, 
Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  Dec.  28,  1851.  His  father, 
James  Franklin  Payne,  a  native  of  the  same  town 
and  county,  was  the  son«  of  Jacob  Payne,  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  emigrated  from  the  Old  Dominion  to 
Indiana,  and  was  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of 
Monroe  County.  He  took  up  a  tract  of  timber 
land  adjacent  to  the  present  city  of  Bloomington, 
and  besides  attending  to  the  cultivation  and  im- 
provement of  his  farm,  officiated  as  a  local  preacher 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a 
man  of  rare  intelligence,  great  force  of  character, 
and  represented  his  district  in  the  State  Senate. 


He  only  lived  to  be  fifty-one  years  of  age,  dying 
at  his  home  near  Bloomington  about  1853. 

His  son  James,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
reared  to  farming  pursuits,  and  remained  a  resi- 
dent of  his  native  county  until  1854.  He  then  re- 
moved with  the  family  to  Illinois,  the  journey  be- 
ing made  overland  with  wagons.  He  purchased  a 
tract  of  wild  land  at  $2.50  per  acre  in  Arrowsmith 
Township,  this  county,  upon  which  he  built  a  log 
house,  in  which  he  lived  four  or  five  years,  then 
removed  to  Iowa,  remaining  a  resident  of  Warren 
County  for  two  years.  He  then  recrossed  the  Fa- 
ther of  Waters,  and  returning  to  Arrowsmith 
Township,  purchased  the  farm  where  he  established 
a  permanent  homestead  and  has  since  lived. 

The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  before  her  mar- 
riage was  Miss  Martha  A.  Gray,  was  also  born  in 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  by  her  union  with  James 
Franklin  became  the  mother  of  seven  children,  of 
whom  George  W.,  our  subject,  was  the  eldest.  He 
was  but  three  years  old  when  the  family  came  to 
this  county,  and  was  reared  on  the  farm,  receiving 
a  fair  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  lived 
at  home  with  his  parents  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  and  then  engaged  as  clerk  for  J.  R.  Krum, 
grain  dealer  at  Arrowsmith,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained six  and  one-half  years,  when  he  started  in 
business  for  himself  as  a  general  dealer  in  grain 
and  merchandise,  and  there  formed  the  nucleus  of 
his  present  extensive  and  lucrative  trade.  He  be- 
came associated  in  partnership  with  Thomas  Clarey 
under  the  firm  name  of  Clarey  &  Payne,  and  they 
commenced  operations  with  a  capital  of  $1,500. 
The  business  of  the  firm  now  represents  $30,000. 
They  own  large  tracts  of  land  in  Iowa,  Nebraska 
and  Kansas,  their  farm  near  Hastings  being  splen- 
didly improved  and  stocked  with  fine  cattle.  This 
is  managed  by  a  brother  of  Mr.  Payne,  John  W. 
In  1882  they  started  a  branch  at  Delana,  having 
bought  out  Mr.  Snooks  who  had  established  the 
business  at  that  place.  Mr.  Clarey  manages  the 
business  at  Arrowsmith,  and  Mr.  Payne  at  Delana. 
In  1884  they  disposed  of  the  mercantile  depart- 
ment, and  have  since  .confined  their  operations  to 
grain  and  coal. 

D 

Mr.  Payne  was  married,  Jan.   5,   1873,  to  Miss 
Marie  E.   Clarey,   who   was   born  in  Lincolnshire, 


r 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


England,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  N.  and 
Elizabeth  Clarey.  Of  this  union  there  have  been 
born  two  children — Stella  E.  and  Rinnie  C.  Mr. 
Payne  is  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  served  as 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  from  West 
Township,  also  as  Assessor.  He  is  a_  member  of 
Undine  Lodge  No.  570,1.  O.  0.  F.,  of  Arrowsmith. 
In  this  he  has  filled  the.various  offices,  and  for_two 
years  represented  the  lodge  in  the  Grand  Convo- 
cation at  Chicago  and  Springfield. 


AVID  II.  McFARLAND,  physician  and 
surgeon,  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  best- 
known  practitioners  in  the_ southern  'part 
of  McLean  Count}1,  and  has. followed  his 
profession  siuce_1862.  He  came  _  to  this/county 
from^Iudiana,  and_at  once  secured  the'good  will  of 
the,,  community  by  his  close  attention^to  business, 
his  studious  habits  and  his  evident  knowledge  of 
his'professional  duties. 

Dr.  McFarland  is  ajiative!  of  Pennsylvania,  be- 
ing born  in  the  village  _  of  _iMercersburg,~in_what 
was  then_  Bedford,  but  now  Fulton  County,  Oct. 
16,  1831.  _j  His  father,  Joseph  __  McFarland,  was  a 
native^of, the  same  State,  and  occupied  in  botl^farm- 
ing  and_  merchandising.  _  Josephj  McFarland  de- 
scended from  excellent  Scottish  ancestry,  and  in 
early  life  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Humphreys, 
also  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  whose  ancestors 
were  likewise  from  Scotland.  _|The_pareuts  of  our 
subject  remained  in  Pennsylvaniaj  until  after  the 
birth  of  all  their  children, iremovingito_Indiana  in 
1848.  There  the  father  died,  in^Clinton^County, 
and  the  mother  in  Jefferson  County.  _  _Their  five 
children  are  all  living,  three  of  them  in  Illinois,  one 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  all  married.  Mary  J.,  after 
the  death  of  her  first  husband,  married  Milton  Mc- 
Corkel,  who  is  also  deceased;  she  lives  in  Hey- 
worth;  James  C.,  also  of  that  village,  was  Clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court  for  eight  years;  Rowanna  became 
the  wife  of  Moses  Scott,  of  MonongahelaCity,Pa. ; 
Martha,  the  widow  of  John  Dunn,  resides  in  Han- 
over, Jefferson  Co.,  Ind. 

The  subject  of  this  history  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  State  and  afterward  graduated 


from  the  preparatory  department  of  Marshall  Col- 
lege. He  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  his  par- 
ents removed  to  Indiana,  :ind  soon  afterward  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  under  the  instruction 
of  Drs.  Dunn,  Carter  &  Byers,  of  Frankford.  He 
afterward  turned  his  attention  to  a  collegiate  edu- 
cation in  surgery  and  medicine  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  whence  he  graduated  in  1869. 
He  had,  however,  been  engaged  in  practice. 

Dr.  McFarland  came  to  Heyworth  and  opened 
an  office  in  1862.  Shortly  afterward  he  began  to 
make  purchases  of  laud,  and  is  now  the  owner  of 
325  acres  on  sections  9  and  1 1,  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, the  cultivation  of  which  he  superintends  and 
from  which  he  derives  a  handsome  income. 

Dr.  McFarland  was  married  in  Clinton  County, 
Ind.,  June  22,  1859,  to  Miss  M.  E.  Dunn,  who  was 
born  in  the  county  named,  and  was  a  popular 
teacher  of  music  there,  both  before  and  since  her 
marriage.  She  is  the  daughter  of  J.  H.  Dunn,  for- 
merly a  prominent  farmer  of  Indiana,  but  now  de- 
ceased. They  have  no  children.  Both  our  sub- 
ject and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  in  politics  the  Doctor  casts  his  vote  in 
support  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 
He  has  been  a  close  student  and  an  extensive  read- 
er, and  not  only  has  an  excellent  knowledge  of  his 
professional  duties  and  agricultural  pursuits,  but 
possesses  a  fund  of  general  information  which  con- 
stitutes him  a  fine  conversationalist  and  a  useful 
member  of  the  community. 


AVID  W.  STANGER.  The  subject  of 
the  following  sketch  is  one  of  the  enter- 
prising citizens  of  Arrowsmith  Township, 
and  occupies  a  flue  homestead  on  section 
14.  He  became  a  resident  of  the  Prairie  State  in 
1849,  locating  at  once  in  McLean  County,  where 
he  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  at  $12  per 
month.  After  seven  months  thus  occupied  he  en- 
gaged in  feeding  cattle  by  the  month,  which  he 
varied^by  splitting  rails,  for  which  he  received  all 
the  way  from  37£  to  75  cents  per  hundred.  After- 
ward he  was  engaged  in  a  sawmill.  He  lived  eco- 
nomically and  saved  his  earnings,  and  in  due  time 


T 


f 

*-f-* 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1155   -  , 


established  a  business  for  himself,  aud  was  the  first 
man  who  shipped  cattle  from  this  locality  to  Chi- 
cago. This  u  shipping  "  was  first  done  by  driving 
the  animals,  and  one  herd  he  transported  in  this 
manner,  in  1852,  to  Cadiz,  Ohio,  making  the  return 
trip  on  horseback.  The  following  year  he  pur- 
chased 1GO  acres  of  land,  which  constitutes  his 
present  homestead.  He  is  now  considered  one  of 
the  best  swine  growers  in  this  township.  To  this 
department  of  farming  he  has  given  much  atten- 
tion, and  from  it  has  realized  quite  a  little  fortune. 

In  1859,  having  become  infected  with  the  Cali- 
fornia gold  fever,  he  started  for  the  Pacific  Slope, 
and  remained  a  resident  of  that  region  for  a  period 
of  sixteen  years,  engaged  alternately  in  farming 
and  mining,  which  yielded  him  a  handsome  income 
which,  however,  went  as  easy  as  it  came.  He  made 
the  trip  there  by  a  steamer  via  Panama,  but  in 
1875  returned  by  rail.  He  speaks  of  the  climate 
of  California  as  charming,  but  all  things  taken  to- 
gether thinks  Illinois  is  about  as  good  a  State  as 
one  can  find.  While  in  the  farther  West,  Mr. 
Stanger  went  into  Oregon  and  remained  three 
months  hunting  among  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and 
afterward  making  a  short  stay  at  the  city  of  Salem. 

Mr.  Stanger  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
Oct.  13,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Katie 
(Brownlow)  Stanger — his  mother  having  been  a 
full  cousin  of  Parson  Brownlow,  of  Tennessee,  the 
famous  Union  man,  editor,  orator,  and  preacher  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  parents  of 
our  subject  were  natives  of  Virginia.  John  Stan- 
ger was  born  in  April,  1799,  and  removed  to  Indi- 
ana in  early  manhood,  where  he  first  carried  on  the 
trade  of  a  tanner,  but  afterward  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. He  departed  this  life  Oct.  14,  1884.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  died  in  early  life,  in  1828. 
Of  this  first  marriage  there  were  bofn — Mary,  Syl- 
vester and  Strother  (twins),  John  E.,  James  H., 
and  David,  of  our  sketch.  The  second  wife  of 
John  Stanger  was  formerly  Miss  Ann  Thomas,  and 
of  their  marriage  there  were  born  nine  children, 
namely,  Catherine,  Lorenzo  D.,  Jacob,  Margaret, 
Tilhna,  Dorothy  A.,  Ephraini,  Thomas  and  Withe. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  with  Miss  Nancy  M. 
Duke  occurred  Feb.  18,  1877,  at  Mr.  Stanger's  res- 
idence. Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Clark  County,  Ky., 


Sept.  16,  1840,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Joel  and 
Mary  (Trowbridge)  Duke,  both  natives  of  the  Blue 
(  M;ISS  State,  and  descended  from  excellent  Dutch 
and  Welsh  ancestry.  Joel  Duke  was  born  in  l"s!l, 
followed  the  occupation  of  a  blacksmith  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  and  died  in  1849,  in  Owen  County, 
Ky.  His  wife,  Mary,  was  born  in  1799,  and  sur- 
vived her  husband  about  sixteen  years,  her  death 
occurring  in  1865.  Of  their  ten  children,  two  died 
in  infancy.  The  remainder  were  William  M.,  Silas 
P.,  James  H.,  Martha  A.,  Amanda,  Nannie,  Sarah 
E.  and  Julia  F.,  all  now  deceased  except  the  four 
youngest.  The  parents  of  these  children  were  con- 
nected with  the  Christian  Church  for  over  twenty 
years,  aud  their  offspring  have  religiously  followed 
in  their  footsteps,  all,  including  Mrs.  Stanger,  be- 
ing members  of  that  church.  Joel  Duke  with  sev- 
eral of  his  sons  became  connected  with  the  Masonic 
fraternity  many  years  ago,  the  latter  of  whom  at 
their  death  were  buried  with  the  honors  of  that 
order.  Mr.  Stanger  in  early  life  was  a  Democrat, 
but  later  considered  that  he  had  reason  to  change 
his  political  views,  and  he  is  now  a  stanch  support- 
er of  Republican  principles.  A  fine  view  of  his 
residence  is  shown  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 


?ILLIAM  H.  HOSELTON,  one  of  the 
prominent  and  enterprising  farmer?  of  An- 
chor Township,  has  been  a  resident  of  this 
State  since  a  boy  of  fourteen  years  old.  He  was 
born  in  Holmes  County,  Ohio,  May  1,  1843,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  Hoselton,  of  Virginia.  His  mother, 
formerly  Miss  Nancy  Dalbey,  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  parents  were  married  in  Ohio  and 
resided  in  that  State  until  1857,  when  they  came 
to  this  county,  and  are  now  living  on  a  farm  in 
Normal  Township.  Of  their  five  sons  and  two 
daughters,  William  H.  was  the  oldest.  Much  of 
the  land  was  uncultivated  and  at  that  time  prairie 
fires  were  numerous,  and  our  subject  relates  a  thrill- 
ing incident  of  his  own  experience,  when  the  fire 
threatened  his  father's  property,  aud  he  used  up  all 
his  clothes  excepting  his  underwear  to  fight  it 
with.  In  so  doing  he  caught  a  severe  cold.  The 
next  morning  he  mounted  a  horse  which  was  kept 


t 


1156 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


in  the  stable,  fur  tin-  purpose  of  going  sifter  those 
that  were  turned  out  to  graze  at  night,  and  in  driv- 
ing them  home  the  horse  he  was  riding  got  into  a 
fight  with  one  that  he  was  driving,  and  in  the  alter- 
cation IK-  was  kicked  on  the  heel.  This,  together 
with  the  excitement  he  had  undergone,  caused  in- 
flammation to  such  an  extent  that  the  doctor  decided 
to  amputate  his  foot.  His  father,  however,  was 
decidedly  opposed  to  this  and  it  was  not  done,  but 
for  several  years  our  subject  was  obliged  to  walk 
on  crutches.  He  gradually  recovered  the  use  of  his 
foot,  however,  and  is  now  enabled  to  get  around 
like  other  men. 

William  Iloselton  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm, 
pursued  his  first  studies  in  the  district  schools  and 
later  attended  the  Illinois  State  University  at  Nor- 
mal two  years.  During  this  time  and  subsequently 
he  taught  school  for  nine  winters  successively,  as- 
sisting his  father  in  the  farm  work  during  the  sum- 
mer. Aug.  IS),  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Anna  Hutchison,  who  was  born  in  Belmont 
Count}',  Ohio,  July  10.  1856,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  James  and  Bathsheba  (Foreman)  Hutchison. 
The  day  after  their  marriage  the  young  couple  lo- 
cated upon  the  farm  which  they  now  occupy,  and 
which  Mr.  H.  had  previous!}'  purchased.  This  was 
in  almost  its  original  condition  when  he  took  pos- 
session of  it,  but  he  entered  industriously  upon  its 
cultivation  and  improvement,  and  has  now  a  sung 
farm  homestead  of  eighty  acres,  very  fertile,  and 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  grain  and  all  other  prod- 
ucts common  to  this  section.  The  farm  buildings 
are  tasteful  and  substantial  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H. 
are  greatly  enjoying  the  home  which  they  have 
built  up  by  years  of  industrious  toil  and  economy. 
Their  possessions  are  the  result  of  their  own  efforts, 
and  their  homestead  is  unincumbered. 

Mr.  Iloselton  has  given  much  attention  to  stock- 
raising  of  late  years,  and  Mrs.  II.  presides  over  a 
fine  dairy.  In  the  space  of  fourteen  years  they 
have  opened  up  and  improved  their  snug  little  farm, 
which  is*  all  well  drained  and  enclosed  with  good 
fencing.  They  became  the  parents  of  two  children, 
one  of  whom  died  in  infancy:  Ada  Ella,  born 
(Sept.  7,  1879,  is  a  bright  and  interesting  child  and 
the  light  of  the  household.  Mr.  Hoselton  is  Re- 
publican in  politics  and  although  repeatedly  so- 


licited by  his  friends  to  become  a  candidate  for 
some  local  ollice,  has  no  aspiration  in  that  direction, 
but  simply  contents  himself  by  casting  his  vote  in 
support  of  that  body.  Unsolicited  Mr.  II.  was 
elected  to  the  ollice  of  School  Trustee  at  the  last 
spring  election,  which  office  he  is  filling  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all.  lie  has  never  been  connected  with 
any  secret  or  religious  society,  but  is  a  strong  friend 
of  temperance  and  interested  in  the  success  of  the 
Prohibition  party. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Iloselton's  handsome 
residence  is  shown  on  another  page. 


,ILLIAM  BEELER,  of  Dale  Township,  is  a 
native  of  the  Blue  Grass  State,  having 
been  born  in  Elkhorn  County,  Ky.,  Feb.  8, 
1822.  He  is  the  son  of  William  Beeler,  born  Sept. 
6,  1796,  in  the  same  county.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  Samuel  Beeler,  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  of  German  descent.  He  served  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  After  the  close 
of  the  war  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  being  a  pio- 
neer settler  of  that  region.  He  was  a  great  hunter 
and  possessed  rare  skill  in  the  use  of  the  rifle.  At 
one  time,  during  the  Indian  troubles,  himself  and 
two  companions  went  on  a  hunting  expedition  after 
buffalo  and  deer.  Mr.  Beeler  killed  a  buffalo  and 
three  doe  deer.  While  engaged  in  skinning  one  of 
them  he  heard  a  disturbance  in  the  bushes  and  upon 
looking  up  saw  a  man  who  proved  to  be  an  Indian 
looking  from  behind  the  tree.  Mr.  B.  seized  his 
gun  and  started,  and  after  him  also  started  six  In- 
dians, who  fired  at  him  as  they  ran.  He  stubbed 
his  toe  and  fell  and  the  Indians  gave  a  whoop  of 
triumph.  They  did  not  rejoice  very  long  in  their 
victory,  howeVer,  for  he  sprung  up  and  being  very 
fleet  of  foot  soon  distanced  his  pursuers  with  the 
exception  of  one,  whom  he  shot  dead  as  he  turned 
around.  After  some  difficulty  he  found  the  camp 
of  his  companions  and  after  all  the  party  had  come 
in  they  "pulled  up  stakes"  and  returned  home. 

In  1806  Samuel  Beeler  removed  with  his  family 
to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio.  Six  years  later  the 
War  of  1812  was  in  progress,  and  Samuel  Beeler, 
shouldering  his  musket,  once  more  started  out  for 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1157 


the  scene  of  conflict.  lie  was  sis  brave  a  soldier  as 
he  was  a  pioneer  settler  and  after  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe,  during  which  he  had  distinguished 
himself,  he  was  promoted  Colonel  of  the  regiment. 
When  peace  had  been  declared  Mr.  Beeler  returned 
to  his  home,  and  subsequently  came  to  Illinois  and 
spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  this  county. 

William  Beeler,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
but  ten  years  old  when  his  father  removed  from 
Virginia  to  Kentucky.  He  grew  to  manhood  in 
Hamilton  County,  Va.,  and  after  going  to  Ken- 
tucky was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Hall, 
who  died  in  the  latter  State  in  1824.  Shortly  after- 
ward Mr.  B.  went  to  Ohio,  and  was  there  subse- 
quently married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sheley.  In  the 
fall  of  1830  he  started  for  Illinois  with  his  family, 
making  the  trip  overland  with  an  outfit  of  three 
yoke  of  oxen  and  one  wagon.  His  father,  Col. 
Beeler,  accompanied  him  with  a  horse  and  carriage 
and  he  had  two  or  three  men  to  look  after  the 
teams.  Mr.  Beeler  had  previously  visited  the  State 
and  purchased  a  claim  on  section  3,  Dale  Township, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of 
many  excellent  traits  of  character,  straightforward 
and  upright  in  his  dealings. 

William  Beeler  was  but  two  years  old  when  he 
was  deprived,  by  death,  of  the  tender  and  affec- 
tionate care  of  his  mother.  Shortly  after  this  sad 
event  his  father  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  resided 
until  1830,  and  then  came  to  McLean  County,  111. 
When  William  Beeler  was  eighteen  years  of  age  he 
went  with  his  Uncle  Henry  to  Chicago,  each  hav- 
ing charge  of  a  team  of  horses  and  a  wagon  loaded 
with  apples  to  sell.  After  they  had  disposed  of 
their  produce  they  purchased  a  quantity  of  fine  salt 
at  $2.50  per  barrel,  and  taking  it  home,  sold  it  at 
100  per  cent  profit.  After  this  young  Beeler 
made  several  trips  to  the  great  city. 

William  Beeler  remained  an  inmate  of  his  father's 
home  until  his  marriage.  In  1850  he  commenced 
the  improvements  on  his  present  farm.,  which  is  lo- 
cated on  sections  9,  10  and  13,  of  Dale  Township. 
His  first  marriage  occurred  on  the  25th  of  July, 
1844,  the  maiden  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Catha- 
rine Lay  ton,  who  died  the  8th  of  April,  1862.  Their 
children  were  as  follows :  William  H.  died  in  in- 
fancy; Harriett  A., now  Mrs.  Westmoreland;  Sarah 


J.,  Mrs.  Frye;  Mary  E.,  Mrs.  Banner;  John  IX,  and 
Alfaretta,  who  also  married  a  Mr.  Frye;  Daniel  E., 
Stephen  A.  and  Juliet,  deceased. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Beeler  occurred 
Jan.  1 1 ,  18(!,s,  and  he  was  then  married  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  II.  O'Neall,  who  was  born  in  Greene  Count}', 
Ind.,  in  1835.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Cary  and 
Louisa  (Boyd)  O'Neall.  Her  paternal  grandfather. 
John  O'Neall,  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  and 
her  maternal  grandfather  was  Hon.  Drury  Boyd, 
of  Georgia,  who  removed  thence  to  Kentucky  and 
later  to  Indiana,  and  became  a  pioneer  settler  of 
Greene  County.  He  was  prominently  connected 
with  public  affairs,  and  served  two  terms  as  a  Mem- 
ber of  Congress. 

The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Beeler  has  been 
blest  by  the  birth  of  six  children :  Arthur,  born 
Oct.  11,  1868,  died  July  27,  1875,  and  an  infant 
unnamed;  Elzada  F.,  born  April  30,  1871  ;  Silas  C., 
Jan.  12,  1873;  George  Samuel,  born  Aug.  14, 1874, 
died  Sept.  5,  1875,  and  Walter  C.,  born  March  23, 
1876.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  with  his  family, 
occupies  a  comfortable  homestead  comprising  200 
acres.  The  family  are  well  and  favorably  known 
throughout  McLean  County,  and  are  held  in  the 
highest  respect  by  their  friends  and  associates. 
They  attend  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics 
I  Mr.  Beeler  is  a  Democrat. 


ll?_EZEKIAH  HORNEY,  a  well-known  and  re- 
lf)Y)  spected  citizen,  as  well  as  a  progressive  and 
iib0?  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Lex- 
(|P)  ington  Township,  has  for  the  last  eighteen 
years  been  quite  extensively  occupied  in  the  breed- 
ing of  Norman  horses.  Mr.  Horney  was  born  near 
Jeffersonville,  Fayette  Co.,  Ohio,  July  3,  1826. 
His  father,  Daniel  Horney,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  whence  he  accompanied  his  parents  to 
Ohio  at  an  early  day  and  settled  with  them  in 
Greene  County.  Our  subject's  grandfather,  Will- 
iam Horney,  was  of  English  extraction,  and  his  son 
Daniel,  our  subject's  father,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  1812.  Daniel  Horney  and  Margaret  Cala- 
way  were  united  in  marriage  in  Ohio.  She  was 


t 

I 


1158 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


born  in  Maryland  and  was  the  daughter  of  John 
Calaway,  who  moved  from  that  State  to  Ohio  in 
an  earl}'  day. 

Of  the  union  of  Daniel  Horney  and  Miss  Cala- 
way  the  following  children  were  born:  Sarah,  un- 
married; John  married  Nancy  Chancy;  Anna  was 
married  to  k'cdell  Chancy;  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
Harrison  .lane's:  James  married  Elizabeth  Fuel; 
Margaret  died,  when  eleven  years  old;  Daniel; 
Job;  Hezckiah;  William;  Paris  was  a  Captain  in 
the  late  Civil  War,  and  was  taken  prisoner  and 
confined  at  Anderson  villc  and  actually  starved  to 
death  in  that  foulest  of  foul  prisons;  David  G.  and 
one  other  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  in  August,  1855.  The  father  died 
in  the  winter  of  'i860,  having  attained  the  vener- 
able age  of  eighty  years. 

1-Iezekiah  Horney  passed  his  boyhood  days  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio,  and 
attended  the  pioneer  schools  where  he  received  his 
education.  He  remained  with  the  old  folk  until 
he  had  attained  his  majority,  and  when  he  was 
twenty-three  years  old  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  J.  Gaff,  daughter  of  David  M.  and  Hannah 
(.Mock)  Gaff,  of  Greene  County,  Ohio,  and  in 
which  county  Miss  Gaff  was  born.  Her  father  was 
a  native  of  1'ennsylvania  and  was  of  Irish  descent. 
After  marriage  Mr.  Horney  located  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  the  fall  of 
1853.  He  then  came  to  this  county  with  his  family 
and  first  settled  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  living 
thereuntil  186;">;  he  then  removed  to  his  present 
farm  on  section  29,  Lexington  Township.  The 
farm  contains  278  acres  of  valuable  and  productive 
land  and  is  under  good  cultivation. 

In  1866  Mr.  Horney  began  the  breeding  of  Nor- 
man horses  and  has  met  with  success  in  that  under- 
taking, raising  some  of  the  finest  animals  in  the 
county.  He  has  taken  the  first  premium  at  the  St. 
Louis  Fair  and  also  the  sweep  stake  at  the  Illinois 
State  Fair.  He  has  at  the  present  writing  thirty- 
one  head  of  horses  of  this  breed  and  has  done 
much  toward  the  introduction  of  this  noble  breed 
of  horses  throughout  the  county  and  State:  He  has 
disposed  of  some  of  his  horses  of  his  own  raising 
for  as  high  as  $900. 

Mr.  and   Mrs.   Homey  have   had   five   children. 


Melissa  C.  is  the  wife  of  William  Craggett,  of 
Lexington;  Morgan  M.  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Emma  Brooks;  Emma  J.  married  C.  \V. 
Heller;  Edward  C.  married  Macy  Craggett,  and 
James  P.  and  Minnie  Shelley  became  man  and 
wife.  Mr.  Horney  served  as  Road  Commissioner 
of  Lexington  Township  for  about  ten  years.  He 
has  likewise  held  the  office  of  School  Trustee.  In 
politics  lie  is  a  stanch  Republican.  A  fine  litho- 
graphic view  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Horney  and 
some  of  his  fine  stock  is  shown  on  another  page 
of  this  work. 


D.  HARTSON,  a  representative  citizen  of 
Bloomington,  was  born  in  Randolph,  Mc- 
Lean County,  Nov.  16,  1836.  His  parents 
were  James  and  Martha  (Carr)  Hartson,  natives 
respectively  of  Hamilton  Count}',  N.  Y.,  and  Wai- 
pole,  Mass.  James  Hartson,  when  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  came  West  and  settled  in  Waynes ville,  111., 
where,  in  1827,  he  opened  the  first  store  in  De 
Witt  County.  Eight  years  later  he  removed  to 
Randolph  Township,  McLean  County,  and  pur- 
chasing a  tract  of  unimproved  land  from  the  Gov- 
ernment, opened  up  a  farm  which  he  occupied  un- 
til his  death  in  1840.  This  was  occasioned  by  a 
fall  from  a  horse.  The  wife  and  mother  died  that 
same  year.  Of  this  family  there  were  only  two 
children  and  the  subject  of  our  sketch  is  the  only 
one  now  living.  He  was  but  four  years  old  when 
he  was  left  an  orphan  and  went  to  live  with  his 
grandfather,  Dr.  Carr.  The  latter  was  one  of  the 
oldest  settlers  of  McLean  County,  coming  here  in 
1825.  Young  Hartson  remained  with  his  grand- 
father until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old  and  was 
then,  in  1859,  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Mormon, 
of  Ohio.  After  this  marriage  he  returned  to  the 
homestead  in  Randolph  Township,  which  had  been 
the  home  of  his  father  and  mother,  and  which  he 
occupied  for  two  years.  He  then  traded  the  farm 
for  another,  three  miles  further  West,  upon  which 
he  engaged  principally  in  stock-raising.  Here  he 
gave  his  attention  to  the  breeding  of  high-grade 
Durham  cattle  and  Norman  and  Clydesdale  horses. 
From  there  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  and  since 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1159    ,  .! 


that  time  has  been  engaged  with  the  pork-packing 
company  of  that  city. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartson  became  the  parents  of  live 
children,  of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  Martha, 
Mrs.  Douglas  Rust,  has  three  children — Kmery  A., 
Ethel  and  William — and  they  live  in  Ida  County, 
Iowa,  where  Mr.  R.  is  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits. The  other  children  at  home  are:  William 
H..  Annie  M.,  fSarah  and  Thomas  J.  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Hartson  departed  this  life  in  1870,  and  for 
his  second  wife  Mr.  H.,  in  1875,  married  Miss 
Sarah  Richardson,  of  Illinois.  This  lady  died  in  1 879. 

On  the  5th  of  October.  1881,  onr  subject  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Clara  Bunu.  Mrs.  H. 
is  a  native  of  Tazewell  County,  111.,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  James  C.  and  Amanda  (Smith)  Bunn,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  Mr.  B. 
came  to  Illinois  in  about  1840,  and  settled  in 
Washington,  Tazewell  County,  where  he  engaged 
as  a  contractor  and  builder.  Thence,  in  1882,  he  re- 
moved to  Peoria  and  still  follows  his  former  business. 
His  family  included  six  children,  viz.,  Clara,  Mrs. 
Hartson;  Gaines  W.,  Dora,  Edgar,  Forrest  and 
Hattie. 

Politically  Mr.  Hartson  is  a  stanch  adherent  of 
the  Democratic  party.  Religiously  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  socially,  a  K.  of  P. 
He  is  a  straightforward  business  man,  a  worthy 
citizen,  and  enjoys  in  a  marked  degree  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow-citizens. 


t 


ENRY  BUTLER,  a  resident  of  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  and  one  of  her  wide-awake 
and  prominent  citizens,  owns  and  occupies 
a  good  homestead  on  section  3,  where  he 
is  devoting  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  Prairie 
State  since  1 856,  and  occupied  his  present  farm 
since  the  fall  of  1874.  He  has  distinguished  him- 
self as  a  thorough  business  man  and  a  good  citizen, 
and  has  contributed  his  full  quota  toward  the  de- 
velopment and  progress  of  his  township. 

Mr.  Butler  was  born  in  Lexington,  Greene  Co., 
N.  Y.,  Dec.  16,  1833.  and  is  the  son  of  Jonathan 
and  Lovina  (Sehenunerhorn)  Butler,  natives  of 


the  same  county.  Jonathan  Butler  was  born  in 
1806,  followed  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  and  mill- 
u -right  and  also  carried  on  farming,  and  departed 
this  life  at  his  homestead  in  1882.  He  was  Demo- 
cratic in  politics,  and  with  his  wife  closely  adhered 
to  the  doctrines  of  the  Old-School  Baptist  Church. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  1 808,  and 
died  in  New  York  State  in  1871.  The  nine  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Charles,  the  eldest,  was  mar- 
ried and  lives  in  California;  Darwin  went  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1849,  where  he  still  lives;  Henry,  of  our 
sketch,  was  the  third  son ;  Rensselear  married  Miss 
Catherine  Eord  and  settled  on  the  old  homestead ; 
Aunetta,  Mrs.  Henry  Lasher,  lives  in  New  York; 
Sarah  became  the  wife  of  James  Phelps,  and  lives 
in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Mr.  Phelps  is  the  foreign 
correspondent  at  Washington;  Louisa,  Mrs.  Hiram 
Angle,  lives  in  Hunter,  N.  Y. ;  Eugenia  married 
Richard  Cox,  of  England,  and  they  are  living  in 
Denver,  Col.;  Flora  married  Phillip  Turner,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

After  coming  into  this  State  Mr.  Butler  located 
first  in  Tonica,  La  Salle  County,  where  he  re- 
mained until  March,  1874.  In  the  meantime  he 
had  been  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Augusta  E. 
Thompson,  on  the  8th  of  February,  1861.  Mrs. 
Thompson  was  born  in  New  York,  July  18,  1843. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Ann  Eliza  (Pet- 
itt)  Thompson,  and  her  mother  was  the  daughter 
of  Rev.  Petitt,  of  the  Old -School  Baptist  Church, 
who  preached  in  one  parish  for  a  period  of  fifty- 
two  years.  There  were  only  two  chidren  in  Na-. 
than  Thompson's  family,  Mrs  Butler  and  her 
brother  James  E.,  who  married  Miss  Margaret  Shel- 
ton,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  now  lives  in  Gibson 
City,  this  State. 

The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butler,  eight  in  num- 
ber, are  Mellia  C.,  Alvero  E.,  Charles  F.,  Annetta, 
Gussie  H.,  Ida  M.,  Hugh  and  Bessie  Leona.  Mel- 
lia C.  became  the  wife  of  Wallace  Zook,  now  de- 
ceased; she  has  one  child,  a  son,  Frank,  and  they 
reside  in  Winfield,  Kan.  After  coming  to  this 
county  Mr.  Butler  first  purchased  160  acres  of  land, 
to  which  he  has  since  added  eighty  more,  and 
in  addition  to  general  agriculture  is  engaged  quite 
extensively  in  the  breeding  of  fine  stock.  In  this 
latter  department  he  intends  to  increase  his  faeili- 


f. 


1160 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ties,  together  with  the  grade  nnd  breed.  He  has 
some  fine  roadsters  of  the  Morgan  stock.  Mr.  Bu£- 
ler  has  been  very  successful  in  raising  hogs,  and  as 
a  feeder  arid  shipper  has  realized  a  fine  income. 

Mr.  Butler  is  Democratic  in  politics,  and  has  held 
the  various  offices  of  his  township.  Socially  he  be- 
longs to  the  K.  of  P.  at  Saybrook.  Mrs.  Butler  is 
n  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Butler,  John  Thomp- 
son, was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean  while  his  par- 
ents were  crossing  from  their  native  Ireland  to  the 
United  States.  He  descended  from  excellent  an- 
cestry, his  forefathers  having  been  large  land-own- 
ers in  Ireland.  He  settled  in  New  York,  where  he 
became  prominent  in  public  matters  and  was  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  many  years. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  is  finely  located 
and  comprises,  besides  his  fertile  and  valuable  land, 
a  good  frame  barn  and  all  necessary  out-buildings, 
a  view  of  which  is  shown  in  this  ALBUM.  Mr.  B. 
and  his  family  are  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
of  life,  and  enjoy  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  them. 


, 


-*- 


M.  FUNK,  President  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of  McLean 
County,  and  was  born  June  1,  1832.  His 
parents  were  Isaac  and  Cassandra  (Sharp) 
Funk,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Mary- 
land. Isaac  Funk,  with  his  parents,  Adam  and 
Nancy  (Moore)  Funk,  removed  to  Ohio  when  he 
was  a  child  three  years  of  age,  and  located  in  Fay- 
ette  County.  There  they  engaged  in  fanning  and 
stock-raising,  and  became  prominent  and  influen- 
tial citizens.  Both  were  of  German  ancestry, 
whose  families  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where 
Adam  and  Nancy  Funk  were  born.  Their  son  Isaac, 
who  was  born  Kov.  17,  1797,  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  received  a  limited  education  in  the  pioneer 
schools,  and  remained  in  Ohio  until  the  fall  of 
1823.  He  then  turned  his  face  toward  the  prairies  of 
Illinois,  and  located  in  what  subsequently  became 
Funk's  Grove  Township,  in  McLean  County,  ar- 
riving here  on  the  15th  of  May,  1824.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  his  brother  Absalom,  who  was  ten 
.wars  hit-  senior,  and  William  Brook.  There  were 


only  a  few  settlers  in  this  county  at  the  time,  and 
facilities  for  boarding  were  extremely  limited. 
These  pioneers,  being  single  men,  joined  together 
and  put  up  a  small  log  house'  in  the  edge  of  the 
grove,  which  latter  contained  about  2,000  acres  of 
heavy  timber,  principally  burr,  red  and  white  oak 
and  black  walnut. 

The  two  brothers  took  up  a  tract  of  land  and 
jointly  engaged  in  its  improvement  and  cultiva- 
tation,  working  together  until  1840,  when  Absalom, 
desiring  to  go  to  Chicago,  sold  his  interest  to  Isaac, 
who  then  had  20,000  acres  in  one  body.  He  also 
had  5,000  acres  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county 
and  became  the  largest  stock- grower  in  this  sec- 
tion. 

In  182G  Isaac  Funk  was  married,  at  Peoria,  to 
Miss  Cassandra  Sharp,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  still  living: 
George  W.,  who  resides  in  Bloomington  and  is  a 
Director  of  the  First  National  Bank;  Jacob,  Presi- 
dent of  the  State  National  Bank  of  Bloomington, 
resides  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  where  he  superin- 
tends the  operations  of  his  farm,  a  large  part  of 
which  is  devoted  to  the  raising  of  fine  stock;  our 
subject  was  the  third  son;  Lafayette  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Illinois  Legislature  from  the  2  Nth  Sena- 
torial District;  his  home  is  in  Funk's  Grove  Town- 
ship, where  he  has  a  farm  devoted  largely  to  stock- 
raising;  Francis  Marion,  also  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  is  located  in  Bloomington  Township;  Ben- 
jamin F.  resides  in  Bloomington,  and  is  also  pro- 
prietor of  a  fine  farm  and  valuable  stock;  Absalom 
is_a  resident  of  Bloomington  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising;  Isaac  has  a  fine  farm  estate 
in  Funk's  Grove  Township;  Sarah,  Mrs.  Kerick,  is 
the  wife  of  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
Funk's  Grove  Township. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  died  on  the  same  day, 
Jan.  29,  18C5,  at  the  residence  of  their  son  D.  M., 
aged  sixty-seven  and  sixty-four  years  respectively, 
and  were  buried  in  one  grave  at  Funk's  Grove. 
Isaac  Funk  was  a  Representative  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  Illinois  in  1840,  and  Supervisor  of  his 
township  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  was  a 
Senator  in  the  State  Legislature  of  the  counties  of 
McLean,  De  Witt,  Macon  and  Piatt,  being  first 
elected  to  fill  out  the  tme.xpired  term  of  Richard  J. 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1163 


Oglesby  who  hart  resigned  to  outer  the  army.  Mr. 
Funk  was  re-elected  in  18C2,  as  Senator,  which  po- 
sition he  occupied  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  F.  were  worthy  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  and  the  name  of  Isaac  Funk 
became  familiar  throughout  the  State  as  the  en- 
courager  and  supporter  of  every  measure  calcu- 
lated to  advance  the  interests  of  this  section  so- 
cially, educationally,  religiously  and  politically. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing pursuits,  and  received  a  practical  education  in 
'the  pioneer  schools  of  McLean  County.  He  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  twenty-five 
years  of  age  and  then,  coming  to  Bloomington,  en- 
gaged in  the  dry-goods  trade  with  William  Temple 
for  seven  years.  He  then  sold  his  interest  to  his 
partner  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
until  1873.  From  the  first  he  displayed  unusual 
business  talent,  and  had  made  rapid  strides  in  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  the  citizens  of  the  county. 
During  the  year  last  mentioned  he  was  elected 
President  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Blooming- 
ton,  which  position  he  now  holds,  and  this  bank, 
under  his  management,  has  become  one  of  the  solid 
institutions  of  the  State.  Besides  other  important 
trusts  reposed  in  him  he  has  been  State  Trustee  for 
the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  at  Normal  since  1877, 
and  Supervisor  of  Bloomington  Township  since 
1874.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Shelbyville,  111.,  and  holds  a  like  interest 
in  the  Gas  Company,  and  is  also  stockholder  and 
Director  of  the  Walton  Plow  Works  of  Blooming- 
ton.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and 
socially  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Bloom- 
ington. 

Mr.  Funk  was  married,  April  1C,  1857,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Richardson,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
but  came  to  McLean  County  with  her  parents 
when  a  child  three  years  of  age.  She  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  T.  and  Mary  (Welsh)  Richardson, 
natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  Pennsylva- 
nia, who  after  their  marriage  emigrated  to  Illinois, 
and  were  among  the  pioneers  of  McLean  County. 
They  entered  a  tract  of  land  here  and  opened  up  a 
farm,  upon  which  they  passed  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  Of  this  marriage  there  were  born  only 
two  children — Belle,  now  Mrs.  11.  M.  Rollins,  of  St. 


Paul,  her  husband  being  engaged  in  commission 
business,  and  Isaac  L.,  at  home.  The  family  resi- 
dence is  a  handsome  structure,  finely  located  at 
No.  110  East  Chestnut  street,  Bloomington,  where 
our  subject  and  his  family  extend  a  generous  hos- 
pitality to  a  host  of  friends.  Besides  his  city 
property  Mr.  Funk  owns  2,400  acres  of  land  in 
Funk's  Grove  and  Dale  Townships,  which  consti- 
tutes a  magnificent  estate,  and  is  devoted  mostly 
to  the  breeding  of  fine  stock. 


J1OHN  W.  KERSIIAW,  one  of  the  wealthiest 
and  most  extensive  land-holders  of  Downs 
Township,  is  the  possessor  of  518  acres, 
which  constitutes  his  home  farm,  and  which 
is  located  on  sections  21  and  28.  He  also  owns 
300  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Empire  Township, 
which  is  highly  improved.  He  has  other  valuable 
property  in  McLean  County  which  he  has  amassed 
by  the  exercise  of  his  excellent  business  talent  and 
industry.  His  family  residence  is  a  handsome 
modern  structure,  beautifully  located,  and  is  the 
resort  of  a  host  of  warm  friends  and  acquaintances. 
In  addition  to  general  farming,  Mr.  Kershaw  has 
of  late  years  given  much  attention  to  the  raising 
of  fine  stock,  Short-horn  cattle  and  Poland-China 
hogs,  and  in  this  business  has  been  remarkably 
successful.  He  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortune,  and  presents  a  fine  example  to  the  ambi- 
tious youth  of  to-day,  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
by  having  a  steady  purpose  in  view,  and  backed 
by  untiring  industry  and  good  judgment. 

Mr.  Kershaw  is  a  native  of  this  State,  and  was 
born  in  Williamson  County,  Sept.  11,  1838.  His 
father,  Joseph  Kershaw,  now  deceased,  settled  in 
Downs  Township  in  1851,  having  taken  up  the  last 
acre  of  land  secured  by  pre-emption  from  the  Gov- 
ernment. Joseph  Kershaw  was  a  native  of  Lan- 
cashire, England,  where  he  was  reared  and  learned 
the  spinner's  trade,  commencing  to  labor  at  the 
early  age  of  twelve  years.  After  arriving  at  years 
of  manhood,  he  was  married  in  his  native  shire  to 
Miss  Hannah  Robinson,  who  was  also  born  and 
reared  in  Lancashire,  and  there  learned  the  weaver's 
tr:idc>.  After  tlu>  birth  of  one  child,  a  dauhter 

' 


•V. 

er,    T , 
*dj^ 


f 


t  ,    1164 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


t 


Elizabeth,  they  resolved  to  emigrate  to  the  United 
States.  This  was  in  1834,  and  after  reaching 
American  "shores,  they  proceeded  directly  to  Illi- 
nois, settling  first  in  Williamson  County,  but  soon 
afterward  removed  to  McLean  County,  where  the 
mother  died  in  March,  1858.  The  second  wife  of 
Joseph  Kershaw,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  Em- 
pire Township,  was  Miss  Lucinda  Gilmore. 

Our  subject  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
his  marriage,  in  Empire  Township,  in  1860,  the 
lad}'  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Emeline  Buckles. 
She  was  born  and  reared  in  Empire  Township,  of 
which  her  grandfatherjwas  the  first  settler,  locat- 
ing in  what  is  yet  known  as  Buckles'  Grove.  His 
son,  Abraham,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Kershaw,  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Williams,  and  both  he  and 
his  good  wife  are  now  deceased. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kershaw  lo- 
cated on  their  present  homestead,  which  they  have 
occupied  since  that  time.  They  have  "  pulled  to- 
gether;" the  wife  has  labored  side  by  side  with  her 
husband  in  the  mutual  effort  to  secure  a  compe- 
tency for  their  later  years,  and  in  this  they  have 
succeeded.  The  entire  landed  property  of  Mr. 
Kenshaw  aggregates  818  acres,  which  is  drained 
with  over  6,000  rods  of  tile  from  three  to  ten 
inches  in  diameter.  His  herd  of  cattle  includes 
150  head,  and  he  feeds  annually  about  that  num- 
ber of  hogs.  Mr.  Kershaw  commenced  life  at  the 
foot  of  the  ladder.  His  first  work  was  breaking 
prairie  when  twelve  years  old,  with  a  team  of  five 
yoke  of  _"cattle.  When  married  he  could  boast  of 
owning'. $5  only,  and  gave  $3^of*that'  to"  the  min- 
ister who  married  them.  His  father  gave  him  $15, 
with  which  he  bought  his  outfit  to  commence  house- 
keeping. 

To  our  subject  and  his  wife  there  have  been 
born  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy :  Joseph  married  Miss  Rosa  Myers,  and  is 
farming  in  Empire  Township;  John  W.  married 
Miss  Gertrude  Dodds,  of  Saybrook.  and  lives  in 
Empire  Township;  Cloa  E.  became  the  wife  of 
Samuel  R.  Morton,  and  lives  in  Lam  out,  Cook  Co., 
Ill;  Lizzie  married  John  F.  Welch,  of  whom  a 
sketch  is  given  in  another  part  of  this  ALKIM; 
MIIIT.  Lucinda,  Robert,  William  C.,  Ruth  E.  and  Sam- 
uel are  at  home  with  their  parents.  Mr.  and  Mis. 


Kershaw  arc  prominently  connected  with  the 
I'nitod  Brethren  Church,  and  our  subject  politi- 
cally is  connected  with  the  Democratic  party.  A 
handsome  view  of  his  residence  and  pleasant  home 
is  shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


ILLIAM  II.  LOPER,  "the  village  black- 
smith" of  Weston,  was  born  among  the 
Ohio  hills  in  Hamilton  County,  May  12, 
1846.  His  father,  John  R.  Loper,  was  a  native  of' 
New  Jersey,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  6,  1821.  lie 
emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  when  a  young 
man,  locating  first  near  the  city  of  Cincinnati. 
There  the  father,  who  also  labored  at  the  forge, 
located  and  lived  for  a  number  of  years.  In  early 
manhood  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Cole,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  May  6,  1 825 ;  they  re- 
moved further  Westward  to  Indiana,  settling  near 
Lawrenceburg,  where  the  father  died  in  1860.  The 
parental  household  included  five  children,  of  whom 
the  record  is  as  follows :  Sarah,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Rudolph  Neff,  is  a  resident  of  Kansas ;  William 
H.,  our  subject,  was  the  second  born ;  Derostes  M. 
resides  in  Freeport,  Jackson  Co.,  Ind. ;  John  R.  is 
a  resident  of  the  same  place;  Emma,  the  wife  of 
.Scott  Burrows,  lives  with  her  husband  in  Dills- 
boro,  Ind.  The  mother  of  our  subject  married  a 
second  time,  her  husband  being  Jacob  Hoover,  and 
of  this  marriage  there  were  born  two  children — 
Rollie  and  Corda.  Mrs.  Hoover  resides  in  Sparta, 
-Ind. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  only  enabled  to 
obtain  a  very  limited  education,  and  when  about  ten 
years  old  removed  to  Indiana.  In  February,  18C2, 
and  during  the  progress  of  the  Civil  War,  although 
not  yet  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  as  a  Union 
soldier,  being  enrolled  as  a  drummer  boy  in  Co.  B, 
52d  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.  He  remained  with  the  regiment 
until  September  following  when  he  was  discharged 
on  account  of  physical  disability.  He  then  re- 
turned home,  but  as  soon  as  he  recovered  his  health, 
he  re-enlisted  May  12,  1864,  as  a  private  in  Co.  I, 
139th  Ind.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  served  100  days.  He 
then  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  intent  upon  serving 
his  country  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  there 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1165 


I 


enlisted  in  Co.  E,  187th  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  in 
which  he  served  until  the  victory  of  the  Union 
armies  no  longer  necessitated  the  use  of  soldiers. 
He  participated  with  his  comrades  in  the  battles  of 
Ft.  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  various  minor  engage- 
ments, and  in  all  things  strived  to  emulate  the 
bravery  of  his  comrades  in  enduring  fatigue,  priva- 
tion and  other  hardships  connected  with  a  soldier's 
life. 

After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Loper  re- 
turned to  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  and  was  employed 
as  a  farm  hand  until  September,  1867.  He  then 
took  up  the  blacksmith's  trade,  which  he  learned  of 
Alva  Barnes,  after  going  back  to  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio.  He  worked  in  that  State  and  in  Indiana  at 
intervals  until  1871.  In  March  of  the  year  follow- 
ing he  visited  Chicago,  whence  he  came  into  this 
county,  and  engaged  as  a  journeyman  in  Chenoa. 
In  June,  1872,  he  took  a  trip  to  Colorado, but  soon 
returned  and  resumed  his  trade,  following  it  until 
1874.  In  April  of  that  3'ear  he  located  at  Weston, 
where  we  now  find  him  one  of  the  substantial  and 
reliable  citizens  of  the  place. 

Mr.  Loper  was  married  in  this  county,  in  1873, 
to  Miss  Antoinette,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ellen 
Powell,  who  was  born  Oct.  26,  1853.  Of  this  mar- 
riage there  were  four  children :  S.  Ellen,  born 
Nov.  14,  1874;Phebe,  Nov.  8,  1877;  Thomas  Wil- 
bur, Nov.  9,  1882,  and  Elsie  P.,  March  15,  1884. 
Mr.  Loper  is  independent  in  politics  and  a  firm 
believer  in  the  Christian  religion.  He  is  connected 
with  the  Masonic  fraternity  as  a  meinber  of  Chenoa 
Lodge  No.  292,  and  Chenoa  Chapter  No.  143.  A 
lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Loper's  residence  and  shop 
is  shown  on  another  page  in  this  ALBUM. 


EDGAR  BLAISDELL,  one  of  McLean  Coun- 
ty's  numerous   self-made   men,    is    promi- 
nently identified  with  the  industrial  inter- 
ests of  Weston,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  grain 
and  lumber  trade.     He  is  a  native  of  the  Empire 
State,  and  was  born  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y., 
March  5,  1834.     His  parents  were  John  and  Sarah 
(Collins)  Blaisdell,  and  he  is  one  of  a  family  of 
six  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  attain  their  ma- 


jority,  and  two  of  whom,  J.  O.  and  Jane,  are  now 
deceased.  Those  surviving  are,  John  C.,  a  farmer 
of  Washington  County,  N.  Y. ;  Louisa,  who  re- 
sides at  Saratoga  Springs ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Jo- 
seph Leeret,  of  Syracuse,  and  our  subject,  Edgar, 
who  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

Edgar  Blaisdell  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth 
upon  his  father's  farm  in  New  York,  and  received 
a  common-school  education.  He  remained  under 
the  home  roof  until  1855,  then,  having  attained  his 
majority,  started  West  to  seek  his  fortune.  He 
first  went  to  Walworth  County,  Wis.,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  one  season,  and  then  went  into 
Dane  County,  that  State,  where  he  remained  until 
1858;  thence  he  went  to  Columbia  County,  and 
was  occupied  as  a  grain  dealer  one  year,  after 
which  he  resumed  farming  in  Dane  County,  in 
which  he  was  occupied  until  the  whole  country  was 
electrified  by  news  of  the  attack  on  Ft.  Sumter. 
Young  Blaisdell  then  with  all  his  patriotism  aroused, 
at  once  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union,  being 
mustered  into  service  with  Co.  K,  1st  Wis.  Vol. 
Inf.,  in  which  he  served  until  August,  1861,  under 
the  first  call  for  three  months'  troops.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  that  time  he  returned  to  Dane  County, 
Wis.,  and  followed  farming  there  until  the  spring 
of  1 866.  He  then  came  to  Illinois,  first  locating  at 
Chenoa,  this  county,  where  he  had  charge  of  a  lum- 
ber-yard one  year,  and  then  went  to  Chicago,  serv- 
ing in  the  same  capacity  there  one  season.  We 
next  find  him  in  his  native  State  where  he  passed 
the  following  winter ;  coming  back  in  the  spring  to 
Chenoa,  he  resumed  his  old  occupation  in  the  lum- 
ber trade. 

Mr.  Blaisdell  became  a  resident  of  Weston  in  the 
spring  of  1872,  and  for  four  years  superintended 
the  grain  business  of  Haines,  Jordan  &  Co.  In 
the  fall  of  1875  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Al- 
bert Rakestraw,  and  under  the  firm  style  of  Blais- 
dell, Rakestraw  &  Co.,  they  operated  in  grain  for 
one  year,  then  purchased  a  warehouse.  Afterward 
Mr.  Blaisdell  for  four  years  operated  in  company 
with  Joseph  Leeret.  The  firm  was  dissolved  in 
1882,  since  which  time  our  subject  has  carried  on 
business  alone. 

On  the  21st  of  September,  1871,  Edgar  Blaisdell 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Susan  A.,  daugh- 


'  1166 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


ter  of  Longworth  and  Sarah  A.  (Fry)  Armstrong. 
Mrs.  Blaisdell  was  born  in  Peoria,  Oct.  20,  1848, 
and  by  her  union  with  our  subject  has  become  the 
mother  of  six  children  —  Fannie,  Louisa,  Edgar, 
Alma,  Amelia  and  Jay.  Mr.  Blaisdell  is  a  fine  il- 
lustration of  the  self-made  man,  who,  by  the  exer- 
cise of  his  own  energy  and  industry,  has  attained 
ft  good  position  in  the  community  and  in  a  business 
way.  He  is  careful  in  his  business  transactions, 
prompt  in  meeting  his  obligations,  and  in  all  re- 
spects is  entitled  to  be  classed  as  an  honest  man 
and  a  good  citizen.  A  lithographic  view  of  Mr. 
Blaisdell's  residence,  elevator  and  office,  appears  on 
another  page. 


JOHN  McCONNELL.  In  McLean  County 
are  many  extensive  land-owners,  and  fre. 
quently  these  gentlemen  have  amassed 
their  property  by  their  own  energy  and 
business  tact.  Prominent  among  this  number  is  Mr. 
McConnell  of  Downs  Township,  who  is  proprietor 
of  500  acres  on  sections  35  and  2.  This  is  finely  im- 
proved and  cultivated,and  providedwith  a  handsome 
and  commodious  residence,  from  which  may  be  ob- 
tained a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  Our 
subject  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive 
farmers  of  McLean  County,  who  has  made  the  most 
of  his  opportunities  and  taken  advantage  of  mod- 
ern progress.  His  barns  and  out-buildings  are  of 
first-class  description,  finely  arranged  for  the  shel- 
ter of  stock  and  the  storing  of  grain.  He  has  a 
fine  lot  of  high-grade  cattle  and  blooded  horses, 
and  everything  about  the  premises  indicates  the 
supervision  of  an  enterprising  and  intelligent  man. 
Mr.  McConnell  came  to  McLean  County  in  1854, 
while  a  young  man  about  twenty  -one  years  of  age, 
and  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  which  constitutes 
a  part  of  his  present  homestead  and  of  which  he 
took  possession  in  1855.  His  first  dwelling  con- 
sisted of  a  board  shanty,  14x15  feet  square,  in 
which  he  made  his  temporary  abode  and  which 
gave  place  to  a  better  one,  a  frame  building  1  9x32 
feet  in  area,  and  with  four  rooms.  This  constituted 
a  comfortable  home  for  his  family  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  still  continuing  in  the  march  of  progress, 


he  later  put  up  his  present  handsome  and  substantial 
residence,  which  is*considered  one  of  the  best  in  the 
township.  It  is  set  in  the  midst  of  fine  grounds, 
with  handsome  shade  trees  and  shrubberies  planted 
by  the  hand  of  the  proprietor,  and  in  the  summer 
time  is  a  delightful  resort. 

Mr.  McConnell  was  born  in  Hamilton  County, 
Ohio,  April  9,  1832.  His  father,  William  McCon- 
nell, was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  April  12,  1778, 
and  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812.  He 
participated  in  various  engagements,  receiving 
wounds  which  made  him  a  cripple,  and  on  account 
of  which  he  wasgiven  a  pension.  He  lived  in  Penn- 
sylvania several  years  after  leaving  the  army  and 
then  removing  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  opened  a 
public  house  which  became  very  popular  through- 
out that  section.  He  was  a  neighbor  and  stanch 
friend  of  Gen.  Harrison,  whom  he  assisted  greatly 
by  his  influence  at  the  Presidential  election  in  1840, 
and  was  a  prominent  figure  generally  in  the  "log 
cabin  campaign."  William  McConnell  was  a  stanch 
Whig  in  politics,  a  man  of  great  force  of  character, 
and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  not 
connected  with  any  church  but  was  an  advocate  of 
the  Presbyterian  faith.  He  died  at  his  home  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1876.  His  wife, 
formerly  Miss  Catherine  A.  Lafever,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  which  State  she  was  married. 
They  afterward  removed  to  Connersville,  Fayette 
Co.,  Ind.,  and  Mrs.  McCounell  was  the  first  woman 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  that  place.  The  par- 
ental household  consisted  of  thirteen  children,  three 
only  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Our  subject  was  the  twelfth  child  of  his  parents' 
family  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Ohio.  He  pursued 
his  studies  in  the  common  schools  and  completed 
his  "education  at  Farmer's  College,  in  Hamilton 
County.  He  then  taught  school  nine  years  follow- 
ing, in  the  meantime  having  come  to  this  countj',  a 
part  of  his  labors  being  in  Downs  and  Empire 
Townships.  He  was  successful  as  a  teacher,  has 
been  so  as  a  farmer,  and  soon  after  coming  here 
identified  himself  thoroughly  with  the  interests  of 
the  county.  He  became  a  resident  before  the  organi- 
zation of  the  township,  and  when  this  took  place  was 
elected  Township  Clerk  and  afterward  Assessor  and 
Supervisor,  holding  the  former  office  five  con- 


• 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


— •*- 

1167 


secutive  years,  and  the  latter  two  years.  He  was 
also  Road  Commissioner  two  years,  early  in  the 
history  of  the  township,  being  one  of  the  first  who 
made  the  survey  for  a  public  thoroughfare.  He  has 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  about  fifteen 
years  and  in  polities  is  a  solid  Republican. 

John  McConnell  was  married  in  Empire  Town- 
ship, June  17,1862,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Buck,  who  was  born  at 
Le  Roy  Dec.  14,  1838,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Hiram 
Buck.  She  is  a  high-minded  and  intelligent  lady 
and  greatly  respected  by  all  who  know  her.  Of 
this  union  there  were  three  children,  of  whom  one 
daughter,  Anna  B.,  died  when  about  nineteen  years 
of  age.  The  two  sons,  Hiram  E.  and  William  M., 
are  twins;  the  former  is  attending  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, and  the  latter  the  Business  College  at 
Bloom  ington. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McConnell  are  members  of 
Downs  Grange  No.  1163,  having  been  among  its 
organizers  and  still  hold  ing  ollices  in  the  order.  Our 
subject  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  State  Grange 
upon  three  occasions.  He  has  been  Master  Lec- 
turer, Overseer  and  Gate  Keeper.  Mrs.  McC.  has 
been  Master  and  Secretary  of  the  Subordinate 
G  range,  and  was  for  a  long  time  Seer  of  County 
Grange. 


AVID  SIMMONS,  retired  farmer,  has  his 
residence  in  Bloomington,  at  No.  802 
North  Oak  street.  Mr.  S.  is  a  native  of 
the  Old  Dominion,  having  been  born  at 
the  foot  of  Peter's  Mountain,  in  Monroe  County, 
W.  Va.,  the  date  July  15,  1802.  His  parents  were 
Ephraim  and  Elizabeth  (Galaway)  Simmons,  na- 
tives of  the  same  State,  where  they  engaged  in  • 
farming  pursuits.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to 
the  parents  of  our  subject,  only  two  are  living, 
David  and  his  sister  Elizabeth,  the  latter  now  Mrs. 
Jackson  Lucas,  of  Bloomington.  Ephraim  Simmons 
departed  this  life  in  Cabell  County,  W.  Va.,  in 
1821. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  at  home  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until  the  death  of  his  father. 
Then,  with  his  mother  and  her  family,  he  started 
\Vcst  and  locating  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  leased 


a  tract  of  land  which  lie  farmed  for  a  period  of 
nine  years.  In  1830  he  came  to  the  south  side  of 
Blooming  Grove,  and  purchased  eighty  acres, 
which  lie  cultivated  and  improved  until  1859 

In  1836,  Mr.  Simmons  entered  240  acres  of  land 
in  Bloomiugton  Township,  and  was  the  first  man  to 
put  up  a  building  on  the  prairie  in  that  vicinity. 
With  the  exception  of  thirty-six  days  when  he 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  he  has 
resided  in  this  county  continuously  since  that  time. 
He  improved  his  farm,  building,  and  setting  out 
trees,  and  hewed  the  logs  for  the  first  store  build- 
ing that  was  erected  in  Bloomington.  For  this  la- 
bor he  received  seventy-five  cents  per  day,  without 
board.  He  is  now  eighty-four  years  old,  never 
took  a  chew  of  tobacco,  never  smoked  a  cigar  or 
pipe,  and  never  took  but  one  pinch  of  snuff,  and 
that  when  a  boy.  He  never  signed  a  temperance 
pledge,  and  was  never  intoxicated  but  once,  and 
that  when  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age. 
He  possessed  all  the  energy  and  resolution  of  the 
genuine  pioneer,  and  was  ready  for  any  emergency. 

Mr.  Simmons  was  married  in  1825,  to  Miss  Eliz- 
abeth, daughter  of  Reuben  and  Martha  Jones,  na- 
tives of  Georgia.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 
ten  children,  only  four  now  living:  Levi,  of  Wil- 
mington, Kan.;  Annie,  now  Mrs.  Lash,  of  Bloom- 
ington Township;  Benjamin,  of  Missouri,  and 
Mary,  Mrs.  Fielder,  of  Randolph  Township. 

Our  subject  purchased  his  present  property  in 
1859.  After  living  upon  it  one  year  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  the  Poor  House  Farm,  and  remained 
its  Superintendent  for  three  'years,  when  the  insti- 
tution was  first  established,  this  being  the  first  of 
the  kind  in  McLean  County.  Afterward,  Mr.  Sim- 
mons returned  to  his  home  in  the  city.  In  the  fall 
of  1886  he  sold  the  last  of  his  lands,  eighty  acres, 
receiving  for  it  $50  per  acre.  While  in  possession 
of  his  farm  he  engaged  principally  in  stock  and 
grain  raising,  which  he  carried  on  intelligently  and 
successfully.  When  coming  to  this  vicinity  there 
was  only  one  log  cabin  upon  the  ground  which  is 
now  occupied  by  the  beautiful  and  flourishing  city 
of  Bloomington,  and  he  has  watched  with  that 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  enjoyed  by  most  of  the 
pioneers,  the  remarkable  growth  and  prosperity  of 
McLean  County  and  its  capital.  He  was  the  first 


'  '   1168 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Supervisor  of  Bloomington  Township,  which  ollice 
he  held  several  ye.-vrs,  and  with  his  wife  has  been  :i 
consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church  since 
early  in  life.  The  latter  still  remains  the  affection- 
ate and  devoted  companion  of  her  husband,  and 
they  are  patiently  waiting  until  the  summons 
come  for  them  to  cross  over  the  river. 


R.  /ERA  WATERS,  physician  and  surgeon, 
of  Bloomington,  was  born  in  Watertown, 
.Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1836,  and  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Wakefleld) 
Waters,  also  natives  of  the  Empire  State.  William 
Waters  was  there  engaged  in  farming  during  the 
earlier  years  of  his  life,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1844,  settling  in  De  Witt  County,  where  he  de- 
parted this  life  four  years  later.  The  mother  died 
in  1852.  Their  four  children  were,  Henry,  Orin, 
Dr.  Z.,  and  Susan  E.,  now  Mrs.  N.  O.  Andrews,  of 
Bloomington. 

The  subject  of  this  history  lived  on  the  farm 
until  his  father's  death,  and  attended  school  until 
sixteen  years  old.  He  then  engaged  as  engineer 
for  a  sawmill  at  De  Witt,  and  thence  went  to  the 
lumber  woods  where  he  was  employed  as  "•sealer,'' 
and  kept  the  books  for  the  proprietor,  Charles 
Smith.  The  next  summer  he  followed  fishing  on 
Lake  Huron,  then  resumed  his  work  in  the  lumber 
regions  in  the  winter,  and  soon  afterward  came  to 
Bloomington,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Dr.  Wake- 
field  as  traveling  salesman.  He  afterward  took  a 
two  years'  course  of  study  at  Lombard  University, 
Galesburg,  and  subsequently  became  engaged  in. 
the  furniture  and  agricultural  implement  trade  in 
Clinton,  111.  All  this  time  he  devoted  his  spare 
moments  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  finally,  go- 
ing to  Van  Buren,  Ark.,  gave  his  entire  time  to  his 
studies  for  one  year,  then  commenced  practice. 
He  located  at  Lees  Creek  about  1861,  and  being 
known  as  an  Abolitionist  was  pronounced  a  dan- 
gerous man.  After  the  attack  upon  Ft.  Sumter,  he 
was  waited  upon  by  a  vigilance  committee,  who  in- 
tended to  hang  him.  By  a  strategetic  movement, 
however,  he  got  possession  of  some  liquor,  and 
managing  to  get  them  intoxicated,  made  his  escape 


at  11  o'clock  at  night,  taking-  with  him  four  horses. 
Two  of  these  were  taken  by  United  States  troops, 
for  which  he  received  pay  fourteen  years  afterward. 
After  coming  North  he  landed  at  Bloomington, 
July  3,  1861,  whence  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  where 
he  attended  medical  lectures  and  received  his  dip- 
loma in  the  spring  of  1862.  He  then  returned  to 
Bloomington,  and  enlisted  in  the  fifteen-day  serv- 
ice to  guard  the  prisoners  at  Camp  Butler,  Spring- 
field, where  he  was  made  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the 
68th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  joining  them  at  Alex- 
andria,.Va.,  remained  there  five  months,  then  re- 
turned with  his  regiment  to  Springfield,  and  was 
discharged.  ' 

After  his  return  to  Bloomington,  Dr.  Waters 
opened  an  office  and  entered  upon  the  practice 
which  he  has  since  continued  with  ability  and  suc- 
cess. He  was  married,  in  1870,  to  Miss  Martha  A. 
Frazier,  of  New  York,  and  they  have  one  child,  a 
son,  Robert  A.  The  Doctor  is  a  Greenbacker 
politically,  and  socially  belongs  to  the  Masons,  the 
Knights  of  Honor  and  the  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Co-operative  Stove  Works,  and 
in  all  respects  an  energetic  and  worthy  representa- 
tive of  the  business  element  of  the  community. 
The  p.leasant  family  residence  is  located  at  No. 
1207  North  Main  street. 


A JOR  WELLM AN  PACKARD,  of  Bloom- 
ington, is  the  oldest  practitioner  of  the  Mc- 
Lean County  bar,  and  during  a  residence 
of  over  forty  years  has  built  up  for  him- 
self an  enviable  reputation  as  counselor,  advocate, 
friend  and  citizen.  He  comes  from  an  old  and 
honorable  family,  his  father  having  been  a  descend- 
ant of  Samuel  Packard,  who  emigrated  from  En- 
gland to  the  New  World  in  1638.  Our  subject's 
father,  John  A.  Packard,  a  native  of  Vermont,  was 
the  first  child  born  in  St.  Johnsbury,  that  State. 
and  his  grandfather,  Richard  Packard,  made  the 
first  clearing  on  St.  Johnsbury  Plain.  Richard 
Packard  was  born  in  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  in  about 
1760,  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
enlisting  when  a  youth  of  about  sixteen  years  of 
age,  and  for  many  years  before  his  death  received 


1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1161), 


n  pension  on  acount  of  services  and  wounds.  His 
son,  John  A.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  served 
later  in  the  War  of  1812.  Early  in  life  he  followed 
farming  pursuits  hut  later  became  a  local  preacher 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  married  Miss  Maria 
Bullock,  who  was  born  in  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  William  Bullock,  Esq.,  who  was 
prominent  in  that  locality  as  a  business  man  and 
useful  member  of  the  community.  They  became 
the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  nine  boys  and  four 
girls,  all  of  whom  lived  to  become  men  and  women 
and,  with  two  exceptions,  all  married  and  raised 
families  of  their  own. 

Major  Wellman  Packard  of  this  history,  was 
born  in  St.  Hyacinthe,  on  disputed  Canadian  ter- 
ritory, May  31,  1820.  He  pursued  his  primary 
studies  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town  and  later 
attended  school  at  Holliston,  Mass.,  where  he  com- 
pleted his  studies  and  engaged  as  a  teacher  in 
Manchester,  N.  II.,  and  other  places  near  his  old 
home  in  Canada.  In  the  summer  of  1844  he 
started  for  the  Great  West,  and  settled  in  Blooming- 
ton  during  the  Presidential  campaign  of  Clay  and 
Polk.  He  commenced  reading  law  in  the  office  of 
Asahel  Gridjey  and  completed  his  studies  with  the 
late  David  Davis  of  Blooming-ton.  Two  years 
later  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  opened  an 
office  in  Bloomington,  where  he  followed  the  prac- 
tice of  his  chosen  profession  until  1850.  He  then 
crossed  the  plains  to  California  in  company  with 
hundreds  of  others  who  emigrated  that  year  to  the 
Pacific  Slope.  He  remained  there  until  March, 
1855,  engaged  in  mining  and  general  merchandis- 
ing. He  then  returned  to  Bloomington  and  re- 
sumed his  law  practice  which  he  has  continued  un- 
interruptedly until  the  present  time,  having  now 
had  an  experience  of  about  forty  years,  and  having 
distinguished  himself  as  being  of  sound  judgment 
and  possessing  more  than  ordinary  ability. 

Our  subject  was  first  married  in  the  summer  of 
184C,  at  Clinton,  111.,  to  Miss  Maria  W.,  daughter 
of  Samuel  W.  Bullock,  who  died  two  years  after- 
ward, leaving  an  infant  son,  Albert  W.,  who  fol- 
lowed his  mother  to  the  silent  home  four  months 
later.  After  his  return  from  California  Mr.  Pack- 
ard was  again  married,  in  May,  1857,  to  Miss  Ellen 
Harris  of  Ohio.  Of  this  union  there  were  born 


four  children,  three  living:  Lou  M.  became  the 
wife  of,  Fred  Gay,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Gay 
l.ros.,  book  publishers  in  New  York  City;  Frankie 
died  when  two  years  of  age;  Eugene  and  Nellie 
are  at  home  with  their  parents.  Major  Packard 
since  coming  to  this  locality  has  thoroughly  identi- 
fied himself  with  its  interests,  and  as  opportunity 
afforded  has  been  the  encourager  and  supporter  of 
every  enterprise  calculated  to  advance  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  his  adopted  city.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  P^ducation  and  its  Presi- 
dent for  seven  years,  and  in  all  respects  has  ful- 
filled his  obligations  as  a  worthy  factor  of  the  busi- 
ness community  and  of  society  at  large. 


USTIN  RAW  LINGS,  general  merchant  and 
grain  dealer,  and  also  Postmaster  at  Kum- 
ler,  is  a  native  of  Fleming  County,  Ky., 
where  he  was  born  May  31,  1836,  and  is 
the  eldest  son  of  John  E.  and  Polly  (Scott)  Raw- 
lings.  He  was  less  than  a  .year,  old  when  his  par- 
ents came  to  Illinois,  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  pioneer  schools  of  Menard  County.  As 
soon  as  old  enough  he  began  to  work  on  the  farm 
with  his  father,  and  remained  under  the  home  roof 
until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  When  a 
young  man  he  was  employed  in  hauling  merchan- 
dise from  Beardstown  to  Petersburg,  a  distance  of 
forty  miles.  His  mother  raised  flax,  which  she 
spun  and  wove,  and  in  this  manner  provided  the 
clothing  for  her  family  until  our  subject  grew  to 
manhood. 

In  1861,  the  Civil  War  being  in  progress,  Mr. 
Rawlings  was  desirous  of  enlisting  as  a  Union  sol- 
dier, but  the  quota  for  Illinois  being  filled  he  was 
obliged  to  go  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  became  a 
member  of  the  1st  Missouri  Cavalry,  and  served 
faithfully  through  the  war.  He  was  in  many  bat- 
tles and  skirmishes,  including  the  engagements  at 
Wilson  Creek,  Sugar  Creek,  Pea  Ridge  and  Prairie 
Grove.  He  received  his  honorable  discharge  with 
his  regiment  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  in  1865,  after  a 
service  of  four  years  and  two  months.  He  entered 
the  army  as  a  private,  was  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  B,  in  January,  1865,  and 


L 

,117 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


that  same  year  promoted  First  Lieutenant.  He 
u:i>  also  an  ambulance  officer,  from  April.  1865, 
until  his  discharge,  and  served  on  the  staff  of  Gen. 
West  for  some  time. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  army,  Mr.  Raw- 
lings  returned  to  McLean  County,  and  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  grain  business  for  the  follow- 
ing year.  Soon  after  the  completion  of  the  U.  P. 
R.  R.  he  went  to  California,  where  he  spent  a  few 
months,  and  purchasing  a  hotel  in  Wilmington, 
Will  County,  operated  it  one  year.  In  1874  he 
purchased  a  farm  on  section  31,  Belleflower  Town- 
ship, where  he  lived  until  1881.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  store  at  Kumler,  which  has  been  his  home 
since  that  time. 

Our  subject  was  married  on  the  8th  of  April, 
1875,  to  Miss  S.  L.  Wildman.  Mrs.  R.  was  born 
in  Logan  County,  111.,  June  18,  1854,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  William  Wildman,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  the  son  of  Jonas  Wildman,  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  Martin  County,  Ind.  William  Wildman  was 
young  when,  with  his  parents,  he  went  to  Indiana, 
and  after  reaching  manhood,  was  married  in  Mar- 
tin County  to  Miss  Ellen  Howard.  This  lady  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  whence  she  removed  with  her 
parents  at  an  early  age  to  Martin  County,  Ind., 
and  was  there  reared  to  womanhood.  The  family 
came  to  Illinois  in  1852,  settling  first  in  Logan  and 
afterward  in  Menard  County,  where  Mr.  W.  died 
in  1866.  The  mother  still  survives,  and  makes  her 
home  with  Mrs.  Rawliugs.  Our  subject  and  wife 
have  one  child,  a  son,  Edward  E.,  born  in  1876, 
and  who  is  living  at  home. 


en 

I: 


J~  OHN  P.  ZEIGLER,  of  the  firm  of  Zeigler  & 
Ferre,  contractors   and    builders,  of  Bloom- 
ington,  is  a  native  of  Carlisle,  Pa.,   and  was 
born  in  Cumberland  County,  Jan.  6,   1837. 

He  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Lydia  (Furner)  Zeigler, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Phillip  Zeigler,  was  born  at  Carlisle 
Springs,  Pa.,  and  descended  from  German  ancestry, 
his  father  having  been  born  in  Germany  and  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  when  a  young  man. 
Phillip  Zeigler's  father  located  at  Carlisle  Springs, 


Pa.,  and  purchased  160  acres  of  unimproved  land, 
being  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  Keystone  State, 
His  family  included  five  children — Phillip.  Jacob, 
Henry,  Eliza  and  Mary.  After  the  death  of  the 
parents,  Phillip  purchased  the  interest  of  the  heirs 
in  the  homestead  and  remained  upon  it  during  the 
balance  of  his  life.  His  children  were  four  in  num- 
ber— Jacob,  Andrew,  William  and  Margaret. 

After  the  death  of  his  parents,  Jacob  Zeigler 
sold  his  interest  in  the  homestead  to  his  brothers 
and  moved  into  Carlisle,  Pa.,  where  he  raised  :i 
family  of  six  children — Margaret,  Mary,  John  P., 
Julia,  Kate  and  David.  After  leaving  the  home- 
stead Jacob  Zeigler  followed  the  trade  of  a  black- 
smith, which  he  had  previously  learned.  He  set  up 
a  shop  and  gave  employment  to  three  men.  finally 
becoming  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  in 
which  he  was  occupied  the  latter  years  of  his  life. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  his  community  and 
held  the  office  of  Supervisor  for  many  years.  With 
his  wife  he  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church 
and  a  Deacon  fora  long  period.  He  gave  all  his 
children  a  good  education  and  lived  to  see  them 
married  and  comfortably  settled  in  life.  He  rested 
from  his  earthly  labors  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years,  dying  in  1881,  at  Green  view,  Menard  Coun- 
ty, this  State,  whither  he  had  removed  the  year  pre- 
viously. He  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in 
1874,  first  settling  in  Farmer  City,  De  Witt  Coun- 
ty. After  the  death  of  her  husband  the  mother  of 
our  subject  went  back  to  Pennsylvania  on  a  visit 
and  died  there  in  1885,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  attended  school  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  old  and  then  engaged  as  clerk 
in  a  dry -goods  store  for  two  years.  He  afterward 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  serving  an  apprentice- 
ship of  four  years,  and  worked  for  one  year  as 
journeyman.  In  1860  he  proceeded  to  Ohio,  and 
after  a  sojourn  of  six  months  returned  to  his  native 
State  and  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  K.,  daugh- 
ter of  Thompson  and  Maria  (Winecoop)  Bosler. 
He  worked  at  his  trade  for  three  years  after  his 
marriage  and  then  removed  to  Chambersburg,  Pa., 
where  he  spent  the  following  two  and  one-half 
years. 

In  1871  our  subject  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
Farmer  City,  De  Witt  County,  where  he  became 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1171 


engaged  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  and  continued 
until  1880.  Thence  he  removed  to  Bloomington, 
still  following  the  same  business,  and  in  1  880  be- 
came associated  with  his  present  partner.  The  firm 
has  been  remarkably  successful  in  its  operations 
and  employs  from  six  to  eight  men. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Xeigler  have  become  the  parents 
of  four  children,  as  follows:  Annie,  Mrs.  Adolph,  of 
Bloomington,  is  the  mother  of  one  daughter  —  Ma- 
bel; Thomas  is  engaged  in  blackstnithing  at  Brook- 
lyn, Iowa;  William,  also  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
is  in  Bloomington;  Irena  is  with  her  parents.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Z.  are  members  of  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church.  Our  subject  was  Alderman  of  Far- 
mer City  for  two  years.  Socially  he  belongs  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  and  as  a  citizen  and  business 
man  ranks  among  the  representative  men  of  the 
city  of  Bloomington. 


ILTON  BULL,  ^farmer,  stock  raiser  and 
feeder,  of  Lexington  Township,  is  a  native 
of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  born  near  Mar- 
tinsville,  Jan.  31,  1825.  He  is  the  son  of 
William  Bull,  a  native  of  Virginia,  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation, and  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  By 
his  first  marriage  he  had  two  children,  George  and 
John.  The  former  is  at  present  residing  in  Kansas, 
having  attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two 
years.  William  Bull's  first  wife  had  two  children 
by  a  previous  marriage,  namely,  William  and  Mary 
Goodwin.  William  Bull  after  his  marriage  with 
Esther  Goodwin  nee  Fowler,  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  made  that  his  home  until 
the  fall  of  1853,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and, 
settling  in  Lexington  Township,  passed  one  summer 
at  Selma.  He  then  rented  a  farm,  having  but  lit- 
tle means,  having  lost  almost  all  his  accumulations 
while  a  resident  of  Indiana,  by  going  security.  He 
never  recovered  his  financial  standing.  He  lived 
with  his  son,  our  subject,  until  his  death,  in  1852, 
in  his  seventy  -second  year.  His  wife  died  in  1858. 
By  his  latter  marriage  he  had  eight  children,  six 
daughters  and  two  sons,  namely  :  Eleanor,  wife  of 
William  Arnold;  Caroline  married  John  Ilaner; 
Eliza,  Mrs.  Edwin  McMaster,  wife  of  a  Methodist 


minister  of  note;  Washington  is  deceased ;  Milton 
was  next  in  order  of  birth  ;^Julia  A.  became  the 
wife  of  Henry  Myers,  and  both  died  in  Cumber- 
land County,  this  State  ;]Mahala  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  James  Moore,  a  resident  of  Wichita, 
Kan.,  and  Margaret4'became\the  wife  of  Nicholas 
Reed,  and  is  now  deceased. 

Milton  Bull  „  was  about  eighteen  years  old  when 
he  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  worked  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  when  twelve  years  old  was  almost  able 
to  do  a  man's  work  on  the  place.  When  he  came 
to  this  county  he  hired  out  as  a  hand  to  Milton 
Smith  for  $10  per  month  for  the  first  year.  He 
continued  with  that  gentleman  about  fourteen 
months  and  with  the  money  he  had  earned  and 
saved,  bought  fifty-five  acres  of  land,  going  in  debt 
for  a  portion  of  it.  He  soon,  however,  paid  for  it, 
aud  by  economizing  was  enabled  to  purchase  more 
from  time  to  time  until  he  became  the  proprietor 
of  a  handsome  property. 

When  in  his  twenty-fifth  year  our  subject  was 
married  to  Miss  Nancy  Nevvlon,  of  this  county, 
but  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,. and  daughter 
of  John  Newlon,  born  in  Virginia.  Her  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Anna  Walker.  The_  Newlon 
family  were  of  German  origin.  After  marriage 
Mr.  Bull  located  on  his  present  farm,  section  _  2.8, 
Lexington  Township.  He  commenced  on  a  small 
scale  and  kept  adding  as  he  could  to  his  possessions, 
and  now  is  the  owner  of  640  acres  of  valuable 
land  in  one  body.  He  also  added  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  cereals,  the  industry  of  raising  and  feeding 
cattle  for  the  market.  He  has  also  been  successful 
in  the  raising  of  hogs  and  feeds  from  seventy-five 
to  100  head  for  the^market  annually.  He  has  a 
fine  two-story  residence  on  his  place,  together  with 
good  barns  and  substantial  ^outbuildings,  and  has 
met  with  far  more  than  ordinary  success  in  his 
business. 

Six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  have 
been  born  to  our  subject  and  wife.  They  are, 
William  S.,  Isaac  II. ;  Margaret  A.,  wife  of  James 
N.  Smail;  Mary  A.  married  Harvey  Smith;  George, 
Jr.,  Martha  E.  Two  of  their  children, died  in  in- 
fancy. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bull  are  members  of  the 


t 


k    1172 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


Methodist  Kjiiscopal  Church.  He  has  given  to  each 
of  his  children  some  forty  to  eight3'  acres  of  land 
and  retains  on  the  home  farm  140  acres. 


J~~l  USTUS  CASTLE.  Among  the  manufactur- 
|  ing  establishments  of  Chenoa  the  steam  tile 
works  of  Pike  &  Castle  occupy  the  most  im- 
'  portant  position.  The  business  was  estab- 
lished in  1880  by  Ellington  &  Castle.  Two  years 
later  Mr.  E.  M.  Pike  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr. 
Ellington  and  it  has  since  been  conducted  by  the 
firm  of  Pike  &  Castle.  The  factory  buildings  are 
fitted  up  with  the  most  approved  machinery,  in- 
cluding an  engine  of  lifty-horse  power,  and  the 
annual  output  is  over  1.300,000  tile,  and  some 
years  has  gone  beyond  even  these  large  figures. 
The  factory  is  kept  in  operation  all  the  year  round 
and  7,000  feet  of  steam  pipe  contribute  to  keep  an 
even  temperature  throughout  the  works.  They 
give  employment  to  about  eighteen  men  and  ship 
the  products  of  their  manufacture  to  different  parts 
of  this  State,  besides  supplying  a  large  home 
demand. 

Mr.  Castle  is  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain 
State,  and  was  born  near  Brattleboro,  Nov.  5, 
1 823.  His  father,  Philo,  and  his  grandfather,  Timo- 
thy Castle,  were  natives  of  Connecticut,  and  were 
descendants  of  excellent  French  and  English  fam- 
ilies. The  father  of  our  subject  in  early  manhood 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Jerusha  Dix, 
who  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  whose  father, 
Ozias  Dix,  removed  to  Vermont  and  there  passed 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  Philo  Castle,  after  his 
marriage  settled  on  a  farm  in  Windham  County, 
Vt,  and  established  a  home  there  which  he  occu- 
pied until  his  death.  The  parental  household  in- 
cluded eight  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  mature 
years.  Justus  of  our  sketch  was  the  youngest  and 
remained  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  in  the  meantime  obtaining  his 
education  in  the  district  school.  In  1845,  desiring 
to  see  something  of  the  Great  West,  he  came  to 
Illinois  and  spent  one  year  in  Adams  County.  He 
then  returned  to  his  home  in  Vermont  but  did  not 
give  up  his  original  intention  of  locating  perma- 


rr 


nently  in  the  West.  In  1850  he  returned  to  this 
State  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Bureau  County, 
upon  which  he  lived  until  18C7.  In  the  meantime, 
however,  he  had  revisited  his  native  State,  and 
upon  his  return  to  Illinois  was  accompanied  by  his 
bride,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Harriett  A.  Boyd  of 
Wilmington,  Vt.  They  located  upon  a  farm  as  we 
have"  stated  until  1867,  then  'came  to  this  county, 
taking  up  their  abode  in  Yates  Township,  where 
Mr.  Castle  engaged  in  farming  until  1879.  In  that 
year  he  removed  to  Chenoa,  and  the  year  following 
established  his  present  business. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  viz.,  Timothy,  who  died  aged  three 
years ;  William  D.  married  Miss  Nancy  E.  Hamilton ; 
Hattie  M.;  Walter  died  at  the  age  of  five  years; 
Jesse  died  when  about  three  years  of  age.  While 
living  in  Yates  Township,  Mr.  Castle  served  four 
years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  During  his  early 
life  he  was  a  Whig  politically,  but  after  the  aban- 
donment of  the  old  party  by  the  organization  of 
the  Republican,  he  cheerfully  endorsed  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  latter,  with  which  he  uniformly  cast 
his  vote. 


ILLIAM  H.  BALL,  a  native  of  Cheney's 
Grove  Township,  in  which  he  is  now  lo- 
cated, residing  on  section  10,  was  born 
Nov.  24,  1841.  He  is  the  son  of  Hilleary  and 
Calista  (Ilildreth)  Ball,  natives  of  Kentucky  and 
New  York  respectively.  The  father  was  born 
March  8,  1817,  and  the  mother,  May  27  of  that 
same  year.  They  are  still  living  and  make  their 
home  in  this  township.  The  children  of  the  pa- 
rental family  were  William  II. ;  Elizabeth  T.  mar- 
ried William  Evans;  Julia  A.,  Mrs.  Gallagher,  is  a 
resident  of  Kansas,  her  husband  being  the  Clerk  of 
Ford  County;  Amos  married  Miss  Hannah  Ste- 
phens; Hattie  is  the  wife  of  Robert  Means,  a  banker 
of  Saybrook. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject's  wife,  Benjamin 
Thomas,  was  the  second  white  man  who  came  into 
Cheney's  Grove  Township  for  permanent  settle- 
ment, arriving  here  in  1826.  lie  was  born  on  the 
12th  of  May,  1799,  and  died  on  the  1st  of  April, 


•4 


t 


MoLEAN    COUNTY. 


1173 


1834.  His  wife  was  born  Dec.  26,  1799,  and  died 
April  8,  1830.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  they  were 
born  in  the  same  year  and  both  died  in  April. 
The  grandmother  survived  her  husband  a  little 
over  two  years. 

William  II.  Ball  is  the  eldest  member  of  his  par- 
ents' family.  He  was  reared  to  farming,  received 
a  fair  common-school  education,  and  after  reaching 
manhood  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
'  Harrison  on  the  10th  of  November,  1864.  Mrs. 
Ball  is  also  a  native  of  Cheney's  Grove  Township, 
and  born  Sept.  11,  1843.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Davis  and  Temperance  (Thomas)  Harrison,  the 
father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  of 
Ohio.  Davis  Harrison  was  born  Feb.  26,  1819,  and 
died  at  his  home  in  Saybrook,  Feb.  9.  1884.  His 
wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Ball,  was  born  Aug.  23, 
1823,  and  departed  this  life  about  the  10th  of 
March,  1873.  Four  of  their  eight  children  are  yet 
living:  Mary,  of  our  sketch,  was  the  eldest.  Benja- 
min T.,  born  Aug.  8,  1846,  married  Miss  Love  C. 
Hogan;  Leander  J.,  born  Sept.  13,  1848,  died  May 
20,  1871;  Hannah,  born  Aug.  20,  1851,  died  Sept. 
24,  1853;  Charles,  born  Jan.  27,  1854.  died  March 
31,  1874;  Aaron,  born  Oct.  28,  1856,  died  Sept. 
11,  1858;  Ellen  C.,  born  Oct.  10,  1860,  became  the 
wife  of  Floyd  W.  Collins,  Oct.  13,  1881;  Esther 
M.  was  born  Sept.  11,  1864.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Ball 
have  four  children:  Harriett  E.,  born  Sept.  30, 
1865;  Harrison,  Oct.  25,  1866;  Minnie  E.,  May  31, 
1868,  and  Frank  M.,  Dec.  22,  1876.  Harriett 
graduated  at  the  Bloomington  High  School  in 

1886,  and  is  now  teaching  five  miles  East  of  that 
city. 

The  homestead  of  our  subject  comprises  290 
acres  of  valuable  land  under  an  advanced  state  of 
cultivation.  In  September,  1881,  he  removed  to 
Bloomington,  where  he  remained  until  March, 

1887.  He  then  returned  to  the  farm,  which  seems 
more    like    home    to    him  than  any    place  in   the 
world.     Here  he  has  a  substantial  and  convenient 
residence  which,  together  with  his  substantial  out- 
buildings and  live  stock,  comprises  the  model  farm 
estate  of  an  enterprising  and  representative  citizen. 
Mr.  Ball  has  one  of  the  finest  farm  estates  in   this 
section  besides  the  finest  spring  in  McLean  County, 
it  having  a  capacity  sufllciently  large  to  water  1,000 


head  of  stock  daily,  even  in  the  driest  season  of 
the  year. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ball  .with,  two  of  the  children, 
Hattie  and  Minnie,  are  members  of  the  First 
Methodist  Church  of  Bloomington.  A  view  of 
Mr.  Ball's  residence  is  shown  on  another  page. 


JAMES  M.  SELLS.     One  of  the  handsomest 
homesteads   in  Martin  Township,  lying  on 
section  14,  is  occupied  by  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  of  which  he  took  possession  in  the 
spring  of   1864.     The   family   residence,  which   is 
splendidly  located,  is  one  of  the  neatest  and  most 
tasteful   in  that   locality,  and   the  barn  and   other 
necessary  farm   buildings  are   handsome  and  sub- 
stantial structures,  calculated  alike  for  beauty  and 
utility.     The  fences  and  farm  machinery  are  kept 
in  good  repair,  and  the  stock  and  other  accessories 
of  the  estate  testify  in  a  silent  and  forcible  manner 
to  the  intelligence,  industry  and  enterprise  of  the 
proprietor. 

Anthony  Sells,  the  father  of  our  subject,  and 
Benjamin  Sells,  the  grandfather,  were  both  natives 
of  Virginia.  The  former  emigrated  to  Indiana 
when  a  young  man,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time,  and  then  came  into  Woodford  County,  this 
State.  There  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Mun- 
dell,  a  native  of  Woodford  County.  After  their 
marriage  the  young  people  settled  at  Dixon,  111., 
whence  they  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Johnson 
County,  Iowa.  Anthony  Sells  being  a  miller  by 
trade  put  up  a  mill  on  the  Iowa  River,  near  Iowa 
City,  which  he  operated  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  then  pushed  south  westward  into  Kansas,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  The  mother 
had  died  while  living  in  Johnson  Couut3r,  Iowa. 

James  M.,  our  subject,  after  residing  three  years 
in  Johnson  County,  Iowa,  returned  to  Woodford 
County,  making  his  home  with  his  uncle  and  grand- 
mother. He  started  out  in  life  for  himself  at  the 
early  age  of  ten  years,  and  commenced  working  on 
a  farm  and  herding  cattle.  He  soon  learned  the 
value  of  money,  and  saved  what  he  could  of  a 
very  limited  income.  During  the  war  he  dealt 
largely  in  cattle  for  other  parties,  and  in  time  be- 


t 


t 


1174 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


HOD 

'    of  it 


gan  to  trade  on  his  own  account,  investing  what 
means  lie  could  raise  in  live  stock.  As  his  opera- 
tions extended  he  began  shipping  cattle  from  Kan- 
sas and  Colorado  to  Chicago,  New  York,  and  other 
Eastern  points.  His  transactions  in  this  line  contin- 
ued for  a  period  of  over  thirty  years.  He  has  been 
remarkably  successful  in  his  operations  and  accumu- 
lated a  handsome  competence}'.  His  career  from 
first  to  last  has  been  a  striking  illustration  of  what 
may  be  accomplished  from  very  small  beginnings. 
His  first  property  in  the  cattle  line  was  a  yearling- 
calf,  which  he  secured  in  payment  for  cutting  corn 
stalks.  He  has  feil  as  high  as  o'OO  head  of  cattle 
during  the  winter,  for  which  purpose  he  raises  an 
immense  quantity  of  corn,  probably  more  than  any 
other  man  in  this  township.  Besides  his  cattle  op- 
erations, which  have  included  large  numbers  of 
thoroughbred  Short-horns,  he  has  been  engaged 
quite  extensively  in  the  breeding  of  Norman 
horses.  His  stables  contain  some  of  the  handsomest 
animals  in  this  section  of  the  State. 

During  the  war  Mr.  Sells  made  money  rapidly, 
but  in  the  panic  of  1873,  which  brought  ruin  to  so 
many  men,  he  suffered  heavily.  His  was  not  the 
spirit  to  be  dismayed  or  discouraged,  however,  and 
he  recovered  from  his  losses  as  best  he  could,  and 
set  about  with  dauntless  courage  to  retrieve  his 
fortunes.  In  due  time  he  found  himself  again 
upon  his  feet.  He  purchased  his  present  farm  in 
1864,  taking  an  entire  section  of  land,  and  giving 
as  part  payment  100  head  of  cattle,  but  it  was  not 
long  until  he  had  the  whole  of  it  paid  for. 

The  marriage  of  James  M.  Sells  and  Miss  Emma 
F.  Brooke,  of  McLean  Count}',  took  place  in  1873. 
Mrs.  S.  was  born  near  Shirley,  111.,  and  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Matthew  and  Mary  (Thompson)  Brooke. 
Matthew  Brooke  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Ohio,  and  thence  to  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sells 
have  four  children,  three  daughters  and  one  son — 
Mary,  Lavisa,  Charles  B.  and  Rachel. 

When  Mr.  Sells  first  took  possession  of  his  pres- 
ent farm  there  were  no  improvements  upon  it,  it 
having  been  chiefly  devoted  to  the  herding  of  cat- 
tle, numbers  of  which  he  himself  had  looked  after 
upon  the  same  land  years  before  he  was  in  a  condi- 
tion to  think  of  buying.  Since  he  took  possession 
he  has  effected  a  wonderful  change,  and  has 


f 


brought  most  of  the  land  to  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, some  years  raising  as  high  as  2<).(><tO  bushels 
of  corn  on  320  acres.  Our  subject  was  elected  As- 
sessor of  Martin  Township,  which  ollice  he  held  for 
three  sncce»ive  terms.  Politically  he  is  independ- 
ent, and  is  a  strong  temperance  man. 


JAMES  S.   BLAND,  a   self-made  man,   is  to- 
day a  prosperous  and  highly  respected   far- 
mer of    Empire  Township.     He  came  into 
1    the    Prairie    State    after    the    war,  poor    in 
pocket  and  without  influential  friends,  but  by  the 
exercise  of  his  native  energy  and   resolution   has 
secured  for  himself  a  comfortable  home  and  a  com- 
petency and  has  established  himself  in  the  esteem 
of  his  fellow-citizens. 

Mr.  Bland  was  born  in  Pendleton  County,  W. 
Va.,  Jan.  23,  1845.  His  father,  Eli  Bland,  was  a 
native  of  the  same  county  and  State,  and  his  grand- 
father, Henry  Bland  who,  it  is  believed,  was  also 
a  Virginian,  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer 
in  the  Old  Dominion,  spending  most  of  his  life 
in  Pendleton  County.  His  son  Eli,  the  father  of 
our  subject,  was  also  reared  to  farming  pursuits, 
and  spent  his  entire  life  in  his  native  county,  dying 
there  in  the  winter  of  18C2  or  1863.  He  married 
in  early  life  Miss  Annie  Haigler,  a  native  of  his 
own  county,  who  still  resides  there. 

James  Bland  attended  the  subscription  schools  of 
his  native  county  and  assisted  his  father  in  fann- 
ing until  1862.  Then,  upon  the  outbreak  of  the 
.Rebellion,  and  when  a  youth  of  seventeen  years, 
he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  of  the  Confederacy  in  Co. 
A,  18th  Va.  Vol.  Cav.,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  army  of  Gen.  Lee  and 
was  present  at  the  battles  of  Fisher's  Hill,  Win- 
chester, Newmarket,  Lynchburg  and  Gettysburg. 
He  was  captured  by  Federal  troops  in  September, 
1864,  and  confined  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  eight 
months,  being  released  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
then  returned  to  his  native  county  in  Virginia  and 
resumed  farming  on  the  old  homestead  until  1867. 
Not  being  quite  satisfied  with  his  condition  or  his 
prospects  he  resolved  to  emigrate  to  Illinois.  He 
stopped  first  in  Champaign  County  for  one  year, 

•*  m 


* 


t 

•I 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1175 


working  on  a  farm,  whence  he  wi-nt  into  DeWitt 
County  and  was  similarly  occupied  until  his  mar- 
riage. He  then  rented  a  farm  in  DC  Witt  County 
until  1878,  when  he  came  into  McLean  and  pur- 
chased the  farm  which  he  now  occupies.  He  has 
greatly  improved  the  condition  of  this  since  it 
came  into  his  possession,  although  it  was  then  sup- 
plied with  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings.  On  the 
2d  of  November,  1  882,  the  first  house  was  destroyed 
by  fire  and  he  put  up  the  one  he  now  occupies. 
This  is  a  substantial  and  convenient  structure, 
pleasantly  located,  and  makes  a  pleasant  home  for 
himself  and  family.  His  first  purchase  consisted 
of  188  acres  and  to  this  he  has  added  and  now  has 
in  all  287  acres  divided  into  three  farms,  two  of 
them  being  supplied  with  good  frame  buildings. 

Mr.  Bland  was  married  in  this  county  on  the  23d 
of  July,  1871,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Helmick,  who  was 
born  in  Rutledge  Township,  De  Witt'  Co.,  111., 
July  10,  1851,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Elisha  and 
Mary  (Trimble)  Helmick,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 
who  came  to  De  Witt  County  in  about  1846.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bland  became  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren— Ashley,  Mary,  Hattie,  Walter,  Ewell,  Bessie 
and  Dell.  The  parents  are  members  in  good  stand- 
ing of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Eland's  residence  is 
shown  on  another  page  of  this  work. 


f;ILLIAM  J.  KIMLER,  Supervisor  of  West' 
Township,  is  a  native  of  the  Prairie  State, 
and  was  born  near  the  city  of  Blooming- 
ton,  Nov.  10,  1838.  His  father,  Caleb  Kimler,  was 
a  native  of  Virginia,  Whence  he  removed  into  Ken- 
tucky and  lived  until  about  1830.  He  then  came 
into  that  part  of  Vermilion  County,  111.,  which  is 
now  included  in  McLean,  and  lived  a  few  years  in 
what  is  now  Bloomington  Township.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  timber  and  prairie  near  Randolph 
Grove,  upon  which  stood  a  log  house,  and  he  there 
located  and  commenced  the  serious  business  of  life 
in  a  new  country.  He  had  served  an  apprentice- 
ship as  a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker  and  after  lo- 
cating here,  in  company  with  others  put  up  the 
first  sawmill  in  the  count}',  at  the  east  end  of 


Randolph  (i rove.  He  engaged  a  man  to  operate 
his  farm  and  employed  himself  at  his  trade  most  of 
the  time.  His  death  occurred  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship, Jan.  9,  1848. 

The  maiden  name  of  Caleb  Kimler's  wife  was 
Elizabeth  Orendorff,  and  she  was  born  July  29, 
1814,  in  Kentucky,  her  parents  being  William  and 
Sallie  (Nichols)  Orendorff,  the  former  a  native 
of  Georgia,  and  the  son  of  Christopher  OrcndorlY, 
who  was  of  German  descent  and  parentage.  Mrs. 
Kimler  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents  in 
1823,  being  among  the  very  first  settlers^  She  died 
in  Randolph  Grove  Oct.  13,  1843,  and  her  remains 
lie  beside  those  of  her  husband  in  Downs  Ceme- 
tery. Of  their  four  children.  Lewis  C.  and  Marena 
J.  died  near  Bloomington ;  the  latter  was  the  wife  of 
James  W.  Abel,  who  died  in  Belleflower  Township ; 
our  subject  was  the  third  child;  America  became 
the  wife  of  Christopher  Noggle,  and  lives  in  Old 
Town  Township. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  but  ten  years  of 
age  when  his  father  died.  He  lived  with  his  ma- 
ternal  grandparents  for  two  years,  then  made  his 
home  with  his  uncle,  John  L.  Orendorff,  until  he 
had  grown  to  manhood,  receiving  a  fair  education 
in  the  common  school,  and  teaching  one  term. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  he  enlisted 
Aug.  29,  1862,  in  the  4th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Mississippi  the  entire  term  of  service, 
his  regiment  for  the  most  part  doing  garrison  duty. 
After  his  return  from  the  army  Mr.  Kimler 
lived  with  his  uncle  until  his  marriage,  and  then 
removed  to  West  Township  and  settled  on  section 
2,  town  21.  After  five  years  he  traded  his  farm 
there  for  the  one  which  he  now  owns  and  occupies. 
This  consists  of  200  acres  on  section  35,  all  enclosed 
and  improved,  and  furnished  with  a  good  set  of 
frame  buildings.  Mr.  K.  is  largely  engaged  in 
grain  and  stock  raising,  and  everything  about  the 
premises  denotes  the  supervision  of  a  methodical 
business  mau. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  occurred  on  the  2d 
of  April,  1867,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss 
Mary  K.  Hoover,  who  was  born  in  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,  and  the  daughter  of  Joel  and  Nancy 
(Houser)  Hoover,  natives  of  Maryland.  The  chil- 


f 


-       1I7C, 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ilrcn  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  arc  :i>  follows:  Com  May. 
Ola  K.,  Mary  Frances.  William  H.  and  Jessie  Pearl  ; 
one  Mm,  a  twin  brother  of  William,  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Kimler  is  Democratic  in  politics,  has  been 
Township  Clerk  for  several  years,  School  Trustee 
and  Treasurer,  and  has  served  three  terms  as  Su- 
pervisor. 


ENRY  C.  LOWREY,  importer  and  breeder 
of  French  draft  horses,  is  a  native  of  W.jod- 
ford  County,  this  State,  where  he  was  born 
March  •_'*,  1  ^''C>.  He  has  been  a  resident 
of  Normal  Township  since  18G5,  and  has  fully  es- 
tablished himself  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of 
the  citizens  of  this  community,  by  his  straightfor- 
ward business  methods  and  his  upright  life.  He  is 
a  fine  judge  of  horseflesh,  and  in  the  business  which 
he  has  selected  for  his  vocation,  is  meeting  with 
well-merited  success. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  Joseph  Lowrey,  a  na- 
tive of  Scotland,  came  to  the  United  States  with 
his  parents  when  a  boy  ten  years  of  age.  They 
settled  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa.,  where  Joseph 
grew  to  manhood,  and  in  1835  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  near  Springfield.  Here  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Josephine  Jenkins,  who  was  a 
native  of  Baltimore,  Md.  After  'their  marriage 
they  located  upon  a  farm,  and  Joseph  Lowrey  also 
carried  on  a  real-estate  and  live-stock  business.  He 
subsequently  removed  into  Wood  ford  County,  this 
State,  and  thence  came  to  this  county,  locating  on 
a  tract  of  land  in  Normal  Township.  He  subse- 
quently became  the  owner  of  225  acres,  besides 
land  in  Woodford  and  Logan  Counties  and  also  in 
Iowa  and  Nebraska,  making  in  all  an  area  of  1  ,400 
acres.  He  departed  this  life  in  1870.  He  was 
prompt  to  meet  his  obligations,  a  strictly  honest 
and  reliable  business  man  and  was  held  in  the  high- 
est respect  by  his  business  associates  and  acquaint- 
ances at  large.  His  wife  survives  and  resides  on 
the  old  homestead  in  Normal  Township.  Their 
household  circle  included  six  children,  of  whom  the 
record  is  as  follows:  Edwin  is  an  engineer  in  the 
United  States  Navy;  Mary  became  the  wife  of 
Frank  Peppers,  a  dealer  in  agricultural  implements 
and  also  in  Norman  horses  at  Albia,  Iowa;  Henry  C. 


of  our  sketch;  Adaline  lives  in  Nebraska  with  an 
uncle;  Josephine  married  Arthur  Kccnan,  of  Le 
Roy ;  Alice  is  at  home. 

Henry  C.  Lowrey  of  our  sketch  received  n  fair 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  assisted  his 
parents  in  the  duties  around  the  farm.  After  at- 
taining his  majority  lie  went  West  to  look  after 
some  real  estate  for  his  father.  After  arriving  in 
the  territories,  whither  he  had  gone  with  some  cat- 
tlemen, he  passed  three  seasons,  and  then  returning 
home  remained  a  year.  In  1881  he  embarked  in 
his  present  business,  and  subsequently  visited 
France,  bringing  home  with  him  six  valuable 
horses.  In  18N2  he  imported  fifteen  more  choice 
animals;  in  1883,  seventeen  head,  and  in  1884, 
fourteen  head.  In  1885  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  John  J.  Kemp,  and  under  the  firm  style  of 
Kemp  &  Lowrey  they  were  soon  the  possessors  of 
forty-three  head  of  valuable  animals,  importing 
during  1880  sixteen  head,  and  in  1887  they  im- 
ported thirty-eight  fine  horses.  They  still  have  a 
large  number  of  mares  for  breeding  purposes  and 
are  rapidly  building  up  a  reputation  as  the  most 
successful  and  skillful  horsemen  in  this  locality. 
Our  subject  has  been  admitted  as  a  member  of  the 
National  French  Draft  Horse  Association,  and  has 
the  ambition  to  strive  for  the  highest  excellence 
in  his  important  work,  which  so  materially  affects 
the  industries  of  this  country. 


VATHANIEL  PIERCE  HELMICK,  a  suc- 
cessful hardware  merchant  of  Belleflower, 
and  still  a  young  man,  as  a  good  citizen 
and  an  honest  and  thorough-going  member  of  this 
community,  is  contributing  his  full  share  toward 
the  business  interests  of  his  locality.  He  is  the 
son  of  Nathaniel  Helmick,  Sr.,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State,  and 
there  married  Miss  Mary  Tingler,  also  a  native  of 
the  Old  Dominion.  After  a  few  years  they  re- 
moved to  Ohio  and  thence,  in  1839,  £o  Illinois. 
The  journeys  from  Virginia  to  Ohio  and  from  the 
latter  State  to  Illinois  were  made  with  wagons,  in 
which  they  carried  their  household  goods,  camping 
and  cooking  by  the  wayside.  The  father  of  our 


t. 


f 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1177 


subject  first  purchased  a  claim  in  Rutledgc  Town- 
ship, De  Witt  Co..  III.,  where  he  erected  a  log  house, 
the  nearest  mill  being  in  Tazewell  County,  and  the 
nearest  market  for  cattle  was  Chicago,  1 40  miles 
distant.  The  elder  Helmick  improved  his  farm 
there  and  occupied  it  until  1882,  then  sold  out  and 
removed  to  Farmer  City,  where  he  spends  his  sum- 
mer seasons  and  in  winter  takes  up  his  residence  in 
Florida. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  tenth  of 
twelve  children  born  to  his  parents.  He  was  reared 
on  his  father's  farm  and  received  a  good  common- 
school  education,  remaining  under  the  home  roof 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  His  father  then 
gave  him  100  acres  of  land,  located  on  section  28, 
Belleflower  Township,  which  he  occupied  and  cul- 
tivated until  1882.  That  year  he  rented  his  farm 
and  removing  to  Belleflower,  engaged  in  his  present 
business,  in  which  he  has  been  fairlj'  successful. 

Mr.  Helmick  was  married  in  Belleflower  Town- 
ship, on  the  2d  of  October,  1876,  to  Miss  Martha 
Greene,  who  was  a  native  of  Illinois.  They  have 
become  the  parents  of  four  children— Melver  F. 
P.,  Nancy  M.,  Clara  P.  and  Thomas  N.  P.  Mr.  H. 
is  Democratic  in  politics  and  has  served  as  Collector 
of  his  township. 

A  lithographic  view  of  Mr.  Helmick's  residence 
and  store  building  is  to  be  seen  on  another  page. 


ILLIAM  VANSCHOICK.  There  are  few 
men  more  widely  or  favorably  known 
throughout  McLean  County  than  the  sub- 
ject of  the  following  sketch.  He  came  to  this  vi- 
cinity nearly  thirty  years  ago,  and  the  aid  which  he 
has  extended  in  encouraging  the  mark  of  progress 
and  building  up  the  city  of  Bloomington,  can 
scarcely  be  estimated.  He  is  of  that  energetic  and 
enterprising  disposition  which  will  not  allow  him  to 
be  idle  for  a  moment,  and  at  those  times  when  per- 
haps his  hands  are  unemployed  his  busy  brain  is 
devising  something  which  shall  not  only  be  a  ben- 
efit to  himself  but  to  those  around  him.  There  are 
few  enterprises  in  the  capital  city  of  McLean  with 
which  he  has  not  been  connected,  and  he  is  con- 


ceded  by  all   to  be  one  of  the  best  financiers  and 
business  men  of  this  county. 

Mr.  VanSchoick  is  a  native  of  Monmouth  Coun- 
ty, N.  .1.,  where  his  birth  took  place  Aug.  2,  1829. 
His  parents,  David  and  Emily  (Williams)  Van- 
Schoick, were  natives  of  the  same  State,  where  they 
remained  until  after  marriage  and  then  started 
West,  locating  in  Ohio  in  1836.  There  the  father 
was  engaged  in  farming  and  milling,  and  remained 
a  resident  of  the  Buckeye  State  for  thirty  years. 
In  1866  he  came  to  Bloomington,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1874.  The 
mother  is  still  living  in  this  city,  honored  and  re- 
spected by  all  who  know  her. 

The  subject  of  this  history  in  early  life  learned 
the  printer's  trade,  but  this  not  being  suited  to  his 
tastes  he  took  up  stove-molding  and  brickmak- 
ing,  at  which  he  served  a  thorough  apprenticeship 
and  became  an  expert.  When  twenty-three  yeare 
of  age  he  established  himself  at  Richmond,  Ind., 
and  engaged- at  his  trade,  turning  out  the  largest 
amount  of  work  in  the  molding  of  sand  brick  that 
has  ever  been  known.  At  one  time  in  the  space  of 
thirteen  hours  he  finished  off  14,369  brick.  After 
this  day's  work  he  was  carried  on  the  shoulders  of 
his  men  and  the  students  two  miles  to  and  fro 
through  the  city.  An  account  of  this  was  pub- 
lished throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada 
and  young  VanSchoick  was  conceded  the  cham- 
pion brickmaker  of  the  country. 

From  his  early  youth,  Mr.  VauSchoick  was  al- 
ways ambitious  to  progress.  He  was  never  content 
with  mediocrity,  but  in  whatever  he  undertook  it 
seemed  the  most  natural  thing  in  the  world  that  he 
should  aim  to  excel.  After  becoming  thoroughly 
proficient  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  he  began  to 
engage  as  a  builder  and  contractor,  and  superin- 
tended the  erection  of  many  important  buildings 
in  find  around  Richmond,  Ind.,  among  them  the 
Friends' College,  a  handsome  and  substantial  struc- 
ture, reared  by  the  Quakers,  and  devoted  to  the 
higher  branches  of  study. 

Mr.  VanSchoick  came  to  Bloomington  in  1858, 
and  continued  as  a  builder  and  contractor,  meeting 
with  the  same  success  here  which  had  signalized 
his  efforts  elsewhere.  Among  the  important  build- 
ings in  this  city  which  bear  the  mark  of  his  perse- 


t. 


i 


117s 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


vcrance  and  genius  are  the  Wesleyan  College,  the 
People's  Bank  building,  and  the  Bloomington 
Stove  Works.  He  possesses  more  than  ordinary 
executive  ability,  and  has  had  at  times  175  men  in 
his  employ.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Bloomington  Stove  Works,  has  been  a  stockholder 
and  Director  from  the  beginning,  and  was  elected 
1'iv-ident  in  1885.  The  company  commenced  bus- 
iness with  six  members,  and  a  capital  stock  of  $40,- 
000.  The  capital  has  since  been  increased  and  the 
products  of  their  manufacture  are  sent  into  most  of 
the  Western  and  Southern  States.  Mr.  VanSchoick 
is  also  identified  with  the  plow  works  of  the  city, 
and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Third  National  Bank. 

One  of  the  most  important  interests  of  the  city 
is  the  Bloomington  Pork  Packing  Company,  which 
is  transacting  a  large  and  profitable  business,  and 
lying  in  close  proximity  to  the  tracks  of  the  I.,  B. 
A  W.  and  the  L.,  B.  &  M.  R.  R.,  has  fine  facilities 
for  shipping,  and  transports  annually  many  car- 
loads of  this  almost  indispensable  commodity  to 
different  parts  of  the  East  and  South.  A  man  who 
has  had  the  faculty  of  successfully  engineering  so 
many  important  interests,  has  naturally  become  an 
important  factor  in  the  building  up  of  the  city, 
which  now  largely  depends  upon  him  to  assist  in 
sustaining  the  reputation  to  which  it  has  attained. 
Mr.  VanSchoick  has  steadily  declined  to  become 
an  office-holder,  feeling  that  his  business  affairs 
claimed  his  entire  attention,  but  in  1860  the  citizens 
elected  him  Alderman,  the  duties  of  which  office  he 
filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all 
concerned.  He  is  a  man  who  can  never  be  any- 
thing in  a  half-way  manner,  and  during  his  incum- 
bency of  this  office  introduced  many  measures 
which  were  of  great  benefit  to  the  city.  He  is 
largely  interested  in  property  here,  and  no  man 
has  taken  greater  satisfaction  in  noting  the  march 
of  progress  and  civilization  throughout  the  Prairie 
State,  and  in  devising  methods  which  shall  result 
in  the  best  good  of  its  people.  The  measures 
which  have  had  the  tendency  to  encourage  them  in 
their  efforts  at  building  up  homes  and  becoming 
worthy  and  permanent  citizens  have  originated  and 
been  upheld  by  such  men  as  the  subject  of  this 
sketch, 

The  portrait  of  Mr.  YanSohoick  which  we  pre- 


sent in  connection  with  this  sketch,  forms  one  of 
the  interesting  features  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  and 
takes  the  rightful  place  among  the  pioneers,  to 
whose  first  efforts  the  city  is  indebted  for  being 
placed  upon  its  feet,  and  thus  enabled  to  effect  the 
rapid  progress  which  long  ago  relegated  it  to  a  po- 
sition among  the  important  cities  of  the  West. 


PHRAIM  HESTER.  McLean  County  is  dot- 
ted over  with  many  well-improved  farms, 
and  a  goodly  number  of  them  are  owned 
by  men  who  began  life  poor  in  pocket,  but  with  an 
abundance  of  energy  and  pluck,  and  have  made 
life  a  success.  Among  this  class  of  citizens  is  Mr. 
Hester,  of  Cheney's  Grove  Township.  He  has 
been  variously  engaged  as  farmer,  carpenter  and 
school  teacher,  but  is  at  present  comfortably  lo- 
cated on  section  11.  He  was  born  in  Northamp- 
ton County,  Pa.,  whence  he  removed  with  his  par- 
ents to  Northumberland  County  and  thereafter  to 
Illinois,  in  1867.  He  is  the  son  of  Christian  and 
Elizabeth  (Mensch)  Hester,  who  spent  their  last 
years  in  Pennsylvania.  The  mother  died  in  1851, 
and  the  father  surviving  her  nearly  thirty  years, 
departed  this  life  in  1880,  having  arrived  at  the 
advanced  age  of  nearly  eighty-four  years.  Their 
eleven  children  were  Phillip,  Sylvester,  Catherine, 
Caroline,  Abraham,  Lucy  A.,  Christian,  Ephraim, 
William,  Henry  and  Daniel. 

Mr.  Hester  after  coming  to  this  county  em- 
ployed himself  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do, 
some  of  the  time  in  the  cornfield,  but  most  of  the 
time  teaching.  He  followed  the  latter  profession 
for  a  period  of  twelve  years  with  marked  success. 
He  has  a  natural  love  of  learning  and  was  finely 
educated.  During  the  progress  of  the  late  War  he 
enlisted  in  1863,  in  Co.  E,  131st  Pa.  Vol.  Inf.,  as 
Corporal.  He  served  nine  months  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  was  held  with  his  company  as  a  re- 
serve in  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  engagement  at  Chancellors ville.  He 
was  never  wounded  but  suffered  greatly  in  health 
from  hardship  and  privation.  He  received  an  hon- 
orable discharge  in  1864,  and  going  into  the  State 
of  Michigan  resumed  teaching-,  which  he  followed 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


for  two  years,  although  scarcely  able  to  do  so.  In 
1872  he  purchased  120  acres  of  land  in  this  county, 
to  which  he  subsequently  added  until  he  is  now  the 
owner  of  two  fine  farms  including  240  acres.  Upon 
this  he  has  a  handsome  and  substantial  residence, 
good  barns  and  out-buildings,  and  all  the  appli- 
ances of  a  modern  agriculturist.  He  has  given 
some  attention  of  late  years  to  the  breeding  of 
Norman  horses  and  high-grade  Short-horn  cattle. 
He  takes  a  genuine  interest  in  the  affairs  of  his 
county  and  township,  especially  in  the  establishment 
and  maintenance  of  schools.  He  has  filled  various 
township  offices,  and  is  a  man  of  sound  judgment, 
whose  opinion  is  uniformly  consulted  upon  all  im- 
portant occasions.  Politically  he  is  independent, 
and  religiously  was  carefully  reared  by  his  parents 
in  the  doctrines  of  the  German  Reformed  Church. 
The  marriage  of  Ephraim  Hester  and  Miss  Arey 
A.  Crigler  took  place  on  Christmas  Eve,  1868. 
Mrs.  H.  was  born  in  McLean  County,  111.,  Feb.  2, 
1850,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  B.  and  Sarah 
R.  (Deal)  Crigler,  both  of  whom  are  living.  Their 
eight  children  are  William  H.,  C.  F.,  C.  E.,  John 
M.  B.,  Arey  A.,  Julius  W.,  Martha  S.  and  Maggie 
E.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hester  .are  the  parents  of  six 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living — Arthur,  Eugene 
E.,  Eunice  R.,  June,  John  T.  and  Lucy  E.  Mr. 
Hester  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  at 
Gibson,  111.  Mrs.  Hester  is  a  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  of  Gibson,  Ford  Co., 
111.  A  handsome  lithographic  vtew  of  Mr.  Hester's 
place  is  shown. 


VWEN  A.  MEANS,  a  prominent  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  is 
the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  estate  on  section  1 5. 
He  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  Lewis 
County,  Sept.  21,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Sarah  (Rumsey)  Means,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  the  father  was  born  in  1785.  Robert 
Means  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1829,  locating  in 
this  county,  of  which  he  remained  thereafter  a  resi- 
dent, and  departed  this  life  Aug.  15,  1835.  He  was 
an  old-line  Whig  politically,  and  religiously,  a  firm 
believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Church, 


of  which  his  wife  was  also  a  member.  She  \\:is 
born  Nov.  10,  1795,  and  died  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  James  McMackin,  March  1.  I,s7.~>. 
Their  ten  children  are  recorded  as  follows:  America, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Snowden  Ball,  died  in 
Cheney's  Grove  Township  in  1885:  Katurah  mar- 
ried James  McMackin,  and  lives  in  the  same  town- 
ship; Jemima  and  John  were  twins,  the  former  be- 
came the  wife  of  A.  G.  Stansberry  of  Kansas,  and 
the  latter  died  when  fifteen  years  old;  James  R. 
married  Miss  Nancy  Stansberry;  David  D.  first 
married  Miss  Mary  Cline,  who  died  after  a  few 
years,  and  he  then  married  her  sister  Rebecca; 
Joseph  K.  married  Miss  Matilda  Rankin ;  he  served 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  late 
war,  being  a  member  of  the  HCth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  died  at  Vicksburg  in  1863;  his  widow  was  left 
with  four  children ;  Owen  A.,  our  subject,  was  the 
eighth  child;  Elizabeth, ,Mrs.  Green,  lives  in  Lynn 
County,  Kan. ;  Margaret  became  the  wife  of  James 
Yanscoj'oc,  and  lives  on  the  old  home  place  where 
the  parents  settled  in  1829. 

The  subject  of  this  history  remained  under  the 
home  roof  during  his  childhood  and  youth,  receiv- 
ing careful  home  training  and  a  good  common- 
school  education.  After  reaching  manhood  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Lydia  Pitts,  Oct.  4, 
1855.  Mrs.  M.  is  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Nancy  (Armstrong)  Pitts,  who  were  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  removed  to  this  State  in  1855.  Both 
are  now  deceased.  The  father  died  June  6,  1857, 
and  the  mother,  Sept.  6,  1863.  William  Pitts  was 
a  farmer  and  carpenter,  an  industrious  and  en- 
terprising man  and  a  good  citizen.  Politically  he 
was  a  firm  adherent  of  the  Whig  party,  but  after 
the  abandonment  of  the  old  party  inclined  to 
Democratic  principles.  Both  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The 
record  of  their  ten  children  is  as  follows:  John 
first  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Zook,  who  died  soon 
afterward;  his  second  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Means; 
Lydia.  the  wife  of  our  subject,  was  the  second  child  ; 
William  died  in  infancy ;  Luciuda,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Granville  Rayburn,  is  a  resident  of  San 
Jose,  Cal. ;  Justina,  Mrs.  Frazier,  is  now  deceased ; 
Thomas  married  Miss  Jane  Stansberry  and  lives  in 
California;  Charlie  died  when  six  years  of  age;  the 


t 


O     1182 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


next,  an  infant,  died  unnamed  ;  Nancy  J.,  unmar- 
ried, is  a  resident  of  California;  Owen  died  when 
two  years  old. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owen  Means  became  the  parents  of 
ten  children:  William  died  when  two  years  of  age; 
Alvira,  Mrs.  Woodruff,  is  a  resident  of  Dakota; 
Bell,  Mrs.  Thornton,  lives  at  Cullorn,  111. ;  Charlie 
was  the  fourth  child;  Matie,  Mrs.  John  Williams, 
lives  at  Colfax,  111. ;  Luther  died  when  seventeen 
months  old;  Amos  B.,  who  was  born  Aug.  17, 
1870,  is  attending  the  High  School  at  Saybrook, 
and  is  a  youth  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  being 
well  advanced  in  his  studies  and  fond  of  learning; 
Joseph  K.,  born  March  9,  1873,  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  until  1887,  and  on  the  3d  day  of 
March  following,  started  for  Hyde  County,  Dak., 
to  assist  his  brother,  Charles,  in  opening  up  a  farm. 
This  consists  of  a  tract  of  1 ,220  acres,  and  these  en- 
terprising young  men  will  doubtless  in  time  become 
worthy  and  valued  citizens.  Joseph  is  a  great 
favorite  with  all  who  know  him,  full  of  life  and 
spirits  but  of  excellent  habits.  Daisy,  the  youngest 
daughter,  was  born  March  6,  1876,  and  Jay,  the 
youngest  son,  Sept.  17,  1880.  The  latter  is  now  a 
bright  boy  of  nearly  seven  years,  the  pet  and  sun- 
shine of  the  home  circle. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Means  comprises  250 
acres  of  fine  farming  land.  Of  late  years  he  has 
made  a  specialty  of  stock  breeding  and  bears  the 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  breeders  in  this 
part  of  the  State.  His  herd  of  cattle  comprises 
some  of  the  finest  animals  to  be  found  in  the  West. 
Two  years  ago  he  shipped  to  the  Chicago  market 
two  carloads  of  the  heaviest  fat  steers  that  ever 
left  the  township.  He  also  has  some  fine  English  • 
draft  horses  and  has  operated  largely  in  Poland  - 
China  swine. 

Mr.  Means  has  a  fine  dwelling  built  of  brick,  two 
stories  in  height,  with  handsome  veranda  in  front 
and  a  porch  around  the  L.  The  house  is  finely 
finished  and  furnished.  A  view  of  the  residence  is 
given  in  this  work.  The  barns  and  other  out- 
buildings are  adapted  in  every  respect  to  the  re- 
quirements of  a  first-class  farmer  and  stock-raiser. 
Mr.  Means  is  now  building  one  of  the  finest  barns 
in  this  community,  its  dimensions  being  3(>x48  feet, 
and  capable  of  holding  fifty  tons  of  hay  and  shelter- 


ing about  forty  head  of  stock.  The  gr<  >undsare  finely 
laid  out  and  the  whole  estate  presents  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  McLean  County.  Mr. 
Means,  politically,  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the 
Democratic  party  and  all  the  family  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

?LINT  BROS.  George  H.  and  Charles  A. 
Flint  arc  widely  and  favorably  known 
among  the  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of 
Belleflower  Township,  as  being  especially  worthy 
representatives  of  the  latter  department  of  farm- 
ing. They  were  born  among  the  New  Hampshire 
Hills,  and  descended  from  a  family  who  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  New  England,  its  first 
representatives  having  crossed  the  waters  about 
the  time  of  the  settlement  of  the  Plymouth  colon- 
ists. The  paternal  grandfather  of  the  Flint  Broth- 
ers, who  was  a  native  of  Andover,  Mass.,  removed 
to  New  Hampshire  about  1790,  and  was  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Hillsboro  County,  that  State. 
He  purchased  a  tract  of  Government  land,  cleared 
a  farm  from  the  wilderness,  and  established  a  com- 
fortable home,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of 
his  life.  For  many  years  Boston  was  the  nearest 
market  for  the  settlers,  who  usually  made  the  jour- 
ney with  ox-teams.  The  Indians  lingered  there 
for  some  years  afterward,  and  wild  game  was 
plenty. 

Luther  Flint,  father  of  Flint  Brothers,  of  our 
sketch,  was  bom  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H.,  and  is  living 
on  the  farm  which  his  father  cleared  there.  He  is 
now  eighty  years  of  age,  and  although  not  in  ro- 
bust health,  still  possesses  his  vigorous  and  active 
mind,  and  keeps  himself  well  posted  upon  current 
events.  His  wife  was  Miss  Sarah  D.  Richardson, 
also  a  native  of  Hillsboro.  She  departed  this  life 
in  1884.  The  record  of  their  six  children  is  as  fol- 
lows :  Sullivan  lives  on  the  old  homestead  and  takes 
care  of  his  father;  Ellen  M.  became  the  wife  of 
Giles  Brown,  and  lives  in  Deering,  N.  H. ;  Sarah 
F.  lives  with  her  father;  Fred  W.  is  a  resident  of 
Hillsboro;  the  remaining  two  brothers  are  the  sub- 
jects of  our  sketch. 

George  II.  Flint  was  born   in   Ilillsboro 


,  N.  II.,   1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


-•*- 

1183 


Oct.  26,  1844.  He  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  town,  and  in  the  school  at 
Henniker.  When  not  in  school  he  assisted  his  fa- 
ther on  the  farm,  and  remained  with  his  parents 
until  he  attained  his  majority,  in  1865.  He  then 
came  to  Illinois,  first  locating  in  Madison  County, 
where  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  laborer  three 
years.  While  there  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
Mr.  O.  M.  Hatch,  who  owned  a  large  tract  of  wild 
land  in  Belleflower  Township,  McLean  County, 
and  made  arrangements  to  move  upon  and  im- 
prove a  part  of  the  land.  He  located  on  the  south- 
west quarter  of  section  32,  where  he  has  worked 
500  acres  on  shares  since  that  time.  This  he  has 
brought  to  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  has  it  well 
stocked,  and  supplied  witli  a  good  set  of  farm 
buildings.  His  cattle  are  all  high-grade  animals, 
and  the  horses,  sheep  and  hogs  are  of  the  best  qual- 
ity, and  well  cared  for. 

Mr.  Flint  was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Skidmore 
on  the  llth  of  April,  1877.  Mrs.  Flint  was  born 
in  Bloomington  Township,  this  county,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1856,  and  is  the  daughter  of  George  W.  and 
Margaret  (Kinsel)  Skidmore.  Of  this  union  there 
are  two  children — George  Hatch  and  Arthur  L. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flint  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Charles  A.  Flint  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H., 
Sept.  13,  1851.  He  pursued  his  primary  studies  in 
the  distinct  schools,  his  education  being  advanced 
by  an  attendance  of  two  terms  at  Francistown 
Academy.  Being  naturally  studious  and  fond  of 
learning,  he  occupied  himself  as  a  teacher  for  a 
short  time,  and  in  1872  set  his  face  toward  the 
great  West.  After  coming  into  Illinois  he  located 
in  Belleflower  and  engaged  as  a  farm  laborer,  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  for  his  brothet,  until  1883. 
In  that  year  he  was  taken  into  partnership,  and  the 
brothers  have  operated  together  since  that  time. 
They  soon  afterward  purchased  the  farm  located 
on  section  29,  which  contains  160  acres,  and  which 
they  have  brought  to  a  good  state  of  cultivation, 
making  all  needful  improvements. 

The  marriage  of  Charles  A.  Flint  and  Miss  May 
Skidmore  took  place  on  the  2d  of  February,  1887. 
This  lady  was  born  in  Bellettower  Township,  June 
10,  1864,  and  is  the  daughter  of  George  W.  and 


Margaret  (Kinsel)  Skidmore,  natives  respectively 
of  Ohio  and  Virginia.  A  view  of  the  beautiful 
residence  of  George  W.  Flint  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  volume. 


OM1S  C.  JOHNSTON.  Few  counties  can 
boast  of  so  many  fine  farm  estates  as  Mc- 
Lean. One  of  them  is  occupied  by  the 
gentleman  of  whom  we  now  write.  It  is 
situated  on  section  27,  Downs  Township,  and  in- 
cludes 320  acres  of  valuable  land,  with  a  handsome 
and  substantial  set  of  frame  buildings.  The  stock 
and  farm  machinery  are  kept  in  the  best  condition, 
and  everything  about  the  premises  denotes  the  in- 
telligence and  thrift  of  Mr.  Johnston.  Our  subject 
has  been  in  possession  of  his  present  farm  for  about 
twenty  years. 

He  comes  of  excellent  Irish  ancestry  and  parent- 
age. His  father,  John  Johnston,  was  born  in  the 
North  of  Ireland,  and  when  nine  years  of  age  emi- 
grated with  his  mother  to  the  United  States.  They 
stopped  for  a  brief  time  in  New  York,  then  re- 
moved to  Ohio,  and  located  in  Harrison  County, 
where  the  father  of  our  subject  grew  to  manhood. 
He  was  a  boatman  on  the  Ohio  River  for  a  period 
of  ten  years,  engaged  in  the  transportation  of  coal 
and  other  merchandise.  He  became  pilot  of  a  river 
steamer,  and  was  noted  for  his  skill  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  course  of  the  river.  In  company 
with  his  brother  he  became  part  owner  of  different 
boats.  He  frequently  went  to  New  Orleans  with  a 
cargo  of  goods  and  returned  on  foot  to  his  home 
in  Wheeling. 

After  retiring  from  the  river  business,  John 
Johnston  located  in  Bloomington,  III,  where  he 
now  lives  in  ease  and  comfort,  having  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Ohio  to  Miss  Eleanor  Cairns,  who  was  also 
a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  of  Scotch 
descent.  She  came  to  the  United  States  with  her 
parents  when  a  child,  and  received  a  good  educa- 
tion. She  was  borri  in  1823,  and  is  still  living 
with  her  husband  in  Bloomington. 

Moses  C.  Johnston  was  the  second  son  and  child 
of  a  family  of  ten,  seven  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Of  these  a  son  and  daughter  are  now  deceased,  and 


I 


t 


t  k   1184 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


four  of  the  living  are  married.  Our  subject  was 
born  on  the  3d  of  July,  184G;  spent  his  childhood 
and  youth  under  the  parental  roof,  and  received  a 
good  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  was 
married  at  Normal,  this  county,  March  1C,  1871,  to 
Miss  Urie  Hersey,  who  was  a  native  of  Gra- 
tiot,  Ohio,  and  born  July  9,  1844.  Her  par- 
ents were  Adam  and  Mary  (Melick)  Hersey,  na- 
tives of  Virginia  and  Ohio.  They  were  married  in 
the  latter  State,  and  located  there  upon  a  farm, 
whence  they  came  West  with  their  family  in  about 
1857.  The  father  carried  on  farming  in  De  Witt 
County,  this  State,  until  about  1866,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Normal,  where  the  parents  now  live. 
Mrs.  Johnston  was  the  fourth  of  eight  children  born 
to  her  parents,  and  completed  her  education  in  the 
State  University  at  Normal.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age  she  began  teaching  in  the  public 
schools,  which  profession  she  followed  until  her 
marriage  with  our  subject. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children — Charles  C.,  Edward  W.,  Robert  C., 
Maude  G.,  Carrie  E.,  Roscoe  H.,  Burley  C.  and 
Urie  May.  Our  subject  and  wife  take  especial 
pride  in- their  blooming  young  family,  who  are  all 
children  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  healthy, 
hearty,  and  full  of  life.  Mr.  Johnston  is  a  repre- 
sentative business  man,  and  politically  an  active 
Republican. 


(ALMER  STORY,  one  of  the  honored  pio- 
neers, and  a  retired  farmer  of  McLean 
County,  is  passing  his  declining  years  in 
the  city  of  Bloomington,  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  his  early  labors  with  a  good  conscience, 
and  at  peace  with  all  men.  His  pleasant  and  taste- 
ful residence  is  located  at  the  corner  of  Longworth 
and  Denver  streets,  and  with  his  faithful  wife  he  is 
surrounded  by  affectionate  friends  and  the  citizens 
who  long  years  ago  learned  to  revere  him  for  his 
personal  worth  and  upright  course  in  life. 

Mr.  Story  was  born  in  Shawnee  Flats,  Pa.,  on  the 
5th  of  March,  1805,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Nancy  (Jones)  Story,  natives  of  Germany  and 
Pennsylvania  respectively.  John  Story  was  a  sol- 


dier of  the  Revolutionary  War.  and  possessed  in  a 
marked  degree  the  characteristics  of  a  sturdy  and 
honorable  ancestry.  The  parental  family  consisted 
of  four  children,  the  subject  of  our  sketch  being 
the  only  one  living.  The  latter,  after  five  years  of 
age,  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Ohio,  and  was  mar- 
ried in  1824,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Morris,  a  native  of 
England,  and  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Hester 
(Perry)  Morris,  also  of  English  birth  and  ancestry. 

In  1835  Mr.  Story  removed  from  Ohio  to  Illi- 
nois, settling  in  McLean  County,  eighteen  miles 
southwest  of  Bloomington.  He  purchased  240 
acres  of  land  upon  which  was  a  small  cabin,  and 
commenced  its  improvement  by  building  fences,  - 
planting  orchards,  and  providing  those  comforts 
and  conveniences  necessary  to  the  farm  and  house- 
hold. He  occupied  this  with  his  family  until  1852, 
then  sold  out  and  removed  to  Bloomington,  where, 
in  company  with  three  other  gentlemen,  he  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land  east  of  the  city,  and 
laid  off  his  share  in  town  lot's.  These,  while  pro- 
viding comfortable  homes  at  a  reasonable  price,  as- 
sisted to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  the  city,  and 
yielded  our  subject  a  handsome  income. 

Mr.  Stor3'  at  different  times  has  purchased  about 
400  acres  of  land  in  McLean  County,  part  of  which 
he  has  given  to  his  children.  These  were  seven  in 
number:  Lucy,  Mrs.  Graves,  is  a  resident  of  Col- 
orado, and  the  mother  of  five  children — William, 
John,  Mary,  Edward  and  Harry ;  Mary,  Mrs.  Proc- 
tor, of  Missouri,  has  nine  children — Eveline,  Palmer, 
Hester,  Eva,  Amy.  Spencer,  John,  Carrie  and 
Willie;  William  married  Eliza  Pharis,  of  DeWitt 
County,  111.,  and  has  seven  children — Palmer,  Mary, 
Cynthia,  Lucy,  Sarah,  John  and  Dell;  Hester  mar- 
ried William  Alexander  in  1855,  becoming  the 
mother  of  one  daughter,  Lue  M.,  and  died  of  ap- 
oplexy March  20,  1887,  in  Bloomington;  Hannah 
married  James  R.  Murphy,  and  has  four  children — 
William,  Mary,  Riley  and  Delia;  Mr.  Murphy  died 
March  28.  1863.  During  the  late  war  he  was  Cap- 
tain of  the  33d  Missouri  Volunteers.  Cynthia, 
.Mrs.  Enoch,  of  Colorado,  has  become  the  mother 
of  live  children — Frank,  Gertrude  (deceased),  Will- 
iam, Jennie  and  Mary;  Mattie,  Mrs.  Arnold,  of 
Illinois,  has  six  children — Lewis,  Hester,  Oliver, 
Alpha,  Kate  and  Mattie ;  Oliver  married  Rebecca 


i 


r 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


11  Ho  t 


.li'iinings,  of  McLean  Count}',  and  has  t\vo  children 
— Nellie  and  Maude. 

Mr.  Story  has  of  children,  grandchildren  and 
great-grandchildren,  over  130.  Me  has  been  mar- 
ried sixty-two  years.  lit1  was  converted  when  fif- 
teen years  old,  and  joined  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  with  which  he  remained  five  years;  since 
that  time  lie  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  his  wife  and  children  also  being 
connected  with  the  same.  Of  this  he  has  been 
Steward  and  Class-Leader  for  many  years,  and  HOW, 
with  his  companion,  is  waiting  on  the  shore  of  time 
to  cross  over  the  river  to  the  mansions  prepared 
for  them  on  the  other  side. 


L.  WOLCOTT,  engaged  in  the  undertaking 
business,  is  located  at  No.  203  South  Main 
street,  Bloomington,  and  is  contributing  his 
full  share  as  a  useful  factor  in  the  business 
interests  of  the  city,  being  honest  and  upright  in  his 
business  transactions,  prompt  to  meet  his  obliga- 
tions, and  a  useful  member  of  society.  Mr.  Wolcott 
is  a  native  of  the  Bay  State,  having  been  born  in 
Sandisfield,  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass.,  Aug.  30,  1808. 
He  is  the  son  of  William  and  Huldah  (Denning) 
Wolcott,  also  natives  of  Massachusetts,  whose  an- 
cestry came  from  England. 

The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  April 
12, 1834,  and  became  the  parents  of  seven  children, 
five  now  living — Nelson,  Honor,  John  L.,  Homel- 
and Mary.  William  Wolcott  was  a  builder  and 
contractor,  and  during  the  last  years  of  his  life  was 
principally  occupied  as  a  cabinet-maker.  Both  par- 
ents died  in  Saudisfield.  The  father  was  born 
June  12.  1774,  and  departed  this  life  Oct.  25, 
1843.  The  mother,  born  in  177G,  died  Nov.  27, 
1841. 

John  L.  Wolcott  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation in  his  native  town,  which  was  principally  ob- 
tained during  the  winter  seasons  while  he  worked 
on  a  farm  during  the  summer  until  sixteen  years 
old.  He  pursued  his  studies  some  three  years  later, 
and  also  worked  in  the  cabinet  shop  with  his  father 
until  he  attained  his  majority.  In  the  spring  of 


1829  ho  went  to  Connecticut  and  engaged  as  a 
journeyman  and  housebuilder  in  Hotchkissville. 
He  pursued  his  trade  for  two  or  three  years  follow- 
ing, spending  his  winters  mostly  at  home,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1831  came  Westward  as  far  as  Gains- 
ville,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of 
1832,  then  went  to  Geneseo,  still  working  at  his 
trade  as  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker.  On  the  2d 
of  April  of  the  year  last  named  he  was  married  and 
settled  at  Greigsville,  where  he  remained  until 
1843,  when  he  started  for  the  Prairie  State.  After 
reaching  McLean  County  he  located  at  Blooming- 
ton,  and  engaged  with  the  firm  of  Goodman  & 
Ferre,  wagon  and  furniture  manufacturers.  He 
soon  became  a  partner  in  the  business,  the  firm  being 
Ferre,  Wolcott  &  Co.,  and  they  operated  together 
for  six  years  following,  when  our  subject  withdrew 
and  set  up  in  business  for  himself  as  cabinet-maker 
and  undertaker.  He  finally  dropped  the  former, 
and  conducted  undertaking  alone  until  1884,  when 
he  passed  the  management  of  his  business  over  to 
his  son. 

Mr.  Wolcott  purchased  the  property  which  he 
now  owns  and  upon  which  he  resided  soon  after 
coining  into  Bloomington.  It  is  six  acres  in  ex- 
tent and  he  paid  $50  an  acre  in  trade.  He  laid  the 
ground  out  in  city  lots,  to  which  he  made  an  addi- 
tion, in  1852,  and  afterward  purchased  seventy 
acres  south  of  Normal.  He  has  been  prospered  in 
his  business  transactions,  and  is  considered  one  of 
Bloomington's  best  citizens,  being  always  ready  to 
contribute  of  his  means  to  worthy  and  charitable 
objects.  His  kindness  to  the  poor  has  been  pro- 
verbial, and  he  has  been  especially  the  friend  of 
those  in  need. 

The  marriage  of  our  subject  took  place  in  1834, 
the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Caroline  L., 
daughter  of  James  and  Martha  (Ellis)  Baker,  who 
were  natives  of  Chester,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Mr.  Baker  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed through  life.  His  family  included  thirteen 
children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living — Caroline, 
Malvina  and  Martha.  The  parents  lived  to  be 
eighty-five  and  ninety-three  years  old  respectively, 
and  died  in  their  native  State. 

Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott  there 
have  been  born  twelve  children,  seven  now  living, 


•• 


** 


t 


,  1186 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


of  whom  the  record  is  as  follows:  John  II.  mar- 
ried Miss  M:iggie  DeiTvman,  aud  they  have  one 
son— Albert;  William  II.  married  Miss  Lydia  Til- 
ton,  who  died  in  1884,  leaving  four  children — Lor- 
ens,  Mamie,  Maude  and  William;  Ellen,  Mrs. 
Baumgardner,  has  five  children — Harry,  Alice,  Til- 
lie,  Minnie  and  Clara;  Edwin  M.  married  Miss 
Belle  Butler,  and  they  have  four  children — Jessie, 
Arthur,  Eddie  and  Ethel;  Oliver  E.  is  unmarried ; 
Charles  C.  married  Miss  Ettie  Burdick,  and  they 
have  one  daughter — Allie;  Alice  C.,  Mrs.  S.  II. 
Vauscoit,  has  become  the  mother  of  three  children 
— Howard,  Edna  and  Charles  W.  Mr.  Wolcott  is 
Republican  in  politics,  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  is  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  of  which  Mrs.  W.  is  a  consistent 
and  devoted  member. 


RANC1S  J.   FITZWILLIAM,  an  old  and 

well-known  resident  of  Bloom ingtoii,  hav- 
ing come  here  in  1 866,  is  proprietor  of  one  of 
the  largest  wholesale  and  retail  dry  -goods  houses  in 
the  city.  It  is  located  at  No.  107  West  Jefferson 
street,  and  its  operations  extend  throughout  this 
State  and  the  Northwest.  The  reputation  of  the 
house  is  only  equaled  by  its  prosperity,  which  has 
been  phenomenal  from  the  start,  and  has  been  car- 
ried on  in  that  straightforward  and  business-like 
manner  which  is  the  only  true  basis  upon  which 
trade  can  properly  be  conducted. 

The  subject  of  this  history  is  a  native  of  Bain- 
bridge,  Ohio,  and  was  born  July  11,  1840.  His 
parents  were  William  M.  and  Hannah  (Kelley) 
Fitzwilliam,  natives  respectively  of  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  and  Bainbridge,  Ohio.  The  great- 
grandfather of  William  M.  was  James,  the  son  of 
an  Earl,  Fitzwilliam,  of  England.  .lames  was  sent 
to  Ireland  to  superintend  the  linen  mills  that  be- 
longed to  the  Earl's  estate,  and  there  married  a 
beautiful  Irish  Quakeress,  which  so  displeased  his 
father  that  he  cut  him  off  with  a  dowry  of  £1,000 
per  year,  which  was  to  continue  during  his  lifetime. 
He  only  lived  to  be  about  thirty-five  years  old, 
leaving  a  wife  and  five  children,  three  daughters 
and  two  suns,  the  latter  named  John  and  William. 


William  Fitzwilliam,  the  grandfather  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  was  reaivd  in  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  and  married  Miss  Jam-  MuC'ully,  in  1787. 
After  the  death  of  James  Fit/.williani,  his  widow 
having  no  resources  left,  emigrated  with  her  chil- 
dren to  America,  in  about  1750,  and  settled  in 
Washington  Count}',  Pa.  Her  son  William  moved 
t±y  Ross  County,  Ohio,  in  1817.  He  had  a  family 
of  nine  children,  five  daughters  and  four  sons,  of 
whom  the  youngest,  named  William,  was  the  father 
of  our  subject.  William  Fit/. william,  Sr.,  died  at 
Bainbridge,  Ohio,  in  1829,  when  sixty-eight  years 
old.  His  wife,  returning  to  Pennsylvania,  died 
there,  at  Washington,  in  1844,  aged  seventy-three 
years. 

William  M.  Fitzwilliam,  Jr.,  our  subject's  father, 
was  born  July  13,  1813.  He  was  reared  to  fann- 
ing pursuits,  but  this  not  being  quite  to  his  taste, 
and  possessing  considerable  mechanical  skill,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  fanning-mills  at  Bain- 
bridge, Ohio,  aud  sent  teams  through  the  country 
selling  them.  He  continued  thus  occupied  for  a 
number  of  years,  then  purchased  a  stock  of  goods 
and  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Bainbridge  for 
twenty-five  years,  carrying  on  an  extensive  trade, 
and  in  connection  with  it  operating  a  tannery.  He 
afterward  purchased  a  large  extent  of  land  and 
amassed  a  valuable  property  in  that  section.  In 
1870  he  concluded  to  come  to  Illinois,  whither  his 
son,  Francis  J..  had  preceded  him,  in  1866,  and  ac- 
cordingly sold  out  his  store,  tannery  and  farm,  and 
journeying  to  the  Prairie  State  made  his  location 
in  Bloomington.  Here  he  lived,  honored  and  re- 
spected for  a  period  of  ten  years,  being  an  active 
member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a 
citizen  who  was  always  interested  in  everything  per- 
taining to  the  welfare  of  his  community.  He  de- 
parted this  life  Jan.  10,  1880,  and  his  name  is  held 
in  kindly  remembrance  by  a  large  circle  of  friends 
and  acquaintances.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  George 
W.  Funk,  of  Bloomington.  The  parental  family  in- 
cluded nine  children,  of  whom  only  two  are  now 
living  (1887):  Francis  J.,  of  this  biography,  and 
Rosealtha,  now  Mrs.  George  W.  Funk. 

Francis  J.  Fitzwilliam  pursued  his  primary 
studies  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town  in  Ohio, 


t 


t 


McLKAN    COUNTY. 


L187 


and  when  fourteen  years  of  age  was  sent  to  Well- 
ington, Fayette  County,  to  assist  in  a  branch  store 
of  his  father's.  After  one  year  he  returned  home, 
resumed  his  school  studies  and  received  instructions 
from  a  private  tutor.  He  was  a  bright  and  studious 
boy,  made  the  most  of  his  opportunities,  and  in 
1859  entered  the  Freshman  class  in  the  Ohio  Wes- 
ley an  College,  at  Delaware,  where  he  studied  twq 
years.  Then  the  Rebellion  broke  out,  and  he  en- 
listed with  many  of  his  fellow  students  in  the  Un- 
ion service,  and  in  company  with  Maj.  B.  F.  Barger 
recruited  a  company,  which  was  assigned  to  the 
33d  Regiment,  Ohio  Vol.  Inf.,  with  Col.  Sill  as  Com- 
mander, and  Francis  J.  Fitzwilliam,  First  Lieuten- 
ant. Our  subject  was  soon  afterward  given  a  Cap- 
tain's commission,  and  remained  in  the  service1  three 
years.  He  participated  with  his  comrades  in  the 
battles  of  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Atlanta,  sev- 
enteen battles  in  all,  besides  many  skirmishes.  The 
first  sickness  of  his  life  occurred  while  he  was  in 
the  army.  He  was  confined  in  the  hospital  three 
weeks  at  Louisville,  and  four  weeks  at  Nashville. 
A  part  of  the  time  he  was  on  detail  duty  as  aide- 
de-camp  to  Col.  Len.  A.  Harris,  and  was  on  the 
staff  of  Col.  Scribner,  of  Indiana,  who  commanded 
a  brigade  of  the  1st  Division  of  the  14th  Army 
Corps.  Of  100  men  which  comprised  the  company, 
only  twenty-eight  remained  alive  or  unhurt.  Our 
subject  remained  in  the  service  until  the  fall  of 
Atlanta,  and  then,  his  term  of  enlistment  having 
expired,  he  was  mustered  out  at  Ackworth,  Ga.,  in 
October,  1864.  He  then  returned  home  to  Ohio, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  planning  his  removal 
to  Bloom  ington,  upon  which  he  had  before  deter- 
mined. 

Mr.  Fitzwilliam  was  married  on  the  25th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1866,  to  Miss  Lucretia  M.,  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert and  Margaret  Read,  of  London,  Ohio.  Soon 
afterward  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  imme- 
diately established  his  present  business,  which  has 
now  become  the  most  prominent  in  the  city.  It 
was  inaugurated  under  the  firm  name  of  Fitzwill- 
iam &  Sou.  His  father  assisted  him  in  furnishing 
the  sinews  of  trade,  and  they  located  on  Main 
street.  The  present  property  was  purchased  in 
1873,  the  building  being  105  feet  deep  and  twenty- 


five  feet  wide,  with  three  stories  and  basement. 
The  goods  occupy  six  departments,  in  the  handling 
of  which  there  are  employed  twenty-four  clerks. 
His  stock  includes  dress-goods  and  silks,  laces, 
gloves  and  hosiery,  linens,  flannels  and  white  goods, 
prints,  muslins  and  domestics,  carpets  and  rugs, 
cloaks,  curtains  and  upholstery.  The  house  is  an 
important  factor  in  the  business  interests  of  Bloom- 
ington, and  has  been  the  means  of  disbursing  thou- 
sands of  dollars  where  most  needed. 

The  household  circle  of  our  subject  and  his  wife 
includes  four  children — William  R.,  Anna,  May 
and  Francis  J.  The  elegant  family  residence  is  lo- 
cated at  No.  402  West  Jefferson  street,  where  the 
inmates  arc  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  lux- 
uries of  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.,  with  all  their  children, 
belong  to  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
to  the  support  of  which  our  subject  has  contributed 
cheerfully  and  liberally,  and  been  one  of  its  chief 
pillars.  He  is  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
and  has  officiated  as  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath- 
school  for  the  last  twelve  years.  There  have  been 
very  few  important  measures  connected  with  its 
prosperity  and  welfare  in  which  he  has  not  been 
the  leader  and  earnest  supporter,  both  by  his 
means  and  influence. 

Mr.  Fitzwilliam  politically  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  socially  is  a  member  in  good  standing  of  the 
G.  A.  R. 


?ILL1AM  O.  DAVIS,  editor  and  proprietor 
of  the  Pantograph,  was  born  in  Westches- 
ter,  Pa.,  in  August,  1837,  his  ancestors  be- 
ing among  the  families  who  settled  that  part  of 
Pennsylvania  with  William  Penn.  Mr.  Davis 
passed  his  early  life  on  a  farm,  receiving  his  edu- 
cation at  the  country  schools  and  the  academies. 
In  1858  he  came  West,  locating  in  Normal,  where 
for  a  time  he  taught  school.  Subsequently  he  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  1868,  with  Jesse  W.  Fell 
and  James  P.  Taylor,  he  purchased  the  Blooming- 
ton  Pantograph,  and  two  years  later  he  bought  out 
the  interest  of  his  partners  and  has  since  published 
this  excellent  and  popular  paper  under  his  own 
name. 

The  Pantograph  is  the  ablest  newspaper  in  Me- 


4 


* 


1188 


McLEAN    COUNTY. 


Lean  County,  :ui(l  ranks  high  among  the  leading 
journals  of  Illinois.  In  1837,  the  Bloomington 
Obai'ffi-  was  established  by  .lames  Alliu,  .Icsse  W. 
Fell  and  A.  (iridley,  with  William  Hill  as  editor. 
Subsequently  .Mr.  Fell  took  charge  of  the  editorial 
department.  In  1N4C,  the  name  of  the  paper  was 
changed  to  the  Western  \\'lii>j.  and  was  conducted 
by  Charles  P.  Merriman.  In  1852  the  name  was 
again  changed  to  the  /«te/%'''"'''''i  tlle  paper  again 
passing  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Fell,  who 
subsequently  sold  out  to  Charles  P.  Merriman, 
when  the  paper  was  rechristened,  receiving  the 
name  of  the  Pantograph. 

In  185G',  Mr.  Merriman  sold  the  paper  to  Will- 
iam E.  Foule,  who  a  few  years  later  sold  it  to 
Messrs.  Carpenter  &  Steele,  and  they  sold  to  Mi  -si  s. 
Seibird  &  Waters.  They  held  the  paper  until  1868, 
when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Davis, 
Fell  <fe  Taylor.  The  first  number  of  the  Daily 
Pantiii/fn/ili  was  issued  June  19,  1854. 

The  Pnntayraph  is  one  of  the  leading  Repub- 
lican papers  in  the  State,  is  ably  conducted,  has  a 
largo  circulation,  and  exerts  a  potent  influence  for 
the  good  of  the  community  as  well  as  for  the  pros- 
perity of  its  party. 


ASIIINGTON  DAWSON,  who  is  pleasantly 
located  on  section  29,  Chenoa  Township, 
is  a  native  of  McLean  County,  having 
been  born  near  Lexington,  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, July  3,  1834.  His  parents  were  James  R. 
and  Mary  (Ogden)  Dawson.  James  R.  Dawson, 
who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  removed  to  this 
county  in  1832,  and  settled  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship. There  he  followed  farming  and  passed  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
died  at  the  old  homestead  in  Money  Creek  Town- 
ship, when  Washington  was  an  infant  of  but  eleven 
months  old.  She  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  a 
lady  of  English  and  Irish  extraction.  Washington 
was  a  twin ;  his  brother  was  James  M. 

After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  D.  was  mar- 
ried again,  and  our  subject  remained  with  him  un- 
til twelve  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  live  with 
his  older  brother,  Albert,  with  whom  he  remained 


until  he  was  sixteen.  Soon  afterward  he  engaged 
to  work  on  a  farm  by  the  month  and  was  thus  em- 
ployed for  three  years.  Then,  desirous  of  fanning 
on  his  own  account,  he  rented  a  tract  of  land  and 
commenced  life  in  earnest.  One  of  his  first  ar- 
rangements was  to  secure  a  partner  and  helpmeet. 
and  he  was  accordingly  married  on  the  5th  of  No- 
vember, 1855,  to  Miss  Mary  R.,  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  Fell,  of  McLean  County.  The  young 
people  went  to  housekeeping  with  high  hopes  for 
the  future,  and  in  due  time  became  the  parents  of 
two  children — Emma,  now  deceased,  and  Charles  II. 
Mr.  Dawson  was  married  the  second  time  to  Mrs. 
Martha  (Durham)  Berlin,  widow  of  Thomas  J. 
Berlin,  who  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  during 
the  late  war.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born 
five  children,  one  now  deceased — Frank  J.  Those 
surviving  are:  William  S.,  James  R.,  Howard  I", 
and  Oliver  D.  Of  the  first  marriage  of  Mrs.  Daw- 
son  there  was  born  one  son. 

The  splendid  homestead  of  Washington  Dawson 
includes  140  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land,  which, 
however,  is  only  half  of  what  he  formerly  owned. 
Not  caring  for  such  a  wide  extent  he  disposed  of  a 
part.  He  erected  a  fine  residence  in  1886,  which 
is  two  stories  in  height,  finished  and  furnished  in 
modern  style.  The  premises  in  all  respects  denotes 
the  supervision  of  the  intelligent  and  progressive 
farmer,  whicli  is  very  clearly  shown  in  the  view 
given  in  this  ALHIM. 

Soon  after  he  had  commenced  his  farming  opera- 
tions there  came  the  first  call  for  troops  to  defend 
the  threatened  Union.  He  at  once  laid  aside  his 
personal  plans  and  interests  and  proffered  his  serv- 
ices as  a  soldier,  enlisting  in  Co.  C,  94th  111.  Vol. 
Inf.,  in  August,  1862.  His  regiment  was  assigned 
to  the  13th  Army  Corps,  and  our  subject  and  his 
comrades  participated  in  the  engagement  at  Prairie 
Grove,  Ark.,  and  were  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
where  Mr.  Dawson  with  others  lay  in  the  rifle  pits 
for  a  period  of  twenty-one  days.  He  escaped, 
however,  from  the  conflict  uninjured,  and  was 
present  at  the  attack  on  Ft.  Hudson,  near  Browns- 
ville, Tex.,  and  all  the  other  engagements  and 
skirmishes  which  the  regiment  encountered  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  remarkably  fortunate, 
never  having  been  obliged  to  report  illness,  and 

•» 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1189 


never  evaded  any  duty  which  he  was  called  upon 
to  perform.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  received 
his  honorable  discharge  in  August,  1865,  at  Gal- 
veston,  Tex.,  and  was  paid  off  at  Springfield,  111. 
He  then  returned  home  and  resumed  his  farming 
operations  in  which  he  has  since  been  engaged. 
Mr.  D.  served  as  Assessor  of  Chenoa  Township  one 
year  and  was  Road  Commissioner  in  1881.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members  in  good  standing  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church,  attending  religious 
services  at  Lexington.  Politically  Mr.  Dawson  is 
Republican  and  greatly  interested  in  the  success  of 
the  temperance  movement. 

The  present  wife  of  Mr.  Dawson  was  horn  in 
Morgan  County,  Va.,  March  21,  1842,  and  was  the 
fourth  of  a  family  of  six  children.  She  is  a  distant 
relative"  of _.'  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor.  She  removed 
with  her  mother  to  this  county  in  1865,  her  father 
having  died  when  she  was  four  years  old.  Her 
father  was  George  and  her  mother  Rosanna  (Am- 
brose) Durham,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  of  Scotch  and  English  ancestry.  Her  grand- 
father, Joseph  Durham,  was  born  in  England  and 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  colonial  days.  Her 
maternal  grandfather,  Matthew  Ambrose,  was  a 
Captain  during  the  Revolutionary  War  in  the 
Colonial  Army.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Dawson  died 
in  Virginia.  The  mother  afterward  emigrated  to 
this  State  and  died  at  the'home  of  her  daughter  in 
this  county  in  1866. 


THOMAS  J.  WARREN,  of  Belleflower  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  March 
iP  18,  1844.  His  father,  Lemuel  Warren,  was 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  his  grandfather, 
Henry  Warren,  of  Maryland.  The  latter  removed 
from  his  native  State  to  North  Carolina  when  a 
young  man  and  was  there  married.  In  about  1815 
he  removed  to  Ohio,  the  journey  being  made  over- 
land, the  grandmother  of  our  subject  riding  on 
horseback  and  carrying  a  child  in  her  arms.  They 
located  on  a  tract  of  timber  land  in  Ross  County, 
being  among  the  earliest  settlers.  There  Henry 
Warren  opened  up  a  farm,  upon  which  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  about  is")  I.  Ills 


wife  .survived  him  for  a  period  of  eighteen  year-. 
her  death  occurring  in  Logan  Count}7,  Ohio,  in  1  ss-j. 

Their  household  included  eight  children,  of 
whom  Lemuel,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  the 
eldest.  He  was  a  mere  child  when  his  parents  emi- 
grated from  his  native  State  to  Ohio,  and  as  soon 
as  large  enough  was  put  to  work  and  kept  at  it 
steadily  until  he  started  out  to  do  for  himself.  He 
inherited  the  substantial  traits  of  his  parents  and 
at  the  time  of  his  marriage  had  already  enough 
means  to  purchase  a  tract  of  land,  mostly  timber, 
near  his  father's  farm.  He  erected  a  log  house  to 
which  he  afterward  put  a  frame  addition,  and  this 
remained  his  home  until  1859,  when  he  came  to 
Illinois.  He  located  in  Sheridan  Township,  Taze- 
wcll  County,  upon  a  tract  of  '240  acres  of  prairie 
land,  only  part  of  which  was  improved. 

With  characteristic  energy  and  industry.  Lemuel 
Warren  set  about  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  and 
erected  a  good  set  of  frame  buildings,  residing  upon 
the  homestead  thus  established  until  his  d«ath,  in 
September,  1873.  His  wife  was  Miss  Elizabeth 
Wendel,  a  native  of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and 
the  daughter  of  William  Wendel,  of  Virginia,  who 
emigrated  from  his  native  State  at  an  early  day 
and  was  numbered  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Guernsey  County,  Ohio.  The  journey  from  Vir- 
ginia to  Ohio  was  made  after  the  fashion  of  travel- 
ers in  those  days  with  ox-teams. 

Lemuel  Warren  remained  a  resident  of  Guern- 
sey County,  Ohio,  until  about  1847,  when  he 
removed  to  Ross  County,  and  in  about  1856  started 
for  the  Prairie  State.  He  purchased  a  farm  in 
Sheridan  Township,  Tazewell  County,  which  he  oc- 
cupied with  his  family  until  his  death,  in  1876. 
His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Effle  Belong,  also  a  native 
of  Virginia,  died  a  few  hours  later  and  was  buried 
the  same  day  as  her  husband.  The  family  con- 
sisted of  ten  children. 

The  subject  of  this  history  was  the  third  child 
of  his  parents  and  was  fifteen  years  old  when  they 
removed  to  Illinois.  He  was  reared  to  farming 
pursuits,  received  a  common-school  education  and 
remained  under  the  home  roof  until  his  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  A.  Lucas,  which  occurred  Dec. 
1 1.  1807.  Mrs.  Warren  was  born  in  Corvvin  Town- 
ship, Logan  Co.,  III.,  and  was  the  daughter  of 


\ 


I 


f 


1190 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


M.  I'.  Lucas.  :i  native  nl  Ta/.ewvll  County, 
111.,  whose  father  was  among  the  earliest  pioneer- 
of  that  region.  Her  father,  who  was  left  an  or- 
phan at  an  early  age,  grew  to  manhood  iii  Ta/.e- 
wcll  County.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter 
and  joiner  and  settled  soon  after  his  marriage  in 
Cor  win  Township,  Logan  County,  where  he  still 
lives.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Warren,  for- 
merly .Miss  Elizabeth  Pence,  was  born  near  Dayton, 
( )hio.  Her  parents  were  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Rectcr) 
Pence,  natives  of  Kentucky,  whence  they  removed 
in  1828,  to  Illinois.  They  located  first  in  Peoria 
but  soon  afterward  removed  to  Springfield,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1830,  to  Logan  County,  where  the  father 
made  a  claim  and  built  a  log  cabin.  Mr.  Pence, 
the  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Warren,  departed  this  life 
in  1872.  The  grandmother  still  lives  in  this 
County,  having  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety  years,  and  is  drawing  a  pension  on  account 
of  her  husband's  service  in  the  War  of  1812. 

Soon  after  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Warren  he  rented 
land  in  Sheridan  Township,  Logan  County,  one 
year,  then  purchased  110  acres  in  that  vicinity, 
which  he  cultivated,  improved  and  occupied  until 
1  s«3,  then  sold  out  and  purchased  the  farm  which 
constitutes  the  present  homestead  of  himself  and 
family.  This  is  situated  on  section  31,  in  Belleflower 
Township.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  par- 
ents of  eight  children,  five  living  as  follows :  Sarah, 
Allie,  Elmer  I).,  Lulo  and  Katie.  Mrs.  Warren  is 
a  member  of  the  Regular  Baptist  Church,  and  our 
subject,  politically,  is  a  Democrat. 


OELSON  JONES.  One  of  the  pioneers  of 
'  Towanda  Township,  and  now  one  of  the 
j  largest  land-owners  of  the  county,  was  born 
in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  April  5,  1826,  and  was 
there  reared  to  farm  labor.  He  is  the  son  of  Abra- 
ham R.  and  Matilda  (Noel)  Jones,  the  former  a 
native  of  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  and  the  latter 
born  in  Kentucky.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Jones1 
moved  to  Maryland,  and  when  she  was  seven  years 
of  age  they  moved  back  to  Ohio,  where  they  died. 
The  parents  of  Nelson  Jones  lived  in  Ohio  until 
when  they  came  to  this  connty  and  made  a 


-etllcmont  at  Smith's  ( irove.  Towanda  Township, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  and  where 
his  demise  occurred  Feb.  11,  1865;  the  mother  af- 
terward removed  to  Towanda  Village,  where  she 
died  March  7,  1880.  The  parents  had  a  family  of 
ten  children,  and  Nelson  was  the  seventh  in  order 
of  birth. 

Nelson  Jones  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his 
father's  farm,  receiving  his  priman-  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  afterward  supplementing 
the  same  by  an  academical  course  of  five  months 
at  Springfield.  Ohio.  Remaining  with  the  old  folk 
until  he  attained  the  age  of  manhood  he  started 
out  to  do  for  himself.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
the  spring  of  1848,  and  located  at  Smith's  Grove, 
and  in  1849  he  and  his  brother  A.  R.  purcha.-ed 
600  acres  of  land  in  Towanda  Township.  In  1  850, 
Cyrus  Jones  purchased  a  one-third  interest,  and 
the  three  brothers  continued  farming  and  stock- 
raising  in  partnership  until  1854,  since  which  time 
our  subject  has  been  operating  by  himself.  His 
capital  upon  arriving  in  the  county  consisted  of 
$342  in  cash  and  one  horse  and  saddle.  During 
the  year  1854  he  entered  some  200  acres  of  land, 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  927  acres  of  good  and 
productive,  as  well  as  valuable  land,  upon  which  he 
has  three  sets  of  good  farm  buildings.  His  large 
brick  residence  was  erected  in  1869,  at  an  expense 
of  upward  of  $12,000;  his  main  barn  wasjbuilt  in 
1873,  and  cost  about  $4,500. 

On  first  coming  to  the  county,  our  subject 
worked  out  herding  cattle,  and  was  thus  occupied 
for  about  two  years,  and  afterward  engaged  in 
herding  and  feeding  cattle  by  himself,  and  in  part- 
nership with  his  two  brothers,  as  stated.  Subse- 
quently he  settled  on  his  purchase  on  section  15, 
Towanda  Township,  and  there  lived  until  1S70, 
when  he  moved  into  the  fine  brick  residence  on 
section  16,  and  where  he  has  continued  to  reside 
until  the  present  time.  Mr.  Jones  is  one  of  the 
prominent  men  of  Towanda  Township,  and  has 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare  since  its  organ- 
ization, and  is  now  the  second  oldest  settler  and 
voter  of  the  township.  Aside  from  farming  ho  is 
largely  engaged  in  raising  and  feeding  stock,  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  blooded  Short-horn  cattle.  He 
keeps  about  35  head  of  horses;  150  head  of  cattle, 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1191     t 


and  fattens  from  100  to  150  head  of  hogs  annually. 

Mr.  Jones  was  united  in  marriage  with  Eliza  A. 
White,  March  4,  1857.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
George  and  Julia  (Noel)  White,  natives  of  New 
York  and  Ohio  respectively,  and  the  vocation  of 
the  father  was  that  of  a  farmer.  Her  parents  after 
marriage  settled  in  Clarke  County,  Ohio,  whence 
they  removed  to  Tippecanoe  County,  Intl.,  and 
from  there  came  to  McLean  County  in  1850,  and 
made  settlement  in  Towanda  Township,  where  the 
good  mother  died  March  25,  1865.  The  father  is 
yet  living,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Lawndale 
Township.  Their  family  of  children  were  twelve 
in  number,  and  Mrs.  Jones  was  the  third  in  order 
of  birth.  She  first  saw  light  in  what  is  now  Lafay- 
ette, Ind.,  Nov.  20,  1830,  and  of  her  union  with 
our  subject  flve  children  have  been  born :  Ward 
B.,  June  17,  1858;  Lattie  Grant,  April  5,  1863; 
Julia  A.,  Sept.  7,  1867;  Elmetta  M.,  June  21, 1869, 
and  Mark  C.,  Sept.  24,  1871.  Ward  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Stover,  and  they  are  res- 
idents of  Towanda  Township. 

Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  in  politics  is  Republican. 


T.  MURPHY.  The  home  of  this 
worthy  resident  of  Mt.  Hope  Township  is 
pleasantly  located  on  sections  7  and  18, 
where  he  has  200  acres  of  land,  and  devotes  the 
greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention  to  stock- 
raising.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  excellent  education, 
having  attended  the  Bloomington  Commercial  Col- 
lege and  the  Wesleyan  University,  and  this,  to- 
gether with  his  acknowledged  business  talents,  has 
secured  for  him  a  good  position  in  the  farming 
community  and  the  business  world  generally. 

Our  subject  is  the  second  child  of  William  J. 
and  Frances  (Stubblefield)  Murphy,  and  was  born 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  Dec.  3, 
1858.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  after  the 
manner  of  most  farmers'  sons,  and  while  his  con- 
stitution was  being  healthfully  built  up  in  the 
pure  air  of  the  rural  districts,  his  mind  and  his 
morals  likewise  received  more  than  ordinary  atten- 
tion from  his  excellent  parents.  After  the  com- 


pletion of  his  college  course,  he  remained  upon  the 
farm  of  his  parents  two  years,  assisting  his  father 
on  the  homestead.  Then  wishing  to  establish  a 
home  sjnd  domestic  ties  of  his  own,  he  was  married, 
Nov.  17,  1881,  to  Miss  Nancy  J.,  daughter  of 
William  and  Lucinda  (Gardner)  Ilieronymus. 
Mrs.  Murphy  was  born  in  Hittle  Township,  Taze- 
well  County,  Jan.  22,  1860.  Her  father  was  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky  and  descended  from  old  German 
stock.  Of  this  marriage  there  arc  two  children, 
bright  little  girls,  who  are  the  joy  and  pride  of 
their  parents'  hearts,  viz.,  Lena  Rose,  born  Sept. 
23,  1882,  and  Joy  Dell,  May  9,  1884. 

The  farm  of  Mr.  Murphy  is  finely  located,  and 
everything  about  the  premises  neatly  kept  and  in 
the  best  of  order.  His  stock  consists  of  about 
thirty-five  head  of  cattle  and  horses.  Our  subject 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  Mr.  Murphy,  politically,  like  the  balance  of 
the  male  members  of  his  father's  family,  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party. 


HARLES  B.  LAWRENCE,  a  native  of  De 
Witt  County,  111.,  was  born  Nov.  7,  1845, 
and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  Lawrence,  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania,  who  removed  to  Indiana  with 
his  father's  family.  There  he  grew  to  manhood 
and  married,  and  later  became  a  resident  of  De 
Witt  County  during  its  early  settlement.  Thence 
he  removed,  in  1850,  to  Tazewell  County,  purchas- 
ing land  in  Mackinaw  Township,  where  he  opened 
up  a  farm  which  he  occupied  a  number  of  years, 
then  sold  out  and  came  to  this  county,  where  his 
death  occurred  not  long  afterward. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  formerly  Miss 
Magdalene  Bergen,  a  native  of  New  York,  and 
now  deceased,  her  death  taking  place  at  the  home- 
stead in  Tazewell  County.  The  parental  family 
included  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  grew  to 
mature  years.  Of  these  Charles  B.  remained  un- 
der the  home  roof  until  eighteen  years  old,  and 
soon  afterward,  the  Civil  War  being  in  progress, 
enlisted  in  Co.  I,  3d  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  in  which  he 
served  two  years,  and  until  the  close.  He  was  in 
the  battle  at  Nashville,  and  was  at  Memphis  dur- 


T  1192 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


ing  the  raid  of  the  rebel  General  Forrest,  besides 
participating  in  various  minor  engagements  with 
the  enemy.  At  the  close  of  the  struggle  he  re- 
turned to  his  father's  farm,  which  he  worked  on 
shares  by  the  year,  and  after  a  brief  residence  in 
McLean  and  Piatt  Counties  returned  finally  in 
1874,  and  took  possession  of  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Belleflower  Township,  which  he  had  previously 
purchased  and  which  is  included  in  his  present 
farm. 

The  homestead  of  Mr.  Lawrence  is  most  credita- 
ble to  the  industry  and  skill  of  the  proprietor.  His 
land  is  thoroughly  drained  with  520  rods  of  tile, 
and  the  buildings  thereon  bear  fair  comparison 
with  those  of  his  neighbors.  The  lady  who  has 
presided  over  his  household  for  the  last  sixteen 
year  was  formerly  Miss  Sarah  Wilson,  who  be- 
came his  wife  in  October,  1869.  She  was  born  in 
Bloomington  Township,  March  20,  1854,  and  is  the; 
daughter  of  John  Wilson,  a  native  of  Tennessee, 
and  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  this  county.  He 
still  lives  on  his  farm  near  Bloomington.  His  wife 
was  Miss  Jane  Abel,  of  Indiana. 


1847. 


R.  JOHN  M.  CRIGLER,  of  Saybrook,  a 
large  property-holder  and  a  prominent  cit- 
izen, is  a  native  of  Rockingham  County, 
Ya.,  where  his  birth  took  place  Dec.  13, 

His  parents  were  Thomas  B.  and  Sarah  R. 
(Deal)  Crigler,  both  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion, 
the  former  born  in  1816,  and  the  latter  in  1820. 
The  parents  of  Dr.  Crigler  came  to  this  county  in 
1849,  and  the  father,  former^-  a  saddler  by  trade, 
took  up  farming,  which  he  still  continues;  He' 
is  a  worthy  citizen,  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  Democratic  in  politics. 

Our  subject,  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  his 
parents,  after  reaching  manhood  was  married  Dec. 
21,  1871,  to  Miss  Love  E.,  daughter  of  Dr.  James 
L.  Ballard,  and  born  in  Jessamine  County,  Ky., 
April  7,  1849.  Her  father,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Saylirook,  is  still  practicing  after  the  principles  of 
the  Old  School.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  C.  are  the  parents 
of  four  children,  namely,  Maude  F.,  Katie  B.,  John 
M.  and  Kssie  R.  The  Doctor  is  a  Master  Mason, 


Democratic  in  politics,  and  takes  an  interest  in 
matters  affecting  the  welfare  of  his  community.  He 
is  well  educated  and  stands  high  in  his  profession 
a-  a  diMitnl  surgeon,  in  which  he  perfected  himself 
under  the  best  tutors  and  established  Ids  first  office 
in  this  city  Dec.  14,  1868.  During  his  nearly 
1  \veut  v  yc:ir>'  residence  here  he  lias  built  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice,  and  while  in  no  wise  neglect- 
ing his  profession,  deals  extensively  in  city  prop- 
erty and  farm  lands.  He  has  one  of  the  finest 
homes  in  his  township,  and  commands  the  respect 
of  all  who  know  him. 


eAPT.  JAMES  KENNEDY,  one  of  the  old- 
est  and  most  highly  respected  citizens  of 
Martin  Township,  has  followed  farming  pur- 
suits the  greater  part  of  his  life,  in  which  he  has 
been  eminently  successful.  He  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Jessamine  County, 
Nov.  3,  1803.  His  grandfather  on  his  mother's 
side  was  Richard  Crews,  who  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
War  at  three  different  times  and  was  regularly  dis- 
charged three  times,  his  papers  being  now  in  the 
possession  of  Capt.  Kennedy  of  our  sketch,  and  are 
valued  as  old  and  curious  relics.  He  married  in 
early  manhood  Miss  Esther  Puckett,  and  they  raised 
a  family  of  five  children,  one  son  and  four  daugh- 
ters. The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
James  Kennedy,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  married  in 
his  own  country  and  soon  afterward  emigrated  to 
America,  settling  in  Chester  County,  Pa.  Their 
family  also  consisted  of  five  children,  four  daugh- 
ters and  one  son,  the  son,  James,  being  the  father 
of  our  subject. 

James  Kenned y,  Sr.,  after  reaching  his  majority 
was  married  to  Miss  Esther,  daughter  of  Richard 
Crews,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  sons: 
Eleazer,  Thomas  S.,  and  James,  our  subject.  The 
latter  was  the  youngest  of  the  family  and  pa»e<l 
his  boyhood  in  Jessamine  and  Madison  Counties, 
Ky.,  receiving  a  limited  education  in  a  private 
school,  his  entire  school  days  probably  not  exceed- 
ing one  year.  The  father  of  young  James  had 
been  educated  for  the  priesthood  but  turned  his  at- 

•> 


» 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1193  * 


tention  to  farming,  and  died  when  our  subject  was 
but  a  few  weeks  old.  Young  Kennedy  then  went 
to  live  with  his  grandfather,  Richard  Crews,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of 
age.  At  that  early  period  in  his  life  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Louisa  Freeman,  and  remained  upon 
the  old  homestead  of  his  grandfather,  taking  care 
of  the  latter  uutil  his  death,  which  occurred  when 
he  was  eighty-seven  years  old.  The  grandmother 
also  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  being  eighty-four  at 
the  time  of  her  death. 

After  the  death  of  his  grandparents  James  Ken- 
nedy purchased  a  farm  seven  miles  from  Winches- 
ter in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  which  he  occupied  with 
his  family  until  the  spring  of  1851.  He  then  came 
North  to  Illinois  and  rented  1 ,000  acres  of  land  in 
McLean  County  from  Samuel  Lander.  The  following 
spring  he  removed  his  family  hither,  and  for  seven 
years  following  was  extensively  engaged  in  raising 
wheat,  corn  and  oats,  meeting  with  remarkable  suc- 
cess. He  also  raised  large  numbers  of  thorough- 
bred cattle  and  mules.  In  the  meantime  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Blue  Mound  Township,  and  be- 
sides this  also  bought  the  farm  on  which  he  now 
lives.  After  removing  from  the  rented  land  he 
located  in  Blue  Mound  Township  on  section  21, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  1874,  then  took 
up  his  abode  on  section  21,  in  Martin  Township, 
which  is  his  present  homestead.  The  Blue  Mound 
farm  was  purchased  by  his  son-in-law,  James  A. 
Doyle. 

The  homestead  of  Capt.  Kennedy  comprises  1 60 
acres  of  choice  land,  enclosed  with  beautiful  hedge 
fences  and_embellished  with  a  handsome  and  substan- 
tial set  of  farm  buildings.  He  has  one  of  the  best 
fruit  orchards  in  the  township  and  the  entire  farm 
is  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation.  The  residence  is  a 
model  of  beauty  and  comfort  and  everything  per- 
taining to  the  premises  indicates  the  supervision  of  a 
gentleman  of  cultivated  tastes  and  ample  means. 

Mrs.  Louisa  Kennedy  became  the  mother  of  two 
children,  a  son  and  daughter : .  George  F.,  now  de- 
ceased, and  Leanner,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Mr.  A.  Eubanks.  The  second  wife  of  our  subject 
was  Miss  Asenath  Gentry,  of  Madison  County, 
Ky.  This  Lady  died  in  Martin  Township,  this 
county,  leaving  four  children :  Thomas,  now  de- 


ceased  ;  Eusebia  M.,  who  became  the  wife  of 
James  A.  Doyle,  of  Nebraska;  William  Lee,  a 
resident  of  Iowa,  and  Martha,  who  married  John 
Stanger,  of  Boulder,  Col. 

The  present  wife  of  our  subject,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1874,  was  Mrs.  Maggie  Elkin,  widow  of 
Henry  Elkin,  by  whom  she  became  the  mother  of 
one  son,  who  died  when  a  year  old.  Of  this  union 
there  has  been  no  children.  Mrs.  K.  is  a  lady  of 
more  than  ordinary  intelligence  and  differs  materi- 
ally in  politics  from  her  husband,  she  Tieing  an  ear- 
nest Republican  and  the  Captain  a  stanch  adherent 
of  the  Democratic  party.  Both  are  prominently 
connected  with  the  Christian  Church.  The  father 
of  Mrs.  K.  is  Gideon  D.  Crumbaugh,  who  has 
been  Postmaster  of  Le  Roy  for  a  period  of  seven- 
teen years,  and  Police  Magistrate  twenty-nine  years. 
Mrs.  K.  is  about  forty-six  years  of  age,  and  the 
Captain  eighty-four.  He  is  still  hale  and  hearty,  in 
the  enjoyment  of  all  his  faculties,  and  still  in  pos- 
session of  that  remarkable  intelligence  which  has 
characterized  him  since  he  began  to  make  his  mark 
among  men  and  in  the  business  world.  He  has  al- 
ways taken  an  active  interest  in  public  and  political 
affairs  and  during  his  early  life  identified  himself 
with  the  Whig  party.  During  the  Mexican  War  he 
assisted  in  raising  and  equipping  a  company  of 
soldiers  at  his  own  expense,  but  did  not  succeed  in 
having  them  ordered  to  the  front.  He  has  a  natural 
taste  for  military  tactics  and  has  been  Captain  of 
militia  for  many  years. 


BISHOP,  general  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  is  the  possessor  of  a  well-cultivated 
farm  of  110  acres,  part  of  which  lies  on  sec- 
tion 21,  in  Randolph,  and  the  balance  in  Downs 
Township.  He  has  been  closely  identified  with 
the  interests  of  this  section  for  many  years,  and  is 
numbered  among  its  representative  men  and  most 
highly  respected  citizens. 

Mr.  Bishop,  a  native  of  Perry  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  near  Janesville,  April  22,  1823,  and  is  the  son 
of  Jacob  Bishop,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  of  German  parentage.  The  history  of  the 
family  in  the  United  States  dates  back  prior  to  the 


t 


' '1194 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


Revolutionary  War.  From  the  record  pos.-e-rd 
by  the  later  descendants  it  appears  that  Jacob 
Bishop  in  early  life  became  with  his  parents  a  res- 
ident of  Perry  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
during  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  where  he  took 
upon  himself  the  responsibilities  of  manhood.  He 
chose  for  his  wife  among  the  maidens  of  that  re- 
gion, Miss  Mary  A.  Weedman,  who  was  a  native  of 
the  Buckeye  State  and  of  German  ancestry.  Her 
family  also  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio 
during  its  early  history,  and  from  there  came  to 
Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1830.  They  located  in  Ran- 
dolph Township  on  section  34,  where  the  father  be- 
came the  owner  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  most  of 
which  was  wild  prairie  and  a  larger  part  of  which 
he  redeemed  from  its  original  condition.  He  is 
still  living  on  the  old  homestead,  having  now  ar- 
rived at  the  ripe  age  of  ninety  years.  The  mother 
passed  to  her  final  rest  In  February,  1873,  aged 
seventy-two.  Both  became  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  early  in  life. 

George  Bishop  was  the  eldest  but  one  of  a  fam- 
ily of  thirteen  children,  six  sons  and  seven  daugh- 
ters, which  present  the  remarkable  record  of  a  cir- 
cle still  unbroken  by  death.  With  one  exception, 
all  are  married  and  have  families  of  their  own. 
The  youngest  of  this  remarkable  family  is  forty- 
six  years  of  age,  and  the  eldest,  a  daughter,  sixty- 
five.  George,  of  our  sketch,  spent  his  childhood 
and  youth  with  his  parents,  and  was  eight  years  of 
age  when  they  came  to  this  county.  After  reach- 
ing manhood  he  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Miss 
Susanna  Wright,  who  was  born,  reared  and  educat- 
ed in  the  county.  She  only  remained  the  compan- 
ion of  her  husband  eleven  years,  departing  this 
life  June  17,  1855,  leaving  three  children:  John 
T.  married  Miss  Mary  Passwater,  and  is  a  resident 
of  Hey  worth;  Mary  J.  is  the  wife  of  K.  Ellsworth, 
who  is  farming  in  Downs  Township;  Joseph  Will- 
iam is  deceased. 

The  second  wife  of  Mr.  Bishop,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  Le  Roy  Township,  Nov.  20,  1856,  was 
formerly  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Ashby  and  Cath- 
erine (Waters)  Neal,  who  were  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, of  Irish  and  English  descent.  Mr.  Neal 
was  a  skilled  mechanic,  and  came  to  Illinois  after 
his  marriage,  locating  in  Vermilion  County,  where 


the  wife  of  our  subject  was  born  Nov.  15, 
She  was  but  a  child  when  her  parents  came  to  this 
county.  Her  father,  in  1850,  went  to  California, 
and  died  ten  years  later  in  the  city  of  Sacramento. 
Mrs.  Neal  died  at  her  home  in  Le  Roy,  in  July, 
1880. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  the  parents  of  five 
children,  namely,  David,  who  married  Miss  Ida 
Turner,  and  is  farming  in  Downs  Township,  and 
Emma  B.,  Grant  H.,  Ada  C.  and  Martha  at  home. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  in  which  the  former  is  Steward 
and  Trustee. 


— r> 


EORGE  T.  GLENN.  The  principal  events 
in  the  life  of  this  highly  respected  citizen 
of  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  arc  as  fol- 
lows: He  began  life  in  Center  County,  Pa.,  March 
19,  1846,  under  the  roof  of  his  parents.  William  F. 
and  Sarah  J.  (Thompson)  Glenn,  natives  of  the 
same  State,  whence  they  removed  to  La  Salic 
County,  111.,  in  1855.  The  father  died  that  same 
year.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and  is  sixty-six 
years  of  age.  Both  became  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  earl}7  in  life,  and  commanded  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  them. 

Our  subject,  who  was  the  eldest  of  his  parents' 
four  children,  remained  under  the  home  roof  until 
after  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war.  and  although 
but  a  youth,  determined  to  fight  for  the  Union. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  7th  111.  Vol.  Cav.,  and  par- 
ticipated in  many  important  battles,  going  through 
the  States  of  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Alabama, 
and  experiencing  the  hardships  and  sufferings  in- 
cident to  army  life.  lie  was  never  wounded,  but 
was  confined  in  the  hospital  two  months  with  ill- 
ness. After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to 
the  farm,  and  in  1879,  purchased  102  acres  on  sec- 
tion 35,  in  Cheney's  Grove  Township,  which  is  in- 
cluded in  his  present  homestead,  and  where  he  has 
been  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  The  farm  is  in  a  fine  condition  and  well 
conducted,  and  everything  about  the  premises  is 
indicative  of  energy  and  enterprise. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  life   of 


f 

1 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


i 


11 05 t  . 


our  subject  was  his  marriage,  Feb.  22,  1870,  with 
Miss  Carrie  M.,  only  child  of  Jacob  and  An/ina 
(Wood)  Lewis,  who  was  born  Dec.  4,  1851,  in 
Rhode  Island.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of 
that  State.  The  father  died  in  1803.  The  mother 
is  still  living,  and  a  resident  of  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glenn  have  one  child  only,  a  daugh- 
ter, Cora  A.,  born  Sept.  '25,  1872,  and  still  at  home 
with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Glenn  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  and  has  been  quite  prominently  iden- 
tified with  local  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  three 
Commissioners  appointed  to  superintend  the  erec- 
tion of  roads  and  bridges  in  the  township,  and  after 
serving  three  years  was  re-elected  in  the  spring  of 
1886.  His  clear  head  and  cool  judgment  have 
rendered  him  a  useful  official,  and  in  thus  disburs- 
ing the  funds  of  the  township,  he  has  acquitted 
himself  with  great  credit,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  people. 


r/ILLIAM  BARRY  is  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Barry  &  Weishaar,  contractors  and 
builders,  and  dealers  in  stoves  and  hardware 
at  No.  723  West  Chestnut  street,  Bloomington, 
111.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Meade) 
Barry,  and  was  born  in  Canada,  of  which  Dominion 
both  his  parents  were  natives.  They  had  been  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  stock  and  grain  raising  for 
many  years. 

Mr.  James  Barry  passed  through  the  terrible 
fire  of  March,  1825,  when  the  flames  swept  with 
great  velocity  over  100  miles  of  territory,  consum- 
ing everything  before  them.  In  the  dead  of  night 
he  fled  with  his  mother  to  the  river,  seeking  refuge 
from  the  advancing  fire.  They  stood  in  the  river 
for  many  hours  with  the  water  up  to  their  necks, 
and  on  coming  out  were  obliged  to  wrap  them- 
selves in  wet  blankets  for  protection  from  the  burn- 
ing atmosphere.  His  father  is  still  living  on  the 
old  homestead  in  Canada,  and  has  reached  the  age 
of  seventy-four.  His  mother  died  in  18G9.  Their 
family  consisted  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  now  living.  Their  names  are,  Thomas,  a  resi- 
dent of  Nebraska;  William,  the  subject  of  this 
biography;  Margaret  A.,  a  resident  of  Canada; 


Kichard  and  Michael  are  residents  of  Canada;  Jo- 
seph A.,  a  resident  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and  Alexander, 
a  resident  of  Canada. 

William  Barry  was  engaged  in  business  three 
years  in  Maine,  and  from  there  he  went  to  Boston, 
M:i-s.,  where  he  successfully  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness of  contractor  and  builder  for  four  years.  In 
1878  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  has  since  made 
this  place  his  permanent  home.  He  formed  his 
present  partnership  with  Mr.  Weishaar  in  1881,  and 
in  188C  engaged  in  the  hardware  business. 

William  Barry  was  married,  in  1875,  to  Miss 
Helen  Keenan,  a  native  of  Canada,  and  daughter  of 
Patrick  Keeuan.  Mr.  Barry's  family  is  of  Irish 
extraction.  Hisancestors  came  from  Ireland  about 
the  year  1760,  and  settled  in  Canada,  where  they 
were  engaged  in  farming.  In  later  years  the  Barry 
family  have  made  their  home  in  the  States.  Will- 
iam Barry  learned  the  trade  of  contractor  and 
builder  in  Canada,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  went 
to  Calais,  Me.,  where  he  first  engaged  in  business. 

Mr.  Barry,  with  his  wife  and  family,  belong  to 
the  Catholic  Church.  They  have  a  family  of  six 
children — James  E.,  Thomas  M.,  Margaret  A.,  Jo- 
seph A.,  Richard  M.  and  Alexander.  Mr.  Barry 
purchased  his  place  of  business  and  his  residence, 
No.  1207  West  Chestnut  street,  in  July,  1886. 


\|7  E WIS  C.  BLAKE,  a  resident  of  Arrowsmith 
I  ((§)  Village,  is  a  product  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
j|LJ^  u;g  bjrth  taking  place  in  Guernsey  County, 
Aug.  25,  1817.  His  parents,  John  B.  and  Cather- 
ine Blake,  were  natives  respectively  of  Massachu- 
setts and  Maryland,  the  former  born  July  25, 
1787,  and  the  latter  June  6,  1790.  They  were 
married,  Oct.  10,  1813,  after  becoming  residents  of 
Ohio,  and  remained  residents  of  that  State  until 
1818,  when  they  removed  to  Virginia,  where  the 
elder  Blake  followed  millwrighting,  and  where  his 
death  took  place  April  12, 1855.  The  mother  died 
in  1869.  The  parental  family  consisted  of  ten 
children. 

Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until 
reaching  his  majority,  receiving  a  common-school 
education.  He  followed  shoemaking  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  was  considered  an  expert  at  his 


1 


M(  I.KAN    COUNTY. 


f 


ith< 
an 

~m-^* 

I 


trade,  lie  was  married  in  Virginia  in  1830,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Ann  Datson,  and  remained  in  the 
Old  Dominion  two  years,  whence  he  removed  to 
Maryland  on  account  of  the  failing  health  of  his 
wife.  This  removal,  however,  was  in  vain,  as  her 
death  took  place  on  the  21st  of  March,  1848,  when 
she  was  but  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  Of  this 
marriage  there  were  born  four  children.  After  the 
death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Blake  returned  to  Hardy 
County,  now  in  West  Virginia,  and  engaged  in 
wagonmaking  and  blacksmithing  for  five  years  fol- 
lowing. He  was  married  the  second  time  in 
1850,  and  with  his  wife  came  to  McLean  County 
in  October,  1852,  stopping  first  in  Lexing- 
ton, where  he  followed  blacksmithing,  and  to  which 
he  came  with  a  cash  capital  of  fifty  cents.  He  con- 
ducted a  shop  there  one  year,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1854  rented  an  old  sawmill,  which  became  the  fam- 
ily residence  until  he  could  do  better.  His  indus-, 
try  and  perseverance  have  been  richly  rewarded. 
He  is  now  the  owner  of  240  acres  of  finely  im- 
proved land  besides  valuable  property  in  the  vil- 
lage. In  the  meantime  he  has  also  been  promi- 
nently connected  with  the  local  affairs,  serving  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  as  School  Director  for 
twenty-one  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  being  chairman  of  its  build- 
ing committee,  and  besides  contributing  much  to- 
ward its  prosperity  has  been  greatly  interested  in 
charitable  objects,  and  further  extended  his  benev- 
olence by  rearing  several  orphan  children,  having 
been  bereaved  of  his  own.  the  offspring  of  his  last 
marriage,  a  son  and  daughter,  John  B.  and  Eliza- 
beth, who  died  of  scarlet  fever.  Mr.  Blake  is  a 
stanch  Democrat,  politically,  and  Treasurer  in  the 
Masonic  lodge. 


<S)    C.  JOHNSON.  The  family  of  Johnsons  in 
the  United  States  of  which  our  subject  is  a 
descendant  came;  to  this  country   prior  to 
the  Revolutionary  War,  the  first  represent  *_ 
tive  being  William  Johnson,  our  subject's  grandfa- 
ther.    This   gentleman    was  a  native  of  Germany, 
and  \\as  there  married  to   Mi.-s   Catherine    Tartar- 


after  emigrating  to  America  they  located  upon  a 
farm  ten  miles  north  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Soon 
afterward  William  Johnson  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  army,  where  he  distinguished 
himself  for  his  bravery  and  fidelity,  and  was  hon- 
ored with  a  Captain's  commission  early  in  the 
struggle.  After  the  independence  of  the  C'olonio 
had  been  established  he  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  departed  this  life  at  his  home  near 
Philadelphia,  his  wife  following  him  some  years 
later.  Their  family  included  thirteen  children, 
among  them  Nicholas,  the  father  of  our  subject.  lie 
was  reared  and  married  in  his  native  State,  his  first 
wife,  Mary,  dj'ing  after  the  birth  of  one  child,  a 
daughter,  Mary,  now  the  wife  of  George  Cress,  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  C.  is  living  near  the  Quaker  Cit}'. 

After  the  death  of  the  mother  the  father,  leaving 
the  infant  daughter  with  a  sister,  came  to  Indiana, 
settling  in  Dearborn  County.  There  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Malinda  Cloud,  a  native  of  that 
county.  There  were  born  to  them  thirteen  chil- 
dren, three  sons  and  ten  daughters,  four  of  the  lat- 
ter now  deceased.  Of  these  our  subject,  J.  C.,  was 
the  second  born.  His  birth  occurred  Sept.  13, 
1823,  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind.  Nicholas  Johnson 
was  greatly  respected  wherever  known,  and  became 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  adopted  county.  He 
was  a  Captain  of  Militia  for  many  years,  and  hav- 
ing been  finely  educated  held  with  much  dig- 
nity  and  credit  the  office  of  County  Commis- 
sioner and  other  positions  of  trust.  Both  parents 
were  active  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  The 
mother  died  while  still  a  comparatively  young 
woman,  from  cancer  in  the  breast.  N  icholas  John- 
son attained  the  age  of  seventy-four  y  are,  and  was 
carried  away  suddenly  by  disease  of  the  heart. 
The  family  are  now  scattered  in  different  States, 
all  married  and  settled  in  comfortable  homes  of 
their  own. 

The  subject  of  this  history  received  a  fair  edu- 
cation, and  worked  on  a  farm  with  his  father  until 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  was  then  married, 
Sept.  13,  1846,  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of 
Rev.  Thomas  and  Ann  (Sutton)  Hargitt,  who  were 
natives  of  Kngland.  Rev.  Hargitt  was  born  April 
20,  1798,  at  Bagby,  Yorkshire,  Kngland,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  twenty- 


T 


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MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


11:17 


.1 

* 


two   years  of  age,  anil    was  married  in  Dearborn 
County,  Ind.,  to    tlie    widow    of    Charles   Sutton, 
Anna  Mason  being  her  maiden  name.     They  lived 
there  until  the  deatli  of  Mr.  H.   at   the    advanced 
age    of   eight}-    nine-years,    Nov    17,     1886.     The 
mother   died   in   1858,   when   sixty-three  year.-  of 
age.    Mr.  Ilargitt  was  a  local  minister  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  having  been  ordained   in 
1830,   while  in   England.     As  a  minister,  he  was 
earnest  and  eflicient,  the  possessor  of  an  eloquence 
which  was  strong  and   fervid.     He   was  a  zealous 
temperance  advocate,  teaching  by  precept  and  ex- 
ample. Asa  citizen  he  took  an  active  interest  in  all 
public  affairs,  contributing  liberally  to  enterprises 
of  public  utility  and  a'.ways  warmly  loyal  to  his 
adopted  country.  The  family  of  which  Mrs.  J.  was 
a  member  consisted  of  seven  children,  of  whom  she 
was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  and  was  born  March 
3,  1828.     She  was   reared  and   educated  in   Dear- 
born County,  and  by  her  marriage  withJ.  G.John- 
son has  become  the  mother  of  twelve  children,  one, 
Adda,    deceased ;    Melinda    became    the    wife    of 
George  Nickerson,  a  farmer  of  Downs   Township; 
Thomas  N.  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Lawler,   and  is 
farming  in  Anderson  County,  Kan. ;  Mary  E.  be- 
came, first,  the  wife  of  Jesse  Passwaters,  who  died; 
and   she   then   married  his  brother  John,  and  they 
live  in  Anderson  Count}',  Kan.;  George  S.  married 
Miss  Hester  Peasely,  and  is  farming  in    Hamilton 
County  Kan. ;  Richard  married  Miss  Alice  Cabness, 
of  Cass  County,  Mo.,  and    is    farming    in    Downs 
Township,  this  county;  William  married  Miss  Hat- 
tie  McComb,  and  is  farming  in  Randolph  Town- 
ship; Jennie,  the   wife  of  Dr.  J.  F.  Myers,  resides 
in   Saybrook,  this  count}r ;  Charles  W.,  Alfred  E. 
and  Albert  W.,  the  two  latter,  twins,  and   James 
A.  are  at  home.     They  were  all  educated  in  the 
public  schools,  and  are  children  of  whom  any  par- 
ent may  be  proud. 

Mr.  Johnson  resided  in  Dearborn  County,  Ind., 
after  his  marriage  until  1852,  in  the  meantime 
having  spent  one  year  in  California,  mining  with 
fair  success.  After  returning  to  Indiana  he  soon 
removed  to  this  State,  settling  for  a  short  time  on 
a  new  farm  in  Livingston  County,  whence  later  he 
came  to  McLean.  In  1804  lie  visited  Idaho  and 
Montana  in  search  of  both  health  and  gold,  but 


owing  to  Indian  and  Mormon  troubles,  which  made 
it  very  disagreeable  for  visitors  to  that  section  as  well 
as  the  residents  there,  he  was  glad  to  return  home, 
being  nearly  starved  when  he  was  on  the  journey 
home,  but  improved,  nevertheless,  in  health.  He 
then  resumed  his  farming  operations  and  has  been 
fairly  successful.  His  homestead  consists  of  125 
acres  of  land  with  good  improvements.  lie  is 
Democratic  in  politics,  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  held  other  local  offices . 


J|  C.  ELDER,  Postmaster  of  Randolph,  and 
I  Station  Agent  of  the  I.  C.  R.  R.,  also 
deals  extensively  in  grain,  coal  and  general 
merchandise.  He  came  to  this  vicinity  in 
1875,  and  successfully  established  himself  in  busi- 
ness where  other  parties  had  repeatedly  failed,  and 
increased  the  trade  of  the  railroad  company  four- 
fold while  at  the  same  time  his  own  business  pros- 
pered proportionately.  He  now  does  an  annual 
trade  of  $25,000,  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say,  is  one 
of  the  most  energetic  and  valued  citizens  of  Ran- 
dolph Township.  He  has  a  splendid  residence  and 
has  been  interested  in  most  of  the  enterprises  set 
on  foot  for  the  advancement  of  his  community. 
He  has  had  considerable-  experience  in  farming, 
but  has  proved  himself  particularly  adapted  to 
trade. 

Mr.  Elder  has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  Ran- 
dolph Township,  having  been  born  there  March 
21,  1845.  He  was  the  youngest  but  one  of  a  family 
of  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  yet  living,  all 
married  and  with  families  of  their  own.  He  was 
deprived  of  a  father's  care  when  but  three  years  of 
age  and  continued  with  his  widowed  mother  until 
twenty-four.  He  received  a  good  education,  com- 
pleting his  studies  in  the  business  college  of  Bryant 
&  Stratton  of  Chicago. 

After  the  outbreak  of  the  late  war  Mr.  Elder  en- 
listed in  the  150th  Illinois  Infantry  and  went 
to  the  South.  He  saw  but  little  fighting,  however, 
it  being  near  the  close  of  the  struggle,  and  a  year 
later  received  his  honorable  discharge.  He  re- 
turned to  Bloom  ington  and  engaged  with  L.  B. 
Thomas,  his  brother-in-law,  present  Mayor,  in  the  in- 


- 


f 


. ,  1 1  ;»8 


M.-LKAN    COUNTY. 


surance  business.  He  was  married,  Dec.  3,  1869, 
to  Miss  Belle,  daughter  uf  the  late  William  Thomas, 
who  died  in  Bloomington,  April  12,  1881,  of  whom 
mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mrs.  El- 
der was  born  in  Bloomington  July,  14,  1841,  was 
lincly  educated  in  the  schools  of  her  native  city, 
and  remained  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage. 
She  is  a  lady  of  rare  intelligence  and  refinement, 
and.  especially  noted  for  -her  benevolence  and 
hospitality.  Of  this  congenial  union  there  were 
born  three  sous — William  C.,  Frank  W.  and  Her- 
man II. 

Mr.  Elder  has  been  connected  with  the  post-office 
at  Randolph  for  about  eleven  years.  He  is  a  solid 
Republican  and  for  the  last  twelve  years  has  been 
-Secretary  of  the  McLean  County  Fire  Insurance 
Company,  besides  having  other  important  interests 
in  this  locality.  He  belongs  to  John_A._Lpgan  Post 
No.  140,  G  A.  R.,  and  with  his  wife,  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


I 

f 


R.  A.  T.  BARNES,  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Barnes  &  Orner,  is  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  born  in  1832,  and  the  son  of 
Craven  and  1  Mary  (Howard)  Barnes,  also 
of  the  Blue"  Grass  region.  The  grandfather  was 
Shadrach  Barnes,  a  native  of  Virginia,  an  extensiv.e 
farmer  and  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
1 1  is  father  was  John  Barnes  who,  with  a  brother, 
emigrated  from  Scotland  in  the  colonial  days. 
John  settled  in  Virginia  and  his  brother  in  New 
York,  and  from  these  two  it  is  supposed  sprang  the 
Barnes.family  of  this  country.  They  were  a  pro- 
lific race,  and  their  representatives  are  largely  scat- 
tered throughout  the  United  States. 

Shadrach  Barnes  went  to  Kentucky  when  a  young 
man,  where  he  became  an  extensive  farmer  and 
spent  the  balance  of  his  days.  His  son,  Craven, 
followed  the  occupation  of  his  father  and  operated 
all  his  life  on  the  soil  of  Kentucky.  He  died  in 
1833.  and  the  mother  selling  the  farm,  removed 
North  and  settled  near  Madison  in  Indiana,  where 
she  purchased  a  farm  which  she  occupied  until  her 
death,  in  July,  1872.  The  parents  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  Of  their  nine  chil- 


dren'eight  arc  still  living:^  Cynthia,  Mrs.  Bordm. 
is  a  resident  of  Louisville,  KY.;  Wood  ford  C.  and 
George  B.  are  in  Indiana;  Fielding  _G.  is  in'Gcorge- 
town,  111.;  Henry  II.  in  Clay  County  ;_Adeline  Y., 
Mrs.  Woods,"and  Mary  1C.,  Mrs.  Scott,  arc,  living 
in  Jefferson  County,  Ind. 

Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  fifteen 
years  old,  and  a  year  later,  being  well  advanced  in 
his  studies,  entered  college  at  South  Aiidover,  and 
soon  afterward  commenced  the  study  of  medicine. 
He  employed  his  vacations  in  teaching,  and  finally 
entered  the  office  of  Dr.  David  McClure,  where  he 
gained  a  good  insight  into  the  duties'of  his  chosen 
profession,  and  later  attended  lectures  at  Louisville, 
Ky.  He  commenced  practice  soon  after  reaching 
his  majority  at  Austin',  Ind.,  and  three  years  later, 
returning  to  Louisville,  took  another  course  in  the 
college  there  and  graduated.  He  soon  afterward 
entered  into  partnership  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  P. 
Green,  whose  daughter  he  married,  in  1857.  While 
a  resident  of  Clay  County  he  was  twice  elected 
Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  during  the  war  was 
appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of  an  Illinois  regi- 
ment, being  afterward  promoted  Chief  Surgeon. 
He  was  captured  while  attending  his  patients  in  the 
hospital  at  Chickamanga  and  also  at  Buzzard  Roost, 
being  both  times  soon  afterward  released.  The 
only  severe_iujury  he  received  while  in  the  service 
was  one  night  while  riding  on  the  Kennesaw  Mount- 
ain after jlark,  when  his. horse  felHipon  him.  He 
had  charge  of  the  hospitals  atMurfreesboro,  Tenn., 
Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  and  the  field  hospital  at  Chicka- 
mauga. 

Dr.  Barnes  remained  with  the  army  until  the 
close  of  the  war  and  then  coming  to  Centralia,  en- 
-  tered  into  partnership  with  Dr.  J.'.L.  Hallan,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  1872,  building  up  his  ex- 
tensive practice,  and  in  the  meantime  lie  was 
appointed  surgeon  for  the  Central  Illinois  Rail- 
road, was  Alderman  of  Centralia  four  years  and 
Mayor  of  the  city  one  term.  He  officiated  as 
Superintendent  of  the  Insane  Hospitallof  Anna 
from  1872  until  1879,  then  resigned. 

Dr.  Barnes  came  to  Bloomington  in  the  latter 
part  of  December,  1879,  and  ibecanie  the  partner 
of  Dr.  William  Hill,  with  whomjie  continued  two 
years,  and  then  practiced  alone  until  1885.  That 


f 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


year  he  became  a  partner  of  Dr.  Orner,  with 
whom  he  has  since  continued.  In  February  of 
he  same  year  he  was  elected  Medical  Director 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  re-elected  the  following 
year.  He  has  been  a  usefuljmember  of  society, 
.prominent  in  local  affairs  "and  polities,  and  in  1886 
served  as  Chairman  of  the  Republican  Central 
Committee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  various  medi- 
cal societies  in  the  West,  including  that  of  McLean 
County,  this  State,  the  Southern  Illinois,  the  Na- 
tional and  the  Physicians'  Club  of  Bloomington. 

The  lady  who  has  been  the  companion  of  our  sub- 
ject for  the  last  thirty  years,  was  formerly  Miss  Eliza- 
beth H.  Green,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1857. 
They  became  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Beldva, 
who  is  now  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Green,  a  druggist  of 
Bloomington,  and  the  mother  of  one  child,  named 
Maurene.  Dr.  Barnes  is  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  one 
of  the  stockholders  of  the  Walton  Flour  Works, 
the  Gas  Company,  and  the  Nail  and  Iron  Works  of 
Centralia.  He  owns  a  fine  property  in  Blooming- 
ton,  and  with  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Church,  being  also  one  of  its  Trustees.  As  a 
citizen  and  a  practitioner  he  has  built  up  an  envia- 
ble reputation,  and  counts  among  his  friends  the 
best  people  of  Bloomington. 


AJ.  J.  C.  McFARLAND  is  one  of  the 
well-known  citizens  of  McLean  County, 
where  he  has  held  many  official  positions. 
In  1876  he; was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  by  the  Republican  party.  Since  the 
organization  of  the  county,  he  has  held  the  office 
of  Supervisor  of  the  township,  and  as  early  as  1860, 
was  appointed  its  Clerk. 

When  the  war  broke  out  in  1861,  he  left  his  busi- 
ness and  attempted  to  raise  a  company,  but  at  the 
same  time  one  was  being  organized  in  Normal  which 
drew  its  recruits  largely  from  that  pait  of  the 
county,  and  so  seriously  interefred  with  the  com- 
pany that  Maj.  McFarland  was  attempting  to  form, 
that  he  could  not  raise  enough  volunteers  to  make 
the  number  complete,  and  consequently  was  obliged 
to  relinquish  his  plan.  When  the  second  call  for 


troops  was;nmde,~  Aug.  5,  186->,  he  organized  Co. 
B,  94th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  It  was  the  twelfth  regular 
organized  company  and  Mr.  McFarland  was  elected 
its  Captain."  The'regirnent  was  ordered  to  Prairie 
Grove,  where,  December  7,  they  met  a  rebel  com- 
mand and  a  contest  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the 
immediate  retreat  of  the  enemy.  After  several 
skirmishes,  the  next  siege  in  which'  they  were  en- 
gtfged  was  at  Vicksburg,  and  there  the  _regiment 
was  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  conflict.  Prior  to 
this  Maj.  McFarland  had  been  made  Quartermaster, 
but  he  rejoined  his  regiment  and  assumed  com- 
mand July  29,  1863,  at  Ft.  Hudson,  Miss.  Some 
time  after  he  was  attacked  with  typhoid  fever  at 
New  Orleans,  and  after  remaining  in  a  hospital 
several  Weeks,  was  sent  home,  in  September.  1863. 
At  the  siege  of  Ft.  Morgan,  Maj.  McFarland  with 
restored  health  had  again  rejoined  the  regiment 
and  assisted  in  capturing  the  fort.  In  1865  Capt. 
McFarland  received  his  commission  as.Major.  The 
brigade  was  then  marched  to  Spanish  Fort,  Ala- 
bama, and  was  brought  into  action  in  the  blockad- 
ing battle  on  the  right  wing  of  the  army.  This  was 
the  last  active  engagement.  Gen.  Lee  surrendered, 
the  war  was  ended,  and  the  regiment  was  mustered 
out  in  August,  in  Springfield,  111. 

Maj.  McFarland  was  a  brave  and  efficient  officer 
always  ready  at  the  post  of  either  duty  or  danger. 
He  returned  home  and  engaged  in  business  in  Hey- 
worth,  and  in  1876  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court.  Maj.  McFarland  was  born  in  Frank- 
lin County,  Pa.  His  boyhood  was  passed  with  his 
father  who  was  a  merchant  of  Mercersburg.  When 
thirteen  years  old  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  Janes- 
ville,  for  his  uncle,  James  William  Kirkpatrick,  and 
remained  with  "him  two  years.  He  then  spent  some 
time  with  Dr.  William  A.  Murphy,  another  uncle, 
who  resided  at  St.  Thomas,  Pa.  In  1847  he  was 
married  in  Bedford,  Pa.,  to  Miss  Betty  W.  Logan. 
She  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Taggart) 
Logan.  Her  family  is  of  Scotch  and  Irish  extrac- 
tion, and  her  parents  were  natives  of  Bedford 
County,  where  she  was  born  and  educated. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McFarland  had  a  family  of  nine 
children  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  yet  living: 
Carrie  L.,  Martha  E.,  A.  W.,  Edgar  II.  and  Her- 
man E. ;  those  deceased  are  Mary  V.,  Emily  A., 


f 


,  ,     1200 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


t 


Joseph  F.  and  Thomas  L.  Maj.  McFarland  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
which  he  was  for  many  years  an  Elder.  He  is  a 
Republican. 


H.  GEORGE  M.  SMITH,  oculist  and 
aurist,  located  at  No.  106  West  Washing- 
ton street,  Bloomington.  spent  the  first 
years  of  his  life  in  Washington  County, 
Ohio,  where  his  birth  took  place  Jan.  21,  1845.  He 
is  the  son  of  Samuel  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Bear) 
Smith,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Ohio,  and  of  English  and  German  ancestry.  Sam- 
uel Smith  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  after  his 
removal  to  Ohio  was  for  some  time  employed  in 
building  mission  churches  for  the  Indians,  He 
became  well  acquainted  with  various  important 
personages  among  the  Wyandottes,  and  often  ate 
and  slept  with  the  tribe.  He  was  familiarly  known 
in  that  region  as  "  Uncle  Sam,"  and  was  distin- 
guished for  his  large  heart  and  generous  disposi- 
tion, being  always  ready  to  assist  the  oppressed. 
He  was  a  rabid  Abolitionist,  one  of  the  chief  pro- 
moters of  the  underground  railroad,  and  was  the 
means  of  securing  freedom  to  many  a  fugitive. 
With  his  excellent  wife  he  reared  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  mature  years,  and 
with  the  exception  of  one  son,  were  all  over  six 
feet  in  height  and  weighed  over  200  pounds,  pre- 
senting as  fine  a  family  as  is  often  seen.  Of  these, 
four  are  still  living,  namely,  Curtis  G.,  a  resident 
of  Springville,  Iowa;  Dr.  George  M.,  of  our  sketch, 
who  is  six  feet  and  three  inches  in  height  and 
weighs  209^  pounds,  and  Roxanna,  now  Mrs.  Har- 
ness, of  Slater,  Mo. 

The  father  of  our  subject,  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1855,  gathered  together  his  family  and  household 
goods,  and  with  the  aid  of  three  teams  traveled 
across  the  country  westward  to  Springville.  Iowa, 
where  he  arrived  after  a  journey  of  thirty  days. 
In  that  vicinity  he  purchased  160  acres  of  land,  a 
part  of  which  he  obtained  from  the  Government, 
and  lived  in  the  Hawkeye  State  nine  years.  He 
then  purchased  property  in  Mt.  Vernon,  111.,  to 
which  place  he  removed  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
his  children  the  advantages  of  Cornell  College,  and 


there  his  death  took  place  that  same  year,  in  Octo- 
ber. The  mother  is  still  a  resident  of  Slater,  .Mi... 
having  attained  to  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 
Samuel  Smith  was  converted  to  religion  under  the 
ministration  of  Rev.  James  B.  Finley,  the  pioneer 
Methodist  of  Ohio,  and  continued  faithful  to  that 
church  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  both  in  Ohio  and  lown,  and 
was  prominently  connected  with  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. 

Our  subject  was  well  educated  in  his  youth,  and 
commenced  teaching  when  nineteen  years  old,  at 
which  he  employed  himself  winters  and  worked  on 
the  farm  summers.  He  commenced  studying  med- 
icine with  his  brother-in-law,  Dr.  Sharp,  of  Middle- 
bury,  in  1866,  and  not  long  afterward  began  prac- 
ticing. Subsequently  he  took  a  course  of  study  in 
the  Western  Reserve  Medical  College,  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  where  he  graduated  at  the  head  of  his 
class,  and  from  which  institution  he  afterward  re- 
ceived the  Degree  of  Adeundem.  After  twenty- 
two  months  spent  in  Pottersburg,  Ohio,  he  prac- 
ticed in  Lewisbtirg  until  1883,  thence  came  to 
Bloomington,  where  he  has  since  remained. 

Dr.  Smith  possesses  considerable  literary  talent, 
having  contributed  considerable  to  various  local 
publications  and  has  written  up  the  incidents  of  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg  which  were  published  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Historical  Society  at  Lewisburg,  be- 
sides a  history  of  Mexico  in  simple  style  for  the 
benefit  of  the  school  children,  and  at  the  request  of 
the  McLean  County  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Smith  was  married  in  1871  to  Miss  Lovina 
E.  Hollingsworth,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  they  have 
two  children — Ada  I.  and  Ward  M.  He  is  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  a  Master  Mason,  and  with 
his  wife  a  member  in  good  standing  of  Grace 
Methodist  Church. 


eUARLES  W.  SCHNEIDER,  Secretary  and 
General  Manager  of  the  Mutual  Accident 
Association,  of  Bloomington,  is  a  native  of 
this  State,  born  in  Beardstown,  Cass  County,  June 
10,  1847.    His  father,  Rudolph  B.  Schneider,  a  na- 
tive of  Germany,  emigrated  to  the  United  States 


i* 


t 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


1201 


when  :i  young  111:111,  locating  at  once  :it  Beardstown, 
where  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Crow.  The  mother 
of  our  subject  was  a  native  of  this  State.  After 
marriage  the  parents  continued  to  reside  at  Beards- 
town  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Rudolph  Schnei- 
der was  burn  in  1805,  and  departed  this  life  in 
1855.  His  wife  Elizabeth  was  born  in  1821,  and 
survived  her  husband  until  the  summer  of  1883, 
when  she  too  passed  to  her  final  rest.  Of  their 
four  sons  and  two  daughters,  two  died  in  infancy. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  fourth  child  of 
the  family,  received  his  early  education  in  his  na- 
tive town,  and  when  quite  young  gained  a  good 
knowledge  of  business  affairs  by  being  in  the  store 
of  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the  principal  mer- 
chants of  Beardstown.  By  the  death  of  the  latter 
he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  at  a  tender 
age  and  began  the  struggle  of  life  as  a  clerk.  He 
made  friends  and  money  and  in  due  time  set  up  in 
business  for  himself  which  he  followed  until  1876. 
He  then  sold  out  his  stock  of  goods  and  commenced 
traveling  for  an  insurance  company,  going  to  Kan- 
sas City  and  other  points  in  the  farther  West,  on  be- 
half of  the  Accident  Insurance  Company  of  North 
America,  which  made  their  headquarters  at  Mon- 
treal, Canada.  After  five  years  he  resigned  his  po- 
sition to  connect  himself  with  the  company  which 
he  now  represents  at  Bloomington.  In  this  he  of- 
ficiated as  Superintendent  and  a  few  months  later 
was  elected  to  his  present  position. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  1871,  to  Miss  Hen- 
rietta Sudbrink,  of  Beardstown,  and  they  number 
their  friends  and  associates  by  the  score,  among  the 
best  residents  of  Bloomington.  Mr.  Schneider  was 
one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Knights  of 
Honor,  in  which  order  he  has  always  been  greatly 
interested  and  whose  principles  he  has  actively  as- 
sisted in  maintaining. 


-.0*0- 


HR1STIAN  NAFFZIGER,  an  aged  citizen 
and  farmer  of  Danvers  Township,  occupies 
a  good  homestead  on  section  2,  of  which  he 
took  possession  in  1853.  His  birthplace  was  on 
the  other  side  of  the  ocean  in  tne  Empire  of  Ger- 
many, and  he  began  life  over  eighty-three  years  ago, 


in  1803.  His  parents,  Peter  and  Pliebe  Naffziger, 
:il-o  of  (ierman  birth  and  parentage,  were  married 
in  1826,  and  spent  all  their  lives  in  the  Fatherland, 
where  their  remains  are  buried.  The  parental 
family  included  five  children,  namely,  Christian, 
Peter,  Valentine.  Catherine  and  Barbara. 

Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until 
reaching  his  majority,  entering  school  at  an  early 
age,  and  receiving  a  fair  education  in  his  native 
town.  He  emigrated  to  America  when  over  fifty 
years  of  age,  in  1853,  and  coming  to  the  West  pur- 
chased the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides.  This 
includes  41)0  acres,  finely  improved  and  cultivated, 
and  where  he  has  been  engaged  for  over  thirty 
years  tilling  the  soil  successfully  and  enjoying  the 
respect  of  his  friends  and  neighbors. 

Our  subject  was  married  in  Germany,  March  26, 
1826,  to  Miss  Barbara  Stehley,  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  twelve  children.  Of  these  three 
died  in  infancy  in  Germany,  and  two  in  this  coun- 
try, also  in  their  earliest  childhood.  Those  sur- 
viving are  Elizabeth,  Lena,  Barbara,  Christian, 
Peter,  Valentine  and  John.  Mr.  N.,  politically, 
affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  with  his 
family,  is  a  member  and  regular  attendant  of  the 
Mennouite  Church. 


W.  RUST,  deceased,  was  one  of  the 
most  highly  respected  members  of  the  farm- 
ing  community  of  Randolph  Township, 
where  his  death  took  place  at  his  homestead,  Nov. 
13,  1871.  He  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Mc- 
Lean County,  coming  here  with  his  father,  Will- 
iam Rust,  from  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  both  fa- 
ther and  son  were  born.  Our  subject  was  reared 
in  the  South,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
After  reaching  manhood  he  was  married,  Jan.  27, 
1843,  in  Randolph  Township,  to  Miss  Mercy  Ann, 
daughter  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Karr)  Noble. 
Mrs.  Rust  was  born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  of 
which  State  her  father  was  also  a  native,  while  the 
mother  was  from  New  Jersey.  She  was  about 
seven  years  of  age  when  she  came  with  her  parents 


r 


f 


1202 


MCLEAN  COUNTY. 


to  this  county,  which  has  since  been  her  home.  Her 
liirth  took  place  Aug,  10,  182<!.  Her  parents  are 
now  deceased.  Mr.  Rust  first  located  upon  forty 
acres  of  partly  improved  laud,  and  subsequently 
became  the  owner  of  100  acres  which  is  still  in  the 
family,  and  which  he  always  maintained  was  ac- 
cuumulated  in  part  through  the  economy  of  his  ex- 
cellent wife  and  helpmeet,  who  was  ever  ready  to 
:i>.-ist.  him  in  his  efforts  at  building  up  a  home. 

Mrs.  Rust  after  the  death  of  her  husband  ex- 
erted herself  to  bring  up  her  children  in  a  worthy 
manner,  and  gave  them  all  the  advantages  within 
her  power.  Of  these,  seven  in  number,  one  died 
in  infancy.  Those  surviving  are  Sarah  II.,  the  wife 
of  Isaac  Dorscy,  a  resident  of  Hastings,  Neb.; 
Francis  M.,  who  married  Miss  Julia  A.  Hollis,  and 
is  residing  on  the  farm  with  his  mother;  Harry  A., 
who  married  Miss  Sadie  Irwin,  and  is  farming  in 
Randolph  Township;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  William 
Lafferty,  of  Hey  worth ;  Lou  E.,  Mrs.  O.  P.  Rut- 
ledge,  of  Randolph  Township;  John  B.,  who  as- 
sists in  carrying  on  the  homestead,  and  Andrew  J., 
also  on  the  farm.  The  Rust  family  is  well  known 
and  highly  respected,  and  both  the  mother  and 
children  are  members  and  regular  attendants  of  the 
Christian  Church.  The  boys  are  Democratic  in 
politics,  as  was  their  father  before  them. 


M.  MURPHY,  a  rising  young  and 
prosperous  farmer,  is  the  son  of  Will- 
iain  J.  and  Francis  (Stubblefield)  Murphy, 
and  was  born  in  Mt.  Hope  Township,  this 
county,  Aug.  1 4,  1 859,  being  the  third  child  in  a 
family  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  edu- 
cation, begun  in  the  district  schools,  was  supple- 
mented by  a  course  in  the  Bloomington  Commer- 
cial College  and  two  terms  atWesleyan  University, 
after  which  he  staid  at  home  for  a  year  with  his 
parents,  and  then  began  life  on  his  own  account. 
As  ,-i  preliminary  to  later  important  business,  he 
was  soon  afterward  married,  Jan.  18,  1883,  to  Miss 
Sadie  A.,  only  daughter  of  Mathias  and  Nancy  A. 
(Paugh)  Kampf.  For  a  year  afterward  the  young 


people  resided  with  the  father  of  Mr.  M..  but  on 
the  28th  of  February,  1884,  moved  into  their  hand- 
some new  residence  on  their  present  farm.  This 
contains  sixty  acres,  but  adjoining  it  lies  240  acres 
which  Mr.  Murphy  also  cultivates,  raising  grain 
and  making  a  specialty  of  corn  and  oats.  The  res- 
idence is  situated  upon  a  beautiful  rise  of  ground, 
commanding  a  view  of  some  of  the  finest  farming 
lands  in  the  Prairie  State.  The  little  household 
lias  been  enlarged  by  the  arrival  of  two  bright 
boys,  namely,  William  Claude,  born  Nov.  21), 
1883,  and  Harry  Kampf,  July  22,  1885. 

In  the  biographies  of  W.  J.  Murphy  and  Mathias 
Kampf,  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  will  be  found 
the  parental  history  of  our  subject  and  his  wife. 
Mr.  Murphy  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative men  of  his  community,  and  has  already 
distinguished  himself  as  a  gentleman  of  fine  busi- 
ness abilities,  and  taking  a  lively  interest  in  the 
moral  and  intellectual  welfare  of  his  township.  He 
is  a  Director  in  his  school  district,  and  one  of  the 
most  promising  lights  in  the  Republican  party  of 
that  section. 


WILLIAM  A.  WATSON,  proprietor  of  Mc- 
Lean County  Nurseries,  was  born  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  in  Suffolk,  En- 
gland, Sept.  5,  1839.  His  parents,  William  H.  ami 
Charlotte  (Kent)  Watson,  natives  of  the  same 
country,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1847,  when 
our  subject  was  a  child  six  years  of  age.  They 
located  on  a  farm  in  Dane  County,  Wis.,  where  the 
mother  died  in  1882.  The  father  is  still  living. 
Of  the  thirteen  children  comprising  the  parental 
household,  twelve  yet  survive. 

William  A.  Watson  came  to  the  United  States 
with  his  father's  family  and  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  two  terms  at  the  district  school.  His  father, 
however,  instructed  his  children  evenings  for  many 
years  and  they  thus  obtained  a  good  insight  into 
book  knowledge.  William  A.  studied  one  term  at 
the  State  University  and  improved  his  time  admira- 
bly while  there.  He  assisted  his  father  in  tilling 
the  soil,  remaining  under  the  parental  roof  until 
the  afternoon  of  his  twenty-first  birthday  and  then 


I 


t 


McLEAN   COUNTY. 


1203 


started  out  for  himself;  and  after  much  difficulty 
succeeded  in  obtaining  a  position  with  the  Winne- 
shiek  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  became  the 
first  agent.  A  month  later,  however,  he  went  to 
Chicago  and  purchased  a  jewelry  outfit  with  which 
he  traveled  through  the  country,  peddling.  These 
experiences  induced  him  finally  to  return  to  farm 
life  and  going  to  Dane  County,  he  rented  a  tract 
of  land  and  farmed  in  that  and  Rock  Counties 
until  1867.  During  that  year  he  visited  Normal, 
and  finally  entered  the  employ  of  F.  K.  Ph<rnix, 
the  well-known  nursery  man  of  McLean  County, 
with  whom  he  remained  eight  years,  finally  becom- 
ing foreman.  He  had  then  saved  sufficient  to  pur- 
chase his  present  property,  which  was  then  known 
as  Coleman's  Nurseries.  For  the  forty  acres  which 
he  now  owns  he  paid  $8,000,  and  has  since  erected 
upon  his  land  a  fine  dwelling,  and  made  other  im- 
provements. The  land  is  underlaid  with  tile  three 
rods  apart  and  is  admirably  adapted  to  the  pur- 
pose to  which  it  is  devoted.  The  property  is  now 
considered  worth  $20,000.  Mr.  Watson  came  to 
this  county  a  poor  man  and  his  career  illustrates  in 
a  forcible  manner  the  results  of  perseverance  and 
industry. 

Our  subject  was  married,  Dec.  4,  1862,  to  Miss 
Jane  N.  Miller,  who  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  came 
with  her  father's  family  to  Rock  County,  Wis., 
where  he  still  resides.  The  three  children  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Watson  are  Alpha.  Fred  T.  and  Harry  S. 

J^ILLIAM  D.  BROWN,  one  of  the  suc- 
cessful young  farmers  of  Downs  Township, 
is  pleasantly  located  on  section  15,  where 
he  has  eighty  acres  of  finely  cultivated  land  and  a 
handsome  modern  residence.  He  came  to  this 
county  in  1852,  and  completed  his  education  in 
Wcsleyan  University.  His  first  business  venture 
was  in  hardware  and  groceries  at  Le  Roy,  and  being 
of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind  he  patented  the  well- 
known  Brown's  Hog  Ringer,  which  at  once  became 
a  favorite  in  the  agricultural  districts  and  which, 
with  the  improvements  which  he  has  added  in  its 
design,  has  been  the  means,  of  bringing  him  in  a 
handsome  little  fortune.  After  a  few  ,years  spent 
traveling  salesman  and  in  the  grocery  trade  he 


I    hand 

as  a  : 

Mt«r 


decided  to  take  up  farming,  and   located   on    his 
present  homestead  in  1885. 

Our  subject  was  married,  Jan.  21,  1873,  to  Miss 
Laura  Barnett,  who  >vas  born  and  reared  in  this 
county,  of  which  her  parents  were  among  the  earli- 
est pioneers,  and  her  father  established  the  first 
store  in  Re  Roy.  He  died  in  Le  Roy  several  years 
ago.  Her  mother  is  still  living  tiiere,  being  sixty- 
nine  years  of  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  are  the 
parents  of  one  child,  by  name,  Orrin.  The}'  are 
both  members  in  good  standing  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  our  subject,  politically,  is  a  solid  Re- 
publican. 


ARTIN  L.  POPPLE,  senior  member  of 
the  firm  of  Popple  Bros.,  dealers  in  hard- 
ware and  tinware,  slate  roofing,  etc.,  is, 
with  his  partners,  doing  a  good  business  in 
the  city  of  Bloomington,  where  they  are  reckoned 
among  its  representative  business  men.  Mr.  Pop- 
ple is  a  product  of  the  Empire  State,  born  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  May  24,  1853,  and  the  son  of  John 
S.  and  Rachel  (Baldwick)  Popple,  whose  birthplace 
was  across  the  sea  in  England.  John  Popple  was 
a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  after  com- 
ing to  this  country  died  in  New  York,  in  1856. 
The  mother  is  still  living  and  resides  with  her  son, 
our  subject,  in  Bloomington. 

Martin  Popple  came  to  this  county  and  made 
a  location  first  in  Danvers,  to  which  his 
mother  had  removed  in  1863,  and  where  Martin 
completed  his  education.  After  a  short  residence 
on  a  farm  the  family  removed  to  Bloomiugton, 
where  our  subject  learned  the  tinner's  trade,  at 
which  he  served  two  years,  and  then  returning  to 
Danvers,  purchased,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
the  hardware  stock  of  W.  M.  Estes  and  continued 
the  business  until  1881.  He  then  sold  out  and  re- 
moving to  Bloomington  again,  established  himself 
with  his  younger  brother  in  his  present  business. 
Their  store,  22x90  feet  in  area,  is  two  stories  in 
height  with  a  basement,  and  they  have  a  well- 
selected  stock  of  everything  pertaining  to  their 
line  of  trade.  Thejr  are  both  wide-awake  business 
men  and  their  straightforward  methods  have  se- 
cured the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  community. 
Our  subject,  in  1876,  was  married  to  Miss  Ada, 
daughter  of  George  W.  Price,  of  Bloomington, 
and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children, 
named  respectively  Walter  and  Price.  Mr.  Popple 
takes  an  intelligent  interest  in  local  and  township 
matters,  and  socially  is  a  member  of  Bloomington 
Lodge  No.  43,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


: 


Abbott,  J.   H 764 

Adams,  John... 23 

Adams,  John  Q    39 

Adams,  W 1051 

Adams,  W.    H.   H ^o 

Agle,  George 602 

Allin,   Dr  Lee 399 

Allison,  Jonathan 850 

Allison,    John 1029 

Anderson,  J.   H 273 

Anderson,   Rev.   W.   G 591 

Archer,  Lafayette .388 

Arnold,  George  J 886 

Arnold,  Gottlieb 815 

Arnold.  J.  W 775 

Arnold,  Thomas 807 

Arnold,  Wm 738 

Arnold,  Wm.   S 939 

Arnold,  Z 775 

Arrowsmith,  John  W 284 

Arrow-smith,  Mrs.  Nancy 247 

Arrowsmith,  Wm.  A 369 

Arthur,  Chester  A 99 

Artis,  John   M 1036 

Atkinson,  C.   W 203 

Ayers,  J.    B 294 

Ayers,  Mrs.   Sarah  B 536 


B 


Baird,  W.    J 328 

liaker,  B.   W i 1048 

Raker,  C.    K 398 

liaker,   Joseph 333 

Baker,   Leander 1065 

Baker,  R.   H 1078 

Bakewell,  E.   W 345 

Batdridge,  Wm 393 


Baldridge,  W.  J 252 

Ball,  H 4,, 

Ball,  Wm.    H 1,72 

Ballinger,  Wm 749 

Barker,  Jesse 792 

Barley,  C.   A 262 

Barnard,  Eli 664 

Barnard,  F 661 

Barnard,  J.   O 1009 

Barnard,  Osborne 827 

Barnard,  S.   F 997 

Barnard,  W.  I 1025 

Barnard,  Walter,  Sr 254 

Barnes,  Dr.  A.   T 1198 

Barnes,  Calvin 414 

Barnes,  W.   J 737 

Barnett,  Emeline  G 367 

Barnum,  S.  F 244 

Barry,  Wm 1195 

Bates,  T.   M 1.08 

Battershell,  N.   J 518 

Batterton,  Curtis 975 

Batterton,  Martin 680 

Bay,  J.S 233 

Bear,  Joseph 830 

Bechtel,  Samuel IO59 

Beck,  Christian. .' 296 

Beckham,  N 1042 

Bedell,  Benjamin 357 

Bedell,  Henry 353 

Beebe,  C.   M 1023 

Beeler.  Wm 1156 

Benjamin,  John   R 332 

Benjamin,  Hon-    R.   M 687 

Benson,  C.   H 756 

Benson,    H.   R 368 

Bent,  Horatio  G 576 

Bentley,    P.   W 348 

Berteis,  John 1010 

Kelts,  L.   W 263 

Beveridge.   JohnL 171 

Biddle,  U.  F 977 

Biggs,    Josiah 910 

Bingham,  George  W 926 

Birdsell,  Jefferson 217 

Bishop,  Charles  E ,'-529 

Bishop,  George 1193 

Bishop,    Harvey   465 


Bishop,  Jacob 654 

Bishop,  J.  Q 313 

Bishop,  M 384 

Bishop,    Rev.   P.   W 782 

Bishop,  S.    L 385 

Bishop,  W.    F 772 

Bissell,  Wm.  H 151 

Blaisdell,    Edgar  1165 

Blake,  L.  C 1195 

Bland,  George  W 1098 

Bland,  J.  S 1174 

Bliss,  E.    C 482 

Blose,  Frank  H 1075 

Blue,  Wm 1059 

Bodger,  George   R    717 

Bodger,   John 747 

Bohrer,  F.  C 1063 

Bohrer,  George .    545 

Boies,  W.   H 965 

Bond,  Shadrach in 

Bounds,  T.   H 705 

Bower,  H .  T 823 

Bozarth,  A.    B 486 

Bozarth,  Milton 849 

Bradbury,  Wm.  T i<>74 

Bramwell,  Ezra  F 366 

Brand,  George 375 

Breese,  Richard 962 

Hrickner,  George  W --744 

Briggs,   W.   H 666 

Bright,   R.  G 226 

Bright,  W.  M 234 

Brining,  Caroline  M 502 

iBritt,  R.  M 650 

Brokaw,  John  T 1034 

Brooks,  P.   T 380 

Brophy,  W.   P 1016 

Brown,   E.   M mo 

Brown,  George  P 766 


Brown,  Samuel  H 332 

Brown,  W.  D 1203 

Brown,   Wm 1117 

Bryant,  Alexander 610 

Bryant,    John   H 258 

Buchanan,  James 75 

Buck,  H 507 

Buck  worth,  VVni 297 

Bull,    Milton 1171 


Bunn,  Edward 378 

Bunn,  Isaac  K. 660 

Bunney,  George 588 

Burbank,  E.   H 817 

Burlc,  Louis  A. , .  i 1085 

Burn  ham,    J  .    H .1099 

Burns,  Rev.   George  W 276 

Burr,  Hudson 793 

Butler,   Henry 1159 


Campbell,   A 251 

Campbell,  Hugh 226 

Campbell,  John,  M.  D 232 

Campbell,  John   A 909 

Campbell,  J.W S57 

Campbell,  Mrs.   M.  A 400 

Campbell,  N.   M 293 

Campbell,  Rev.  J.  G 1128 

Carlin,  Thomas.... 135 

Carlock,  A.  H 567 

Carlock,  W.   B 579 

Carlyle,  John 528 

Carnell,  Luke 918 

Carson,  J.   B     988 

Case,  Lewis 647 

Castle,  Justus 1172 

Catron,  A.  S 931 

Cavanaugh,  Simon 471 

Chapin,  Samuel  J. 855 

Chapman,  Dr.  A.  L 261 

Chapman,  Thomas 987 

Chase,  Leonard 496 

Cheney,  Mrs.  C 761 

Chick,  T.   Z 469 

Church,  George 278 

Churchill,  E.  D 749 

Claggett,  B.  J 983 

Claggett,  S.    R 949 

Clark,  Mrs.  Nancy 211 

Clark,  Robert 674 

Cleveland,  S.  G  rover 103 

Clift,  J.  H .---697 


t     120f> 


INDEX. 


C'ochran,  Moses   

Colaw.  Wm  

Cole,  N.  B 

Coleman,  P.  W 

Coles,  Edward 

Collins,   Robert 

Conovcr,  Rev.  R 

Cook.  John  W ... 

Coon ,  J  nines  S 

Cooney,  George 

Cooper,  Jacob 

Cooper,  James 

Cox  Bros 

Cox,  Charles  F.    

Cox,  David 

Cox.  George  H 

Cox,  J.H 

Cox,  Wm.  M 

Crain.W.   T 

Crawford.  J.  S 

Creed,  U.   A 

Crichfield,  (1 

Crigler,   John  M 

Crigler,  T.  B 

Crothers,  E.    K    

Crumbatigh,  Gideon  D. 

Crumhaugh.  H.  W 

Crumbaugh,  J.  H.L.. 
Criimbangh,  I..    A    . . 
Ctillum,  Shelby  M 


D 


.1019 

.1073 

..231 


..115 
••545 
..919 
..228 
••735 
.  767 
..489 
..509 

••335 
..348 
..900 

•  =53 
..424 
..291 
..274 
..267 
••365 
..311 
.1192 
..845 

•  •»37 
..607 
.1064 

•387 

..IO26 

-•175 


Darnall,    John  M 

Hurrah,  I>r.  A.  T.... 

I  r-uvitUmi,  Wm 

1  >avis,  Hon .  David .... 

Davis,  W.  O 

Dawson,  Croghan 

1  >.iu-M>n,  John 

Daw*on,  Washington 

Deal,  Samuel   A 

De  <  larmo,  C'harlcs  . . 

Deisitiger,  Levi 

1  '••  n n in-,  Joseph 

DenUnn.  Joseph 

DePew,  W.  S -. 

Dias.    K 

Dickerson,   W.    M 

Dickinson,   I).    M 

1  hekinson,  E   

Diedrich,  N.,  Jr 

Dillm.in,   A.   R 

Dillon,  Adolphus   

Dillon,  Kills 

Dillon,  Isaiah 

Dilion,   Lev! 

Dodge,  James 

Dod'-on,  Aimer  N 

Dooley ,  G.I    

Dooley,  J.   M 

Dooley,  Wm.    H 

Dorland,  Joseph 

I  >oty  ,    Henry    A  . 

Dougherty,  L.  C  . . . . 
Dottii^,  l',.    W 


..720 
••377 
.788 

..187 


••937 
••933 
.1188 
..566 
.1089 
..462 
••597 
..685 
..48* 
.1132 
1057 

••235 
.1030 

-205 
••205 
.1017 
..938 

.921 

••985 
.  710 
..791 
.1086 


..266 
.1068 
..364 
..416 
.215 


Downs,  J  .    I> 495 

Drybread,  Wm.    1 1087 

Duncan,  Joseph 13' 

Diming,   A.  S 800 


E 


Easterhrook,  J.    L 516 

Eddy.  A-  S 676 

Eddy,  Hon.   John 1028 

Edwards,  Frank 243 

Edwards,  Ninian 119 

Elder,  J-  C 1197 

Elder,  Wm  W 1061 

Ellington,   H.  W 501 

Ellsworth,  Charles 445 

Ellsworth,   Elijah 1077 

Ellsworth,  John 445 

Ellsworth,   K.   A 205 

Ellsworth,  Laura 445 

Ellsworth,  Wm 1129 

Emerson,   F.  M 729 

Enlow,  Mrs.   Hattie 242 

Ensenberger,  G.    A   255 

Evans,  John  W 223 

Evans,   R.  N 353 

Evans,  Wm 458 

Ewing,  S-    V 745 

Ewing,  Wm.  L.  D 127 

Ewins,  Thomas  H 346 

Eyer,  Jacob 272 

Eyestone,  F.    A 1067 


F 


Fagcrburg,  Alfred 1039 

Falkingham,  B.   G 648 

tarr,  Wm.    R   746 

Fawcett,  Philip. 1058 

Feahl,  John 600 

Fell,  Jesse  W 1060 

Fell.   K.  H 006 

Ferre,  L 525 

Fillmore.  Mtllard 67 

Fisher,   Dr.    John  W ?73 

Fitchhorn,  Samuel 195 

Fitz william,  F.  J 1 186 

Fleming,  Jacob 283* 

Flesher,  John 976 

Flesher.  Peter 920 

Flesher,  W.  M 661 

Fletcher.  John -. . .  .  .805 

Flint   Bros 1182 

FolHck,  J.  J 461 

Ford,  Thomas ....  139 

Fordice,  J.   M 389 

Foreman,  George 351 

Forney,   Henry  J 836 

Forrest,   H  .    T 1046 

Foster,  George  J 198 

Foster,    John    M        798 


Fowler,   Wm V55 

Franklin,  Noah 991 

Freed,  H.    F    744 

Freed,   Thomas 759 

Freeman,  Alfred 462 

Freeman,  Caleb 627 

French,   Augustus  C 143 

French,  Mrs.    K.    M --396 

Frink,  John    B 1045 

Fry,  Abraham    653 

Fry.  John 323 

Fry,   Rev.   James    D .....390 

Fuller,  George  O 222 

Fulton,  James 1094 

F ul wiler,  John    .995 

Fulwiier,  John  A 386 

Funk,  A-  B 1041 

Funk,  B.  F 195 

Funk,  D.    M 1160 

Funk,  F.  M iU2 

Funk,   Hon.   George  W .1124 

Funk,   Hon.    Isaac 1148 

Funk,  Isaac 1113 

Funk,  Isaac  E 1097 

Funk,  Jacob 281 

Funk,  John  W 476 


G 


Gaddis,  Rees 708 

Galbraith,  S.  S 816 

Garfield,  James  A  ....    -95 

Garrett,  Thomas  P 555 

Garrigus  Bros 509 

Gastman,  George  W   365 

Gay,  John 318 

Gearhart,  John  B 1084 

Geiger,  John  G     840 

George,  J.S    317 

Gerber,  Peter  S 016 

Gerken,  Wm.   A 640 

Gilbert,  James  A 894 

Gildersleeeve,  J.   T 348 

Gingerich,  Christian 479 

Glenn,  George  T 1194 

Goddard,  Francis   F 948 

Gooch,  DeWitt  R 1096 

Goode,   Rev.  G.    M 577 

Goodfellow,  Wm 872 

Gme"hlin,  C.    H 268 

Graff,  R 1006 

Grant,  Ulysses  S 87 

Gray,  George  C 639 

Grayson,  Joshua  J 522 

Green,   Lester 382 

Green,  ().  A 620 

Greenlee,    Robert 448 

Greenman,   E.  E 302 

Gregory,  George 954 

Gregory,  George 819 

Gregory  J.   C 211 

Grimsley,  Thomas  J 1021 

Groves,  E 743 

( !  ulKrie,    Adam .......  .468 

Guthrie,   Dr.   Win.    K       206 


i 


H 


Habecker,  Joseph 477 

Haldeman,   J.    K 91? 

Hall,   Francis  M 704 

Hallett.  Dr.    J 817 

Hallett,  James  M 530 

Hallett,  Wm.    T.    D 389 

Hall,  Otis  T 374 

Halliday,  John 1091 

Ham,  J.   J 718 

Hamilton,    K .    M    376 

Hamilton,   Hon.   F.    Y 726 

Hamilton,  John   M    ••I79 

Hamilton,  Joseph 585 

Hammond,  W.  \\' 1150 

Hancock,  J.  J   858 

Hanna.  Wm 1133 

Harbert,  Hiram 813 

Harley,  Lewis 307 

Harness,  Isaac   1103 

Harper,  J.S 622 

Harpole,  A loot 

Harris,   C.    H.    D 467 

Harrison,  Wm.  H .51 

Hartson,  T.    D    1158 

Harwood,  T.   F 739 

Hastings,  James  J 604 

Hastings,   Thomas  C 944 

Hatfield,  Thomas 926 

Waughey,  M.   G 686 

Hawley,  H.    F 1095 

Hay,  George   F 397 

Hay,  John 531 

Hays,  L.   C 829 

Hays,    Mrs.   Lucinda 884 

Hayes,  Rutherford   B 91 

Hay  ward,  Charles  K u  16 

Hazle,  H.   P 1069 

Heafer,   Edgar  M 213 

Heagler,  James .1142 

Hefner,  George  M    792 

Hefner,   Harmon ysg 

Hefner,  John  A 996 

Hefner,  Peter 968 

Heller,  C-   M 757 

Heller,  W.   C   857 

Helmick,  N.   P 1176 

Hender,   Frank 540 

Henderson,  J.    I' 500 

Hen  line,  David 875 

Henline,   Milton 894 

Henline.Wm 928 

Henline,  W.     M 785 

HennSng,  Hugh   ; 916 

Henry,  W.    E 1084 

Hereford,  B.    P 497 

Hester,    E 117$ 

Hewett,  E.   C 449 

Hewitt,  H.    H 1004 

Hiett,  W 1083 

Higgins,  H.   J    202 

Higgins,  Robert 714 

Hill,  Augustus.. 847 

Hill,  F.    H    1114 

Hill,  Jesse 265 

Hill,  John  T 860 


r 


i 


INDEX. 


1207 


Hilpert,  John 

Hilts,  Wm.    E 

Hinshaw,  George,    Jr.. 

Hiser,  George  \V 

Hitchcock,  J.    M 

Hoblit,   A.    K 

Hoelscher,   Rev.    H 

Hoffman.  Rev.    H.   O... 

Hoierman,  Peter 

Hollingsworth,  Frank  L, 

Hopkins,  R.   M 

Horine,   H 

Horney,  H 

Hoselton,  W.   H 

Hotsenpiller,  W 

Houghton,   Stephen  B.. 

Houser,  H 

Howard,  A.  D 

Howard,  R.  S 

Hubhard,  Silas 

Huddle,  F.  E 

Hull,  James  T   

Hunting,  Nathan 

Hutch  in,  George  L 


.839 

..8,4 

..248 

95° 

..315 

..387 

..865 

101  1 

..656 

.  .212 
1015 


"57 
•"55 
•  •745 
.  1  022 
...803 


..288 
..342 
..984 
••549 
..870 
,t96 


Ives,  A.    B 


Jackson,  Andrew 

Jackson,  I.   B 

Jacoby.  Peter  C 

Janes,  1.  D 

Janes,  J.  P 

Janes,  Peter  H 

Jefterson,  Thomas. 
Jenkins,  Harrison.... 

Jennings,  Joseph 

Johnson,   Andrew 

Johnson,  Caleb 

Johnson.  Elias  B   .... 

Johnson, J.   C 

Johnson,  J.  Wallace. 

Johnstone,  A.  J 

Johnston,  George  S  . 
Johnston,  Moses  C. .  . 
Johnston,  Wm.  D  .. 
Jones,  Charles  S  . . . . 

Jones,  Cyrus 

Jones,  F.  M 

J*ones,  John  A 

Jones,  Lewis   

Jones,  Nelson 

Jones.  W.  C 

Jones,  Wm 

Jung.J.   P   


••  43 
••548 
..826 
..691 
..679 
..086 
...27 
..8=4 
.  1127 

..  83 

••753 
••93= 
.  1106 
••754 
••435 
..656 
.1183 
.  1064 
1141 
..923 
..709 
••394 
..923 
.1190 
..895 
..408 
••537 


K 


Kampf,  Matthias 

Karr,  Harvey   B 


.1097 
.  .670 


Keeiutn,  Joseph 

Kempton,  Almon    B.... 
Kennedy,  Capt    James. 

Kennedy,  T.    F 

Kent,  W.   B 

Ken  yon,  Dennis 

Kenyon,  E.   W 

Kepner,  J  .  T 

Kerber,  Wm 

Kerrick,  L.    H 

Kerrick,  Thomas  C... 
Kershaw,   John  W...    . 

Kilgore,  J.  N 

Kilgore  T.    B 

Kimler,  James . 

Kimler,W.  J 

King,  E.  W 

Ktng,  Joseph 

King,  Peter 

King,  William 

Kinsey,  Samuel  B 

Kinzinger,  C.  W    

Kinzinger,  Michael.... 

Kirk,    Qeorge 

Kirkpatrick,    Mary  C    . 

Kline,  John 

Knight,  Dr.  Curtis.  . .  . 

Knight,  James  P 

Knotts,  G.   W 

Koch,  F.  W 

Kraft,  Frank 

Kraft,  Timothy 


•  395 
..826 
.  1192 
..580 
..562 
.966 
••597 
..607 
..642 

.201 
..488 
.1163 
.  .629 


..700 
•U75 
••419 
..408 

••357 
..286 

..306 
..571 
••655 

.1131 
.  506 
-.498 

.257 
..420 

.922 


..737 
.IOI2 


Labertew,  J.W.    .  .    ... 

Lacock ,  Nelson  O 

Lain,l.  G 

Lain,  Wm.  B 

Lamont,  John 

Lamp,  Charles 

Lander,  C.    W 

Langstaff,  H.  C 

Lantz,  J.  J 

Larkin,  James 

Lash,  J.  A 

Lash,Wm 

Lasswell,  J.  A   

Lawrence,  C.  B 

Lawrence,  John 

Leach,  Samuel  I 

Lemke,Wm... 

Leppo,    J 

Lewis,    J .  D 

Lewis,  Thomas  M 

Lincoln,   Abraham 

Lincoln,  James  H 

Linden,  Wm 

Livingston,  John 

Loar,  George  K 

Loar,  Dr.   James 

Loar,  Dr.  N 

Loper,  W.   H 

Lormor ,  H  ugh 

Lott.H.  C 


..877 

•3'7 
..272 

•277 
.  .706 

•693 

•73« 
••947 
..542 
..662 
••255 
..218 
.1008 
.1191 
..978 
..305 
. . . 920 
..909 
..560 

•  '97 

•  ••79 
••977 
.  760 

. .   725 

••49' 
...897 
.1008 
.1164 
••794 
...404 


Loudon,  Robert 380 

Lowentrout,    F.    W.    1137 

Lowrey,  H  .  C 1176 

Lucas,  A  .  J 576 

Lyons,  John  U 456 


M 


Mace,  John  A 539 

Macy.W.   H 680 

Madison,  James 37 

Mahan,  Isaac  S 1047 

Mahan,  Jacob  C 989 

Marmon.W.  W 1056 

Marsh,  J.  H 925 

Marsh,  John 9°5 

Martens, C.    C 355 

Martin,  Joseph  T 1062 

Martin,  W.   I 3" 

Mason,    D.  W 214 

Mason, George  W 336 

Mason,   J.  R 53« 

Matteson,   Joel  A   141 

Matthews,  David  M 897 

Maurer,  Jacob 34= 

Maurer,  Nicholas 734 

Maurice,  J.    B 611 

Mayer,  Charles  C 3'° 

McBean,  Isaac 439 

McCann,  Dr.  James 433 

McCartney,  S.  A 945 

McClun,  Judge  J.    E 343 

McClure,J.   S MOO 

McClure,  Thomas 876 

McConnell.John     1166 

McCormick,  H.  W 35' 

McCracken,  Wm   1005 

McCullough,  J.   V 934 

McCune,  John 818 

McElfresh,  A 356 

McFarland,  David  H 1154 

McFarland,  Maj.   J.  C 1199 

McGinnis,  J.  M 1007 

McGregor,  J.  H 505 

McHugh,  James   94& 

Mclntosh,   F.  H 338 

Mclntosh,  George 324 

M  clntyre,  Hugh, 868 

Mclntyre,  R.S 358 

McKnight,  Dr.  Wm 344 

McLean,  John  P 345 

McMahon,  James 207 

McNab,  Malcom 638 

McNaught,  George 1131 

McNaught,  Wm.  N 946 

McNemar.C.    J.W 748 

McNulty,  Gen.  John 1140 

McTwiggan,  James 334 

Means,  O.  A "79 

Mears,    D.  S 675 

Meiner,  Joseph 9M 

Merchant,  Ira 438 

Messer,   J.  P 887 

Meyer,  Antone 336 

Meyer,  Frederick    .» 331 

Meyers,  D.    I. 927 


Miller,  George  H 351 

Miller,  Harrison 603 

Miller,  H.    M 515 

Miller,  M     H 972 

M iller,  John  A 354 

Miller,  Riley 638 

Miller,  Wm.  T.  M 337 

Milner,  W.  H 633 

Miner,  H  .  A 370 

M  in  ton,  J  .    M    1197 

Mitchell,  A.  T 764 

Mitchel,  Ebenezer  B 970 

Mitchell,  Isaac  P 374 

Mitchell,  John  J 335 

Moats,  Henry 995 

Moats,  J.I...... 66a 

Moats,  John 649 

Model,  Alexander   314 

Monroe,  James 35 

Mooberry,  W.  C 906 

Moore,  Asa  H 194 

Moore,  M  .  L   347 

Moore,  Robert 492 

Moore,  W.  B 429 

Moore,  Wm.  D 809 

Moreland,  Mrs.  E 883 

Morris,  A.  H 324 

Morrow,  Almon 882 

Morrow,    John 776 

M  o  rse ,  E .  R 354 

Mulcahy,  D.   A... 1017 

Mulcahy,  Denis 1017 

Munsell,  Eleazer 1033 

Munson,  Ira 1018 

M  u  n  son ,  Wm 578 

Murphy,  G-   T .....1191 

M  urphy,  J  .   M 1202 

Murphy,  W.    J 740 

Murray,  John 288 

Myers,  C.   D....      684 

Myers  E.   C 510 

Myers,  Dr.   J.    F 541 

Myers,  J.    J 512 

Myers,  W.    li 284 


N 


Naffzinger,  Peter  R 1130 

Naffziger,  C 1201 

Naffziger,  Valentine 312 

Nafziger,  Christian  W 325 

Nafziger,  G.  B.  C.   P 379 

Nafziger,  Henry 559 

Neal,  Thomas  W 558 

Nesmith,  Mary  A 1052 

Newton,  M.    H 660 

Newton,  W.  H 551 

Niccolls,  John 1089 

Nichols,  Henry  A 1093 

Nickerson,  B.  F 53! 

Nickerson,  John 547 

Noble,  James  K 410 

Noble,  T.   J 851 

Noble.  W.   C 4'5 

North,  Thomas  J 55' 

Northrup,  C  .   J 436 


t 


1208 


INDEX. 


O 


Oberkoetter,  Frank    1134 

Ogden,  Albert  1021 

Ogden,  Jesse 535 

Ogden,  O 214 

Ogden,  Samuel 206 

Oglesby,  Richard  J 163 

Oliver,  Wm 460 

Orendorff,  James   K 327 

Orendorff,  O.  H.   P 236 

Orner,  Dr.  C.  T 438 

Outlaw,  W.   W 559 

Owen,  Otha   613 

Owens,  B.  C.  S 1023 


Packard,   A 040 

Packard,    Major  Wellman  ..  .1168 

Palmer,  John  M 167 

Pancake,  J.   F .447 

Park,  C.    R 470 

Park,  Elder  Jonathan 241 

Parke,  Dr.  Charles   K 459 

Parke,  George  W 1144 

Parkhurst,  Dr.  F.  J 427 

Parkhurst,  Dr.  Henry 705 

Parks,  B.  F 398 

Patton,   Benjamin  W 913 

Patton,  Henry 774 

Patton,  Wm.  R •    --457 

Paxton,  John 649 

Payne,  George  W 1 153 

Payne,  S.  M I 846 

Pease,  F.   P... 713 

Peasley,  Sylvester 1073 

Peirson,   J-  J 487 

Perry ,  Samuel 1042 

Peters,  John 479 

Pfitzenmeyer,  Wm 1118 

Phillips,  Hiram  M 578 

Pierce,  Franklin 71 

Pitts,  Joseph  A 526 

Poindexter,  James 285 

Polk,  James  K 59 

Pollock,  Dr.   Wm.    L 472 

Popejoy,  John 990 

Popple,  John  S 428 

Popple,  M  .   L 1203 

Porter,  R.  L 502 

Porter,  S.  S 326 

Powley,  W.    D 960 

Pratt,  Ira  C : 204 

Prey,  Mrs.    E 447 

Proctor,  L 841 

Pumphrey,  George  W 427 

Prothero,  John 730 

Pumphrey,  R 451 

Purdy,  H.  C 614 

Purdum,  John      623 


Q 


Quinn,   B.   M "°4 

Quinn,  H.  W "°7 

Quinn,  J.    W 466 

Quinn,  M      1 53' 


R 


Ralston,  J.   L 983 

Rannebarger,  Joseph  G 475 

Randolph,  W.  W 664 

Rankin,  J oseph 621 

Rawlings,  Austin >i°9 

Rawlings,  Francis  A 707 

Rayburn,  Calvin 630 

Rayburn.M.  H 619 

Ream,  C.    K 857 

Reddick,  Leonard 663 

Reeder,  R.  R 4'° 

Reeves,  H.G 659 

Reeves,  Judge  O.  T a«6 

Reynolds,  John    "3 

Rhodes,  A.  P 245 

Richardson,  H.  C 4'8 

Richardson,  Josiah 413 

Richardson,  Matthew 815 

Ridgway,  Thomas  S 403 

Riggs,  George  W 7'6 

Ritchie,  Jacob  H 435 

Ritter,  J.W 998 

Ritter,  Wm.  C..     not 

Robb,  Hugh 9"7 

Robinson,  J     D 406 

Robinson,  J.  H   405 

Rockel,  Wm   629 

Rodman,  John 285 

Rodman,  S 3M 

Rogers,  Lucius 715 

Rogers,  Walter  W 1115 

Rose,  Daniel 52 1 

Ross,  G.  A 672 

Ross,  Tal  mage 407 

Ross,  W.  H.   H 618 

Rounds,  D.    H 321 

Roush,  J.   S 630 

Rowe,  H.  A 882 

Rowell,  Ira 449 

Rowell,  Hon.  J.  H 225 

Rowell,  Richard 750 

Rupert,  L.   S   1087 

Rupp.  Michael  --487 

Russell,  George  A 460 

Rust,  George  W 1201 

Rust,  J.   F  423 

Rutledge,  G.  T 624 

Rutledge,  James  B 1 139 

Rutledge,  John  T 426 

Rtitledge,  O.   C 784 

Rutledge,  Robert   H    642 

Rutledge,  T.   0 598 


Ryan,  John 673 

Ryburn,  D.  G 434 

Ryburn,  Jam** 643 


Sackett,  Sabina 686 

Salzman,  John  H     425 

Saundcrs,  Mrs.   L.  A noo 

Savage,  J.    B 550 

Sawyer,  Smith 797 

Schell,   Edward 1040 

Schenck,  Wm .   556 

Schertz,  Peter 915 

Schlosser,  George 961 

Schmidt,  Charles  F.  W 787 

Schneider,  C.   W   1200 

Schuieman,  Charles  A 890 

Scogin,  A.W «i 

Scott,  Dr.  John * 405 

Scott,  Hon.  John   M 969 

Scott,   James  H 1132 

Scott,  Owen 634 

Scroggs,  Col.  Wm.  H 327 

Scrogin,  L.   P 1006 

Seaborn,  Robert 1035 

Sells,   James  M 1173 

Shannon,  W   673 

Shaver,  John 600 

Shaw,  Rev.   James 688 

Shelton,  Joseph  P 1070 

Shepherd,  Martin 807 

Shepherd,  W.  H .1020 

Sholty,  H.  C 363 

Sholty,  Jacob   363 

Shorthose,  J.  L 768 

Shorthose,  Thomas  H 771 

Sieberns,  W.  H 747 

Sill,   I>.    F 8t7 

Sill,  Jonas 322 

Simmons,  David 1167 

Sitherwood,  Dr    George  D  ..  .841 

Sloane,  Sarah 530 

Smith,  A.  G 406 

Smith,  Elijah    727 

Smith,  E.  R   887 

Smith,  Dr.  George  M 1200 

Smith,  James 953 

Smith,  Matt  C 819 

Smith,  Milton 968 

Smith.  'S.  W     848 

Smith,  Stephen 1091 

Smith,  Wm.  L  •  •  575 

Smith,  W.  A 984 

Snow,  D.  C 777 

Soule,  Peleg 778 

Spangler.  J.  H 355 

S  pa  wr,  Jacob 1122 

Sp.'wr,  John 992 

Speers,  Jacob 561 

Spencer,  Hamilton 767 

Spradling,  Allred 914 

Sprague,  J.  H .   593 

Springer.A.J 331 

Springer,  Joseph  E   758 

Springer,  P .  D 609 


St.mger,  D.  W  1154 

Starkey.J.  T 866 

Stauffer,  Tobias  S 58; 

Steele,  James mi 

Steelc,  S.  H 1071 

Steere,  E    B 765 

Stephens,  Elizabeth   500 

Stephens,  J.  A  191 

Stephens,  J.  M  .    . 639 

Stephenson,  George 1 J  51 

Stetson,  Albert 602 

Stevens,  W.  E 786 

Stewart,  Hon.  A.  E 783 

Stewart,  Robert         562 

Siine,  Nathan 899 

Stipp,  J.  M 733 

Stockdale,  John   699 

Stockdale.  Wm.  B     637 

Stoops,  L 808 

Stoops,  S.  A 922 

Storey,  Jacob 455 

Storey,  Thomas  J 452 

Story,  Palmer.  ' 1184 

Stover,  J.W   619 

Strayer,  M.  W 961 

Strayer,  Z.  T 570 

Strawn,  S 1115 

Stretch,  B ..694 

Stretch,  Jahlal 861 

Stringfield,  Capt.  A.  M .' . .  .903 

Stringfield,  G.  H 1067 

Strong,  C.  J 572 

Strubhar,  Christian 570 

SuBblefield,  F. 893 

Stubblefield,  G.  M 1109 

Stubblefield,  George  W 1138 

Stubblefield,  John 341 

Stubblefield,  J.P 762 

Stubblefield,  P.  M 557 

Stuckey,  Joseph 834 

Stuckey,  Magdalena  M 611 

Stutzman,  Solomon 446 

Sullivan,  M  ichael 829 

Sutherland,  Samuel  W 224 

Suiter,  Matthias 603 

Swan,  Kobert 490 

Swap,  A.  E 1102 

Sweetser,  Capt    A.  C.      800 

Swetzel,  Wm 786 

Sypult,  Marcellus  1139 


T 


Tallon,  John 485 

Tanner,  John  T 692 

Taylor,  Dr.  John  A 898 

Taylor,  Zachary 63 

Thayer,  Anthony 582 

Thomas,  John  E 587 

Thomas,  L.  B 440 

Thompson,  George  ...   ^28 

Thompson,  James 669 

Thompson,  Wm 728 

Thornbury,  Thomas  M 641 

Tilghman,  James  II      1149 

Tillotson,  E.W 481 


INDEX. 


1 1'O'.I 


Tipton,  T.  F  609 

Tolbert,  Millon 1028 

Townsend,  Joseph 208 

Trimmer,  Enos  A 981 

Trimmer,  J.  F 552 

Tryner,  George  A  548 

Tyler,  John 55 

Tyner,  J.  L.,Sr 763 

Tyson,  T 755 

Tyson,  Wm 871 


u 


Ulbrich,  H.W 478 

Unimel,  Christian   538 


Van  Buren,  Martin 47 

VanDolah,  D.  H 972 

Vance,  D     190 

Vanordstrand,  Isaac 1055 

Vanordstrand,  W ..808 

VanSchoick.J.  S 676 

VanSchoick,  Wm 1177 

Vanscoyoc,  James  S 676 

Vasey,  L.  A .852 

Vaughan,  Hugh     193 

Vickroy,  Hugh  K 271 

Vincent,  Dr.  L-vi 569 


Allison,  John 391 

Allison,  Jonathan 289 

Arnold,  Gottlieb   371 

Artis,  John  M 1037 

Ball,  W.    H 260 

Barnard,  S.  F 493 

Barnes,  W.   J 553 

Bertels  &  Stoll's  Tile  Works.  .533 

Biddle,   D.  F , 431 

Bingham,  George  W 329 

Blaisdell,  E 513 

Bland,  George  W 615 

Bland,  J.   S 473 

Bryant,  Alex 391 

Butler,   H 260 

Carlock,  A.  H 269 

Carnell,  Luke 129 

Catron,  A.  S 453 

Darnell,  J.    M 721 

Dawson,  Washington 658 

Deal,  Samuel  A 573 

Denning,  J 289 

Dodge,  James 553 

Dorland,  Joseph 513 

Kwing,  S.    Y 249 


Victor,  Wm.  H   94, 

Vockrodt,  Wm.  L  430 

Von  Eisner,  M.  E 1081 

Vreeland,  John  H --794 


w 


Waddle,  Samuel   472 

Wagner,  John 869 

Wahls,  Christian 984 

Wakeficld.C 877 

Wakefield,  Dr.  C 201 

Wakeficld,  J.  E 879 

Wakefield,  Dr.  Oscar 567 

Walker,  John 1024 

Wall,  Clarissa 581 

Wallace,  Peter 880 

Ware,  Samuel  C 1094 

Warlow,  J.  B...' 859 

Warlow,  R.  A 83} 

Warner,  Hugh  W    58; 

Warren,  Thomas  J 1189 

Washburn,  E 724 

Washington,  George 19 

Waters,  Dr.  Z  1168 

Waters,  Orin 592 

Watson,  W.  A 1202 

Wayhright,  M 1003 

Weakley.  I.  M 982 

Webb,  Benjamin  H     565 

Weedman,  John 1049 

Weeks ,  Samuel 637 


Weidner,  Peter  V 849 

Weishaar,  Frank  A 11*9 

Wech.A.  J 1128 

Welch,  G.  H noj 

Welch,  James  A 415 

Welch,  Jeremiah 275 

Welch,  John  F  296 

W,:ldon,  Rev    Father  M         ...-937 

Wenderoth,  K     555 

Wheeler,  G.  B 719 

Wheeler,  John  N   698 

Wheelock.C.  W 

Whitcomb,  Jeremiah ..292 

White,  Dr.  D.  A 517 

White,  D.  L 847 

White,  George  W 956 

White,  James,  Jr 888 

White,  J.  B 490 

White,  Dr.  J.  L 264 

White,  J.  M 648 

White,  J.  R  809 

Whitmer,  Peter 1 147 

Whitney,  Horace  S 488 

Wighlman.J.  E 825 

Wiley,  JamesS 617 

Wiley,  L.  R 608 

Wiley,  Wm 8.4 

Willhoite.  L.  J 1002 

Williams,  James  B   1076 

Williams.J.  R 1083 

Wilson,  Abraham 820 

Wilson,  A.  J    519 

Wilson,  Edward 450 

Wilson,  James  C 671 

Wilson,  Noah.  N 1025 

Wilson,  Rev.  George  301 


Wilson,  Win 601 

Willson,  John  M 221 

Winslow,  Corodon 1092 

Winter,  Dr.  Henry  A 632 

Wirth,  Clifford  H  827 

Win,  Rush 806 

Wochner,  F fgo 

Wolcott.J.L 1185 

Wood,  John 155 

Woodard,  James     985 

Woodmancy,  Dr.  S.  G 723 

Woolsey,  G.  R 419 

Worrell,  Dr.  T.  F i.41 

Wright,  B 455 


Vancey.  A.  J 599 

Yates,  Richard   159 

Yoder,  Amos 63 1 

Yoder,  Joel 614 

Yoder,  Samuel  S 593 

Young,  Danton . .   86» 

Young,  William 1151 


Zeigler,  J.  P 1170 

Zook,  J.  H 611 

Zook ,  J .  \V 572 


Eyestone,  F.  A 596 

Fagerburg,  Alfred -1037 

Flint,  G 1182 

Foster,  John   M    796 

Geiger,  John  G 838 

Goodfellow,  William 309 

Grayson,  Joshua  J 635 

Gregory,  J.   C 210 

Groves,  E    741 

Ham,  J.   J 309 

Harpole,  A 999 

Hastings,  T.   C 453 

Hatfield,  Thomas 493 

Hazle,  H.   P 1162 

Hoselton,  W.    H.     260 

Hefner,  H 957 

Hefner,  John    349 

Helmick,  N.   P..    1177 

Henline,  Milton 650 

Hester,  Ephraim 635 

Hill,  A 4» 

Hill,  John  T 411 

Hilpert,  John 838 

Holy  Trinity  Church 936 

Homey,  H 473 


Janes,  Peter  H .      453 

Jennings,  Joseph 1119 

Johnson,  E.   B 431 

Johnson,  J.Wallace 453 

Kampf,  Mrs.  N.  A   249 

Kenyon,  E.   W 596 

Kershaw,  J.   W -....1162 

Kraft,  Frank 329 

Kraft,  Timothy 349 

Lawrence,  John 979 

Lempkc,  Wm 349 

Loper,  W.  H 493 

Lowentrout,  F.    W   1136 

Martin,  J.  T 59° 

Maurer,  Nicholas 249 

McGinnis,  J.  M 678 

Means,  O.   A 635 

Mitchell,   A.  T 289 

Murphy,  O.  T.   "3° 

Murphy,  W.  J 741 

Nesmith,  Mary  A 678 

Ogden,  Albert 43' 

Patton,  Henry 309 

Pfitzenmcyer,  Wm 1119 

Pike  &  Castle's  Tile  Works   .658 


Pitts,  Joseph   A 269 

Pratt,  Ira  C 678 

Ritter,  J.  W 999 

Rose,  Daniel 615 

Sawyer,  Smith 796 

Sholty,  H.  C 361 

St.  Mary's  Cath.  Church   ...864 

Stephens,  J .   A 190 

Stoops,  S.   A 553 

Stanger,  D.  W 615 

Strong,  C.   J 573 

Stubblefield,  P.  M 190 

Swap,  E.  A 533' 

Swetzel,  Wm 371 

Trimmer,   Enos  A 979 

Tyson,  T 269^ 

Tyson,  William 371 

Vance,  David  &  Son 533 

Vaughn,  Hugh 473 

White,  D.   E 513 

White,  George  W 957 

Wilson,  A.  J 39" 

Wilson,  Edward 453 

Woodmancy,  S.   G 721 

Young,  Wm 411 


•F 


f. 


>  1210 


INDEX. 


Adams,  John 22 

A-t.ims,  John   Qumcy 38 

Anderson,  W.   G 590 

Arthur,  Chester  A 98 

Batterton,  Curtis 974 

Batterton,  Martin 682 

Bear,  Joseph 832 

Beveridge,  John   L 170 

Bishop,  Harvey 464 

Bishop,  Mahlon 382 

BisseU,  Win.  ^ 15° 

Boies,  W.  H 964 

Bond,  Shadrach no 

Bower,  H.  T 822 

Bozarth,  Alfred   B 484 

Breese,  R.   T 964 

Brining,   Hamilton 504 

Britt,  R.    M 652 

Brophy,  W.   P 1014 

Buchanan,  James 74 

Bunney,  George 590 

Carlin,  Thomas 134 

Case,  Lewis     646 

Case, Mrs.  Lewis 646 

Chapin,  S.   J 854 

Cleveland,  Grover 102 

Coles,   Edward 114 

Collins,  Robert 544 

Collins,  M  rs.  Robert     -  544 

Cox,  David 902 

Cox,  James  H 423 

Crigler,  T.  B 844 

Crigler,  Mrs.  T.    B 844 

Crumbaugh,  G.    D 606 

Cullum,  Shelby   M 174 

Davidson,  Wm 790 

Davis,  David 186 


Dickinson,  Eliada 1032 

Dodson,  A.   N 790 

Duncan,  Joseph 130 

Ed  wards,  Ninian 118 

Ellsworth,  Charles 442 

Ellsworth,  John 442 

Ellsworth,  Laura 443 

Ewing,Wm.    L.   D 126 

Ferre,  L ..  524 

Fillmore,  Millard 66 

Ford,  Thomas 138. 

Freeman,  A 464 

Freeman,  Caleb 626 

Freeman,  Mrs.  Mandana 626 

French,  Augustus  C 142 

Frink,  John    B    1*44 

Fry,  A 652 

Funk,  Jacob 280 

Garfield,  James  A 04 

Grant,  Ulysses  S     ..    86 

Gregory,  George 952 

Hall,  F.   M 702 

Hamilton,  John  M 178 

Hamilton,   Joseph 584 

Harbert,   Hiram 812 

Harrison,  Wm.  Henry 50 

Hayes,  Rutherford  B 90 

Henline,  David 874 

Henline.  W.    B 929 

Henline,  Mrs.   W.   B 929 

Higgins,  Robert 712 

Hopkins,  R.  M 1014 

Houser,  Harrison 802 

Houser,  Mrs.   Eliza 802 

Jackson,  Andrew 42 

Janes,  Israel    D 690 

Janes,  Mrs.    I.   D 690 


Jefferson,   Thomas 26 

Johnson,  Andrew 82 

Johnson,  Caleb 752 

Karr,  H.   K  668 

Kent,  W.    H 564 

Kepner,  J-    T 606 

Kimler,  James 702 

Lash,  Wm 220 

Lincoln,  Abraham 78 

Litta,   M  arie 1080 

Lott,  H.  C 402 

Loudon,  Robert  382 

Madison,  James 30 

Mahan,  J  .  C 1054 

Mattison,  Joei   A , 146 

McGregor,  James   H 504 

Miller,  M.  H 974 

M  in  ton,  J .   M 1126 

Moats,  Henry 994 

Monroe,  James 34 

Moore,  W.  D 812 

Munsell,  Eleazer 1032 

Oglesby,  Richard   J 162 

Packard ,  A 942 

Palmer,   John   M 166 

Park,  Jonathan 240 

Patton ,  B 912 

Patton,    Mrs.  B 912 

Perry,  Samuel 1044 

Pierce,   Franklin 70 

Polk,  James  K 58 

Prothero,  John 732 

Quinn,  B.  M 1106 

Quinn,  H.   W 1107 

Reynolds,  John 122 

Ridgeway,  Thomas  S 402 

Rounds,  D.   H ....320 


Rowell,  Richard -.752 

Rust,  John    F 422 

Scogin,  A.   W 220 

Sholty,  Jacob 361 

Shorthose,  J.  L 770 

Shorthose.  Thos-    H 770 

Sill,  Jonas 320 

Smith,  James 952 

Soule,  Pcleg 779 

Soule,  Mrs-   Peleg 779 

Spawr,  J 994 

Stauffer,  Tobias  S 584 

Stipps,  John  M 732 

Stringfield,  A.   M 902 

Stubblefield,  Ed 892 

Stubblefield,  John 340 

Stubblefield,  Mrs.   John 340 

Tallon,  John 484 

Taylor,  Zachary 62 

Thompson,  James .668 

Tyler,  John 54 

Van   Buren,  Martin 46 

Vanordstrand,  Isaac 1054 

VanSchoick,  Wm .1170 

Vasey,  Richard 854 

Victor,   Wm.   H ...942 

Wake6eld,  Dr.   Cyrenius.    .  .200 

Warlow,   R.    A 833 

Washington,  George 18 

Webb,  Benjamin   H 564 

Whitmer,  P 1146 

Wilson,  Abraham 822 

Wilson,  George 300 

Wilson,   Mrs-   Margaret 300 

Wintz,  Peter 712 

Wood,  John 154 

Yates,  Richard 158